Health and Physical Education

Healthy active living courses are essential components to a child’s education.  Being physically active offers so many benefits to not only a child’s health, but also to their overall education.  According to the Health and Physical Education curriculum 2010 (interim edition), healthy, active living benefits both individuals and society in many ways – for example, by “ increasing productivity and readiness for learning,  improving morale, decreasing absenteeism, reducing health-care costs, decreasing anti-social behaviour such as bullying and violence, promoting safe and healthy relationships, and heightening personal satisfaction”.  It is the mission of the Health and Physical Education departments of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board to provide well rounded, balanced and stimulating programs to students throughout the region.

The overall goal of each school is the same.  The heart of each program is active participation.  It is imperative that students are provided the opportunity to be active on a daily basis.  Students are taught movement skills and game strategies throughout a wide variety of activities.  Students are given the opportunity to experience a range of activities, from net/wall games to target, territory and striking/fielding activities.  The principles of fitness and wellness are reinforced throughout the curriculum. It is the perspective that by exposing students to an abundance of opportunities, they will gain knowledge and wisdom that will allow them to be active for life. Students are also taught to be physically active in a safe environment.

An important core value in our physical education is the development of character.  This includes “promoting the education values of striving to achieve one’s personal best, equity and fair play, respect for diversity, sensitivity and respect for individual requirements and needs, and good health and well-being” (Health and Physical Education curriculum, 2010 interim edition). Students are taught goal setting and decision making skills, the importance of healthy relationships, mental health awareness, personal safety, healthy eating, substance use and abuse.  These health components further provide students with the awareness to lead fulfilling, active and healthy lifestyles.

Each school provides a wide variety of courses in the physical education department.  These courses range from healthy active living courses, personal fitness, power fit, games for girls, recreational leadership and exercise science.  Both Resurrection CSS and St. Benedict CSS offer specialized courses for elite athletes (RCSS – PEAT and SBCSS – LEAP). These courses require an application and these can be found on the school website.  The core curriculum for each school is similar; however, each school provides unique opportunities for their students.  These include and are not limited to indoor wall climbing, self defence, , ski trips, kick-boxing, outdoor education and off campus activities at various health and wellness facilities around the region.  For further information on each school’s courses, please contact the school.

(The Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum, 2010 Interim Edition, pg.5)

Pathways

Monsignor Doyle Pathways
Resurrection Pathways
St. Benedict Pathways
St. David Pathways
St. Mary’s Pathways