On December 3rd, the grade eleven ancient civilizations class and other grade eleven and ten classes embarked on a fun all-day field trip to the ROM in Toronto.  

We first made our way upstairs to the third floor. The staircase spiraled around a staggering 24.5 m totem pole. Named the Pole of Sag̱aw̓een, it was built by the Nisga'a and Haida peoples. The ROM is built around this totem pole, making it a central and awe-inspiring feature of the museum that would make one dizzy looking down at the top of the staircase!

Our first destination on the third floor was medieval to present-day Europe. There were collections of everyday items that people used and owned. It made you feel like you were living in their shoes momentarily. Imagine having a medieval long sword gleaming (sort of) with the patina of 8 centuries. Or furniture from the Victorian era that made you feel like true royalty, adorned by seemingly luxurious designs marked by the grandeur of a bygone age. We then went even further back in time to ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. Highlights from students included the remains of a working man from Egypt, hieroglyphics, and stunning jewelry and sculptures of Greek gods from ancient Greece. 

After going out for lunch in the city, students had the freedom to explore any part of the museum. I managed to see what was on every floor. 

The first floor mainly displayed artifacts from China through different dynasties. My personal favourite part was the three big murals in the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368). Each mural depicts different things, like Taoist deities, Buddhist monks and the Buddha of the future, Maitreya. The paradise of Maitreya is the most famous one. During political unrest, monks took exceptional measures to protest it by cutting it into sections and hiding it. This meticulous effort ensured its survival. The murals were shipped to the ROM in 1928.

The second floor explores the early life on Earth, spanning four billion years. Some of the planet's oldest rocks are found in Canada. Out of about 1000 fossil specimens, 60 percent are from Canada. There were fossils of early sea creatures like tiny trilobites, gigantic sea scorpions and dinosaurs like the Barosaurus. The fossil of the Barosaurus is about 20 meters long and existed 150 million years ago! Level 2 was also home to the Gallery of Biodiversity. Some friends and I even petted a skunk! Though, it was a taxidermy skunk. More taxidermy animals like Polar Bears, King Crabs and Caribou skulls were displayed to express how diverse our world is. 

Overall, it was a memorable and enjoyable trip that gives insight into things in the past of civilization and humans that you otherwise may not have known existed.

The homecoming dance was filled to the brim with energy and excitement from start to end. The dance was themed as “Mama Mia”; the night was an electrifying celebration of dance and school spirit. Students arrived in beautiful dresses and summer-themed attire, creating a sea of blue and white throughout the dance. Teachers at the event described it as the best dance since Covid-19. Another source also said this is the first homecoming dance our school has ever had.

The DJ’s spun a variety of ABBA classics and contemporary hits, igniting the crowd with catchy rhythms. They were very interactive, rallying everybody to crouching on the ground and springing up during beat drops. The students displayed their best moves in lively dance circles and sang along to their favorite songs. 

“This year's homecoming dance was amazing,” Mrs. Cairns told me. “So many kids showed up with lots of spirit! I can't wait for the next one.”

Feedback from students revealed the same beliefs, highlighting the amazing music and appreciation of all the food and drinks. 

Behind the scenes:

Sophie Osborne, a leadership student at our school, told me the leadership classes worked from 2:30 pm after school to 7:00 pm to prepare for HOCO. They climbed through crawl spaces and even behind the clock area to make sure the cafeteria and hub was properly decorated. After the dance was over, students stayed until 11:00 pm to make sure the school was in pristine condition. 

The homecoming dance brought students together in a lively celebration of school spirit and community. With great music, engaging activities, and the hard work of the leadership team and other teachers, the event was a striking success. As everyone left, it was clear that this night had set a positive tone for future gatherings at the school.

Honoring Soldiers Remembrance day 

By: Harsimrat Kaur 

Each year on November 11th, communities in Canada observe Remembrance Day. A day of reflection, solemnity, and gratitude to the soldiers who have served this country to protect our freedoms. At Jacob Hespeler Secondary School (JHSS), this solemn day is usually marked through assemblies and class activities to honour the Canadian heroes, past and present. While also having a moment of silence at 11 o'clock to remember the fallen.

This year, on November 11, 2024, JHSS' own Drama and Leadership collaborated to create a unique and meaningful way for students to engage with the day’s significance. On the Thursday before Remembrance Day, they worked to create a walk-through display in the school where students can go at their own pace, taking the time to pay their respects. 

“I [wanted to keep] in mind the significance by asking a friend of mine who’s a cadet to bring his own collection of military items while I brought in my collections from when my dad had briefly served,” said Becca Stolp-Romanowicz,the organizer of the event when asked about the preparations of Remembrance Day. Becca mentions how the main purpose of the event was “to be somber and keep in mind the significance of Remembrance Day”. So as she planned it, the exhibition featured authentic artifacts, including soldier uniforms and badges contributed to by our school’s own students. There were also displays of stories of soldiers connected to the school’s staff members. Among the interactive elements of the walk through, students had an opportunity to lie down on a real military stretcher and simulate the experience of an injured soldier, allowing a deeper perspective to the hardships soldiers faced during wartime. Set out were also tables with different types of media, featuring World War I and II, mentioning brave Canadian heroes who helped during times of crisis. Students could also engage further by interacting with: a station to colour poppies; whiteboards where students could write personal messages to soldiers; a table, to write letters to soldiers; and, a table for the poppy fund, where a small donation allows you to light a candle in their remembrance. 

Adding to the solemn atmosphere, the JHSS band performed throughout the event, filling the cafeteria with somber music that further encouraged reflection. 

Jacob Hespeler Secondary School’s Remembrance Day activities demonstrated the power of creativity and collaboration in the honour of Canada’s soldiers, allowing students to get a deeper sense of appreciation and respect.