Hockey Course

Wednesday, 14 May 2014 at 06:00

Students at Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys and ecole secondaire Notre-Dame will be hitting the ice come September.

WOODSTOCK -- It will be a first for schools in Oxford County.

Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys and ecole secondaire Notre-Dame are preparing to the launch a new sports-studies program with an emphasis on hockey for its students.

Principal Nicole Plante-Cooper says the program is not an extra-curricular activity but rather a course credit for the students. "It's a sports-study program so the students will be doing hockey during their regular school day so we do have a special schedule done for these students. Basically what it is, is it's through Hockey Canada, they are going to perfect their hockey skills."

Phys-ed teacher Jerome Sirois will be a coach for the program and says the students will learn on ice skills, land training as well as hockey theory. It is for all levels of players from beginners to advanced.

Plante-Cooper says they do have limited spots for the first year of the program. Students from grades 4 to 12 are eligible with the higher grades getting first opportunity to participate.

The schools are hosting an information session Thursday May 15th from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys and ecole secondaire Notre-Dame. A french presentation will run from 6:00 - 6:15 pm, followed by an english presentation. At 6:30 pm they will hold a questions and answers session. Plante-Cooper points out that parents interesting in sending their children to the schools are invited as well to learn more not only about the program, but the schools as well.

The sport-studies programs, which are widely popular in Quebec, are viewed as being an academic success for the schools as well according to Plante-Cooper. "The research demonstrates that in Quebec, every school that did have a sports-study program did increase their academic results simply due to the fact that the children felt that they were part of their learning. Definitely we find that it's a good fit for our school."

The teachers will receive a special accreditation from Hockey Canada to teach the program.