Reclaiming Confidence in Health and Movement Science: One Teacherβs Story of Change, Clarity & Community
Jul 31, 2025When syllabus changes hit, it can feel like you’re starting all over again.
And for many NSW teachers tackling the new Health and Movement Science course, that’s exactly what it’s felt like. Rebuilding content knowledge, rethinking programming, rewriting assessments... all on top of an already demanding teaching load.
But what if it didn’t have to feel that way?
In Episode #147 of The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast, I sat down with Lucy Pearce, an experienced PDHPE teacher based in regional NSW, to unpack what real support can look like when you're teaching Health and Movement Science for the first time and doing it solo.
Stepping Back In With Little Support
After more than a decade away from senior PDHPE, Lucy returned to teaching seniors with a Year 11 Health and Movement Science class in a small regional Catholic school. Not only was she adjusting to the new syllabus, but she was also balancing part-time teaching, a careers advisor role and parent life… all without a dedicated Health and Movement Science colleague to collaborate with.
She knew one thing immediately: she didn’t want to reinvent the wheel.
Like so many others, Lucy was asking:
- Where do I start?
- How do I know I’m on the right track?
- Do I have time to create meaningful resources from scratch?
And like so many regional educators, Lucy faced added challenges like limited access to PL, fewer local networks and smaller student numbers. She wasn’t just rebuilding a course.
She was also rebuilding her confidence.
Finding Support That Actually Helps
That’s where The Learning Network came in.
Instead of Googling for resources or drowning in planning, Lucy joined The HMS Membership and discovered a professional community and resource bank designed to help her:
- Understand the syllabus deeply through mapping tools and student-friendly docs
- Teach with intention using ready-to-go lesson slides and activity booklets
- Assess with clarity using editable templates aligned with outcomes
- Stay connected through live MasterClasses, expert sessions and an online community that “gets it”
Lucy described The Health and Movement Science Membership as “a bit of a lifesaver” not because it made Health and Movement Science easy, but because it made it possible to teach with purpose, without burning out.
Why This Story Matters
Lucy’s experience isn’t unique and that’s exactly why it’s powerful.
It shows us what’s possible when teachers are supported with the right tools, training and connections. It shows us that leadership isn’t always loud; sometimes, it looks like quietly showing up for your students, reaching out for support and trusting yourself to try again.
It reminds us that we’re better when we’re not doing it alone.
Ready to have this level of support?
If you're trying to wrap your head around the structure of the new Health and Movement Science course or want to see how Year 11 content builds into Year 12, we’ve created a FREE HMS Mapping Tool just for you.
ποΈ Download the free resource here: www.thelearnnet.com/hmsmapping
This side-by-side breakdown of Year 11 vs Year 12 Health and Movement Science will help you align content, plan ahead and deliver more cohesive learning experiences for your students.
Because clarity should never be a privilege.
It should be part of the plan.
π Explore the full HMS Membership here: www.thelearnnet.com/hms
π§ And if you haven’t yet, listen to Lucy’s story on The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast: www.thelearnnet.com/147
