Our program focuses on providing rewarding and engaging experiences for all students to enjoy as they grow in their physical and mental health knowledge. All students move through traditional PHE classes for Grade 8 and 9 where they will be exposed to a wide variety of learning activities related to overall health and well-being. At the Grade 10 level, students are able to choose what stream they would like to pursue. In all courses, students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of leisure, fitness, sport and lifestyle activities . Throughout each grade level, students will develop deeper understandings of the various concepts, skills, and approaches to living a healthy and active lifestyle in ways that relate to their likes, interests, and passions.

Below is a course map of all the courses offered within the PHE department:

Courses Offered

Prerequisite:  none

This course provides an introduction to a variety of team and individual sports, and health curriculum that comprise the core of activities and topics available in Grades 8-10.  There will be a focus on fitness and physical health development. This will come by way of distance runs in the community, interval training sessions and a variety of fitness assessments.  Some of the activities pursued include badminton, softball, volleyball, basketball, minor games, ball hockey and touch football. Health topics explored will include: nutrition, physical health, mental health, and sexual health. All content is steered by the updated BC curriculum found at https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/physical-health-education/8. A strong focus on teaching students our PHE “Gator Way” also heavily steers the delivery of curriculum. Can’t wait to see you in class!

All students in Grade 8 must wear school issued Gator PHE strip for all PHE classes.  WGSS offers parents high quality Gator shorts and t-shirt for $22 that can be paid along with student fees at the start of the school year.  

Prerequisite:  PHE 8

Grade 9 PHE is an extension of PHE 8. Students have opportunities to develop skills and knowledge in the following areas:

  • All activities and sports offered in the Gator Athletics program. Students will be encouraged to engage with the opportunity to become part of a school activity team/club (volleyball, basketball, rugby, ultimate Frisbee, mountain biking).
  • Deeper understanding of nutrition, physical health, mental health, and healthy relationships/sexual health.
  • There will be a focus on fitness and physical health development. This will come by way of distance runs in the community, interval training sessions and a variety of fitness assessments.
  • A strong focus on teaching students our PHE “Gator Way” also heavily steers the delivery of curriculum.

All students in Grade 9 must wear school issued Gator PHE strip for all PHE classes.  WGSS offers parents high quality Gator shorts and t-shirt for $22 that can be paid along with student fees at the start of the school year. 

Prerequisite:  recommendation and approval of PHE department. 

This course focuses on volleyball, basketball, badminton, tennis, minor games, and softball.  The emphasis is on improving skill levels in these sports through repetition of advanced drills and game situations. Students will be exposed to fitness and circuit training techniques, and some advanced team strategies.  Students who are selected for this course must have the desire to work hard at improving their personal skill levels as well as their knowledge of these games. Deeper understandings of nutrition, physical health, mental health, and healthy relationships/sexual health will also be explored. This course is taken instead of PHE 9.  Interested students must complete this form.

Prerequisite:  any PHE 9 course

Students continue to develop the progressions of skills, rules and strategies in core activity areas. Development of fitness and overall health is strongly focused on as student bodies at this age are developing rapidly. It is hoped at this time that student knowledge of game rules and strategies combined with improved skills as a result of three years of study will enable them to participate confidently and enthusiastically in all activities for the remainder of high school and into their adult lives. This should be the culmination of structured PHE instruction and curriculum with a focus on transitioning to student centered, overall individual wellness.

Prerequisite:  any PHE 9 course

This course will focus on improving students’ cardio fitness by building and enhancing endurance. This course includes game-oriented cardio activities such as manhunt, capture the flag, and other games; in addition to cardio training, endurance runs, and conditioning methods with a focus on muscle groups useful for cardio power. All classes are conducted outside or in the Walnut Grove Community Centre. There will be a course fee of $30 for Walnut Grove Community Centre instructor and/or lifeguard costs. 

Prerequisite:  any PHE 9 course

This is a course for students who are interested in continuing to develop a personal and lifelong active and healthy lifestyle. This course can be taken as a PHE 10 elective. The focus of this course is to introduce lifetime activity programs.  These programs will be broken down to teach proper techniques and timing to ensure life-long success for you and your body. There will also be a healthy living component to the course that involves goal setting and a variety of health lessons such as nutrition and managing stress.  Much of this course will be taught at the Walnut Grove Community Centre. Students must be able to participate in high-level aerobic activities to take this course. 

Prerequisite:  any PHE 9 course

High Performance Basketball is designed to enhance each student’s fundamental basketball skills. Students who are motivated athletes looking for opportunities to practice their basketball skills in individual, small group, and game-like settings will do well in this course. Students will also work on developing leadership skills, health, and nutritional knowledge, while also improving their physical strength, fitness, and athleticism.  Students will have the opportunity to learn from different coaches throughout the year. This course will take the place of the required PHE course for Grade 10 students and will count as Active Living for Grade 11 students.

The High-Performance Volleyball class is designed to enhance each student’s fundamental volleyball skills.  This should not be seen as a course for beginners. Selected students will be motivated athletes looking for opportunities to practice and improve their volleyball skills in individual, small group, and game-like settings.  Students will also work on developing leadership skills, health, and nutritional knowledge, while also improving their physical strength, fitness, and athleticism.  Students will have the opportunity to learn from a variety of guest speakers and coaches throughout the year.  High-Performance students are part of promoting and developing the Gator Nation culture. This course will take the place of the required PHE course for Grade 10 students and will count as Active Living for Grade 11 and 12 students.

Prerequisite:  any PHE 9 course

Strength & Conditioning is available to students in Grade 10 who have an interest in developing overall body strength and increasing general fitness levels.  Students will engage in a variety of activities concentrating on weightlifting, cardiovascular conditioning, core development and flexibility exercises.  This course introduces to students a greater understanding of exercise, physiology, and muscular anatomy.  Students will utilize both free weights and circuit training.  This class will take an introductory look into weight training, training modes, program design, and how it fits into a complete fitness program.

For students who are interested in considering this course outside of the timetable, there is an option to take this course as a linear course two mornings per week before school.  When you make your course selection, choose the option that ends with Outside TT.

Prerequisite:  in Grade 10

Athletic Service Leadership is for individuals interested in sports, supporting sports, and gaining experience in the sports realm. The course covers the key concepts and practical skills necessary for providing service to athletics in various settings and will work closely with the Athletic Director. The course will help develop the practical skills necessary for ensuring smooth and efficient athletic events, scorekeeping and officiating, event setup, and athletic promotion. Upon completion of the course, students will have a solid foundation in athletic event support and be equipped with skills to excel in the athletic field.

This course is run outside the timetable. It typically meets Tuesday morning and Wednesday afterschool, but the schedule will adjust significantly once the athletic seasons begin and will flex during each sport season.

Senior Electives

Prerequisite: any PHE 10/11 course

Active Living 11/12 is an elective course offered for senior students where the emphasis is placed on developing lifelong active and healthy lifestyles. Students will participate in sport education where they will be part of a cooperative team with roles, such as coach, captain, equipment manager, and more, as well as player trades and trophies and awards. Students may have the opportunity to go on various field trips, such as laser tag, paintball, swimming, or skating, depending on costs and availabilities.

Prerequisite: any PHE 10 course

The goals of Cardio Conditioning 11/12 are identical to CC 10, but the focus has students take a leadership role.  They will demonstrate knowledge of the principles of training and plan and implement their own fitness schedule or program. A variety of conditioning methods are utilized, and each term includes one active health activity as well as aerobic fitness testing and core strength testing. Students are expected to improve their fitness through participation while assuming personal responsibility for balancing activity, nutrition, work, school, and sleep. There will be a course fee of $30 for Walnut Grove Community Centre costs.

Prerequisite:  any PHE 10 course and in Grade 11 or 12

This is a course for students who are interested in continuing to develop a personal and lifelong active and healthy lifestyle. This course can be taken as a PHE 11 elective. The focus of this course is to introduce lifetime activity programs.  These programs will be broken down to teach proper techniques and timing to ensure life-long success for you and your body. There will also be a healthy living component to the course that involves goal setting and a variety of health lessons such as nutrition and managing stress.  Much of this course will be taught at the Walnut Grove Community Centre. Students must be able to participate in high-level aerobic activities to take this course. 

Prerequisite:  any PHE 10/11 course and in Grade 11 or 12

This course is designed for those students interested in being active and using fitness and conditioning as a lifelong fitness activity.  Expanding on activities described in Grade 10, this course will incorporate elements of aerobics, Yoga, Pilates, nutrition, care and prevention of injuries and more.  Students will develop and record their own wellness programs and fitness assessment progress.

For students who are interested in considering this course outside of the timetable, there is an option to take this course as a linear course two mornings per week before school.  When you make your course selection, choose the option that ends with Outside TT.

Prerequisite:  any PHE 10 course

High Performance Basketball is designed to enhance each student’s fundamental basketball skills. Students who are motivated athletes looking for opportunities to practice their basketball skills in individual, small group, and game-like settings will do well in this course. Students will also work on developing leadership skills, health and nutritional knowledge, while also improving their physical strength, fitness, and athleticism.  Students will have the opportunity to learn from different coaches throughout the year. This course will count as Active Living for Grade 11 and 12 students.

The High-Performance Volleyball class is designed to enhance each student’s fundamental volleyball skills.  This should not be seen as a course for beginners. Selected students will be motivated athletes looking for opportunities to practice and improve their volleyball skills in individual, small group, and game-like settings.  Students will also work on developing leadership skills, health, and nutritional knowledge, while also improving their physical strength, fitness, and athleticism.  Students will have the opportunity to learn from a variety of guest speakers and coaches throughout the year.  High-Performance students are part of promoting and developing the Gator Nation culture. This course will take the place of the required PHE course for Grade 10 students and will count as Active Living for Grade 11 & 12 students. 

Prerequisite: in Grade 11 or 12.

This course is run outside the timetable. It meets on Mondays at lunch and Wednesdays before school.

Our goal is to help our leaders learn how to inspire, motivate, and build community through athletics and sport.  Students will have the opportunity to discover their leadership potential and learn how to effectively utilize their leadership skills in different settings.  Students should expect a fun, engaging, self-directed, collaborative, but challenging experience infused with technology.  

Students are encouraged to sign up with friends and teammates as the course provides the opportunity for many cooperative group challenges.  Some of the larger-scale group activities include organizing and executing the Terry Fox/TUFF WALLY challenge, organizing and executing a multi-sport intramural program, hosting the school’s annual Club Day, bringing the spirit to our school’s athletic events, and putting on the school’s Pep Rallies.  A class favourite also includes designing and executing a lesson in a junior PHE class.  

This course is ideal for students who are looking for potential careers in physical education, personal training, coaching, advertising/marketing, sports broadcasting, or recreation.  There will occasionally be a regular PHE component where students are physically active in class, this includes various field trips designed to introduce students to new recreational activities such as laser tag and skating. 

Leadership in Athletics will be taught in an X block running Mondays at lunch and Thursday mornings.

Learn More

Prerequisite:  in Grade 11 or 12

Athletic Service Leadership is for individuals interested in sports, supporting sports, and gaining experience in the sports realm. The course covers the key concepts and practical skills necessary for providing service to athletics in various settings and will work closely with the Athletic Director. The course will help develop the practical skills necessary for ensuring smooth and efficient athletic events, scorekeeping and officiating, event setup, and athletic promotion. Upon completion of the course, students will have a solid foundation in athletic event support and be equipped with skills to excel in the athletic field.

This course is run outside the timetable. It typically meets Tuesday morning and Wednesday afterschool, but the schedule will adjust significantly once the athletic seasons begin and will flex during each sport season.