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Middle School Update - Selwyn House School

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<strong>Middle</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>Update</strong><br />

April 29, 2010<br />

Congratulations!<br />

• A couple of weeks ago, the Grade 8 students wrote Scholastic Challenge 2010, a<br />

competition which tests overall knowledge. Ulysses Pamel came first in the province.<br />

The top four scores, which constituted our team score were: Ulysses Pamel, Sam<br />

Stein, Michael Kounadis, and Jeremy Herman. Bravo! 82% of our students<br />

exceeded the national average.<br />

News/Information<br />

• Please note that the schedule for the last two weeks of school, May 31-June 11 is<br />

attached. The first week maintains the regular schedule of the day, 8:15 to 2:45 and<br />

there will be performance assessments as well as review and exam preparation. There<br />

will be no physical education that week. The second week is formal examinations,<br />

and students will arrive at 8:45 for a 9:00 start. Most exams are two hours. Exam<br />

preparations sheets for all subjects will be attached to next week’s <strong>Update</strong> email.<br />

• Tomorrow is the last day for the Café Red Room. This is an initiative that Senior<br />

<strong>School</strong> student Erik Vincelli-Gregory brought to fruition. Every day this week,<br />

coffee, hot chocolate and Tim Horton’s donuts have been for sale from 7:15 to 8:15<br />

a.m. The proceeds will be sent to the Canadian base in Kandahar and coupons for the<br />

Tim Horton’s there will be distributed to the Canadian Forces serving there. All are<br />

welcome to drop by and partake.<br />

• From Hal Hannaford<br />

o Report on French Teaching in Elementary <strong>School</strong> at <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>:<br />

Attached you will find this important report. The English and French versions<br />

are included. A special thanks to Board members and Old Boys Charles<br />

Porteous ('84) and Jonathan Goldbloom ('72) for their help and guidance.<br />

AND...an extra special merci to Claudine Martel and Kathy Funamoto who<br />

worked so hard to create an accurate document. Their dedication and effort<br />

are impressive. We thought it was important to share the outcome to our entire<br />

community. More work to be done but we are off to a great start.<br />

o The <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> community is a special one. It is a place where hopefully,<br />

we can instill in all our boys the value of looking after one another. William<br />

(Bill) Brock (son Phillip is in Grade 9) has quite a story. Bill has also done a<br />

great deal to help the school. I thought his tale was compelling enough to<br />

share with all of you. You can read through his letter to me and then I leave it<br />

up to you to determine how you may want to support this worthwhile and<br />

courageous project. It is always important to be aware of adventures from<br />

within the <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> community.


• Good luck to our <strong>Middle</strong> <strong>School</strong> boys at the Robotics Competition tomorrow and<br />

Saturday. Their successes will be published here next week.<br />

• Thanks to all the families that volunteered last Sunday for the end-of-the-month<br />

lunch for the less fortunate at Christ Church Cathedral. They left no dish unwashed!<br />

• Please note that the GMAA has rescheduled (due to the snow) the Halo Race that<br />

was to have taken place on Wednesday, April 29. It is now scheduled for Wednesday,<br />

May 5. Because there was already a French field trip scheduled, the ten Grade 7’s<br />

scheduled to run the Halo Race will have to wait until next year – and hope that snow<br />

does not force another postponement.<br />

• Are you still wondering what to do this summer Discover the Shanghai World<br />

Expo and China from July 12-22, 2010. Yamin Zhang (Sean Gong’s mother in<br />

Grade 9) is the cultural coordinator at the Montreal Chinese newspaper, Seven Days.<br />

In March, they took a group of students from Villa Maria to China. They have<br />

organized another trip open to students and parents from Grade 7-11 at <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong><br />

and The Study, leaving on July 12. See the attached flyer for detailed itinerary and<br />

costs. The minimum number of people to run the trip is 10 and the maximum is 40.<br />

The supervisor/student ratio is 1 adult per 20 students. Mrs. Zhang will be going on<br />

the trip herself and possibly a <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> teacher (depending on the number of<br />

interested students and parents). There will be an information session about the trip<br />

on Wednesday, May 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the Rossy Agora. Payment is due by May 17<br />

in order to secure airline tickets. For more information, please contact Yamin Zhang<br />

at yaminzhang@sympatico.ca or Courtney Prieur at prieur@selwyn.ca / 514-931-<br />

9481 ext. 2228.<br />

• Please remind your son (and provide him with it) to use sun screen if he has a game<br />

or meet or tournament outside. The sun is now strong enough to do damage in a short<br />

period of time. Many fields, courts and tracks do not have shade available.<br />

• Summer uniform will coming up in a few weeks (the date will be announced soon),<br />

so now is the perfect time to make sure that shirts from last year are still in good<br />

shape and fit. If they are too small, the shirt tails do not stay in. Shirts must be clean,<br />

pressed and have all the buttons. Pants are regular uniform pants. Shorts are not<br />

permitted in <strong>Middle</strong> <strong>School</strong>. Belts are required and socks are to be grey and full size,<br />

not half socks. Dark leather shoes (not shoes that resemble running shoes) remain the<br />

standard for the uniform. The only items of clothing that can be worn with a summer<br />

shirt are the <strong>Selwyn</strong> blazer, <strong>Selwyn</strong> sweater vest or <strong>Selwyn</strong> sweater; hoodies etc are<br />

not permitted. Students who do not wear the summer uniform well will lose the<br />

privilege of wearing it and will be required to wear full uniform. Until summer<br />

uniform is announced as permissible, students must maintain their regular uniform<br />

• Lost and Found: There are five blazers in Ms. Manning’s office, various sizes, and<br />

none of them have a name in them. Two have a name blacked out, but no new name<br />

added. As well, an almost brand-new pair of black Geox shoes (slip on, size 40) in a<br />

Brown’s shopping bag have been languishing in the Lost and Found box for months.<br />

If any of these items sound familiar, ask your son to go to the Lost and Found on the<br />

second floor or to see Ms. Manning for a blazer.<br />

• Gryphon Sale Organizers are ready to collect outgrown uniforms for the next sale.


High demand items are: SHS blazers, crested sweaters, blue dress shirts, gray pants<br />

and athletic wear. Please wash or dry clean all the clothing and drop it off at the Front<br />

Office until May 5. Many thanks. Proceeds go to the Nancy Pitfield Endowment<br />

Fund.<br />

• Grade 8 parents: Only one more opportunity remains to volunteer for the Christ<br />

Church end-of-the-month lunches: May 30. If you would like to sign up for next<br />

month, please contact Miss Manal at marlita@selwyn.ca or ex. 2235.<br />

Upcoming Events<br />

• Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 is the 6 th Annual Junior Robotics<br />

Competition.<br />

• Sunday, May 2, Les Amis de la Montagne is holding a clean-day on Mount Royal.<br />

<strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> will be participating along with ECS. Students and their families are<br />

invited to attend. There are three activities that students and their families can choose:<br />

1. Cleaning the forest floor (age 6 and up)<br />

2. Tree planting (age 13 and up)<br />

3. Pruning buckthorn (age 16 and up)<br />

Students who wish to attend but do not have a family member to go with them will be<br />

supervised by a <strong>Middle</strong> <strong>School</strong> teacher. Registration is between 8:45 a.m. and 9:30.<br />

The work period is 10:00 to 12:00. Those who wish to stay after the work is done can<br />

bring a lunch (drinks and snacks will be provided), and there will be kiosks and a<br />

guided walk on the mountain for those interested in making a day of it. Students and<br />

their families who are interested in being part of this event should sign up with<br />

Miss Manal (ex. 2235 or Marlita@selwyn.ca).<br />

• Wednesday, May 4, Regular breakfast will be cancelled from 7:15-8:30 a.m. in<br />

Coristine Hall due to the Grade 11 Mother/Son breakfast<br />

• Wednesday, May 5, Grade 7 will visit Chateau Ramezay. The boys will need to<br />

bring a lunch including something to drink. They will leave the school at 12:15 and<br />

return at 3:00. They will not have a Period 5 that day; consequently, they will be<br />

dismissed as soon as they arrive back at school, approximately 3:00.<br />

• Thursday, May 6 in the Lucas Seminar Room from 1:00 – 4:00 will be a Gryphon<br />

Sale (second-hand uniform sale).<br />

• Thursday, May 6 is the <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> Fair. Please see the attached flyer.<br />

• Friday, May 14 is the McGill All Science Challenge.<br />

• Friday, May 21 is a half day of regular classes. Dismissal will be at 12:30.<br />

• Monday, May 24, variously know as Victoria Day or Dollard des Ormeaux Day<br />

is a holiday, and the school will be closed.<br />

• Wednesday, May 26 is the Athletic Banquet. A letter regarding those who should<br />

attend is attached to this email.<br />

• Friday, May 28 is the last day of regular classes and the last day of physical<br />

education. The students should clean out their physical education lockers on this day.


May and June 2010<br />

<strong>Middle</strong> <strong>School</strong> Assessment and Exam Calendar<br />

Week 1<br />

Period 1<br />

Period 2<br />

Note: French and math teachers will identify the periods for their respective classes.<br />

Monday, May 31 Tuesday, June 1 Wednesday, June 2 Thursday, June 3<br />

Friday, June 4<br />

Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 8<br />

Math-Sit.<br />

Science Lab Math-Sit.<br />

Science Lab<br />

Problem<br />

Exam Problem<br />

Exam<br />

Math-Sit.<br />

Problem<br />

French 1<br />

(FLM), Day 1<br />

or Study Hall<br />

French 2<br />

(Reg), Day 1<br />

or Study Hall<br />

Coristine<br />

Study Hall<br />

Math-Sit.<br />

Problem<br />

English 2 French 2<br />

(Reg), Day 2<br />

or Study Hall<br />

French 1<br />

(FLM), Day 2<br />

and Math<br />

French 2<br />

(Reg.), Day<br />

3 and Math<br />

History ES French 1<br />

(FLM), Day<br />

3 and Math<br />

Coristine<br />

Study Hall<br />

Drama<br />

Course -<br />

Presentations<br />

for all<br />

History ES<br />

French 1<br />

(FLM), Day 3<br />

& math<br />

Geo Exam<br />

Prep<br />

Period 3 French 1<br />

(FLM), Day 1<br />

and Study<br />

Hall and<br />

Locker clean<br />

up<br />

Lunch<br />

Period 4 French 2<br />

(Reg.), Day 1<br />

and Study<br />

Hall and<br />

Locker clean<br />

up<br />

English 1 English 1 Study Hall French 2<br />

and Locker (Reg.), Day 2<br />

clean up and Math<br />

English 2<br />

Geo Exam<br />

Prep<br />

English 3 English 3 French 1<br />

(FLM), Day 2<br />

or Study Hall<br />

History ES English 4 French 2<br />

(Reg), Day<br />

3 & math<br />

English 5 English 6<br />

History ES<br />

Drama<br />

Course -<br />

Presentations<br />

for all<br />

MS Lunch and Awards<br />

Week 2<br />

Monday, Monday, Tuesday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Thursday, Friday, June Friday, June<br />

June 7 June 7 June 8 June 8 June 9 June 9 June 10 June 10 11<br />

11<br />

Time Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 8<br />

9:00 to<br />

11:00<br />

English Exam<br />

(2 h)<br />

French<br />

Exams (2 h)<br />

Math (2 h<br />

& 30 min.)<br />

Geo (90<br />

min.)<br />

Math Exam<br />

(2h)<br />

Geo ( 2 h) French Exam<br />

Day 4<br />

English (2 h)<br />

Science<br />

Theory Exam<br />

(60 min.) &<br />

ERC (60<br />

min.)<br />

Science<br />

Theory<br />

Exam (60<br />

min.)<br />

Resource<br />

Room<br />

9:00 to<br />

11:30<br />

CM in F1 CM in F1 GL in F1 CM in F1<br />

CM in F1<br />

CM CM GL CM CM<br />

12:39 PM MS Exam Schedule 2010 for parents Page 1


<strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> Fair 2010<br />

Thursday May 6, 2010<br />

Elementary Grandparents’ tea: Rossy Agora<br />

Grade 3,4,6: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Grade K, 1: 1:30 p.m. -2:30 p.m. Grade 5, 2: 2:30 -3:30 p.m.<br />

Art fair 2:00 p.m.<br />

Année Lieu Oeuvre exposée<br />

Maternelle Agora élémentaire Des dragons tirés de notre imaginaire<br />

Courte pointe blanche en relief<br />

1e année 3e étage Mosaïque à la manière de Kandisky<br />

Une ville en 3D<br />

2e année 3e étage Surprise!<br />

3e année Rossy Agora Hommage aux jeux olympiques de 2010<br />

3e étage<br />

Collage à la manière de Matisse<br />

3e étage<br />

Un oiseau pour Laliberté<br />

4e année 3e étage Oiseau-Soleil<br />

Agora élémentaire Lézard d'eau douce<br />

5e année 3e étage Les stars de l'architecture<br />

Agora élémentaire Une mosaïque de mobiles<br />

6e année 3e étage Un prénom sous toute ses formes<br />

Agora élémentaire Chandelles et vases colorés<br />

Maternelle à 6e année Coristine Hall Une mosaïque de couleurs<br />

Semaine du français<br />

7e année 2e étage Créatures métamorphosées<br />

2e étage<br />

Un lapin digne de Lewis Carroll<br />

2e étage<br />

Illustrated Poetry<br />

8e année 2e étage Le petit du monde animalier, vu trois fois<br />

2e étage<br />

Pots d'inspiration aztèque<br />

2e étage<br />

Illustrated Ballads<br />

7e et 8e MS-4 Géographie et Français<br />

9e année Coristine Hall Autoportraits à la manière d'Escher<br />

Coristine Hall Autoportraits à la manière de Hockey<br />

Mixed media pieces<br />

10e année<br />

Classe d'art - 2e étage Une maison, de la plus antique à la plus moderne<br />

Printmaking inspired by Nancy Spero<br />

11e année<br />

Classe d'art - 2e étage Un aspect de MOI, sous une autre forme<br />

Veuillez noter que certaines oeuvres ont été encadrées et exposées ailleurs que dans les lieux indiqués. Nous vous aiderons à les localiser.<br />

Gryphon Sale: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Lucas Seminar Room<br />

Grade1: classroom activities 2:30 p.m. – 3:10 p.m. (1A, 1B)<br />

Grade 3 & 4: Storytelling 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (3A, 3B, 4A, 4B)<br />

Grade 6A: Museé de cire animé 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (6A)<br />

Grade 6B: Museé de cire animé 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (6B)<br />

Jazz Cabaret: 7:00 p.m. Featuring: Senior Jazz Band Special guests: Jazz Storm (ECS<br />

vocal jazz ensemble with the SHS senior jazz band) Grade 7 & 8 jazz bands


2010<br />

Monday, September 6<br />

Labour Day<br />

Tuesday, September 7<br />

Student Orientation Day (Grades 1 to 11)<br />

Welcome Back BBQ<br />

Wednesday, September 8<br />

Classes Begin (Grades 1 to 11)<br />

Thursday, September 9<br />

Rosh Hashanah - <strong>School</strong> Closed<br />

Friday, October 8<br />

Terry Fox Run - Half Day<br />

(Grades K to 11)<br />

Monday, October 11<br />

Thanksgiving - <strong>School</strong> Closed<br />

Wednesday, October 13<br />

Grades KA<br />

Parent/Teacher Interviews 4:00-8:00 p.m.<br />

Thursday, October 14<br />

Grade KB and Grades 1 and 2<br />

Parent/Teacher Interviews 4:00-8:00 p.m.<br />

Friday, October 29<br />

Grades K to 6<br />

Half Day – No lunch served<br />

Pedagogical Day - afternoon<br />

Thursday, November 4<br />

Grades 3 to 6<br />

Parent/Teacher Interviews 4:00-8:00 p.m.<br />

Friday, November 5<br />

Grades 3 to 6<br />

Parent/Teacher Interviews 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.<br />

No Classes (Grades 3-6 only)<br />

Thursday, November 11<br />

Grades 7 to 11<br />

Parent/Teacher Interviews 1:30-8:00 p.m.<br />

Dismissal at 12:30 p.m. (Grades 7-11 only)<br />

Friday, November 12<br />

Grades 7 to11<br />

Parent/Teacher Interviews 8:00 am-12:00 p.m.<br />

No Classes (Grades 7-11 only)<br />

Important Dates for 2010 – 2011<br />

2010 (cont’d)<br />

Monday, November 15<br />

Mid-Term Holiday - <strong>School</strong> Closed<br />

Thursday, November 18<br />

Grades K to 2<br />

Parent/Teacher Interviews 4:00-8:00 p.m.<br />

Friday, November 19<br />

Grades K to 2<br />

Parent/Teacher Interviews 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.<br />

No Classes (Grades K-2 only)<br />

Thursday, November 25<br />

Founder’s Day<br />

Friday, November 26<br />

Founder’s Day Holiday<br />

<strong>School</strong> Closed<br />

Thursday, December 23<br />

Winter Break Begins (K to11)<br />

2011<br />

Monday, January 10<br />

Pedagogical Day - No Classes (Grades K to 11)<br />

Tuesday, January 11<br />

Students Return from Winter Break<br />

Thursday, January 27<br />

Grades 3 to 6<br />

Parent/Teacher Interviews 4:00-8:00 p.m.<br />

Grades 7 to 11<br />

Parent/Teacher Interviews 1:30-8:00 p.m.<br />

Dismissal at 12:30 p.m. (Grades 7-11 only)<br />

Friday, January 28<br />

Grades 7 to 11<br />

Parent/Teacher Interviews 8:00 am-12:00 p.m.<br />

No Classes (Grades 7-11 only)<br />

Monday, February 7<br />

Mid-Winter Break - <strong>School</strong> Closed<br />

Thursday, February 24<br />

Grades 1 to 6<br />

Student Led Interviews 3:00-7:00 p.m.<br />

(Grades K-6 early dismissal @ 2:30 p.m.)<br />

2011 (cont’d)<br />

Friday, February 25<br />

Grades 1 to 6<br />

Student Led Interviews 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.<br />

No Classes (Grades K-6 only)<br />

Monday, February 28<br />

March Break Begins<br />

Monday, March 14<br />

Pedagogical Day - No Classes (Grades K to 11)<br />

Tuesday, March 15<br />

Students Return from March Break<br />

Friday, April 22<br />

Good Friday - <strong>School</strong> Closed<br />

Monday, April 25<br />

Easter Monday - <strong>School</strong> Closed<br />

Friday, May 20<br />

Grade 11 Graduation Dinner/Dance<br />

Elementary <strong>School</strong> Track Meet<br />

Half Day - No lunch served<br />

(Grades K-11)<br />

Monday, May 23<br />

Victoria/DDO Day - <strong>School</strong> Closed<br />

Thursday, June 9<br />

Grades K to 5 – Last Day<br />

Friday, June 10<br />

Grade 6 Graduation<br />

Last Day for <strong>Middle</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />

Half Day - No lunch served<br />

Tuesday, June 21<br />

Senior <strong>School</strong> - Last Day of Exams<br />

Wednesday, June 22<br />

Grade 11 Graduation Ceremony<br />

Friday, June 24<br />

Legal Holiday - <strong>School</strong> Closed<br />

____________________________________________________________________________<br />

95, chemin Côte St-Antoine, Westmount (Québec) Canada H3Y 2H8<br />

Tél.: 514-931-9481 Fax: 514-931-6118<br />

www.selwyn.ca Last updated 4/28/10


The 2010 Annual <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />

Parent and Son Athletic Banquet<br />

April 26, 2010<br />

Dear Athlete and Parents,<br />

The school will complete another successful year in athletics, and we want to inform you of the format for our<br />

athletic banquet on May 26, 2010. If your son is in Grade 8 to 11 and he has played on a school team or in a<br />

competitive individual sport, he is expected to attend our annual athletic banquet. He may invite both his parents.<br />

Elementary and Grade 7 student award winners are also invited and have received a special invitation to the<br />

banquet. <strong>School</strong> dress is required.<br />

The banquet will start with a reception in the Rossy Agora at 4:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:15 p.m. The awards<br />

ceremony starts at 7:30 p.m. The athletic banquet will be held in the Coristine Hall at the school. All athletes and<br />

their parents are required to reserve before May 15, via email only, with Ms. Debbie Dragone at<br />

draggod@selwyn.ca. Please reserve as soon as possible.<br />

The cost of the evening will be $30.00 per adult. There will be no charge for students/athletes. Payment by cheque<br />

is required when your reserved tickets are picked up. There will be an additional charge of $10 per ticket for tickets<br />

purchased after May 15. . Please note: tickets are not refundable.<br />

We look forward to your attending our annual Athletic Banquet.<br />

Sincerely,<br />

Steve Mitchell<br />

Athletic Director<br />

The format for the evening is:<br />

4:30 p.m. Reception in the Rossy Agora<br />

6:15 p.m. Dinner will be a roast beef dinner with a vegetarian meal available upon request.<br />

7:30 p.m. Awards<br />

Announcement of the “Athletes of the Year”<br />

Announcement of the “2010 Sportsman Guild”


May 2010<br />

MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT/SUN<br />

26<br />

27<br />

28<br />

29<br />

30<br />

1<br />

Week 1<br />

Grade 10 YPI<br />

SHS Tennis<br />

French<br />

High <strong>School</strong><br />

Outdoor Ed Golf<br />

Fair<br />

Tournament<br />

Conference<br />

Allstar Football<br />

to Malone, NY<br />

8:30 AM to<br />

1:30 PM to 3:30<br />

Game<br />

10:30 AM<br />

Parent<br />

PM<br />

6th Annual<br />

Location:<br />

Association<br />

Location: The<br />

Outdoor Ed Golf<br />

Robocup Junior<br />

Macaulay Gym<br />

General<br />

Study<br />

to Malone, NY<br />

Robotics<br />

Meeting<br />

Competition<br />

Grade 10 YPI<br />

8:15 AM<br />

Big Brothers<br />

6th Annual<br />

8:00 AM to 4:00<br />

Finals<br />

Location: Rossy<br />

Meeting<br />

Robocup Junior<br />

PM<br />

5:30 PM<br />

Agora<br />

3:30 PM to 4:30<br />

Robotics<br />

Location: l'ecole<br />

Location: Rossy<br />

PM<br />

Competition<br />

primaire St.<br />

Agora<br />

Baseball - SHS<br />

Location:<br />

8:00 AM to 2:30<br />

Monica<br />

vs LCC<br />

1:00 PM<br />

Coristine Hall<br />

PM<br />

Location: l'ecole<br />

2<br />

primaire St.<br />

Monica<br />

3<br />

4<br />

5<br />

6<br />

7<br />

8<br />

Week 2<br />

Grades 10 & 11<br />

GMAA Halo<br />

Elementary<br />

Elementary<br />

Elementary<br />

(optional) day<br />

Race<br />

Regional<br />

Regional<br />

Regional<br />

Senior <strong>School</strong><br />

trip to Bishops<br />

Science Fair<br />

Science Fair<br />

Science Fair<br />

AP Exam<br />

Senior <strong>School</strong><br />

Location: Centre<br />

Location: Centre<br />

Location: Centre<br />

(French)<br />

Grade 11<br />

AP Exam<br />

Communautaire<br />

Communautaire<br />

Communautaire<br />

12:00 PM to<br />

Mother & Son<br />

(Calculus)<br />

Lajeunesse<br />

Lajeunesse<br />

Lajeunesse<br />

3:00 PM<br />

Location: Speirs<br />

Breakfast<br />

7:15 AM to 8:30<br />

8:00 AM to<br />

11:00 AM<br />

GMAA Track<br />

Baseball - SHS<br />

9<br />

Seminar Room<br />

AM<br />

Location: Speirs<br />

Meet<br />

vs Kuper<br />

Location:<br />

Seminar Room<br />

1:00 PM<br />

Coristine Hall<br />

SHS Fair<br />

Grade 11 Think<br />

Grade 2 to<br />

First<br />

Biodome<br />

Presentation<br />

Senior <strong>School</strong><br />

9:00 AM to 3:00<br />

with Enrico<br />

AP Exam<br />

PM<br />

Quilico, Class of<br />

(English)<br />

2000<br />

8:00 AM to<br />

Grades K-4<br />

11:15 AM<br />

11:00 AM<br />

outing to view<br />

Location: Rossy<br />

Location: Speirs<br />

play<br />

Agora<br />

Seminar Room<br />

10:00 AM<br />

Location: D.B.<br />

Grade 7 to<br />

Grades K to 6<br />

Clarke Theatre<br />

Chateau<br />

Grandparent<br />

(Concordia<br />

Ramezay<br />

Tea<br />

downtown<br />

12:00 PM to<br />

12:30 PM to<br />

campus)<br />

3:30 PM<br />

3:30 PM<br />

Location: Rossy<br />

Baseball - SHS<br />

Agora<br />

vs LCC<br />

1:00 PM<br />

Gryphon Sale<br />

1:00 PM to 4:00<br />

Grade 2 & 3<br />

PM<br />

Parent Evening<br />

Location: Lucas<br />

7:00 PM to 9:00<br />

Seminar Room<br />

PM<br />

Location: Rossy<br />

Music Cabaret<br />

Agora<br />

7:00 PM to 9:30<br />

PM<br />

Location:<br />

Coristine Hall<br />

10<br />

11<br />

12<br />

13<br />

14<br />

15<br />

GMAA Tennis<br />

GMAA Tennis<br />

Gauss Math<br />

GMAA Tennis<br />

GMAA Tennis<br />

Senior <strong>School</strong><br />

Week<br />

Week<br />

Contest (Grades<br />

Week<br />

Week<br />

Play<br />

7 & 8)<br />

Location:<br />

Week 1<br />

National Denim<br />

GMAA Track<br />

<strong>Middle</strong> <strong>School</strong> -<br />

Coristine Hall<br />

Day - Cure<br />

Foundation<br />

GMAA Tennis<br />

Week<br />

Meet<br />

All Science<br />

Challenge of<br />

16<br />

Senior <strong>School</strong><br />

2010 (all day)<br />

Foire de livre<br />

Foire du livre<br />

Play<br />

Location: McGill<br />

10:00 AM to<br />

8:30 AM to 4:30<br />

Location:<br />

University<br />

4:30 PM<br />

PM<br />

Coristine Hall<br />

Downtown<br />

Location: Lucas<br />

Location: Lucas<br />

Campus<br />

Seminar Room<br />

Seminar Room<br />

Senior <strong>School</strong><br />

GMAA Banquet<br />

Play<br />

6:00 PM<br />

Location:<br />

Coristine Hall<br />

Grade 6B<br />

Drama Class<br />

Field Trip to<br />

Segal Centre<br />

12:00 PM to<br />

3:30 PM<br />

17<br />

18<br />

19<br />

20<br />

21<br />

22<br />

Week 2<br />

Grade 4 Trip to<br />

Grade 5 Trip to<br />

Grade 5 Trip to<br />

Elementary<br />

Old Port<br />

9:00 AM to 3:00<br />

Quebec CIty<br />

Quebec City<br />

<strong>School</strong> Track<br />

Meet - 1/2 day<br />

23<br />

PM<br />

Grade 10 Josten<br />

- no lunch<br />

Grad Ring Order<br />

served<br />

New Parent<br />

($50 deposit)<br />

Reception<br />

12:30 PM<br />

Grade 11<br />

4:30 PM to 6:30<br />

Location: Red<br />

Graduation<br />

PM<br />

Room<br />

Dinner/Dance<br />

Location:<br />

Coristine Hall<br />

Grade 11<br />

Grs. 7 to 10 -<br />

students to visit<br />

1/2 day -<br />

Medecins Sans<br />

dismissal at<br />

Frontieres<br />

12:30 p.m.<br />

"Refugee Camp<br />

in the City"<br />

Last day of<br />

1:00 PM<br />

Senior <strong>School</strong><br />

phys ed<br />

24<br />

25 26<br />

27<br />

28<br />

29<br />

Victoria/DDO<br />

SHS Athletic<br />

GMAA Rugby<br />

Grade 2 to "Nuit<br />

Day - <strong>School</strong><br />

Closed<br />

Banquet @ SHS<br />

(no sports<br />

Championships<br />

Magique a<br />

l'Ecomuseum"<br />

30<br />

p.m.)<br />

Grade 2 to "Nuit<br />

5/27/2010<br />

Week 1<br />

4:30 PM<br />

Magique a<br />

7:00 PM<br />

l'Ecomuseum"<br />

to 5/28/2010<br />

5/27/2010<br />

9:00 AM<br />

7:00 PM<br />

to 5/28/2010<br />

End of Term 2 -<br />

9:00 AM<br />

Grades 7-11<br />

Last day of phys<br />

ed for <strong>Middle</strong><br />

<strong>School</strong><br />

<strong>Middle</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />

Dance<br />

Location:<br />

Coristine Hall<br />

Grade 4<br />

Hepatitis A&B<br />

and chicken pox<br />

vaccinations<br />

1:30 PM<br />

Location:<br />

Elementary Coop<br />

Room<br />

31<br />

1<br />

2<br />

3<br />

4<br />

5<br />

Exams start for<br />

Grade 4 Trip to<br />

Grade 1 to<br />

Elementary<br />

Grades K to 3 to<br />

Grades 9-11<br />

Upper Canada<br />

Village<br />

Ecomuseum<br />

8:30 AM to 3:25<br />

Spring Concert<br />

2:00 PM<br />

Oka Beach (all<br />

day)<br />

6<br />

Week 2<br />

7:30 AM to 5:30<br />

PM<br />

Location:<br />

12th Annual<br />

PM<br />

Parent<br />

Coristine Hall<br />

Alumni &<br />

Association<br />

Friends Golf<br />

Appreciation<br />

Tournament<br />

Tea<br />

12:30 PM<br />

1:30 PM to 3:15<br />

PM<br />

Location: Rossy<br />

Agora


SHS Yearbook<br />

Dear Parents,<br />

Personalize your son’s yearbook by having his name printed in gold lettering on<br />

the front cover. Name stamping is one of the ways to make his yearbook unique. The<br />

Yearbook staff is happy to offer you this service for $10 per book. All 2010 grads will<br />

have their names stamped free of charge.<br />

If you would like to order extra copies of the yearbook, please send a request via<br />

email to the staff advisor, Ms. Julie Heath (heathj@selwyn.ca) before May 14 letting her<br />

know how many extra copies you would like. All students will receive one yearbook and<br />

extra copies are $40.00.<br />

Sincerely,<br />

Colin Fitzpatrick<br />

2010 Yearbook Editor<br />

……………………………………………………………………………………………<br />

Please Print:<br />

Name:______________________________________<br />

(As will appear on cover, 25 characters max)<br />

Grade:_____<br />

(Not printed on cover)<br />

Please send this form with a cheque for $10 made out to <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> Association to the<br />

attention of Ms. Julie Heath.<br />

Deadline for submissions is Friday, May 14 th , 2010.<br />

L’ASSOCIATION SELWYN HOUSE – SELWYN HOUSE ASSOSIATION<br />

95, chemin Côte St-Antoine, Westmount (Quebec) Canada H3Y 2H8<br />

Tél.: (514) 931-9481 Fax : (514) 931-6118<br />

www.selwyn.ca


Teaching French at <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>:<br />

Three Decades of Progress in the Elementary <strong>School</strong><br />

Francophone families and <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />

<strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>School</strong> has emphasized excellence in second language instruction for almost<br />

three decades. As an English language school, SHS has concentrated on developing a French<br />

second language teaching approach that is among the finest in the English private and public<br />

systems in Montreal.<br />

It may be less widely recognized, however, that the leadership of the school has been focused<br />

on meeting the needs of mother tongue French students in terms of language acquisition as<br />

well, with a stated intention to emphasize the needs of these students in curriculum and<br />

resource development since 1979.<br />

This brief report sketches the development of <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>School</strong>’s approach to the teaching<br />

and the use of French in Grades K-6 with a particular focus on the approach’s success with<br />

mother tongue French students whose parents want their sons to acquire English while<br />

developing levels of French language skills that will allow them to enter the French language<br />

school system at the secondary level, if that is the choice or the need of the family. The<br />

evidence suggest that these students, like their English speaking classmates, not only benefit<br />

from learning a second language early in life, but by the end of elementary school the two<br />

groups are also equally strong in terms of their academic performance.<br />

History of second language instruction at <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />

The evolution of Quebec society made French second language instruction a critically important<br />

issue for all English language schools in the province, private and public, starting as early as the<br />

1960s. Since that time, massive investments have been made to develop innovative approaches<br />

to French second language instruction. Along the way, there has been extensive, often highly<br />

politicised, public debate over issues such as when a child should begin second language<br />

instruction. Parents often found it difficult to know how to act effectively on their instinct that<br />

their children needed high-quality instruction in both English and French.<br />

Frustration was and continues to be particularly high among francophone parents who wanted<br />

their children to get an early start in their second language but were in a system that only began<br />

English language instruction in Grade 4.<br />

Montreal’s English language schools became worldwide leaders in second language instruction<br />

during this period and healthy competition among schools pushed everyone to innovate and<br />

invest to meet the needs of Quebec families.<br />

SHS’s path to excellence in French second language programming includes many elements that<br />

are now recognized as evidence-based best practices. While sketching a brief history of the<br />

development of this programming, however, it is critical to keep in mind that since 1979, SHS<br />

has been committed to raising the quality and quantity of French language instruction for all<br />

students at the primary level with a stated intention to consider both the mother tongue and<br />

the second language learning needs of francophone students as well.<br />

Page 1 of 5


Teaching French at <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>:<br />

Three Decades of Progress in the Elementary <strong>School</strong><br />

In 1979, SHS implemented the first of a long series of measures to enhance second language<br />

instruction with the opening of “la Sixième”, the school’s first “immersion” type learning<br />

environment. “Immersion” language instruction was “state of the art” at the time, with an<br />

emphasis on what was characterized as “authentic communication in a natural exchange<br />

setting”. Oral skills were the priority.<br />

Through the 1980s and early 1990s, SHS began to supplement formal French instruction classes<br />

with instruction of other core subjects in French as teaching resources allowed (beginning with<br />

geometry and followed by science and music). At this point, the school also implemented<br />

“streaming” of French with “français langue seconde” and “français langue maternelle” options.<br />

This step was taken in large part to meet the perceived needs of mother tongue francophone<br />

boys.<br />

In 1993, SHS took the step of implementing “la Cinquième”, French immersion beginning in<br />

Grade 5 and continuing in the Grade 6. At this point, SHS teachers were beginning to focus<br />

much more attention on reading and writing skills to complement the emphasis on oral skills<br />

that had characterized the first chapter in the story of enhanced second language programming<br />

at SHS. French immersion Kindergarten was launched in 1994 and by 1996, streaming into<br />

langue seconde and langue maternelle was in place beginning in Grade 3.<br />

By the end of the 1990s, SHS expertise and capacity in second language instruction had<br />

developed to a point where a fundamental “re-think” was in order. The experience of SHS<br />

teachers, backed up by research in educational outcomes and best practices from McGill<br />

University, suggested that a powerful tool for second language learning was to teach basic<br />

reading skills in that second language. It seemed counter-intuitive to some, but the research<br />

showed that reading ability in the mother tongue was not compromised in any way by this<br />

approach and second language acquisition was notably enhanced. A recognized authority on<br />

bilingual education, Dr. Fred Genesee of McGill University, has stated that research is<br />

conclusive:<br />

...reduced exposure to instruction in the L1 (or mother tongue) as a result of participation in<br />

a bilingual program in the elementary or secondary grades does not usually impede the<br />

normal L1 development of majority language students.<br />

With respect to achievement in academic domains, such as mathematics, science, and social<br />

studies, evaluations of the progress of majority language students in bilingual programs<br />

indicate that they generally achieve the same levels of competence as comparable students<br />

in L1 programs. 1<br />

SHS called its approach to second language instruction that included learning how to read in<br />

French “biliteracy” and implemented a teaching program in Grades K-2 that included a heavy<br />

emphasis on French oral skills with the addition of reading instruction in French that gives boys<br />

all the skills they need to read comfortably at a Grade 1 level. All the while, the school was<br />

pushing to teach more subjects in the core curriculum in French and to create opportunities for<br />

1 From “What do we know about bilingual education for majority language students” in T.K. Bhatia &<br />

W. Ritchie (Eds) (2004). Handbook of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism.<br />

Page 2 of 5


Teaching French at <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>:<br />

Three Decades of Progress in the Elementary <strong>School</strong><br />

the use of French outside the classroom in sports and club-based activities as well. By 2001, 70<br />

per cent of instructional time in K-2 was in French, a ratio that has been maintained to present.<br />

The effectiveness of this innovation led to a decision to begin phasing out “streaming” in French<br />

in 2002. The 2009-2010 academic year is the first where all students in SHS elementary grades<br />

are in an integrated, non-streamed French program.<br />

In terms of teaching resources, hiring has been done so that about two thirds of the school’s<br />

primary level teaching staff are mother tongue francophones. These teachers interact with<br />

students (both inside and outside the classroom) in French only. In addition, a wide range of<br />

student activities and clubs are offered in French. Hockey, for example, is coached exclusively in<br />

French and extracurricular learning opportunities at the primary level include Robotique, Comité<br />

scientifique, Club dictée, Club comprehension de lecture, Génies en Herbes, and Entreprises SHS<br />

inc.<br />

Commenting on the development of second language instruction at SHS, one senior leader said,<br />

“I used to teach French at <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>; now I teach in French.”<br />

Other teachers and parents have characterized the SHS approach as “le français vivant” with<br />

benefits for boys of any mother tongue. “Both French and English are heard in the corridors and<br />

the playground,” noted Kathy Funamoto, Director of the Junior <strong>School</strong>. “The reality is that we<br />

are witnessing first-hand the breakdown of cultural barriers and the benefits of diversity.”<br />

SHS continues to provide excellent instruction in English in the classroom. About 30% of<br />

instruction is in English in levels K-2, rising to about 50 per cent in levels 3-6. There are extensive<br />

extracurricular activities in both French and English. The success of its mother tongue French<br />

students in English attests to the effectiveness of the SHS environment and teaching approach<br />

for their second language learning needs as well.<br />

As part of the study, several French-speaking parents were interviewed. The following are<br />

samples of what was said. “At home we speak French because we want to ensure that our<br />

children are able to live and work in this province and are proud of our language and our roots.<br />

What has impressed me is that most of his friends from school, although more at ease in<br />

English, understand when I speak to them in French and can respond in the language of<br />

Moliere.”<br />

Another quote: “On any day you walk down the hallways of the Elementary <strong>School</strong> and you hear<br />

French echoing from the classrooms.”<br />

Another quote: “The school makes a real effort to introduce the boys to the French reality of<br />

Quebec through film, TV and theatre.”<br />

Page 3 of 5


Teaching French at <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>:<br />

Three Decades of Progress in the Elementary <strong>School</strong><br />

The <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>School</strong> environment and learning a second language<br />

SHS’s curriculum approach to teaching second languages is rigorous and evidence-based.<br />

Success may be due, however, as much to the <strong>School</strong>’s fundamental approach to education as<br />

the specifics of its French and English second language instruction methods.<br />

Three things characterize education at <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>, and each can have a powerful and<br />

positive effect on language learning.<br />

The first is the SHS focus on boys and their educational needs. There is extensive research that<br />

speaks to the effectiveness of boys-only schools in terms of learning and academic<br />

achievement. There is also considerable anecdotal, and the beginnings of quantitative, evidence<br />

that this “boys-only effect” is at work in second language learning as well. It is a demonstrated<br />

fact that girls tend to have an advantage over boys in language skill development and that boys<br />

have a tendency to “shut down” in the presence of girls and be more reluctant to participate in<br />

learning opportunities involving language.<br />

Secondly, the small class sizes at SHS allow teachers much more interaction with individual<br />

students; this kind of direct student-teacher contact is particularly important for language<br />

learning. As one SHS French teacher observed, “With our low student-teacher ratio , I teach the<br />

individuals; with 30 students, I can only teach the book.”<br />

A third, less tangible aspect of the SHS teaching environment’s beneficial impact on second<br />

language instruction is the intentional and effective investment of energy in making learning a<br />

pleasurable experience for boys. Research is clear that this may be the single most important<br />

variable in second language learning success—creative teachers and their motivated students.<br />

Preparing for French language secondary school<br />

In spite of the quality and effectiveness of SHS second language instruction, the <strong>School</strong><br />

recognizes that its core programming in French needs to be supplemented for a student who<br />

may want to transition easily into a French language secondary school.<br />

That is why, starting in Grade 3, SHS teachers begin working with francophone parents who<br />

want that option for their child to reinforce French language reading skills and to ensure<br />

enhanced exposure to French language media and culture in the non-school environment. In<br />

some individual cases, the school may advise parents to include some additional formal learning<br />

opportunities in the grammar and structure of the French language.<br />

This kind of partnership is critically important for a boy’s success in high school in French, and<br />

SHS has worked closely with a number of families to create bridges that have led to notable<br />

success for a number of SHS boys in French language secondary schools, both public and<br />

private.<br />

Page 4 of 5


Teaching French at <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>:<br />

Three Decades of Progress in the Elementary <strong>School</strong><br />

The benefits of bilingual and biliterate education in an environment of “le français vivant”<br />

The intellectual, academic, personal and professional benefits of bilingual education are without<br />

question. The SHS experience demonstrates that elementary school graduates have a solid<br />

foundation in core subjects regardless of the language in which the course had been taught and<br />

their mother tongue.<br />

Parents face difficult choices about how to ensure that their children receive these benefits—<br />

choices that start literally at birth with decisions about home language use and continue right<br />

through to the selection of a university. SHS has developed an approach for K-6 that ensures<br />

strong English language skills while protecting a full range of school choice for mother tongue<br />

francophone boys.<br />

SHS offers an environment where “le français vivant” is the language of instruction and<br />

interaction for most in-class and extra-curricular activities at the primary level. This is<br />

complemented by strong formal instruction in English, creating a compelling option for Frenchspeaking<br />

parents who want their boys to have the benefits of bilingualism while maintaining<br />

their core linguistic identity.<br />

Page 5 of 5


L’enseignement du Français à <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>:<br />

Trois décennies d’avancement à l’école primaire<br />

Les familles francophones et l’école <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong><br />

Depuis près de trente ans, l’école <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> vise l’excellence dans l’enseignement des<br />

langues secondes. À titre d’établissement scolaire anglophone, <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> s’est<br />

appliquée à développer une approche en enseignement du français langue seconde réputée<br />

parmi les institutions scolaires anglophones, tant privées que publiques, à Montréal.<br />

Il est peut-être moins connu, cependant, que la direction de l’école s’efforce de satisfaire les<br />

besoins des élèves francophones non seulement en ce qui a trait à l’acquisition de la langue<br />

comme telle, mais aussi en mettant l’accent sur les besoins de ces élèves tant au point de<br />

vue personnel que scolaire et ce, depuis 1979.<br />

Ce bref document expose les grandes lignes de l’évolution de l’utilisation du français et de sa<br />

méthode d’enseignement, de la maternelle à la sixième année à <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>. Une<br />

attention particulière sera portée au succès de cette méthode auprès des garçons<br />

francophones dont les parents souhaitent autant l’apprentissage de l’anglais que la<br />

progression des habiletés en français, ce qui leur permettrait, si désiré, de poursuivre leurs<br />

études dans le système scolaire francophone au secondaire. Il devient évident que ces<br />

garçons, tout comme leurs camarades de classe anglophones, sont avantagés par<br />

l’apprentissage d’une langue seconde à un jeune âge puisque les deux groupes, à la fin du<br />

primaire, présentent de tout aussi forts résultats scolaires.<br />

Historique de l’enseignement des langues secondes à <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong><br />

L’évolution de la société québécoise a fait de l’enseignement du français langue seconde un<br />

enjeu important pour toutes les écoles anglophones de la province, aussi bien publiques que<br />

privées, et ce, depuis les années 1960. Des investissements massifs ont dès lors été déployés<br />

pour développer de nouvelles méthodes d’enseignement du français langue seconde. À<br />

travers cela, des débats publics de grande envergure, souvent très politisés ont eu lieu à<br />

propos, entre autres, de l’âge auquel un enfant devrait débuter l’apprentissage d’une langue<br />

seconde. Adhérant à l’importance d’offrir à leurs enfants un enseignement de grande qualité<br />

tant en français qu’en anglais, les parents trouvaient difficile de faire un choix éclairé à ce<br />

sujet. La frustration était et continue d’être palpable, particulièrement chez plusieurs<br />

parents francophones souhaitant que leurs enfants commencent à apprendre l’anglais plus<br />

tôt, mais devant se limiter à un système n’offrant des cours d’anglais qu’à partir de la<br />

quatrième année.<br />

Durant cette période, les écoles anglophones de Montréal sont vite devenues des chefs de<br />

file internationaux en enseignement des langues secondes. Une saine compétition entre les<br />

écoles poussa alors tout le monde à innover et à investir pour satisfaire les besoins des<br />

familles québécoises.<br />

1 / 6


L’enseignement du Français à <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>:<br />

Trois décennies d’avancement à l’école primaire<br />

Le cheminement vers l’excellence en enseignement du français langue seconde à <strong>Selwyn</strong><br />

<strong>House</strong> propose des méthodes qui sont maintenant adoptées et reconnues comme étant de<br />

bonnes pratiques. Tout en survolant les grandes étapes du développement de ce<br />

programme, il est important de garder en tête que depuis 1979, l’école s’est engagée à<br />

augmenter la quantité et améliorer la qualité de l’enseignement du français pour tous les<br />

élèves du primaire. Tout ceci en tenant compte des besoins d’apprentissage des garçons<br />

dont le français est la langue maternelle et de ceux pour qui il s’agit d’une langue seconde.<br />

En 1979, <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> mit sur pied la première d’une longue série de mesures pour<br />

accroître la qualité de l’enseignement du français en lançant « la sixième », première classe<br />

d’immersion. L’enseignement par immersion était ce qu’il se faisait de mieux à cette<br />

époque. L’accent était surtout porté sur ce qu’on appelait « la conversation authentique<br />

dans un milieu naturel ». La communication orale était priorisée.<br />

Au cours des années 1980 et au début des années 1990, <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>, en plus des cours<br />

réguliers de français, commença à offrir l’enseignement de quelques autres matières<br />

principales en français. Tenant compte alors de la disponibilité du corps enseignant, ce fut<br />

d’abord la géométrie, suivie des sciences et de la musique. À ce moment, l’école mit aussi<br />

en place les options « français langue seconde » et « français langue maternelle ». Cette<br />

nouvelle répartition fut dictée en grande partie par les besoins des garçons dont la langue<br />

maternelle est le français.<br />

En 1993, <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> prit la décision d’implanter «la cinquième», une immersion française<br />

en cinquième année se poursuivant en sixième. À ce moment, pour bonifier le programme<br />

instauré aux premières heures de l’histoire de l’enseignement des langues secondes à<br />

<strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>, les instituteurs commencèrent à accorder beaucoup plus d’attention à la<br />

lecture et à l’écriture. L’immersion française à la maternelle, quant à elle, fut adoptée en<br />

1994 et, en 1996, la répartition des élèves entre les cours de français langue seconde et ceux<br />

de français langue maternelle eut lieu en troisième année.<br />

À la fin des années 1990, la compétence et la capacité de <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> en enseignement<br />

des langues secondes se sont tellement développées qu’une réévaluation s’imposait.<br />

L’expertise des enseignants, soutenue par les recherches en didactique et bonnes pratiques<br />

de l’Université McGill, laissaient entendre qu’un puissant outil pour l’apprentissage d’une<br />

langue seconde était l’enseignement de simples notions de lecture dans cette langue<br />

seconde. Cela semblait surprenant pour certains, mais les recherches démontraient bien que<br />

les compétences de lecture dans la langue maternelle n’étaient compromises d’aucune<br />

façon par cette approche, et que l’apprentissage de la langue seconde en bénéficiait<br />

significativement. Le Dr Fred Genesee de l’Université McGill, une sommité en éducation<br />

bilingue, abonde dans ce sens :<br />

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L’enseignement du Français à <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>:<br />

Trois décennies d’avancement à l’école primaire<br />

« …une exposition réduite à l’enseignement dans la L1 (la langue maternelle) dans<br />

le cadre d’un programme bilingue à l’école primaire ou secondaire n’entrave<br />

généralement pas le développement normal de la L1 chez la majorité des étudiants<br />

en langue. Quant aux résultats obtenus dans d’autres matières académiques telles<br />

que mathématiques, sciences et sciences sociales, les évaluations des progrès de la<br />

majorité des étudiants en langue inscrits dans des programmes bilingues<br />

démontrent qu’ils atteignent les mêmes niveaux de compétence que les étudiants<br />

inscrits dans des programmes de L1. 1 »<br />

<strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> baptisa son approche à l’enseignement d’une langue seconde doublée d’une<br />

formation en lecture française, « biliteracy ». De plus, l’école instaura un programme<br />

d’enseignement de la maternelle à la deuxième année axé sur la conversation orale tout en<br />

ajoutant des notions de lecture et d’écriture en français, ce qui donnait aux garçons tous les<br />

outils dont ils avaient besoin pour lire et écrire aisément en français dès la première année.<br />

Pendant ce temps, l’école faisait pression pour que l’on enseigne plus de matières<br />

principales du cursus en français et pour que l’on crée des occasions d’utiliser le français à<br />

l’extérieur de la salle de classe, dans les sports et dans les clubs. En 2001, 70% du temps<br />

d’enseignement, de la maternelle à la deuxième année, était en français, une proportion qui<br />

a été maintenue jusqu’à maintenant.<br />

L’efficacité de cette innovation mena, en 2002, à la décision de jumeler graduellement les<br />

programmes « français langue seconde » et « français langue maternelle ». L’année scolaire<br />

2009-2010 est la première année où tous les élèves de l’école primaire <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> sont<br />

intégrés dans un seul programme de français.<br />

En ce qui concerne le corps enseignant, des embauches ont été faites afin que les deux tiers<br />

des instituteurs soient francophones. Ces instituteurs interagissent avec les élèves en<br />

français seulement, autant à l’intérieur qu’à l’extérieur des salles de classe. De plus, une<br />

grande variété d’activités et de clubs sont offerts en français. Les pratiques de hockey, par<br />

exemple, se déroulent en français ainsi que plusieurs autres activités parascolaires telles que<br />

Robotique, Comité scientifique, Club dictée, Club compréhension de lecture, Génies en<br />

herbes et Entreprises SHS inc.<br />

Appelé à donner son opinion sur le développement de l’enseignement des langues secondes<br />

à <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>, un enseignant d’expérience déclara : « J’enseignais le français à <strong>Selwyn</strong><br />

<strong>House</strong>, maintenant j’enseigne en français. »<br />

1 GENESEE, Fred. « What do we know about bilingual education for majority language students » dans<br />

BHATIA, T.K. et RITCHIE, W. (Éditeurs) Handbook of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, Blackwell, 2004.<br />

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L’enseignement du Français à <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>:<br />

Trois décennies d’avancement à l’école primaire<br />

D’autres enseignants et parents ont qualifié le programme de l’école comme étant « le<br />

français vivant » et comme présentant des bienfaits pour tous les garçons, toutes langues<br />

maternelles confondues. « L’anglais et le français sont entendus dans les corridors et dans la<br />

cour de récréation », affirma Kathy Funamoto, directrice de l'école primaire. « La réalité est<br />

que nous assistons en primeur à l’effondrement des barrières culturelles et à la<br />

démonstration des avantages liés à la diversité. »<br />

<strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> continue d’offrir un excellent enseignement en anglais dans ses salles de<br />

classe. En effet, environ 30% des cours se déroulent en anglais, de la maternelle à la<br />

deuxième année, et ce pourcentage s’élève à approximativement 50% de la troisième à la<br />

cinquième année. Plusieurs activités parascolaires sont offertes autant en français qu’en<br />

anglais. La réussite en anglais des élèves francophones prouve que le programme<br />

d’enseignement ainsi que l’environnement scolaire parviennent à combler les besoins de ces<br />

élèves en apprentissage d’une langue seconde.<br />

Dans le cadre de ce document, plusieurs parents francophones ont été interrogés. Voici<br />

quelques-uns des commentaires recueillis.<br />

« À la maison, nous parlons français parce que nous voulons nous assurer que nos enfants<br />

seront capables de vivre et de travailler dans cette province, et parce que nous sommes fiers<br />

de notre langue et de nos racines. Ce qui m’a le plus impressionné chez ses amis de l’école<br />

c’est que, même s’ils sont plus à l’aise en anglais, ils me comprennent lorsque je m’adresse à<br />

eux en français et ils peuvent me répondre dans la langue de Molière. »<br />

« À tout moment, lorsque vous marchez dans les corridors de l’école primaire, vous<br />

entendez du français résonner dans les salles de classe. »<br />

« L’école fait un véritable effort pour familiariser les garçons avec la réalité francophone du<br />

Québec à travers les films, la télévision et le théâtre. »<br />

L’environnement scolaire de <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> et l’apprentissage d’une langue seconde<br />

Le programme d’enseignement des langues secondes de <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> est rigoureux et<br />

repose sur des recherches récentes et éprouvées. Cependant, le succès du programme peut<br />

être attribué autant à l’approche fondamentale de l’école envers l’éducation, qu’aux<br />

méthodes spécifiques d’enseignement des langues secondes.<br />

Trois points caractérisent l’éducation à <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> et chacun d’eux peut avoir un effet<br />

positif et considérable sur l’apprentissage d’une langue.<br />

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L’enseignement du Français à <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>:<br />

Trois décennies d’avancement à l’école primaire<br />

Le premier point est l’importance accordée aux besoins éducationnels des garçons. En effet,<br />

plusieurs recherches rigoureuses démontrent l’efficacité des écoles réservées aux garçons<br />

pour ce qui est de l’apprentissage et de la réussite scolaire. En outre, plusieurs exemples et<br />

preuves quantifiables soulignent que cet effet « garçons seulement » est aussi valable dans<br />

l’apprentissage des langues. Il est prouvé que les filles tendent à avoir plus d’aptitudes que<br />

les garçons en langues et que ceux-ci ont tendance à «se fermer» en présence des filles et<br />

ainsi, participent peu aux activités de conversation orale.<br />

Deuxièmement, le nombre restreint d’élèves par classe permet à l’enseignant de passer plus<br />

de temps avec chaque élève. Cette relation élève-enseignant est particulièrement<br />

importante dans l’apprentissage d’une langue. Comme l’a si bien dit une enseignante :<br />

« Avec un bas ratio enfant/enseignant dans ma classe, j’enseigne à des individus, avec trente<br />

élèves, je ne peux qu’enseigner le manuel. »<br />

Enfin, un aspect bénéfique peut-être moins tangible : l’énergie déployée à faire de<br />

l’apprentissage d’une langue seconde une expérience agréable pour les garçons. Les<br />

recherches exposent clairement que la créativité des enseignants et la motivation des élèves<br />

sont des variables cruciales pour le succès de l’apprentissage d’une langue seconde.<br />

La préparation à l’école secondaire francophone<br />

Malgré la qualité et l’efficacité de l’enseignement des langues secondes à <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>,<br />

l’école reconnaît que le programme de français a besoin d’être bonifié pour un élève qui<br />

souhaiterait faire une transition aisée vers une école secondaire francophone.<br />

Dès la troisième année, les enseignants commencent à travailler avec les parents<br />

francophones qui désirent garder cette option pour leurs enfants, afin de renforcer les<br />

compétences de lecture en français et d’augmenter la présence du français hors de l’école. À<br />

l’occasion, l’école pourrait suggérer l’ajout de cours particuliers de grammaire et de syntaxe.<br />

Cette forme de collaboration est extrêmement importante pour le succès de l’élève dans<br />

une école secondaire francophone. <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> a travaillé de près avec plusieurs familles<br />

pour créer des ponts qui ont mené à des résultats remarquables chez plusieurs garçons qui<br />

sont maintenant inscrits dans des écoles secondaires francophones publiques et privées.<br />

Les avantages d’une éducation bilingue et d’une « bilittératie» dans un environnement de<br />

type « le français vivant »<br />

Les avantages intellectuels, scolaires, personnels et professionnels d’une éducation bilingue<br />

sont indiscutables. L’expérience de <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> démontre que les finissants de l’école<br />

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L’enseignement du Français à <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong>:<br />

Trois décennies d’avancement à l’école primaire<br />

primaire ont une solide base dans les matières principales, peu importent leur langue<br />

maternelle et la langue dans laquelle les cours leur ont été livrés.<br />

Les parents font face à des choix difficiles afin que leurs enfants profitent de ces avantages.<br />

Ces choix se présentent dès la naissance, d’abord, sur la langue parlée à la maison et plus<br />

tard, sur la sélection d’un établissement universitaire. <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> a opté pour une<br />

approche, de la maternelle à la sixième année, qui favorise le développement de fortes<br />

habiletés en anglais tout en assurant à l’élève francophone l’accès à un large éventail<br />

d’institutions scolaires.<br />

<strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>House</strong> offre un environnement dans lequel « le français vivant » est la langue<br />

privilégiée pour l’enseignement de plusieurs matières scolaires et activités parascolaires et<br />

ce, au primaire. Ajoutons à cela un enseignement formel de la langue anglaise supérieur,<br />

créant ainsi une option attirante pour les parents francophones qui désirent que leurs<br />

garçons profitent des avantages du bilinguisme tout en conservant le cœur de leur identité<br />

linguistique.<br />

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