St Peter’s is a school well known to GO2. At our launch, students from St. Peters came down to participate in games and activities and meet local celebrities as they learned about the importance of physical activity.
In June, St. Peter’s invited GO2 to their school in SE Calgary to show off some school spirit and talk about the importance of physical activity.
Displaying the essence of active living, Assistant Principal and Phys. Ed. teacher Natalie McInnis described the “culture” of physical activity at St Peter’s. “It’s not really something we promote, it is just part of our day.”
“It’s a norm, an expectation... Having the support from the government through the DPA mandate allows us to make physical activity a priority and foster a positive atmosphere”.
The DPA (Daily Physical Activity) mandate means that all schools in Alberta need to include a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity each school day. "It works perfectly with our goals. St. Peter's is recognized as a Comprehensive School Health, Ever Active, and Catholic Community of Caring school."
They have also been acknowledged as a Diamond level Quality Daily Physical Ed. School by the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, and Dance.
McInnis described the benefits that St Peter’s receives as including building community in classrooms, developing a sense of play, and even helping students academically. In addition, the DPA mandate has allowed teachers to pursue physical education as a component of their professional development days and expand their skill set and teaching techniques.
“Physical activity also helps us with not only the motor development of our students, but their social development as well” said McInnis.
This development was on display as students demonstrated one of their favorite games game - Quidditch - that capitalizes on the Harry Potter phenomenon. Each player from two separate teams is given a certain role and the students must work strategically and cooperatively to gain points.
In another classroom, grade 3 students put the finishing touches on some artwork before students made suggestions on which physically active game they would like to play.
All of it is geared towards their goal of developing the spiritual, emotional, social, and physical health of students and staff at St Peter’s school.
To do this St Peter’s has, among other things, whole-school Wellness Fairs, parent education, intramurals, community-engaging activities (Walk to School week, Active Living Challenge day, Spirit Days, Speed Stack tournaments, etc), whole-school and buddy activities, and more. Next year St. Peter’s hopes to start a staff walking club, develop a student leadership program, and train the Activity Police!
