Aspects of Health

Due to the dome being used for Christmas Concert we have been spending some time in the classrooms this week, working on our Health units. Each grade is learning different aspects of Health and will be continuing these areas right into the Christmas break!

Grade 4: We are discussing the importance of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in our diet. We are learning what each one means and what foods provide them for us. We also learn about the overall impact that healthy and unhealthy foods have on our mental, physical and emotional health. Once the students have completed some work at school they will be tasked with coming home to help prepare a healthy, home cooked meal.The students will need to share how it was prepared and detail the health benefits of the meal. This is to try and help them understand and apply their learning in a real life way that will benefit them in their future.

Grade 5: We are currently learning about healthy choices. This includes the choices of what food we eat and when, as well as our use of technology and exercise. We have been working on advertisements to have the students understand the impact that advertising has on their food choices, especially unhealthy foods. We are also learning about how to properly use food labels and nutrition facts to help us make informed, healthy decisions about the foods we eat. The students have been looking at healthy food labels and comparing them to unhealthy food labels to help them see what they are looking for. Students will eventually be tasked with packing their own lunch to bring to school and share with their classmates why they chose the items they chose to put in their lunch.

Grade 6: We are working on gaining a better understanding of technology and how to use it safely. We have discussed some of the main pitfalls that often come with using technology as well as the main things to be aware of when using social media. We have also been discussing how technology is often used to hide behind when bullying or bothering others and how to deal with that. This learning will eventually lead into discussions and learning about body image and gender stereotypes.

Sport Development

We spent this week developing our skills in our new sports. The grade 4's have been working hard in netball and have shown progress in their passing and strategy. They are getting open more often and making the defense work harder to stop their passes. The grade 5's have been working on their passing and shooting in basketball. They have learned to shoot the ball with proper form and have shown success in making baskets from different areas on the floor. The grade 6's have come a long way with their lacrosse skills. They have been practicing the skill of catching with the stick and we worked on our ability to make accurate throws towards goal.

Starting next week many classes will be affected by ongoing Christmas concert rehearsal either by time or space so we will be putting our invasion games unit on hold and doing some work on health and nutrition leading into Christmas.

Introducing New Sports

This week we started to introduce our new sports in invasion games. The students are now using different skill sets to try and demonstrate their ability in the sports we are working in.

Grade 4:
- We started our new sport of netball this week The students are working on spotting open teammates and moving to open space while also completing accurate passes and opening up defenders. They are also working on their shooting skills to be able to sink a basket with accuracy and consistency.

Grade 5:
- The grade 5's started their new sport of basketball this week. They are working on dribbling, passing and shooting accurately while moving and while stationary. They are also working on being able to find open space while working in a team system with a game plan. They are quickly learning some of the basic rules to basketball which will help them to play games next week.

Grade 6:
- The grade 6's are starting their new sport of lacrosse. We are working on our ability to send and receive a ball using an object (lacrosse stick). The students are working on their ability to scoop, cradle and pass a lacrosse ball while also being able to evade defenders that may be trying to steal the ball from them. Lacrosse is a new sport to a lot of the students and their skill development is fun to watch.

Pictures will be posted next week with some examples of the skills we are working on and the progress that the students have made over this short period of time.

Invasion Games are in full swing

We have jumped into our invasion games unit. Invasion games are any games or sports where two teams occupy opposite sides of a playing area and must attack into the other teams side to score points. Some examples of invasion games include soccer, basketball, hockey, lacrosse, water polo, rugby, football, and pirates treasure.

Grade 4: We have been working on dribbling and passing this week. The students have been trying to dribble with their head up, being able to use both feet when moving with the ball. We practiced turning left and right with control and being able to stop and start. During our passing lessons the students worked on being able to receive the ball with both feet and move with the pass to build onto the next one. Next week we will be working on shooting and plying some games to give the students a chance to demonstrate the skills they have been practicing.

Grade 5: We have been working on dribbling and passing in soccer as well. We have practiced being able to run wit the ball, while maintaining control and dodging defenders, and being able to turn with the ball going back between the legs.We have also been practicing the ability to thread a pass through defenders to an open teammate and being able to take and give a pass with two touches or less. Next week we will work on our accuracy of shots and build into a game setting where the students will have a chance to demonstrate their skills.

Grade 6: We have been practicing our backhand throws and two hand catches in frisbee. The students have been trying to throw the frisbee straight and accurate to make it to their target without curving away. We have also been working on catching a frisbee while moving and tracking a flying frisbee that may be curving. Next week we will work on our forehand throws and start to play games of ultimate frisbee.

Invasion Games Kick-Off

We have finished our cooperatives games units and are moving on to invasion games. Invasion games are any game or sport that has two teams and requires a team to invade the other teams side to try and score points. Some examples of invasion games are soccer, hockey, basketball, netball, rugby, football, and lacrosse. The students work on the main skills during our invasion games unit, focusing on sending and receiving objects and retaining control of objects. They also work on the strategies of moving to open space and passing to open teammates.

Grade 4:

The grade fours are starting their invasion unit with soccer. We will be working on dribbling, passing, and shooting, focusing on keeping control and being accurate with out passes. The students started with our first lesson dribbling this week.

Grade 5:

The grade fives are also starting with soccer. We will be working on dribbling, passing and shooting as well, but we will have a bigger emphasis on being able to use both feet for dribbling and passing and being able to receive passes with control. We will also spend more time working on shooting with power and accuracy.

Grade 6:

The grade sixes are starting with ultimate frisbee. We will be working on the forehand and backhand throws and being able to catch with two hands. We will learn the rules and strategy of the game and students will have a chance to play in a tournament.

Games, Games, Games

We have been spending our time playing student games. The students have planned games that require team work and communication and have been tasked with explaining the game and running the class on their day. We have also been working on our reflection skills by changing the games to make them run more smoothly. We will be continuing this next week to finish off our cooperative games unit!

Cooperative Games Summative

The students have been working on their summative tasks to wrap up our cooperative games unit.

The grade 4's are creating a cooperative task to try and challenge their classmates. They can use any materials and equipment but must include clear instructions for the task. Their task must also include teamwork and communication in some aspect.

The grade 5's are modifying a game or combining two games to create a brand new game They must also include all instructions, equipment and rules as well as explain how communication and cooperation are needed. The grade 5's are working hard on their ability to reflect on their games in order to improve them or make them run more smoothly.

The grade 6's are inventing wholly unique games that include a diagram of the playing area, a game description with instructions and rules. Penalties for not following rules and how their game is cooperative. These games must also include teamwork and communication, but should also in some way show sportsmanship, integrity and understanding of what cooperative games aim to achieve.

Once the students have completed their planning, we will be playing each of the groups games or tasks with the students being in charge of explaining and running the task or game.

Cooperative games week 2

We have had a very busy week this week! check out the descriptions and pictures below!

Grade 4:

The grade 4's spent some time learning how to build hula huts as a team and then played the game "hula huts". They were great at choosing their roles and sharing responsibilities to help the team succeed. Next week the students will be creating a task to challenge their classmates based on the skills of teamwork, cooperation, and communication.

Grade 5:

The grade 5's have been working on teamwork and have been playing hula hut dodgeball and hula hut extreme. They have been doing a really great job of communicating with teammates and making sure everything is being done.

Grade 6:

The grade 6's have been playing lots of team games including hula huts, chuck the chicken, and capture the flag. Students will be starting their summative assessments next week by inventing a new game!

Cooperative Games

We have continued with our cooperative games unit. Students have been joining in on games that require them to use teamwork, communication, cooperation, leadership and accountability. During these games we have discussed how not having some of those qualities makes it harder for your team to complete the task. We will continue to play cooperative games over the coming weeks and the students grow in their communication and cooperation skills.

We also took part in the Terry Fox run on Friday. The students gave a tremendous effort and and ran many laps. We brought in a great amount for the Terry Fox foundation and students earned tons of house points for their laps. Well done everyone and thank you for all the generous donations!

Next week the grade 1-6 students will have try-outs for the cross country team. The tryouts will be Tuesday during their second recess time. Students should come to school with comfortable running shoes for those days to give it their best effort.

We will also be holding try-outs for the grade 5/6 soccer team on Tuesday and Thursday after school. Come to school prepared for the practices and good luck to everyone interested!

First Week Back!

Our first week back has been filled with fun and excitement. The students have taken part in different games throughout Phys. Ed and house games for Neophyte week. I has been a terrific start to the year!

Students started their cooperative games unit. We will be playing lots of games that include teamwork, cooperation, communication, and sportsmanship. We will be exploring these skills in more depth in the coming weeks!

Welcome

Welcome all.

My name is Mr. Orr, and I am thrilled to be back for my 2nd year at St. Jude’s Academy as the Physical Education teacher for grade 4, 5, 6 and 7. I currently reside in Burlington with my wife Katelyn and are expecting our first child in December! I have had a very busy summer full of fun events and I can’t wait to hear about all of the things you did this summer as well! It is going to be a great school year, and I am very excited for it to begin!

Units and Collaboration:

Physical Education for grades 4, 5, and 6 will include different games and sports that fit into cooperative games, invasion games, striking games, and net/wall games. We will also spend some time practicing or aesthetic movement skills in dance and gymnastics and of course health and fitness lessons. I look forward to another strong year of athletics and hope everyone is ready to work hard and have fun!

We will also be collaborating with classroom teachers to be able to connect the students learning throughout subjects. In grade 4 we will be spending some time learning about games from medieval times and discussing how games have grown and evolved over time to what we know today. In grade 5 we will be connecting our health and fitness lessons to the study of the human body and how we can maintain a strong and healthy body for life. In grade 6 we will be making connections to First Nations games and how the these games influenced many of the games we play today. We will also be discussing early explorers and some of the health issues they ran into on their journeys. It should be a fascinating year!

Below are a few items which require your attention.

·         Orientation Night will be taking place on August 28, 2019. Please check your email for the invitation. If you would like to speak with me about Phys. Ed for the coming year I will be located in Rm 29!

·         St. Jude’s is strictly a nut free school!

·         Welcome Back Barbeque and Back to School Kick Off will take place on September 19^th. Tickets will be sold in the first weeks of school. More information to come.

·         Uniform requirements: Students must use the summer uniform until October 15^th. For Phys. Ed. the students should be prepared on the first day of school with their Phys. Ed. uniform which includes the grey t-shirt, navy blue shorts, white socks and indoor gym shoes.

·         Starting in grade 3, students will be bussed to the dome/Wynn Fitness gym facility for all PE classes. Please try to arrive at school on time, as being late puts you at risk of missing the bus for PE.

·         First day of school is September 4, 2019 and promptly starts at 8:45am. School ends at 3:45pm.  

·         Parents, if you would like to volunteer in the school or on field trips, you are required to provide a current Vulnerable Sector Check. If this was provided previously (within the last 5 years) you must sign the annual offence declaration form to continue volunteering with our school.

Upcoming Dates and Events:

·         August 28, 2019 – Orientation Night

·         September 4, 2019 – First Day of School

·         September 4-6, 2019 – Neophyte Week

·         September 6, 2019 – Spirit Day: House Colours Dress Up

·         September 13, 2019 – Terry Fox Run

·         September 19, 2019 – Welcome BBQ

·         September 20-27, 2019 – Fall Fundraiser

·         September 25, 2019 – Casual Day

·         September 30, 2019 – Orange Shirt Day

·         October 11, 2019 – No School for Students

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress at St. Jude’s Academy do not hesitate to contact me at torr@stjudesacademy.com or connect with me in person at St. Jude’s Academy.

I am excited to meet you/see you all again. Enjoy the last few days of your summer!

Mr. Orr

Track and Field

St. Jude's has had a terrific track and field season this year. We had three separate teams, the under-10's, under-12's, and Elementary teams. These teams each competed at SSAF sanctioned track meets with our athletes doing fantastic! At the Under 10 meet, St.Jude's finished fourth overall out of 30 schools and Anthony in Grade 4 was named Top Athlete of the meet. We then carried over our success into the annual inter school competition with the Maples Academy, winning with a score of 357-194. We are very proud of all our St. Jude's athletes and look forward to another great season next year!

St. Jude's Summer Camp

Bouldering Trip

The grade 7's went on a bouldering field trip this week. They got to experience some different challenges and try to test their rock climbing skills. The students did a great job of stepping outside their comfort zone and try new things. Check out the fun we had in the pictures!