Teachers' professional development, communities of practice, and the secondary school subject department: The case of health and physical education. Schools are significant sites of authentic learning for teacher professional development. This study will contribute to a better understanding of how the culture of the secondary school subject department can facilitate or hinder such development. The project will: contribute to creating more supportive work contexts for teachers thereby reducing te ....Teachers' professional development, communities of practice, and the secondary school subject department: The case of health and physical education. Schools are significant sites of authentic learning for teacher professional development. This study will contribute to a better understanding of how the culture of the secondary school subject department can facilitate or hinder such development. The project will: contribute to creating more supportive work contexts for teachers thereby reducing teacher attrition; inform the development of better polices and practices surrounding teachers' professional learning communities; contribute to national and state level initiatives for the articulation of professional standards for teaching; and optimise the professional practices of HPE teachers who, as 'allied health workers', are integral to addressing Australia's health priorities.Read moreRead less