Slide 1
Health and Movement Science
- Stage 6 — Years 11 and 12
- Health and Movement Science 11–12 Syllabus (2023)
- Units
- 2 units for each of the Preliminary and HSC courses (Board Developed)
- Exclusions
- Nil
- Group
- Additional elective — Available as extra units above the minimum 12
Syllabus in use · Current syllabus (2023)
The Academy teaches the Health and Movement Science 11–12 Syllabus (2023), which replaced the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) Stage 6 Syllabus (2012) and has been implemented since 2025. This is already the current syllabus for the Year 11 2027 cohort.
Course description
Health and Movement Science draws on a range of fields and the application of scientific concepts to engage students in learning about the factors that influence health and movement. Students investigate the health status of Australians and the factors affecting individual and community health, and explore the factors that influence movement and performance.
Course structure
Year 11 Preliminary · 2027
- Health for Individuals and Communities (40 hours)
- The Body and Mind in Motion (40 hours)
- Collaborative Investigation (20 hours)
- Depth studies — a minimum of two (20 hours)
Year 12 HSC · 2028
- Health in an Australian and Global Context (45 hours)
- Training for Improved Performance (45 hours)
- Depth studies — a minimum of two (30 hours)
Students who should consider this course
This course suits students with a genuine interest in health, physical activity and social justice, and its impact on lifestyle, as well as those interested in sports physiology and psychology or careers such as physiotherapy, dietetics, sports psychology or PDHPE teaching.
School-based assessment components
| Component | Weighting % |
|---|---|
| Knowledge and understanding of course content | 40 |
| Skills in critical thinking, research, analysis and communicating | 60 |
HSC examination
The HSC examination allows 3 hours plus 10 minutes reading time. The paper consists of three sections: 20 multiple-choice questions worth 20 marks, short and medium written responses worth 56 marks, and two extended-response questions worth 12 marks each. Questions addressing Health and Movement Science skill outcomes are integrated throughout the examination. Approximately equal weighting is given to the two focus areas: Health in an Australian and Global Context and Training for Improved Performance.
Subject presentation
Slide 1 of 22Use ← → keys, or click a slide
Health and Movement Science — Stage 6 subject presentation (PDHPE Department). Image-only slides omitted.
Text transcript of the slides (13 slides)
Slide 2
Welcome to Health and Movement Science
- Designed for Years 11 and 12.
- Focus on scientific understanding and real-world application.
Slide 3
Core skills you’ll develop
- Collaboration
- Analysis
- Communication
- Creative thinking
- Problem-solving
- Research
Slide 4
Year 11: your learning journey (120 hours)
- Health for Individuals and Communities — 40 hours
- The Body and Mind in Motion — 40 hours
- Collaborative Investigation — 20 hours
- Depth Studies — 20 hours
Slide 5
Health for Individuals and Communities
- Explore holistic meanings of health.
- Investigate health determinants and indicators.
- Focus on youth health issues.
- Build health literacy and protective skills.
Slide 6
The Body and Mind in Motion
- Understand body systems and movement — energy systems, training types, physical adaptation.
- Examine skill acquisition and psychological factors — motivation and performance mindset.
Slide 7
Collaborative Investigation
- A 20-hour group research project.
- Analyse health or movement issues.
- Propose evidence-based solutions.
Slide 8
Example inquiry questions
- Module 1 — Health, wellbeing and participation in physical activity: How do social and cultural factors shape a young person’s health behaviours and access to physical activity in Australia? In what ways does media influence young people’s health choices, self-concept and attitudes to physical activity? What strategies could schools implement to make physical activity more inclusive and engaging for all students?
- Module 2 — The body and movement: How do different energy systems contribute to performance in various sports, and how can athletes train them effectively? How can an understanding of biomechanics improve performance and prevent injury? How do fatigue and recovery influence athletic performance, and what strategies optimise them?
Slide 9
Depth Study
- A student-led inquiry where you investigate a health, physical activity or movement-related issue in detail, applying course concepts from Modules 1 and 2.
- Purpose: deepen your understanding of a topic of interest; apply syllabus knowledge to a real-world context; develop research, analysis and communication skills.
Slide 10
Year 12: advanced exploration (120 hours)
- Health in an Australian and Global Context — 45 hours
- Training for Improved Performance — 45 hours
- Continued Depth Studies — 30 hours
Slide 11
Health in an Australian and Global Context
- Compare national and global health status — chronic disease trends, ageing population impacts, health promotion strategies.
- Link to sustainable development and equity.
Slide 12
Training for Improved Performance
- Identify different types of training (e.g. aerobic, anaerobic, resistance, flexibility).
- Understand how training affects body systems and movement.
- Apply the principles of training (e.g. specificity, overload, reversibility).
- Design or analyse a training program for a specific goal.
Slide 13
Why choose HMS?
- Relevant and real — learn about health, movement and lifestyle choices; relevant to current trends in health and sport; modern content.
- Career ready — great for pathways like physiotherapy, public health, sports science, nursing and teaching.
- Hands-on learning — a blend of theory, practical sports experiments and research.