Bachelor of Health & Physical Education (Primary)

School of Education

The Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Primary) prepares graduates to be high performing teachers in primary school settings who inspire students to become enthusiastic and successful lifelong learners. The program includes an evidence-based foundation of contemporary educational studies, and the development of the professional skills of teaching and classroom management. The program prepares students to be specialist Health & Physical Education (HPE) teachers. Students will also complete six courses across English, mathematics, humanities and social sciences, and science to develop their capabilities as primary classroom teachers. Its extensive professional experience opportunities include 30 weeks of school-based practical experience, which fosters excellent integration of theory and practice as beginning teachers learn to plan, facilitate, and assess learning. This program will qualify you to educate students in Australian Catholic, independent, and government primary schools. The four-year degree has flexible full-time or part-time study options available.

• Why study this degree?

  If your ambition is to teach Health & Physical Education (HPE) in a primary school environment, you will be well-prepared with this four year program. It is a well-rounded undergraduate program that combines theory, skill development, and plenty of hands-on experience. Working from a rigorous and practical curriculum, you will acquire the skills to teach across the HPE learning area, which includes health education, physical education, and outdoor education. In addition to HPE, students will complete six courses across English, mathematics, humanities and social sciences, and science to develop their capabilities as primary classroom teachers. This degree provides the academic skills you need to support, engage, and positively impact primary school students by integrating theory and practice. This program prepares you with both the content knowledge, skills, and experience in curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment that will enable you to gain employment as a teacher.

• Program summary

  The Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Primary) prepares you with both the subject area content knowledge that you will teach to students and the skills and experience in curriculum, pedagogy and assessment that will enable you to teach as a HPE specialist.

  Year 1

  • EDUC1037 Academic Skills and Digital Literacy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
  • EDUC1039 Foundations of Education
  • EDUC1038 English 1: Language Learning and Literacy
  • EDUC1043 Physical Education 1
  • HLTH1044 Anatomy & Physiology for Health and Physical Education
  • CORE1000 Foundations of Wisdom
  • EDUC1045 Physical Education 2
  • EDUC1040 Development and Learning (Includes 10-day observation)

  Year 2

  • EDUC2071 Introduction to Teaching Principles
  • EDUC2069 Mathematics 2: Teaching Number and Algebra
  • EDUC2087 Outdoor Education Fundamentals
  • EDUC2XXX Professional Experience 2 – Primary (HPE)
  • EDUC3046 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students: Culturally Responsive Connections
  • EDUC2077 Positive Learning Environments
  • EDUC2088 Teaching Methods 7-10: HPE
  • EDUC2089 Health Education 1

  Year 3

  • XXXXXX RE Accreditation or Approved Elective
  • HLTH3096 Sports Science for Health and Physical Education
  • EDUC3097 Enriching Inclusive Education in Health & Physical Education
  • EDUC2XXX Professional Experience 3 – Primary (HPE)
  • EDUC3098 Excursion and Event Management in Education
  • EDUC3070 English 3: Writing pedagogy
  • EDUC3069 Wonders of the World Humanities in the Primary Curriculum
  • EDUC2076 Exploring Science in Primary Education: Integrating Technology

  Year 4

  • EDUC4044 Advanced Pedagogy and Professional Ethics
  • EDUC4058 Health Education 2
  • EDUC4059 Physical Education 3
  • EDUC3067 Mathematics 3: Teaching Measurement and Statistics
  • EDUC4XXX Professional engagement and Internship –Primary (HPE)
  • XXXXXX RE Accreditation or Approved Elective
  • COREXXXX CORE Curriculum Elective

  Core Curriculum

  • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
  • CORE II: Elective
    • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
    • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
    • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
    • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
    • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

  Please note: the availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.

• Entry requirements

  Entry requirements WA

  Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

  Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 70

  OR

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 25

  *Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

  Applicants with Higher Education

  • Successful completion of 4 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

  OR

  • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

  * Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

  Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

  Applicants with Work and Life Experience

  Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.

  OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 135 in the Multiple Choice section and 140 in the Written English section*.

  OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

  *STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Primary) graduates will be able to:

  1. Synthesise knowledge of curriculum as prescribed in WA syllabus documents and the Australian Curriculum;
  2. Plan and implement teaching and learning engagements for children of diverse backgrounds and abilities based on sound understandings of pedagogy that draw on research and theory;
  3. Demonstrate the appropriate cultural sensitivities and knowledges necessary to teach Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander students in ways that recognise, respect, and respond to their unique stories, cultures, practises and ways of knowing, being and seeing;
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate planning and risk management practises in educational activities associated with the Health & Physical Education learning area including carnivals, outdoor activities, and camps;
  5. Apply research-based theory in multiple, varied and extended Professional Experience opportunities with accomplished teachers in a mentoring context in schools;
  6. Create effective learning opportunities and outcomes based on contemporary understandings of child development in the physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and cultural domains;
  7. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to engage appropriately and effectively with parents and caregivers, as well as stakeholder professionals and external organisations, through the acquisition of a wide and varied repertoire of assessment, evaluation, reporting and communication strategies;
  8. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of continual professional development in both formal and informal settings in collaboration with colleagues inside and outside the school, to build collective teacher efficacy
  9. Demonstrate the ability to integrate contemporary information and communication technologies to enhance learning creatively and effectively;
  10. Interpret student data to design and implement authentic assessment to report on and improve student learning;
  11. Articulate professional values and ethical standards that demonstrate a commitment to secure socially just and sustainable futures for all learners.

• Practical component

  Students are required to complete Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Primary) and the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Primary) (Honours) that includes approximately 30 weeks of professional experience/internship. Students must meet the Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment (GTPA) standard to pass their internship and graduate (as per Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) requirements).

  Students will require a current Working with Children Check (volunteer for Professional Experience 1 and paid employee for Internship) and a National Police Clearance Check within six (months) of expiry.

  Successful completion of Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) is required before the Internship in the final year.

• Career opportunities

  With the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Primary), you will have the skills and qualification to work in Australia as a primary school teacher in Catholic, Independent and Government schools.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from staff who are industry leaders, and through 30 weeks of professional experience placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers. In addition to professional experience, there are further work-integrated learning opportunities embedded within the degree where you will work with schools across a range of courses.

• Honours

  An Honours award is available for this program. Further information can be found in the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Primary), or by contacting the School of Education.

• Opportunities and experiences

  At the University of Notre Dame, we believe that gaining a global perspective is an important part of your university education.

  Students can immerse themselves in other cultures with Study abroad, through our international exchange programs, study tours, and professional placements. These experiences provide valuable academic and personal growth while earning credit toward your degree.

  You can also engage with the world through Global experiences, volunteer opportunities and cross-cultural initiatives designed to develop your global citizenship and broaden your understanding of international communities.

  Visit Opportunities and experiences to find out more.

• Professional accreditation

  This program has been submitted to the Teachers Registration Board of Western Australia for accreditation.
  The Bachelor of Health & Physical Education (Primary) will be accredited by the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA) against the standards set by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).

• Scholarships

  Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

  These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

  Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Undergraduate students.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

  The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?
  Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process.

  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, the Prospective Students Office can help. Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session.

  Phone: 1800 878 916
  Email: future@nd.edu.au
  Address: 23 High St, Fremantle, WA 6160

  International students
  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, fill out our Make an Enquiry form, and you can book a session with one of our friendly International Student Advisors.

  Fremantle and Broome International Office
  Phone: +61 8 9433 0873
  Address: 19 Mouat St, Fremantle, WA 6160
  Postal address: PO Box 1225, Fremantle WA 6959

  Sydney and Melbourne International Office
  Phone: +61 2 8204 4229
  Address: 140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008
  Postal address: PO Box 944, Broadway NSW 2007