2009-2010 SJK Annual Report - St. John's-Kilmarnock School
2009-2010 SJK Annual Report - St. John's-Kilmarnock School
2009-2010 SJK Annual Report - St. John's-Kilmarnock School
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<strong>SJK</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2009</strong>-<strong>2010</strong><br />
<strong>SJK</strong><br />
www.sjkschool.org
Shaping Leaders for Life!<br />
<strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
www.sjkschool.org<br />
2011 OPEN HOUSE DATES<br />
Thursday, January 20, 2011<br />
Wednesday, February 2, 2011<br />
Thursday, March 11, 2011<br />
Wednesday, April 20, 2011<br />
Thursday, May 12, 2011<br />
6 - 8:00pm<br />
9 am - noon<br />
9 am - noon<br />
9 am - noon<br />
9 am - noon<br />
For Admission Information, please contact Kathryn Jeffrey<br />
519-648-2183 or kjeffrey@sjkschool.org.
Letter from the<br />
Head<br />
Mr. Southward with Headmasters’<br />
Award winners Mackenzie Carter<br />
and Kendra Domenicucci<br />
To the <strong>SJK</strong> Community,<br />
This report provides an overview of the year past, and also set our sights on the<br />
short and long term future of <strong>SJK</strong>—one that I am extremely optimistic about.<br />
Over the past 12 months I have had the opportunity to connect with all school<br />
constituents and I have been quite taken by the passion for which teachers, staff,<br />
students, parents, board and alumni speak of <strong>SJK</strong> and, for what it can be.<br />
Although the financials indicate a difficult year, last year’s student successes were<br />
numerous and I am very proud of their achievements and progress, and the<br />
academic and extracurricular experiences that were on offer to them. Last year<br />
my priority was, and remains, to ensure the <strong>SJK</strong> tradition of a first rate<br />
educational experience for students. My priority was also to develop with school<br />
constituents a strategic direction for the <strong>School</strong> that is both educationally<br />
relevant and financially sustainable. I think we have achieved both as <strong>SJK</strong><br />
graduates fan out to university life with a grounding in knowledge and character<br />
that creates a context of excellence for us to move an ambitious plan ahead.<br />
<strong>2009</strong>–<strong>2010</strong><br />
We continue to assess both educational and demographic trends locally,<br />
nationally and internationally. This is a pivotal time for <strong>SJK</strong> and as a Canadian<br />
independent school as we face challenges and opportunities. In the short term I<br />
have been tasked with not only ensuring that high standards prevail at <strong>SJK</strong>, but<br />
we are indeed developing cutting edge programmes that are value-added and<br />
centred on enhancing student learning and leadership.<br />
All should have received a copy of our new strategic plan. The plan has rearticulated<br />
our mission and values and set out a vision statement for the future.<br />
Its focus is on six core areas and I invite you to review this in detail. It is<br />
summarized on page 4 of this document. Launching a strategic plan is just a<br />
beginning. Much work lies ahead for <strong>SJK</strong> in its implementation and I look<br />
forward to your input and feedback as this evolves.<br />
I am confident that we will continue to position the <strong>SJK</strong> experience as one of<br />
growth and innovation in education.<br />
Norman Southward, Head of <strong>School</strong>
Board Chair<br />
<strong>Report</strong><br />
<strong>2010</strong>-2011 <strong>SJK</strong> Board of Governors<br />
I wish to congratulate each of the school’s many constituents —everyone engaged in making<br />
our school outstanding. You should be proud of <strong>SJK</strong>’s many accomplishments. <strong>2009</strong>-<strong>2010</strong> was<br />
a challenging year for our school as we operated in an environment that continued to provide<br />
economic, demographic and financial challenges. The economy forced us to run an<br />
unexpected deficit, but we feel the school has emerged able to deal with our future initiatives.<br />
I think it is important to share with you the many successful initiatives undertaken by your<br />
Board of Governors. I have personally been involved with the Board for over eight years and it<br />
continues to amaze me how much of their time many of your Board members constantly give<br />
to support your school. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each board member for<br />
their selfless efforts in making <strong>SJK</strong> the best it can be. <strong>SJK</strong> is the best school around, because<br />
of who we are as a community.<br />
I’d like to make special mention and thank you to our retiring <strong>2009</strong>-10 Board members Dale<br />
Mills, Guy Zink, Meg Beckel, and Mari McAndrews for their dedication and commitment to<br />
the ongoing success of the school. <strong>SJK</strong> is a better place because of their participation and<br />
great advice which always had the success of the school in the forefront.<br />
The key objectives for the board in the <strong>2009</strong>-10 school year were focused on Planning,<br />
Succession, Effectiveness and Measurement. We believed, as a Board, that there were two<br />
critical things to accomplish in this year. The first was completion of an updated <strong>St</strong>rategic<br />
Plan. This renewed <strong>St</strong>rategic Plan, designed to take us forward to 2014, was completed in the<br />
spring. The second was to provide a successful transition for our new Head. We were quite<br />
pleased with the process and were able to assist Mr. Southward in his transition into the role<br />
as our Head of <strong>School</strong>.<br />
In addition, as mentioned at the <strong>Annual</strong> General Meeting and recent Gala, a renewed<br />
emphasis on an active, engaged <strong>SJK</strong> Foundation was moved further along. Also, the Board<br />
reviewed its structure and effectiveness and implemented certain changes to allow it to<br />
service the needs of <strong>SJK</strong>. We continued to communicate with the community through the<br />
<strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong>, the expanded opportunities for community members to attend the <strong>Annual</strong><br />
General Meeting, and at a number of events related to the <strong>St</strong>rategic Planning process.<br />
Our key goals for the coming school year continue to be focused on planning, succession,<br />
effectiveness and measurement as we hope to create an effective, measurable planning tool<br />
which will be our road map for the future.<br />
On behalf of the entire Board, it is a pleasure to serve our school community. Together in this<br />
year’s annual report, we celebrate the accomplishment of all our students, past and present.<br />
They are truly remarkable individuals.<br />
Jeff Watson,Board Chair <strong>2009</strong>-<strong>2010</strong>
Our <strong>2010</strong>-2014 <strong>St</strong>rategic Plan:<br />
An Educational Journey<br />
Our Mission<br />
The <strong>SJK</strong> Community is committed to nurturing well-rounded, confident<br />
citizens in a safe and enriching setting that supports students in their<br />
pursuit of academic success, personal growth and social responsibility.<br />
Our Values<br />
High standards of conduct, academic achievement and teaching.<br />
Respect for ourselves, each other, our environment, our history and<br />
traditions.<br />
Citizenship in the school, local, national and global community.<br />
Our Vision<br />
To engage students in an unparalleled educational journey as<br />
innovative leaders in knowledge, creativity and global action.<br />
Our <strong>St</strong>rategic Objectives<br />
Enhancing<br />
school<br />
programmes<br />
with the expansion<br />
of the<br />
International<br />
Baccalaureate (IB),<br />
developed centres<br />
of excellence and<br />
international and<br />
experiential<br />
learning.<br />
Developing<br />
<strong>SJK</strong>’s campus<br />
of the future<br />
with expanded<br />
facilities that<br />
meet the needs<br />
of programme<br />
excellence.<br />
Achieving<br />
financial<br />
strength and<br />
access<br />
including a robust<br />
programme for<br />
scholarships and<br />
bursaries.<br />
Creating Partnerships giving students<br />
unparalleled learning opportunities and<br />
market positioning for the <strong>School</strong>.<br />
Delivering organizational<br />
excellence by developing<br />
people and structures to<br />
ensure service excellence.<br />
Communicating a distinct and<br />
magnetic brand as a school of<br />
choice in the Waterloo and<br />
Guelph regions.
The Corporation of <strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION<br />
AS AT JUNE 30, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Assets<br />
Cash $ 263,756<br />
Accounts receivable 1,183,825<br />
Prepaid expenses 73,867<br />
Capital assets 7,703,745<br />
Capital assets available for sale 542,326<br />
Total Assets $ 9,767,519<br />
Liabilities, Deferred Contributions and Net Assets<br />
Current Liabilities<br />
Bank indebtedness $ 1,314,866<br />
Accounts Payable and accrued liabilities 806,375<br />
Deferred tuition fees 3,001,746<br />
Demand notes payable to a related party 65,000<br />
Current portion of placement fees 5,000<br />
Current portion of long-term debt 105,110<br />
Current portion of obligation under capital lease 14,525<br />
$ 5,312,622<br />
Placement Fees $ 19,804<br />
Long Term Debt 1,101,842<br />
Obligation Under Capital Lease 86,456<br />
Deferred Capital Contributions 1,809,765<br />
$ 8,330,489<br />
Net Assets<br />
Investment in capital assets $ 4,148,497<br />
Unrestricted (2,711,467)<br />
$ 1,437,030<br />
Total Liabilities, Deferred Contributions and Net Assets $ 9,767,519
The Corporation of <strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS<br />
YEAR-ENDED JUNE 30, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Revenue<br />
Tuition fees $ 6,683,570<br />
Transportation 311,249<br />
Other income 162,466<br />
Contributions 81,673<br />
Amortization of deferred contributions 74,816<br />
$ 7,313,774<br />
Operating Expenses<br />
Cost of services $ 5,311,986<br />
Administration 1,127,377<br />
General 1,082,453<br />
$ 7,521,816<br />
Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenses<br />
from operations<br />
(208,042)<br />
Other Income (Expenses)<br />
Termination benefits (188,425)<br />
Provision for bad debts (97,030)<br />
Ontario Teachers Pension Plan allocation (79,038)<br />
Loss on capital assets (40,533)<br />
(405,026)<br />
Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenses (613,068)
Donors<br />
<strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong> gratefully acknowledges and<br />
thanks the following:<br />
Our Founders for Their Vision and Courage,<br />
Our <strong>St</strong>udents for Their Excellence and Hard Work,<br />
Our Teachers, Administrators and <strong>St</strong>aff for Their Leadership and<br />
Dedication, and<br />
Our Donors for Their Guidance and Generosity<br />
<strong>2009</strong>–10 <strong>Annual</strong> Giving<br />
Major Gifts $ 43,729<br />
Parents' Association Donations 62,658<br />
<strong>Annual</strong> Giving 65,163<br />
Other Giving 16,509<br />
$ 188,058<br />
Thank you to all our donors who participated in the fundraising<br />
activities throughout the school in <strong>2009</strong>-10. We thank you for<br />
your belief and dedication to <strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong>.
Support for <strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong>, as demonstrated through annual<br />
giving, is one of the key indicators of a healthy school. It makes an immediate<br />
impact on the lives of our students today, and also benefits the students of<br />
tomorrow.<br />
The <strong>Annual</strong> Fund is one way that members of the school community, whether<br />
they be parents, past parents, alumni, or staff and faculty, can demonstrate their<br />
ongoing support. It is only with this consistent support that we are able to<br />
provide the exceptional level of academic, athletic and extracurricular programs<br />
that <strong>SJK</strong> is known for, and we are grateful for each gift.<br />
Enhance the <strong>SJK</strong> experience by supporting the <strong>2010</strong>-2011 <strong>Annual</strong> Giving<br />
Campaign and direct your gift to the Fund of your choice. Make a gift online at<br />
www.canadahelps.org and search ‘<strong>SJK</strong>’ or contact Kathryn Jeffrey at 519-648-<br />
2183 ext. 21 or kjeffrey@sjkschool.org. All donations are tax deductible.<br />
Thank you for your generosity.<br />
<strong>SJK</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> Golf Tournament<br />
<strong>SJK</strong> hosted its <strong>Annual</strong> Golf Tournament on Wednesday, June 16 at Brookfield<br />
Country Club. Seventeen foursomes vied in 18 holes of scramble format golf,<br />
with dinner and a prize ceremony to follow. All enjoyed a fun filled beautiful day<br />
at the course, amazing prizes including four hole-in-one competitions and a<br />
chance to win a brand new vehicle from Robinson Pontiac Buick Limited. We<br />
raised over $5,000 which will support our scholarship and bursary program.<br />
Hold next year’s date open,<br />
Thursday, June 16, 2011<br />
Details to be released in the coming months.
The <strong>2010</strong>-2011 Parents’ Association Executive<br />
Volunteers<br />
Each year, alumni, parents, students, staff and friends give countless hours<br />
of service to <strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong>. Our thanks are extended to<br />
our volunteers for their selfless commitment to the <strong>School</strong>, and for their<br />
shining example of what can be accomplished through hard work,<br />
enthusiasm and cooperation.<br />
It is with sincere appreciation that we say thank you for your dedication<br />
and for playing such an important role in ensuring an enriched education<br />
for our students of today and tomorrow.
Celebrate & Applaud<br />
Campaign <strong>2010</strong><br />
On May 27, <strong>2010</strong>, <strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong> announced the formal opening of<br />
its new building expansion. The dedicated music centre will be enjoyed as a place<br />
of music learning for students of all grades. The new Music Room includes an<br />
eleven station midi lab, integrating technology and music instruction and an<br />
acoustically sound space for instrumental and choral music.<br />
<strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong> recognizes those special donors who made it<br />
possible for the expansion of the new Music Room and Classroom Enhancement.<br />
We stand up and applaud you!<br />
Tom & Sue Beacock<br />
Meg Beckel<br />
The Bedford Family<br />
The Bradshaw Family<br />
The Carter Family<br />
The Champagne Family<br />
The Faculty Association<br />
The Garvin Family<br />
The Gyles Family<br />
The Bill Harrison Family<br />
Ian Hornsby & Family<br />
Canon Robert Hulse<br />
Larry & Donna Johnston<br />
In memory of Shirley MacRae, Founder & First Music Teacher of <strong>St</strong>. John’s<br />
The McAndrews Family<br />
The Oroomchi Family<br />
<strong>SJK</strong> Parents’ Association<br />
The Pollard Family<br />
Dr. Moona & Anne Rahemtulla<br />
Brent & Cathy Schiedel<br />
The Semma Family<br />
The Singh Family<br />
The Swanson Family<br />
The Visram Family<br />
Jeff, Sharron & Tyler Watson
<strong>SJK</strong>’s most renewable energy source<br />
Across the globe nations, industries, and citizens are finding ways to propel the green<br />
movement. Great institutions are leading the charge to innovate the way we source and<br />
spend energy. While consumption can always be curbed, the larger challenge exists on<br />
finding new, renewable energy sources that can scale to meet demand.<br />
As <strong>SJK</strong> looks to prepare for the next generation of students I propose that we look at<br />
our energy in a slightly different light. Instead of looking at it in kilowatts and emissions,<br />
we must look to engage the time, talent, and treasure of our community – a<br />
commitment that is at the core of our success.<br />
Undoubtedly, a great deal will come from the time and talent of our world-class faculty<br />
and staff who continually set a high bar of excellence on campus throughout student life<br />
– a level of excellence our students and alumni are all the better for. A large portion still<br />
will be sourced from our parent community who seek the very best for their children<br />
and have invested immeasurably in the vision of <strong>SJK</strong>. Let us take a moment to thank the<br />
dedication of our faculty and staff and vision of our parents – past and present.<br />
The hard truth, however, is that these two groups are not enough. For <strong>SJK</strong> to truly<br />
hurdle to meet the goals set out in the school’s strategic plan we must continue to<br />
engage with our vibrant and diverse alumni body who are leading in their communities<br />
near and far. Our alumni body is a growing group who continue to stay involved in our<br />
university dinner programs, alumni pub nights, school events (e.g., Science Fair), and stay<br />
connected through online social networks.<br />
As we look to plan the next chapter in our<br />
alumni’s future we must look to connect<br />
alumni to each other, and not just to the<br />
school, so that our community can continue<br />
to build an exponentially tighter web of<br />
connections. These connections will come in<br />
the form of social connections, academic<br />
connections, commercial connections, and<br />
community connections. It is through these<br />
connections that we can continue to derive<br />
value from our association with the school in<br />
turn do our part to reciprocate through the<br />
gift of our time, talent and treasure to give<br />
back to each other and the school.<br />
The school’s 40th Anniversary is on the<br />
horizon and a fantastic rallying point to<br />
continue to ‘stir the flame’ and provide the<br />
school with a deep source of renewable<br />
energy. Please do stay in touch and help us<br />
keep connected!<br />
David J. Singh (Class of ’03)<br />
<strong>SJK</strong> Alumni Association President<br />
dsingh@sjkschool.org
www.sjkschool.org<br />
Upcoming<br />
Alumni Events<br />
Alumni Events <strong>2010</strong>-2011<br />
<strong>SJK</strong>’s Alumni events are best described as evenings of friendship,<br />
good cheer and fond memories. Each year <strong>SJK</strong> faculty members<br />
and staff hit the road, and host gatherings with our alumni around<br />
Ontario and nation-wide. This year we will visit Victoria, London,<br />
Guelph, Kingston, Montreal and Toronto. We hope you will join us<br />
at a city near you.<br />
Montreal – Friday, November 12, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Kingston – Thursday, November 18, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Guelph Pub Night – Saturday, December 19, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Toronto – Thursday, February 3, 2011<br />
London – Wednesday, March 31, 2011<br />
Watch your emails for details, or visit www.sjkschool.org for<br />
further details.<br />
Make sure you register on the <strong>SJK</strong> Alumni Facebook site to receive<br />
updated information on all Alumni and school events.<br />
Find us on Facebook under ‘<strong>SJK</strong> Alumni’.
Class of <strong>2010</strong><br />
<strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong> students, parents and teachers gathered in the Chapel<br />
of <strong>St</strong>. Margaret and <strong>St</strong>. John on June 18 to celebrate the school’s 38th Closing Day<br />
and Prize Day Ceremony. Of the forty graduates in the Class of <strong>2010</strong>, thirty met<br />
the requirements to be Ontario Scholars. <strong>SJK</strong> continues to set high standards and<br />
has earned a reputation as a leading academic institution. We offer an outstanding<br />
university acceptance rate, with 97% of graduates gaining entrance to their<br />
university of first choice.
<strong>SJK</strong> welcomes our newest group of alumni and we wish them<br />
well as this accomplished group leaves <strong>SJK</strong> to pursue their next<br />
steps in life. Congratulations to <strong>SJK</strong>’s Class of <strong>2010</strong>!<br />
James Beylea<br />
<strong>SJK</strong>’s 5th Year Program<br />
Brooke Boyer<br />
Social Science<br />
University of Ottawa<br />
Mackenzie Carter<br />
Aerospace Engineering<br />
Carleton University<br />
Jae Sung Chai<br />
Engineering<br />
University of Toronto<br />
Tyler Champagne<br />
Sports Management<br />
Brock University<br />
Seiji Chiba<br />
GAP year in Japan<br />
Jihyun Choi<br />
Architecture<br />
University of Southern<br />
California<br />
Jayne Clarke<br />
Media, Information &<br />
Technology<br />
University of Western<br />
Ontario<br />
Mike Claydon<br />
Financial Management<br />
Brock University<br />
Harry Dearden<br />
Public Affairs & Policy<br />
Management<br />
Carleton University<br />
Kendra Domenicucci<br />
Financial Management<br />
University of Waterloo<br />
Brian Eszes<br />
Mechanical Engineering<br />
University of Waterloo<br />
Sean Gallivan<br />
Business<br />
University of Western<br />
Ontario<br />
Riley Hart<br />
English<br />
University of Western<br />
Ontario<br />
Soren Heins<br />
International Relations<br />
Carleton University<br />
Michael Herdes<br />
Political Science<br />
University of Victoria<br />
Hannah Hodgson<br />
English & Geography<br />
University of Guelph<br />
Erik Jakowlew<br />
Business Management &<br />
Economics<br />
University of Guelph<br />
Ryan Jarrell<br />
Arts<br />
University of Guelph<br />
Derek Jouppi<br />
Nanotechnology Engineering<br />
University of Waterloo<br />
Sang Jung<br />
Korea<br />
Cole Labord<br />
Fifth Year Program<br />
Naomi Lai<br />
Fashion Writing<br />
Ryerson University<br />
Deanna Marostica<br />
Gap Year<br />
Laura Matthew<br />
Business<br />
University of British<br />
Columbia<br />
Grayson Moore<br />
Fine Arts & Image Arts<br />
Ryerson University<br />
Ashley Moraca<br />
Business & Marketing<br />
Queen’s University<br />
Arman Oroomchi<br />
International Relations<br />
University of Western<br />
Ontario<br />
Zach Russell<br />
Criminal Justice & Law<br />
Ryerson University<br />
Erika Siegner<br />
Social Work<br />
University of Western<br />
Ontario<br />
Rebecca Taylor<br />
Fifth Year Program<br />
Taryn Thomson<br />
Psychology<br />
University of Western<br />
Ontario<br />
Joyce Tsai<br />
Commerce<br />
University of Ontario<br />
Institute of Technology<br />
Rebecca Wedge<br />
Criminal Justice<br />
University of Guelph<br />
Laura Westacott<br />
<strong>SJK</strong>’s 5th Year Program<br />
<strong>St</strong>eve Wolstenholme<br />
Arts - Social Science<br />
University of Western<br />
Ontario<br />
Guybec Woo<br />
<strong>SJK</strong>’s 5th Year Program<br />
Harvey Xie<br />
Financial Analysis & Risk<br />
Management<br />
University of Waterloo
Me mory is a curious creature. It constantly<br />
amazes me how even the slightest trigger -<br />
the smell of baking, the rumble of thunder<br />
- can tweak some long dormant part of<br />
my brain and force a fragment of my<br />
childhood to come bubbling to the<br />
surface. No doubt you’ve experienced<br />
something similar. Recently, however, I felt<br />
this phenomena in a place I would never<br />
have expected: United Nations<br />
Headquarters in New York.<br />
It was September of <strong>2009</strong>, and I was<br />
seated in the UN’s expansive main<br />
chamber. Before me, a succession of<br />
heads of state from around the world<br />
took the podium to give their annual<br />
speeches to the varied international<br />
leaders and diplomats who surrounded<br />
me.<br />
Now, those of you who know me<br />
might ask: what on earth were you doing<br />
in the UN, Andrew Perhaps some<br />
explanation is in order. I’m interested in<br />
the international politics of climate change<br />
– I’ve just completed an MA on this topic,<br />
and plan to expand my studies in a PhD.<br />
As part of my research, I spent six months<br />
in <strong>2009</strong> serving as a diplomat for the<br />
Republic of Nauru to the UN.<br />
If you’ve never heard of Nauru, you’re<br />
not alone - until a few years ago, neither<br />
had I. It is tiny, an island nation located in a<br />
stretch of the Pacific<br />
Ocean. With a landmass<br />
of only 21 km 2 , and a<br />
population of 11 000 (or<br />
roughly the size of Fergus,<br />
Ontario), Nauru has long<br />
been an afterthought in<br />
the realm of international<br />
affairs.<br />
Of particular relevance<br />
to my work is that Nauru<br />
is one of many countries in<br />
the world whose longterm<br />
sustainability is<br />
fundamentally threatened<br />
by climate change. Under<br />
Alumni Profile - Andrew Reid<br />
The Outdoor Classroom: How <strong>SJK</strong> Helps<br />
Mainstream Environmentalism<br />
Andrew Reid<br />
<strong>SJK</strong> ‘03<br />
current sea level rise projections, it is<br />
likely that salt water inundation and loss of<br />
territory will render Nauru uninhabitable<br />
within my lifetime.<br />
Nauru is not alone in this threat:<br />
dozens of other countries, like Tuvalu,<br />
Kiribati, Vanuatu and the Maldives face<br />
extinction. Dozens more low-lying<br />
countries will face devastating territorial<br />
loss. Taken together, this is a serious<br />
concern to international security. If global<br />
greenhouse gas emissions are not<br />
mitigated, the world faces the prospect of<br />
tens of millions of permanently displaced<br />
people. This is not a distant threat: in<br />
countries like Papua New Guinea, the<br />
difficult relocation of environmental<br />
refugees is already underway, and this<br />
trend will only worsen.<br />
So it was that I found myself in the<br />
UN, listening to Nauru’s President, Marcus<br />
<strong>St</strong>ephens, address the world. In a speech<br />
peppered with feisty rhetoric, he<br />
challenged the gathered nations to focus<br />
their efforts upon the issue of climate<br />
change before the rising tides swallowed<br />
the islands of the Pacific forever.<br />
And suddenly, a memory was tweaked,<br />
and I wasn’t in the UN anymore - I was in<br />
Mr. Spackman’s Grade 3 classroom at <strong>SJK</strong>,<br />
learning about the Amazon Rainforest,<br />
about the myriad of fascinating plants and
animals it fosters. Mr. Spackman held up a<br />
book depicting all manner of exotic<br />
creatures: macaws, spider monkeys, poison<br />
dart frogs and river dolphins. I stared,<br />
engrossed by the almost impossible nature<br />
of these creatures - so different from the<br />
squirrels and Canada geese that roamed<br />
the property of <strong>SJK</strong>. And yet, Mr. Spackman<br />
told us, these creatures were in danger.<br />
The Amazon rainforest was being<br />
deforested at a rate that boggled my 9<br />
year old mind.<br />
The connection between Nauru and<br />
the Amazon that fired up my memory is<br />
fairly clear. In both cases, man’s<br />
economically driven activities - the<br />
consumption of fossil fuels and<br />
deforestation - pose an existential threat.<br />
But as I reflected upon this connection, a<br />
reality about my own upbringing became<br />
clear: my concern over climate change is<br />
directly attributable to my experiences at<br />
<strong>SJK</strong> - specifically, to the remarkably<br />
consistent exposure to environmental<br />
concerns that I received over my 13 years<br />
as a student.<br />
I fondly recall trooping through<br />
meadows and learning about symbiotic<br />
relationships in outdoor science classes<br />
with Mr. Curry in Grade 4, or staying up all<br />
night for the 24 hour study of the pond’s<br />
biophysical systems with Mr. Zink in Grade<br />
7. Upper school brought more intensive<br />
investigations into the natural sciences,<br />
such as the two bleary-eyed weeks my<br />
Grade 10 class spent up at Dorset<br />
studying northern Ontario’s natural<br />
environment in the fall and winter. Grade<br />
11 gave me the eye-opening chance to<br />
study marine science in the Bay of Fundy<br />
through a unique course that <strong>SJK</strong> offered.<br />
Time and time again the complexity,<br />
vulnerability and importance of the natural<br />
environment was impressed upon me.<br />
Never has such knowledge been more<br />
important. Decades of scientific evidence<br />
point to an uncomfortable but undeniable<br />
truth: through pollution, resource<br />
consumption and climate change we are<br />
damaging the delicate biophysical systems<br />
upon which human society depends for its<br />
well-being and long-term survival. The<br />
complexity of the interlinkages between<br />
the natural and man-made systems<br />
enmeshing the planet make the precise<br />
consequences of this damage difficult to<br />
predict. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that<br />
a world defined by climatic instability,<br />
pollution, food and water shortage,<br />
decreased biodiversity and increased<br />
economic disparity is one we cannot<br />
comfortably gift onto our children and<br />
grandchildren. Yet this is precisely what we<br />
are doing.<br />
It many ways, our inaction is<br />
understandable. It is phenomenally difficult<br />
to cumulatively alter our lifestyles in<br />
meaningful ways - human society is<br />
marked by significant inertia. Many hurdles<br />
stand in our way to a sustainable future,<br />
some technical, some economic. Perhaps<br />
the most problematic of these, however,<br />
are socially constructed by powerful<br />
actors with a vested interest in the status<br />
quo. As such, mankind’s long-term<br />
prosperity hinges upon the mainstream<br />
acceptance that environmentalism is the<br />
domain of reasonable-minded pragmatists,<br />
not radical thinkers. This is a lesson that<br />
needs to be urgently and consistently<br />
impressed upon young students<br />
everywhere. It is not simply faraway climes<br />
like Nauru or the Amazon that depend<br />
upon our success in this endeavour, but all<br />
of human society.<br />
I learned many things in <strong>SJK</strong>’s<br />
classrooms. Some have served me well in<br />
my post-secondary life, others perhaps<br />
less so. I sincerely believe, however, that<br />
the most important lesson <strong>SJK</strong> taught me<br />
was about mankind’s complex and<br />
inextricable connection to the<br />
environment. I will always have fond<br />
memories of the forward-thinking<br />
teachers at <strong>SJK</strong> who work so hard to pass<br />
this vital lesson on to future generations.<br />
Andrew Reid ‘03 graduated from the<br />
University of <strong>St</strong>. Andrews, Scotland, in 2007,<br />
and has just completed an MA in Global<br />
Governance from the University of Waterloo.<br />
He has conducted climate change research<br />
for Friends of the Earth Canada and the<br />
David Suzuki Foundation, and was a delegate<br />
to United Nations for the Republic of Nauru.<br />
He has recently accepted a research position<br />
with the Ecologic Institute, an environmental<br />
think tank in Berlin, Germany, and plans on<br />
pursuing a PhD in International Relations.
Lower<br />
<strong>School</strong><br />
Lower <strong>School</strong> Director<br />
Mrs. Mary Perrett<br />
The <strong>2009</strong> – <strong>2010</strong> school year was a smooth and very busy one. A variety of<br />
learning opportunities in the classroom and co-curricular activities provided the<br />
students with a rich, well-balanced learning experience.<br />
Assessment was highlighted at Curriculum Night and the Professional<br />
Development day in November and it continued to be a focus for the year for<br />
teachers.<br />
The students and teachers had many opportunities to demonstrate their<br />
support for the community and provide service and action. Dress down day<br />
money supported a number of local charities and Mr. Spackman and Mrs. Tippin<br />
took the money raised to support the Thankani <strong>School</strong> in Nepal with them on<br />
their trip to Nepal in March. Other major fundraising initiatives included the IB<br />
Asia Pacific and Singapore Red Cross humanitarian project to train Sri Lankan<br />
teachers in early childhood care and development and Haiti Relief.<br />
Most students participated in co-curricular varsity programmes and clubs.<br />
These included: soccer, field hockey, cross country running, wrestling, track and<br />
field, primary and junior choir, Mad Science, cooking, art, drama, sewing machine,<br />
karate, structures, chess, dance, environment, baseball, fitness and intramurals<br />
were offered every Tuesday and Thursday at lunch to students in grades 3 to 5.<br />
This was the first year that junior<br />
kindergarten students were able to<br />
participate in clubs after school.<br />
Highlights of the year included:<br />
Eaglemania, the junior choir singing at the<br />
Guelph <strong>St</strong>orm hockey game and at the<br />
Gowdy Nursing home in Kitchener, the<br />
sold-out musical performances of Rats!,<br />
Jacquot on French Day, the Hallowe’en<br />
costume parade and parties, the<br />
Christmas Skating party and PA<br />
Christmas lunch, student-led conferences,<br />
Grandpersons’ Day, year-end celebrations<br />
including The Sounds of Music concert,<br />
year end trips, and World Cup Soccer<br />
play day.<br />
Caleb - Teacher for a Class
Congratulations to grade five students for their informative Exhibition<br />
presentations. The process is a difficult one in which the students must put<br />
together all the elements of the PYP into the researching and presentation of<br />
their topic. Each year gets better and better.<br />
The school is fortunate to participate in a number of activities to enrich the<br />
learning in the classroom. All students had Scientist in <strong>School</strong> presentations and<br />
students from grades 1 to 5 attended the Children’s Safety Village. Thank you to<br />
the Linamar Company for their ongoing sponsorship of Linamar for the<br />
Performing Arts presentations at the River Run Centre in Guelph. Field trips<br />
ranging from the ROM to Guelph Lake rounded out the experiential learning.<br />
The Lower <strong>School</strong> congratulates the Wilkinsons on the birth of their twins in<br />
February and we say good-bye and good luck to Mrs. Lauriualt as she takes up a<br />
new position at the Toronto French <strong>School</strong> in September, to Mr. Thiessen who<br />
has decided to stay at home with his young family, to Mrs. <strong>St</strong>ickney who will be<br />
greatly missed in the library and to Mr. Schnarr who will be enjoying retirement.<br />
All in all, an outstanding year in the Lower <strong>School</strong>!<br />
Mary Perrett,<br />
President, IBSO<br />
At the annual general meeting in May <strong>2010</strong>, Mary<br />
Perrett, Lower <strong>School</strong> Director and IB-PYP<br />
Coordinator of <strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong>, was<br />
elected president of the IB <strong>School</strong>s of Ontario (IBSO-<br />
PYP) and is a member of the executive of IBSO. Her<br />
duties includes planning and facilitating professional<br />
development events, providing opportunities for<br />
members to meet with other teachers and share best<br />
practice, and communicating the concerns of PYP<br />
schools to IBSO and the International Baccalaureate of<br />
the Americas (IBA). In early October IBSO-PYP<br />
teachers met to discuss action as an essential element<br />
of the PYP and to share in grade groups. Later in the<br />
month IB administrators and coordinators learned<br />
about critical thinking at the annual fall conference.<br />
<strong>SJK</strong> remains the only school in its region to offer the<br />
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme<br />
Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6.
Middle<br />
<strong>School</strong><br />
Middle <strong>School</strong> Director<br />
Ms Carey Gallagher<br />
Imagine a place where your mind opens wider than any walls around you.<br />
- Rob Gonsalves<br />
At the beginning of the <strong>2009</strong>-<strong>2010</strong> school year, students and teachers<br />
alike were challenged to devote the year to expanding their creative<br />
potential and to continuing to place an emphasis on the experiential<br />
aspect of education. Middle <strong>School</strong> students began blogging as part of<br />
the Language Arts curriculum and gained tremendous proficiency in the<br />
use of iMovie, bringing us unbelievable presentations on topics such as<br />
identity, the Holocaust, homelessness, child labour and abuse, and the<br />
Middle <strong>School</strong> experience. With the generous support of our Parents'<br />
Association, students also produced geometrical stained glass,<br />
tesseracting t-shirt graphics, temporary tattoos and notecards in Math<br />
class and engaged for a second year in the intensive cross-curricular,<br />
multimedia workshop, Director's Cut.<br />
Cassie Busuttil participating in a<br />
Habitat For Humanity project in<br />
New Brunswick as part of the<br />
Round Square Conference
With a special focus on<br />
international awareness and the<br />
environment, Middle <strong>School</strong><br />
students were involved in a<br />
variety of trips and activities,<br />
some annual and some new, that<br />
expanded their global horizons<br />
and developed an appreciation<br />
for others. The We Day trip, Vow<br />
of Silence Day, History of<br />
Remembrance Day seminar,<br />
Gwyn Dyer presentation, Free<br />
The Children's Youth In Action<br />
Summit, Joseph Schneider Haus<br />
trip, Grade 7 Pond <strong>St</strong>udy, hosting<br />
of <strong>SJK</strong>'s Environment Day,<br />
Doctor's Without Borders Mock<br />
Refugee Camp trip, MS Green<br />
Fashion show, and two Religious<br />
Knowledge trips to both<br />
Jenny Mattell, First Place Winner<br />
of the Royal Canadian Legion<br />
Remembrance Day Poetry<br />
Competition<br />
Christian and non-Christian places of worship were just a few of the<br />
experiences that rounded out the year.<br />
Middle <strong>School</strong> continued its involvement with the Young Round<br />
Square of the Americas (YRSA) programme sending three students to<br />
Rothesay Netherwood <strong>School</strong> in New Brunswick to meet with<br />
students from all over the world to develop their leadership skills and<br />
to discuss possible solutions to world issues. In addition to several<br />
workshops and cultural presentations, participants were involved in<br />
building a house for Habitat For Humanity, cleaning local bogs and<br />
creeks, and tree planting. Next year's YRSA schools will host an<br />
outdoor winter trip in Montreal and an eco-adventure in New<br />
Zealand.<br />
Teaching adolescent students is a highly rewarding experience. Their<br />
boundless energy, willingness to take risks, and strong desire to make<br />
the world a better place give those of us who work with them on a<br />
daily basis great hope for the<br />
future.<br />
We are very proud of the<br />
accomplishments of all of our<br />
Middle <strong>School</strong> students in<br />
<strong>2009</strong>-<strong>2010</strong>.
Upper<br />
<strong>School</strong><br />
Upper <strong>School</strong> Director<br />
Mrs. Maureen Buchanan<br />
Brian Eszes, Brock House<br />
Captain, receives the<br />
House Plaque for <strong>2009</strong>-10<br />
from Mrs. Viveros<br />
<strong>SJK</strong> Upper <strong>School</strong> students took advantage of amazing opportunities to expand<br />
their learning beyond the regular classroom and pursue academic success,<br />
personal growth and social responsibility during the <strong>2009</strong>-10 school year. Many<br />
of the highlights and achievements from this year are outlined below.<br />
Academically, two new programs were initiated this year. Our grade 12 credit<br />
offerings were expanded to include a course in Ancient Civilizations. <strong>SJK</strong> has also<br />
joined with the Conference of Independent <strong>School</strong>s e-Learning Consortium<br />
developing an online course that will be offered in September <strong>2010</strong>. <strong>SJK</strong>’s<br />
participation in this program also allows our students to choose from a variety<br />
of online courses offered by the consortium. Many of our Upper <strong>School</strong> students<br />
enhanced their academic experience with participation in extra programs,<br />
including Model UN, Encounters with Canada, SHAD Valley, and Waterloo<br />
Unlimited. One of our senior students also won Best of Fair at the Waterloo<br />
Wellington Regional Science Fair and represented <strong>SJK</strong> and the region at the<br />
Canada Wide Fair in Peterborough.<br />
<strong>SJK</strong> students continued the tradition of travel as part of the experience offered<br />
beyond the classroom. The grade 9 classes spent a week in Ottawa in the spring<br />
completing the second half of their technology credit course. Grade 10’s<br />
expanded their hands on science experiences spending a week in the fall and<br />
another in the winter at Frost Centre near Dorset completing a credit course in<br />
Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology. Our seniors travelled to New York City in<br />
the spring enjoying the sights and sounds of the Big Apple. A group of <strong>SJK</strong><br />
students headed to Switzerland over the March Break as part of an exchange<br />
programme. Teachers also took part in travel and service over the March Break<br />
with a group visiting Nepal. Greece was the destination of choice for twenty<br />
students studying Ancient Civilizations this summer.<br />
Our Upper <strong>School</strong> varsity program continues to enrich the experience of our<br />
students. The field hockey, snowboarding and wrestling programs all qualified<br />
athletes for their respective OFSAA championship tournaments with the Ladies<br />
Field Hockey team bringing home an unprecedented fourth consecutive gold<br />
medal. Many other teams participated in the post-season championships in their<br />
leagues earning many CISAA medals.<br />
Our vibrant Arts program continues to offer students opportunities in all<br />
disciplines. Thespians from grades 9 through 12 staged a wonderful performance<br />
of Our Country’s Good at the Conrad Centre for Performing Arts in Kitchener. <strong>SJK</strong>
also hosted the CIS Drama Festival at the University of Waterloo where our<br />
drama students presented the student written and directed production of A Pair<br />
of Frays. The <strong>Kilmarnock</strong> Singers took part in the CIS Music Festival in Toronto<br />
while our writers participated in the Eden Mills Writers’ Festival and our Writer<br />
In Residence Program. The Thursday evening radio show, The Poem Repair Shop,<br />
continued to offer a dedicated group of students a venue to display their talents.<br />
As always the highlight of the spring term was the annual Arts Around Us evening<br />
that included music, drama and visual artwork performed and created by our<br />
students and a celebration for the official opening of the new music room.<br />
<strong>SJK</strong>’s Grade 12 Economics Class attended a<br />
symposium examining green business trends and<br />
practices, and future environmental impacts at<br />
the University of Waterloo<br />
Brigitte McIntyre receives the CPR Heart<br />
Award from Leesa Elliot and Bill Nicholson<br />
<strong>SJK</strong> students attended the Perimeter<br />
Institute’s Quantum to Cosmos Festival
<strong>SJK</strong> Arts <strong>Report</strong><br />
Catherine Paleczny, David Newman and Adrian Hoad-Reddick<br />
Visual Art: <strong>SJK</strong> offers students a<br />
rigorous program of visual art<br />
practice within a stimulating and<br />
challenging academic environment,<br />
which includes the study of<br />
contemporary and historical art, and<br />
cultural theory related to art<br />
production. The program equips<br />
students with practical skills and<br />
theoretical knowledge to make<br />
engaging and informed artwork. The<br />
emphasis of the Visual Arts program is to develop the creative potential<br />
of the individual student in his/her milieu. <strong>St</strong>udents in the program have<br />
the opportunity to work in any area of contemporary art production<br />
including painting, drawing, printmaking, three-dimensional and<br />
installation work, photography, digital art, intermedia, video, performance,<br />
sound, or in any interdisciplinary form. <strong>SJK</strong>’s Visual Art department is<br />
lead by international and nationally recognized sculptor Catherine<br />
Paleczny.<br />
Drama: <strong>2009</strong>-<strong>2010</strong> proved to be a very successful year for <strong>SJK</strong> drama.<br />
The school’s major production continued a tradition at <strong>SJK</strong> of staging<br />
challenging dramatic works that stretch both actors and audience.<br />
Timberlake Wertenbaker’s play Our Country’s Good is based on actual<br />
historical events as well as the novel The Playmaker, by Australian novelist<br />
Thomas Keneally (author of Schindler’s List). Set in 1788 in Sydney Cove,<br />
Australia, it tells the story of the first play produced in that country,<br />
directed by a military officer and performed by the inmates of the new<br />
penal colony. Wertenbaker’s challenging play contains mature themes and<br />
subject matter exploring questions of the innate goodness or evil of<br />
human nature and the redemptive power of art. Performances at the<br />
Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts in Kitchener took place in late<br />
February and were well attended and well received. Early in <strong>2010</strong>,<br />
students in the senior drama class had the opportunity to work with<br />
local playwright Gary Kirkham. Gary took students through the process<br />
of writing for theatre and creating their own short scenes or plays. One<br />
of these pieces, A Pair of Frays by grade 12 student Grayson Moore, was<br />
developed into a short one-act play and produced as <strong>SJK</strong>’s entry in the<br />
Conference of Independent <strong>School</strong>s’ Drama Festival. The play was also
e-staged at the Registry Theatre in Kitchener in May<br />
so that members of the <strong>SJK</strong> community had the<br />
opportunity to see it performed.<br />
One of the major achievements in drama for <strong>2010</strong> Priscila Uppal,<br />
was <strong>SJK</strong>’s hosting of the Conference of Independent <strong>SJK</strong>’s <strong>2010</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>s’ Drama Festival. Although <strong>SJK</strong> has<br />
Writer in<br />
participated in the festival for more than a decade, Residence and<br />
Olympic Poet in<br />
the absence of theatre facilities here at the school<br />
Residence<br />
has always made it impossible for <strong>SJK</strong> to serve as<br />
host. When no host school emerged after the <strong>2009</strong><br />
festival, however, <strong>SJK</strong> agreed to keep the festival alive<br />
by hosting off-site at the University of Waterloo.<br />
Although this presented a number of unique<br />
challenges, the festival held in April was a great<br />
success, with 12 schools participating in workshops<br />
and performances at the university’s Theatre of the<br />
Arts. <strong>SJK</strong> also chaired the annual directors’ meeting of<br />
drama teachers held at the festival, at which a<br />
process was put in place to ensure the continued<br />
success of the festival in the coming years.<br />
The annual Arts Around Us evening in May provided an<br />
enjoyable venue for student talent to round out the<br />
Our Country’s Good<br />
year, with a performance of Alan Ayckbourn’s one-act<br />
comedy, Table Manners. All in all, this was another<br />
busy, productive, and highly successful year for the <strong>SJK</strong> drama program.<br />
Creative Writing: <strong>SJK</strong> was privileged to have as Writer-in-Residence<br />
Priscila Uppal, novelist, poet, and professor during an important year for<br />
her professionally. Priscila was chosen to be the Poet in Residence for<br />
the Canadian Olympic Team. The grade 11 classes studied Ms Uppal’s<br />
wonderful novel, To Whom It May Concern. Ms Uppal joined the class<br />
several times to discuss aspects of her novel. In return, the classes<br />
produced a Reader’s Guide to the novel which is now online. Our<br />
creative writers ended the year with an Evening of Readings at Whispers<br />
Restaurant in Elora, co-hosted by Mr. Hoad-Reddick and Priscila Uppal.<br />
Our students won several<br />
awards, including taking two of<br />
three senior awards for creative<br />
writing in the InCITE publication,<br />
judged by acclaimed Canadian<br />
author Nino Ricci.
Music <strong>Report</strong><br />
Marg Benson and Emily Petrenko<br />
This year, <strong>SJK</strong> Music included Vocal, Choral, Orff, Instrumental, Musical<br />
Theatre, and MIDI training.<br />
The Music in Lower <strong>School</strong> continues to bring much joy to the students<br />
and those who hear them. The Primary Choir, (SK - Grade 2) meets<br />
once a week to learn songs and perform for the rest of Lower <strong>School</strong> in<br />
Chapel or Evensong, and for the Carol Service and The Sounds of Music<br />
in June.<br />
New this year to Chapel was the addition of “Composer of the Month”<br />
in which a composer was highlighted for the month with prelude and<br />
postlude music by that composer as well as interesting facts about the<br />
composer’s life and music.<br />
Individual classes prepared music for both the Carol<br />
Service in December and the final musical<br />
celebration, The Sounds of Music in June. The grade<br />
four and five recorder programme prepared two<br />
pieces each for the Kiwanis Music Festival in April,<br />
where they were awarded ‘silver’ status and won a<br />
monetary award.<br />
Thirty-six members formed the Junior Choir (grades<br />
3-5) performed frequently at the school and in the<br />
community. They sang in Chapel and Evensong, as<br />
well as Founders’ Day, Carol Service, Grandpersons’<br />
Day, The Sounds of Music, and Prize Day. In the<br />
community they shared their music with the seniors<br />
at the A.R. Goudie Home at Christmas and sang O<br />
Canada at the Guelph <strong>St</strong>orm home opener. In April<br />
the choir performed at the Kiwanis Music Festival<br />
and received gold awards for their efforts, as well as,<br />
with other choirs of the school, the prestigious award<br />
“Best <strong>School</strong> Choral Program.”<br />
Middle <strong>School</strong> music students in Grades 6 and 7 learn<br />
to play a band instrument, work on theory and<br />
composition in the MIDI Lab, and vocally training. As
a special event, each student in<br />
Grade 7 composed a short<br />
instrumental recording on<br />
their instrument. and these<br />
recordings were heard by<br />
parents at the Celebration of<br />
Our Learning. <strong>St</strong>udents in<br />
Grade 8 focused on<br />
performing two musicals, The<br />
Princess and the Pea, and The<br />
Emperor’s New Clothes.<br />
In <strong>2009</strong>–<strong>2010</strong>, the Chalmers<br />
Singers (grades 6-8)<br />
performed at Evensongs,<br />
Founders’ Day, Middle <strong>School</strong><br />
Carol Service, Celebration of<br />
Learning, Trills and Thrills, Prize<br />
Day, and at Kiwanis, where<br />
they were awarded a gold<br />
standing.<br />
<strong>SJK</strong> at Roy Thomson Hall for the<br />
Conference of Independent <strong>School</strong>s’<br />
Music Festival concert<br />
The number of students taking music in Upper <strong>School</strong> was a record in<br />
<strong>2009</strong>–<strong>2010</strong>. The Grade 9 and Grade 10 band students performed at Arts<br />
Around Us. While the focus of the class was instrumental music, these<br />
students composed a solo song accompaniment in the MIDI lab, which<br />
the group performed with the school’s diskclavier playing the<br />
accompaniment. A focus for these students included developing listening<br />
skills and evaluating musical performances. A number of grade 11<br />
students participated in choir as part of a credit course; these students<br />
participated in the Conference of Independent <strong>School</strong>s’ Music Festival<br />
(CISMF) weekend in Toronto.<br />
The <strong>Kilmarnock</strong> Singers and Madrigal Singers performed at various<br />
events, including Evensong Services, Founders’ Day, Remembrance Day,<br />
US Carol Service, the Conference of Independent <strong>School</strong>s’ Music<br />
Festival (CISMF), Arts Arounds Us, Prize Day, and at the local Kiwanis<br />
Festival, where they were awarded a gold standing.<br />
The trip to the Kiwanis Festival with the Junior Choir, Chalmers Singers,<br />
and <strong>Kilmarnock</strong> Singers was a special one. The combined choirs were<br />
awarded gold standings, and the school won the trophy for the Best<br />
<strong>School</strong> Choral Program this year.
Science Fair: A History of<br />
Excellence<br />
<strong>SJK</strong>’s prodigious history of Science Fair dates back to March 1978, when teacher<br />
Shane Curry initiated the annual hands-on projects for students of <strong>St</strong>. John’s and<br />
<strong>St</strong>. Margaret’s <strong>School</strong>s. Each student (grades 7-10) would complete a Science Fair<br />
project each year, and on Science Fair Day classes would be cancelled to<br />
celebrate discovery and innovation. As now, 33 years later, a buffet lunch was<br />
provided for the guest judges, students were challenged to design the year’s<br />
science fair t-shirt, and participants hoped that they’d have the correct answers<br />
for the first judge of the day. A select team would be chosen from the 150-200<br />
projects to represent <strong>SJK</strong> at the regional science fair, at which <strong>SJK</strong> would be<br />
recognized as the perennial winner as top school. While the region recognized<br />
projects based on research, models or experiments, <strong>SJK</strong> permitted only<br />
experimental projects, placing emphasis on effective scientific methodology. In<br />
the early days, most students would construct their own backboards out of<br />
plywood, or visit local furniture stores for large cardboard mattress boxes with<br />
which to make a board.<br />
Ian Hornsby is proud of the caliber of the projects produced by <strong>SJK</strong> students.<br />
“The general quality of an <strong>SJK</strong> science fair project would match those at the<br />
regional level,” he observed. Mr. Hornsby knows a great project when he sees<br />
one. In selecting projects to represent the school, he looks for projects that<br />
approach a topic from a unique viewpoint. “We look for students willing to put<br />
in the extra work, to undergo the multiple trials necessary at the regional and<br />
national levels. What’s difficult to explain to students is that things do not have<br />
to work out to be successful. Experiments can fail and yield a null hypothesis and<br />
Mackenzie Carter ‘09 took his STOL 'n Lift<br />
science fair project to the Nationals, where he<br />
received a Gold Medal
still be highly successful in utilizing sound scientific methodology.”<br />
<strong>SJK</strong> continues to promote excellence in scientific enquiry via its annual Science<br />
Fair and coinciding Math Fair. The projects do much more than promote sound<br />
experimental methods and the exploration of new fanciful fonts on backboards.<br />
The experience of communicating ideas to science fair judges helps to promote<br />
our students’ social presentation skills, interactions with people, formal writing,<br />
research skills, proper citation and thinking on one’s feet. Mr. Hornsby has<br />
observed, “students tend to learn from judges and improve in subsequent judging<br />
rounds. It appears in the scores each year.”<br />
<strong>SJK</strong> continues to attract an impressive panel of judges for Science Fair, scientists<br />
from the three local universities, professional engineers, graduate students,<br />
alumni and involved parents. Behind the ready-made backboards and<br />
computerized graphics is the scientific rigour and excellence that sees <strong>SJK</strong><br />
continually sending our well-equipped young scientists to Regional and Canada-<br />
Wide Science competitions.<br />
<strong>SJK</strong>’s <strong>St</strong>ephanie Chan: Helping<br />
Young Scientists Explore!<br />
Upper <strong>School</strong> student <strong>St</strong>ephanie Chan (pictured below at right) is excited about<br />
the potential to take the grassroots Science Expo to provincial and national<br />
levels. Following a trip to the <strong>2009</strong> Canada-Wide Science and Engineering Fair,<br />
<strong>St</strong>ephanie and several of the team that represented Waterloo-Wellington at<br />
Nationals decided to become ambassadors for science. In their first year, they<br />
organized an outreach science<br />
exposition evening aimed at<br />
inspiring students in grades 7-12 on<br />
the topics of science, technology,<br />
engineering and mathematics<br />
(STEM). <strong>St</strong>udents received first-hand<br />
accounts of SHAD, Waterloo<br />
Unlimited, Canada-Wide and<br />
International Science Fairs. This year,<br />
Science Expo will move to a full day<br />
conference with guest speakers and<br />
a panel discussion. <strong>St</strong>udents will<br />
participate in interactive workshops<br />
on subjects such as how to come up with a science fair topic.<br />
<strong>St</strong>ephanie has enjoyed the opportunity to network with like-minded students.<br />
The Science Expo experience has opened her eyes to the International Science<br />
Fair and Sanofi-Aventis, a biotechnology competition. This year, <strong>St</strong>ephanie’s<br />
efforts will be on securing sponsorships from the community to ensure that<br />
Science Expo continues to flourish and promote exploration and innovation.
A Fond<br />
Farewell<br />
to Coach<br />
Dief<br />
Not a day goes by that Cheryl Diefenbacher doesn’t cast her thoughts back<br />
inside the gates of <strong>SJK</strong> and reflect on the role of the school in her life. Cheryl<br />
devoted twenty-three years to <strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong> and watched her<br />
son Brent progress through the school and graduate, touched by the magical<br />
influence of the school’s teachers.<br />
Cheryl started as a part-time physical education teacher at the Elora location of<br />
the school following a maternity leave. Cheryl remembers teaching physical<br />
education gymless, running her female students along the natural trails of the<br />
Elora Gorge and skating at the local arena.<br />
Cheryl served many key roles in her <strong>SJK</strong> career. She was <strong>SJK</strong>’s first Director of<br />
Admissions in 1990 and later assisted the Upper <strong>School</strong> Director as Grade 9<br />
&10 coordinator before becoming Head of Physical Education, bringing the<br />
opportunity to program wellness for the students, JK through grade 12. Later,<br />
she served two years as Middle <strong>School</strong> Director. Over the past four years, she<br />
guided our students toward post-secondary success as <strong>SJK</strong>’s Head of Guidance.<br />
By her estimation, Dief has coached some fifty sports teams in at least six<br />
sports. She led thirteen LiveFit classes, introducing the course to the school.<br />
Mrs. Dief is quick to identify the defining quality of <strong>SJK</strong>: its close student-teacher<br />
relationships which foster the unique family community that is so evident at the<br />
school. Dief praised <strong>SJK</strong>’s administration over the years for embracing the total<br />
wellness of its students, both within and outside of the classroom. “<strong>SJK</strong> is<br />
instrumental in developing the whole child and that makes a great platform for<br />
student growth.”<br />
Mrs. Dief is very grateful for the opportunities she had to walk among mentors –<br />
‘giants’, she calls them. She is thankful for her opportunity to walk with giants,<br />
watch the giants, and be lifted on the shoulders of giants. In turn, Mrs. Dief did<br />
lots of motivational lifting herself. “It was the healthy relationships and watching<br />
kids grow and watching them grow into young healthy happy adults that<br />
energized me to get into their heads and hearts and watch them reach their<br />
academic potential in a great setting. My legacy is the relationships I have left<br />
behind. What I really loved about <strong>SJK</strong> was my ability to stay internal and to place<br />
myself in a position to always look for challenge; to always be in a position to<br />
learn and learn and learn. That’s what energized me about <strong>SJK</strong>.” After 23 years at<br />
<strong>SJK</strong>, Cheryl Diefenbacher has taken on a new challenge as Director of <strong>St</strong>udent<br />
Services at Hillfield-<strong>St</strong>rathallan College in Hamilton.
Karen Baird Leads Sri Lankan<br />
Teacher Training Workshop<br />
On November 4 <strong>2009</strong>,<br />
Karen Baird, <strong>SJK</strong>’s Lower<br />
<strong>School</strong> Learning Support<br />
teacher, flew to Sri Lanka<br />
to lead a new teachertraining<br />
workshop as part<br />
of the Sri Lankan Early<br />
Childhood Care and<br />
Development Project. This<br />
development project<br />
began as a result of the<br />
Tsunami in 2004, during<br />
which many schools were destroyed and teachers were lost. As the IB<br />
organization strongly endorses humanitarian and outreach projects, funds were<br />
allocated to use teachers from IB schools around the world to train Sri Lankan<br />
teachers. IB Asia-Pacific, the Singapore Red Cross and Sarvodaya, a local Sri<br />
Lankan NGO initiated the project.<br />
The workshop was led by Rob Kiddell, Head of the Junior <strong>School</strong> at Glenlyon<br />
Norfolk in Victoria and Ms Baird. They worked, through an interpreter, with two<br />
groups of thirty teachers, who were incredibly enthusiastic, engaged and<br />
desperate for ideas, lesson plans, teaching strategies and classroom management<br />
techniques. The Sri Lankan teachers had very limited training, worked in tiny<br />
village schools with no resources and could not speak English.<br />
This project caused Karen to reflect on her past and present teaching practice<br />
and showed her how much we can give to others simply by sharing our<br />
knowledge and experiences.<br />
Karen Baird and participants in the Sri Lankan Teacher<br />
Training Workshop
<strong>SJK</strong> Five Worlds<br />
Programme Launched<br />
<strong>SJK</strong>’s Five Worlds is a signature programme<br />
that provides students with transformational<br />
experiences, exporting them to new worlds<br />
to explore, serve and learn. <strong>St</strong>udents entering<br />
<strong>SJK</strong>’s Upper <strong>School</strong> begin an educational<br />
journey with academics and a range of cocurricular<br />
activities. They now have the<br />
opportunity to experience and learn about at<br />
least five distinct worlds over the course of<br />
their schooling, Grades 7-12.<br />
Each world destination is identified as having<br />
significant global relevance and seeks to<br />
address local, national and international<br />
issues. <strong>SJK</strong> students have the opportunity to<br />
explore first hand Five Worlds that brings<br />
new context to experiential learning and<br />
global perspective.<br />
Destinations are complemented by academics, reading, physical readiness,<br />
media and IT research, language preparation and a range of experienced<br />
speakers. Elements of adventure travel, outdoor education, service projects<br />
and history, culture and geopolitics are embedded in each travel destination.<br />
Age appropriate and multi-grade trips will be offered on an annual basis.<br />
Five World destinations for <strong>2010</strong>-2011 include Belgium &<br />
France (<strong>SJK</strong> Remembers), Kenya, Nepal and China.<br />
Fifth Year student James Maxwell spent 3<br />
weeks in Costa Rica as a teaching aid. Here<br />
he poses with his appreciative students.
Outreach and<br />
Charitable Giving<br />
In <strong>2009</strong>-<strong>2010</strong>, the <strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Community raised funds for a variety of causes and<br />
organizations, including more than $16,000 for the<br />
Red Cross Haiti Fund.<br />
A Bake Sale for Haiti Relief was one of<br />
many fundraising events by students in<br />
Lower, Middle and Upper <strong>School</strong>s
Parents’<br />
Association<br />
The Parents’ Association is always fortunate to be an integral weave to the<br />
fabric of the <strong>SJK</strong> community. Since my last PA newsletter in December <strong>2009</strong>, the<br />
association has continued to organize a variety of activities. It was another<br />
successful year for the Hot Lunch program. Thank you to Janess Hunt and<br />
Katherine Gyles for their great work as Hot Lunch Co-chairs. Many thanks also<br />
to Jacquie Macarthur for the coordination of the hot lunch volunteers and to<br />
the volunteers who passed out the lunches to all those hungry students.<br />
The Used Uniform Sale on May 5-6 was an all-time successful event. Total<br />
revenue for the year from the Used Uniform Sales surpassed $10,000, breaking<br />
any of the previous year’s revenue total. Congratulations and thank you to<br />
Leslie Bartels, Used Uniform Chair and her committee for their hard work.<br />
Spring Fling was a highlight event for the Parents’ Association, bringing together<br />
students, their families, friends, faculty and staff of the school. Laughter and<br />
smiles on everyone’s faces were all that was needed to put everyone on a high<br />
note.<br />
From the profits of the Hot Lunch program, Used Uniform Sales, and Memento<br />
sales, as well as the amount from the PA Levy, the Parents’ Association is able to<br />
financially support various school amenities and resources complementing and<br />
enhancing the overall academic program of the school. Through PA programs,<br />
we have been able to fund over $27,000 of items in two funding request<br />
rounds. The Parents’ Association also has a budget every year to continue<br />
supporting various activities for the school, activities such as: Eaglemania, Grad<br />
Dinner, French Day, Christmas Lunch, Science Fair, Environment Day, Arts<br />
Around Us, Athletic Banquet, and receptions for Founder’s Day Service, Carol<br />
Services and Prize Day. The PA will continue to fund the PA Endowment Fund<br />
annually. As evidenced from the above list, the PA is very fortunate to be able<br />
to assist the school in a wide array of enrichments.<br />
With the funds left in the PA treasury at the end of the year, we were able to<br />
give to the <strong>Annual</strong> Fund, specifically to purchase room darkening drapes for the<br />
chapel. It will certainly add much to the improvement of presentations done in<br />
the chapel during the light of day.<br />
The PA is very fortunate to have incredible support from its volunteers. We<br />
were able to accomplish so much because of their hard work and dedication. I<br />
would like to extend special thanks to the Executive Officers and Executive<br />
Committee Members for all their time and effort:
Julie Mattell, Vice President and Secretary<br />
Laura Young, Treasurer<br />
Leanne Frost, Eaglemania Chair<br />
Katherine Gyles and Janess Hunt, Hot Lunch Co-chairs<br />
Marie Craig and Lesley Flaminio, Special Events Committee Co-chairs<br />
Cathy <strong>St</strong>raus, Gala Chair<br />
Leslie Bartels, Used Uniform and Lost and Found Committee Chair<br />
Siobhan Furst, Social Events Committee Chair<br />
Salina Visram, Volunteer Coordinator<br />
Tracey Trimble Moon, Communications Chair<br />
Cindy Robinson, Mementos Chair<br />
Susan D’Angelo, Member-at-Large<br />
Jacquie Macarthur, Member-at-Large<br />
Last but not least, thanks to the class<br />
reps for their liaison work between<br />
parents, teachers, the school and the<br />
PA: Michelle Hammill (JK), Katherine<br />
Gyles (SK), Sue Lawrenson and Kim<br />
Boril (Grade 1), Sandra Vink (Grade<br />
2), Nuala Ireland and Liz Davies<br />
(Grade 3), Robin Thomas and Penny<br />
Rhydderch (Grade 4), Alison Amer<br />
(Grade 5), Lesley Flaminio (Grade 6),<br />
Siobhan Furst and Catherine Nichols<br />
(Grade 7), Jean Mills, Sandra Peters<br />
and Ailish McIntyre (Grade 8).<br />
It has been a pleasure and an honor<br />
to work with many of the volunteers<br />
this year.<br />
Yours truly,<br />
Mari N. McAndrews<br />
President, Parents’ Association
Varsity Results, <strong>2009</strong>-<strong>2010</strong><br />
FALL TERM<br />
Senior Boys’ Soccer 12 games 5 wins 6 losses 1 tie<br />
Participated in CAIS tournament @ <strong>St</strong>. George’s <strong>School</strong> , Vancouver Oct. 14-16.<br />
Bowl Finalists<br />
Junior Boys’ Soccer<br />
11 games 10 wins 0 losses 1 tie<br />
CISAA CHAMPIONS!<br />
U13 Boys’ Soccer<br />
17 games 4 wins 13 losses<br />
Participated in CAIS<br />
tournament @ The Country<br />
Day <strong>School</strong> and <strong>St</strong>. Andrew’s<br />
College, Oct. 22-24.<br />
Lower <strong>School</strong> Soccer<br />
This year the team focussed<br />
on skill development.<br />
Senior Boys’ Volleyball 9 games 5 wins 4 losses CISAA Semi-finalists<br />
Senior Girls’ Basketball 9 games 2 wins 7 losses<br />
U14 Girls’ Basketball 8 games 0 wins 8 losses<br />
Senior Field Hockey CISAA and OFSAA gold medallists; Provincial Champions<br />
Junior Field Hockey CISAA Semi-finalists.<br />
Senior Cross Country The team participated in invitational meets in Preston,<br />
Cambridge, and Waterloo, as well as at the CISAA Championship @ Trinity College in<br />
Port Hope. Individual CISAA Championship results: Jr. Girls: C. Buchanan (12th), E.<br />
Whitehall (13th), K. Craig (21st); Jr. Boys: K. Weigensberg (41st), J. Gjelsvik (43rd); Sr.<br />
Girls: R. Fackoury (14th), B. McIntyre (21st); Sr. Boys: D. Jouppi (90th).<br />
Junior Cross Country<br />
The team participated in meets at <strong>SJK</strong>, <strong>St</strong>. Andrew’s College, Villanova College, Hillfield-<br />
<strong>St</strong>rathallan College, Erindale<br />
Park, and Crescent <strong>School</strong>, as<br />
well as at the CISAA<br />
Championship at Trinity<br />
College <strong>School</strong>, in Port Hope.<br />
Many great personal<br />
achievements were celebrated<br />
throughout the season.
WINTER TERM<br />
Senior Girls’ Volleyball 10 games 8 wins 2 losses CISAA Semi-finalists<br />
Junior Girls’ Volleyball<br />
9 games 7 wins 2 losses<br />
CISAA silver medallists.<br />
U14 Girls’ Volleyball<br />
9 games 3 wins 5 losses<br />
Senior Boys’ Basketball<br />
8 games 3 wins 5 losses<br />
CISAA silver medallists.<br />
Junior Boys’ Basketball<br />
11 games 8 wins 3 losses<br />
CISAA silver medallists.<br />
U14 Boys’ Basketball 6<br />
games 0 wins 6 losses<br />
Wrestling Derek Jouppi and<br />
James Maxwell both<br />
represented <strong>SJK</strong> @ OFSAA,<br />
and both turned in personal best performances during the competition. Congratulations<br />
to James, who finished 6th, earning a spot on the podium. Evelyn Barber wrestled her<br />
way to a 4th place finish at the Ontario Winter Games, while Mark Young finished 5th in<br />
his weight class. Congratulations to all four wrestlers, who represented <strong>SJK</strong> with courage<br />
and grit.<br />
Snowboarding<br />
The snowboarding team wrapped up their season with the CISAA championship/OFSAA<br />
qualifier @ Georgian Peaks. Congratulations goes out to Mackenzie Carter, who<br />
captured gold in the men’s alpine racing event at OFSAA (March 3rd) .<br />
SPRING TERM<br />
Senior Girls’ Soccer 6 games 4 wins 2 losses CISAA 2nd Place<br />
Junior Girls’ Soccer 6 games 2 wins 3 losses 1 tie CISAA silver medallists.<br />
U14 Girls’ Soccer<br />
6 games 0 wins 6 losses 0 ties<br />
Senior Boys’ Rugby<br />
5 games 4 wins 1 loss<br />
CISAA Gold medallists.<br />
Skating returns to<br />
<strong>SJK</strong>’s Chalmers Pond<br />
U14 Boys’ Rugby 1 match 1 win<br />
1st Badminton 6 matches 1 win 5<br />
losses<br />
7th CISAA Championships
U16 Badminton 5 games 0 wins 5 losses<br />
Junior Track & Field<br />
Many individual personal bests were earned over the course of the season. The CISAA<br />
championships was held on Wednesday, May 26th @ York University (U10-U12), and<br />
Thursday, May 27th @ The Country Day <strong>School</strong> (U13-U14).<br />
Senior Track<br />
This team had great success at the recent CISAA league championship meet, held at York<br />
University.<br />
Mountain Bike Club<br />
This hearty group has enjoyed outdoor rides at Guelph Lake, Grand Valley, The Hydro<br />
Cut, Homer Watson and Puslinch this season. They also travelled to the Joyride Indoor<br />
Bike Park, where they tried out some cool indoor features.<br />
Rowing Club<br />
This year <strong>SJK</strong> was represented by Joel Wilson. Joel competed in both a coxed 8, as well<br />
as trying his hand in a single. Joel competed at the South Niagra High <strong>School</strong> Regatta, in<br />
Welland; the Junior Invitational Regatta at Guelph Lake; and he wrapped up the season at<br />
the Canadian Secondary <strong>School</strong> Rowing Association Regatta, in <strong>St</strong>. Catherine’s, June 4-6<br />
Congratulations to all of our<br />
wonderful athletes, their coaches,<br />
managers and ardent supporters!<br />
Congratulations to <strong>SJK</strong>’s<br />
Senior Girls’ Field Hockey<br />
OFSAA Provincial Champions
<strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Coming Events <strong>2010</strong>-2011<br />
Friday, November 12, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Thursday, November 18, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Friday, December 10, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Thursday, December 16, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Saturday, December 18, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Thursday, January 20, 2011<br />
Wednesday, February 2, 2011<br />
Thursday, February 3, 2011<br />
Monday, February 7, 2011<br />
Tuesday, February 8, 2011<br />
February 24, 25, 26, 2011<br />
Monday, March 7, 2011<br />
Thursday, March 11, 2011<br />
Thursday, March 31, 2011<br />
Wednesday, April 20, 2011<br />
Thursday, May 12, 2011<br />
Thursday, May 19, 2011<br />
Thursday, June 16, 2011<br />
Friday, June 17, 2011<br />
Alumni Dinner – Montreal<br />
Alumni Dinner - Kingston<br />
Lower <strong>School</strong> Carol Service – 2:00 pm<br />
Upper <strong>School</strong> Carol Service – 7:00 pm<br />
Alumni Pub Night - Guelph<br />
Open House – 6:00-8:00pm<br />
Open House – 9:00am-12noon<br />
Alumni Dinner – Toronto<br />
Centre Wellington Area Community Presentation<br />
Guelph Area Community Presentation<br />
Upper <strong>School</strong> Play<br />
Math and Science Fair<br />
Open House – 9:00am-12noon<br />
Alumni Dinner - London<br />
Open House – 9:00am-12noon<br />
Open House – 9:00am-12noon<br />
Grade 6 Exhibitions<br />
Golf Tournament<br />
Lower <strong>School</strong> Prize Day – 10:00am<br />
Upper <strong>School</strong> Prize Day – 1:00pm<br />
<strong>St</strong>. John’s-<strong>Kilmarnock</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
2201 Shantz <strong>St</strong>ation Road, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada N0B 1M0<br />
Geocode: 43.508088, -80.385986<br />
(519) 648-2183 www.sjkschool.org