| |
| |
February 14, 2019
Mr. O to the power of 7 (Dress Like Your Teacher Day...nailed it!), Harvey production shots, new Character Ed classes, and more! Click here to check out a few photos from this week at Mulgrave.
By Michael Moore, Director of 21st Century Skill Development
With Grade 6-12 Progress Report Cards coming out this week, I am taking this opportunity to review Approaches to Learning (AtL) skills, why we teach them, and to suggest how you might have a conversation about report cards with AtLs in mind.
What are AtLs?
AtLs are tools we believe students need, in addition to the content and concepts of their academic courses, to be successful, fulfilled, and happy in work and life. When applied to subjects of study, students use their knowledge to greater depth and detail. At Mulgrave, we focus on Communication, Social, Self Management, Research and Thinking skills. Click on the poster image for more detail.
Why report on AtLs?
We have found a correlation between student skills and achievement: students with well-developed skills score higher grades. Feedback in the report card, and ongoing feedback from teachers, can help identify the skill(s) to continue to develop.
How can parents use AtLs to start a conversation?
Having worked with teenagers for many years, I know how difficult it can be to move beyond the short responses 'Fine' or 'None' or 'All of them' when you ask questions like, "How were your grades?" and "Which ones were you happy with?" So, below are some prompts to use in a conversation with your child that may generate more of a conversation:
- In which subjects do you feel you are already reaching your potential, your personal best?
- How do you feel the AtL grades reflect your skills? Which ones do you think are accurate? Which ones are not? Why do you think the teacher has a different perspective to yours?
- In which subjects do you feel you are not yet reaching your potential, your personal best?
- What skills do you need to improve most urgently so you can reach your personal best in this subject? What skills have you been taught that may help you to do this?
- Click here for more detail and a list of tools used to teach AtL skills -
Jennifer Pan is one of those young people that just knows what she wants to do with her life - and it's art. Since she's been small it's been her singular focus, and she's dabbled in all sorts of mediums, from watercolour to sculpture.
Entering Senior School, Jennifer's priority was to open up her schedule as much as possible to allow for the time to work on her portfolio. She knew that applying to art schools for post-secondary would be a different process than for many of her peers who are on a more academic track.
"My art requires a lot of time, and while my academic results are still important, it's my portfolio and the related explanations that will make up the biggest part of my university applications," explains Jennifer. "I started my portfolio in Grade 8 but some universities require 25 pieces for their applications, so it's a lot to pull together."
Jennifer has opted to graduate with a BC Dogwood Diploma instead of the IB Diploma, which affords her more flexibility in her schedule and opens up those much-needed, sustained chunks of time for her to spend in the studio.
With a focus on sculpture, Jennifer has applied to universities that she feels will best suit her desire to experiment and continually evolve as an artist. "I researched a lot of schools and worked with our university counsellors to find the right educational structure and system for me," she says.
"Over time, my style and materials have changed. My intentions are deeper; my work is about my emotions and feelings. I want to be able to continue to explore and not be limited by the programme I enter."
And Jennifer's hard work is paying off. She's already received three early action acceptances to prestigious art schools in the US, with two scholarships on the table. She's still holding out for one last response, and is excited for what will come next - as are we!
| |
Jennifer's piece Ming (above), was inspired by a Japanese poem by Shuntaro Tanikawa.
"In this poem he talks about how life depends on consuming others and at the end of this poem he surrenders to this idea and he hopes that he is 'delicious'. In this work I used the Chinese character that means 'life and destiny' which I painted to look like a piece of meat."
Self-portrait: Jennifer and Ming
By Dr. McDonald, Mathematics and Philosophy Teacher
On Wednesday, we welcomed Quest University Professor, Richard Hoshino, and colleagues, Ben Klaff and Jimmy Fryers, from the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences to speak to students about computational thinking and mathematical problem solving. Interested students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 had the opportunity to collaborate while solving some challenging problems. Small groups worked together, then shared their results with other students, leading to a deeper understanding of both the problems and their solutions.
Along the way, students were exposed to Callysto, a powerful online programming tool that is the result of a federally-funded initiative. Callysto is designed to give students access to cutting-edge technology that can help them further investigate the problems they seek to solve, and we hope that today's introduction will help our students along in their mathematical explorations.
Congratulations to our January Athletes of the Month! All four have been crucial members of their respective teams and have shown much improvement over the course of the year.
- Owen M-B (G10)
Varsity Boys Basketball - Katerina G (G10)
Varsity Girls Basketball - Teagan S (G9)
Varsity Girls Basketball - Ali T (G9) Junior Varsity Boys Basketball
Sahra K-L (G11) has been at Mulgrave since Kindergarten and considers the school to be her second home.
Over the years, Sahra has been involved in activities from every strand. "I've been in theatre productions and choir, played volleyball and basketball, travelled with Duke of Edinburgh, and currently volunteer with MERT, and sit on the Athletics Council and co-chair Mulgrave's World Partnership Walk," she explains. (Curiosity piqued? We'll be sure to follow up on that last initiative in another issue of Connexions.)
And while Sahra is one busy teenager, she takes time to pause and appreciate what she has, as well as ponder the opportunities she has to get involved. It was that sort of reflection that prompted her to forgo birthday purchases and donate her gift money to the MPower campaign - the effort that has been raising money to fund the new West Wing expansion.
"My parents have invested a lot in my education and I feel thankful that I have the opportunity to give back," says Sahra. "I know it's not a big contribution, but even if it's a single window pane, I will know that I did something to help with our learning."
This isn't the first time that Sahra has been generous with the school. "I did the same thing in Grade 6 or 7 with the Imagine Campaign for the Senior School. I knew I'd be in that space in just a few years so I wanted to help create a place that we could all use to excel!"
But Sahra's gifts go far beyond wanting to better the spaces she and her friends enjoy. "Since I was young, my parents have taught me that giving and volunteering at school, and in our local and religious communities, are really important. We get so much from those places and we need to give back. I have gotten so much from Mulgrave so this is one way I can contribute."
Asked about her post-graduation aspirations, Sahra says she's not quite sure yet. She's thinking business or economics (and a seat on the Mulgrave Alumni Committee!)...we're quite certain that whatever she pursues, she'll lead with her warm heart and admirable values.
Tonight is your last change to see Harvey, the Middle School Production.
7:00pm, Linda Hamer Theatre
Click here for tickets.
| |
Dads and Kids Bowling
Saturday, February 23rd, 11:30am-2:00pm
Lace up those bowling shoes, Dads (and uncles and grandfathers), we've booked Rev's for an exclusive Mulgrave party!
Whether you're apt to throw gutter balls or strikes, it doesn't matter...bring the kids for an afternoon of friends, food and bowling.
Please click here to buy tickets.
Special thanks to the MVP for organising this event.
| |
Come train with these guys!
Tuesday, March 5th, 2:30-3:30pm
The South African Rugby 7s Team (defending world champs) are coming to Mulgrave for a 45-minute training session, followed by autographs and photo opps.
All students - rugby players and those who just want to check it out - are welcome to attend. Get a few tips to start the season off right!
| |
Norouz Celebrations
Friday, March 8th, 4:00-6:00pm
Join our Iranian families to celebrate Norouz! The New Year festivities will share the traditions of this special time of year with dances, poems, arts and crafts, face painting, and afternoon high tea.
Please register here so our host families are well-prepared to welcome you and your loved ones. Special thanks to all of the volunteers and contributors for making this event special for our whole community.
A friendly reminder that school is closed tomorrow (Friday, February 15th) for a Faculty Professional Development Day and Monday, February 18th for Family Day. See you all on Tuesday!
For the most up-to-date view of all school events, please see the Calendar page on our website.
|
©2018 Mulgrave School
Unsubscribe Archive