Saint John's Curriculum

Physical Education

Philosophy

Saint John’s, a Catholic, college-preparatory school, believes that man has been created by God and has his end in God. Man eternally seeks the perfection of truth, goodness, and beauty which is in God. In the light of the stated philosophy the following beliefs are considered essential for the physical man:

  1. To help the student realize the value of good health.
  2. To lead the student to an appreciation of physical activity as a means to good health and as a source of enjoyment.
  3. To encourage an appreciation of the role and value of manly competition as a means of developing a mature individual.
Purpose and Objectives

The program is centered on the following purposes and objectives:
  1. The need for the individual to participate in some form of physical fitness or sports program.
  2. A program of athletic participation that will produce mental well-being as well as physical well-being.
  3. The development of sufficient bodily strength to undergo physical effort without undue fatigue.
  4. The desire to perform well enough to feel the satisfaction of doing something well and of having other recognize such an accomplishment.
  5. The opportunity to gain a greater understanding of an activity by learning its history, rules, techniques, and strategies.
  6. An appreciation of the value of sports etiquette and thoughtfulness, and the value of self-control and of humility in the face of defeat.
  7. The recognition of the place of sports and physical fitness as an essential part of the total person.
  8. The desire to develop and maintain sound lifetime habits of fitness.
The beliefs and assumptions of the program are achieved through discipline, encouragement, participation, and motivation. The student must learn the value of good health, the value of competition, and the appreciation of physical activity through the four guidelines stated above. The beliefs and assumptions of the program were developed in accord with the school’s philosophy and what is essential to a physical education program. A well-rounded Saint John’s student should exemplify many unique qualities. Physical Education is a major quality which provides the student with a background that will help him fit into today’ society. These traits are developed through physical and mental quickness, competition, sociability, and win-lose situations.
The Student’s growth and development are assessed by the physical education staff. The findings are conveyed to the student through personal discussion s and to the parents by report card grades.
Program evaluation is on-going through the search for new ideas and methods to improve existing programs. In this regard efforts are being made to better incorporate health topics in the program.
Here are the main goals and guidelines that are implemented throughout the year in every physical education class. This will make every decision an Affective Domain.

Student Goals

  1. Develop an understanding of the rights and responsibilities to themselves and others
  2. Develop interpersonal skills.
  3. Improve self-concept and self-understanding.
  4. Develop a value for the strengths and weaknesses of self and others
  5. Become familiar with a variety of activities that can be engaged in for fun, health, and social rewards.
  6. Explore the moral and ethical questions inherent in group membership
  7. Be able to apply learning to other group situations in life
  8. Develop a student that is accountable for his thoughts and actions
Program Guidelines

  1. Will the activities allow student to share ideas, support each other, and work together toward a common goal?
  2. Does the activity present a challenging problem for the group to solve collectively?
  3. Does the activity have educational purposes in developing psychomotor, cognitive, and affective skills?
  4. Is the activity designed so that all students have numerous and equal opportunities to achieve the selected outcomes?
Physical Educators must recognize that the reason students: do not behave as expected is not because they do not want to, but rather because they have not been taught how. Physical Educators must believe that physical education can enhance student’s social and emotional growth, an essential factor in children’s educational development. The words “C’mon”,”you can do it”, and “Way to go,” must be used daily!!!

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Saint John's High School

378 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545    (508) 842-8934
Saint John’s High School has educated young men under the sponsorship of the Xaverian Brothers since 1898. Through the Saint John’s strong college preparatory curriculum, over 900 students in grades seven through twelve pursue personal and intellectual growth in an environment that is committed to the development of the whole person and recognizes a moral dimension of life through service to God and to others.