Outside the Classroom

Co-Curricular Programs

Our mission calls us to provide a well-rounded education. And so, in all that we do, we want to present positive opportunities for learning and socializing in settings both inside and outside the classroom. Our co-curricular programs are deeply tied to what we teach in the classroom and are focused on following core areas: Arts, Athletics, Outdoor Education, Languages, Travel, Community building activities, and Student-led Groups.

Arts

Students at Westgate have the opportunity to be involved in Music, Drama, and Visual Arts. Besides in-class study, students participate in many other extracurricular activities.

Music:

  • Grade 6/7 Choir
  • Grade 7 Choir
  • Grade 8 Choir
  • Grade 9 Choir
  • Grade 10-12 School Chorus
  • Grade 10-12 Concert Choir
  • Grade 11-12 Vocal Jazz
  • Grade 6 Music
  • Grade 7 Band
  • Grade 8 Band
  • Grade 9 Band
  • Junior Jazz Band
  • Grade 10-12 Concert Band
  • Senior Jazz Band
  • Junior Strings
  • Senior String
  • Grade 9-12 Musical
  • Music Tour
  • Private Music Lessons (Vocal, Piano, Strings, Winds, Brass, Percussion)

Drama:

  • Grade 9 Drama
  • Grade 10 Drama
  • Grade 7-9 One Act Plays
  • Grade 9-12 Musicals
  • Grade 10-12 Senior Drama
  • Chapel Skits
  • Westgate Worship Skits
  • Gr 6-12 Visits to the Theatre

Visual Arts:

  • In Grade 6-8, art is integrated into the classroom.
  • Grade 6-9 opportunities creating art for one-act plays
  • Grade 9 Art
  • Grade 10 Art
  • Grade 11 Art
  • Grade 12 Art
  • Set Design
  • Art Displays
  • Art Gallery Visits

Athletics

The Athletics program is found in three categories: Physical Education classes, Intramural sports, and Inter-school sports. A blend of these three categories will enable every student to have the opportunity to participate in athletics and stay fit.

Grade 6 – 8 Inter-school sports
All students may participate if they choose to commit. The only tryout is for the badminton team. All players who attend practices will receive equal playing time in league play and exhibition tournaments. In the league championship, players will receive playing time based on the objective of fielding the most competitive team possible. Inter-school sports include:

  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Track and Field
  • Ultimate
  • Volleyball

Grade 9 – 12 Inter-school sports
Senior High students are welcome to make use of our fitness room. Many of our students also continue to be involved in inter-school sports in grades 9 – 12, which include the following:

  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Curling
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Track and Field
  • Ultimate
  • Volleyball

Outdoor Education

Outdoor experiential learning is one of the defining characteristics of Westgate’s approach to holistic education. This program aims to support and strengthen our school’s commitment to the outdoors. We want to foster an appreciation for creation and nature in students, while equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully and safely navigate a range of outdoor activities.

  • All School June Alternative Education Week
  • Grade 6 – Retreat at Camp Assiniboia
  • Grade 7 – Camping and biking at Bird’s Hill Park
  • Grade 8 – Camping and hiking at West Hawk Lake
  • Grade 9 – Camping and canoeing at Rushing River
  • Grade 7 Festival du Voyageur
  • Grade 10 to 12 – Bike Trip from Jasper to Banff
  • Grade 10 to 12 – Hiking in Kananaskis
  • Grade 10 to 12 – Canoeing in the Experimental Lakes in Ontario
  • Grade 10 Outdoor Education class
  • Grade 10 – 12 Fall Hike
  • Grade 10 – 12 Winter Camping in a Quinzee
  • Grade 11 – 12 Winter Hike
  • Grade 10 – 12 Ice Fishing
  • Grade 8 – 12 School Winter Triathlon
  • All School Ski Trip
  • All School Cyclathon
  • All School Walk or Skate to the Forks
  • Broomball on the River

Languages

Westgate has a long tradition of providing excellent French and German language education. Students with little or no French experience can join our regular program and students coming from French Immersion schools can engage in our advanced classes. We have often been able to offer the DELF to our most advanced French students. Our German program also has 2 streams to accommodate both those new to the language and those who are coming from the German Bilingual Program or German speaking families.

  • Grade 6 – 12 Regular and Advanced French
  • Grade 6 – 12 Regular and Advanced German
  • Advanced French Certification: DELF
  • Advanced German Certification: Sprachdiplom
  • Grade 11 Three – month German Exchange Program
  • Grade 10 – 11 European Study Tour

International Travel

In keeping with our desire to connect with our wider world, Westgate has a long tradition of creating meaningful and exciting excursions to far off lands. In the past, Westgate has brought students to Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru, India, and Nepal. Currently our international travel program focuses on two study tours. Our grade 10 and 11 students are given the opportunity to use their language skills and connect with German and French culture on the European Study Tour, and our grade 12 students can experience the spiritual and political diversity of the holy land on the Middle East Study Tour. We continue to think about new ways in which we can give students the opportunity to see their place in this diverse world.

Community Building Activities

Westgate is a community where students and teachers support each other. We also recognize that we are supported by our surrounding community. The following activities are how we build community within our walls and beyond:

  • Intramural Sports
  • Grade 9 Retreat
  • Camping Trips
  • All our co-curricular
  • Chapel
  • Worshiping with our supporting churches
  • Community Service Day
  • Volunteer Credit
  • Community Connections
  • Cross Grade Small Groups
  • Grade Parties
  • Junior and Senior Days

Student-Led Groups

It is important to give our students opportunities to develop leadership skills during their time at Westgate. By getting involved in student-led groups, students receive mentorship and support from teachers as they develop into leaders.

  • Junior Council
  • Senior Council
  • Peer Support
  • Gender Sexuality Alliance
  • Green Action Team
  • BIPOC Alliance
  • Games Club
  • ReconciliACTION
  • Cross-grade Small Groups
  • And more