Health & PE

Together we strive for growth through learning

E Tū Kahikatea

Through learning in Health Education, students will be enabled to develop an understanding of hauora/well-being and the school’s vision.

We aim to educate our students to understand the many factors that influence the health of themselves, others and their community. We explore different lifestyles, beliefs, cultural and environmental factors through our Garden to Table, Cultural Celebration weeks, Enviroschools and other additional programmes. PB4L is an important part of the way we do things at Papatoetoe West School. Lesson plans are available to support teachers and students with the WEST way. Additional documents are used to strengthen PB4L such as schoolwide matrix, classroom matrices and response to behaviour.

We cover all strands in the health curriculum by providing students with many valuable learning opportunities through implementing: Water Wise, Food for Thought, Mindfulness, Keeping Ourselves Safe, Life Education, Kiwi Can Programmes and Year 5/6 boys and girls health talks.

We are a travelwise school and teach the students to use alternatives to traveling to school by car. They are taught to cross the road correctly and take care by trains. Children are taught to be firewise and what to do if there is an emergency such as a fire, earthquake and so on.

We focus on building the resilience of our learners and encourage them to value and celebrate their personal identity along with valuing and appreciating others. Overcoming challenges and developing strong, positive connections with other people is an important focus.

Through student voice and agency we strive to empower our learners to be active decision-makers and collaborative problem solvers. Taking part in the Student Health Team, shared community actions and engaging with stakeholders for the purposes of reflection and growth.

We value the need for the development of physical skills, and value the social nature of team activities. Providing opportunities for experiences in sports, fitness and the development of gross/fine motor skills through P.E, P.M.P. programme, Counties Manukau sports, local sporting exchanges and swimming both at school and in the local community pools. An annual Community Sharing Day is held to promote healthy living in the school and in the community.