The Portal

2009·3.3 MB·English

by  Balmoral Hall

THE
PORTAL
APublicationofBalmoratHallSchool
Volume21 Number1 Spring2009
Contents
Balmoral Hall School,a universitypreparatoryschool,
educates, encourages and empowersyoung women
who excel academically, possess a passionfor 2 Head of School Message:
learning, sethigh standardsforpersonal achievement,
Looking back; looking forward.
andwhowill be self-confidentleaders oftomorrow.
3 A Message from the Chair,
7776Portal,a publication ofBalmoral Hall School's
AdvancementOffice,is distributedto over4000 Board of Governors
—
members ofthe BH Family parents, alumnae,
grandparents,staff, parents ofalumnae,formerstaff 4 Balmoral Hall School Receives
andfriends ofthe School. Candidate Status as an IB Middle Years
Programme School
Acting Head ofSchool 5 New & Improved BH Website!
DonnaAlexander
6 Give herthe best head start
Principals
Introducing the BH Beginnings Child
Joanne Kamins,SeniorSchool
TracyWhite,MiddleSchool Care Program
JudithSteek,JuniorSchool
7 Debating TheirWayto Success!
Editors
TinaAlto,DirectorofAdvancement 8 In Support of Literacy: Students use
GinnyLechman'98,AlumnaeRelations&Communications
Zunes to Bridge an Education Gap
Proofreader
Genevieve Delaquis,AnnualFund 9 Global Recognition forTeacher;
Global Experience for Students
Contributors
Elizabeth(Holden) BuggeyRLS'26 10 0 Ambassador Program
Deanna Hansen'87
Empowers Students
Steven Macdonald
Andrea Mancini'01
LoisMcGill-Horn 11 Girls forthe Cure
Alana Miller'98
Lisa Moore 11 Giving Backto our Local Community
Rhonda Smith
12 Coming Togetherto Support the Girls
Balmoral HallSchool of BH
630WestminsterAvenue
Winnipeg,MB,Canada R3C3S1
Tel:[phone] Thank You to our Loyal Alumnae Donors
Fax:[phone]
E-mail:[email protected]
Design, Layout& Production
BCG Communications
Pleasesendyourcomments,articles,picturesand Crestlines
newstotheAdvancementOffice atthe addressaboveor
[email protected]
Onthe FrontCover:Elizabeth(Holden)BuggeyRLS'26
celebrated her100th birthdayon October27,2008.Turnto
page 19fordetailsonherbirthdaycelebration.
Give her the best head start
13 We Are Family; A story of parent and
grandparent giving
14 New Student Joins the BH Family
15 Sports Highlights
16 Markyour calendars!
Doll & Alumnae Assembly
17 Home forthe Holidays
18 Class of 1998 Celebrates their
10-Year Reunion
19 BH Alumna Celebrates 100th Birthday
—
20 An Inside Look Alumnae Profiles:
Passion for Parties
A Profile ofAndrea Mancini '01
22 Learning the Language ofthe Body
A Profile of Deanna Hansen '87
Balmoral Hall School (BH) is proud to Introduce the BH
23 Succeeding On and Offthe Court
A Profile ofAlana Miller '98 Beginnings Child Care Program which prepares girls ages 2
and 3 for an education in academics and global understanding
25 Crestlines in a culturally diverse, nurturing and stimulating environment.
27 Peace Open House
April 22, 2009
10:00 am to 7:00 pm
For Child Care to Grade 12
Our February Open House was a huge success. Greatrecommendationsfrom
students, parents and alumnae broughtover 50families intothe school forthe day.
Thankyou to the numerousfamilieswho cameto see all thewonderful things BH
hasto offer.
For more Information aboutourApril Open House, please contacttheAdmissions
Office at [phone] [email protected]
BursariesavailablestartinginGrade1,ChildCare/Nursery/JuniorKindergartentuitionsare100%tax
deductibleandKindergartenis57.3%taxdeductibleasachildcareexpense.
I
It is to hold fast to the values and principles that are at our
Actind Head of School Messaoe core. It is to create a community oflearners connectedto
the BH Family readyto launchthemselves out into the
global community knowingthat no matter where they go,
there is a BH alumthat has blazed a path, willing to share
By: Donna Alexander theirtime and experiences withthem. From NewYork
corporate offices, to London ivorytowers, villages in India
As an educator in a history classroom, my days and law offices aroundthe world, BH alums are reaching
were filled by examining the past with my out. Theyprovide financial support to the school, butjust
as importantthey help bybeing readyto discuss the
students in order to determine what could be challenges ofbalancingfamily andwork, opening doors,
makingintroductions and sharingtheir networks. Intimes
learned going forward. They interviewed like these, ourrole is to create a school that the next
survivors of wars and immigrant refugees; they Mrs, Buggeyis proudto returnto onthe occasion ofher
100thbirthday
wrote of sorrow and hope.
Lookingforward, Balmoral Hall SchoolwiU continue to be
energized bythe boundless enthusiasms and energy ofthe
As auniversity counsellor, my days were filledwrith girls andyoungwomenintheirtartankilts. The teachers
students completing applications and scholarship essays winremindthemto tuckintheir blouses andpullup their
in orderto gain seats inuniversity classrooms thatwould socks, andtheywill smile everytime auniversity student
prepare themfortheir future. This year as Acting Head of writes to tellthemhowmuchthey miss theirimiform,
School, 1 have missed the immediacy ofthe classrooms, because theyknowit is notjustthe uniform, it is the values
the direct interactions with students who grapple over and the principles, the sorrow, the hope andthe giggles.
difficult concepts, their laughter andtheir optimism. 1 have
missed the sorrow andthe hope andtheir essays.
Instead, my days are filledwith amuch deeper and
broader view of education. There are hugs from Junior
School students, whose boundless enthusiasm and
capacityfor learning astounds me daily. The impact ofthe
International Baccalaureate PrimaryYears Programme and
the expertise ofthe Junior Schoolteachers has stretched
their capacityfor inquiry and achievement. Middle School
students come to see me filledwith giggles and angst,
hopingto change the world, and already planningtheir
Head Girl campaign. Theirteachers are compassionate
and exacting, teaching concepts and communicating
expectations, while helping these students to become
independentyoung women. In Senior School, the students
are findingtheirplace inthe world. Teachers provide them
withthe academic rigourto prove themselves, andthe
experiences onthe stage, gym andworld that enable
them to make thoughtful decisions abouttheir future.
The 100th birthday celebrationfor Mrs. Buggey has
reminded me thatthe world changes rapidly, andthe
pedagogythat informed Balmoral Han Schoolinthe early
part ofthe 20th centuryhas evolved. Inthe 21st century,
the expectations for the girls andyoung womenthat
grace these halls are more complex. Traditional roles and
limitations have givenwayto boundless opportunity in a
world currentlyfacing international economic turmoil.
Technologyhas dramatically changedthe jobs that were
available just a shorttime ago, and most of our grads will
have careers that have not yet been imagined. What is the
role ofBH intimes like these?
Looking bac forwar
ool<:ing
k;
A Message from the Chair, Board of Governors
By: Corrine Scott We are all workingto prepare our students to become
leaders guided by a common purpose to be valued
Myjourney as Chair ofthe Balmoral Hall School contributors in their local, national and international
Board of Governors began onthe heels of a communities. Confronted bytremendous global anxiety, it is
significant change for the entire BH community. inthe hands ofthe BH Family that our students' futures are
Lookingback overthe past few months of my first entrusted. The educational experience, so carefully nurtured
term I am inspiredbythe dedication and within the halls of BH, depends on all of us and is most
commitment shownbythe staff andfaculty. 1 am deserving of our unwavering support and commitment.
equally awed bythe support shownbythe BH
Parent Association, the Alumnae Association and the What has made andwill continue to make Balmoral Hall
Board of Governors. School such a great girls' school is the conviction with
whichwe face challenges andthe passionwith which we
Everyone has demonstratedtheirfirm beliefinthe pursue opportunities in meaningful ways. I am gratefulto all
benefits of aU-girls education. All have worked who have contributedto the success stories shared in the
tirelesslyto ensurethe girls ofBH are given every followingpages. Students, staff, parents, alumnae and
opportunityto discoverwhat they love, to showwhat friends—the BH Familyis indeed moving forwardwith
they are great at and to develop those interests that confidence and optimism.
they are passionate about. Perhaps most importantly,
all are preparedto move forward as one in our
pursuit ofthe School's vision.
Balmoral Hall School Receives Candidate Status
as an IB Middle Years Programme School
By: Lois McGill-Horn, IB MYPCoordinator The student is atthe centre of all MYP instruction andthis
emphasizes the IB beliefin educatingthe whole person
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years andthe importance ofstudent inquiry. The International
Programme (MYP) is aprogram ofinternational education Baccalaureate provides an educational frameworkwhich
that helps students develop the skills, knowledge and complements and supports our provincial outcomes,
attitudes to live andwork responsiblyin our changing allowing us to offer an enriched learning experience. The
world. It is a program designed for 11-16 year old students curriculum consists of eight subject areas that are taught
and builds on the foundation constructed during our by examiningthe concepts throughthe five Areas of
student's time in the Junior School PrimaryYears
Interaction:
Programme (PYP).
Environments
MYP is guided bythree fundamental concepts:
holistic learning or the beliefthat all learning is Community and Service
connected, intercultural awareness which encourages
internationed mindedness and communication. Human Ingenuity
Health and Social Education
Approaches to Learning (How do I learn best?)
PORTAL
APublicationofBalmoral HallSchool
New & Improved BH Website!
Byexamining cniriculum contentthroughthese Balmoral Hall School has been working hard overthe
contexts, students develop positive attitudes and a pastyearto develop a brand newwebsite. The site is
sense ofpersonal and social responsibility, move now up and running and we encourage everyone to
from academic knowledge to thoughtful action and check it out atwww.balmoralhall.com
beginto see connections between subject areas.
The newwebsite includes information on all areas of
Atthe end ofthe 5thyear (Grade 10), students will the school in an eye-catching, easyto navigate format.
complete apersonalprojectthatwiU allowthemto A private side ofthe site was recently launched which
directtheir own inquiry andwill be a reflection of allows parents and studentsto log in to see marks,
the skills learnedthroughthe five years. class information and homework. Overthe coming
yearsthe site will continueto expand allowing all our
Balmoral Hall Schoolreceived Candidate Status as
anMYP School inthe fall of 2008 and as we move scconhsotoiltuaectnitvsittioesl.og in and see secure information about
towards authorization, we have begunto align our
curriculum and assessment strategies to blendwith We thank everyone for being patient as we unveiled the
the philosophy ofthe MYP programme. With an site and fortheir suggestions on howwe can improve.
anticipated authorization visit bythe International
Baccalaureate inthe winter of 2009, we look
forwardto joining our Junior School as an
accredited IB school.
Volume21 Number1 Spring2009 5
Introducing the BH Beginnings
Child Care Program
The BH Beginnings Child Care program is a full day,
nurturing program for girls ages 2 and 3—inspired bythe
internationally recognized Reggio Emilia approachto early
childhood education. It encourages childrento become
independent, responsible and inquisitive. Through a
balanced program, children learn inthe following areas:
—
Cognition Creative and Critical
Thinking Skills
Language Acquisition
Mathematical Foundations
Fine and Gross Motor Development
Social and Emotional Skills
At the heart ofthe BH Beginnings Child Care program is
the premise that children are competent, resourceful and
capable of directingtheir own learning. Through avariety
of experiences, children play, explore the environment and
develop their own ideas and understandings. Children Child Care hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
develop relationships with other children and with nature, Mondayto Friday. Cost is $40 per day with lunch
expressingtheir thoughts through drav«ng, painting, and snacks included. For more information please
acting, singing and construction. contact our Admissions Office at [phone]
or [email protected]
6 ™^PORTAL
APublicationofBalmoralHallSchool
Way
Debating
Their
Success
to
Rupert's Land Public Speaking Tournament Angus Reid Tournament
The Rupert's Land Public Speaking Tournamentwas The Senior Debate team attendedthe Angus Reid Debate
held on November 16, 2008 at Balmoral Hall School. Tournament on February 11, 2009 and performed extremely
BH was represented by Gurkamal Dhillon, Isabelle well. The challenging resolution, "That NAFTAbe
Anderson-Gregoire, Talia Glodjo, andArianaMeyers renegotiated," was handledwith confidence andpassion.
who participated in events such as impromptu speeches The team consisted of: Gurkamal Dhillon, Isabelle
and debates as well as prepared persuasive speeches. Anderson-Gregoire, Talia Glodjo, Breanne Fredette and
Balmoral Hall Schoolplacedthird overall. Ariana Meyers Ariana Meyers. As individuals, Talia Glodjo placed 2nd and
was top speaker for Balmoral Hall School and qualified for Ariana Meyers placed4th. Talia Glodjo and Gurkamal
the National Public Speaking Competition. Dhillonplaced 2nd overall as a team.
Grade 12 Student Places First and Second at
National Debate Seminar
Ariana Meyers, Grade 12, showed great skiU and
confidence at the National Debate Seminar heldin Calgary,
Alberta, November 20-25, 2008. Four students from
Manitoba qualifiedto compete at the seminar and Ariana
placedfirst from Manitoba and secondfrom all competitors
across Canada. The students were challengedto eight
rounds of debatingwhichincludedfour different styles
ofdebate.
Ms Audrey Greenhillwas honoured atthe National Debate
Seminarfor her dedicationto debatingin general and her
involvementinthe Canadian Student Debate Federation
overthe past number ofyears.
National Public Speaking Championships
ArianaMeyers, Grade 12, competed atthe 2009 National ArianaMeyersatthe2009NationalPublicSpeakingChampionships
Public Speaking Championships held at SJR. Sheperformed
extremelywellplacingtwelfth overall, justtwo spots away
from qualifying forthe World's Public Speaking
Championships. Students were challenged by competing in
four separate categories that included parliamentary
debates, persuasive speeches, impromptu speeches, and
interpretive readings.
StudentsattheannualRupert'sLandDebate tournament
Volume21 Number1 Spring2009 7
In Grade 9,the Social Studies curriculumtalks about Human Theteacherinthe Newcomer classroom, Mrs. Petriw,
Rights,the global responsibilityof Canadians and the identified vocabularywordsthatherstudents struggled with.
challenges in achieving the UN Millennium Development To assist, ourGrade 9 studentstook images and recordedthe
goals by2015. In an efforttotake learning beyondthe pages corresponding audio wordto match sothey could hear and
ofthetextbook, students began a partnership with a seethe words. Notonly havethe Zunes allowed students in
Newcomer Intensive Classroom in the Louis Riel School the Newcomer Intensive Programto become more
Division in Manitoba. This classroom is made up of refugee independentinthe classroom, it has also allowed learning to
and immigrant high school studentswho have either never extend outsidethe classroom and intotheir homes where
beento school or have large gaps in theireducation because their parents do notalways speak English.
ofpolitical or civil unrest.
Afterworking on theZunefiles, Balmoral Hall School students
Education and literacyfor all children is a goal ofthe United wantedto meetthe students inthe Newcomer Intensive
Nations.Withthis in mind,the Grade 9 students began Classroom sotheysetouton a field trip. Following icebreaker
creating audiofiles and vocabularyimagesto supportthe games and a breakfast, our Grade 9 studentswere asked to
reading materialsthatwere being used forthe refugee and help Mrs. Petriw's students learn howto use PowerPointto
immigrantstudents. Ourstudents recorded audioto create a presentation abouttheirfavourite holiday.
correspond to a written piece ofwork and added theseto
Zunes sothe stijdents inthe Newcomer classroom could "Each ofthe students had written a page ortwo abouttheir
liiPsotdenthaasttshuepyporeratds.d(iTffheereZnutnkeinisdsanofMfiPlSespsluacyehr,asmuvicdheolifkieleas,n fPaovwoeurriPtoeinhtolpirdeasyenatnadtioounr.jWobewwaesretoetarcahnspfaoirrmedituinptowiath one of
music files and photos.These files can be created on a the students and ourtaskwasto puta sentence ortwo on
computer and uploadedtothe Zune.) each slide along with a picture. This was notas easy as it
sounds because ofthe language barriermanyofus faced.We
gotto knowthe students reallywell and we learned so much
aboutthem. After makingthe PowerPointpresentations,we
played a gameto getto know each other even better.The
morningjustflew by and before we knewit, itwastimeto
head backto school." AlexDePape andEricka Muller-Moran,
Grade9students.
On a second visit,the PowerPointpresentationswerefinished
by addingtraditional music and studentsthen presentedthe
projects abouttheirfavourite holiday. Manyofthe students in
Mrs. Petriw's class have beenthrough very difficulttimes, lost
familymembersto war and unrestand have relocatedto our
country. We could seethatforthem,the mostim^portantthing
wasfamily.This unforgettable experience has made us realize
howvery luckywe are.
tudents use
Zunes to Bridge
an Education Gap