Navigating a new curriculum: smooth sailing ahead for HPE educators
Navigating a new curriculum: smooth sailing ahead for HPE educators
The Health and Physical Education (HPE) landscape is evolving, with a new curriculum designed to better equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for positive lifelong attitudes to health and wellbeing.
While these curriculum updates from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) are critical for ensuring relevance and effectiveness, they also may present some challenges for the educators tasked with implementing them.
Providing comprehensive support to HPE teachers is vital to ensure a smooth transition and sustained student success, and ACHPER Victoria is here to help you every step of the way.
Understanding the challenges
Some of the challenges HPE teachers might face when adapting to the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 and the new VCE PE and HHD study designs may include:
- Curriculum familiarisation – understanding what’s changing, new learning outcomes, and how they integrate with existing frameworks.
- Resource development – ensuring access to up-to-date, high-quality teaching resources that align with the revised curriculum are available.
- Assessment and reporting – adjusting evaluation methods to meet new standards while maintaining meaningful feedback for students.
- Professional learning – receiving adequate training and support to develop confidence in delivering new content effectively.
Transitioning with confidence: rising to meet challenges
Addressing the challenges listed above requires a combined effort from, teachers, individual schools, government, leadership, and community involvement.
Here are some key strategies schools and ACHPER Victoria can provide to help bridge gaps in knowledge and provide guidance for our HPE educators navigating the Victorian curriculum 2.0 and the new VCE PE and HHD study design:
1. Targeted professional learning and development
High-quality professional learning opportunities are vital. These can include:
- Workshops and webinars – interactive sessions with subject area experts to explore curriculum changes and share best practices.
- Peer mentorship programs – connecting experienced teachers with those newer to the profession or curriculum.
- Ongoing training – access to professional organisations such as VCAA, who can provide hands-on support in curriculum implementation.
2. Access to high-quality teaching resources
To help ease the transition, HPE teachers must have access to a range of curriculum-aligned resources, adaptable lesson plans, activity guides, and digital tools. These can include:
- Curriculum-aligned resources – centralised online repositories of teaching materials.
- Collaboration with industry experts – engaging health professionals and sports organisations to provide real-world insights.
- Technology integration – leveraging digital platforms for interactive learning and assessment.
3. Time and support for implementation
Schools can help by recognising the time required to adapt and implement curriculum changes by:
- Allowing dedicated planning time – allocating structured time for curriculum familiarisation, lesson development and professional learning.
- Reducing administrative burden – streamlining paperwork and reporting to free up teaching capacity.
- Encouraging cross-department collaboration – promoting interdisciplinary projects to reinforce health and physical education across the curriculum.
4. Building a supportive community
A collaborative teaching environment enhances professional growth and wellbeing, making teachers feel supported. Some strategies could include:
- Teacher network, forums and a new summit on its way for HPE teachers – encouraging knowledge sharing and discussion through networking and learning together.
- School leadership engagement – ensuring principals and administrators actively support HPE educators.
- Community involvement – fostering communities and partnerships to reinforce the new curriculum through extracurricular activities and programs.
Looking ahead
By prioritising professional learning, providing access to quality resources, and fostering a supportive educational environment, Victoria’s HPE teachers will navigate the new curriculum 2.0 and VCE changes with confidence, and continue to inspire the next generation of active, informed, and healthy individuals.