HDCH LookBook

Hamilton District Christian High

Why HDCH? Our mission

is to cultivate character through learning for a life of service

to God.

At Hamilton District Christian High, our

So whether you’re a student or a parent, I

mission is to cultivate character through

encourage you to look through this book.

learning for a life of service to God.

Get a feel for who we are as a Christian

An HDCH education is like no other. We believe that exceptional teachers investing in students makes all the difference to student engagement. We believe that the most dynamic learning experiences happen through project based learning.

learning community. Find out more about Project-Based Learning. Hear the voices and read the stories of our amazing students.

I hope you’ll check out our website, come visit us, and ultimately make the decision to become a part of the HDCH family.

And we want to see our students grow: to increase in competence; to develop creativity and reflection; to produce and create culture—with a hope for a faithful future—in all of their classes and extra-curricular pursuits. We encourage our students to test and develop their

#whyHDCH

resilience, to grow in and show compassion for people and for God’s created world. We encourage them to love learning, and to use their learning to serve their God.

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Hamilton District Christian High

Nathan Siebenga, Principal

Hamilton District Christian High

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Competence | ESTHER Without my education from HDCH I would not be as confident or as sure about my goals for the future. Being able to connect a Christian perspective 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 helped to build my confidence and nurture my talents and skills—I am no longer the same person that walked through the doors in grade 9.

Creativity |

COLIN

I love my school, I love the people, the interesting classes, the hands-on many sports I have been a part of,

Compassion | MONICA

the musical groups I am involved in,

HDCH is filled with teachers who genuinely

and I love how there is no limit to

care about their students’ academic and

what you can do here!

personal achievements, and there are students

learning, everything! I enjoyed the

that attend from all over the area. Throughout my four years at HDCH I have really enjoyed my time, and I would not be the same person that I am today without this school.

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Hamilton District Christian High

Char | ac | ter Character n. A person’s unique qualities and abilities which can be directed toward individual and community success We want to know our students personally and we want to see them flourish. We believe God has blessed each person with tremendous potential, and our staff is committed to supporting students as they continue to learn who they are, and as they develop and use their skills and gifts. We believe that, through learning, God will shape their character. The following habits of a graduate are the marks of character we look for in our graduates.

Reflection, Creativity, Resilience, Competence & Compassion.

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Habits of a graduate:

Reflection Creativity Resilience Competence Compassion

Our staff takes a vested interest in student learning, growth and spiritual well-being. They develop mentor relationships beginning in Grade 9 and foster these connections through to Grade 12, often going above and beyond to get to know each student as a unique person with diverse interests, strengths, and gifts.

Students often return to the school after they graduate to visit with teachers and share their success stories.

Learn more #whyHDCH Hamilton District Christian High

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Learn | ing Learning n. The acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, practice, or study, or by being taught At HDCH, we believe that exceptional learning happens when students

We believe that exceptional learning is for every student. Each student

are engaged, and we’ve found that Project Based Learning (PBL) is

has unique gifts, abilities, and learning styles. We work to differentiate

the best way to do this. PBL is an instructional method that engages

learning so that each student can succeed. We provide support in

students by focusing their learning through work on authentic projects.

academic planning and development, learning, and individualized programs where appropriate.

These projects often go beyond the walls of their classrooms. . All this learning happens from a Christ-centred perspective so that students’

The MegaBloc program provides an initiation into creative thinking,

lives will be lived in service to their God and to their communities.

skill development and collaborative work. Every morning, the entire grade 9 student body gathers in the cafeteria for a time of devotion and prayer and then takes part in a learning experience that encompasses Communication Tech, Manufacturing Tech and Technological Design.

The Venture program at HDCH is designed to expand, enhance and complement our current cooperative education program. This unique, 3-year program for students in grades 10-12 allows students to explore career options, develop their own sense of vocation, and participate in workplace placements and internships.

HDCH is registered as a private school with the Ontario Ministry of Education. Students who complete our program earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

#PBL

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Hamilton District Christian High

Project Based Learning

Co-op placements are a fantastic way for students to see how their studies are applied to workplace environments.

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.

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.”

Co-op placements are a fantastic way for students to see how their studies are applied to workplace 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.

“My Co-op 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!”

Hamilton District Christian High

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Ser | vice Service n. The action of helping or doing work for someone.

Service is a focus for all students

This service continues through their

through their time at HDCH. On

time at HDCH both in and out of the

Grade 9 Day, our students spend part

classroom, and can take many forms.

of the day serving in area not-for-

Whether they travel overseas or serve

profits like City Kidz and The Good

locally, we encourage them to connect

Shepherd. We want them to know

their learning with their world. We want

the importance of connecting to

them to develop compassion both for

their communities, and using their

others as equal image-bearers of God

skills and gifts for the benefit of

and for all of God’s creation. We want

others.

them to have concern for justice, ethics, and to extend generosity and grace.

Over the March Break, eleven students and two chaperones went to Haiti on a mission trip and worked with the organization, “Mission of Hope.” During the week they had the opportunity to learn about the vision of the organization, worship with the people of Haiti, plant trees, and speak and pray with people in the surrounding villages.

#whyHDCH

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Hamilton District Christian High

Through these experiences, our students showed incredible leadership, growth and learning.

Each one took the opportunity to pray with individuals in the village,

play soccer, basketball or other games with the kids, and speak words of encouragement to the people they met.

They learned what a blessing it is for us to share our faith and speak of God’s goodness to His people. They also felt the blessing of sharing in people’s needs, sorrows, disappointments and troubles.

They learned of the incredible faith of the Haitians, and were challenged to openly and confidently share their personal faith with their own communities.

“While in the small village in Cabaret, we decided to buy trees to plant on our trip. Villages in Haiti don’t have many trees which means an absence of shade from the everyday heat. It was such an amazing experience to be able to plant some trees and know that the Haitians were so happy and felt so blessed! After we were done planting trees we got to play with the kids. It was an amazing time filled with so much laughter.”

- Janelle

Hamilton District Christian High

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Athletics HDCH desires for all students to

HDCH participates in the HWIAC,

participate in sport for God’s glory.

competes in Zone 1 of SOSSA, and

We want students to honour God and

is eligible for competition at OFSAA.

the people that they compete with by

As a part of OCSSAA, we are also able

playing their best every time they enter

to compete with member Christian

into competition. We aspire to lead

high schools from all over Ontario at

in the way that we treat the coaches,

a variety of annual tournaments held

referees, fans and opponents in each

throughout the year.

match we play.

#goknightsgo

Drama Drama is an exciting and vivid way

students are encouraged to challenge

to use the talents God has given.

themselves physically, emotionally, and

At HDCH, we offer an open drama

vocally through individual and group

course which lays the groundwork

activities. Each class will also participate

for the principles of acting, staging,

in an outing to a professional drama

and vocal precision. The senior drama

production. Additionally, the spring

course exists to further the study of

mainstage production is an exciting

theatrical elements such as blocking,

place to get involved for all students via

directing, and design. In each course,

open auditions in the fall.

Extracurriculars Extracurriculars provide students with an opportunity to share, recognize & celebrate each other’s gifts.

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Hamilton District Christian High

Opportunities include:

• Yearbook

• Mission Trips

• Art Café

• Book Club

• Praise Team

• Concert Band

• Ecoserve Club

• Student Council

• Choir

• Intramural Sports

Music We strive to honour God and the gifts He has

Ensemble, Choir, Concert Band, and Praise Team.

given us by developing music proficiency. Various

Each year, two major performances are the

programs teach students how to build and develop

Christmas concert and Celebration of Learning. The

instrumental and/or vocal skills. Instrumentalists

choir also participates in the Ontario Christian High

and vocalists can also become involved in some

School Choral Festival. Every other year two major

of our many extracurricular ensembles: Chamber

productions are the music tour and spring musical.

Diversity in Opportunity HDCH graduates choose a variety of post-secondary pathways including public and Christian universities and colleges, apprenticeships, mission organizations and workplaces.

Applicant acceptance into their program of first choice hovers near

97

%

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Hamilton District Christian High

annually

Unity in Diversity Our staff and students come from over twenty different Christian denominations. And our international education program enriches our community by the presence of students from countries including China, Korea, and Nigeria. Together, we have the privilege of living and learning as the body of Christ.

HDCH is excited about our new partnership with Hamelin-Laie International School in Barcleona, Spain. It’s a great way for students to develop global perspectives, establish international connections, and explore history, language and culture.

“HDCH is the place where I can interact with many students from various countries. It’s the best place for me to learn about the world.”

- SE YOUNG “When you study in a school with a #diverse population, all of your learning becomes richer and more rounded. A diverse student body means different perspectives and personal experiences are heard and considered in and out of the classroom.”

- GILLIAN

Hamilton District Christian High

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Learning Tools & Spaces HDCH is situated on a beautiful twenty-acre property with exceptional learning facilities including a wood shop, small engines lab, music studio, art studio, full kitchen, gymnasium, weight room, science labs, computer labs and an outdoor patio. We continue to update and renew our learning tools including 3D printers, SMART Boards, a laser cutter, professional software and an electrophoresis chamber (used in biology labs to separate DNA).

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Hamilton District Christian High

We hope you’ll be in touch with us to find out more about this learning community.

Contact our office – our Admissions staff would love to connect with you, answer your questions, and welcome you here for a school visit. In the meantime, here are a few helpful details.

Tuition HDCH is an independent Christian school. We have a family tution rate; this means that no matter how many siblings from one family attend our school, the total tuition amount stays the same. Bursary support is available to qualified applicants. Part of your tuition may qualify for a tax deduction.

Transportation Our students come from a wide area including (but not limited to) Hamilton, .Jarvis, Burlington, Stoney Creek and Dundas. Bussing is available from most areas. We also run late busses to Burlington, Brantford and Jarvis so more students can participate in after-school activities.

Admissions Process Our process is straightforward, and we’d be happy to walk you

#whyHDCH

through it! Visit our website to learn more: www.hdch.org

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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!

#whyHDCH

/HDCH.info /HDCH_Info HDCHtube @whyhdch

92 Glancaster Road, Ancaster, ON 905.648.6655 info@hdch.org

To learn more, or to submit a registration application, visit www.hdch.org