Stettler Elementary School hosted “Aussie Days” last Wednesday and Thursday in the school gym, which was decorated with an Australian theme.
The event was packed with learning and fun activities for students and teachers alike.
More than 500 students in grades one through five participated, said Stettler Elementary vice-principal Bonnie Lynn.
Lynn said the success of the event was due to the “amazing organizational work” of physical education teachers Kim Poapst and Charlee Mappin, and their helpers.
Each year, the school chooses a different theme for the annual event.
Poapst said the Australian theme was fitting this year because of the current teacher exchange with Australia.
Brenda Keast from Australia is teaching in Stettler for one year, while the exchange sees Stettler-counterpart Nancy Nielsen in Australia for the same period.
The two-day festival was complete with opening ceremonies, an educational video on Australia and multiple physical activities that simulated activities in Australian culture.
Among the exercises were a kangaroo hop, a surf race, outback challenges, a boomerang throw, relays and a dig in beach sand.
Students were encouraged to “get out of your comfort zone — don’t sweat the small things,” and to try something new, Poapst said.
The closing ceremonies included a sing-along to Keith Urban’s “Days Gone By.”