The Middle School hosted a Service Project called “Food and Light Charity Drive”, in partnership with Saint Vincent de Paul, Waterloo. The learning experience for the students was to continue to develop an understanding of poverty and the problem of food insecurity in our host country, and to understand how families construct food budgets. The collected food boxes will go to provide a festive Christmas meal for 30 families and individuals connected to the Saint Vincent de Paul outreach in Waterloo. As a school we are committed to experiential learning where staff and student contributes to the collective learning experience, … Continue reading Middle School hosts successful Food and Light Charity Drive

The 6th grade advanced beginner French class prepared a story in French to tell to the second grade dual language class of Mme Taylor. After the story, there was time to get to know each other by speaking to one another in French. We really enjoyed this time together, although stressful at times. The 2nd grade had a great time as well and they will try to invite us later in the year to visit them in their classroom. We can’t wait! By Mme Richard’s class Continue reading Sixth grade French class prepares and tells story to 2nd graders

Grade 6 art students visited the IB Winter Show in the Greene Gallery yesterday. They examined the artworks carefully, looking for connections and meanings. They found much inspiration for writing and drawing. In their own art journals they answered the questions: What do I see? What do I think? I wonder….? They noticed how colour had been applied, how line can be employed to develop drawings, how overlapping shapes and transparencies can make a work fascinating. They marveled at how mixing only three colours can produce a realistic portrait, how movement can be captured in drawing and painting, how effective contrasts work, … Continue reading Looking to Learn: a visit to our own Greene Gallery

Retirement – suddenly it’s imminent and after more than 20 years at St. John’s, it’s time to say good-bye. Over these past years I’ve often wondered how many people are actually aware of what goes on behind the scenes in the Science Prep Room.  It’s tucked away down a corridor in the HS Science wing.  There’s only an occasional visitor and I see more students than staff. Did you know we have a special Chemical Store where we store more than 500 chemicals – all safely stored and categorized according to specific requirements?  In fact we have one of the oldest … Continue reading Behind the scenes in the High School science prep room

Mrs. Wintjes and Mrs. Rose’s students recently had the last day of their courses Design & Technology and Food & Textiles.  In order to generate enthusiasm in each subject area and to show their classmates what they have accomplished, each group of students did a show and tell for the audience of the other. Skills learned in Food & Textiles were of course cooking appetizing and healthy foods for themselves and others, getting the basics of nutrition and making informed and responsible consumer decisions.  Skills shared by the Design & Technology students included their improved observational skills, the ability to … Continue reading Showcasing skills learned in 6th grade Design and Technology

All students in this year’s IB visual art class have their current projects on display as part of this key exhibition which forms their ‘mock exam’ in preparation for the final show in March and April 2015. Nature and landscape in East and West; identity in words and images; the human face in two and three dimensions; the motion of horses; and the phases of the moon are just some of the themes and ideas explored creatively and imaginatively in this exhibition. There is a wide range of media represented including ceramics sculpture and modelling, oil paint and acrylic, pen, … Continue reading Come see the IB Arts winter show on Friday, December 5 from 18:00-20:00

The St. John’s 50th anniversary, all school musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” drew large crowds on its three performances over the weekend. The musical featured students from grade 3-12 as well as several teachers and even our Head of School. The attendees were amazed at the incredible talent of the cast and the energy and quality of the show. As one attendee said “It could have been the West End, the quality of the show was amazing!” Some else commented ” That was the best school performance I have ever seen”. We congratulate the cast on their success and their time … Continue reading “Joseph” musical displays amazing artistic talents of St. John’s students