One Andrean, One Experience Jared Leslie ‘05
Juan Carlo Velazquez de Leon (right) and Fernando de la Parra Navaroo in grade 8 art.
music, debating, visual arts, newspaper, drama, plus piping and drumming. That way the young students can begin to discover what they love to do.” Life experience is similarly important and just as intellectually challenging. A portion of every student’s education takes place away from his desk, whether it’s School-related activities, community fundraising, charity work, or travelling abroad to learn about other places and people.
Geoff George
DRAMA
St. Andrew’s students shine on the stage. The annual fall play rivals professional theatrical productions, and the Focus Festival of the Dramatic Arts celebrates 25 years this spring. Students regularly engage in public speaking and debate, as well as compete in local, national, and international competitions and tournaments. In 2015, students and teachers alike will be able to enjoy the world-class facilities of the Wirth Centre for the Performing Arts. The Wirth Centre, part of a new $22-million academic facility, involves enlarging and refurbishing Ketchum Auditorium, which will house music and drama and also be able to accommodate the whole Andrean community in a single gathering place.
The arts
At the Wirth Art Centre students learn not only about the creative process but also acquire the technical skills to make their concepts and ideas a reality. The studios in the Centre are fully equipped for the more traditional arts: painting, sculpture/ceramics, and printmaking. By contrast, Media Arts offers state-of-the-art computer-generated possibilities. Students can direct, edit, and title their own digital movies, and they also create and design the School’s yearbook, The Review. The skills they acquire—personal website design and academic or professional presentations—are extremely useful as they move into the wider world.
Music
Having received triple-gold status at MusicFest Nationals for three of the past four years, St. Andrew’s Wind Ensemble is one of the best highschool concert bands in Canada. And having competed at MusicFest for the first time last year, the Middle School band has achieved a perfect two-fortwo gold-medal record. These victories are significant achievements that not only highlight the musical talent of SAC students who are introduced
I attended St. Andrew’s for six years, from 1999 to 2005. SAC offered so many possibilities, but in hindsight, I initially had no real idea of just how many opportunities were available. I was privileged to go on many amazing trips, including the European Battlefields Tour, where we laid wreaths on the memorials of past Andreans, scuba trips to the freezing lakes in northern Ontario, and two eye-opening visits to South Africa and Malawi. Part of the incredible experience at St. Andrew’s is the friends you make. The number of great friends I am still in touch with is remarkable. My memories include everything from sports — some big wins, some heart-breaking losses — entertaining dances and formals, and the Cadet experiences that led, in part, to my current job in the Canadian Armed Forces. I would be remiss if I left out the teachers and coaches who challenged me and taught me always to expect more from myself. In particular, [the late] Clare Kowaltschuk for her neverending support and amazing spirit, Ann Perrier, who is one of the most amazing individuals I’ve ever met, and Mark Service, who was a great role model. There were so many meaningful moments during my time at SAC, and I am thankful for all of them. They include winning the CAIS hockey championship, the MacPherson Tournament, and, in my final year, the MidWest Prep League. I also recall my final Carol Service, the Cadet Inspection, and helping to organize the two national CAIS leadership conferences hosted by SAC. I graduated as Head Prefect, and was happy and proud to learn that my two younger brothers, Nick ’06 and Kent ’10, were also elected Head Prefect for their respective years. www.sac.on.ca 9