Grade 11 Academics

Academic Highlight: 

My academic highlight for my grade 11 year was completing my AP Environmental Science course with a 91 average. I took 3 AP's in my grade 11 year so to get an A in one of them was a dream come true.

Academic Highlight:

My other Academic Highlight in grade 11 was the Human Geography project which required students to take photos of three different areas in a city and discuss their cultural and social differences

Academic Reflection:

My Academic Reflection for my grade 11 year would have to be the Human Geography field study. This project enabled students to roam around a city and truly notice the cultural, economic and social differences in such a small span of space. The field study required students to take three photos-two of areas one would want to live and one of an area one would not like to live. I took photos of the West End and Kitsilano as the areas i would want to live, and I took a photo of East Vancouver as the area I would not like to live in. While in East Vancouver i noticed a lot of differences to that of the West End and Kitsilano, one of which was the social living conditions. In the West End and Kitsilao there was substantially less homeless people living in the area while in the East side there were many homeless people roaming the streets, i even saw multiple uses of drug and alcohol substances.While in East Vancouver i interviewed a woman working in a coffee shop, and it truly gave me perspective on how lucky i am to be living in such a safe and stable environment. Students at Collingwood often do not appreciate the luxury's we have simply because we have had it our whole lives. This field study allowed me to compare my live to that of another person and put into perspective the reality's of the "real world". This AP Human Geography project was a great way to see the city and interact with citizens from a wide variety of social classes.

Grade 11 Arts

This photo earned 100% in my photo class

Highlight:

My grade 11 arts highlight would have to be participating in photography this year. Although photography is a common course offered at Collingwood, I love just watching my improvement in my photos for a long period of time. My favourite photo was marked as a favourite by many people on flicker and i gained recognition for my work when it was put up on the Collingwood art wall.

Choice 3:

My other Arts highlight for my grade 11 year would be finishing photography with an A. Most people may look at that and laugh but to me it was a very exciting moment. Mr Francis is a teacher that takes his work very seriously and i strongly believe that his passion is transferred to the students.

Arts Reflection:

My arts reflection for my grade 11 year has to be participating in photography. So far this year I have learned a tremendous amount throughout the year. One thing I enjoy the most about photography is that it often gives you a lot of creative freedom when taking the photos. One photo in particular that gave me a lot of freedom was the red balloon project where we had to take a photo of a red balloon filled with helium. This was a very open ended project but for me and I received my best results. I was able to capture 4 very colour filled photos that really allowed the balloon to pop out because of the contrast in colour. Photography was also a great class because of the teacher himself. Mr Francis taught me a tremendous amount in photography, teaching me editing and the usage of the camera itself. I now understand depth of field, focus, and aperture value on a camera, this has directly allowed me to improve my photos outside of school as well. My passion for capturing a great photo has been increasingly desired, and a lot of his passion is thanks to my teacher. Although I will not be pursuing photography in my future-or at least don't think so-but it will always be a very large passion of mine.

Grade 11 Athletics

Playing in the Senior Boys Cav Classic

Highlight:

In Grade 11 I was fortunate enough to participate in the 2011-2012 senior boys cav classic. It was an incredible feeling and atmosphere in the Collingwood gym. My greatest memory of the tournament was when my team was down by 8points with 3mins left in the 4th quarter. Our coach then told Kadin Burnett to take over the game, Kadin hit the game winner with 15seconds left. This game took place on Friday afternoon in front of the whole school, it was an incredible adrenaline rush when Kadin hit the final shot.

Choice 2:

Another athletic highlight for me in grade 11 was being able to start for the Collingwood rugby team. I had only been playing for 2 years so to have the opportunity to start was a huge honour, especially as a junior. The team has so far done very well winning the lower mainland banner, hatch shield and New Zeland Shield. I'm very much looking forward to tour in my grade 12 year.

Reflection:

My Athletic reflection for my grade 11 year would hands down be the basketball season. Going into the year i didn't really know what to expect, i was unsure if i would even get on the team. Fortunately I did make the team and even started for the first 2 months of the season. Due to my academic work load I was unable to hold this position and instead had to be part of the unit coming off the bench, nonetheless I enjoyed every minute of it. The team was considered to be one of the best in Collingwood's history, and we had only 4 seniors! The team even got to go on tour to Spain, but i was unable to go due to prior commitments. We participated in 3 tournaments in the year and we had very good results finishing in third  place in two of them and won the other. The tournament we won was in fact our own tournament, the Cav Classic. This tournament by far holds my fondest memory of the senior season. This tournament created a bond between the players like no other, the seniors Raman, Will, Kadin and Colby became very close to me over this period of time and i thank basketball for it. Looking forward i hope to play during my senior year at Collingwood, unfortunately there is no gym available for use, meaning we will not be able to host the Cav Classic. Some may call this disappointing but to me it only makes that previous tournament that much sweeter. I am looking forward to my senior year and despite us loosing our top 3 scorers i am still very excited. Basketball creates a very tight nit team atmosphere and a sense of brotherhood. Its a feeling like no other.

Grade 11 service

Wellington College in England

Highlight:

My service highlight in grade 11 is my trip to Wellington college to visit a mentally ill home. While there we were able to interact with the patients and talk to the staff about what life is like working there. It was truly a life changing experience as it made you feel so lucky to even having the basic necessities of life such as being able to walk, talk, eat or even hear. 

Choice 1:

Another service highlight for me in grade 11 was on my trip to Wellington where i was able to plant trees and plants in an area that had been previously inhabited by invasive species. This was a great experience as it showed me the importance of native plants to the sustainability of an area. 

Gr. 11 Service Reflection:

In October of 2011 I was selected as one of four students to go on a Round-Square trip to Wellington College in England. While in Wellington we were split into 25 different groups to do a service project in the area. I was put into a group with eight others that were required to visit a mentally ill home in the English countryside. I instantly felt lucky as many other groups were required to go to rivers and test the pH level of the water, and no offence but you can do that anywhere; on the other hand visiting an mentally ill home is a once in a lifetime opportunity. When we arrived at the home we were informed by the owner of the house that they currently take care of four mentally disabled people. To most people this would not seem like a lot but for the owner and the staff they must dedicate 100% of their time to taking care of these people. When we were finally introduced to the patients they explained to us that the two males in the house are 44 and 42. They also explained that they were both expected to die at the age of 14 unless they were brought into care. The severity of their illness was unexplainable. They could not speak, eat, walk, hear or talk. Their only form of communications was by moan or by laughter or frowns. The staff then told us that the current sizes of these two men’s brains were equivalent to that of a six-month-old baby, except a baby can crawl. We were also introduced to two females in the house. The first one was 24; she had much more function than the two men. She could eat, talk, dance, walk and hear. The only thing she could not do was speak. The final woman was by far the most interesting to me as she reminded me of my cousin. She was constantly happy and right when she looked at me she ran over gave me a big hug and asked me to dance. Unfortunately for me I had no idea what she was doing because she was unable to communicate as she was a mute. The day passed on and I began to observe the staff members and the owner of the house and how they reacted to different situations. All I could see though was their love for the patients. This service project has effected me in such a unique way that it is nearly impossible to put into words. The lives of these patients really show you how lucky we are to be able to do the things we do.

Grade 10 Arts

Arts:

My arts highlight this year is my trip to the Kiwanis Festival. The choir traveled to Richmond to participate in the Festival against schools all around the Vancouver area. We had a wonderful time at the festival, singing songs and dancing on stage was especially special.

Choice 2:

Another Arts highlight for me this year was a very interesting choice. It was my trip to Cuba for Choir and Band. Traveling to this unique country with 63 of my fellow classmates was surreal. It was an amazing experience that is truly impossible to put into words.

Arts Reflection:

            This year Collingwood School took 63 students involved in the band and coral program to Cuba. The trip was life changing and was the most educating experience I have ever had. To see these people so happy even when they have nothing is unbelievable.  They come from poor families with no money or livestock yet they find ways to find inner peace and happiness despite their circumstances.  The trip started in Cuba’s capitol Havana.  The group immediately set course to a local school with children aged 15-18 studying as students in the establishment.  We were introduced to these young adults and right off the bat I made friends.  They were so welcoming and non-judgmental it was an experience that completely altered my opinion of the Cuban people (I was expecting them to be violent due to their ruler).  We were able to sing with these people as well as learn to dance the salsa and play the drums.  The students were like professionals, the saddest part was knowing that in a few years that would be the last time that the students could play the instruments or sing the songs.  The school supported the students with the instruments but once the student left that would generally be the last time they ever played an instrument again.  This school was just one of three that we were lucky enough to visit in Havana.  It was a life changing experience that showed me how to appreciate what I have.  The lack of resources in Cuba shows a country of poverty but the smile on everyone’s face shows unity.  After Havana the group set sights on Varadero, the tourist part of Cuba.  It has miles an miles of sandy beaches and the water was crystal clear.  We even got to perform for the hotel guests.    As I look back on Cuba and the people there I really miss their open hearts and open arms.  They accept you no matter what and it really blew my mind to see how little they have but how talented they are.  Cuba was a trip to remember and I can’t wait to hopefully see my Cuban friends on the world stage one day.

Grade 10 Academics

Academic- Science Physics Trip

My Athletic highlight is the school trip Play land. We learned about the laws of physics and had a fantastic time as well. The science program has done a wonderful job at creating a trip that allows the students to explore physics and ride the rides with students from all over Vancouver.

Academics- Speeches 

My academic highlight for grade 10 is public speaking. I enjoyed this specific subject because it really made me feel confident in front of a crowd. It gave me the opportunity to improve my oral and writing abilities. I chose this topic because I really didn’t realize how much I missed doing it (due to my Australia exchange) until this year. It allows you to either be someone your not or raise awareness on global issues. It is great tradition at Collingwood School and I encourage children not to take it for granted.

Academic Reflection – English 11 – Speeches

One of my academic highlights this year was participating in the grade speech competition.  I had missed being a part of this process last year as I had attended exchange in Australia, and I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed the competition.  Being a part of a program that carries through grade 1 – 12 is rather daunting for students.  The expectations grow in terms of presentation and content, and the pressure to “entertain” gets higher and higher.  Due to this pressure, I came up with the idea of doing a speech about body language and the impact it has on the reaction of people around you.  I found the subject fascinating because it made me analyze my own body language and it made me correct a number of common mistakes that most people make.  I really didn’t realize how important my speech topic was until I read this statistic, “A judgment is made about a person within 20 seconds of viewing them, and 93 percent of this judgment is decided upon by the way we look and carry ourselves”.  This statistic shocked me, but as I thought about it I realized that it is probably true.  On the day of my performance I tried to take a few “lines” out of my own speech by walking with confidence, keeping my shoulders back, having eye contact with the crowd to show my relaxed nature, and by speaking loudly.  It was ironic that many of the things discussed in my speech were things that I could put into play while I was delivering the words!    My speech went over really well and the crowd liked the concepts and my delivery.   I felt so good being able to teach them something they hadn’t heard before and I know that they listened because there were quite a few questions at the end of my presentation.  Mostly however I enjoyed feeling on the edge and a little uncomfortable as I jumped back into speech presentations having been absent for a year.  I realized that the greatest improvements that I made were done during this time because I felt so alive and so aware of my surroundings – I was ready to embrace any growth possible.   It wasn’t until the end of my speech presentation that I realized that this would be the last time I deliver a speech for Collingwood School.  I am a year ahead in English and I won’t be required to write a speech next year – which really makes me sad.  As I reflect on all my speeches at Collingwood I have to say that this program is one of the best at the school.  Not only does it force all the students to get out of their box, it also allows us to work on valuable presentations skills that we will carry with us forever.  That is the beauty of Collingwood.   Fortunately I still have a little sister at the school so I will be sure to come and watch her deliver her speech so that I still get a bit of the old feeling again. 

Grade 10 Athletics

My first rowing Regatta

Athletics- Monster Erg Rowing Regatta

An athletic highlight this year is my rowing regatta to Victoria. My teammate and I won the regatta by 6 seconds and enjoyed it very much. We were the underdogs coming into the race, which made it that, much sweeter, hopefully we can return next year and defend our title. 

Choice 3- Rowing 6km Erg Test

My other Athletic highlight this year was finishing my 6km-rowing test in under 24mins. It has been a goal of mine for quite some time now and I am proud to say I finished it 12 seconds faster than planned. It was one of the most painful experiences I have ever encountered and I am ecstatic to hopefully beat my new high score in the near future. 

Athletic Reflection – Monster Erg Rowing Regatta

A few months ago I had the opportunity to participate in an Erg competition at the University of Victoria.  An erg is a machine that simulates the rowing action of being on a boat (on the water) and provides the user with an incredible work out as well as some valuable rowing skills.  I hadn’t been rowing very long, but I was longing to get involved in a competition to see how I was doing compared with kids my age.  This competition was rated fairly highly so I decided to attend.  Approaching the huge gymnasium at the University of Victoria was a frightening feeling at best.  There were hundreds of competitors waiting to compete and there were ergs “everywhere”.  Because I was a novice I realized that I wouldn’t be competing until the end of the first round so I got prepared to wait, and I waited and waited endlessly.  As I waited for my turn, it dawned on me that this was one of the most difficult parts of any competitive sport – the waiting time.  Keeping myself positive and focused was really hard and the longer I waiting to more difficult it became.  As my turn approached I realized that I hadn’t eaten in a while and I quickly downed a power gel for energy.  I was thankful to have the quick hit as I waited the minutes before competing.  My turn finally arrived and I strapped myself into the machine.  My heart was beating super fast and my hands were perspiring before I even began.  I realized that this was a feeling I would have for most races.  The starting gun is still a bit of a blur in my mind as I set off at hyper speed hoping to place in the top 10.  I felt like a super hero on steroids as my heart pumped a mile a minute.  As I approached the end I realized that I had a chance to win the division.  The scorekeepers combine the scores of 2 teammates and we were both performing really well.  As I finished the race I realized that we had WON which was a moment I truly didn’t expect.  I felt this quiet elation burning inside of me as I received my medal and thanked my coach.  Rowing is becoming a much bigger part of my life today than ever before but I will never forget that erg competition and the way it made me feel.  I realize that if I don’t force myself to attempt new things than I will never experience the elation I felt when I won the race.  I will always be appreciative of the VRC and their commitment to making me a better rower, and the time they have give me to improving my craft.  Without this type of institution behind me I would never have the chance to do regattas like the one in Victoria.  As I look forward in my life I only hope that I continue to challenge myself in the same manner and intensity that I did on that day in Victoria.