Department Philosophy

The high school Health & Physical Education Department's philosophy emphasizes creating a safe and inspiring environment for students to develop a love for physical activity, lifelong well-being habits, and physical skills. It promotes relating, reflecting, resilience, and resourcefulness while encouraging teamwork, self-confidence, and a global perspective. 

The goal is to equip all students with the skills and enthusiasm for a lifetime of active, healthy habits and meaningful participation in the broader community.

Grade 9 Physical Education

Physical Education and Health (PEH) (7151y)

One year – 1 credit

Grade 9

The Grade 9 Health & Physical Education course aims for all students to experience success and enjoyment as they actively participate in a wide range of physical activities. The course is designed to improve knowledge and understanding of personal fitness as well as building and enhancing movement skills. In addition, the grade 9 course works on interpersonal skills such as collaboration, empathy, giving and receiving feedback, and teamwork. Students are expected to participate to their potential and take ownership of their personal health, hygiene, and well-being.

Grade 10 Semester Classes

Health & Wellness  (7153s)

One semester - 0.5 credit

Grade 10

The mandatory Grade 10 Health & Wellness course is designed to help students develop a personal and social responsibility for their lifestyle decisions. The class navigates current global trends and health issues to promote student understanding of choices and their consequences. The skill development of communication, problem-solving, and decision-making are integrated into topics such as accessing valid information, personal well-being, respectful relationships, and harm reduction. This course explores different cultural values and expectations, in addition to guiding students to navigate a transitional period in their lives.

Adventure Leadership (75030s) Sem 1 only

One semester - 0.5 credit

Grade 10

Adventure Leadership provides an exciting alternative to traditional physical education and fitness classes by incorporating new opportunities for students to learn and develop skills to live an active and healthy life. This course offers students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through team building and initiative tasks. Through various adventure, outdoor, and leadership activities such as wilderness first aid, SUPing, archery, climbing, and rappelling, students will be challenged to problem solve, communicate effectively, overcome fears, take risks, push their physical and mental boundaries, collaborate with others and develop individual leadership skills. G10 students are reminded that they can not select this class alongside Aquatics, as both are in Semester One.

Aquatics (7380s) Sem 1 only

One semester - 0.5 credit

Grade 10

This course offers students the opportunity to further develop their aquatic skills, fitness and knowledge. Development and critique of all strokes, recreational activities such as water polo, underwater hockey and stand-up paddle boarding, and life-saving skills and procedures represent the three major units covered. Learning about water safety and life-saving skills can lead to external certification. The course is only offered in the first semester due to the availability of the pool.G10 students are reminded that they can not select this class alongside Adventure Leadership, as both are in Semester One.

Fitness for Life (7395s)

One semester-  0.5 credit

Grade 10

This course is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to improve and develop their physical well-being through participation in a diverse range of types of fitness. Activities such as circuit training, high-intensity interval training, body pump, boxing, yoga, and pilates make these unique types of fitness more accessible to students.  In addition, there is a focus on flexibility and mobility interwoven throughout. This class will provide an opportunity for students to explore fitness opportunities within our local community, and promote goal-setting based on personal interests.

Net Sports (7361s)  

One semester - 0.5 credit

Grade 10

This course provides students with an understanding of the principles of various net sports.

Students will study the phases of movement, the mechanics of effective shot execution, tactics and strategies, and fitness development related to sports such as badminton, pickelball, smashball, and volleyball. All athletic ability levels are accommodated in this course as each student works at their own pace to improve their skills. After taking this course, students will have the knowledge and skills that will enable them to pursue a variety of net sports and activities. Students will be able to improve their physical skills, game strategy and overall wellness.

Personal Training and Conditioning 1 (7500s)

One semester - 0.5 credit

Grade 10

This course covers many aspects of physical fitness, weight training, and conditioning. Students will learn about the concepts of weight training and personal physical fitness and apply these concepts to create their own workout based on their fitness goals. Students are introduced to functional fitness in order to promote safety and efficiency in their workouts. Proper form and technique of common functional fitness exercises, consisting of both body weight and free weight resistance will be learned. Students will learn the main muscle groups and the best ways to develop them. The course also focuses on helping to develop a healthy lifestyle.

Team Sports (7385s)

One semester - 0.5 credit

Grade 10

Team Sports provides students with an opportunity to participate in a wide range of traditional and non-traditional sports. The expectation is that students will exercise, socialize and engage in a competitive and active environment. This course offers students the potential to enhance leadership skills by developing skills in team building, decision-making, and problem solving situations. Throughout the semester, the focus will be on developing transferable skills on offense and defense and using team strategy in a variety of situations. Students will improve their personal levels of fitness while fine-tuning their athletic skills and developing new relationships.

Grade 11 and 12 Electives

Independent Living (7502s) 

Semester One - Gr 11 & 12  Semester Two- ONLY Gr. 11 (Due to the scheduling of Mock and Final Exams for 12th graders)

One semester - 0.5 credit, Pass/Fail

Grades 11, 12 - priority given to seniors

This course is for Grade 11 and 12 students to learn the basic survival skills for an independent life after JIS.  Many new practical skills will be acquired such as car and home maintenance, healthy cooking, budgeting, and interview skills. The underlying goal is to help students with transition skills that would be required for a healthy independent life, away from home. 

Self Defense and Mixed Martial Arts (7520s) 

One semester - 0.5 credit, Pass/Fail

Grades 11,12

Prerequisite: 2 credits of PE

This pass/fail course is designed to expose grade 11 and 12 students to a variety of Self Defense and Mixed Martial Arts type techniques and strategies in a fun and non-threatening environment. It will combine various elements of Boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Grappling (wrestling) and students will develop skills, understand personal defense and improve their athletic training.  Students will learn self-defense principles and develop strategies to be safe and aware of potential dangers in their surroundings. 

Personal Training 2  (7505s)  

(Previously Independant Fitness and Power Fit)

One semester - 0.5 credit, Pass/Fail

Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: 2 Credits of PE

This pass/fail course provides students an opportunity to regularly engage in a strength and conditioning program throughout the semester.  Students will be able to pursue their personal interests and passions in fitness through daily workouts and increase their personal wellness by adding balance to their lives. Emphasis will be placed on safe, functional, multi-joint exercises as students learn to develop and implement their own exercise program. This course is designed for all levels of fitness, strength, and experience in the weight room. The end goal is that students become competent at a wide range of exercises and use of gym equipment so that they gain a sense of confidence and autonomy in any weight room setting. 

Yoga and Wellness (7396s)

One Semester - 0.5 credit, Pass/Fail

Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: 2 credits of PE

This class is designed to help you explore mindfulness in your own life, through Yoga, breathing, meditation, and other stress-relieving activities.  The goal of the course is to improve your overall wellness by developing strategies to balance your body, mind, and spirit. This is an introductory course, therefore no prior experience or exposure is required.

Dragon Sports  (75032s)

One Semester - 0.5 credit, Pass/Fail

Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: 2 credits of PE

Dragon Sports is designed to engage students in a higher-level sports environment, focusing on skills, understanding of movement, and elevated gameplay. Building off prior knowledge of offensive and defense tactics and strategies, students will engage in both familiar and unfamiliar game situations. Students will also be exploring individual development through the application of concepts, teamwork, and leadership. No prerequisites are required, however, students need to be willing to participate in an exciting, fast-paced environment.