Let’s Talk About Learning
By Darius Davidson, Grade 12
Image credit: studentvoice.vsb.bc.ca
Everyone sees things through a different lens. For a long time, students have been placed into classrooms where teachers teach them based on their educational methods. Not every student learns the same way, though; some are kinesthetic learners, while others are visual learners. Students are bound to feel discontented with the way they’re taught at one point or another, but up until recently they hardly got the chance to openly discuss about the current educational system and design the future of education.
On January 31st, over 230 students from secondary schools across the entire Vancouver School District came together at the Roundhouse Community Centre for the “Let’s talk about learning” student forum. Continue reading…
StyleWatch: Mr Ferguson
By Darius Davison, Grade 12
Hi Warriors! It’s Darius Davidson back to report on the most stylish teachers to step foot in the halls of Windermere Secondary. This month we have an interview with Mr Ferguson, who has since moved to Killarney Secondary; Windermere has lost a great principal and an even better dresser, and everyone at the Word will miss him very much.
Q: How would you describe your fashion sense?
A: “[I am] a lazy guy, who doesn’t like shopping all that much. I bought some suits, ties, etc. some time ago, always meaning to refresh it, but as stated: I don’t like shopping all that much.”
Q: What do you think of the fashion of the students of Windermere?
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StyleWatch: Ms. Soo
By Darius Davidson, Grade 12
Hi! This is Darius Davidson, and I’ve been on the reckless prowl for stylish teachers in the
uncharted territory of Windermere Secondary. The teacher who caught my eye was Ms. Soo, for her choice of clothing on the 70’s decade theme day, so I went right to work and asked her some of the questions that you may be wondering about.
StyleWatch: Ms Byrne
By Max Miller and Darius Davidson, Grade 12
Hello again, Warriors! Welcome back to StyleWatch, where we interview your favourite teachers and staff members to find out why they dress the way they do! This month, we have an exclusive interview with the latest addition to the school’s English and Drama departments, Ms. Byrne!
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Warrior Adventures – The Journey Begins
(Click for hi-res!)What a twist! How will our hero get out of this one? Go to the front page of the Word Website and vote for one of the two options below:
A) BARGAIN FOR HIS FREEDOM
B) FIGHT HIS WAY OUT
StyleWatch: Ms. Taddei
By Darius Davidson, Grade 12
Hey Warriors! It’s really been a while, but StyleWatch is now back, providing you with an up-close look at the fashion style of teachers here at Windermere Secondary! This time, the spotlight has shone on our principal, Ms. Taddei. If you want to know more about her, then today is your lucky day!
Q: How would you describe your sense of fashion?
A: Flexible. I am quite flexible with my clothing choices. Sometimes I can be professional and conservative, and other times I can be casual and laidback. That way I can switch from moment to moment. I like my casual wear so I can work on my fitness. The weekend is the only time when I get to be very casual by wearing sweats, fitness clothing, and t-shirts.
Q: How did you decide on what to wear today?
A: I made my decision by looking at the weather. It was going to be sunny today, so I wore light clothing with light colours such as beige.
Q: What do you think about the sense of fashion of the Windermere students?
A: It’s casual and trendy, which I would expect from most teenagers. The casual comfort and trendiness are great!
Q: If you could return to an era of fashion, what would your choice be and why?
A: The late 60’s. At the period of time when I was going from elementary school to high school, jeans, t-shirts, and mini-skirts were very popular. Bell-bottoms and boots were considered very nice and trendy at the time, too!
Q: What are some of your fashion pet peeves?
A: Big shoulder pads. Back in the 80’s, women would wear big shoulder pads that were connected to their blouses. I don’t like that. Also, I don’t think giant holes in jeans look very attractive.
Q: If you could dress up as anyone, who would you want to be and why?
A: I would just wear jeans and a t-shirt. I like that look because I like being comfortable.
Q: What has been your most memorable Halloween costume and why?
A: My most memorable Halloween costume would be the huge bee costume I wore when I was at Lord Byng Secondary, because it was that time when the Bee Movie was out. I was the Byng Bee! As a child though, I would dress up as either a hobo or a hippie. At Van Tech, I was Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz.
September Advice Column – Newcomer Edition
For all our newly arrived grade-eight Warriors and those who have joined us from another high school, here is some advice for the problems and issues you might encounter.
1. I’m so scared of high school! What if the teachers give me too much homework and if I fail my exams! I don’t want to repeat grade 8!!!
Don’t worry, you won’t repeat grade 8 as long as you pay attention in class, do the homework, and study effectively. (Remember: studying for too long without rest is NEVER a good idea! Your memory and learning are enhanced only when your brain is active, so distribute your study time wisely!) Luckily, our courses run on a Day 1/Day 2 schedule. If your teacher assigns you homework on Day 1 and it’s due the next class, you’ll have two days to finish it – there is plenty of time! Also, teachers do a great job of preparing you for final exams, and there are lots of tutorial blocks and Homework Club if you need extra help!
2. I just moved into the area and I’m really shy and people don’t really notice me. I really want to make some new friends, but I don’t know how. Help!
Rest in Peace, Jack Layton.
By Darius Davidson, Grade 12
On August 26th, 2011, it was pouring rain – not surprising as we do live in Vancouver. But coincidentally, just before that it was all sunny……and Jack Layton was still alive.
At 4:45 a.m. Eastern Time, 61-year-old Jack Layton lost his lengthy and agonizing battle with cancer, passing away peacefully in sleep. Layton was a famous Canadian social democratic politician and Liberal Party Leader of the Official Opposition. Being a native Quebecer from a family with a rich heritage in politics and activism, it was natural that he had such passion and perseverance in what he did. Being the student council president of his high school predicted that he would one day become a great politician. From there on, he kept climbing. Despite a few setbacks and losses, Layton eventually rose to the top of his career. Continue reading here!
StyleWatch: Mr. Parker
By: Darius Davidson (Gr.11) and Max Miller (Gr.11)
Returning after a short hiatus, this is StyleWatch, in which our brave Word contributors interview teachers at Windermere to learn more about their personal style, as well as the types of clothing they like and dislike. This month’s victim interviewee is Mr. Parker, one of our English teachers!
Q: Can you describe your dress style?
A: I’d say formal/casual in the sense that I wear a dress shirt and tie; even when I’m out I like to dress more formally than most other people. In the classroom, I like to put forth an effort. I think if I present myself professionally in my career, it reflects in the students. That’d be my style, I guess. I don’t know if you can define that.
Q: What do you think of the dress style of the students at Windermere?
A: There’s a uniform in this school: black tearaway pants with the white shoes and the white jacket that’s sort of puffy. And you wear that and that’s the extent of it. Apart from the school uniform, there are a couple people who do it differently, but for the most part it’s conforming to and fitting in with whatever the current trends are: sportswear, jock wear, or white shoes with a white jacket.
Q: Do you have any fashion pet peeves?
A: There are a lot of different things I don’t like – I hate jumpers, and stuff like that. On women, I don’t really like that look at all. And the shorts that go into the one big piece. I am really not fond of that at all. For some reason, I really don’t like the over-makeup, such as lots of red lipstick. Overall, I find it to seem not real. As for guys, I think there are a lot of guys who wear shirts that are two sizes too small and they’ll wear that shirt out all the time. And uniforms again: a group of guys wearing the EXACT same outfit. The uniforms drive me nuts.
Q: If you could return to an era in fashion, which would you return to?
A: Definitely the 20’s. Shirt and tie. I have always dressed like that. Even in high school. I have pictures of me at formal and prom dressed like that when everyone else was in traditional rent-from-Moores tuxedos. Definitely there was more elegance involved. I think everyone dressed really elegantly, and that’s my style.
Q: Is there any character you would like to cosplay as?
A: Oh! I’d dress up as – and I didn’t even really like the movie – the guy from “Tron”. Just because that’s such a different style, all leather and lit up? And you could walk into a place and everybody’d be like “oh look at me I’m a pirate of the carribean” – I’m Tron! I’m lit up! Look at my arms! You can see me from across the room! And I’m not even a big fan of “Tron”. The movie was kind of terrible, but that’s a costume that you’d see and you’d be “wow look at that.” “I’m Tron! ” That’s all you’d have to say, just keep saying that.
Q: What other teacher do you think has a good fashion sense?
A: Wow, I’d better choose carefully. I don’t want to offend anyone… Mr Wiebe. An excellent dresser.
December’s Warrior of the Month
AAAANNDD here are your December Warriors of the Month: Tiffany Tran, Darius Davidson and Max Miller in Grade Ten!
CONGRATS TIF, DARIUS AND MAX! HOW DO YOU GUYS FEEL?
M: Surprised. I didn’t even know I was nominated – does that make me a bad person? Anyways, my ego is inflated enough as it is. This isn’t helping.
D: Surprised, like a little boy walking upon his parents putting presents in the tree
and eating the milk & cookies specially prepared for Santa. I’d like to give a special shout out to all the kitties in the world! Especially one kitty~ : )
T: Um kind of surprised?
LOL@ THE COOKIES THING! MY DAD EATS THE COOKIES I LEAVE OUT FOR SANTA!
NEXT QUESTION: WHY DO YOU GUYS THINK YOU WERE NOMINATED?
M: I don’t know but let me tell you, it’s long overdue - hey, see?! It’s the ego!
D: I think we we’re nominated because of Max. He’s got like secret connections in the underworld and he’s always making these shady deals with men in big, scruffy, black suits. Yoh, wait a minute! Why are you asking this question? You already told all of us why we were nominated! We were nominated because us three devoted students (With the exception of Tiffany because I like to exclude her for fun) had organized the canned food drive that was on Halloween.
T: no idea?
HOW MANY LICKS DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO THE MIDDLE OF A TOOTSIE POP?
