INSPIRED STUDENTS

and participated in unique programming including fencing, historical dance and world percussion. 

Junior and Middle School students explored healthy eating choices virtually with our Director of Food Services and an Aramark registered dietician. Together, they discussed how eating colourful fruits and vegetables can help support overall health, growth and well-being. They also touched on the many nutrients these colourful options offer, including different vitamins and minerals. 

As part of a Reggio inquiry, students in Grade 1 considered what they enjoyed most about their forest and Canadian animal research study projects. They were excited to create research books and design their chosen animal using plasticine while crafting and producing an authentic forest habitat. 

Junior and Middle School students were immersed in Francophone culture during our annual winter Carnaval. We welcomed French-language educators from Quebec to enhance the Carnaval experience as they actively engaged and interacted with our students in French. Middle School students also participated in several challenging games, enjoyed BeaverTails and watched a juggling performance. 

Grade 3 students worked in pairs to correctly identify different coniferous and deciduous trees on campus. While analyzing a budding sugar maple tree, they witnessed two hungry downy woodpeckers searching for food in a nearby tree. 

Grade 3 students participated in a virtual strong and stable structures workshop delivered by Scientists in Schools. Students spent the morning being structural engineers as they discovered how to design a structure that withstands both tension and compression. The students tested different materials for strength and investigated how the strength of a material can be altered by manipulating its shape. 

Grade 5 students enjoyed their visit with guest speaker Gurdeep Pandher, a SikhCanadian Bhangra dancer living in Yukon. From the beautiful landscapes of his home territory, Gurdeep uses social media to share his philosophy of joy, hope, positivity and inclusivity for healing and living a more optimistic life. 

Our Electives Program for students in Grades 3-5 offers a variety of new and exciting experiences including Design and Build. Using Rokenboks, Grade 4 students were challenged with applying critical-thinking skills to plan, design and build a bridge that met certain specifications. 

Kindergarten students engaged in several different Reggio inquiries. Exploring backyard and woodland birds, the students incorporated a bird poster into their lessons to help them learn more about these animals, and enjoyed sketching, taking photos at home and listening to bird songs while spending time outdoors. They also learned about plants and what they need to grow and remain healthy. After charting the students’ answers to the question: “What do you know about plants?” they participated in an outdoor education session with Ms. Hunt where they learned about the importance of animals and insects that help pollinate flowers. They also planted their own Lupin seeds in wet paper towels and hung them in their classroom windows. 

Using knowledge from past outdoor education lessons, Grade 2 learned about pollinator gardens, pollination, and the different types of animal and insect pollinators, including bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The students identified the important role of pollinator animals, the reasons for their decline and how students can help by creating a pollinator garden of their own. 

The Kindergarten and Grade 4 students met in person for learning buddies for the first time. Due to the pandemic, the Grade 4 students had been reading stories to the Kindergarten students via Google Meet two to three times a month since the beginning of the school year. They looked forward to this time every week, so it was a treat for students to spend time together in person. 

Junior and Middle School students marked World Book Day by dressing up as their favourite book character and bringing the book to share with their class. It was a lot of fun and many students participated. 

The Grade 2 class explored our new PC Reading Trail featuring Over in the Forest by Marianne Berkes. Each sign along the trail showcased a different page from the book, so the students could read and learn about forest animals while also enjoying a short hike through the trees on our beautiful PC campus. 

Congratulations to the Grade 3 recipients of the Carabiner Award for Outdoor Education. The PC Carabiner Award recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and support a positive community in outdoor education. Symbolizing strength, dependability, versatility and support, these students effectively communicate and encourage their classmates while also maintaining their own personal safety and positive sense of self. Congratulations to Alven Yang, William Kupsch, Rebecca Morton, Evan Sexsmith-Brosseau, Ethan Yu, Sofia JayantMadhvani, and Sebastian Hunt for this wonderful achievement! 

Grade 5 visited Newmarket Town Hall, where Ward 5 Councillor Mr. Bob Kwapis welcomed the class. He spoke about his role in local government and the importance of civic engagement. Mayor John Taylor also talked about his experiences leading and serving the people of Newmarket. The students asked many excellent questions and both Mr. Kwapis and Mr. Taylor were impressed by their thoughtfulness and inquisitiveness on many complex local issues. 