A paddle in the water creates ripple of anticipation

Carleton Village Public School offered a sneak preview of the kind of engaging and exciting programming its new sports and wellness academy designation might provide as the school partnered with Sunnyside Paddling Club to host its very first non-competitive dragon boat festival. School and paddling club staff designed an eight-week program for grades 7 and 8 students at Carleton Village and Swansea PS that focussed on teamwork, healthy lifestyle, goal setting, spirit, and achievement. 

For the first several weeks of pool training, Sunnyside Paddling Club dragon boat coaches worked with students on safety and paddling technique. "The program included pool practices and on-water boat experience and then wrapped up with a fun day of dragon boating at the club’s practice facility on Lake Ontario," said Carleton Village Principal Lorelei Eccleston. Students showcased what they learned through sprints, drills and skills activities at the May 31 festival, added Eccleston. "We're really excited about the kinds of things we can explore as a sports and wellness academy and the opportunities for leadership that come with that."

The event was billed as a family of schools festival. Ecclestone hopes her staff and students can set the pace for neighbouring schools with this and other innovative projects. It was a fitting event for the school that will reopen in September as one of three new TDSB Sports and Wellness Academies. Designed for students in Kindergarten to Grade 8, the Academy supports students in developing a joy of and appreciation for athletics, health, physical activity and lifelong wellness.