#159 Why Primary PE Matters: Building Strong Foundations for Every Child

Every year, NSW primary teachers work tirelessly to support their students’ learning, behaviour and wellbeing. But with a new PDHPE syllabus rolling out, many teachers are feeling the pressure to get everything right… and fast.

The truth is, PDHPE has always been more than a subject. It’s a foundation.
And right now, our kids need that foundation more than ever.

We know only a quarter of children meet daily movement recommendations. We know mental health challenges are rising. And we know that many students simply don’t have opportunities at home to build movement confidence and emotional regulation.

This is where primary PDHPE changes lives.

The real purpose of PDHPE

PDHPE sets students up with the physical, social and emotional skills they need long before high school. Movement isn’t a “nice to have.” It supports memory, focus, resilience and confidence. When teachers embed movement across the day even in five-minute bursts students show up differently. They learn better. They cope better.

Five minutes that make a difference

Inside our K-6 Primary PDHPE Membership, Lyndelle Batten has developed a simple approach: five minutes of movement, five days a week. These movement breaks build fundamental movement skills without adding more pressure to your day. They’re practical, realistic and designed for every primary classroom.

Why this matters for the new syllabus

With many NSW schools stepping into implementation next year, teachers deserve clarity and support. A strong PDHPE program doesn’t just tick boxes. It builds safe, confident, connected young people who understand themselves, their choices and their world.

You don’t have to do it alone

Your holidays shouldn’t be spent writing programs or designing assessments. The K-6 Primary PDHPE Membership gives you planning tools, units, rubrics, movement resources and ongoing support so you can step into 2026 with confidence, not overwhelm.

If you're ready for planning that’s done for you, explore the Primary PDHPE Membership at thelearnnet.com/primary