THE TORCH
AUGUST 2008
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL
H ey STA! My name is
Whynott, Shannon Mar-
chant, Ashley Crnic, Amy
give you guys your most
memorable school year
Klaire Gain and I am your Mikula, (me) Klaire Gain, yet! We want to hear your
Prime Minister for next Joe Haris, Jessica Gagner, opinions so if you want
year’s Student Council! We Lauren Silvestro, Shauna something to happen just
have a great team includ- Yarnell, Kristen Hajpel, come let us know! We are
ing (starting from the back and Hillary Mandich! We looking forward to work-
row left to right): Bryan have some awesome plans ing with you and hope you
Strang, Emily Gilpin, Mr. in mind and can’t wait to had a great summer!
Page 2 THE TORCH
Principal’s Message
I n the next
few weeks
we will be be-
Catholic school.
This newsletter contains impor-
team will play CCH on the Fa-
ther Thompson Sports Field. Re-
freshments and food will be
tant information that will assist
ginning a new available! All are welcome to
with a smooth transition to an-
school year at this wonderful celebration of
other school year.
St. Thomas Catholic education.
Aquinas Catho- In particular, I wish to emphasize
I pray that our 2008-2009 school
lic Secondary the new school policy as related
year will be a memorable year
School. The 2008-2009 school to the use of Personal Electronic
for us all!
year brings us a new graduating Devices at the school. These
class and a new group of grade policies will be reviewed with the Sincerely,
nines entering into our commu- students at our Orientation as-
Paul Digby,
nity. To the students who will be semblies during the first week of
graduating this year, I hope that classes. They are also written in Principal
you will make it your best as the student agenda planner,
you prepare yourself for college, which will be distributed during
university or the world of work. the first few days of classes.
To the new Flames- our grade On Saturday September 6th we
nines and those in other grades will be having the blessing and
who will be joining us this year, dedication of the Tim McDonald
I hope that by choosing STA Fieldhouse at STA. This will be
you have made a commitment to a great community celebration
embrace not only your academic after two years of fundraising.
education, but also your spiritual Following the dedication at
growth that is at the heart of a 10:00am, our senior football
Art for Aids Project
Sara Levasseur, displays her Art teacher Mr. Dave De-
award winning arts project. She Serrano for his leadership with
won a $2,000 scholarship this unique project.
through the Art for Aids project.
Fifty prints were made of each
work and sold for $25.00 each Congratulations!
with the money going towards
AIDS in Africa. Many thanks to
Page 3
Goodbye Travis Michael Palmer!
A very valued and beloved Mrs. Ozaruk) will never be To his home base teachers- Mr.
member of our STA commu- the same. To the many teach- Dundas, Mr. Gleason~ what
nity is moving on to the Na- ers who so welcomed Travis’ will you do without him.
tions capital. Travis has been inpeeth style into their
with us for the past 5 years and classes…(especially Mrs.
recently graduated with the David-Lapp, Mr. Alexander, STA is a lesser place in Septem-
class of 2008. His impact on and Ms. Leidl)….thank you. ber 2008– We love you Travis.
both the staff and students has
been immeasurable. Travis
has a wonderful sense of hu- To Mrs. Verdel, Mrs. Dann, Mrs. Kerr - Department Head
mour and loving heart. Mrs. Gulikers and Mrs.
Goving, (support staff extra-
ordinaire) for all those great
The Main Office (Mrs. Reder, years...thank you.
Ms. Pompa, Mrs. Thomas &
Travis Palmer & Mr. Digby
Volunteers!
Mrs. Kerr & Travis Palmer
A special thank you to David
Geraghty, Scott Palmer and
Jennifer Ennett for their great
help in volunteering in the
School-Community Pathways
Program. Although Scott is
moving on to Ottawa, Jen &
David will be welcomed back in
the fall. Thank you again.
Mrs. Thomas, Travis
Palmer & Mr. Vecchio Mrs. Kerr
Page 4 THE TORCH
Staffing Changes
At our June meeting we bid Marion Austin-Social Science Alina Simunek-Math Teacher
farewell to many staff members Teacher-Retirement
who all made a positive contri-
bution and impact upon our Marie Hamzo-Religion
community. We send our sincer- Peg Daigneault-French/Spanish Teacher
est thanks and appreciation to Teacher-Retirement
the following:
Kathryn Sarkany-Science Teacher
Welcome to STA/Welcome Back to STA
Laura McAdam-Science Stacey Di Ciocco-Math Teacher- Congratulations:
Teacher-from Maternity from Maternity Leave
Mari Lee McGuire-Assistant
John Misek-Math Teacher Steve Szabo-Religion Teacher Department Head of Business
Fallon Adamkowski-French Dan Santarella-Communication
Teacher Teacher/Math Teacher
Julie Proctor-Educational As- Anna Mazzilli-Moderns Languages
sistance
Final Examination
This is a reminder to the STA day June 25, 2009. tions regarding exams please
community that this year final Furthermore, parents contact Mrs. Thomas at the
exams for semester one are and students are re- school (Ext. 24003 or
scheduled for Friday January minded not to make travel arrange- l.thomas@ldcsb.on.ca).
23, 2009 — Thursday January ments that would cause a student to
29, 2009 and semester two Fri- miss an exam during the examina-
day June 19, 2009 — Thurs- tion period. If you have any ques-
Student Fees
As of mid-August there are a any teams, join any clubs, utilize handbook. Please note that
handful of students who have borrowing privileges at the library, the $50 sum is only a small
yet to pay their $50.00 student participate in any school social fraction of the cost incurred
fee. Until the student fees are functions, attend dances, attend any for all the above materials and
paid students are not eligible to optional field trips, receive a year- functions.
play on book, or student
Page 5
Anaphylactic Students
Does your son or daughter around adults. We recommend that We want to ensure a safe en-
suffer from allergies that your son or daughter share some vironment for all the students
could produce anaphylactic information with their friends so of St. Thomas Aquinas. So
shock, or any other condition that they know what is happening please make sure that you
that could prove life threat- and what they should do. have completed your child’s:
ening? It is important that STUDENT WITH
we receive this information so ANAPHYLAXIS –
that we can establish a plan It is highly recommended that in Information Form.
of action should an allergic addition to submitting an Epi-pen to
reaction or situation occur. the Main Office, any student in dan-
Under Sabrina’s Law, par- ger of Anaphylactic Shock should These forms must be re-
ents MUST provide the also carry an Epi-pen with them at turned before the first day of
school with an emergency all times. school. Your assistance is
Epi-pen so that we can take greatly appreciated in this
life saving action when and if very serious matter.
required. Subsequently, we are advising Thank you.
families to please ensure that we are
aware that your child is indeed ana-
We have educated our staff in phylactic. We are currently updat-
terms of what to look for and ing all our binders and processing
what to do if a student is hav- information sheets for the first day
ing an allergic reaction. How- of school.
ever, students are not always
EQAO - OSSLT - 2008
We are extremely pleased with consistent 2002—87%, 2003— • Continue to work with
our students’ performance on 89%, 2004—87%, 2006—87%, our Family of Schools
the Ontario Secondary School 2007—90%, 2008-91%. Literacy Team
Literacy Test (OSSLT) which
• Try to pin point the rea-
was written back in March of
sons for each unsuccess-
2008. We had 309 students Our efforts in preparing our stu-
ful attempt and work to-
who wrote the test for the first dents to write this test are paying
ward success.
time and 91% of them passed off in great dividends. However,
the test. We also had 39 stu- there is always room for improve- • Continue to stress a
dents who had previously writ- ment and the staff at STA take great “Language Across the
ten the test and 70% of this pride in making sure all of our stu- Curriculum” approach in
group was successful in pass- dents make the grade. all subjects.
ing the test this time around.
Our Next Steps:
When we examine the school’s • Continue to provide Profes-
performance over the last five sional Development for our
years: one clearly can see that staff to assist in the preparation
our success rates have been of our students
Page 6 THE TORCH
Grade 9 Orientation
We would like to extend a Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at with all the details of the ac-
warm invitation to all of our 8:30a.m. tivities.
Grade Nine students to ORIEN-
TATION 2008! Our Peer Help-
ers, members of Student Coun- We strongly encourage you to Remember to bring your
cil and their staff advisors have take advantage of this worthwhile timetable with you. We look
planned an exciting morning for opportunity. Enclosed in this forward to meeting you.
our new students on August mail out is a postcard
Purchasing Locks for Your Lockers
Please note that all mit payment to the main office.
grade nine students Please submit your payment on
will be required to pur- the Grade 9 orientation day
chase a Dudley lock (August 27, 2008) or by Friday,
for a price of $8.00. Please be September 5, 2008 to the main
advised that the lock will al- office.
ready be attached on the desig-
nated locker. The locker num-
ber and lock combination will Thank you for your cooperation
be given to you once you sub- in this matter.
Picture Day
Note:
Picture Day will be at STA on PICTURE DAY
Thursday September 11,
2008. As a safe school meas- THURSDAY If you are not attending
ure, ALL students MUST be STA, please contact the
SEPTEMBER 11, school at 519 660-2798
photographed for school re-
cords, yearbook, student I.D. 2008 and notify the Guidance
cards etc. on this day. Addi- Office (only if an Exit
tional photo packages may be Form has not been com-
purchased. pleted).
Your cooperation in this
matter would be greatly
appreciated.
Thank You!
Page 7
Grade 9 Parent Information Night
All parents of Grade Nine stu- presentations) Make sure you bring a copy
dents are invited and encour- of your son’s or daughter’s
7:30-8:45p.m. Parents follow son/
aged to attend our annual timetable complete with
daughter’s timetable in 10 min. in-
Grade Nine Information Night teacher name and room as-
crements, with 5 min. of travel
on Wednesday, September signments.
time.
10th, 2008 at 7:00p.m. Plenary
Session in STA Cafetorium
(Administration & Guidance
Student Council 2007-2008
Hey STA! Wow, where to be- love every minute of this year from 2008-2009 and know that
gin, Student Council had a the entertaining sports assemblies to they keep the
blast this year thanks to you! fantastic semi-formals. In addition, flame burning
As a school community, we who could forget our Wednesday bright!
accomplished so much and events such as Fear Factor, Box
raised our school spirit to an Fighting, Guitar Hero and the Dat-
all-time high. Because your ing Game? No matter how gut We will miss you!
participation and support we wrenching the activity, you were
were able to raise twenty-five always up for the challenge, further
hundred dollars for Make-a- proving that STA has the best The Student Council of 2007-
Wish foundation through school spirit across the city! We 2008
STRUT, our first ever charity would like to thank everyone for his
fashion show. We also raised or her continuous support and par-
fourteen hundred dollars for ticipation. You made this year so
breast cancer through our an- memorable for us. We wish all the
nual Powderpuff event. We best for the Student Council of
Lauren Silvestro
STA student and member of This is the first time that an STA
our 2008-2009 Student Council student has been elected to this po-
Lauren Silvestro was elected sition.
Student Trustee for the 2008-
2009 Board of Trustees for the
London District Catholic We are proud of you Lauren!
School Board.
Page 8 THE TORCH
STA Competes at Stock Market Challenge
On April 16, 13 STA Business students created 4 teams, which competed in the JA Stock Market Chal-
lenge. These teams were on a roller coaster ride through 60 “days” of stock market activity. Through
the ups and downs the students made split second decisions to buy and sell stocks. The teams competed
with 58 teams for top position. The competition took place over one hour with market trends and prices
changing every 60 seconds. The students enthusiastically watched their position rise and fall with
changes in the stock prices. As the competition progressed, the students learned how to adapt to market
trends in order to make their portfolio grow. Some of their decisions resulted in a team rapidly climbing
the standings while others saw them plummeting to the bottom. All the students performed well with the
following results:
Team Place % Profit Team Place % Profit
Austin Atkinson Keegan Alexander 30.2%
Jon Deluce 99.3% Greg Bernhardt 37
13
John Dockrill Heather Schulz
Richard Lauzon
Carlos Alvarenga Monica Dabrowski
16
Tori Stephenson 87.7% Brent De Val
47 19.7%
Laura Taylor Scott Remark
This event was a very exciting and interesting learning experience. The students enjoyed themselves and
enthusiastically recommended that future STA business students try it out.
BAT4M Class Continues to Compete in
Challenges
Grade 12 business students continued to challenge themselves by competing in the COIN – a competi-
tion presented by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. This CA Challenge is a special
competition designed for high school students considering a career as a Chartered Accountant. Coin
consists of 75 senior-level multiple-choice questions prepared by Chartered Accountants and provided
the student with a chance to compete provincially against others with similar interests.
While they found the test
challenging, the BAT4M
students represented STA
well. The results are still
pending
After the competition, the students attended a lesson in business etiquette at Bertolli’s. While enjoying a
wonderful meal, a discussion was held on how future business leaders should conduct themselves in
business meetings, especially occasions where food and drink are involved.
Page 9
STA’S First Ever Mountain Biking Team
This year, our discovered quickly that the sport of head to head with the best in
school assembled Mountain Biking is a tough, tough the Province. Way to go
its first ever STA sport. With many scrapes and guys!
Mountain Biking bruises to show for it, these boys
Due to such a successful first
Team! The team consists of brave the impossibly steep hills of
season, we will be re-
Craig O'Toole, Nick Peterek, Boler Mountain, manuvering
assembling a team for a brief
Matt Burden, Jacob around rocks, roots and trees at
Fall session that will run until
Confurious, Allan Cox, speeds great enough to finish a
Mid-October. If you are
Connor Johnstone, Brendan 22km course in approximately an
interested in becoming part
McKenzie, Nolan Barr, hour. When given the opportunity
of a dynamic and challenging
Adam Broome, and Jake to be the first group to represent our
sport, please come find
Riffel. With over 20 initial Board at the Ontario HighSchool
Mrs. C. Thomas in the Main
members, these boys were the Mountain Biking Championship
Office during the first week
survivors of the gruelling Meet in Barrie, our team finished
of school.
beginning trail rides and with very respectable times going
Used Uniform pieces are available for purchase at reasonable prices from St. Vincent de Paul store, lo-
cated on York Street near the Adelaide overpass. Indicate you are looking for uniforms for STA and you
will be taken to a separate room where they have the uniform pieces set away for student purchase only.
This is an inexpensive way to increase the number of items in your child’s school uniform wardrobe.
This store is our official recycle uniform location. It presently has hundreds of items in excellent shape.
Anyone wishing to donate items can drop them off at this location.
Page 10 THE TORCH
From the Guidance Department
Welcome back Flames! We hope The Guidance program at STA last spring in small post-
you have had an enjoyable and will focus its efforts on meeting the secondary research workshops.
relaxing summer and are ready to needs of all its students. In the fall, Any senior student who did not
begin another year of challenges two areas take precedence: get a chance to attend one of
and opportunities. Your Guidance these workshops will have an-
Counsellors for this school year are other opportunity in September,
Mrs. Chen, responsible for the 1. Ensuring a smooth transition check with your Guidance
students with last names begin- to high school for our grade nine teacher for dates. We would en-
ning with the letters A-Go; Mrs. students. courage families to begin their
Hall, responsible for the students Throughout the early months of our research right away in order to
with last names from Gr-N and school year, counselors will be take advantage of all the oppor-
Mrs. Mallender, responsible for meeting the Grade Nine students to tunities available to senior stu-
the students from the letters O-Z. discuss their courses, their educa- dents. Don’t leave it until the
tional plans and to introduce them last moment. We encourage you
to the resources available in the to visit the institutions that you
Students returning to STA are may be considering and plan to
Guidance office.
reminded that there will be no attend the University Informa-
timetable changes this August or tion Program and College In-
early September. Counsellors 2. Preparing our senior students formation Program that will be
have made the necessary adjust- held in the fall. Locations, dates,
for life after high school.
ments for the students that identi- and times will be included in the
fied problems with their timetable Senior students will have the oppor- posting mentioned above. Please
using the form in July’s STA tunity to attend both large and small use our interactive Guidance
Torch. The master timetable for group workshops designed to in- webpage when you are research-
the 2008/09 school year is now set. form and educate them on the four ing your post-secondary path-
In order to be fair to all students, pathways available to them after way.
and to ensure equitable numbers of high school. Various Apprentice-
students in all classes, changes will ship /University/College representa-
not be considered unless a student tives, Guidance teachers and com- www.ldcsb.on.ca/schools/sta/
has failed a course in Semester munity experts will host these ses- guidancepostsecondary.htm
Two of last year or has completed sions. It will be the student’s re-
a summer school course. Your sponsibility to listen to announce-
timetable has been carefully con- ments and sign up for the sessions
structed to reflect the courses cho- that pertain to their particular path-
sen by both you and your parents. way. The Guidance Department
will publish a list of dates and times
that the various representatives will
be in the school to meet with stu-
dents. In addition, we have pre-
pared a resource booklet entitled
Focus on the Future, which out-
lines each post-secondary pathway
in greater detail. This resource was
introduced to our Grade 11 students
Page 11
From the Guidance Department (continued)
Success For All Students room visits, individual interrupt the student’s ability
appointments and large to perform to their academic
The Guidance Counsellors at
group sessions, which fo- potential. We are happy to
STA are committed to helping all
cus on educational, career work with you to provide
our students in the STA commu-
and interpersonal issues. the support needed in such
nity find academic success, a
events.
sense of belonging in our school
building and to develop an
A strong partnership with
awareness of all pathways after
parents is essential and
high school.
therefore we encourage all
We wish you all the best for the
parents to contact your daughter’s
remainder of the summer and look
or son’s Guidance Counsellor to
We know that making appropri- forward to working with you in
discuss any concerns you may have
ate course selection, strong study the Fall.
regarding your child’s education,
skills, regular attendance are key
potential post-secondary pathway,
factors in achieving the goal of
and/or social/personal difficulties.
success for all students. Guid-
It is particularly helpful when par-
ance Counsellors are continually
ents contact the Guidance Counsel-
working with the STA student
lor regarding any issues that may
population through regular class-
Community Service-
A Graduation Requirement
The Ministry of Education guide- Students and their parents are re- www.ldcsb.on.ca/schools/sta/ guid-
lines require that all students en- sponsible for choosing Ministry ancecareer.htm
rolled in Secondary Schools in approved volunteer placements,
1999 and later are required to monitoring of students in their
fulfill 40 hours of community placements and completion of the
It is important to note that the dead-
service as part of the Ontario required forms.
line of May 1st is in place for all
Secondary School Diploma.
completed forms to be returned
Before students engage in any
to the school for processing.
volunteer work in the community All requests from approved com-
Forms submitted after this date
they need to pick up a Comple- munity agencies looking for student
will not be processed until the
tion of Community Involvement volunteers will be posted on a bul-
following year.
form from the Main Office. The letin board in the Guidance office.
London District Catholic School There is also a link on our Guidance
Board has compiled a list of ac- webpage that will help in the search
ceptable placements and that list for meaningful volunteer experi-
can be found on the back of the ences. The link is found at:
above mentioned form.
Page 12 THE TORCH
.
S.T.A.M.P (STA Mission Program)
Information Meeting
Are you interested in helping oth- Learn more about Orphanage Out- pects of the program will be
ers? Are you willing to put time reach at their website: shared at this time. All interested
and effort into improving our students and a parent/guardian
www.orphanageoutreach.org/highsc
world? Are you willing to have must be in attendance.
hool/overview.php
your life changed by your experi-
ence? If so, a wonderful oppor-
tunity is coming your way. A Please direct any questions about
Information regarding this upcom-
Mission Trip Program has been this opportunity to Mr. Mark
ing opportunity was advertised and
established at STA and is plan- Duffy, ext. 30653.
distributed near the end of the
ning for its first mission trip. school year, last June, to help stu-
The opportunity will be open to dents and their families decide
all grade 11 and 12 students of whether or not this type of activity
the 2008/09 school year. is something to which they can
commit.
The trip is being planned for the
week of April 18 – 25th, 2009.
There will be a meeting on Thurs-
Our proposed service partner is
day, September 11th to share the
Orphanage Outreach, an organi- details of this proposed mission
zation that works with orphan- trip. It will take place at 7:00 pm in
ages in the town of Monte the STA library. Details of all as-
Christi, Dominican Republic.
International Field Trip to Italy & Greece
The Art, History and Communi- March 13, 2009 and tember. Any questions and con-
cations Department at St. Tho- will return on March cerns you might have can be ad-
mas Aquinas Catholic Secondary 22, 2009. dressed in those meetings or by
School are organizing an interna- contacting Ms. Magda Sa-
tional field trip for senior stu- jowski, ext. 30724 or Ms.
dents (grades 11 & 12). We We will be in Rome Adrianne Goddard, ext. 30748.
would be traveling around Italy and then travel to Flor-
and Greece for 10 days. The tour ence, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii, the
will be operated Delphi and Athens. Breakfast and
by EF Tours, dinner are included in the cost, as
who specialize are the bus to and from Toronto,
in educational flights, hotel accommodations, fees
tours for young for the various tours, and gratuities
people. We for the bus and tour guides. The
would like to cost of this tour is $3050.00.
take 45 students (Field Trip Pending Board Approval)
and there will be
seven supervisors. The trip will There will be parent and student
leave from Toronto on Thursday information meetings in early Sep-
Page 13
Recycling flew at STA!
The Recy- casional sugar-fest) with some help tion club continued to sort and
cling Club from period 2 3M Science and pe- stomp cans, with proceeds going
was active riod 3/4 GWL students. The Avia- toward the glider field day...and
this donuts for all.
year. In semester one,
Mrs. Mizczak and Mr.
Provenzano’s period
one classes collected
STA Aviation Club mem-
recyclables on a weekly
bers Justin DeGurse and
basis. Cans were sorted
Dave Monroe along with
and crushed by the
HCC student Bridget
Aviation Club. In se-
Mahon spent Canada
mester two, the recy-
Day at the London Soar-
cling was carried out
ing Club’s Kintore air-
mainly by the SNC 3E
homeroom who used field.
the profits for healthy Photo: Mrs. J. Buscher, Avia-
breakfasts (and the oc- tion & Recycling club advisor
Pictures from Science Presentation
Tanner Kimbark, Aaron Thawe and large
carnivore at science presentation by conser-
vationist Greg Balch.
Alyssa Bruins & Shelby
McGladdery take cover
from a Great Horned Owl.
Greg Balch-
Conservationist
and professional
trapper
Johnathan Borg gets up close and per-
sonal with black bear during a science
presentation by conservationist Greg
Balch.
Connor Lambie fends off a Great Horned Owl
during a science class.
Page 14 THE TORCH
News from the Arts Department
Is your son or daughter looking find that Arts courses in high school over the course of the year,
for a course and activity provide a very different experience including an annual music trip
combination to enjoy right than they may have had in to a city such as Montreal, New
through high school? One where elementary school. Our focus in all York, or Chicago. The Jazz
they can meet new people, three of the arts is on ‘doing’ and Band and Vocal Jazz Ensemble
perform for others, and perhaps we have the staff, equipment, and (one singer per microphone) are
participate in a trip to another the facilities to make the activities both courses at the Grade
city? If so, have them consider challenging and exciting, with Eleven level which run in
getting into the Arts at STA! We professional sound, lighting, and regular time slots during the
offer courses at all levels in Art, recording technology, and a fully school day. Students in all of
Drama, and Music, and equipped darkroom in the Art room. these groups tend to make
complementary activities to go friendships which last through
How do you fit all this into a
with each. We try to meet as high school and beyond. Any
shortened and busy high school
many of the artistic, dramatic, student new to the school who
life? First of all, recognize
and musical interests of our already plays a band instrument
that these activities and others like
students as possible, and our should see Mr. Thomson early
them are what makes high school
program is very student- in September so we can place
memorable. Secondly, plan your
centered, with STA students you in the appropriate ensemble.
high school program to provide
active both in front and behind Students who learn their
space for these or other optional
the footlights. For events such instruments over the course of
courses (your guidance counselor
as: Entertainment Assemblies, the year can join Junior Band as
will be glad to help with this).
Cabaret (a two-evening variety their skills improve.
Thirdly, consider taking four and a
show of student talent),
half or even five years to finish high A major focus of our Drama
Lunchapaloozas (lunch hour
school - although you can acquire program is our school show, and
concerts which feature the rock
your diploma in four years, it may we will be presenting It’s a
musicians of STA), and Music
make more sense to take your time, Wonderful Life, November 26 -
Nights, students act as stage
explore optional subjects, make 29. This year’s show is a play,
managers, running crew, and
new friends that will travel with not a musical, so musical ability
lighting and sound board
you through high school, and give is not required of cast members.
operators. Students in our Grade
yourself a break in your day so that Interested students can attend a
Eleven Technical Theatre course
you can achieve the best results pre-audition meeting on
perform the same tasks and
possible in your compulsory September 9 to find out more
more for our school show (this
courses. about the time commitment
year, It’s a Wonderful Life),
necessary to be part of this
preparing working drawings, And now for a few more details:
production and the audition
building the set, and handling all Our Music program is built around process (see back page of this
the advertising and promotional wind instruments (flute, clarinet, newsletter for more informa-
details for the production. The trumpet, and so on), and we have tion). We will supply all
key to it all is getting involved three Concert bands (Senior, materials necessary for your
early and continuing to take Arts Intermediate, and Junior) students audition and encourage students
courses throughout your high can choose to join these bands, of all grades to participate - it is
school career. No prior depending upon their age and a large cast, and we look
experience is necessary (we’ll experience. Each band rehearses forward to your involvement.
even teach you to read music!) two mornings a week and performs
and your son or daughter will in a variety of concerts and festivals
Page 15
News from the Arts Department (continued)
We are very pleased to productions of Guys and Dolls and (Drama), or Mr. DeSerrano
congratulate Mrs. Gosse on the Footloose, will again be directing (Art) . Hope to see you in our
birth of her daughter Marissa our school show this year. We look classes!
last May, and look forward to forward to another exciting year of
her return to our Music STA productions.
Department in second semester. Barry Thomson -Head of Fine
If you have any questions about our
Ms. Weis, who joined our team Arts
programs, please contact Mr.
two years ago and guided us
Thomson (Music), Ms. Weis
through very successful
Page 16 THE TORCH
Health and Physical Education Department
We would like to thank the Try All of our classes had an opportu-
Day Foundation for their nity to be a part of this new game.
funding to support bringing the Look for this game to be a part of
sport of Pickle Ball to our the intramural offering in the new
school. It’s a new and fun year. Thanks again to the Try Day
game similar to tennis but rules Foundation.
familiar to badminton players.
Ms. Read-Department Head
Try Day Pickle Ball-Ms. Read’s PPL1O Class
would like to thank the graduating Mr. Digby for his support in
SloPitch players for bringing their experi- helping our new team off to a
ence and love of the game to our good start.
In May, we were team. Good luck to you next year.
Ms. Leidl & Ms. Read
very fortunate to have a group The team would also like to thank
(coaches)
of enthusiastic female athletes
interested in participating in the
very first slopitch event offered
in our area. The day was so
cold and windy but their hits
were so hot! The team made
up of both junior and senior
grades quickly bonded as a
team. The trophy did not end
up in our showcase this year,
but the foundation has been
built and we are looking for-
ward to participating again next
season. The coaches and team
Page 17
Fishing Club
For the first
time at STA, we entered a fish-
ing team into the Thames Val-
ley Fishing Classic in May.
Although there was limited
space, we were able to have
over forty students sign-up to
be a part of STA’s fishing club
and participated in an amazing
event that took place at the
Pleasant Valley Trout Farm
near St. Thomas.
It was a cold May day but it
didn’t slow down our team of putting live bait on the hooks. The Special thanks to the support
professional fishers offered advice from Mr. Digby and everyone
enthusiastic fishers led by Mr.
on lures and bait so that our team who helped us get things
Vecchio, Mr. DeSeranno, Ms.
could capture the largest fish. Un- “together”. Listen for an-
Leidl and Ms. Read. The club
members found many interest- fortunately, we didn’t come away nouncements in April for this
ing ways to catch fish and stay with the big fish but lots of stories year’s sign-up.
warm. Our many fishers about “the big one that got away”!
Coaches: Mr. Vecchio, Mr.
helped each other by sharing Well done, STA. Maybe next time!
Desarrano, Ms. Leidl and Ms.
tools from the tackle box and Read
Page 18 THE TORCH
Grade 9 Orientation August 27 Off Uniform Day September 30
Labour Day September 1 University of Waterloo 10:50- September 30
12:50
School Begins September 2 Lunch Time Events October 1
Fall Team Tryouts September 2 Lunchapalooza Auditions October 1
Orientation Assemblies September 3 Grade 10 Bike Trip October 1
Student Council Retreat September 4 Carleton University October 1
Audition Meeting for Music September 4 Leadership at George White October 2
Ensembles Centre
Blessing & Dedication of Tim September 6 McMaster University 10:50- October 2
McDonald Fieldhouse 10am 12:50
Student Council Camping Trip September 8-10 P.D. Day October 3
Pre Audition Mtg. School September 9 Kings University College October 6
Show UWO 10:50-12:50
Grade 9 Parent Night 7:00pm September 10 Lakehead University 10:50- October 7
12:50
Band Auditions September 10 & 11 Mission Spirit Day ($2.00 October 8
Donation)
Sr. Football Trip to Detroit September 12 University of Windsor 10:50- October 8
12:50
School Show Auditions September 15-19 Academic Awards Evening October 9
7:00pm
Club Day Sign Up September 16 Lunchapalooza October 10
Opening School Mass at Holy September 17 Thanksgiving Mass October 10
Family
Lunch Time Events September 17 Progress Reports Sent Home October 10
Girls Basketball Spirit Day September 18 Pumpkin Sale October 11
Algoma University College September 18 Thanksgiving October 13
10:50-12:50
Red Feather Game September 19 Lunch Time Events October 15
STA vs. Lucas
Grade 9 Appreciation Day September 19 Richard Ivey School of October 15
Period 6 Business UWO 10:50-12:50
University of Western Ontario September 19 Parent Teacher Conference October 16
10:50-12:50 4:00-7:30pm
Grade 10 Retreat September 23 Josten Ring Day October 16 & 17
(Lunch Periods)
Music Ensembles Begin September 23-25 COR Weekend October 17-19
Rehearsals
School Council Meeting September 24 St. Clair College 10:50-12:50 October 21
7:00pm
Fall Team Sports Assembly September 24 School Council Mtg. 7:00pm October 22
Huron College UWO 10:50- September 24 Student Photo Retakes October 23
12:50
Grade 10 Retreat September 25 PPL1OM/F Wildwood Field October 23 & 24
Trip
Terry Fox Event September 26 Winter Team Tryouts October 27
Memorial University September 29 Off Uniform Day October 28
10:50-12:50
Grade 10 Retreat September 30 Blood Donor Clinic October 29
Page 19
Senior Retreat October 30 Business for a Day December 2
Brock University 11:30-12:30 October 30 School Council Mtg. December 3
Costume Contest October 31 Music Groups Visiting Ele- December 4
mentary Schools
Pumpkin Carving Spirit Event October 31 Senior Semi Formal December 4
All Saints November 1 P.D. Day Day of Prayer December 5
All Souls November 2 Catholic Feeder Schools Visit December 9
Guelph –Humber 10:50-12:50 November 3 Angel Campaign Collection December 9 & 10
Wilfred Laurier University November 4 Lunch Time Events December 10
10:50-12:50
Take Our Kids to Work November 5 Auditions for Christmas December 11
Assembley
Nipissing University November 5 Winter Sports Assembly December 11
12-12:50
Brescia College 10:50-12:50 November 6 Flames Cup Hockey December 11-13
Tournament
Term 2 Begins November 6 Advent Mass December 16
Niagara College 10:50-12:50 November 7 Off Uniform Day December 16
Remembrance Day Prayer November 11 Lady Flames Hockey December 16 & 17
Service Tournament
Lunch Time Events November 12 Locker Cleanout December 18
CCH Hockey Tournament November 12 & 13 Student Council Breakfast December 18
P.D. Day November 14 Christmas Assembly December 19
Cafeteria Closed School November 15-21 Holiday Dress Up Day December 19
Show
Distribution of Report Cards November 17 Holidays Begin December 22-January 2
Lambton College 10:50-12:50 November 17 Christmas December 25
University of Guelph November 18 Classes Resume January 5
10:50-12:50
Canadian Open Math November 19 Golden Puck Hockey Game January 7
Contest –Grades 11 & 12
Staff/Student Volleyball November 21 Lunch Time Events January 7
Game
Queen’s University November 21 Library Books Due January 9
10:50-12:50
Angel Campaign November 24 Hockey Team to Ottawa January 9 & 10
School Show -Matinees November 24-27 Grade 8 Parent Night 7:00pm January 13
Off Uniform Day November 25 School Council Meeting January 14
School Show –Evening November 26-29 EQAO Math Applied & January 15 & 16
Performances Academic