A full day of fun in the sun at St. Mary’s

It was a bonanza of excitement at St. Mary School on Thursday, June 8 as children and faculty enjoyed a fun-filled day of track and field activities.  The grounds of the school were completely utilized as well as the gym with 11 different stations set up for students to move through together in their groups.

Right from the start of the day all the way to the final bell, students took part in one activity after another. One of the stations featured items lent by the Whitecourt Fire Department including big rubber boots which the kids attempted to run in for a race, and a big rope that was perfect for a game of good old-fashioned, tug of war.

After a break for lunch, all the children were positioned just off the portable building extension and were told to wait for further instructions. They didn’t know that four of their teachers had snuck up onto the roof above them armed with tons of water balloons. Suddenly, all you could hear was screaming and laughter as balloons started splashing down onto the unsuspecting children.

One of the giggling individuals on the roof was grade two teacher Lisa Turcotte who also organized the day’s events, and said that mixing the children up gave them a chance to make new friends. “We mixed up the groups so the kids didn’t have to be with their own classmates they’ve been with all year. Teachers also got to know some of the other kids in the school.”

The non-traditional track and field day included stations with basketball, racing, chalk art, bubbles, First Nations and Metis games, kickball, and an obstacle-type setup in the gym. Lisa said on top of lucking out with beautiful weather, the day was simply fantastic. “They are having so much fun.  There’s no behaviours; they’re just literally enjoying each other’s time.”

The last day of school for students at St. Mary (June 29) is quickly approaching and Lisa said she has been hearing all sorts of fun things that students will be doing over the holidays. “Lots of camping and some students have said they are going to Newfoundland to visit grandparents.  Lots of fun activities are planned.”

Members of the school’s administration kept children cool during the day cruising around the school grounds on a four-wheeler supplying cold water and popsicles to thankful youngsters as they played under the hot sun.