Dramatic Arts

The students in Grade 10 Dramatic Arts have been practicing their improvisation skills. Using props they are extending their literacy skills and developing vocabulary. The "Improv" Rules Don’t sabotage your partner and Keep the drama moving forward help students develop critical learning skills and higher order thinking.

  

On November 17^th the Dramatic Arts students in Ms. Reynolds class attended a TIFF film Billy Bishop Goes to War with Eric Peterson in attendance. Eric Peterson, star of Corner Gas, did a "talk-back" for the students at the Fox Theatre on Queen Street East. He also signed autographs and posed for photos with the students.

Yes - WESTERN is offering an IMPROV Club on Tuesday at lunch starting December 6^th.

A former student who attends York University will be showing students how to improve their "improv" skills. See you there!!

The students in Ms. Reynolds and Ms Doig’s Dramatic Arts Grade 10 classes are attending 12^th Night, December 2^nd at the Bathurst Street Theatre. 12th Night is being performed by The Classical Theatre project in a vaudeville stylized theme.

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!

Co-operative Education Shines At Western Tech!

Once again, we are up and running at Western with our unique experiential learning program, integrating academic study with practical experience in business and industry. This month's showcased co-op student is Theo C.-B. 

Theo is gaining valuable work expertise and experience in the film/sound engineering sector working at downtown based Thatchannel.com, a company that  has created a vibrant platform for live internet broadcast and professional video production. For more information about other experiential learning opportunities, come by the co-op department across from the cafeteria or give us a call at 416393 0500 extension 3.

So What's Wrong With This Picture?

            “So, what’s wrong with this picture?” asks Hannah Rengele, a facilitator at Queen’s Park. Western Tech students are sitting around her examining the diets and food profiles of typical Torontonians and trying to figure out exactly how sustainable and healthy they are.

            “It’s too expensive,” says D’Andre a student in Mr. Pegg’s class, “and the carbon footprint for the groceries is enormous.” 

            “Precisely!” says Rengele.

            Students in Ms. De Rosa, and Mr. Pegg’s  Food and Nutrition classes are here at Queen’s Park to get a free lunch and to sample some of the  better food choices that they can make in their own diets. The initiative sponsored by Toronto’s Food Share  is meant to introduce students to a new perspective on what they eat and the importance of food production to their lives. It was all free - from the beet muffins, to the zuccinni/squash vichychoise. “This was the easiest field trip to organize, ever, “ says Ms De Rosa with a smile, “everyone loves a free lunch!”

Western Goes Down The Mississippi

Students at Western Tech had the luxury of floating down a theatrical  Mississippi River with the Classical Theatre Project’s production of Huck Finn. Viewing and participating in live theatre production is an element of the English Curriculum  in Ontario and teachers at WTCS make every attempt to expose students to a variety of  plays and theatre experiences. Principal Linton also subsidizes the cost of tickets to allow as many students to participate as fully as possible. 

“It’s a fantastic way to introduce my students to the performing arts,” says ESL teacher Ms Genine Natale, “This really tests their oral communication skills, but it’s also tons of fun.”

Some of the future theatrical excursions are two Shakespeare Classics: “Romeo and Juliet” and “MacBeth”. 

Spirit Week

This year's spirit week was a great success. It took place during the week of October 3rd to 7th. Many Western student's took part and showed their enthusiasm. Thanks to all those students and teachers who participated. Here are a few participants of our spirit week.

Monday Pajama Day

 

Tuesday Wacky Hair Day



Wednesday Twin Day

Thursday Formal Day

Friday Retro Day

Commencement 2011 - October 14

Welcome  Western graduates and family members

We would like to congratulate our graduates for their efforts and successes and their contributions to our school community. As you are probably aware, our school Commencement Ceremony will take place in the main auditorium beginning at 7pm sharp. If by circumstance you cannot attend in person then may we suggest that you take advantage of our webcast where our students, lead by Connor McBrine-Ellis, will stream the entire ceremony using digital technology. The channel will go live at approximately 6:50pm. Join us at http://www.ustream.tv/channel-popup/westerntech or simply click on the bright green “Commencement 2011” link at the bottom right corner of our school website http://www.wtcs.ca/

Note that the "Commencement 2011" link will become inactive after the event and will be replaced by a new feature "Western TV". Stay tuned!!!

Congratulations to the class of 2011

Student Council welcomes you to Western Technical-Commercial School

Your Student Council for the 2011-2012 school year would like to welcome you to Western Technical – Commercial School if this is your first year here or welcome you back if you are a returning student!

We are your Student Council Executive for this year and we are busy planning some exciting events. If you would like to contact any of us please see Ms. Khan in room 385 or come to our weekly student council meetings at 11:15 am every Monday in room 385.

Co-Presidents - Priyanka Sivaloganathan and Thushara Vigneswaran
Vice-President - Zach Fava
Treasurer - Anjali Kugathas
Secretary - Deborah Mililo
Girl’s Athletic Rep. – Marieke Pynn Coates Boy’s Athletic Rep. – Chris Sgouraditis

Events Co-coordinators - Madeline Biggs and Sameer Rai

Super Council Representative Wan Qi Luo

Our year has started with a bang! On September 1st the Student Council was busy meeting and greeting grade 9 students at our annual Moving on Up Day . We took grade 9’s on tours; lead scavenger hunts and enjoyed a lunch with them.

You may have also seen us in our leadership t-shirts, bright and early at 8 am the first week of school in the grade nine locker hallway making sure everyone knew where they were going, helping open locks or guiding students to their home form classes.

Our September 13 Club Fair took place in the cafeteria. We had about 30 extra-curricular clubs showcasing what the clubs do and how students can sign up. As a school, we try to encourage our grade nine students to sign up for at least 2 different clubs over the course of the year. With so many options who can resist!! If you missed Club Fair Day no need to fear ……. a list of clubs and contact information will be posted in each class and on the Club Board across from guidance by the beginning of October.

Students in the grade 11 Leadership classes have been busy organizing the annual school wide Terry Fox Run. The run took place on Wednesday September 28th period 2 and our turn out was amazing. Congratulations Western you collaboratively raised 830 dollars for cancer research! A big shout to Ms. Natale’s ESL class who were the top class fundraisers for this event.

Upcoming Events Monday October 3 – Friday October 7th is Spirit Week. If you dress up for each theme day come to the cafeteria at lunch to pick up a spirit treat and enter our raffle to win a pizza pizza gift certificate. Monday - Pyjama Day

Tuesday is Wacky Hair Day  

Wednesday is Twin Day

Thursday is Formal Day
Friday is Retro Day (Meet us for a fashion show in the cafeteria at lunch.)

October 28th is our Halloween Carnival Period 4 Buy Out!!

Citizens of the Global Village

We are all citizens of the global village and as such, are responsible for our neighbours in difficult times. That is exactly what the World Issues Class (CGW4U1) experienced recently. Upon discussion of the drought in East Africa it was decided that fund-raising would be necessary. The grade 12 geography class held a “bucket drive” where they took buckets to all the classrooms in the school and appealed to the students and teachers for donations for the victims of the drought. Happiness ensued! The people of Western were generous to the total of $800. With the government matching that amount that we gave to “Free the Children” aid will be sent to East Africa in the amount of $1600!

Thank you so much to everyone who donated. The Canadian and World Studies students will continue to learn and experience life in the Global Village.

Spring into Action – News from the Gifted/Enriched Program

It was a mad dash to the finish line for students in the Gifted/Enriched program. As the school year drew to a close, they took part in a range of initiatives that allowed them to further develop and demonstrate their leadership skills:

* Battle of the Bands, which was filmed by Rogers for High School Rush, featured numerous Gifted students. Top honours went to Dear Reader, showcasing the superb musicianship of George Chenery and Liam Stevenson. Placing first was a fitting farewell to George who is off to study jazz next year with a scholarship to George Brown.

* The May issue of Western’s student newspaper, The Hidden Agenda, was the largest since the paper was created by Grade 11 Gifted students Geoff Bercarich and Alda Escareno in 1999. This year’s editors Cindy Bui and Chelsea Viray are both graduating but will pass the helm to Gifted student Kaelan Myerscough.

* On Saturday May 22, several Grade 9 Gifted/Enriched students volunteered at the Junction’s annual Creative Children’s Dance Show, working behind the scenes with kids aged 5-11. The Grade 9s did such a great job that organizer Laurie Raymond extended an invitation for them to return next year.

* On May 19, Grade 10-Gifted/Enriched students joined senior Leadership students to participate in a project run by TREC Renewable Energy Co-operative at the Evergreen Brick Works Urban Environmental Park. Western students hosted and facilitated over 25 workshops for 600 Grade 5 students from across the GTA.

* On June 14, Gifted/Enriched students met with other WTCS students to plan Moving On Up, Western’s welcome to new Grade 9 students that is scheduled for September 1. The event offers orientation, information and celebration, and is a great way for current Gifted/Enriched students to model community leadership for younger students.

W.T.C.S. Student wins T.G.H./University Health Network Award

Once again, Western Tech wins the Bette J. Johnston Director's Award! This
year Kritika G. received the award for excellence and achievement in
a co-operative education placement at University Health Network.

Kritika did her co-op placement in the Cancer Pain Research Program at Toronto General Hospital/University Health Network. During her time at the placement, Kritika helped with managing data, research and updating the program website. Throughout the placement, Kritika demonstrated a quick
mind and meticulous work. We congratulate Kritika on her award.

Grads Return Assembly

The PLC Transitions held a Grads Return Assembly on May 17th for grade 11
Western students. Grads shared the ups and downs of making the move from
high school to apprenticeships, college, university, or directly into the
world of work. .

Given the positive student feedback for this very successful event, we plan to host another Grads Return Assembly next year

New Scholarship For WTCS Students

Western Tech has always had an ample scholarship fund. Notably, the school is one of most well-endowed in the TDSB for awards and bursaries in the Technical Studies area. Students in academic studies are also well-rewarded for their outstanding efforts and that pot of money has just increased with a new bursary to be funded in part by the Toronto media company “Back Alley Productions”. The scholarship will be called The Barry Duncan Media Literacy Scholarship/Bursary and is in honor of Barry Duncan a longtime teacher and proponent of Media Studies at the Toronto Board of Education, and within the province.

Media studies are an integral part of the English Curriculum at WTCS and are a vibrant and inspirational way to challenge and tap into students' creative and academic abilities. Working with film, video, sound production, script-writing and graphical texts is a core and essential component of the English curriculum and it is one that draws in a wide range of students and abilities.

Adrienne Mitchell a producer and director for Back Alley wanted to recognize the importance of media studies to the high school curriculum and to developing the future of Canadian film, TV, and radio production. “Media studies is very important to Canadian society,” says Mitchell, “ and we’re seeing how influential the media can be all across the Middle East in promoting and democracy and holding governments accountable. That’s partly why I believe Media Studies is so important to support at the high school level.”

This graduating scholarship will be used to support Mitchell’s aims. The bursary will be awarded to grade 12 students who show strong commitment and skill in the use of media in regular English classes. “It’s an exciting development,” says Ian Esquivel, the media studies teacher at WTCS. “Western’s a school that can proudly support and develop students and develop with these gifts. The scholarship gives us another reason to keep on encouraging students to explore media and to consider it in their future plans after graduation. We’re delighted with the support that the film industry is giving us.”

The first winner of the scholarship is grade 12 student Chelsea Viray, who has made a range of videos, collages, installations, and soundscapes at Western Tech, her latest shown at Western’s most recent Prom.

If you are interested in donating to the Barry Duncan Media Literacy Bursary Scholarship, please contact Tina Morrison in Guidance or Ian Esquivel in Media Studies. We’d be delighted to have your support.

Pennies For Peace

Once again the LEAP students did their spring blitz penny collection in an effort to raise money for Pennies For Peace, an organization that provides educational supplies to remote schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This year the class collected $144 entirely in pennies! That's more than double what they raised last year. The champion fundraiser, Celine Ndongo, brought in over thirty-four dollars most of which she collected on her own street, noting: "Once people knew we were only asking for pennies, they were happy to contribute." So a big thank you goes out not only to our students but also to our great neighbours!

Engineering/Robotics – S.H.S.M.

Our Engineering/Robotics Specialist High Skills Major program provides students with a potent foundation for a wide variety of post secondary avenues. The program builds on a strong design component and problem-solving approach and is delivered in an atmosphere where ingenuity, collaboration and creativity are encouraged and recognized as valuable components of learning. Registered students are offered valuable experiential learning opportunities that help prepare them for real world challenges and advancement.

In our first year offering this unique program to incoming grade 9 students, we have accepted 60 applicants and look forward to an exciting upcoming year. Who said it wasn’t cool to be smart?

TBBT Sheldon: A neutron walks into a bar and asks how much for a drink. The bartender replies "for you, no charge". Have a great summer!