Guidance News for October/November 2011

October and November were very busy months for the Guidance Department at Western Tech.

Our College Fair was held on Thursday October 20^th. Representatives from George Brown College, Humber College, Seneca College, Sheridan College and Centennial College were here to present information about their many programs. Over 50 students attended this fair and were able to have many of their questions answered. Students may begin to apply on-line beginning on October 31^st.  Guidance will be providing on-line application seminars in December.

Our University Fair was also very successful. On November 3^rd, 200 students attended the University Fair. Over 10 Universities were present. Students were able to visit with each representative and learn about the many programs offered at each school.  Students have now begun the process of applying to universities, with the deadline for Ontario applications approaching on Wednesday, January 11, 2012.

Our annual Grade 8 Open House took place on Tuesday, November 15^th. Approximately 800 students from our Feeder Schools spent the afternoon at Western touring the facilities and learning about our many excellent programs. Students were led by our amazing Peer Leaders and teachers through Western and into the many classrooms where hands-on activities and/or displays were available for students to participate in.

During the evening, parents were invited to attend our Grade 8 Information Night. Parents along with their son/daughter were given a tour of the school and provided with information about our programs. We were very pleased with the turnout and are gearing up for our Specialized Programs Information Night on Tuesday, January 17^th at 7:00 pm.

As always, there is a plethora of information on the bulletins boards in the hallway outside the Guidance Office, Room 152.

Planning to study one of the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)?

Shulich Leadership Scholarship: This new four-year scholarship valued at $60,000 is for students enrolling in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) areas of study at a participating Canadian university in fall, 2012. The Schulich Leader Scholarships Program has asked Western Technical-Commercial School to help find a suitable candidate as a Schulich Leader Nominee.  From a pool of nominees from across Canada, 20 pre-selected universities across Canada will each choose one outstanding student to be their Schulich Leader, each of whom will receive a four-year scholarship valued at $60,000 to support their studies at that university in a STEM faculty. For the inaugural year of the program, we are searching for a candidate to be our Schulich Leader Nominee by no later than Wednesday January 11, 2012.

Interested candidates should see Ms. Morrison soon in Guidance. To be "considered" as the WTCS nominee one needs to complete a resume and meet particular criteria so we can then "pick the right person".

University of Waterloo - Unlimited

Waterloo Unlimited Grade 11 Program: Design Theme: From engineering and the environment to science fiction and virtual reality, students will spend a week exploring the theme of Design with a community of like-minded peers.

March 12th - 16th, 2012

Application deadline: postmarked by December 16th, 2011

Cost: Program Fee: $450

Details: http://www.unlimited.uwaterloo.ca

Charity Walk

The grade 12 World Issues class is at it again.  On Thursday November 17 the class walked from the school to the Eaton Centre to raise money for Free the Children. It was a cool day with lots of fun, great conversation and some hot chocolate along the way.  It was better conditions than in Uganda, but the students got a chance to think about how the Gulu children must have felt after running this far every day to escape the LRA.  To top off a great field trip over $500 was raised.

Applying our Learning to Life

On November 10 the grade nine applied geography classes took their learning outside to the neighbourhood.  Under the guidance of student teacher Ms. Ionno, and Ms. Andrews, the students practised looking at and determining land-use while comparing the residential areas east and west of Runnymede.  They were quick to note that many of the retail spaces on Bloor St. would be quite difficult to manouvre in a wheelchair.  Application and awareness was all part of the experience.

Athletics - Fall Season Sports Update

VARSITY BOYS FOOTBALL

The Western Tech Football team finished the season with a 0-2-3 record.  The team lost in the quarter-finals but is looking forward to next year with optimism. 

SENIOR BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Senior boys volleyball team at Western has a 4-3 record.  The team did very well and improved with every game. 

SENIOR GIRLS BASKETBALL

The senior girls basketball team had a good season.  The team is comprised of girls who are committed and demonstrate excellent leadership on and off the court.  They finished with an overall record of 4-3.

JUNIOR BOYS SOCCER

The junior boys soccer team had a good season.  This young group of men has a lot of talent and are committed to improve.  The team is looking forward to a lot of future success. 

SENIOR BOYS SOCCER

The senior boys soccer team had an excellent season marked by two big wins over Oakwood and East York. The team had high hopes but lost in second round of the playoffs.

Digital Photography

Ryo Taleporos

Karen Thai

 Gr. 12 Photography Class outstanding digital photos illustrating the fall season interrpruted through the five senses.   Enjoy!

Amanda Theyers

Luis Silva

Laura Bremner

Daniel Sos

Jacob

Spreading Fun Across the TDSB

Congratulations to the Warp7 Team for putting on a great Robotics Engineering presentation at the 2011 Tech Expo held at Kent Public School. The event spanned over two days. Team members divide themselves into two groups of 5 and made original inspiring robotics presentations to senior elementary students from across the city. In all, over 600 students were awed by their knowledge and ingenuity.  It was a magnificent opportunity for public speaking and event organization. Topics included the secrets to past competition success, robot control – where students were invited to drive our competition bots, inputs and outputs, robotic arms and our new pneumatic cannon – a blast of excitement.  They did a magnificent job representing Western.











It's no wonder Western Tech's Warp7 Robotics Team has won the Gracious Professionalism award for the last two consecutive seasons at FIRST Robotics.

If you would like us to come and visit your elementary school please contact eric.halling@tdsb.on.ca. We are looking to expand our presentation season and would love to share our technology and know-how.

An evening with FELA!

Our students with the cast of FELA!

On November 4^th   five WTCS students had the opportunity to see the Broadway Production FELA!  and visit backstage and meet the entire cast as well as the Ambassador of Nigeria.  FELA!  Is the story about Fela Kutu and his music that came from Nigeria.  He created a new kind of music, Afrobeat with lyrics to openly attack the corrupt and repressive military dictatorships that rule Nigeria and much of Africa.  It was an exciting experience for some of our WTCS students and a moment they will not forget!

Our students spending an evening with the Ambassador of Nigeria

Halloween Bookmark Contest a Great Success!

Every October our school Library holds a Halloween bookmark contest. All students from grades 9 to 12 have the opportunity to design their own bookmark.   Students vote for their favourite ones. Every year the top five are chosen as the winners and made into proper bookmarks that are given out free in the library. This year we had 87 entries made by the students and staff.  The library provides Gift Certificates for a local bookstore as prizes.  The bookmarks are a huge success.  They encourage students to show their creativity and love of reading. 

Congratulations to Ana who won 1^st and 2^nd prize, Genovieve who won 3rd, Quinn who won 4^th and Alexandria who won 5^th .

Prokaryotic or Eukaryotic?

  In October, the Grade 11 College Biology class worked on developing cell models of different types of cells. The chose between prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. Each student worked very hard and their finished projects turned out amazing! They should be very proud of their work!



The models are displayed on the first floor across from rooms 137 and 138. Come check them out for yourself!





As the rest of the semester flies by, come check out what else Grade 11 Biology is all about! You might just come across a bacteria growth lab or a dissection!