Connections- Winter 2016

Winter 2016 Vol. 9 Issue 2

A HAMILTON DISTRICT CHRISTIAN HIGH PUBLICATION

PAVING THE WAY FOR FUTURE CAREERS p 14 MegaBloc Receives Mega Praise Going for OFSAA Gold

p4

p8

New Sport Building Bridges with Hamilton Community p12

www.hdch.org | 905.648.6655 |

@HDCH_info

hdch.org | WinterwhyHDCH 2016 1 HDCH_info

contents

7 18 21 Winter 2016 | Vol. 9 Issue 2 Features 4 MegaBloc Receives Mega Praise 8 Going for Gold 10 Going Deeper 12 New Sport Builds Bridges with Hamilton Community ON THE COVER 14 Community Partnerships Pave the Way for Future Careers A look into the first year of Grade 9 Design Block @ HDCH. Reflecting on 2005 Soccer OFSAA Gold at HDCH

Enhancing students’ engagement with the Bible.

Venture students build Hamilton’s first disc golf course.

Grade 12 student, Daniel Rintjema participated in a co-op learning experience at NetAccess Systems Inc. n Hamilton.

Photo by: Hank Rintjema

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Learning-Driven Development

Building and learning spaces are a key tool for accomplishing our mission and vision.

Editorial Team Charlene Hone, Adrianne Sprogis, Duncan Todd, Cheryl Webb

Connections is a bi-annual publication of Hamilton District Christian High.

Send all address changes to: info@hdch.org

All contents © copyright 2016.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without express permission.

Advertising is invited. Please contact: chone@hdch.org Letters to the Editors Questions, comments and story ideas are welcome. Please email the editorial team at info@hdch.org.

Circulation 4000

hdch.org

PRI N CI PAL’S M E SS AGE

Exceptional Renewal This summer, our family’s home went through some significant renovations. We lived in the basement and ate off the barbecue while our kitchen, entrance, and a couple of other rooms were transformed to fit better with our vision for our home and our family. It was dusty and messy, and took longer than planned, but we are so happy with the final product. Our kitchen, renewed, has become even more the centre of our home.

Over the past several years, HDCH has been going through renewal: a learning renewal that focused us on Project Based Learning, and now, as a result, a renewal to our facilities. If you drove by the school over the past six months, you have seen that HDCH has been under construction. While no one had to move to the basement, there were some disruptions.

But now that the addition is finished, I am so happy with the final product. That new space is allowing us to provide an increasingly exceptional learning experience to our students. I hope you’ll come by and check it out!

Many of the stories in this issue connect to the idea of being exceptional: from changes to our facilities to our thriving athletic program, new Grade 9 ‘MegaBloc’, experiential learning and international service opportunities. I trust all these various stories and voices will help you see the big picture of what we are about at HDCH: cultivating character through learning for lives of service to God. And speaking of exceptional, I am grateful to the team that put this publication together. From the wordsmiths to the photographers to the editors to the designers: thanks for sharing our story in a beautiful way.

Enjoy!

Nathan Siebenga, Principal

HDCH Community By: Esther Wonder, Grade 12 Student

I have gone to a Christian school almost

This year I decided that I wanted to help

my entire life, and I have definitely

take a group of students to Uganda,

taken it for granted. When you are in

Africa. With staff support I have been

a setting like HDCH it is easy to forget

able to put together a team of twelve

that everyone else does not have the

students and two chaperones.

same luxury as I do.

Being able to share my passion for I am continually reminded about the

serving others has been so much fun,

amazing opportunities I get and the

and I have learned a great deal from

awesome support system that I have.

organizing fundraisers for our trip. Each

I am surrounded on a daily basis with

fundraiser has provided a unique way

people who love Christ and want to

for our team to serve God and serve

serve Him.

others.

Without my education from HDCH I

To live a life of service to God means

would not be as confident or as sure

to reach out of my comfort zone and

about my goals for the future. Being

support other people with whatever

able to connect a Christian perspective

situation they are in.

to everything that I learn has been an enriching experience.

All of the teachers genuinely care about my life outside of school and help me balance my academics with everything else that needs to be done. They have

BEING IN A SCHOOL WHERE EVERYONE IS SO GIVING OF THEIR TIME AND EFFORTS HAS OPENED MY EYES TO THE MISSION THAT GOD HAS CALLED US TO.

helped to build my confidence and

When I go to Uganda in March I hope

nurture my talents and skills—I am no

to use my gifts to support the people

longer the same person that walked

there and show them that they are

through the doors in grade 9.

loved.

PHOTO : HANK RINTJEMA

@ hdch.org

Can you solve the Rubik’s Cube?

Our robot can. Watch it in motion @ hdch.org/ exceptional-learning/ project-based-learning/

We’re sharing the FOODs class Spanikopita recipe served at the January 2016 Celebration of Learning. hdch.org/ spanakopita-triangles/

E S I RA

P A EG

C O L B A

M S IVE

E C RE

G E M

e rlen a h C By:

s tion a c i un mm o C e, Hon

“MEGABLOC IS ONE OF THE BEST CLASSES I’VE EVER HAD! EVERY DAY YOU GET TO HAVE DEVOTIONS, BE CREATIVE, AND SIMPLY HAVE FUN!”

As HDCH continues to implement and practice Project Based Learning, it has become clear that new students must be provided opportunities to acquire new skills in order to be successful.

For example, “they need opportunities to use many traditional and modern tools, to learn the language and process of projects, and to be provided with uncertain situations where there is more than one way to arrive at a ‘right’ answer,” explains Jonathan DeVries, Art Educator.

intentional development In the summer of 2015, the Expressive and Applied Arts Department began looking at creating a course to introduce grade 9 students to design and manufacturing. It was felt that we needed to be intentional about developing community habits and norms and small group skills while concurrently learning about the various technologies here at HDCH.

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creativity & collaboration Design Block (or MegaBloc as it is affectionately termed) is designed to replace the previous grade 9 computer course with a learning experience that encompasses Communication Tech, Manufacturing Tech and Technological Design. It is also meant to provide an initiation into creative thinking, skill development and collaborative work. But it is so much more than that; every morning, the entire grade 9 student body gathers in the cafeteria for a time of devotion and prayer. “It is a chance for teachers to start cultivating character, uncover the joy of discovery and learning, and provide opportunities for students to serve God,” says Jonathan.

After a full semester of running this new program we are extremely pleased with the ways that students are taking ownership of their learning process.

creating beautiful work “MegaBloc gives students the chance to learn, revise and create beautiful work,” says Harry Blyleven, Communication Technology Teacher. “There is time built into the course so that students can plan, test ideas, receive feedback, and then revise their work. They are discovering that learning is a process and that mistakes are a valued part of their learning story. The hope is that they will not compartmentalize their learning, but rather see and understand how each course, unit, lesson and project ties into their own bigger learning experience.”

innovation & engagement

PHOTOS : HANK RINTJEMA

MegaBloc has also begun to garner attention from educators at other schools. They are excited about the possibilities this innovative program presents, and are drawn to students’ genuine engagement with their learning. Parents are also reporting that their kids are enjoying it and appreciate the focus on learning and skills rather than marks.

Gr. 9 designed this cutting board using #autocad then cut it out using a laser. Sweet! #whyHDCH #MegaBloc @_ebrink

And the feedback we’ve received from students speaks for itself. They have already established a greater sense of community than in the past, and they appreciate the opportunities to learn new things, build tangible projects, and learn from a variety of teachers. Older students wish they had had this unique opportunity and are constantly dropping by to see what this class is doing next.

“IT IS REALLY INTERESTING HOW WE GET TO LEARN A BUNCH OF NEW, UNIQUE SKILLS THROUGHOUT THIS CLASS INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON ONE TOPIC. THIS CLASS IS NEVER BORING BECAUSE WE ARE CONSTANTLY MOVING ON TO DIFFERENT THINGS THAT MANY OF US HAVE NEVER LEARNED BEFORE.”

As we enter the second semester, we are thrilled to have students dig deeper into projects, uncover new skill sets and grow closer as a community.

Drop by the school sometime, or join us for our next Celebration of Learning on Thursday, June 9. The students are eager to share their learning story with you!

Quite lucky to have Hank come in to our #megabloc class to share his expertise in photography @HDCH_Info

PHOTOS: CBC

Ask discover uganda 2016 Twelve students and two chaperones are preparing to leave on a mission trip to Uganda over the March Break. For Noah Huisman, Grade 12, this will be his second time participating in an HDCH-organized trip to Uganda, and he is really looking forward to seeing old friends and connecting with people that he met while in Uganda last year.

We asked

Noah a little more about it...

Q A

Describe the experience you had on your last mission trip to Uganda.

Going to Uganda was one of the best experiences of my life. I’ve been to Haiti before with my dad, but I have to admit that Uganda was just way more fun. I think that’s because I went with some of my close friends; it made the trip that much better. The trip opened my eyes to how other people around the world live, and it felt good doing God’s will in serving and helping others with the gifts we had. We did landscaping and other tasks that I have done during my summer job.

Q A

What is drawing you back to Uganda for a second time?

The people and the culture are drawing me back. The kids welcome us with arms wide open, and you instantly make friends and connections with the kids. Also, you hear

the stories of the kids’ lives as we sit around the Bible study at night. It is a true blessing and something you can’t understand unless you are there.

Q A

What is the goal of this year’s trip to Uganda?

We want to serve, learn, and grow by working for a Christian organization that manages seven orphanages in Uganda and by exploring the culture and geography of that country.

Q A

Describe one specific thing or event that made last year’s trip memorable.

Waking up at 6:00 a.m. to the sunrise at Ebenezer Orphanage up on the mountains. It showed the beauty and the wonder of God.

Q

How has this experience strengthened your faith and your relationship with your peers?

A

Hearing the testimonies from all of the kids in Uganda really opened my eyes and made me thank God for how truly blessed I am here in Canada. Going to Uganda with one of my best friends was awesome, but I am also thankful for the chance to grow closer with other students that I would not have had a chance to otherwise.

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noah huisman

Q A

Why should other students consider going on a mission trip?

It is a great experience. You get to help others and leave with lasting memories.

It is a privilege to experience another culture, and I would encourage anyone to take a trip like this if you get the chance. I am still in contact with some of the people I met in Uganda last year, and I can’t wait to go back and see them this year!

As the team continues to make travel plans and arrangements, pray that their hearts and minds would be opened to experience an incredible week of serving God and serving others.

hdch.org/events

Awaken your Tastebuds FUNDRAISING DINNER

spring play

Our Town

BY THORNTON WILDER

march

may

5th

12-14

Join us for our annual Spring Fundraising Dinner.

On March 5th, you will enjoy a delicious marchè -style dinner, a cooking demonstration featuring our guest chef, and a silent auction of student work.

Enjoy our student performances each night at 7pm here @ HDCH.

$40 or $320 for a table

Membership Meeting & the voice Join in the conversation as we share what’s happening at HDCH.

may

2nd

Jam Sessions art & music camp

july

11-15

For students who will be going into grade 6-9. Campers will enjoy one or two sessions of art or music.

connect with us:

Celebration of Learning

june 9th

See first hand what exceptional work the students of HDCH are doing. There will be presentations, performances, food, displays and discussions all around the school.

It will be a true celebration! Take this opportunity to stroll around the school and engage with the students.

Sport Camps basketball

aug 15-19 volleyball

aug 22-26 This camp is designed for male and female athletes going into grade 7 - 9 with of all levels of ability.

@HDCH_info

Golf Tournament FUNDRAISING EVENT

sept

17th

Come on out to Flamborough Hills for the 11th annual HDCH Golf Tournament!

Share a great day of fun, laughter, food and golf.

HDCH_info

whyHDCH

hdch.org | Winter 2016

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go knights!

OFSAA is the ultimate achievement in a high school athlete’s career.

For complete team information and upcoming game schedules, hdch.org/athletics

Kyle Grootenboer ‘05 reminisces about OFSAA Gold.

By: Charlene Hone, Communications

AVIATION MISSION ACROSS THE GLOBE

OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School

OFSAA, however, is reserved for the best

“I ran three or four times a week before our

Athletic Associations) is the pinnacle of high school sports.

teams after a full season of development, from every corner of Ontario.

Regular season games are tough, but the competition is familiar with teams from the local area. Tournaments feature schools from all over Ontario, but are held before or during the season.

OFSAA is what every competing high school team dreams about at the start of regular season. It’s the ultimate achievement in a high school athlete’s career.

OFSAA gold season, on top of basketball games and practices,” Kyle said. “To end each run, I pictured the OFSAA gold medal at the finish line, and gave everything I had to get to it.”

boys soccer 2005 Kyle Grootenboer ’05 was lucky enough to be part of an OFSAA experience at HDCH. He played defense on the Boys Soccer team, which was coached by now-Principal, Nathan Siebenga.

“Nathan’s leadership style was empowering,” said Kyle. “I wasn’t very skilled with the ball, but I could run a lot. Nathan put me in a position where running was 98% of the job. He put me in a spot that highlighted my skills and he made me feel confident.”

hungry for gold The team had a successful season the previous year and was hungry for a taste of OFSAA gold. Months before the 2005 season, players went for team runs on top of individual work to prepare themselves physically for the rigorous game play ahead.

The team that year was backed by the support of an entire school community— sidelines were always packed with yelling fans.

the winning goal “One of the greatest memories was when Matt Miedema scored the winning goal in the city final game against Sir John A. MacDonald,” said Kyle. “Students were supplied buses that day to come cheer us on, and almost every single one came out to support our team. There was a huge celebration on the sidelines.”

The team went on from city finals to compete at SOSSA (Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association) in Hagersville and then at OFSAA in Thunder Bay. All of their hard work had paid off; they had achieved their ultimate goal. And along the way, the team developed some pretty solid relationships which were cultivated by their time spent together both on and off the field.

shaping character “The OFSAA experience helped to shape our team of boys into quality character guys,” said Kyle. “I still stay in touch with the majority of my teammates, and I even play soccer with a couple of them in various leagues. Some of us still go camping or to the cottage together. And I get to connect with them at church and when they drop in at HD.”

Kyle is now employed as a teacher at HDCH. He also coaches the Midget Girls Volleyball team, the Grade 9 Boys Soccer team and the Boys Soccer team.

importance of a team

PHOTOS : HANK RINTJEMA

“As a coach, that OFSAA experience has made me realize the importance of a team,” said Kyle. “We played against teams with incredibly skilled players, but they could never compete with our cohesiveness as a team. I see a lot of similarities between the soccer team ten years ago and the soccer team today.

There are some incredible athletes at HDCH. What will make the difference from a good season to a great season will be the hard work that they put in right now. It is my desire as a coach to put together a squad of 20 guys who will each go out on to the field and play his heart out for the guy next to him.”

PHOTO : KOOL SHOTS

“I see a lot of similarities between the soccer team ten years ago and the soccer team today. There are some incredible athletes at HDCH” hdch.org | Winter 2016

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GOING DEEPER Some HDCH parents are probably looking at their tired teenagers tonight and wondering why on earth their light is still on. Haven’t they already had a full day of school, had supper, three extra-curricular activities and walked the dog? Shouldn’t they be done? What parents may not realize is that their teenager is going DEEPER.

HOW CAN A LIFE NOT BE CHANGED IF THE WORDS GOD HAS WRITTEN ABOUT HIS CHARACTER PERMEATE OURS? By: Kate Smith

PHOTOS : HANK RINTJEMA

HDCH Teacher & DEEPER Facilitator

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DEEPER is a program that was initiated by the Bible League early last year. They had been partners in a study with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada that considered how often teenagers in Canada were engaged in reading their Bible. They found out that... it was not a whole lot. The Bible League was looking for ways to proactively address this issue, and so they met with Mr. Siebenga to come up with a plan.

DEEPER is for any student who is interested in beginning a deeper knowledge of Scripture, whether they have a strong biblical background or are opening the Bible’s pages for the first time. Whether they are a more academic or more hands-on learner, DEEPER is designed to be flexible and about each student’s personal engagement with the Bible.

The great thing about DEEPER is that it ties into our mission to build Character, Learning and Service beautifully. How can a life not be changed if the words God has written about His character permeate ours?

How can a life not be changed if students are learning to ask questions together? How can a life not be changed if they journal or read on their own and live out a discipline that helps them go beyond surface questions? How can a life not be changed if students serve each other in small groups and live intentionally from what they are reading together each week?

Now, you may wonder if an extracurricular club about reading the Bible can actually fly. In fact, it’s been pretty spectacular. We began in September with fifty-three grade 9’s and 10’s showing interest in the program. Let’s just say that I printed extra flyers that day! Even though, as the semester has progressed and students are torn between intramurals, play practice, WATCH and all the other incredible things our school does on lunches, we still have over thirty students consistently show up at our Tuesday lunch meetings.

There are a few reasons I think these students are consistently sticking with this program. I know that initially students were really excited about the fact that DEEPER is going to come with a trip to Israel or Turkey or Ephesus at the end of their third year. Who wouldn’t want to eat falafels with their friends while dipping their toes in the Red Sea?

Yet, as I enter the music room at lunchtime and am blown away again by the fact that the room is packed, I realize it’s something more. The “more” is that this is theirs. DEEPER does not belong to the Bible League or to any teacherfacilitator. This group is obviously meeting a need for authenticity and discipline in the lives of teenagers. They are in that room for each other, and they are in that room to deepen their faith and knowledge of God.

Sometimes students show me their journal entries or have a conversation with me in the hallway about what they’ve learned. They may have been studying “Love,” an Obscure Character in the New Testament, or the Travels of Paul. I can honestly say that I’ve been amazed by the students’ insights, their maturity and the depth of their reflection.

I hope that tonight, when those HDCH parents are tempted to speak sternly to their teenagers about turning off their lights this instant, they will pause, and maybe give them a few minutes longer. They might just be going DEEPER.

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New Sport Builds Bridges with Hamilton Community By: Lesley-Jane DeBoer, Grade 11 Student

Are you ready for a fresh, new and challenging sport? Prepare yourselves for the upcoming Hamilton District Christian High Disc Golf Course opening in spring 2016! Disc golf is an addictive sport that is becoming increasingly popular all over the world.

The idea of creating a disc golf course was originally brought to the Venture class in the fall of 2014 by Venture coordinator, Mr. Richard Van Egmond. It was chosen from a variety of projects for several reasons.

“We had a class that included students with interests in sports, design and tech courses as well as some knowledge about landscaping,” stated Mr. Van Egmond. “This idea seemed to connect with a number of things we were interested in.”

Disc golf is a golf-style game played with specialized flying discs. Instead of hitting a ball into a hole, you throw a disc into a target. The sport is increasing in popularity on an international scale, with more than 5,000 courses worldwide, primarily in North America. The closest course to Hamilton is located at Mohawk Park in Brantford, so we are looking forward to housing a 9-hole course right on the HDCH campus.

“I THINK IT’S A GOOD IDEA BECAUSE IT REALLY OPENS OUR PROPERTY TO THE HAMILTON COMMUNITY, AND PERHAPS IT WILL MAKE HDCH BETTER KNOWN. IT CAN BE USED IN A LOT OF WAYS SUCH AS IN PHYS-ED CLASSES, OR AN ACTIVITY FOR FRIENDS TO DO AT LUNCH. DISC GOLF IS A GREAT SPORT FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND A GREAT ACTIVITY TO DO OUTSIDE.” Jaden Dilda, Venture Student

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After the idea was proposed, Venture students started making plans.

From the initial proposal to Mr. Siebenga and the HD Board to securing a budget, the class has been actively engaged in all the stages of this project.

disc golf timeline

Venture students determined what materials and supplies were needed, created the course layout, contacted companies to create signs, and even dug holes for the posts and baskets.

“THE VENTURE CLASS REALLY TOOK THE PROPERTY THAT WAS BEFORE THEM AND CAPTIVATED IT INTO

September-October 2014 | Initial idea in Grade 10 Venture class to create a Disc Golf course on HDCH campus. A bridge is proposed as part of project.

A SPORT THAT ALMOST ANYONE CAN PLAY. IT TRULY WAS A BLESSING TO WORK WITH THE STUDENTS AND

November-December 2014 | Initial designs and sketches for bridge. Students contact the Royal Botanical Gardens and get drawings and sketches of the bridge on the Captain Cootes trail.

STAFF TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT CAN TRANSFORM HD ATHLETICS.” Alvin Borg, Volunteer

The project also required that a bridge be built over Tiffany Creek to access the northern side of the campus.

The bridge will also provide students with a path to get to school more safely. Out of all the challenges that came up over the progress of the project, the building of the bridge was definitely the largest.

February 2015 | Venture students present idea for Disc Golf Course to Mr. Siebenga. Preliminary work begins.

Representative from the Ontario Disc Golf Association meets with Venture class to protocol the course design.

April - May 2015 | Venture class presents proposal for Disc Golf Course and Bridge to HDCH Board Executive.

Hydrology Consultant prepares environmental and hydraulic survey of waterflow in the Tiffany Creek. and makes presentation to Venture class.

“IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO GET THE PERMITS AND APPROVALS WE NEEDED, BUT IT WILL BE SATISFYING TO SAY WE BUILT THAT BRIDGE!” Braden Zandstra, Venture Student.

The students are grateful for the many people who donated their time, money, and resources to help complete the project. Included in this list is expert disc golf player Chris Ozolins who came in for a day last spring to offer advice on the overall plans for the course.

Construction workers from Schilthuis Construction helped build the bridge and the fathers of two Venture students helped by planting trees and placing beams and basket supports into the ground.

June 2015 | Initial application for Bridge permit submitted to Hamilton Conservation Authority.

Designs for signs and disc golf baskets completed and submitted to manufacturer.

October, 2015 | Permission to construct bridge received.

Students plant trees on Disc Golf course, and anchor plates and sign posts installed.

“As a member of this community I feel I have simply used the gifts that I have in a way which is beneficial to serve others,” comments Mark Bassie, project volunteer. “I am honoured to have been a part of this project.”

The opening date for the disc golf course is set for spring 2016. Stay tuned for additional details. We can’t wait to see the finished result!

Spring 2016 | Disc Golf baskets and Course signs to be installed for completion of Tiffany Creek Disc Golf Course.

August-September 2015 | Revised Proposals submitted to Hamilton Conservation Authority.

November-December 2015 | Bridge abutments constructed and beams installed, Wood decking and railings installed by HDCH student construction teams from TMJ20 course.

Discover more about the Disc Golf project, the bridge and our generous donors

hdch.org | Winter 2016

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Community Partners Paving the Way for Future Careers By: Charlene Hone, Communications

NetAccess partners with the HDCH Cooperative Education Program to provide students with real-world experiences that contribute to future education and career path desicions.

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“My Co-op at NetAccess has given me loads of relevant experience and a head start getting into the Networking and IT field. After having the opportunity to work at a company like NetAccess I know for sure that’s what I want to get into. I love it!” - Daniel Rintjema Co-operative Education has been part of the HDCH program for many years following its introduction into the Ontario curriculum in the late 1970’s.

While initially the program provided opportunities mainly in the skilled trades, the program now provides opportunities in a range of career fields. These continue to be important and valuable experiences, and over time the program has continued to expand.

HDCH Co op placements are now also available in pathways ranging from health care to the financial industry, real estate to veterinary science, and advanced manufacturing design to dairy farming.

PHOTOS : HANK RINTJEMA

Recent employer partnerships have included the Hamilton Warplane Museum, Juravinski Cancer Center, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Stackpole International.

This past semester, grade 12 student Daniel Rintjema had the privilege of participating in a Co-op learning experience at NetAccess Systems Inc. in Hamilton.

NetAccess is one of Canada’s oldest independent Internet Service Providers and has expanded into Business Integration Solutions including solutions for Voice, Hosting (Datacenter/Cloud/Email/Web), Managed IT Services, and Internet connectivity (DSL/Fiber/Wireless).

Richard felt that the placement would be a good fit based on Daniel’s success in the Computer Programming course, as well as his natural talents on the Audio and Video Committee @ HDCH NetAccess staff provided Daniel with some entry-level jobs at the beginning, so they could determine his technical competence.

They were so pleased with Daniel’s work that they gave him several projects to help develop their “onboarding” and diagnostics tools.

“I’ve been working on a number of different projects involving software and server computer hardware,” said Daniel. “The largest one is developing a software solution that would allow the network technicians to take backups of their workstations and restore them quickly.

It has taken a lot of research and trial and error to get a solution that would fit the requirements of the network technicians while keeping the workstations as secure as possible.”

NetAccess has participated in the college and university co-op programs for the last two years, but the President, Don McNally, has just recently introduced the high school program to the company.

“Today’s youth are becoming more and more technical at far younger ages, bringing fresh ideas and skills to our environment,” said Don Russell, Professional Services Manager for NetAccess.

“NetAccess is striving to participate in many of the local school programs to allow students an opportunity to see real world IT infrastructure in action. At the same time, these programs give our company a feel for the next generation of technical minds at work.”

Co-op placements are a fantastic way for students to see how their studies are applied to business and/or corporate environments. At the high school level, it may play a very important part in the decision the student makes moving forward with education and career paths.

“At NetAccess we are looking for highly driven and technical students with a very strong personal interest in technology,” said Don. “This usually means that the student is near the top of their class at school and spends considerable time self-learning by trial and error. Daniel was able to pick up new tasks quickly and run with little guidance. He already has the drive and skillset to succeed in the industry, and it was refreshing to have him in our midst.”

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community partners continued ...

After graduating from HDCH, Daniel hopes to attend Mohawk College for Network Administration and Security Analytics.

“My Co-op at NetAccess has given me loads of relevant experience and a head start getting into the Networking and IT field,” said Daniel. “After having the opportunity to work at a company like NetAccess I know for sure that’s what I want to get into. I love it!”

The Venture/Co-op program combines a number of aspects of our school’s mission. It tries to help students not just answer the question, “What do I want to do as a career?” but also the deeper question, “Who do I want to be?” This aspect of identity and character is a key component to helping students plan their post-secondary pathway.

Tim Keller, an American theologian and author, suggests that “our work is God’s way of blessing others.” This puts our vocation and career in that broader vision of service that is so important to our mission at HDCH.

Venture Notes Since September 2014, the Venture program has been under the leadership of Richard VanEgmond.

This program, exclusive to HDCH, is designed to help students address challenges in deciding which career to pursue upon graduation.

It provides students with opportunities to research a variety of careers, reflect on important vocational questions, visit workplaces, and establish a mentorship relationship with a business leader, professional or tradesperson. As a culmination of this process, they will then design a carefully planned Co-op placement.

For more information about the Venture program, contact Richard Van Egmond at HDCH 905.648.6655.

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What a great way to learn math! #whyhdch #HDCoL2016

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PHOTOS : HANK RINTJEMA

Getting Involved with Venture Cooperative Education links the academic learning process with the workplace through practical work experiences that are integrated with the learning objectives of the program of study.

It offers the opportunity to bring a potential future employee into your workplace.

We are always looking for more businesses and organizations to partner with us in this program! We invite you to consider how you can get involved.

partner with us 1 Visit a class (e.g. topic speaker, expert audience panel for a student presentation, participate in a mock interview session) 2 Be a community mentor for a student in Venture (e.g. offer feedback support, resources, and advice on project topic for a Grade 11 project) 3 Be involved as a placement for a Workplace Learning Placement host (1-5 days on site, Gr. 11 student)Provide a full semester Co-operative Education placement for either a 1/2 day or full day training, work and learning (Gr. 11 or 12 student)

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From Coast to Coast After a long-time fascination with the North, grade nine student Aliya Kooistra was finally able to see Canada’s newest territory first-hand.

By: Adrianne Sprogis, Communications

In October 2015, Aliya travelled to Iqaluit, Nunavut, as part of Global Vision’s Arctic Youth Ambassador Caucus. Since 2009, Global Vision has been bringing together youth leaders (25 from the North and 25 from the South) to work on finding innovative solutions to some of the pressing challenges of Northern life.

After seeing a posting at school in late September, Aliya was immediately intrigued by the experience.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity,” Aliya said. “I have always been interested in Northern culture.”

During her five-day stay, Aliya participated in discussions about topics such as food security, health care, climate change and education. She sat in on a session of the Nunavut legislature, learned about the area’s rich history and culture, toured local sights and visited an elementary and high school.

youth & education Aliya was particularly intrigued by Nunavut’s education system and alarmingly poor/low student success rate.

“Only 66 percent of children in Nunavut attend school, and of these, only 31% graduate,” said Aliya. “My friend Judy says she loves living in Pond Inlet but she doesn’t feel that there are enough opportunities there. She hears me talk about things like being in my school choir and she wishes that her school had similar groups.”

“I think for many young people in Nunavut, this lack of hope for the future is the cause for the high percentage in school absence as well as the high school dropout rate.”

Aliya, who plans to become a teacher one day, said she hopes to return to Iqaluit to help effect some change in the educational system.

“I had a conversation with a high school student from Pangnirtung who is close to graduating,” said Aliya. “She would like to go on to university to become a doctor or veterinarian and work in her own community after, but she doesn’t feel that the education she is receiving is good enough to prepare her for university.

She said that she may have to go to another high school somewhere further south before starting university.” Insecurity coupled with inadequate programming make post-secondary dreams unreachable for most students and families.

social housing challenges Aliya also observed the challenges of adequate social housing, climate change, alcoholism, suicide and food security.

She explains, “Things we buy here in our grocery store cost significantly more in Nunavut. Frozen pizza costs $16. A jug of orange juice costs around $27. Toothpaste retails for $10. And the list goes on and on. This issue is even more concerning since about half of adults in Nunavut earn less than $20,000 per year. Paying for groceries for a family of four in Nunavut costs approximately $19,000 per year.”

To help with this issue, there are now programs called “Feed My Family” and “Helping our Northern Neighbours” where you can sponsor a family and provide them with a box of food and/or hygiene products.

Despite the hardships, Nunavut remains one of the most beautiful and peaceful places on the planet. Its untouched landscapes and native wildlife are well-known all over the globe.

natural wonder While Aliya enjoyed her stay, she had the opportunity to experience one of the most privileged natural sights: “On our final night, we went by taxi a little ways out of Iqaluit to a place called Apex Hill. We were hoping to be able to see the northern lights. It was finally a clear night and as we got closer, we could already see glimpses of green lights in the sky. We climbed to the top of this hill and lay down in the snow and just stared up at the sky. It was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. One girl suggested that we just lay there in silence to take in the special moment. About a minute later, a shooting star went across the sky and we all screamed in excitement. That was the end of our silence!”

power of prayer Aliya believes that prayer is the most important way we, as a school community, can support the people of Nunavut.

She would definitely like to return on another mission trip and hopes the HDCH students could help by having a drive to collect items including school supplies or non-perishable food. In the meantime, she has put together packages to send to some of her new friends in Pond Inlet.

aliya’s blog

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Schulich Leader Merges Science and Global Social Justice Hello! My name is Emma Hansen.

I graduated from HDCH in 2013, and now I’m studying Philosophy and Physics at the University of Toronto.

None of this would be possible without the generous support of Seymour Schulich (Schulich Leaders Scholarship).

I am so incredibly grateful to have been chosen as a U of T Schulich Leader. U of T has a vast number of opportunities in the STEM disciplines – opportunities for excellent theoretical and experiential learning, exciting research opportunities, and a fantastic science community.

At HDCH, many of the courses emphasize the interplay between reason and faith.

This is a relationship that continues to guide me in my studies. The Vic One program at Victoria College in particular helped me to develop a good understanding of the intersections between STEM knowledge and social issues. I loved the interesting curriculum and the sense of community in these classes.

Being a socially conscious student or academic is especially interesting in the context of science. I’ve done some volunteer work in the past few years in Arms Control, specifically Nuclear Non-Proliferation. I loved Mr. Koiter’s physics courses in high school and I was motivated to keep reading about the history of science.

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The stories I came across in atomic physics were wonderful and fascinating – until 1945, when the first atomic bombs were used in conflict to kill vast numbers of civilians in Japan.

It had been my dream to attend a Pugwash conference since I first learned about the movement in high school, so I was thrilled and humbled to attend the 61st Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs in Nagasaki this autumn. I also did an internship with Pax Christi International, an ecumenical peace organization located in Brussels, after my first year at U of T. The internship allowed me to learn a lot about the way that weapons are distributed and used in political bargaining.

I always felt supported and encouraged at HDCH. The University of Toronto is a very big pond, but my time in high school gave me the confidence and the interest in inquiry that has allowed me to swim along in my own corner. I was blessed to have several strong friendships and meaningful mentorship relationships develop during my time at HDCH, and those relationships have also helped me to find a community here in Toronto.

follow emma ‘Wine Before Breakfast’ has become an important part of my U of T life. It is a ministry meant to engage both students and members of the community. We meet at 7:22 on Tuesday mornings for a time of worship, litany readings, teachings, prayer and communion. After the service, a breakfast of home baking, juice and organic Fair Trade coffee is shared in the chaplain’s office.

The community members, in addition to being warm and welcoming, do very interesting work. I’ve come across friends who work on the theology of disability, reducing urban poverty, and more generally extending Christ’s love to the marginalized.

I am very thankful for the educational experiences that I’ve had so far. My plan for now is to keep studying so that I can apply my commitment to social justice as a member of the legal profession.

Photos: (Emma Hansen): Emma and friend, Khodadad at a model UN conference at The Hague at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons last summer.

Students Collect Bugs for Science Exploring insect diversity at HDCH. By: Adrianne Sprogis, Communications

In order to explore insect diversity, grade nine science students at Hamilton District Christian High have set up a Malaise trap and security tape to collect bugs on the school campus.

malaise trap blog To date, the School Malaise Trap Program team has sequenced over 85,000 arthropod specimens representing over 8,000 individual species. Additionally, over 1,200 of the individual species collected were new to the Barcode of Life Data Systems.

This means that we were able to assign DNA barcodes and reference data to these species so that they can be easily identified and accessed by experts from around the world.

The School Malaise Trap Program has teamed up with thousands of students and educators across Canada to explore the arthropod diversity found in their schoolyards.

Malaise traps are collecting tools used to carry out biodiversity inventories for scientific research. As part of a worldwide project called the Malaise Trap Project, HDCH students send their specimens to the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario at the University of Guelph to be counted, sorted and DNA barcoded.

Through hands-on research and inquiry based learning, the School Malaise Trap Program offers students the opportunity to become actively engaged citizen scientists contributing valuable data to the International Barcode of Life project while encouraging the importance of environmental stewardship.

Once the barcode sequence has been obtained, it is placed in the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) database – a reference library of DNA barcodes that can be used to assign identities to unknown specimens.

Since its inception in 2013, the School Malaise Trap Program has reached over 300 schools, 15,000 students and has collected and sorted nearly 322,000 insect specimens which were caught in the schoolyards of the participating classes.

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PHOTOS : HANK RINTJEMA

Learning-Driven Development Every healthy organization must continue to grow and change.

As we boldly move forward in offering exceptional Christian learning experiences at HDCH, we believe that our building and learning spaces are a key tool for accomplishing our mission and vision.

By: Christy Bloemendal Vice Principal

While the spaces our students learn in are not the only factor in a great education, we know that quality of learning and enrollment do have a direct correlation to well-developed, innovative facilities.

We have had the chance to repurpose existing spaces, we are currently building new spaces, and we are also in the process of designing and planning more new spaces for the future. Our learning needs increasingly drive changes to the physical structures and layout of our building so we can honour our students and provide the best learning experiences possible.

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Having computers in such close proximity to our classrooms allows for ongoing differentiation of instruction, that is, providing more different ways for students to learn. It also allows us to create more varied products of learning. An example of this is our Grade 9 design block class using the 3D printer to create working prototypes of their trebuchets. These prototypes were analyzed and used to improve the trebuchet designs before heading to the wood shop for the building phase. Students are directly benefitting from the renewal of learning spaces.

Looking back, two significant parts of our renewal plan over the past five years have been the art room transformation and significant technology updates. The art program,

Currently, we are basking in the beauty of our Learning Centre addition. This addition was planned in response to our commitment to provide spaces that support all students in their various learning needs.

There are ‘campfire’ spaces where students

in its expanded and relocated space, has been able to flourish in new ways. In terms of technology, introducing computers into our hallways and making 3D printers available for student use have been significant.

meet to learn, listen and be interactive as a group; ‘cafe’ spaces where students connect in small groups or work comfortably alone; and ‘cave’ spaces which provide a quiet, safe work space for individuals.

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#whyhdch It doesn’t get much better.

The architecture in this addition reflects beauty in structure and natural environments. A green roof, two-storey tree, and exposed wood beams and workspaces provide inspiration and a connection to the beauty of creation. Now that the Learning Centre is complete and is providing these unique spaces for individual and small group learning, other spaces in our building can also experience a transformation of use and purpose.

We continue to learn about effective design and development through these renewal and construction projects. These experiences will guide us as we dream and plan future building transformations – Facility Renewal 2020.

Our next building developments are currently in the concept phase. Because we believe that the strength and quality of our end product will depend on having input from a wide range of experts and community members, we have begun a Facility Renewal Coalition.

This group will include but is not limited to architects, contractors, fundraisers, city planner, finance manager, project manager, board members, and principal.

The Coalition is developing the program, size, and scale of the next phase, which will involve a renewed food service and teaching

food lab, as well as the development of high and low tech shops. Some specific priorities include creating space for students to present their learning to both small and large groups, moving from single-function spaces to multi-function spaces, and transforming the front foyer so that it is more connected to the learning going on all through the building. Our desire is that, from the moment someone walks into HDCH, they see students highly engaged in their learning, beautiful student work on display, and a buzz of excitement resulting from a community centred around rich learning experiences.

As we move forward toward Facility Renewal 2020 and beyond, our structural development needs to be flexible and responsive to new learning needs, while building on successes and learning from our prior improvement experiences. Our spaces must be fluid and adaptable as learning needs change, enabling us to provide increasingly deep and rich educational experiences. As our organization continues to grow and change, our prayer is that our spaces are driven by the exceptional learning taking place, and that these spaces bless our community as we cultivate character through learning for lives of service to God.

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Come and See The best way to see if HDCH is right for you is to come and experience our community for yourself. Drop by the school to take a tour, attend a class, meet teachers and staff and enjoy a meal from our cafeteria. We look forward to meeting you!

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