Congratulations to this year’s class of 2014. As we celebrate their accomplishments and commend them for their achievements, we remind ourselves of the growth of our community over the years, which has enabled this success to take placeand flourish.

 

This year marks the fourth year since the Secondary School was formally split between Middle andHigh School, meaning this year’s Graduating Seniors experiencedtheir entire High School career inthis distinct setting. The graduating class’ evolution marked wellthe evolution of the High School,as evidenced through such things as the progression with Student Council.

 

StuCo was more involved than ever and it was lead by a core group of Seniors who institutedseveral significant changes in the High School this year. They took a lead role in refining High School policy in terms of the assignment calendar, and also re-wrote the dress code, bringing in feedback from teachers, parents, and their peers.
 

The High School student body also made significant steps in terms of finding its voice and tak- ing ownership in the shaping of its learning environment through The Underground. Two Seniors concretely moved the publication forward this year by voluntarily taking on open and formal posi- tions of leadership by becomingthe named editorial team. Ironi- cally, given the digital style of media in recent times, High School students made significant stridesforward in exercising their voicewithin the High School via thepublication of a printed newspaper.

 

With certain articles published, some opportunities for learning were presented, and the students involved responded well, marking success, as schools are meant to be safe places for students to learn via trial and error. Over the past several years The Underground has evolved from some- thing operating below the radar, independently of the school, to what will hopefully become anofficial newspaper next schoolyear. This evolution was made possible by students like those in the graduating class who showed they are principled and caring, and took intellectual risks to try and address concerns, as well as share the thoughts, ideas, and ideals on our students’ minds.

There are many reasons to be proud of the evolution of the Graduating Class of 2014 over the past four years, and the changes that they have inspired.

I know they are well-prepared forthe challenges that await them, and hope that they have been sufficiently inspired to take upeach challenge they encounter.

As the newest members of the Alumni Association, we welcome them with open arms and very much look forward to their ideas and involvement.

We wish them the best of luck in their next adventures.

Lorne Bird
High School Principal



Read the entire WORLD Magazine Summer 2014 edition here.