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10
March 2015
Schools
Learning beyond the school walls by
Judy Duncan West Bay Principal
W
est Bay School is a flurry of activity lately as students connect with community members both within and beyond the school walls. Students are engaged in field studies at various sites such as the Ferry Building Art Gallery, Heritage Garage, Temper Chocolate and Pastry Shop, and a music recording studio. Visitors, including parent Dave Tomlinson from Team 1040 and Jim Hemphill, woodworking supervisor at the Seniors’ Centre, come and go on a regular basis and can be found conversing with small groups of keen learners.
This excitement is part of a new strategy at West Bay designed to improve students’ communication skills. Our hunch is that Grade 6/7 learners will more likely delve into their studies, demonstrate a real zest for learning, and improve their communication skills by exploring their passions and connecting to others who share similar interests. What are the students saying? Here’s a sampling of Grade 7 opinions: “The passion project is a project where you get to choose your own passion or hobby to take to the next level. Since I chose fashion I got the honour of meeting Treana Peake, a fashion designer from Obakki Foundation. She showed us the process of designing clothes and she is also letting us design a top
or dress so that she can make it for us. The passion project has been really educational so far because I would never have gotten this opportunity and I’m excited for the new things I will learn next,” says Julie Prins. Matthew Doig chose cars as his passion project, vintage cars in particular, “because I feel that most cars now have lost a lot of their character. Cars of the past were an art, now they’re just a form of transportation. I think that Guff Muench, the owner of the Heritage Garage, would agree with me. Guff is one of the many people helping keep the world of beautiful vintage cars alive. I hope more people can appreciate the beauty of a vintage car the same way Guff and many more like him, including me, do.” “My passion is Art,” says Jennifer Wang. “ It’s always been something special to me. On February 2, 2015 I went to the Ferry Building Art Gallery with a few of my classmates who had the same passion as me. I was in-
spired when I saw the artists and their paintings. I thought they were very unique in so many ways. I learned many things, including ways to make your art more interesting and unique.” Taya Flemons visited Temper Pastries “to learn and discover more things about baking for my passion project. In Temper, the owner and chef Steven Hodge took us on a tour of his shop. Not only did we learn about different pastries and chocolates but he also answered all of our questions. The experience has inspired me to try new recipes and maybe even try to make some chocolates.” Connecting with like-minded experts and mentors has certainly enhanced student learning. Thank-you to teacher Morag Kelpin for facilitating these connections and for the plethora of community members who have so willingly given their time and energy to support our youth.
Photo: Judy Duncan Frank Giustra, Hamish Thomson (on guitar), and Amy Usher work on song writing skills.
Photo: Judy Duncan Temper owner and chef Steven Hodge shares his craft.
Photo: Judy Duncan Dave Tomlinson (Team 1040) shares his hockey passion.
Jim Hemphill explores woodworking techniques with Felix and Nathan (R).
Photo: Judy Duncan
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