Physical Domain

The physical domain of potential is one of four broad categories of natural abilities that apply to all students, including high potential and gifted (HPG) students.

The NSW K-10 physical literacy continuum provides a sequence of learning and resources that supports the structured teaching of physical education and sport. The continuum outlines the expected skills, knowledge, behaviours and attributes for students to achieve as they progress through their schooling, from Kindergarten to Year Ten. The continuum has four interrelated aspects:

Movement Competencies: involves developing proficiency in object control, stability and locomotor skills to sequence movement in a wide variety of physical activity settings.

Tactical Movement: includes understanding of physical activity contexts, rules and tactics. This understanding is used to plan for tactical movement and demonstration of critical and creative thinking through movement.

Motivation and Behavioural Skills: includes persistence, initiative and working independently in physical activity settings with a focus on the values, attitudes and behavioural skills to plan for and participate in life long physical activity.

Personal and Social Attributes: includes safety, cooperation, communication and conflict resolution within physical activity settings with a focus on inclusion of others and respectful participation in physical activity and other contexts

As a tool that guides the teaching of physical activity in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) and School Sport for all students of all abilities, the continuum is useful tool for identifying and accelerating high potential and gifted students. This is because the continuum can identify if a student’s personal and social capability, skills and competencies in physical education and sport exceed the expected level. Once identified, the teacher can use the continuum to plan and deliver extension activities that support high potential and gifted students undertake more advanced learning.

Alongside the physical literacy continuum, high potential and gifted students are also supported through a range of competitive interschool sporting activities, including athletics, swimming carnivals and team-based competitions such as soccer and netball. These opportunities. which are available for all students. typically provide a more rigorous level of challenge and allow high potential and gifted students to test and extend their skills.

Well-planned instruction and a range of opportunities are essential to engaging high potential and gifted students in physical education and sports. Teaching programs must be structured with a step-by-step approach that develops capability, skill and competency. The physical literacy continuum is one tool that enables teachers to identify high potential and gifted students and support them to develop and extend their skills.

NSW Physical literacy continuum K-10.

NSW Department of Education. (2023) Introducing the physical domain: a discussion paper for school leaders and teachers. High potential and gifted education P-12

Morley, D & Bailey R (2026) Meeting the Needs of Your Most Able Pupils: Physical Education and Sport. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group

Physical Domain

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