Family Bulletin | January 2017

In This Issue
Mark Your Calendars
Sports Dates
Spotlight on: Poster Club
Drama Department
STMC Student Highlights
Friend, Follow, View Like!
Message from the President
Message from the Board Chair
Chancellor Basketball Tournament
Christmas Toy Drive
Time Management & Study Skills
Message from the Communications Manager
Sr. Basketball Trip to Hawaii
Mary Rice Team wins again!
Grad Pub Night Fundraiser
Hot Lunches
Knight Club
Join Our Mailing List
Mark Your Calendars 
Important Upcoming Dates  
Jan 11 Open House
Jan 12 Late Start
Jan 17 Grade 8 Application Deadline
Jan 20-27 Exams
Jan 30-Feb 2 Notification of accepted Applicants
Jan 30 Term 2 begins
Feb 02 Grade 10 Retreat
Feb 02 Knight Club Sale 
Upcoming Sporting Dates

   
Jan. 12-14 | Jr. Chancellor
Jan. 12-14 | Sr. Boys Catholics Tournament
Jan. 26-28 | Gr. 8 Chancellor 
 
    
 Jan. 11 - 14 | Zone II Playdowns 
 

Jan. 13 | Burnaby Central - Wildcat Invite
Jan. 20- 21
| Kamloops - Age Class
Jan. 26 | League Meet


 Check the online calendar for more details and times. Come and support our student-athletes! #rednation
 
Spotlight on: Poster Club 

Kimiko Perkins, Carissa Tavares-Kwok & Kayla Hayek 

The posters you see around STMC's gym during our annual Chancellor Basketball Tournament did not get there easily. Grade 12 student Carissa Tavares-Kwok spent countless hours with her team in the art room creating these massive posters. Communications Assistant Bianca Te conducted the following short interview with her: 

BT: How long have you been a part of poster club?

CTK: I joined in Grade 9. At first it was just for the credit but I ended up loving it and became leader this year!

BT: How much time did you spend on the Chancellor Posters?

CTK: It took us about 3 weeks in total. I had to come in 6 times over Christmas Break with a couple of other girls to finish them in time for the tournament. 


All The World's A Stage... 
Drama Department

The Drama Department is busy rehearsing and putting together their production of High School Musical, which runs March 9 - 11. Needless to say, there's always time for laughter among the company!




Student Hi ghlights

Our own Grade 8, Elizabeth Irving, took on the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious role of Jane Banks in the Arts Club Theatre Company production of Mary Poppins (Dec 7th - Jan 8th).

Elizabeth: 
"I started musical theatre and voice training at 7 years of age in a production of Grease Jr and was hooked! To be on stage performing is where I am truly happiest. To be able to sing, act and dance and really connect with an audience through a character or the lyrics of a song is always my goal. I like to remind myself, no matter how hard something seems to achieve #anythingispossible !

My character of Jane Banks in Mary Poppins is so much fun, she may be a little bit spoiled and cheeky to start with but Mary Poppins wins her over with her magical spirit. I had to learn to speak and sing with an English accent which took a little practice! I feel so blessed that The Arts Club has given me this opportunity. While the rehearsal schedule was intense with long hours to juggle with all my school work too, when that curtain opened and the music started on opening night (Dec 7th), that thrill of excitement was worth every minute - it was a Jolly Holiday indeed!"

________________ 
 


Grade 9 student Tyler Gunara (centre) competed at the Skate Canada challenge in Montreal in early December, where he and his partner won gold in Pre-Novice Ice Dance. Congratulations Tyler!

________________

If your son or daughter has any news worth sharing in the monthly newsletter, please contact Communications Manager Mark Bradshaw at mark.bradshaw@stmc.bc.ca
FRIEND, FOLLOW, VIEW, LIKE!

If you're interested in receiving
instant STMC news and updates, as well as seeing silly pictures and/or photoshopped images of the Corbsell Twins, all you have to do is like us, view us, friend us or follow us (or all of the above). 
 
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Message from the Principal - Mr. Michel DesLauriers 


I certainly hope you had a wonderful Christmas holiday with your family and friends. As we start the 2017 New Year, I realize the busyness of St. Thomas More Collegiate continues with studying for exams Jan 20 - Jan 27; our winter athletic season - basketball, curling, wrestling; field lacrosse; Open House and the admission process.

Without realizing it, this busyness, particularly surrounding exams, can create much anxiety and stress for students and their families. While some of this is healthy and normal we need to be aware of when it can become overwhelming and too difficult to manage on our own. If needed, we can help your son or daughter in this area so it can become more manageable and they can do their best in the writing of their exams. Please contact the School Counselors and /or the Administration for more information (please see below for information about the study skills sessions with Mr. De Lazzari).

As noted in the recent announcement from the Board Chair, at the conclusion of the 2016-17 school year I will be "completing my role as Principal of St. Thomas More Collegiate."
It is inevitable that with any change there comes with it questions, mixed emotions, and uncertainty. For the STMC community, I want you to be confident that the same care and compassion we have for your sons and daughters will continue to be front and centre in all that we do.

For myself, I am discerning God's plan for me in Catholic Education and leaving the door wide open as to what those possibilities might be.

As we proceed into the 2nd half of the school year I would ask that you continue to offer your prayerful support for the Administration and staff at St. Thomas More Collegiate - in particular Mr. Steele, Mrs. Balouchi and Mr. Kully, all of whom are dealing with serious health concerns. We can never underestimate the power of prayer and know that the task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.

I wish you all good health and happiness as we start the New Year. Live, Jesus, in our hearts forever.

God bless,

Mr. Michel DesLauriers
Principal
Moving Forward into 2017
Message from the President - Mrs. Neysa Finnie


 
I know we say it every year but it is truly amazing how quickly each year passes. I pray that you and your family enjoyed a blessed Christmas and that 2017 brings joy.
 
As this new year begins, you will have all heard that Mr. DesLauriers will be completing his term as principal at the end of this school year. Mr. DesLauriers' connection with STMC began when he came to STMC as a student and has continued as a teacher, vice principal, parent and alumnus - a relationship of more than 40 years! We've been blessed to have him as our principal over the last six years and are grateful for his unwavering commitment to the mission of STMC. Please keep Mr. DesLauriers in your prayers as he moves into a new role.

Change at the leadership level sometimes creates uncertainty. I want to assure you that the STMC board and I are working very hard to ensure a smooth transition as we move through a hiring process and selection of our new principal. Having a strong leader both in faith and the implementation of the school's vision in the strategic plan will ensure that STMC continues to deliver a quality educational experience in all aspects of school life.
 
Please feel welcomed to reach out to me at any time if you have any concerns as we move through this process and look forward to the next phase of STMC's history.

Live, Jesus, in our hearts ... forever.
 
Mrs. Neysa Finnie
President
Greetings from our New Board Chair
Message from the Incoming Board Chair - Mr. Dan Eisner  
Dan Eisner

By way of introduction, my wife Michelle and I are the proud parents of two daughters - Jacqueline graduated in 2014 and Katelyn is currently in Grade 11.  STMC has done so much for our children over the years and, in fact, has done so much for our entire family that we were looking for a way to give back to the school.  As such, I am very honoured to be assuming the role of Board Chair for 2017 and hope that I can help make a positive contribution.

We have some challenges ahead of us this year but at the same time I believe there are also some great opportunities.  In particular, we will be focusing heavily on implementing the Strategic Plan that so many of you helped us develop in 2016.  Our goals are to improve the curricular and extra-curricular experience for our students, improve communications with the broader STMC community, and plan for the future of the school.  I am confident that we will be successful by building on the strong foundation of the vision of Blessed Edmund Rice, the principles of a Christian Brothers school, and the rich and robust history of STMC.  We can truly achieve great things with a combined vision and by leveraging the resources of the entire STMC community.

I would like to recognize the significant contribution of our outgoing Chair, Ben Hieltjes, and personally thank him for all of his ongoing counsel and support.  Ben will continue to serve as Past Chair in 2017.  I would also like to recognize the significant contributions of some long-serving Board members, Debra Padron and Doug McClary (more than 9 years each) and Chris Dupuis (more than 5 years), whose terms on the Board ended December 31st.  They joined the Board when they were parents of then-current students and are now "graduating" from the Board long after their children have graduated from STMC!  Thanks for all your hard work.  

Please join myself, Mrs. Finnie and Mr. DesLauriers at the Town Hall meeting on January 31, 2017 at 7pm at the school.  We will be sharing an update on the Strategic Plan and looking ahead to 2017-2018.

Dan Eisner
Chair, STMC Board
Sr. Boys Chancellor Basketball Tournament  
Jan. 4 - 7, 2017
The 51st edition of the Chancellor tournament proved to be a great one for the Knights. This year's tournament had five teams ranked in the AAA top 10, and the #2 and #3 AA teams as well. Needless to say the field and competition were fierce.

The senior Knights took down Pitt Meadows and Sutherland in the first two rounds only to find themselves matched up with a tough GW Graham team in the semi-final. The game was tight the whole way and, after some clutch free throw shooting, the Knights found themselves in the final for the first time since 2014 and with the chance to win for the first time since 2012. #3 AAA ranked Byrne Creek would be the opponent in front of a packed gymnasium.

The Knights built a comfortable lead but the Bulldogs fought back and cut the lead to four points with a few minutes left. After a clutch shot by senior guard Ryan Yuen, the Knights never looked back on the way to a 65-54 victory! It was a great week overall, and a huge thank you goes out to all the parents and students who volunteered time during the week, and to Mr. Mitchell for organizing such a fabulous event. 
 
Congratulations to the Knights and the following award winners:
 
Sajjun Shokar 2nd team all-star
Richard Galicia 1st team all-star 
EJ Escobedo 1at team all-star
Cam Morris Most Valuable Player
Look back: Christmas Toy Drive
Tuesday, December 13 
The Annual Toy Drive in December was our biggest yet, with a record number of donations, as parents, students and teachers alike put into practice the values infused into our Blessed Edmund Rice Christian Brother education. Of course, no successful Toy Drive would be without a successful pancake breakfast, and the delicious flapjacks and sausages were a nice warm antidote to the -6ยบ weather.

The toys were donated to Salvation Army and to Nelson Elementary School for families in need.

Thank you to everyone who donated and volunteered and cooked pancakes and helped make this event such a success!
Time Management & Study Skills StudySkills
 Workshop with Mr. De Lazzari 

As exams loom, we are aware that this can be a very stressful time for our students. As such, Personal Counsellor Mr. S. De Lazzari will be running two group workshops on study, organizational and time management skills.


Workshops will take place in room 212 on:
Wednesday, Jan. 11 3:15 - 4:00
Wednesday, Jan. 18 3:00 - 3:45 
 
Communications Survey Results
A message from the Communications Manager


In the December bulletin I (gently) urged you to complete my communication survey, and boy did you ever deliver! I received over 240 responses, data which will be incredibly important as I put together a new communications plan for STMC.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who took the time to fill out the survey! I truly appreciate your suggestions, tweaks and ideas, and I will be sending out a response email addressing some of your more pertinent issues, concerns and suggestions.

Again, please feel free to email me at mark.bradshaw@stmc.bc.ca  if you have any questions, comments or ideas to improve our school communications, or if you have any pictures, stories or interesting news that you'd like to be shared with the STMC community.

All the best,

Mr. Mark Bradshaw,
Communications Manager
Sr. Basketball Trip to Hawaii
 
Right before Christmas the Sr. Boys basketball team participated in the Lahaina Winter Basketball Tournament in Maui. Before the basketball games started, the team spent a few days enjoying the warm weather and the beaches of Maui. They even succeeded in completing the Road to Hana in a 15 passenger van. The team bonded and had a blast hanging out in the sun.

Once the tournament started it was a great opportunity to play against some top US schools. The team had a record of 1-3, beating Hawaii Prep in their second game. They lost to two California schools and a team from Utah. It was definitely an eye-opener for the players but they were competitive in all 4 games.

Overall, it was a great trip with some memories they will have forever. The players would like to thank Mike Cheung and Alex Thierman who coached them and helped make the trip a success.

Mahalo
Mary Rice Team wins the Hyatt Gingerbread House Competition...again!
STMC's Mary Rice Team took home 1st place in the Hyatt Regency Gingerbread Lane Competition for the second year in a row, with their whimsical take on A Charlie Brown Christmas. As a result, the team have won both a $500 scholarship and a cooking & training demonstration in the hotel's Mosaic Grille, which includes dinner with the head chef!

The team also finished 5th Place in the overall People's Choice competition. Congratulations to the entire team for all their effort, and a special thanks to Ms. D. Bautista for spearheading the club!
Grad Pub Night Fundraiser - DATE CHANGE 
Saturday, February 25  

 
Please note that the date of the Class of 2017 Pub Night has changed due to a double booking.  It is now being held:  
 
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH at 6:00pm
Great Bear Pub
5665 Kingsway (At Lane Street)
 
Tickets are $25.00 each and include either a beef, chicken or veggie burger and a house beer or wine.

To purchase tickets please call either Dave Walker at 778-688-9878 or Gwen Harder at 604-728-7807
 
All proceeds will be going to the Class of 2017 grad activities.  The Grads appreciate your interest and support!
Hot Lunch Help Needed! 
January
 
Have you ever thought to yourself "Boy, I bet those lovely volunteers on the Hot Lunch Committee would be overjoyed to receive some extra helping hands."? If you have, then you are absolutely on the money: the PA is on the lookout for more help with hot lunch.

We are currently running short-handed and are in need of help. Our students love hot lunch, and we enjoy the camaraderie that comes from working all together in the kitchen - something we'd love to share with new volunteers. We need a Hot Lunch Coordinator for Tuesdays or people willing to act as a "lead" on Tuesdays.  If you have volunteered, but haven't been contacted, or if you are interested in helping bring smiles to our children's faces and fullness to their bellies, please get in touch with Chris Rickaby right away (new email address: crickaby@me.com). We particularly need volunteers on Tuesdays, Thursdays once or twice a month, and Fridays!    

Please see the hot lunch page on the website for more information on hot lunches. 
February Knight Club Sale
February 2, 2017 

Just a reminder that we hold Knight Club uniform sales the first Thursday of every month, except September and June! 
 
Our sixth sale of the year will take place Thursday, Feb 2, from 2:30-4:00 pm. 

 
St. Thomas More Collegiate