• No results found

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL DID YOU KNOW?

N/A
N/A
Protected

Academic year: 2021

Share "ABOUT OUR SCHOOL DID YOU KNOW?"

Copied!
8
0
0

Loading.... (view fulltext now)

Full text

(1)
(2)

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Named after Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald

Secondary School opened in September 2004. Our beautiful

building accommodates approximately 1,500 students, offering a

full range of curricular programs for university-bound, college-bound

and workplace-bound students. In addition to offering rigorous

courses for students heading to university, we are also a site of the

“Fast Forward” program, designed for students who will be entering

the workplace upon graduation.

Despite our short history, SJAM has made a name for itself in the “four

A’s” as a school that excels in Academic achievement, Athletic

endeavors and a variety of community Activities and Artistic

productions. Our school also offers a wealth of opportunities for

students to get involved and make the most of their years in high

school, including clubs and activities for virtually every interest.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Celebrating our namesake’s Scottish heritage, we are called

the Highlanders. Our mascot, Johnny Mac, proudly wears a

kilt in our school colours - navy, light blue and white.

• The school motto is “Audere est Credere”, translated from

Latin as “Dare to Believe.”

• We are affectionately called “SJAM” (ess-jam) by students,

staff and the community.

• More than 75% of our graduates attend post-secondary studies

at college or university.

• When constructed in 2004, SJAM was the first new public high

school built in Waterloo region in more than 30 years.

• Our Highlanders logo was designed by one of our former

students and is modelled after William Wallace from the movie

“Braveheart.”

• We currently have more than 70 clubs and teams available

for junior students, including some activities that are unique to

SJAM.

• SJAM proudly hosted the 2017 Canadian Student Leadership

Conference, which will welcomed more than 1,200 of

of the best student leaders and

teachers from across Canada!

With a focus on innovation, the

biggest conference in the history

of CSLC left an indelible mark

not only on those lucky enough

to attend, but also on our school

and the WRDSB.

(3)

CELEBRATING SJAM ACHIEVEMENTS

Students and staff at SJAM take great pride in everything our school has accomplished. We’ve enjoyed widespread success in many aspects of school life, ranging from provincial medals in athletics to national recognition in music. We’ve also set the standard for academic excellence in the region. See below for a few highlights of what makes SJAM a genuine standout in Waterloo Region!

A

CAD

EMI

CS

• The Frasier Institute consistently ranks SJAM among the top schools in Waterloo Region.

• On average, more than 90% of SJAM students achieve success on the OSSLT on their first attempt.

• SJAM consistently scores well above provincial levels on Grade 9 EQAO math tests.

• Approximately 1/2 of our graduating students earn Ontario Scholar status with an average of 80% or better.

• SJAM grads have headed to a variety of prestigious international post-secondary destinations, including Harvard, Columbia and Oxford University!

• Many SJAM grads earn prestigious university and community scholarships. Past winners include: Sarah McCuaig, (Rhodes Scholar Award to study at Oxford University in England); David Zhang (Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012); and Flora Jung (Schulich Leader Award).

AR

TS

• Award-winning music ensembles that have been recognized at the local, provincial and national level, including 2015’s Best Percussion Section in Canada.

• Vibrant visual arts department, with a number of graduates attending highly competitive post-secondary programs, such as University of Waterloo Architecture, Sheridan College Animation and the Ontario College of Art and Design.

• Dynamic Drama and Dance programs offer students professional learning opportunities, such as travel to theatre and dance workshops, productions and training with working artists. Many grads go on to successful careers as actors, dancers, directors and stage managers at top performing arts schools, such as Sheridan and NYU.

A

THLETI

CS

SJAM has been a genuine sports powerhouse since opening in 2004, winning many regional and provincial titles in all 3 seasons. Here are just a few highlights:

• 50+ WCSSAA Team Titles in less than 10 years

• 10+ CWOSSA Team Titles and countless CWOSSA appearances • 7+ OFSAA Team Medals

• 50+ individual OFSAA medal winners in a variety of sports

(4)

PRIDE IN OUR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

The rich variety of activities at SJAM makes our school an exciting and vital place. However, it is our academic programs that provide the strong foundation for an amazing future following high school. A few highlights of some of the great experiences you will have during your studies as a Highlander include:

• SJAM was selected as a pilot school for the WRDSB Chromebook 1:1 Program. Every incoming grade 9 student receives a Chromebook to use throughout high school.

• Our new MASH club (Math and Science Help) is run entirely by SJAM students and offers peer tutoring and extra help every week. We also run a weekly Mathletics club and Computer Science Club for students looking to enhance their skills and knowledge outside the classroom.

• Our Grade 10 Food and Nutrition classes are taught by a professionally trained chef with many years of experience in the culinary world. • The History Department organizes

and runs a “Learning Together: History Lessons from Holocaust Survivors” for the SJAM parent community. Survivors and other experts in the field present at weekly seminars.

• Our History Department head, Jeff Chard, won UWO’s Associate Teacher’s Award for Excellence and the Barrday Award for Teaching Excellence.

• There are many opportunities to enhance your language skills, including Languages Club, food/cultural days, guest speakers, Concours Oratoire, excursions to French-language films, plays at the Stratford Festival and French-language concerts. Students can also write the internationally recognized DELF exam.

• Students can participate in a number of trips throughout the year, including skiing in St. Donat, Quebec, student exchanges to Europe and March break trips to France and Spain.

• Drama students achieve top Awards of Excellence and Outstanding Productions at the Ontario Sears Drama Festival. They also have the chance to collaborate with professional theatre companies, actors and film directors each year. • Business Studies offers a number of

options to prepare students for post-secondary studies or entry into the workforce. Students can participate on our successful DECA team, accounting competitions and more. • Our music program features workshops

and performances with professional musicians, and incorporates iPads and computers in the classroom. • Our core phys-ed courses focus on

your favourite sports, as well as some new and exciting activities such as: yoga, floor ball, sepak takraw, and rock climbing.

• SJAM offers a unique rugby course, which focuses on sport-specific skills, coaching techniques and rugby fundamentals.

• We offer a dual-credit science option for the grade 12 Earth and Space course. Students who succeed are granted the credit in University of Waterloo’s Earth 121 course.

• Science teachers, Dave Fish and Dave Vrolyk, work at the prestigious Perimeter Institute in Waterloo.

• Our engineering program at SJAM allows students to explore a number of engineering projects, including work with our award-winning electric car club.

• Students experience the world of art around them - from architectural photography trips to Toronto and visits to the Art Gallery of Ontario.

• Students have the chance to journey abroad, including U.S. cities and European destinations, such as New York, Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Prague and Budapest.

(5)

To ensure our students have the most rewarding learning experience possible, SJAM offers a number of special programs and enrichment opportunities.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS @ SJAM

ARTS & CULTURE BUSINESS

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

SPECIALIST HIGH SKILLS MAJORS

A Specialist High Skills Major provides enhanced learning opportunities for students starting in grade 11. Delve deeper into your subject area through expanded course offerings, workshops and clinics. SHSM connected Co-op gives you career-related experience in your area of study. Ontario universities recognize SHSM’s enhanced learning, and the Ontario Universities Application Centre allows you to “check off” that you have participated in the SHSM program. Graduates also receive a special red seal diploma upon completion their respective SHSM. SJAM is pleased to offer 3 distinct SHSM areas for students to choose from.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

The Advanced Placement (AP) program offers students the opportunity to pursue university-level studies while still in high school. Based on their performance on rigorous AP examinations, students can earn credits for many universities and colleges in Canada and the USA. Enrolling in Pre-AP courses prepares students for success in future senior Advanced Placement courses.

The Pre-AP program at Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary is a powerful opportunity to help students acquire the knowledge, concepts, and skills needed to engage in a higher level of learning. Pre-AP extends the current curriculum and enriches specific learning outcomes. SJAM offers Pre-AP courses in English, French, Mathematics, and Science.

Students entering Grade 9 Pre-AP courses are accepted based on the recommendation by the feeder school staff and SJAM Enrichment Committee. The students recommended by the Grade 8 feeder school must meet the Pre-AP Student Profile. Students have the flexibility to apply for Pre-AP courses after grade 9.

• Dual-Credit opportunities with UofW, WLU, and Conestoga College

• DECA business competitions • Trips & exchanges to Europe • Math contests for all grade levels • Computing contests • Skills Canada • Debating clubs • Writing contests • Fed-Prov teams • Science contests • Waterloo Unlimited

• Queen’s University Mini-Course • Shad Valley

• Provincial and national student leadership conferences

• Explore career options through on-the-job learning and real work experiences

• Wide variety of courses, including gym, guitar, automotive, food service and more

• Compete in Inter-City Athletics, including floor hockey, soccer, bowling, volleyball, badminton and more

• Participate in Fast Forward leadership retreat

FAST FORWARD - YOUR FUTURE IS WAITING

Fast Forward is a unique diploma-granting program that allows students to shape their own future. Through the Fast Forward program, students earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma while learning the skills they need to build a rewarding career in their area of interest. The benefits of SJAM’s Fast Forward program are numerous, including:

ENRICHMENT @ SJAM

SJAM offers many great opportunities for students to enhance their academics through exciting activities beyond the classroom. These include:

HIGHLANDER INNOVATION LAB

This unique 2-credit package (English + IDP4UI/4OI) provides students with the opportunity to experience the excitement of start-up culture while in high school. Collaborate in a team setting while you investigate, design, create and pitch your team idea. Develop in-demand skills in an “incubator” workplace. Engage in a flexible learning environment while you enjoy off-site experiences, community/industry partnerships and mentorships. For more information, visit https://jam.wrdsb.ca/

(6)

SJAM ATHLETICS

If you’re looking for an opportunity to get involved in athletics, SJAM

has plenty of amazing options for junior students. Check out the list

of junior teams running at SJAM each season.

FALL

WINTER

SPRING

BASKETBALL - GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY FIELD HOCKEY - GIRLS FOOTBALL - JR./SR. BOYS GOLF - CO-ED OPEN TENNIS SOCCER - JR. BOYS VOLLEYBALL - BOYS ALPINE SKIING BASKETBALL - BOYS BOARDER CROSS CURLING HOCKEY - BOYS HOCKEY - GIRLS NORDIC SKIING SWIMMING VOLLEYBALL - GIRLS BADMINTON RUGBY - BANTAM BOYS

RUGBY - GIRLS RUGBY - JR./SR. BOYS SOCCER - SR. BOYS SOCCER - GIRLS SLO-PITCH - BOYS SLO-PITCH - GIRLS TENNIS - JR. CO-ED

TRACK & FIELD ULTIMATE FRISBEE

(7)

SJAM ARTS & ACTIVITIES

The list of clubs and activities at SJAM

is awe-inspiring, with groups involved

in everything from raising money for

cancer research to perfecting the art

of juggling. Much like our sports teams,

many of our groups enjoy great success

and praise beyond SJAM’s walls!

SJAM ~ACTIVITIES FOR EVERYONE

SCHOOL MUSICAL (EVERY 2-3 YEARS)

ARTISTS ANONYMOUS DANCE COMPANY DANCE TEAMS (GIRLS & BOYS)

DRAMA COUNCIL FALL PRODUCTION/MUSICAL

GUITAR ENSEMBLE GUITAR JAM HIGHLANDER CHORUS INSTRUMENTAL SMALL ENSEMBLES

JAZZ CHOIR JUNIOR BAND JUNIOR JAZZ BAND

MUSIC COUNCIL SEARS DRAMA PRODUCTION

SENIOR BAND SENIOR JAZZ BAND

ATHLETIC COUNCIL BOOK CLUB BUILDING BRIDGES

CEMC COMPUTING COMPETITION CHESS TEAM

COMPUTER SCIENCE CLUB DEBATING TEAM

DECA

ECO-SCHOOLS STUDENT TEAM ELECTRIC CAR CLUB

FASHION SHOW

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL SIMULATION FRIENDS OF ANIMALS CLUB

JAM RADIO JUGGLING CLUB JUNIOR LEADERSHIP

KEY CLUB

M.A.S.H. (MATH & SCIENCE HELP) MATHLETICS

MULTI-CULTURAL CLUB MUSLIM STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

NEWSPAPER CLUB REACH FOR THE TOP CLUB

SCIENCE CONTEST CLUB SHINE (CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP)

SIKH STUDENTS CLUB TECH CREW

NEW CLUBS ADDED EACH YEAR!

DID YOU KNOW?

• SJAM has raised over $250,000 for the Canadian Cancer through our Relay 4 Life events! • Our bands regularly qualify to perform at the

Musicfest Canada national festival and have earned many Gold and Silver awards.

• SJAM drama students, who performed in 2014’s production of “The Laramie Project,” travelled to NYC to train with the Techtonic Theatre Company - the creators of the original play. • Music groups have won first place/gold and

cash awards at the KW Kiwanis Music Festival every year since the school opened in 2004. • Our DECA team is the largest club in the school

and is ranked one of the top teams in the region. • Every year, around 20 SJAM students attend the

DECA international competition in the USA. • SJAM students attend annual We Day

celebrations and participate in a variety of fundraisers for Free the Children.

RELAY 4

LIFE

@ SJAM

(8)

SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD SECONDARY SCHOOL

650 LAURELWOOD DRIVE WATERLOO, ONTARIO N2V 2V1 PHONE: 519-880-9979 WEBSITE: WWW.JAM.WRDSB.CA SIR JOHN A. MACDONA LD A UD ERE EST CREDE RE S E C O N D AR Y SC H O O L 2004 SIR JOHN A. MACDONA LD A UD ERE EST CREDE RE S E C O N D AR Y SC H O O L 2004

References

Related documents

Simulation experiments were conducted to compare the speed of computation of SSWS equations using single equation based, quasi-normalised quasi-numerical approach

The survey indicated that large elevators were more likely to offer their customers such marketing contracts such as delayed price, hedge-to-arrive, minimum price, and premium

The elastic body of the sensor mechanical structure comprises of central support beam, cross elastic beams, compliant beams and base of the body.. Here the

At the inlet, a General Purpose Filter removes particles, dirt and aerosols, followed immediately by a second stage High Efficiency Coalescing Filter to reduce oil and water

It uses graph-directed iterated function systems to produce and analyze both classical tilings of R M and also other generalized tilings of what may be unbounded fractal subsets of

These children deserve to receive early education that will help them enter school prepared to learn. Benefits of Early Child Care and Preschool Education Programs

We, as a field, had already experienced a very similar excitement towards the adoption of online education, which was once loudly praised by its advocates as a new learning

Varying the memory depth and the non-linear order of the memory polynomial model, the PER performance of the non-linear equalizer is studied against the standard