Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) bestows certain levels of excellence on schools across Canada. Turnbull School has been recognized by this association and given their highest national level of achievement, the Diamond Award, every year since 2003. Fewer than 1% of schools in Canada received this award.  The standards are established by this association and recommended by the Canadian Medical Association.  This honour of Diamond recognition is based on having the highest quality of program and must include:

• daily physical education classes for all students
• the use of specialized teachers
• a wide range of activities and sports
• an extensive extramural program but also
• a diversified intramural program that encourages participation for all students.

In addition, Turnbull School has received the Outstanding Intramural Achievement Award in 2008, 2009 and 2010 from CIRA Ontario (provincial level of the Canadian Intramural Recreation Association). Turnbull School was one of only 56 schools across Ontario chosen for its strong program of promoting physical activity and for having senior students assist in a leadership capacity within intramural programs.

Turnbull School is the only private school in Ottawa to have achieved both of these designations.

Turnbull School's Physical Education and Athletic Programs strive to develop in our students physical competence, a life long commitment to and an intrinsic motivation for regular physical activity and healthy life style.

This goal is achieved through:

• Daily physical education classes for every grade, from JK to Grade 8
• intramural sports that promote participation and inclusion for all students
• Opportunities for leadership for our senior students in helping organize the intramural sports lunch program
• Opportunities to be involved in more advanced play with other schools as a member of the Turnbull Tornadoes team
• Offering a variety of sports and physical activities at both the individual and team level to promote enjoyment for regular exercise, mastery of skills and fitness levels
• Emphasis on the enjoyment that can be derived from physical activity, regardless of one's ability level
• Developing an appreciation of outdoor physical education and maintaining an active life style even during our Canadian winters!
• Using only specialists in physical education
• Continuing to provide our leadership in OISAA (Ottawa Independent Schools Athletic Association, which we founded) to offer competitions with other private schools
• Developing in our students a healthy understanding of team and individual competition and its value in developing cooperative skills, leadership, and self-confidence while promoting good sportsmanship
• Teaching a health component that promotes healthy eating, benefits of regular exercise and positive life style choices.