Summary report of key findings for the Australian Government: Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) - How are primary education health and physical education (HPE) teachers best prepared?

Abstract

This project investigated Primary School Principal's perceptions of a University Pre-service Teacher Education course where the graduate teacher is qualified as a generalist primary classroom teacher and a Health and Physical Education specialist. Surveys were completed in term 4 of the 2012 school year, there were 376 principal participants from a cross-section of Australian Government schools representing every state and territory, region and size. Health and Physical Education (HPE) as an Australian curriculum learning area is associated with holistic lifelong health and wellbeing. Research suggests that the optimum time for children to learn and refine their motor skills and to be introduced to positive HPE experiences is during preschool and early primary school years. This project investigates such research through the perceptions of Principals within the context of Government Schools in Australia.