Senior School Updates — May 16, 2024

5/15/2024

End Of Year Provincial Tournaments

In the coming weeks, many student athletes will represent St. George’s School in various provincial championships. This is a friendly reminder that if students are going to be away, they must communicate with their teacher prior to their trip and have a plan to ensure their academic responsibilities are met. Best of luck to our athletes and coaches.

Flex Day Schedule — Thursday, May 23

Celebrating Pride At
St. George's School!

Pride Month is just around the corner! Working in partnership with the Arts, Spirit, and Sustainability Portfolio, and with support from dedicated teachers and administrators, the JEDI Portfolio is excited to launch our most extensive celebration of Pride Month in our Schools’ history.

To launch our celebrations of Pride Month, on Tuesday, May 21st, esteemed guest speaker Danny Ramadan, a Syrian-Canadian author and LGBTQ-refugees advocate, will speak to the student body on his experiences immigrating to Canada, and his impressive work since. Among other engaging events, students can expect lip-syncing competitions, fun workshops, and notably, our first Pride Festival.

The Pride Festival, happening on Garcia Field during Thursday’s Flex Day, will include (but is not limited to): face painting, balloon animals, kite flying, and (hip) music from our very own DJ. Cautiously expecting hot weather and good party conditions, I am looking forward to seeing the school celebrate the day, and alongside it, the strength and diversity of LGBTQ+ communities across the globe.

Hopefully, as we commemorate marginalized populations, we encourage greater unity within our walls. Empathy and celebration will not cease after the conclusion of Pride Month, and I, for one, am excited to see what subsequent years hold for our growing tradition of inclusivity and celebration.

Written by John Demianczuk ‘24

Outdoor Education — Grade 10 Trip:
Sea To Sky Recap

During the last week of April and the first week of May, all Grade 10 students completed their Sea To Sky Outdoor Education Expeditions. Our students travelled all over the province to complete these expeditions. The trips took them to stunning hikes in Garibaldi; on the Juan de Fuca Trail and on Nootka Trail; up challenging craigs while climbing in Skaha; through beautiful lakes while canoeing in Sayward; and through the stunning Broken Group Islands while Sea Kayaking. Throughout all of the trips, our Grade 10s excelled and embodied the Core Values of Empathy and Respect. They cared for each other by cooking meals, supporting their peers through challenges, and learned to respect the equipment that kept them safe and dry; and of course, the stunning landscapes near our home.

You're Invited To The
Curriculum Theatre Night On May 21!

You are invited to the Senior School Theatre Department's Annual Curriculum Night, on Tuesday, May 21st at 7:00 pm in the Auditorium. During this special evening, our Senior Drama students (Drama 11 & 12 and Drama 10) will perform their final class plays. Admission is free, so no tickets are needed! For more information, please see the two different plays we will be showcasing below.

A Knight’s Tale: The Musical

On Stage: 7:00–7:50 pm

Performed by Drama 10, directed by Ben Isac ‘24, and featuring guest performances from J.J Miller ‘28 and Samantha D. from Crofton House School, this jukebox musical inspired by the 2001 film will rock you!

Suitable for all audiences, including young children.

Observe The Sons Of Ulster Marching Towards The Somme

On Stage: 8:00–9:00 pm

Performed by Drama 11 & 12, and directed by Mr. Jamie Donnici, this is a powerful, heartbreaking story about love, memory, masculinity, and trauma set in WWI. The Saints Players Theatre Company has won multiple awards for their performance of this piece, including Best Production at the ABCDE Vancouver Zone Festival, and Outstanding Acting at the NTS BC Drama Festival.

Please note that this performance is not suitable for young children.

BC Drama Festival

From May 2nd–5th, Mr. Jamie Donnici’s Drama 11 & 12 class attended the National Theatre School BC Drama Festival, hosted by the Association of BC Drama Educators. Nearly 300 Drama students from across the province attended this incredible, action-packed weekend. Students in the class attended workshops, performed, enjoyed one-act plays from their fellow delegates, and attended social events in the evening, culminating in a massive disco-themed dance. For their one-act play, Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme, the Drama 11 & 12 class won three Outstanding Acting awards for Liam Hughes ‘24, Ben Isac ‘24, and Taggart Van Beek ‘25. Liam Hughes ‘24 also won the National Theatre School Performance Scholarship which acknowledges and honours exceptional talent and commitment to theatre.

Grade 9 Math Deep Dive:
Water Balloon Bungee & More

Last Flex Day, the Grade 9s participated in a Math Deep Dive, a day filled with engaging activities that brought math concepts to life. They tackled water balloon bungee jumps, logic puzzles, contest preparation, and even explored game theory.

For the water balloon activity, students put their math skills to the test by calculating the optimal number of elastic bands needed for a safe "jump" from the Grad Lounge balcony. The groups with balloons falling closest to the ground without bursting advanced to the next round. Here, things got a bit more daring (and potentially messy!). Students again dropped their balloons, but this time aiming for a partner wearing a special helmet with protruding nails, designed to pop the balloon if it got too close. Whether it was the result of a miscalculation or a touch of friendly competition, quite a few students got soaked!

The riddles & puzzles group tackled brain-teasing challenges, diving deep into problem-solving and teamwork. Together, they journeyed into the depths of problem-solving, fostering collaboration and strategic thinking. From unravelling perplexing enigmas to mastering tasks with finesse, they embraced the opportunity to think outside the box, resulting in a fun-filled journey of teamwork and discovery that left students energised and enthused by the thrill of collaborative problem-solving.

In the Game Theory Workshop, students explored a field focusing on their decision-making skills in various scenarios such as the classic Prisoner's Dilemma and Free Rider Problems. They analysed tables which displayed the outcomes of different choices and determined the most effective strategies. Additionally, they discussed how these strategies relate to group behaviour and economic principles. Finally, they engaged in simulations to observe these strategies in practical settings.

During the Math Contest Session, students engaged with the Grade 9 Fryer and Grade 12 Euclid contests. Solutions were presented by Mr. Lovell and by participants who volunteered to share their reasoning. The excitement peaked during the team Face-Off Competition where students worked in small groups, racing to solve math questions. A few students volunteered to occupy important roles such as judge, timer, and scorekeeper. The lead changed multiple times, but a winning team emerged in the final minutes to secure victory.

It was wonderful to see mathematics in action and to see the enthusiasm and engagement of all the students.

Saints Players Theatre Company Presents

November 6–9, 2024

Click Here To View The Audition Package

Auditions: May 27 & 29

Dance Audition: May 28

Callbacks: May 31

Athletic Updates

It’s another huge week for our competitive teams, highlighted by our Rugby Teams Zone Championships! Here is what’s scheduled for your Saints Athletics’ teams.

Badminton

The Badminton Team competed in the Vancouver Sea to Sky Zone Championships on Wednesday, May 15th, with our athletes vying for entry into the BC Provincial Championships to be held at Walnut Grove Secondary School from May 30th–June 1st. Keep an eye on the Saints Athletics Instagram for updates on qualifiers! Good luck, boys!

Field Hockey

The Field Hockey Team will be on the turf field at UBC for training on Tuesday, May 21st and Wednesday, May 22nd.

Golf

The Golf Team will compete in the AAA Sea to Sky Zone Championships at Fraserview on May 22nd, looking to punch their ticket to the Provincial Championships which will be played in the first week of June at Arbutus Ridge on Vancouver Island. Good luck, boys! The team will also train on Thursday, May 23rd at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club.

Rowing

The Rowing Team is coming off an excellent weekend at the Shawnigan Regatta, which was highlighted by 12 medal winning performances, including two races where Saints Boats finished in the 1st and 2nd position. The team is two weeks out from their biggest Regatta of the year at CSSRAs in St. Catharines, Ontario. Follow @sgssaintsrowing Instagram for more updates!

Rugby

1st XV and 2nd XV

The 1st XV Team will be battling it out at home in a huge semi-final game this Thursday afternoon, May 16th at 4:00 pm against Handsworth. They will be looking to punch their ticket into the Vancouver Sea To Sky AAA Final which will be hosted at Saints next Thursday, May 23rd.

Junior A and Bs

The Junior A Team played in the Vancouver Final on Tuesday, May 14th against Tupper, and with a huge win, they earned their spot in The BC Junior Provincials in Abbotsford from May 28th–31st.

Tennis

The Junior Tennis Team will practise on Sunday, May 19th from 5:00–7:00 pm, followed by the Senior Tennis Team from 7:00–9:00 pm at the UBC Tennis Bubble. The team is ready for a huge week at AAA Provincials which we are hosting at Queen Elizabeth Park from May 23rd–25th. Good luck, boys!

Track and Field

The Track and Field Team is set for their Vancouver Sea to Sky Zone Championships which will be held at the UBC Oval on May 21st–22nd. Many of our athletes are looking to qualify for Provincials which will be taking place June 6th–8th in Nanaimo!

Ultimate

The Junior Team is looking forward to their Provincial Championships, taking place at Newton Athletic Park in Surrey on May 25th and 26th. Good luck, Juniors!

Volleyball

The Grade 8 and 9 Teams will continue to practice on Mondays and Wednesdays as their competitive seasons begin to wind down.

Water Polo

This past Sunday members of the Water Polo team played their second set of Friendlies in the Metro Vancouver League. With a slightly smaller numbers, the boys combined with the North Shore Titans to play against Burnaby and Vipers. Formal scores weren't kept but two boys playing their first-ever games made their mark: Grad Nicky Penz with solid passing and stifling defence, and Grade 8 Tyler Clogg showing his speed and skills for multiple goals!

The Water Polo Team is looking forward to their next Friendly at Central Park Pool on Sunday, June 2nd! Good luck, boys!

XC Mountain Biking

The XC Mountain Biking Team is geared up for their three day Provincial Championship from May 22nd-24th in Squamish and Whistler after a fantastic season in league meets. Good luck, racers!

Swimming

Ivan Sun’s ‘24 Journey To The Olympic Trials

Ivan Sun ‘24 is currently in Toronto all week at the Olympic Trials, racing the best in the country as a select few aim to punch their ticket to Paris! Ivan is racing the Breaststroke events, and his highlight so far on Day 1 was a huge best time in the 100m Breaststroke heats of 1:05.34. That moved him up from the #50 overall seed time to 36th, and put him into the Junior Champs Final! In the final, ,he was just slightly off his preliminary time with a 1:05.90, but held his ninth position. That swim was in the same session where superstars Summer Macintosh and Maggie MacNeil officially qualified for Paris!

Click here for a video of Ivan Sun ‘24 at the Olympic Trials!

Follow @saintsathletics_ on Instagram!