Outdoor Pursuits

The new Outdoor Pursuits program is focused entirely on learning in nature. Through regular outdoor exploration, this program aims to build childrens' confidence, critical thinking, resilience, communication and collaboration skills all the while focusing on their physical and emotional health. During snack time, there will be a focus on reinforcement of French and an additional focus on literacy and numeracy, in particular, recognizing letters of the English alphabet and exploring their sounds. LPE’s small group setting and excellent student-teacher ratio will be maintained, as well as our goal to create community in a nurturing environment.

Sean Dawson will be joining LPE full-time, while continuing his coaching duties at West Point Grey Academy. For almost 25 years, he has served as WPGA’s Head of Physical Education, Head of the Athletics Department, and has taught students from JK through Grade 12. Sean holds a Bachelor of Education degree, and is a highly impactful coach in the WPGA community. He has built a strong and connected cross-country and track community, which includes many provincial championship winning teams and thousands of hours of extensive training of students in the Pacific Spirit Park (including his and Madame Bourbonnais’ daughters).

Madeleine Abbott retired from York House School this past year after over 25 years of teaching there, beginning in the Bilingual Program before moving onto a classroom teaching role. In addition to her teaching degree, she holds a Master’s of Education degree with a focus on teaching and assessing students’ literacy and numeracy. In addition to her decades of expertise in this area, Madeleine accompanied students on more than 30 outdoor education trips and has a lasting positive impact on the YHS community. She brings a deep commitment to experiential and outdoor learning, as well as assessment of students literacy and numeracy to her new role at La petite ecole.