Physical and Health Education

PE staff

Our Mission
Canterbury physical education strives to teach each student how to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, by creating an atmosphere that is optimal, for the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth and development of every student.

Lower School

Students participate coeducationally every day in group activities that involve large motor skills and the use of manipulative and fine motor skills.
Athletic skills in volleyball, tennis, basketball, soccer, baseball, and softball are taught in a modified form.
Every student participates twice each year in the President’s Challenge for fitness testing for flexibility, upper body strength, abdominal endurance, speed and agility, and cardio respiratory endurance.
Health topics taught include learning the major muscle groups and their functions, major bones and their functions, and how to care for the cardio respiratory system.

Intermediate School

Students have the opportunity to participate both coeducationally and with separate genders, and dress out in the Canterbury PE uniform daily.
Two week units are taught in volleyball, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, flag football, tchoukeball, tennis, track and field, floor hockey, badminton, golf, baseball, and softball.
Students work daily on dynamic stretches, and fitness conditioning, and run the track at least one day per week.
Every student participates twice each year in the President’s Challenge for fitness testing for flexibility, upper body strength, abdominal endurance, speed and agility, and cardio respiratory endurance.
Health topics taught include nutrition, and the muscular, skeletal, circulatory, and nervous systems, and bike safety.

Middle School

Students have the opportunity to participate both coeducationally and with separate genders daily.
Three-week units are taught in volleyball, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, team handball, tennis, track and field, baseball, softball, flag football, and golf. Each day includes dynamic stretching and fitness conditioning.
Students participate in a strength conditioning program twice each week in the weight room.
Every student participates twice each year in the President’s Challenge for fitness testing for flexibility, upper body strength, abdominal endurance, speed and agility, and cardio respiratory endurance.
Health topics discussed though the middle school advisory program include; bullying, career interests, body image, suicide prevention, drug and alcohol education, self-concept and self-esteem, reproductive education (taught by the school nurse), healthy relationships, staying true to yourself, and stress management.

Upper School

Students participate coeducationally
9th grade participates in a full year of Personal Fitness and Health.
Students have the elective options of semester courses, Personal Fitness II, Weightlifting, and Dance.

Uniforms

Students in intermediate, middle, and upper school are expected to dress out each day in the Canterbury PE uniform, which includes socks and athletic shoes.
Students may wear hats and/or sunglasses outside as long as they worn properly.
The student’s name should be written on their uniform to identify it as theirs, but this does not need to be on the front.

Non-participation policy

Students who are healthy enough to be in school are expected to dress and participate in PE class.
If a student should not participate or must limit participation due to medical reasons, a note from the treating physician must be provided.
A parent note may be used to excuse a student from participating for one day.
If a student does not participate in PE they will not be permitted to participate in after school athletics on that day.