Departments
Arts:
Ms. Santagato-Davies
The Arts Department is using their creative energy to wish away Winter and anticipate Spring!
Visual Arts
The end of first semester saw our very talented Grade 12 Art students complete their final portraits that will replace some of the current artwork that grace the STL halls. Actors, musicians, and important historical figures are among some of the phenomenal works this year.
All students are welcome to further hone their artistic talents through joining the Art Club which runs every Thursday with Mr. Mieorin. The focus of the club this semester will be to create sports related art to be displayed in the Physed hallways. In addition, the Sketchbook Club which runs on Tuesdays with Mrs. Shephard provides an excellent opportunity for students to create artwork if they are planning to apply to post secondary Visual Arts Programs. All students are welcome!
Music
An audience of over 400 family and friends enjoyed our annual Christmas Music Concert on December 12th which featured six bands and the Junior Choir. One of many highlights of the evening was the Junior Choir’s performance of Leonard Cohen’s Alleluia arranged by Grade 9 student, Nethmi Illamperuma. In the Fall, members of the STL choir sang the song for the CBC Challenge and achieved top five for STL!
Currently the Senior Band and Wind Ensemble are preparing for the OBA Band Festival. In addition, all bands along with the Senior Choir look forward to performing at the Music Alive Festival this Spring which is sponsored by the YCDSB. All schools in our Board participate in this exciting music event.
And finally, the 44 senior music students under the direction of Ms. Buffa and Mr. Ng will travel to New York City to take part in the Rhythms International Festival. Vice Principal, Ms. Mastromartino and Art teacher, Mr. Meiorin will accompany this excellent group of musicians to the Big Apple where they will also get to enjoy the NY sights and two Broadway shows!
Dramatic Arts
After endless hours of rehearsal, the Grade 12 Drama students performed their last STL stage production under the direction of Ms.Santagato-Davies to a sold out audience on December 6th in the theatre. Fittingly, the play, Museum by Tina Howe, features the comings and goings of a cast of unusual characters at an art exhibition on what is referred to as “the last day of the show”. Our cast of 25 actors had to play over 40 roles in a challenging production that featured an exhibit of 5 hanging mannequins which required a lot of plastic wrap, newspaper, real bodies for models, and patience!
The play which explores the role and function of Art in our world was a great metaphor for all that is achieved in the Arts area in general. There is relevance in the fact that art may inspire a plethora of reactions ranging from laughter to dismay, to simple curiosity. The main point is that any reaction is proof that we are alive and are moved!
Business:
Market Fair:
This semester's Market Fair put on by grade 10 business students taking the BBI 2O1 course was a huge success. The business students got to experience first hand what it is like to operate and own a business. It was STL's largest Market Fair ever with 21 different booths selling a variety of food to the STL community. This year all Market Fair profits will be donated to L'Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill in support of their 50th year. Thank you to the students who ran market fair and the entire STL population for your support of this wonderful learning experience.
Library:
I would like to thank the Catholic School Council for its generous donation to the library this year. With this donation, I have added numerous resources, both electronic and print, that will assist students in all subject areas. These resources include: Bloom's Literary Reference Online, Modern World History Online, World Religions Online, books dealing with mental health issues such as panic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, science books on genes, genetics, immunology, body systems, teen issues focusing on social media, addiction, and dieting, to name a few. Classes continue to come to the library for research where they can access reputable online and print sources.
During first semester, I offered a session after school on time management. Students need to be reminded of the importance of creating a daily, weekly and monthly schedule/calendar. This type of schedule/calendar will help them to prioritize what needs to be done. Students must also remember that they have to take time for themselves in order to reduce stress. Personal time to relax and socialize with others has to be built into their schedule. E.S.P. brought into the library St. John Ambulance's therapy dogs. Students loved having the dogs present for that day and expressed how this should be done on a regular basis. After their visit with the therapy dogs, students left smiling. If students work at improving their time management skills, they will be better able to cope with their school work.
In December, we entered a puzzle challenge with the other YCDSB secondary school libraries. Students came in during lunch and on their spares to work on the puzzle. Although we did not win the puzzle challenge, students found working on the puzzle relaxing. Puzzles, therapeutic colouring, chess sets and scrabble games are available for students if they wish to take time to relax. We hope that the library is a place where students can work and de-stress.
Math:
The 2018 Canadian Senior and Intermediate Mathematics contest was written on November 21st. The CSMC and CIMC are two contests designed to give students the opportunity to have fun and to develop their mathematical problem solving ability. It is provided by the University of Waterloo. The results are in. Our Intermediates finished 1st in the our zone and 11th in Canada which is incredible. They were awarded a plaque which will be presented to the top 5 Intermediates who wrote this test. Congratulations to Evan Zheng, Eugene Lee, Ellina Zhang, John Dong, and Thomas Yang pictured below. Our Seniors finished very high also. I would also like to congratulate Payam Fakoorziba who finished first in the Senior Division and Evan Zheng who finished first in the Intermediate Division.
Our students also wrote the Canadian Open Mathematics Competition. This is open to all students in all grades. Our top scorer is Evan Zheng who is still in grade 10. He was awarded the Silver Medal which is second highest score in all of Central Ontario. Congratulations once again.
Student Services:
Bocce Team:
Champions Once More!
On Wednesday, January 30th, 2019, our Functional Life Skills students participated in the Annual YCDSB Bocce Tournament. Our STL Bocce Team consisting of Julia Visconti, Angela Everson, Paul Di Tommaso and Dillon Dale Oyarce (team captain) once again brought home the coveted championship trophy. They showed intense concentration, great skill, amazing sportsmanship and formidable team spirit!
Our consolation team made up of Diego Hanisch Oyarzabal, Marcus Leung, Goran Dimovskiand Jade Chow (team captain) also made a valiant effort winning their game against Holy Cross.
Special thanks to our dedicated coaches Silvana Belli, Allison Isaac, Debbie Leo, Carol Mastrodicasa, Donna Narducci and Marisa Palma.
Our championship team qualifies to participate in the Youth Bocce regional tournament in March. Good luck!
Best Buddies:
On Wednesday, December 19, 2018, our Best Buddies and their peer buddies attended a Christmas Dance at Jean Vanier CHS. Best Buddies chapters from across YCDSB were present to enjoy a delicious dinner, dance the night away, take wacky pictures, win prizes and enjoy each other's company. We look forward to our Valentine's Day event in February and yet another dance hosted by St. Maximilian Kolbe CHS and St. Theresa of Lisieux CHS.
