Middle School Students Explore Quebec, Ottawa

Last week, the Grade 7s went to Quebec City and Montreal. They toured Old Quebec City, the Huron Wendat Village, Circus School, and the Notre-Dame Basilicas of Quebec and Montreal. The Grade 8 students traveled to Ottawa on Tuesday, April 15, and returned on Thursday, April 17. On the first day, they visited the Supreme Court and toured the inside of the Federal Court, where students participated in a mock trial. That evening, they attended an Ottawa Senators game and watched a close contest between the Senators and the Blackhawks. On the second day, the students took part in a ropes course at Arbraska Laflèche, enjoyed games and activities at Funhaven Arcade, had dinner at Tucker’s Marketplace, and wrapped up the day with a walk through ByWard Market and a haunted tour of Ottawa. These exciting overnight excursions are a highlight of our Middle School program.

Holocaust survivor shares history with Grade 6 students

Holocaust survivor Andy Reti shared his family's story with the Grade 6 classes and led students through a pledge to remember the autrocities committed and to always strive for peace.

Mr. Reti was born in 1942 in Rechnitz, Austria. At the age of two, his mother and grandmother and him were taken from their home and forced into a Jewish ghetto in Budapest. They were forced to survive in cramped, harsh living conditions with very little food until they were liberated on January 18, 1945 by the Soviet Red Army. 

His father and grandfather had been taken to a forced labour camp and it was only after they were liberated that Mr. Reti and his family learned that his father had been murdered by the Nazis. Years later, Mr. Reti and his mother chose to move to Canada for a new start. 

Mr. Reti shared his story, and his mother's story which he says is one of love, with the Grade 6 students. He said through telling this story he not only keeps his family's legacy alive but he encourages students to remember the Holocaust and to foster a community of understanding and peace. 

Hands-on models demonstrate elecrticity, hydraulic systems in Middle School

The Grade 6 students built model towns demonstrating their knowledge of electricity. They proudly presented their models and explained the type of electricity they researched (hydro, solar, wind, biomass, nuclear, or geothermal) and how they applied their learning in the design and construction process. They were also prepared to discuss their circuits, energy sources, and schematic drawings in detail.

Middle School students also explored how hydraulic systems work by designing and building their own working prototypes using syringes, tubing, and water. They followed the Engineering Design Process to research, plan, build, test, and improve devices such as hydraulic arms, presses, bridges, marble mazes and even a claw machine. Through this hands-on task, students developed problem-solving, collaboration, and presentation skills while connecting science and engineering concepts to real-world applications.