Physical Education (PE) is a compulsory subject at MAGS in Years 9 and 10. From Year 11 students can choose whether to take Performance PE 1 or Performance PE 2 for NCEA Level 1. Performance PE 2 leads to Sports Leadership in Year 12 (NCEA Level 2) and Sports Coaching in Year 13 (NCEA Level 3). Performance PE 1 continues through to Level 3 and Scholarship. Both PE 1 and PE 2 pathways are university-approved and lead to tertiary study.
Years 9 and 10
Students take part in a range of games, sports and adventure-based learning, which together teach inter-personal skills such as being inclusive and working in teams. The MAGS Way set of values promoting respect, honesty and aiming for excellence underpins each class. Skills are developed in running, throwing, catching, striking and net games.
In Year 10 a sports education topic is added that enables students to take on roles of coach or captain.
Years 11-13
Performance PE 1 or Performance PE 2
PE 1 is a theory-based course with roughly three classroom sessions to one outdoor session. Students study anatomy, body mechanics, exercise physiology, the science of performance, and undertake critical thinking assignments such as looking at the issue of drugs in sport.
PE 2, Sports Leadership and Sports Coaching are more active with a focus on physical learning. Students start by participating in a range of activities and keep logs, progress to visiting a local primary school to lead a PE unit, coach a MAGS team for 20 hours, complete a weight training unit and undertake a comprehensive First Aid certificate.
Career pathways
PE 1: PE teacher, physiotherapist, sports manager at corporate level
PE 2: Personal trainer, gym instructor, coach, sports co-ordinator for a school, club or regional/national body
