❓ A parliamentary question addresses the lack of compulsory sport in WA Year 11 and 12 curricula, citing concerns about adolescent obesity and existing health initiatives. The Minister's response highlights existing physical activity mandates for K-10 and school-level autonomy for Years 11-12.
AnsweredQoN 1158Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Given that in Years 11 and 12 many high school students are forced to withdraw from organised club sports due to study and work commitments, can the Minister please advise -
(1) Why isn’t compulsory sport or physical activity part of the Year 11 and 12 curriculums in all Western Australian schools?
(2) Was compulsory sport or physical activity ever part of the Year 11 and 12 curriculums in all Western Australian schools?
(3) If so, when did this cease, and why?
(4) Given the increasing awareness of the long term health risks associated with adolescent obesity, and the number of health education programs – including the Premier’s own Physical Activity Taskforce, and the comprehensive promises made in its report of October 2001 (“Getting Western Australians more Active”) – why has this issue of compulsory sport not yet been addressed in our high schools?
(5) Now that this matter has been drawn to the Minister’s attention, will she give a commitment to address this matter as a matter of urgency?
(1) Why isn’t compulsory sport or physical activity part of the Year 11 and 12 curriculums in all Western Australian schools?
(2) Was compulsory sport or physical activity ever part of the Year 11 and 12 curriculums in all Western Australian schools?
(3) If so, when did this cease, and why?
(4) Given the increasing awareness of the long term health risks associated with adolescent obesity, and the number of health education programs – including the Premier’s own Physical Activity Taskforce, and the comprehensive promises made in its report of October 2001 (“Getting Western Australians more Active”) – why has this issue of compulsory sport not yet been addressed in our high schools?
(5) Now that this matter has been drawn to the Minister’s attention, will she give a commitment to address this matter as a matter of urgency?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
22 June 2006
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Education and Training
Response time
49 days
All students in years K-10 participate in physical activity under the mandated Curriculum Framework . School systems and sectors are responsible for making decisions regarding compulsory sport or physical activity at Year 11 and 12. This allows schools the flexibility to best meet the needs of their students. (4)-(5) In February 2005 the State Government announced that it will become mandatory for all students in K-10 to do at least two hours of physical activity every week. In addition, the Australian Government's 2005 - 2008 quadrennial funding agreement under the Australian Government's Schools Assistance (Learning Together - Achievement through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004 and Regulations 2005 states that all schools are required to provide two hours of physical activity, during curriculum time, for students in primary and junior secondary schools. To meet these requirements, the Department of Education and Training is providing professional learning and developing curriculum support materials to ensure that teachers from K-10 are competent and confident to deliver quality physical activity opportunities. In addition, most schools provide for students to participate in variety of sporting competitions. There is also provision for schools and students to be involved in sport through School Sport WA.
School systems and sectors are responsible for making decisions regarding compulsory sport or physical activity at Year 11 and 12. This allows schools the flexibility to best meet the needs of their students. (4)-(5) In February 2005 the State Government announced that it will become mandatory for all students in K-10 to do at least two hours of physical activity every week. In addition, the Australian Government's 2005 - 2008 quadrennial funding agreement under the Australian Government's Schools Assistance (Learning Together - Achievement through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004 and Regulations 2005 states that all schools are required to provide two hours of physical activity, during curriculum time, for students in primary and junior secondary schools. To meet these requirements, the Department of Education and Training is providing professional learning and developing curriculum support materials to ensure that teachers from K-10 are competent and confident to deliver quality physical activity opportunities. In addition, most schools provide for students to participate in variety of sporting competitions. There is also provision for schools and students to be involved in sport through School Sport WA.
(4)-(5) In February 2005 the State Government announced that it will become mandatory for all students in K-10 to do at least two hours of physical activity every week. In addition, the Australian Government's 2005 - 2008 quadrennial funding agreement under the Australian Government's Schools Assistance (Learning Together - Achievement through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004 and Regulations 2005 states that all schools are required to provide two hours of physical activity, during curriculum time, for students in primary and junior secondary schools. To meet these requirements, the Department of Education and Training is providing professional learning and developing curriculum support materials to ensure that teachers from K-10 are competent and confident to deliver quality physical activity opportunities. In addition, most schools provide for students to participate in variety of sporting competitions. There is also provision for schools and students to be involved in sport through School Sport WA.
To meet these requirements, the Department of Education and Training is providing professional learning and developing curriculum support materials to ensure that teachers from K-10 are competent and confident to deliver quality physical activity opportunities. In addition, most schools provide for students to participate in variety of sporting competitions. There is also provision for schools and students to be involved in sport through School Sport WA.
In addition, most schools provide for students to participate in variety of sporting competitions. There is also provision for schools and students to be involved in sport through School Sport WA.
School systems and sectors are responsible for making decisions regarding compulsory sport or physical activity at Year 11 and 12. This allows schools the flexibility to best meet the needs of their students. (4)-(5) In February 2005 the State Government announced that it will become mandatory for all students in K-10 to do at least two hours of physical activity every week. In addition, the Australian Government's 2005 - 2008 quadrennial funding agreement under the Australian Government's Schools Assistance (Learning Together - Achievement through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004 and Regulations 2005 states that all schools are required to provide two hours of physical activity, during curriculum time, for students in primary and junior secondary schools. To meet these requirements, the Department of Education and Training is providing professional learning and developing curriculum support materials to ensure that teachers from K-10 are competent and confident to deliver quality physical activity opportunities. In addition, most schools provide for students to participate in variety of sporting competitions. There is also provision for schools and students to be involved in sport through School Sport WA.
(4)-(5) In February 2005 the State Government announced that it will become mandatory for all students in K-10 to do at least two hours of physical activity every week. In addition, the Australian Government's 2005 - 2008 quadrennial funding agreement under the Australian Government's Schools Assistance (Learning Together - Achievement through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004 and Regulations 2005 states that all schools are required to provide two hours of physical activity, during curriculum time, for students in primary and junior secondary schools. To meet these requirements, the Department of Education and Training is providing professional learning and developing curriculum support materials to ensure that teachers from K-10 are competent and confident to deliver quality physical activity opportunities. In addition, most schools provide for students to participate in variety of sporting competitions. There is also provision for schools and students to be involved in sport through School Sport WA.
To meet these requirements, the Department of Education and Training is providing professional learning and developing curriculum support materials to ensure that teachers from K-10 are competent and confident to deliver quality physical activity opportunities. In addition, most schools provide for students to participate in variety of sporting competitions. There is also provision for schools and students to be involved in sport through School Sport WA.
In addition, most schools provide for students to participate in variety of sporting competitions. There is also provision for schools and students to be involved in sport through School Sport WA.
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