An Education Crisis (Part 1)
The effects of school on high school students’ creativityBy Brendan Chan, Alumnus
It is well known that creativity is important in all aspects of life. It not only stimulates the creation of new and innovative ideas but also plays a large role in students’ development, especially during high school. As defined by the National Advisory Committee on Creative and Cultural Education, creativity is an “imaginative activity fashioned so as to produce outcomes that are both original and of value.”
An Education Crisis (Part 2)
By Brendan Chan, Alumnus
Scholarly Conflict and Key Players
Education lacks the ability to nurture creativity in children needed to adapt to our changing world. In his article, “Fostering creativity or teaching to the test? Implications of state testing on the delivery of science instruction,” Christopher Longo suggested that standardized curriculums are teaching high school students in the United States for the test rather than stimulating creativity and self-motivational learning. By reviewing and analysing research done by others, he outlined his paper, beginning with a lengthy history of standardized testing. Then, he moved on to talk about its implications and how state testing could go hand in hand with creativity. What Longo found was that students were being spoon fed information in order to score well on tests, in turn reducing the motivation in students to inquire into their own learning. (more…)
An Education Crisis (Part 3)
By Brendan Chan, Alumnus
Discussion
Schools in North America are teaching an outdated curriculum that is not only preventing students from keeping up with the changing world, but also fails to encourage self-learning, a crucial component of creativity. The North American education system was born out of the capitalistic model of the economy, in which education systems resemble assembly factories where large groups of students move from teacher to teacher, class to class, and grade to grade. The system’s rigid use of standardized testing to produce students with set skills and standards contributes to the reduction of flexibility in, and the commodification of, education. (more…)
Grad Student checklist
March: Grad Student Checklist
- Most institutions will send you letters or e-mails advising you to self-report your marks. Self-report Term 2 marks to UBC (starting in March) to receive instant admission decision. If you have not received an admission offer from SFU, self-report your Term 2 marks to improve your chances of getting in.
- Ensure that you have submitted all the paperwork required by your institution of choice.
- Follow up with any institutions with uncertainties (residence, marks, admission requirements, deadlines, paperwork, fees, etc.).
- Beware of scholarships that are available in March, and read the student bulletin!
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…
Be a Part of the Solution, Not the Problem!
By Nina Kumar, Grade 12
(Published online only)
Homelessness is a growing issue in Vancouver and an even bigger issue across Canada. Regardless of its type – absolute, relative, or concealed – homelessness is something that all Canadians should be concerned about. Many believe that the homeless are alcoholics or drug addicts, but this is not always the case. Homelessness is tied to various social problems, such as domestic violence, shortage of affordable housing, and high unemployment rates. Also, recent studies have found that twenty to thirty-five percent of homeless people have been treated for psychiatric disorders. Moreover, statistics show that there was a fourteen-percent increase from 1986 to 1996 in the Canadian population, but even before this period came to an end, it was shown that thirty percent of the population was living in poverty. This shows how Canada has been robbed of affordable living for a long time. With about 65,000 young homeless people found across Canada, one cannot help but think, “What on earth are we doing as a nation to change this?” (more…)
Where is the ‘Less’ in Homelessness?
By Shirley Le, Grade 12
“People who are homeless are not social inadequates. They are people without homes.” – Sheila McKechnie
The number of homeless people in Vancouver is large, and it isn’t getting any smaller. We’ve become so accustomed to seeing them on the streets that we treat homelessness as if it is a social norm. Many people are so narrow-minded and judgemental that they look down on these people without considering the cause of their misfortune. Many see this as an issue, yet not many are brave enough to stand up and do something about it.
Surprisingly, Canada is one of the few countries without a national housing strategy, not to mention that statistics on the country’s homelessness aren’t very great to look at. (more…)
High School’s Campaign on Homelessness
By Jomar Sastrillo, Grade 12
Law 12 students at Windermere Secondary School have initiated the annual Educational Campaign on Homelessness by engaging in various projects under the direction of Law teacher Ms. Lee. In light of the Homelessness Action Week from October 10 to October 16, the campaign aimed to investigate the laws in relation to the issue and possible solutions. The class has organized a clothing drive, interviewed prominent members of the community, such as Don Davies, Tim Louis, and Libby Davies, participated in public debates, listened to talks from leaders of local campaigns, and donated to local charities. The goal of this campaign is to set an example for others to follow and to fulfill our responsibility as citizens to help our community.
(more…)
The Liong Rant: Trevor Lima, the Next Windermere’s WHL Product
By Dickson Liong, Grade 10
Photo credit to vancouver-canadians.ca
Did you know that Windermere Secondary School has a 16-year-old teenager who has been drafted by the Vancouver Giants into the Western Hockey League (WHL)?
His name is Trevor Lima, and he is currently in grade 11.
Trevor is a 5-foot-9, 170-pound, right-handed defenseman. For a 16-year-old hockey player, he is in pretty good shape.
Lima was selected in the sixth round, 123rd overall, at the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft in Edmonton.
Many say Lima is one of the top defensemen to come out of British Columbia. One thing is for sure: (more…)
Homelessness Awareness: An Interview with Katrina Hopkins
By Kory Muenala, Grade 12
Did you know that there are over 1,700 people living on streets and in shelters in Vancouver? Could you have guessed that 50% of these people have lived without a home for over a year? Probably not… This is the reality Vancouver is facing today and it is one of the main concerns shared by many people in the city. Luckily, I was able to contact Katrina Hopkins, a shelter support worker. She has kindly provided us with some information about Powell Place, an emergency shelter for women. (more…)
Lest We Forget . . . and Unlearn
By Winnie Liang, Grade 12
“We learn from history that we do not learn from history.“ - Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
Every year, on the 11th day of the 11th month, many people worldwide make a special effort to commemorate those whose lives were cut short by war. In a little over one week, we will do so once again. Sadly, remembering the brutality of previous wars doesn’t seem to change the fact that ever more meaningless and devastating armed conflicts are taking place, right here and now.
Historically, Remembrance Day marked the end of the First World War, which was declared official at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 1918. Sparked by an assassination in a small corner of a long-forgotten European empire, World War I spread throughout the entire world, causing over 35 million military and civilian atrocities. However, those 35 million souls would be all that we are memorializing today if “The War to End All Wars” had not revolutionized the way wars were fought. In the years that followed, regardless of all the ‘remembrance’, the world had put together a history of appalling violence.
As human beings, our ability to learn and transform sets us apart from other animals. We all know how important it is to learn from past mistakes and not repeat them in the future, yet reality tells us otherwise. (more…)
In Remembrance: Provincial Exams
By James Wang, Grade 12
On a warm, mid-August afternoon, the B.C. Ministry of Education tweeted that starting this school year, optional Grade 12 provincial exams would no longer be offered. I personally oppose this change, but nonetheless, others may rejoice. Keep on reading this article to find out how this may affect you!
A brief history of B.C.’s provincial exams:
Years ago, there were provincial exams which were worth 50% of a course’s final mark, and the optional provincial scholarship exams. The weighting of the former was later changed to the current 40%, and the latter was done away with. In 2004, the biggest changes came; Education Minister Christy Clark made all Grade 12 provincials, other than English 12, optional. Over the years, B.C.’s major universities, including UBC, SFU, and U. Vic, changed their admissions policies: provincial exam results would only be used if they increased an applicant’s average. So, the number of people writing them dropped year after year. Then in 2011, 30 optional provincial exams have been dropped due to the fact that only 20% of all eligible students chose to write them last school year and provincial exam scholarships worth $2.5 million dollars went unclaimed.
(Note: Grade 12 provincials are worth 40% of your final grade, but Grade 10/11 exams are worth less – 20%)
Old Provincial Exam Scholarship Rules ($1000):
- Achieve 3 “A’s” (86%+) on 3 Grade 12 exams
- Minimum of 73% on the English 12 provincial
New Provincial Exam Scholarship Rules ($1000):
- Get a “B” (73%+) overall (School Mark + Provincial) in either English 12/Communications 12
- Achieve 1 “A” (86%+) on any one of the 5 provincially examinable courses (English 10/12, Math 10, Science 10, Socials Studies 11)
- Get at least 3 other ”B’s” on any of the other 4 exams
As you can see, it’s much easier to get a scholarship now! Grade 11’s and 12’s weren’t expecting our Grade 10 provincials to matter much, but now they do for scholarship purposes. On the plus side, the exam rewrite rules have been relaxed for those students this year! Instead of allowing students to rewrite exams that they’ve done in the past year only, all mandatory exams can now be rewritten. So if you would like to do so, please talk to your counsellor.
Is the change good or bad?
Now, you are probably wondering why anyone would voluntarily write a 2-to-3-hour exam under the risk of losing up to 40% of their final grade. Right off the bat, it seems quite unfair that Grade 10’s are now under the pressure of having to write three provincial exams while Grade 11’s and 12’s write one exam only. Does that make sense to you? Secondly, students who didn’t get desirable results in previous provincial exams but would like to get a shot at the provincial exam scholarship must now rewrite them, despite the fact that they would have to study for courses they had taken one or two years ago. Thirdly, cancelling optional provincial exams might cause some negative repercussions on the education system. They had been a great equalizer between different schools. Students of private and public schools in both urban and rural areas had all written the same exams. Plus, the exams ensured that every teacher followed the same curriculum. Now, course materials may vary dramatically and students’ fate may be determined by the type of teachers they get.
Nonetheless, I do concede that some good does come out of the cancellation of optional provincial exams. Students are now much less stressed! The most positive effect is that there will be more scholarships given out! (Hopefully, the Ministry won’t run out of money and start reducing the scholarship amount.)
Although student apathy has undoubtedly played a part in causing this ‘atrocity’, the government cannot deny its responsibility either. Personally, I think students should have at least gotten a one-year advance notice of such a drastic change.
I lament the loss of optional provincial exams. Frankly, I was looking forward to writing them, to challenge myself and to gain a sense of achievement. But, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade! For now, concentrate on doing your best in the mandatory provincial exams. If you do well, your $1,000 scholarship depends on them!
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!
It’s okay! Try to get to know some of the people in all your classes. Maybe you’ll have similar interests with them. You’re bound to make one friend that you can hang out with during the break and lunch. Then when you’re sitting in the cafeteria eating lunch with that one friend, you will be introduced to more friends! If you’re shy, you still need to try to take initiative.
3. I made a lot of friends on the first day, but I don’t feel right with some of them. They keep asking me to do things for them that I think isn’t right. How do I get out of this?!
When you’re in grade 8, you’ll make lots and lots of friends, but you won’t know if they’re right for you until later on in high school years. If you’re starting to feel uncomfortable with some of your friends, then maybe they’re not really meant to be your friends. Talk to them and tell them how you feel, even if it means you might stop being friends with them. Eventually, you’ll meet those friends that you’re very comfortable with anyway!
4. I hate my course schedule! All my friends don’t have the same classes as me! I NEED TO CHANGE MY COURSES!!
Most of the time, your courses can’t be changed unless there has been a mistake with your timetable (such as being put in a regular English class when you are supposed to be in ESL), because it could mess up your whole timetable. Sometimes it just can’t be helped, right? It’s okay if all your friends don’t have the same classes as you. You can still hang out with them during the break and lunch, or after school. Plus, you’ll surely meet new friends in your classes along the way. On the other hand, if you are really having trouble with a certain course, you can always talk to your counsellor. However, that is by no means a guarantee for a course change!
5. What’s Friday school? I-block? I’ve never heard of these before!
If you are in Friday School, you will be staying in the cafeteria after school on Friday for about an hour or so, and do homework or study under teacher supervision. Students usually get sent to Friday school by their teachers when they have either misbehaved, or been late or absent (without any absence slip written and signed by a parent/guardian) for class multiple times. On Thursday, classes start later because of I-Block in the morning. I-Block occurs from 8:35-9:25. This is usually when assemblies take place. Unless it is mandatory for you to go to school for a meeting or tutorial during I-Block, you can sleep in!
6. I get hungry all the time, and all the food I bring from home never seems to satisfy my hunger! Is there only food available during lunch, and how much does everything cost?
There are many ways to get food at school! During the break, you can stop by the cafeteria, school store, vending machines, or by the main entrance to buy all sorts of goodies. The prices are fairly reasonable too. During lunch time, you can stop by the cafeteria to buy the entrees or the daily soup, made using freshly grown ingredients from our courtyard garden, not to mention that you can still go to the vending machine or school store for some yummy ice cream. Also, pizza is sold once a week!
7. How is it possible to balance eight courses? That’s so much! Can’t I get a free block? I’m going to be so stressed out :(
It’s very much possible, especially with the Day1/Day 2 system that was mentioned earlier. After school on Day 1, do the Day 2 homework that you couldn’t finish the day before, and vice versa. That way, you manage to complete the homework due the next day. If you’re really struggling with getting your homework done, you can always ask for help from friends, teachers, or parents, or get help after school from our tutors at Homework Club. Unfortunately, a grade-eight student is not allowed to get a free block; all eight blocks must be filled. Free blocks, also called spares, are usually given to Grade 11’s and 12’s. If you’ve taken a completion course in summer school for a course you are expected to take next year, then you may be eligible for a free block.
Back-to-School Comics
By Josephine Wong, Grade 12
My Eighth-Grade Self
High school students were asked the question: What advice would you give your eighth-grade self?
- Moderation is your god. – Justin Fok, alumni
- BE YOURSELF… too many people are pretending to be who they’re not, changing for all the wrong reasons, to be accepted by all the wrong people. – Jenny Ho, grade 12
- Enjoy your time in high school while you can. Try to be productive but at the same time, be at a steady pace so that you can enjoy and appreciate everything around you. Try as many things are you can while you’re still in school… – Tammy Lee, Grade 11
- Worry less about finding that one ‘special’ person and focus on studies. – Matthew Le, grade 11
- Get a catchphrase; something funny that won’t wear off until late grade 10. – Mitchell Agostinho, alumni
- You think you have something to be angsty about? Wait another few years. – Jessica Poon, grade 12
Editorial: How Comics Can Make Us Think
By: Emily Chan, Grade 11
It all started when I read a comic strip in the paper. It was from Pardon My Planet, a classic comic featured in The Province daily. An overweight man sitting at the bar states, “After six years of high school, I lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of the school system for not properly preparing me for unemployment.”
Even though this may seem like a juvenile comment at first glance, it caused me to sit back and think about our education system. We are taught to succeed in life; we are taught to keep our heads high and accept accomplishments gratefully. We are also expected to be content with trying our best – because with that, we’ll go far in life…
But what will happen when the gigantic brick wall of failure sneaks up on us and smacks us down? As harsh as that may sound, it’s how failure will feel if you’re not prepared. You’ll be caught off guard, and won’t know how to gain the confidence back in order to pick up the pieces of your life.
Featured Artist: Nikki Siu
Nikki attended an intensive 3-and-a-half-week summer course with other teens from all over the world, including places like Peru and Hong Kong, from July 7 to Aug 1 at Emily Carr University (formerly known as Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design). While giving her the opportunity to take on several hands-on art projects, Nikki has learned a lot from experience.
“…I wanted to learn what art truly was and how it was going to be taught [at Emily Carr]. It was an awesome experience and I learned a lot of new things about the history of art and what makes something considered art and why people do it. For me, art is a way to express yourself in ways that words can’t – a way to show people who you really are as well as your take on life, love, and many other things. This was an experience I’m sure that I won’t forget and I encourage all you art lovers out there to go out and find our yourself. Emily Carr is a great way to start.” – Nikki Siu.”
Congratulations Nikki on completing your summer course and pursuing your interests!
