As we watched the rich greens of late summer change to the fall colours on the LCC fields, LCC Physical Education students were training for their mile run tests. Chosen as an alternative to the “Beep” test, the standardized assessment provides a good indication of students’ aerobic fitness.
The Ministry of Education reform Competency 3: “Lives a healthy lifestyle” asks us to assess their general state of health. One way to accomplish this assessment is to first teach and train the students to do the run over the first month or so, then have them do a standardized test for assessment purposes. Almost all LCC students find themselves in the “healthy” range aerobically, for the mile run.
In 1954, Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute mile barrier, after many years of trying. The mile run was a historically popular distance but it has been mostly replaced by the 1500 meters. The 1500m is about 1650 yards, while the mile is 1760 yards (no wonder we switched to the metric system!). The current men’s world record for the mile is 3:45.13, while the women’s record is 4:12.56.
Though everyone does their best on the day of their runs, some of our students excelled, and some went on to compete among the best of our best. The top time in the school was run in class by Simon Lauze, at 5:33, while the top girls’ time was 7:01, by grade 7 student Jackie Lavy. In the challenge races, where students had the chance to run with students of similar speeds, Middle School winners were Guiseppe Lipari (5:51) and Charles Pretorius (6:10) in the boys, while in the girls Jackie just outran Alexa Dlouhy. In the Senior School, Kenya Shatani (5:44) edged Eric Drymer and Julien Miller by seconds.
Moving to the indoor season, students longing for the beep tests need worry no more, as we train toward a mid-winter assessment. Also, stay tuned for the 40 yard run, looking forward to the annual Baillie sprint held in the spring.
–Stephen Lee, Physical & Health Education Department Head
Grade 6 students were honoured to welcome two World War II veterans, Mr. Alan Canavan ’39 and Dr. Peter Roper, to their classrooms during Remembrance Week. Their contributions to our curriculum have enriched the children’s experiences in a way no textbook ever could. 
Mr. Alan Canavan, an LCC “old boy,” has been sharing his war-time stories with LCC grade 6 students for many years. He selflessly devotes his time to educate youngsters with his first-hand experiences. Mr. Canavan held his audience captive as he regaled the children with his exploits in Europe. He also took the time to reinforce the need to immortalize the fallen with the continued support of the memorials in Vimy Ridge and Juno Beach. Mr. Canavan has become an integral part of our Remembrance Day observances. His presence is greatly appreciated. 
The 
This mini-conference was hosted by Agence Ometz, Shaare Zion Congregation and Centre de santé et service Sociaux Cavendish on October 6, 2009. The focus was on the lives of boys and men and the concerns about violence. Jackson Katz was the highlight of the conference speaking in terms all of us could understand. Other speakers (Gilles Tremblay and Hal Hannaford) contributed valuable ideas as well.
The sustainability committee is proving to be a very useful clearing-house for ideas on how to make our operations at the School more efficient. There are many different points of view and it’s a good reminder (for me at least) that there are many different reasons why people want to help reduce our impact on the environment.