With Christmas break around the corner, it is a fitting time for us to reflect on the first 3.5 months at school. As someone who is new to the school, it has been a busy few months getting to know the staff, students, and parents that call Bert Church home. Through it, I've grown to learn that Bert Church is a great place to spend my days and the kids are awesome (most days!).
The 2019.20 school year has not been without its challenges. Some might remember we didn't have air conditioning in the building right up until we didn't need it anymore. Our school saw some clawbacks when the budget was released that impacted some of the plans we had moving forward. As well, Bert Church was one of the seven fortunate RVS schools that was randomly selected to participate in a federal copyright lawsuit that saw many hours of staff time dedicated to complying with that court order.
With the challenges we also have seen tremendous perseverance and performance from our students. All one has to do is look back through the Charger Connects to get a glimpse of all the outstanding Chargers. We had academic success, staff digging into their own learning and growth, students heading to Abbotsford for the Canadian Student Leadership Conference, a wonderful theatrical performance with the Little Mermaid, a student led carnival, JV Boys Volleyball Zone Champions, Girls Zone Soccer Champions, Football Tier 2 champions and Bronze medal provincial finishers, cross country excellence, wonderful musical performances, creative classroom work, and much more.
Walking the halls of Bert Church everyday reminds us of the power of a collective effort of people to see students find success. We look forward to continuing that work in the new year. Until then, have a wonderful break and see you in January.
Students in Phys Ed 20/30 had the great opportunity to head to Norquay and Banff on Monday. Tubing and a visit to the Hot Springs was in order for the kids. Thanks to Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Sera, and Ms. Marner for organizing.
Need Support? You Are Not Alone!!!
As we head into Christmas break, some students and families might face some challenges. Please know that you are not alone! There are people who care and want to help!
Below is a list of resources that can assist you during these difficult times.
Student Support:
Distress Center: 403-264-1601 Distress CenterConnect Teen Text Help587-333-2724
Connect Team 403-264-8336 Kids Help Phone 24hrs 1800-668-6868 Airdrie Mental Health and Addiction Counselling 403-948-3878 211 Community Resources Number – will provide further resources for youth and families. Airdrie Teen and Young Adult Clinic: (587) 287-1727 Big Brother and Sisters Mentorship: 403-681-5714
Parent Support:
Community Links Walk in Counselling and by appointment: 403-945-3900 Airdrie Mental Health 403-945-3878 Community Resource Team – In Home Support – No fee – Intake: 403-299-9699 Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie –In home support and Youth Work: 403-948-3331 Youth and Parent Support Resources: Dial 211 For Additional Community Resource for Youth.
Counselling and Support for Youth and Families:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/ab/airdrie(List of Private Local Counsellors) East Side Counselling (free): 403-299-9696 (individual and family counselling walk-in). Calgary Counselling Services (sliding scale): 403-265-4980
Bert Church hosted their annual invitational basketball game last weekend. Teams from all over Alberta and one team from Saskatoon participated. There was tremendous action all weekend culminating in the Notre Dame Pride from Calgary (girls team) and Stirling Lakers (boys team) coming home with gold. Congrats to the two Charger teams with our girls losing a close battle for Consolation and the boys finishing 2nd. Thanks to Mr. Sera and Mr. Kirk for their tireless efforts with our teams.
Kids were in a festive, holiday spirit at the end of the week. Lots of excitement in the school as the break approaches!
Students in math class were hard at work making their thinking visible. Using vertical white boards, students were able to collaboratively problem solve their math challenges.
After watching our football team complete their most successful season in 26 years, it is no surprise to see Dylan Sorsdahl and Blaise Newberry sign with the University of Calgary to pursue their academics and football close to home. Both Sorsdahl and Newberry were impactful players for the Chargers and look to take these skills down the highway to the 2019 Vanier Cup champion Dinos. We're proud of these two and are sure they will represent BCHS with pride at the next level.
Final exams are starting soon after we return from our Christmas break. Ms. Tiemstra has created a webpage to help students and parents access resources to prepare and deal with the stress of exam season. Please follow this link for more information on how to have success at this time of year!
Career Centre News December 13, 2019
‘Winter forms our character and brings out our best.’ ~ Tom Allen
Calaway Park – Upcoming Auditions for Dancers and Actors
Hiring 30 seasonal Entertainment cast members. Minimum Age: 16
Auditions: Saturday February 8, 2020
Dancers at 9:30 AM
Actors at 11:00 AM
Got to Employment at the Calaway Park Website www.calawaypark.com to get all the audition details.
Canadian Forces in Flex on February 25, 2020
Full time and Part-time opportunities.Possibility of Debt Free university education.
To learn more, sign up for Flex with Mr. Lucas on Tuesday Feb 25, 2020
Careers Next Generation – RAP Skilled Trade & ICT Fair
Students and parents learn about the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), careers in skilled trades, and Information & Communication Technology.
Connect with 40 + Employers and Industry Associations; Post Secondary & Education Resources; Dual Credit & Exploratory Program
*February 19, 2020 (Wednesday) 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Lord Beaverbrook HS
*March 11, 2020 (Wednesday) 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Notre Dame HS
*April 8, 2020 (Wednesday) 6:30 – 8:30 pm at James Fowler HS
At 7 pm there is a short Careers Presentation on RAP and ICT
University of Alberta – Green & Gold Getaway- May 22 - 24
Open to Grade 11 Alberta students
20 spots available to test out U of A
Be reimbursed for travel to Edmonton, accommodation and whirlwind of exciting events
Applications accepted www.uab.ca/GGG until end of day on Sunday January 26.
GAP Year
Are you planning to delay your post secondary studies by a year? Make sure you plan what you want to accomplish during your GAP year.
VERGE is an online magazine for students with great resources if you want to do something travel related during your GAP year..
You can search according to where you want to go and whether you want to volunteer or work or have an adventure.
This month there is an article about rebuilding coral reefs with bottles. https://www.vergemagazine.com/
Summer Jobs
Jobs and Scholarships are both means to increase your pot of money for Post-Secondary Education.
Oftentimes, finding full time summer work is a real challenge. Spend some of your time applying for scholarships, but also spend an appropriate amount of time figuring out where the best summer jobs are. If you are lucky, you will find a full time job where you are hired back every summer until your post secondary education is complete.
Some of the plum summer positions are posted in December or January.
The Government of Canada has jobs for post secondary students. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/recruitment/students/federal-student-work-program.html
The City of Airdrie hires students for day camp programs and for looking after parks and public spaces. If you don’t see a suitable ad the first time you go to the website, you can set up your profile and sign up for alerts for jobs that match your skills and interests.
Rocky View School Division has a few summer positions as well.
Bachelor of Humanities High School Essay Contest – Carleton University, Ottawa
You could win $500 by writing an essay on the following question: What is Literature For? Deadline: March 1, 2020
Schulich Leader Scholarship
Every high school in Canada may nominate 1 student per academic year.
The student nominee will be determined in the second week of January.
The nominee will be determined based on the nomination requirements in the Bert Church HS Scholarship Information pamphlet.
There are 25 $100,000 scholarships for Engineering. There are 25 scholarships for $80,000 for science, technology or mathematics.
Students planning a career as a medical practitioner or researcher are excluded from this competition. This scholarship is for entrepreneurial-minded innovators outside of the medical community.
More information on the Bert Church plone site and at the Schulich Leader website
Terry Fox Humanitarian Award
Terry Fox Scholars are ‘doers’ with the ability to inspire and make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Suitable candidates are those demonstrate the ideals of Terry Fox – True Humanitarians, individuals who are compassionate and altruistic in their intention to improve the lives of others and human welfare overall.
Serious consideration will be given to those candidates who have experienced and overcome what others might consider an insurmountable obstacle, yet are determined and dedicated to helping others.
Deadline to apply – April 30, 2020 www.stmu.ca for complete list of St. Mary’s University awards
Presidents Circle Scholarships are automatically awarded to new high school graduates who achieve an average of 80% or higher on the five grade 11 or 12 subjects used for admission
