January 20, 2010

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Guidance Workshops for University Applicants

Next week the Guidance Office will be facilitating workshops for students applying to Ontario universities. All Grade 12 students will be completing the on-line application at that time. This is well in advance of the January deadline and parents should know that even though the application is submitted changes can still be made in the system. We encourage parents to go through the application with their daughter or son over the Christmas break.
 
Students applying to universities in the US should have those completed by the end of next week as well since their deadlines are January 1st. There applications require a great deal of time from the guidance counsellor and referees so it is essential that they be done soon.
 
Students applying to colleges in Ontario should make an appointment with their guidance counsellor if they require any assistance.
 
In recognition of this busy week for Grade 12s the Senior School teachers will be dressing up in their university colours and their will be fun competitions going on during the Morning Meeting between teachers. We do this to encourage all the staff to be aware of what the Grade 12s are working on, but also to give the Grade 12s an opportunity to speak to the teachers about the university that they attended. We did this last year and it was very successful.
 
Submitted to PC Connects by Gina Benvie, Senior School Guidance Counsellor

Nine Senior School Students Receive Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an international award recognized in over 120 countries. More than 36,000 young people are involved in Canada alone, with 120 of those young people being right here at Pickering College.

Eight of these students earned their Bronze awards which required a minimum Community Service commitment of 6 months.  These students had to complete at least 15 hours of community service during this time. They were involved in a variety of organizations such as the King Food Bank and Service Day.  They also had to complete an overnight expedition. One student planned and executed his own trip on Lake Baptiste while the others were part of the school’s dogsled trip.

These participants also had to follow a skill development program of 6 months' duration. Our students used the school band, piano lessons and Driver’s Ed as some of their activities of choice.

The final commitment was a physical fitness program of at least 30 hours over 15 weeks. Our students competed on various school teams and participated in outside activities.

Congratulations to Jaymie Ford, Zain Nathoo, Christopher Sopuch, Carsten Turk, Carolyn Gillespie, Patty Zhao, Hee Soo Kim and Tiffany Lee on their achievement of the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award.

Having already earned his Bronze and Silver awards, Alex Gillespie became the first student in PC history to earn his Gold Award. To achieve this he had to complete another 60 Community Service hours over a period of at least 12 months. He accomplished this through his tireless service to his church, Youth Action Committee (YAO) and Service Day.  His expedition had to be 4 days and 3 nights, which he accomplished through our school’s Dog Sled trip. He used trumpet lessons for his 12 month skill program and for his physical recreation commitment of 50 hours, he earned his Swim Instructors’ Certification with the National Lifeguard Society, sailed competitively, and was on the Pickering Ski Team. He also had to complete a residential project where he had to be away from home for at least 5 days working and learning in a different environment.

Please join me in congratulating Alex Gillespie on his wonderful achievement.

Presented to Senior School Morning Meeting by Tom Lewis, Director of Leadership and Community Service.