Parents' Newsletter, June 2001

32 Pages·2001·2.3 MB·English

by  Selwyn House School

Newsletter
\
A Selivyn HouseSchoolPublication June2001
The Inside
Parents'
NEWSLETTER
Headmaster's Message
ThePi7rents'Newsletteris
published four timesayear SurveyaTestamenttoTeachers 3
by theAdvancement Office. Senior School News
Ifyou have anysuggestions or Senior PRiZEc;i\TNt; Chrkmonihs 4
corrections, pleasedo not hesitate to Seniors presentA Flea in HerEar 6
contact the editor, Richard Wills. TheScienceof Communication 8
Phone: [phone] ext. 261
Fax: [phone] Jazz Stormers excelatClassical 9
E-mail: [email protected] SeniorDebating, 2000-2001 10
Math Scores Soar 10
Advancement Office
James E McMillan BrianWalker riding high 11
DirectorofAdvancement Middle School News
Sharon Cozens Middle SchoolScienceAwards 12
DirectorofAlionniand Middle School Math 13
ParentRelations
ElementarySchool News
RichardWills
PublicationsEditor Maternelle Graduation 14
Jill Higgins Grade6 Graduation 15
Advancement OfficeAssistant Trackand Field Day 16
Photocraphy BandAwards forDecember 2000 18
RichardWills Foire historique regionale 19
Andrew Lumsden
Just for Kids Benefit 20
BruceGlasspoole
Expo-Sciences Bell 21
J. L. Parker
Deborah Fang ElementaryPublic Speaking 21
Rhona Richman
School News
Barbara Molson
SHS Musical Evening 22
OntheCoveI'L Selwyn House Fair 24
Clarinetists Mark Sadaka,
Dino Zammit and RobertAbelson Athletics
with the Grade 6 Concert Band on Banquet Honours OutstandingAthletes 26
theSelwyn House Musical Evening.
Seestoryon page 22. AStrong Showing in Halo Race 28
GoodYearonthe Courfs 29
SEL^x^N House School
BOOKENDS
95, chemin Cote St-Antoine
Westmount (Quebec) Canada Summertime Reading 30
H3Y 2H8
ParentVolunteers
wwvv.selvvvn.ca
ParentVolunteers'Association 31
Back Cover
^^i Printedonrecycledpaper Con(;ratulationstothe Class of 2001 32
SIISaccreditedbythe
CESI. CanadianEducationai.
SiANDARDSInstitute
Headmaster Message
Survey a Testament to Teachers
The
broadexperiencethatour mathematics, how to manage their
programmes provide at time, how to work hard and work
Selw}'n Housegives richness independently.
to astudent's Hfe at the School. There is no doubt that these are
Here, each student is given the skills our students need after they
opportunity to participate in a class leave Selwyn House.
activity, to act responsibly towards However, when asked what
his team, his group and his aspect of their Selwyn House
supervisors. education gave them the greatest
It takes talent and commitment satisfaction, our alumni said it was
to run our programmes so that the enriching experiences ofthe co-
students will engage positively in curricular, athletics and extra-
the experience being offered. We curricularactivities.
William MitcheU,
are exceptionally fortunate to have Headmaster The alumni also confirmed
such talent and commitment overwhelmingly that the reason
amongour facultyat SeKvjm House. that these experiences did engage
Thiswasconfirmedto us recentlywhenwereceived and challenge them positively was the high level of
theresultsofaverycomprehensiveAlumni Satisfaction teachingskills and the commitment ofourfaculty.
Surveywecommissionedthisyearbythefirm Lookout Such feedback is, ofcourse, very encouraging. We
Management. will use this data to help us enhance and adjust our
The survev shows clearlv that our g-raduates value programmeswherenecessary, asweplan forthefuture.
—the thorough academic preparation they received here Aswell, wewill reporton theconclusionsofthesurvey
how to think, how to write, how to do a proofin more comprehensively in future communications.
COiVlING EVENXS a The Argyle Shop Sale
o/?)
t August 22 and 23
Fqj.
EarlyAugust AugustMailing ^^f! Noon till 4 p.m.
Aug. 13-17 .... Back-to-School Basketball Camp 2jf!^i>^ill.fi«fc-i
Aug. 20-28 Football Camp
Aug. 22-23 Gr}'phon Sale (noon-4 pm)
Aug. 22-23 ArgyleShop Sale (noon-4 pm)
Aug. 22 .... School Supplies (pick-up oforders)
Aug. 29 Orientation Day
Aug. 29 .... New Parent Orientation and Coffee
Aug. 30 First DayofClasses
Aug. 30 Fall Event meeting
Aug. 30-31 Round Hearth - MiddleSchool
Sept. 3 Labour Day- No School Have a great Summer!
June2001
School News
Senior Prizegiving Ceremony
lunc 19, 2001
In his Prizegiving message to the Class "One needs both confidence and
of 2001, the guest speaker, McGill critical self-reflection," Prof Toope said.
Law ProfessorStephenJ. Toopespoke He concluded by paraphrasing African
about the teeUngs ot uncertaintv' or fear poet Ben Okri, exhorting each graduate
graduates face at this juncture in their to "makedestinyyourfriend."
li\es. "Our gratitude to our parents for
"There is nothing wrong with a little exposing us to this Selwyn community is
bit offear," Prof Toope said. "Fear is .i boundless," said Head Prefect Thomas
natural reaction inthefaceofdanger, ant! Constantinescu in his valedictory'speech.
even of seemingly incomprehensibk "A group of dedicated people that have
complexity.... It may be right to fear the playedamuchlargerroleinourlivesthan
moral choices forced upon us in life: we realisenowareourteachers.
when to spare someone from a hurtful "We are so preoccupied with whatwe
truth,when to tell the truth atallcosts. do, that we seldom stop to reflect on or
inco"rIporabteelsieavemodtihactum hoefalstelhfy-doubfeta,r" Thomas Constantinescu Ceonnjsotyantthieneesssceuncceonotfinouuerd.ac"tIitv'istipers,o"baMbrl.y
Prof. Toope continued. "Ovenveening self-confidence is a hard to realisewhatit means...not to beback next fall,
liabilit}'... it is almost inevitably matched bya closed spirit. "But, all of us will carry in his trip through life the
Thepersonwho isutterlyconfident is not inclined tolearn beautiful armour of education and character with which
from others... heorshe is unlikelyto begood atsharing. thisgreatschool has invested us."
GENERALPROFICIENCYAWARDS
Grade7
1st, Stefan Luu; 2nd, ChristopherWong; 3rd, ManiAlaei
Grade 8
1St,William Martin-Chin; 2nd, Shawn Errunza; 3rd,JustinTan
Grade9
1st, MichaelWoloszvk; 2nd,Jan'd Zummer; 3rd, ScottMcMurrav
Grade 10 ' '
1st,JamesMcKinney; 2nd, Rob Campbell; 3rd, Keith Martin
DISTINCTIONAWARDS
CHtMlSTRY- IliaAuerbach-Ziogas
Physics-DanielWilner
Biology-Rob Campbell &AndyRosenhek
CreativeWriting-Adrian Gary& Luke Reid
Economics-DanielWilner
Geography-Stephane Lew
ComputerScience- IliaAuerbach-Ziogas
Massi Prize forEffort-ChristopherMerritt
French
LangiieMaternelle-ThomasConstantinescu & DanielWilner
LangueEnrichie-Adam Rozencwajg
LangueReguliere-Jonas Naimark
Thf. McCall Prize forArt-Mitchell Sweibel DanielWilner (left) andAdrian Gat)-share the
TheMooWdeyPrize for MatHEMAFICS- IliaAuerbach-Ziogas Lucas Medal, presented byProf. Toope
Thf D. Christie HistoryPrize-Adrian Gaty& Daniel Wilner
The Byron W. HarkerPrize forLiterature-Adrian Gaty & DanielWilner
TheGeneralConsulateof Spain Prizk forSpanish-Nicholas Niro &JarydZummer
TheParents'Newsletter
Senior School News
'W
Senior Prizegiving
SPECIALAWARDS PHOTO BELOW
The Selvci-n HouseChronicle Cup-Philip Clarke Prizewinners, clockwise
TheMeighenWriting Prize- DavidSmucker from lowerleft:
ThePublicSpeaking Prize-Adrian Gary, Luke Reid & DanielWilner Stefan Luu,
TheE. C. MoodeyDebating Prize-Luke Reid & DanielWilner WilliamMartin-Chin,
ThePatricl\March Dranl\Prize-DanielWilner DylanJones,
TheE. G. BrineAward-Stefan Luu Arnold Engel,
TheJock Barclay MemorialTrophyforAll-Round Distinction in Grade 8- AndyRosenhek,
JustinTan &WilliamMartin-Chin Jaryd Zummer,
The PhilipQuaid Memorlal Prize-DylanJones Keith Martin,
The Ernst Brandl MemorluTrophyforAll-Round Distinction in Grade9- IliaAuerbach-Ziogas,
Zummer Tom Constantinescu,
Jar\'d
The RobertA. Speirs MemorlalTrophyforAll-Round Distinction in Grade 10- Adrian Gaty,
Rob Campbell ChristopherMerritt,
TheGrade 10Award-Arnold Engel DanielWilner,
TheUni\'ersit\'ofToronto National BookAward-Stephen Frankel AndrewSniderman,
TheThomas HenryPentlandMolson Prize forGeneralExcellence-Adrian Gary Luke Reid,
TThheeYGoMvCeArnCoormGmeunneiratly'sSeBrrviocnezeAwMaerdda-lA-nDdarneiwelSWniildneerrman AdaRmayRaonzeKnacewdabjegy,,
TheMillennium Prize (Donated bytheClass of1999) -Rayan Kaedbey JamesJoMnc-KIiannnLeuyi,,
TThheeTRhedopmaatshCHhearl.\mledrsAwBarradin-erMds.MeKmatohrilB\ilggAswfaorrdth-eJPounbl-iIcanSpLeuaik&ingLuPkreogRreaidmme DNaivcihdolSamsucNkierro,,
TThheeJLeufcfarseyMReumsosreilaPlriMzeed-aTlh-omAdarsiaCnonGsatravn't&ineDsacnuielWilner SJhuastwinnETrarnunaznad.
June2001
Senior School News
A
Seniors present Flea in Her Ear
BvAlex Ivanovici, Drama rcachcr
As
usual, when spring rolls around, so do we. Above, theentirecaston stage. Below, Etienne, playedbyJames
OopnenAepdriGleo1r9gtehstFheeydSeeanui'osrfaVrecreitaAs FPlleaayerisn bMectKwienenneAyn,toiisnsettatretle(dKattoehFalpeptcehneru)paonndaCnamaimloluero(uAsdaemncCoiuenptley)r.
HerEarin the LucasTheatre fora three-night run.
Witharelativelyshortrehearsal process, the fine
young Selwyn House, Study and FACE actors
staged what I would call a truly remarkable
production of this very funny play. With the
support of professionals Robin Paterson's set and
lighting, Heidi Van Reagan's costumes, Amy
McLaughlin's props and Virginia Ferguson's make-
up specialists, howcould theseyoung thespians put
forwardanythinglessthanpolishedandprofessional
performances?
A farce requires precision, pace, energy and
timing; I am proud oftheiroverall commitment ro
mastering these notions and the pleasure they took
in sharingtheirhardworkwith an audience.
Herearesomestudentreviewsoftheproduction;
"I think that the playA Flea in HerEar is well
constructed. I didn't notice any mistakes in the
entire presentation. I think that is pretty amazing
considering it was a three-hour play. It was well
TheParents'Newsletter
Senior CHOOL News
S
^*=^—if- A
Flea in Her Ear
acted, with perfect timing and a
cleverstot)' line. I can't even imagine
howlong it took to rehearse, or how
cooperative the cast members must
have had to be. I give the play two
thumbs up. It went beyond my
expectations."
DavidFriedman
Grade7
"To look at the set is to look at
perfection. The play was performed
on a beautiful stage, meticulously
detailed with paint and working
doors and window. A moving
staircase was even used on the stage
andmadethesetlookalmostperfect.
Thefloorofthesetwas assembled in
pieces, notunlikeajigsawpuzzle,and
later painted in the desired colors to
resembleahardwoodfloor."
Philip Clark
Grade7
Above, Carlos (Chris Rochon) is about to disturb a
conversation between Lucienne (Allison Kampf) and
Raymonde (ChayaLitvack).Atleft, adramaticexchange
between Raymondeand Remain Tournel (Adam
Sternthal). BelowArnold Engel (onleft) as Dr. Finache,
withDanielWilnerasVictor-EmmanuelChandebise.
June2001
Senior School News
The Science ofCommunication
BySherwin Kong, IOC
On
April20th,amysteriousprojectbegan
for most Cradc 10 students at Selwyn
Housewith nothingmorethanacryptic
description ot a group competition organized
with ECS, which, up to this point, we had
simply been told had something to do with
roboticsand communications.
Ofcourse, theanticipation and suspense had
been building up ("Whoa, there are gonna be
girlshere!"),eventhough itmightnothavebeen
immediately apparent speaking with students
("They're making us do ivhctt now?"). We were
quickly divided into three teams and separated
intothethreesciencelabsformoreinformation.
There, each team was further subdivided into
three sub-teams that would handle separate
aspectsoftheproject. ECS student KassandraLazanis and Sherwin Kong
Itwasexplainedtousthateachteamhadtwo coordinatetheirteam'sactivitiesandcommunications.
hourstoconstructabridge, apropulsion system
and avehiclecapable ofcarryingan eggacross aone-meter wereprovided.Thethreesub-teamswerekeptseparatefrom
span without breaking it. Each sub-team was assigned a oneanother,abletocommunicateonlythrougheachteam's
task: either building the bridge, designing a propulsion two facilitators - brave students who accepted the task of
system, orconstructing thevehicle, all from assorted pieces making sure everything ran smoothly. Operating from a
oftovs, popsicle sticks, and all sorts ofgeneral junk that separate room, these people communicated with their
teammatesbymeansoflaptopcomputers
that enabled them to speak, type, draw,
and be seen by their sub-teams. Thus,
only a team that could communicate
effectively in order to coordinate bridge,
propulsion, and vehicle would perform
well.
After lunch, we began the actual
building of our different parts. To
describe the progress ofthe teams would
bebothlong-windedandcomplicated,so
suffice ittosaythatall three teamsended
the day with all their parts ready, with
two of them attaining the objective. The
third team'svehicle managed to wipe out
in style.
As one of some forty-six students
participatingatthecompetition thatday,
I wouldhavetosaythatI hadalotoffun
and that I might have learned something
aboutteamworkandcommunication. Or
maybe I just learned in detail what
happens to an egg that hits the floor... I
willconcludebysayingthat,all inall, the
rrrom ilefct,.C/jr"adje.1n0 studJentsJiohincJiical-ia,TliayrloAr U-ixon, andJAAJdam e„.nd,ea|„v,orwas a rousing^ success ("Alri^ght!
Sternthal launch theirvehicleacross an inclined bridge.
TheParents Newsletter
" " " "
ft-fWfr«
ifj-aJastr^Y^
Senior School News
Jazz Stormers excel at Classical
BvRichardWills, Editor
Two
star members ofthe Selwyn eclectic repertoire that includes pop and
House Senior Jazz Band have rock numbers as well as standard jazz
received special recognition for tunes. "In the band we used to play
their musical accomplishments outside 'Born to be Wild,'" says Tom, "and I
the School. played it on clarinet, which sounds like
ClarinetistThomas Evans, 1lA, won kindofaweird thingtodo.
the McGill Conservatory Concerto "But," adds Philipp, " Mr. McMillan
Competition (Advanced Category) in can take any part and transpose it and
March. This competition is open to all mixitaroundtomakesomethingforany
students who, likeTom, are studying at instrument.
the Conservatory, and resulted in an "I think it's important that we are
invitation to perform the Weber surroundedbysuch mentors,"saysTom.
ClarinetConcerto No. 1 atPollackHall "It helps us so much that we have had
on May 23 as a soloist with the West people to encourage us. That's probably
Island Youth Orchestra. Tom also won oneofthebiggestthings thatdrives us.
the Westmount Youth Orchestra's Aspartofhisprivatetraining,Philipp
Concerto Competition in March, and is now in the process oflearning one of
will perform as a soloist with the the most difficult pieces everwritten for
Orchestra nextseason. cello. His skills on that instrument gave
Philipp Menzel, also 1lA, who plays him a head start in his musical
electric bass in the SHS Jazz Band, has TomEvansonstage involvementatSelwynHouse.Whenthe
beenstudyingclassicalcelloforfourteen withJazzStorm SHS Jazz band needed a bass player,
years. He recentlyhad thedistinction of Philipp easily made the transition. He
being the only North American cellist to take part in a had come through the School's band classes on trombone,
competition in Germany, whereheadvanced to thesecond andwas also familiarwith thesounds and rhythms ot jazz,
round against playerswho had been practising five hours a so itwaseasyforhim toswitch to electricbass.
daysince theywere three years old. "They have a different Asasideline,thesetwomusicianswrotethescoreforthis
lifestyle, and a different way of judging," says Philipp. year's SHS Senior Pl—ay, A Flea in HerEar, and performed
"TheystudymusictogetoutoftheEastern Bloccountries. the music backstage in Philipp's case, between scenes on
Theironlywayoutis toplayreallywell, stageasanactor.
so theyhave no social life, practically." Like most young men, Tom and
Tom has been playing clarinet for Philipp are avid music fans. Perhaps
seven years. Although he obviously becauseoftheexposuretheirtraininghas
excelsatclassical music, itwasatSelwyn offered them, their tastes in music are
Housethathediscoveredhistruecalling varied. Tom says he listens to everything
on theinstrument. "I'majazzclarinetist from African music to Miles Davis, to
at heart," he admits, "I especially love rockbands likeOffspringand Nirvana.
ballad-typejazz. Next year, Philipp will pursue a foil
"I really got involved in jazz at academic programme plus afull musical
Selwyn House," says Tom. "Mr. programme at Interlochen, a Fine Arts
McMillan does such a good job of school in Michigan that sends many of
choosing and arranging music —for an itsgraduates toJuilliard.
odd combination ofinstruments four Tom has been accepted into the
guitars, four keyboards, two drumme—rs, MusicScience programat Marianopolis,
two bassists and a fluteand clarinet as where he will pursue a double DEC in
well as balancing a variety of musical Music and Architecture. He says he is
styles. Hetaughtus thefundamentalsot still undecided about pursuing a career
jazz and how to improvise, which is an in music. "The reason I'm doing this
incredible task to pull offwith a bunch double DEC at Marianopolis is because
ofGrade7 musicians. Philipp Menzel with the
Jazz Storm is known for playing an WestmountYouth Orchestra Continuedonpage 10
June2001
Sen School News
licMP
2000-2001
Senior Debating,
Bv L\iin Mastcllotto, Senior linglisli / Debating
This has been an active year for the Selwyn House •TheteamofLuke ReidandAdrian Gatyplaced fourth
Debaters. Our teams, a mix of veterans and outof30teamsattheQSDASeniorProvincialTournament
newcomers, worked hard, had fun, and enjoyed fine at LCC in February, where Luke also earned a fifth-place
results thisseason. individual speakeraward.
Returning to senior debating in a leadership role were •TheteamofDanielWilnerandLuke Reidplacedsixth
EricAberman, SamGrover,Alan Murgita, andAnish Patel. out of 40 teams participating in the Queen's University
Moonlighting as senior debaters were Adrian Gary, DebatingTournament in March. In the individual speaker
Stephane Levy, Luke Reid, and Daniel Wilner, whose category, Daniel won eighth place and Luke won ninth
experienceandexpertiseshoneineveryround.Noviceswho place.
gainedmuchexperience,andevenafewaccolades, included • The team ofStephane Levy and Adrian Gaty placed
Mike Shadeed, Sean Bernstein, Daniel Budd, Sam Fish, 17thoutof38 teamsattheUniversityofToronto Debating
Luigi Caprio and Thomas Rigby. Daniel Palardy, William Tournament in March.
Martin-Chin, Charles Ayas, and Moses Tannenbaum • MosesTannenbaum and CharlesAyasplaced 13thout
demonstrated much skill in Parliamentary, Academic and ot28 teams at the QSDAJunior ProvincialTournament at
Cross-Exdebatingst)'les at theJunior level. ECS inApril.
•The teamofWilliam Martin-Chin and Daniel Palardy
Highlights from the2000-2001 DebatingSeason: placed 14thoutof28 teamsattheQSDAJuniorProvincial
• Daniel Wilner placed eighth overall in the individual Tournamentat ECS in April.
speaker category at the McGill University Debating Many thanks toJill Rollinswho taughtand coached the
Tournament in November, where 180 debaters were in Junior Debaters. Thank you to all the students, staff and
attendance. parent volunteers who helped run the QSDA Senior Pre-
• Sam Grover and EricAberman won second place out Provincial Tournament here at SHS in January. Lastly, a
ot 23 teams at the Marianopolis DebatingTournament in special thanks to Liana Palko, debatingcoach and guru-in-
November, defendingtheirfirst-place finish oflastyear. absentia.
&
Math Evans Menzel
scores soar
Continuedfrompage9
o
February 22, all on the Honour Roll. I'm really not sure. I want to be
Grade 9, 10, and 11 Steven Frankel, Ilia an architect. I love music. It's
Istudents wrote the Auerbach-ZiogasandDaniel nevergoingtoleaveme,ever. But
Pascal, Cayley and Fermat Wilner were the highest- I'm not sure if I'm going to
Contests, respectively, set by scoring threesome among becomeaprofessional musician."
the University of Waterloo. Grade lis, placing 19th out Although he is not certain he
In the Pascal Contest, the of 120 Quebec schools. will make music his vocation, if
three top results in the Steven and Ilia made the hewereto,Tomwould like to do
School were achieved by Quebec Honour Roll. as his clarinet teacher does, and
Scott McMurray, Jeffrey nRobi rC^ampbell Based on his outstanding work as a freelancer. But, he
Barkun and Daniel Budd. performance in all these admits, "Ifyour name's not well
Our aggregate team score of335 placed contests, Rob Campbell, is one of 200 known, it would be very hard to
us 14th out of 115 schools in Quebec. students invited to take part in a higher findwork."
Scott'sscoreof134outof150placed him level of competition. He did so well that Whatever career paths they
on the Honour Roll forQuebec. he was invited to the University of follow, however, both boys were
IntheCayleyContest,RobCampbell, WaterlooMathContestSeminarJune 10- adamant about one thing: that
Bobby Chon and James McKinney 16, and by the Canadian Mathematical musicwill remainan integral part
placedsixthoutof125 teams in Quebec. Society to the ESSO 2001 National oftheirlives always.
Along with them, Ja.son Chung, Andy Mathematics Camp at Huron College in "Music is a way ol life," says
Rosenhek and Keith Martin also placed London, Ontario, thefollowingweek. Tom.
TheParents'Newsletter 10