Health & Physical Education Department

The award-winning Health and Physical Education Department at Loretto College School provides your child with the opportunity to grow in health, well-being and physical fitness. ​Students will apply movement principles to refine skills, enhance personal competence, fitness, safety and health; examine issues related to healthy sexuality, healthy eating, positive mental health, substance use and abuse; and apply informed moral decision-making, conflict resolution, and social skills when making personal choices, within their Catholic faith. Students in any grade can elect to take courses in this department. The program includes Healthy Active Living Education courses in Grades 9–12, and specialized destination courses, such as Kinesiology, in Grades 11 and 12.

The focus of this department is regular participation in a variety of enjoyable physical activities that promote a commitment to lifelong healthy active living. Healthy, active living benefits both individuals and society in many ways – 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. Research has shown a connection between increased levels of physical activity and better academic achievement, better concentration, better classroom behaviour, and more focused learning. Other benefits include improvements in psychological well-being, physical capacity, self-concept, and the ability to cope with stress. The expectations that make up this curriculum also provide the opportunity for students to develop social skills and emotional well-being. In the senior grades, three destination courses provide students with knowledge and skills related to specialized areas that they may choose to pursue after graduation. The practical, balanced approach adopted in all courses in this curriculum will help students move successfully through secondary school and postsecondary education or training, and into the workplace. In health and physical education, students will learn the skills needed to be successful in life as active, healthy, and socially responsible citizens.