Schoolyard for Olympic activities: Winnipeg school teaching kids about the winter games

Students at Wayoata School are getting the chance to take part in winter sports all based around the Olympics.

A Winnipeg school is showing students how to enjoy the outdoors, even during the winter, with an Olympic flair.

Wayoata School in the Transcona area has a rink in its schoolyard, and for the past five years it has been used to encourage students to embrace the outdoors.

This year, with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina taking centre stage, P.E. teacher Tyler McGurry said it was a great opportunity for students to enjoy and experience the sports that are being seen on TV.

McGurry said they have covered every sport possible, from curling and skiing to bobsled and skeleton.

“The kids have been really excited about that,” said McGurry. “Learning about the Olympic Games and the Olympic spirit and just learning how to be active for life with all these outdoor activities.

“We’ve had a lot of fun this year learning the different Olympic sports and participating with all the kids.”

McGurry credits the school division, along with staff and parents, with being able to make it possible to get the right equipment and give students the best experience when trying new activities.

“We’re just really working together as a school and a community to teach the kids some different activities outside and how to be resilient to the cold weather because it can be pretty cold and we’re still coming out here as long as we’re allowed to.”