Immaculata high school’s second semester got off to a smooth start on Feb. 6. Grade 12 students are starting to receive letters from colleges and universities with offers for September. The Grade 8-11 students are in the process of picking courses for September 2012. Grade 7-8 students have been working hard on their science projects, which were shared with fellow students and teachers during the Science Fair held the week of Feb. 13. Parents were invited into the school at the 7/8 level for interviews on Feb. 21 and 28. Immaculata held a parent information night for future students.
Sports
On Wed. Feb. 15, we participated in the first ever Winterfest Canal Skating Event. Two hundred and sixty participants from 13 OCSB schools participated in a 14 -skater, 5k relay race,a 200 meter sprint and a cone race. Our mascot Bernie Mac participated in the mascot race.
Grade 7-8 students have been skating on the canal in PE since the beginning of January.We have over 50 pairs of skates that we lend daily to make sure anyone whowants to skate can!
In Basketball news, the Junior Boys Basketball team finished their regular season with a 7-3 record. The Junior Boys Basketball team won the city championships atCarletonUniversity. Congratulations Saints!
The Senior Boys Basketball team had a great season. They won the B side of the North Bay Tournament and they won the Arnprior Tournament. The team were in the finals atCarletonUniversitynext week and the winner of this matchup would representOttawaat the AAOFSSA Championships. Go Saints!
Europe trip
The Language Arts department is once again taking a group of students toEuropethis spring. Students will be visitingItaly,FranceandSpain. They will be immersed in the language, culture and flavors ofEurope. They will have an opportunity to see art and architecture they have only read about. This will be a chance for them to practice their language skills and have a real life historical lesson at the various historical sites they will visit.
Black History Month
Immaculata staff and students celebrated Black History month in February with several events and activities. Grade 7 students were treated to an incredible Slam Poetry event with Poet Ian Keteku and the Afro-Canadian group the “The Recipe”. Grade 8 and 9 students were invited to MASC Artist Leslie McCurdy’s presentation of “Stories my Sisters Told”. The grade 10, 11 and 12 students were given an amazing presentation by Mr. Charania who is originally fromUganda, on “Interculturalism-We are all One”.
Spiritual and Social Justice Initiatives
The chaplaincy and social justice department are holding their annual Think fast event this Spring. Students will fast for 25 hours to raise awareness for social justice issues. This event is also a chance to raise money for the Shepherds of Good Hope and several other charities. The members of the Social Justice Club have been busy with many initiatives in recent months. They have collected donations of laundry supplies for the Cooperative Laundry for the homeless. The students ran a “Stop Violence Against Women” campaign by selling t-shirts with this slogan. The proceeds were given to Carty House for female refugees. The students will be visiting the home this spring. Students held a dress-down day to support the education fees of a student they are sponsoring inUganda. These funds are also going towards a clean water project inCameroon. Representatives from CACHA and the OK Clean Water Project will update them on these social justice projects that the club has been involved in for five years.
Environment Club
The Environment Club has kicked off the New Year with a fantastic project. They have asked all staff, students and community members to take a pledge to make one simple difference (or more if they choose) with respect to the environment in the New Year. The students have filled out pledges on leaves and they will be placed on the ‘Environment Club Tree’ for all to share and see. The club will be holding a “Plastic Water Bottle Free” day in the month of March.
For more exciting news regarding Immaculata student activities and upcoming events please visit the school website. Immaculata would like to thank the community for their continued support of both the school and the students. Our community looks forward to spring and the celebration of Easter.
