“I treat everyone equally!”: Perceptions, practices, and challenges of Health and Physical Education teachers when teaching ethnically diverse students

Title
“I treat everyone equally!”: Perceptions, practices, and challenges of Health and Physical Education teachers when teaching ethnically diverse students
Publication Date
2026-02-25
Author(s)
Naidu, Sangita
Nye, Adele
( supervisor )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1603-2643
Email: anye@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:anye
Charteris, Jennifer
( supervisor )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1554-6730
Email: jcharte5@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:jcharte5
Abstract
Please contact rune@une.edu.au if you require access to this thesis for the purpose of research or study.
Type of document
Thesis Masters Research
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
University of New England
Place of publication
Armidale, Australia
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/72304
Abstract

Teachers’ beliefs can have an effect on student outcomes (Rubie-Davies et al., 2018) and wellbeing (Pedler et al., 2020). Critical race theory, postcolonial theory, decolonisation and cultural relevance were used in this case study to explore the perceptions, practices and challenges of five specialist high school Health and Physical Education (HPE) teachers through semi-structured interviews and observations, uncovering instances of bias, colourblindness, and stereotypical notions, and resource limitations. Discourse analysis revealed dominant influences from various stakeholders, but also reflected larger societal discourses about inclusivity and wellbeing, tying it to conversations about the evolving role of HPE in a fast-changing society. This study has implications for improving HPE teacher practices in addressing race and cultural relevance.

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