Mechanical Marvels

Congratulations to our young and energetic FIRST Robotics  team – WARP7. After a long, and sometimes grueling,  6 week build period our predominantly grade 9 and 10 robotics team emerged from the shops with a mechanical marvel loaded with wires and controls that was more than capable of taking on the competition from across Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, California and Michigan. In all, there were thousands of participants many of whom are destined to become our world’s future leaders.  Particular congratulations to grade 10 student WanQi Luo, not just for courageously volunteering to sing the American national anthem, not just for being a stabilizing co-captain of our team, but for being chosen from thousands of participants as Robotics “UL Safety Star of the Day” – the first such award won by a Western Technical-Commercial student. 


Beyond that, our team is emerging as a FIRST Robotics powerhouse winning an unparalleled 5th straight Gracious Professional Award. And as if that was not enough, the good safety habits instilled by the Coach/Mentors (Mr. Halling, Mr. Kroon, Mr. Schneider, Ryan Walker, and Craig Gray) along with the dedication and hard work by all team members resulted in our school being awarded the “Safest Pit Award” at both the University of Waterloo and UOIT competitions – more “firsts” for Western!

Although we have represented Canada and the T.D.S.B. twice at the world championships in robotics, this year’s team was our first to place in the top 8 heading into the playoffs giving them the special recognition of being a Alliance Captain before being ousted by the trio of perennial powerhouses that went on to win the Waterloo Regional Championships.

Congratulations WARP7 Robotics and all the Specialist High Skills Major- Robotics Engineering students that contributed to our schools success.

Success for Dual Credit Participants

Dual credits allow students to participate in apprenticeship training through co-op education and college courses. The Ministry of Education fully pays for students to take these courses, while still a high school student. 

These credits can count towards their high school diploma as well as a postsecondary certificate, diploma, degree or apprenticeship certification.

For example, students can take a course about entrepreneurship taught by a college professor and a high school teacher on a college campus. By passing the course, a student would earn both a high school credit and a college credit.

Dual credit programs are being run across the province and most boards and colleges are currently participating. These programs are part of the School College Work Initiative funded by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Below  is a  letter received from George Brown College, addressed to staff in our school's 
co-op department. It speaks for itself.

Hi Lisa and Anita,

I wanted to let you know that two former students from Western Tech have been awarded Dual Credit bursaries this semester.  The Dual Credit bursary is new this year.  Students who have taken a Dual Credit course and received a final grade of 80% or higher are eligible to apply provided they are currently registered in a full time program at George Brown College. 

The following students were selected to receive bursaries this semester:

Stefania Lanfanti, now registered in the Graphic Design program (took the “Digital Art and Design” Dual Credit course)

Callista Panos, now registered in the Social Services Worker program (took the “Introduction to Psychology” Dual Credit course)

Each student has been awarded a $1000 bursary.  Congratulations to Western Tech! 

Best regards,

Shelagh

Shelagh Taber Walsh

SCWI Program Coordinator| Community Partnerships Office

Summer Co-op / Find the Money / Applied Degree Programs

1. Summer Co-op: Packages for summer co-op are now available in the guidance office. Spaces are limited and applications will be accepted on a priority basis. Students interested in taking a summer co-op course should see Ms. Madeira or Ms. Morrison in the Guidance office. The deadline to apply is Monday March 26th.


2. Where to Find the Money Presentation:  For all grade 12 students going to college and university. Learn about the many options available to help you fund your post-secondary education. What’s available? Scholarships, awards, bursaries, loans. Where do you find them? Schools, websites, government, banks. The presentation will take place on Tuesday March 27th from 1:30-2:30 in room 273


3. Degree Panel Presentation: Representatives from George Brown, Humber, Centennial, Seneca and Sheridan will be at Western on Wednesday April 11th  to talk to students about the many Applied Degree Programs offered at their school. All interested students are welcome to attend. The presentation will take place in room 273 from 1:30-2:30.

2012 FIRST Robotics Scholarships for Ontario Universities!

There are now three Universities in Ontario that offer scholarships to graduating Western Technical Commercial students participating in the FIRST Robotics competition.

The University of Toronto is returning in 2012 as a scholarship provider, offering FIVE scholarships for $2000each for students studying engineering disciplines.  See here for more details.

The University of Waterloo is returning in 2012 as a scholarship provider as well, offering a scholarship forONE student studying Mechatronics Engineering for $5000. See here for more details

.

York University is a NEW scholarship provider in 2012 and is offering what is now the largest renewable Canadian Scholarship available exclusively to FIRST Robotics students.  TWO scholarships are being offered by York University, providing $3000 per year of study, up to $12000.  See here for more details.

With over $14 Million in scholarships available to FIRST students, FIRST is an experience that will stay with you long after you’ve graduated.

Upcoming Scholarship/Award Deadlines!

Merit Award Bursary ($500.00 awards for those staying in school, or $750/$2000 for those going to post-secondary)

Criteria:  Grade 11 or 12 student returning to school in Sept. in grade 12 or post-secondary education or apprenticeship, demonstrated extra-curricular/volunteerism in the school/community. Personal challenges or obstacles that you have overcome, including financial circumstances, will be considered.

Deadline:  April 8, 2012
Application Form:  www.meritaward.ca 

And.....

The Junction Community Awards
Criteria:  Financial need, academic performance, leadership in school and community

Deadline:  April 28, 2012

Application Form:  See Ms. Morrison in Guidance