EXTRACURRICULARS

Sacred Heart is an ambitious place. Everyone I knew was involved in something—student council, sports, arts. It wasn’t competitive in a cutthroat way, but there was a shared drive. Everyone had something they were passionate about, and the school created room for that. You could be in the musical and on the soccer team, or take AP chemistry even if it wasn’t your strong suit. I really appreciated that flexibility and encouragement.

Between sports, clubs, leadership opportunities, performing arts, etc., there was always something for every student to enjoy. The neat thing about Sacred Heart being small is that you didn’t have to be a star player to make the soccer team, for example, students of all capabilities were able to participate in extracurriculars where they could learn from their peers who were more well-versed in that sport or club. This allowed the activities to be more well-rounded and provided development opportunities for students in different ways. Within performing arts, SHSH hosted a play and a musical each year with students from grades 7-12 from the boys and girls school, creating a space where all ages could learn from each other, interact and become friends. With the students’ council, there are opportunities from grades 7-12, with the executive being in grades 11 and 12. All council members truly gain a lot of experience in leadership, event planning, conflict, policy and how to work together within different age groups. The administrative leader of the students’ council also provides great professional and leadership development for students, and the boys' and girls' council works together to host fun events for the school. Overall, the experience of extracurriculars at SHSH was well-rounded, and there is something for everyone.

There is a broad assortment of extracurriculars available at Sacred Heart, and I am so pleased that there is something for everyone. In the few years that we have been at the school, my children have participated in several after-school classes: Sportball, Mad Science, and Music for Young Children. As my children get older, I am curious to see where their interests will lead them; I know that there will be a club or sport that will help them explore their interests alongside peers with just as much enthusiasm. The school administration makes a tremendous effort to offer a wide selection of extracurriculars to students, and this truly helps to build a vibrant school community.

Our child loves all the additional aspects of being at Sacred Heart and is getting to participate in things that she might not have had the confidence to do otherwise, such as intramural sports, musical theatre, and science clubs. Getting outside three times a day and having access to nearby green spaces are also her favourite things. We love that too!

There are so many extracurricular activities available at the school that our child has had difficulty making choices! It has given her an opportunity to learn what she likes and enjoys, and where she may have particular aptitudes or strengths. Both fun and competition are components of many activities, with an emphasis on fun and skill development for younger children. For example, in intramural sports, they are offered the opportunity to learn and apply the skills and to engage in competitive play if they so choose. There are many after-school programs and activities available, that mesh nicely with after-school care and provide some variety and additional learning for children who need care after school. Children can engage in science, robotics, languages, running, skating, musical theatre, art, debating, and many other activities.

The extracurricular opportunities at Sacred Heart School Halifax provided quite a variety of experiences, involvement, and engagement. The children were encouraged to participate in many different types of extracurricular activities, clubs, and sports, and these activities were valuable in helping them to integrate, not just into the Sacred Heart community, but in many cases into the greater community as well.

The focus on the ‘whole child’ is not just a slogan. At Sacred Heart, they genuinely work to ensure each child develops fully. It became clear after my boys had been there a few months that the school really does focus on every aspect of the child, not just academics. They work on public speaking, sports, arts, and personal development. For example, my oldest son was able to speak French fluently during a trip to Cape Breton, and both boys have become comfortable giving speeches in public. They also play hockey both for the school and in local associations.

Part of the daily curriculum also includes exposure to specialty teachers (French, Music, Art, Physical Education, and Religion). These teachers are all experts in their respective fields and bring a special kind of passion to the classroom. My 4-year-old son gets to experience art class led by a local artist (who has her own art studio!) and music class with an accomplished vocalist. These specialty classes augment my child’s learning and make me confident that, when paired with the academic rigor of the school, my child will be prepared to embrace life’s challenges.