Year 7
In the Year 7 Health and Physical Education program, the main focus is on enhancing fundamental motor skills, fostering healthy relationships and developing a love for physical activity. At the start of the year the students were introduced to games of netball and European Handball, whilst developing friendships, skills and strategies and learning to work as a team. We did a brief unit on Puberty before the Year 7 Camp and followed it up with a lifelong Health and Fitness unit. Students participated in a rotation of activities, like fitness monopoly and an amazing race, all the while working towards a goal, they had set for themselves. These were designed to help them develop different aspects of fitness in a fun and engaging environment. We spent Term 2 working on our Oztag skills and working together as a team in a SEPEP unit. Term 3 bought about 2 units; Let’s Create and Let’s be Safe. These units saw students helping their peers increase their knowledge through the creation of a boardgame and saw them work together in a rhythmic gymnastics type unit which incorporated balances, jumps, rolls, ribbons and different types of locomotion. The last term of the year was based on summer sports of Tee ball and Cricket, where students learnt striking and fielding skills.
Year 8
This year in HPE, Year 8 students embraced both fun and fitness through a range of engaging activities. They showcased their fancy footwork in a unit on soccer and AFL, and their teamwork, fitness and creativity through their vibrant skipping routines. The Challenge and Adventure unit saw students discovering the joy of recreational games like Finska and Corn Hole, capped off by a disc golf adventure for some classes to the local park. The Net Sports unit introduced students to the fast-paced action of Badminton and the growing popularity of Pickleball, and the SEPEP program had them mastering Tchoukball and Volleyball. In the classroom, students discussed important topics in ‘Positive Relationships’, including consent, digital safety, and building respectful relationships, along with ‘Health and Safety’ lessons on the risks of drugs, alcohol, and vaping. It was a year marked by growth, teamwork, and memorable experiences.
Year 9
This year in Year 9 PE was action-packed from start to finish! We kicked things off with the exciting unit Just Stick It, where students dived into fast-paced games of lacrosse and hockey, balancing competition with teamwork and sportsmanship.
Next up was flag football, a growing sport from the U.S. that had everyone strategizing and designing their own set plays to score touchdowns. There were some incredible plays and standout moments on the field!
In Semester 2, the focus shifted to Healthy Minds and Bodies, where students explored the benefits of boxing and yoga. They created their own routines, learning how physical activity can reduce stress and promote mindfulness. The year concluded with a Team Sports unit featuring the Indigenous game Buroinjin, where students worked together in roles, enhancing their collaboration and leadership skills.
It was a busy, exciting, and fun-filled year for Year 9 HPE!
BRInC Biomechanics Program
The BRInC Biomechanics Program run by UC was an amazing experience in which I got to partake. I was able to bond with my friends and meet many new people, all while learning about how the body works. Alongside Jazara, Violet, Serena, Aswini, and Penelope, I got to investigate why so many students dislike the Merici standard shoes and what we can do to fix them. After 2 UC lab visits, matcha bubble tea, and a series of determined tests, we created an amazing foam prototype. We concluded the BRInC experience with our own informational (and comedic) video on our project and aims. Throughout the program, the Merici group explored the potential career options for women in STEM and why we should pursue them.
(Shoutout to our Mentors: Ms. Michaela McGrath, Dr. Celeste Coltman, and Dr. Crystal Kean) Krithika Bumia (Year 9)
Year 9 Sports Science
This year marked an exciting new chapter in HPE with the introduction of the Sports Science elective! Students kicked off their journey with the ‘Harder, Faster, Stronger’ unit, giving them the opportunity to delve into the intricacies of the fitness centre and uncover the fascinating interplay of muscles and bones during exercise. Next, they explored the essential world of recovery, learning diverse techniques to aid athlete rehabilitation. The course then transitioned into a thrilling competition unit where students took the reins, designing and running their own sporting events, gaining firsthand experience in event organisation. The year concluded with the insightful ‘Mind Matters’ unit, highlighting the crucial role of mental conditioning in athletic performance and demonstrating that success in sports encompasses both physical and mental resilience. Overall, this year in Sports Science has been an eye-opener for our students, revealing that athletic performance is influenced by a variety of factors beyond just physical training.
Year 10
Year 10 HPE this year was all about pushing boundaries and embracing new challenges. We kicked off with an inspiring unit on inclusion, called ‘Sport for All’ where students experienced the thrill of playing various inclusive sports such as wheelchair rugby and sitting volleyball, gaining insight into adaptive and inclusive sports. We then got grooving with an 80’s style aerobics unit where students created routines that brought back the energy and fun to fitness. We also explored healthy relationships and learned practical ways to stay safe in different scenarios. To top it off, students took the lead in organising a Frisbee competition, showcasing teamwork, leadership and funky team costumes to end their HPE journey. Year 10 HPE has laid the foundation for a lifelong passion for fitness and wellbeing, encouraging students to find joy in staying active and healthy through diverse and engaging activities.
Year 11/12 Exercise Science
As in previous years, senior students had the opportunity to study Exercise Science through the HPE Department at Merici College. This course is offered as both a Tertiary or Accredited BSSS subject, and classes are delivered concurrently with IB Diploma students studying Sport, Exercise, and Health Science.
In Year 11, students began with a unit on the Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body. They engaged in various labs, exploring how the body’s systems can act as either enablers or barriers to sporting performance. In the second semester, students built on this foundation in a unit on Preparation for Training and Performance, investigating factors influencing sports performance. They explored training and nutritional principles, designing and performing fitness tests and training programs to examine the impact of training on performance.
Year 12 students delved into biomechanical and physiological principles in the unit “The Body in Motion.” They utilized biomechanical software to analyse sports performance and identify potential improvements, as well as examined physiological adaptations to exercise. In the second semester, the focus shifted to ‘Factors Affecting Performance’, covering recovery, injury rehabilitation, and the psychological theories influencing athletic performance. This year marked a milestone, with our first group of IB students set to graduate.
Kylie Olsthoorn
HPE Coordinator
