Photos: Kawartha Montessori School Hits the Ground Running Again With Return of Its Cross-Country Run After a Three-Year Hiatus

Students of Kawartha Montessori School got their feet moving as they hosted their cross country meet at their institution on Friday, an event they have not been able to participate in the last three years.

Grade 3 student Esther van Ostveen, 8, running in her heat as students, parents and faculty cheered the racers all day. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Kendalwood Montessori & Elementary School, Uxbridge Montessori School, Whitby Montessori & Elementary School and Peterborough’s Rowan Tree Children's School were also a part of the event held by Kawartha Montessori totalling roughly 150 students in the event. Grades 1 to 8 ran in the meet, the first time Kawartha hosted in several years.

“Certainly, Covid got in the way,” said Carrie O’Toole, Kawartha Montessori vice-principal. “We've also in the past participated in the Catholic board but this year, they weren't not accepting other schools outside of their board so it was a way for us to give a cross-country running experience to our other schools who were not a part of those boards.”

Students began training for the meet at the start of the school year as part of their physical education curriculum.

“They would have included learning some running skills and build up their stamina for the event,” explained O’Toole.

Races were divided by gender and grade. The children ran varying distances on a figure-eight-like track depending on the category. During the races, parents, faculty and students cheered on the runners throughout the day.

“That is a big part of our school, building that grace, courtesy and community,” said O’Toole. “That's something that we pride ourselves in, building that community and building that teamwork.”

During the winter, students are taught sports and activities such as basketball, volleyball, tennis, pickleball, downhill and cross-country skiing.

In the spring, students get to learn track and field. Grade 8 students also participate in rowing and mountain biking as part of their curriculum.

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