On December 19, VSB Secondary students were in for a treat as Olympic gold medalist and Vancouver’s own, Phil Wizard took centre stage on at Gladstone Secondary School. Sharing his inspiring journey to the Olympics and the importance of fitness and nutrition, the event was an exciting opportunity for many. The event, part of the District’s monthly Flexible Instructional Time (FIT) learning series, brought together 700 Gladstone students in-person, with 117 additional groups of secondary students tuning in via livestream across the District. 

Phil, a Magee Secondary graduate, is celebrated as one of the world’s top breakdancers, and his story resonated deeply with the students. From his humble beginnings in Vancouver to competing on the world’s biggest athletic stage, Phil highlighted how dedication, hard work and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle enabled him to reach his goals. 

“Being fit means a multitude of things. It doesn’t just mean physically, it means mentally, as well,” says Phil. “It also means taking care of yourself, talking to people, and having a support system. When I did the Olympics, if it wasn't for the people around me, I wouldn't have been mentally fit to be able to perform. The day before I broke down because I was so stressed and there was so much pressure. The only reason I was able to make it through was because I had my family and my friends around me to talk through that kind of process.” 

In addition to Phil’s presentation, the Gladstone Dance Club showcased their talent with a special performance to kick off the event. The students’ energy and enthusiasm set the stage for an inspiring and interactive session. 

“Welcoming Phil Wizard to our school is a dream come true for Gladstone dancers,” says Bronwen Keddie, a teacher at Gladstone and the Dance Club’s instructor. “The dance team has been working so hard this year, and pushing themselves as artists, athletes and performers. Having the chance to share the stage with one of their idols is such an honour and will inspire our dancers to continue to dream big and work hard, not only in their dancing, but in all areas of their lives.” 

Students also had the chance to engage with Phil directly, asking questions about his journey, training routines, and how he balances fitness with life. For Grade 10 students Jacey Schmidts and Naomi Downard, both of whom are members of the Dance Club, meeting Phil was an inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

“It was really cool to see and meet someone so successful who has the same passion we do,” says Jacey. 

“Him coming here meant a lot to all of us because we can see him in real life, see his breakdancing and hear how he got there. It was very cool for all of us,” added Naomi. 

The Flexible Instructional Time (FIT) program is a district-wide initiative designed to provide students with dedicated time for self-directed learning and enrichment opportunities. FIT is scheduled uniformly across all secondary schools, four times a week for 40 minutes each block. 

Beginning in September of 2021, VSB introduced the monthly District-wide FIT learning series. The purpose of FIT is to support the learning and well-being of students by enabling them to choose how, when and where their learning takes place. As students cultivate a stronger sense of agency, they feel more engaged with their studies, more connected to their peers, and more invested in the well-being of their community. 

The series leverages virtual platforms to connect students across the District with notable speakers and engaging topics of high student interest. These sessions allow students to go beyond the traditional curriculum, hear from inspiring individuals like Phil Wizard and gain insights that might otherwise be inaccessible to individual schools. 

The FIT Learning Series continues to empower and motivate students by addressing real-world issues and showcasing role models. Past sessions have covered personal finance, artificial intelligence, Black history, goal setting and anti-oppression training — bringing meaningful, thought-provoking learning experiences to students across the District. 

"This series is about showing students what’s possible, and Phil’s story perfectly captures that message," says Jeff Spence, District Principal of Learning Information Technology. "We want students to see that with hard work and a healthy lifestyle, they can achieve success in whatever they are passionate about." 

The event closed with applause and gratitude for Phil Wizard, whose journey serves as a powerful reminder that dreams are within reach with the right mindset, discipline and dedication.

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