Christmas 2010 at Blackville School

Christmas celebrations

On Monday December 20 Blackville School held its annual Choir and Band night which included performances by the Blackville School Girls Choir, Blackville Elementary Choir, and the grade 9H class who played with the School Jazz Band. To view more photos from this event click here.

Meanwhile, the elementary students of Blackville School put on an excellent show for parents and other guests on Tuesday morning December 21. To view more photos from this event click here.

Drama clubs hold Christmas Dessert Theater

On Wednesday evening, December 15, the Middle and High School Drama Clubs held a dessert theater which was hosted by the Culinary 110 class. The audience enjoyed three Christmas plays: What, No Santa?, CSI (Christmas Scene Investigators), and Billy Shakespeare's Extravaganza and Traveling Freak Show. For more photos from the event, click here.

Snowflake Ball

On Friday, December 12, the high school students held their annual Christmas formal. Their theme was "Snowflake Ball." To see more photos from the event, click here.

Students enjoy middle school Christmas formal

On Friday, December 3, the middle school students held their annual Christmas formal. To see more photos from the event, click here.

Left to Right: Mackenzie Jardine, Brooke Underhill, Sydney Grattan, and Ashlyn Moody

Money matters

Grade 12 Blackville School students had the opportunity to get some pointers on budgets and credit advice. Tamara Kelly, Director of Education for Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada, spoke to the 2011 graduates to discuss how money, interest and budgeting works. For more information on Credit Counselling Services, click here.

In photo (l-r): Alejandra Leon de Gante, Melita Urquhart, Taylor Colford, Braden Clarke, Tamara Kelly, Kayne Colford, Laura Richard and Alex Colford.

Browsing at the Book Fair

Grade one students Jonah J. and Kyle M. browse through some of the books at the Blackville School Annual Scholastic Book Fair. The fair is being held this week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The Family Event is tonight, November 24, from 5 pm - 8 pm. The money raised from the fair provides books and other resources for the school library. For more photos from the book fair, click here.
Photos by Alejandra Leon de Gante, Taylor Colford and Kaitlin Arbeau

A whale of a time

For more photos click here.

Captain Art Gaetan and first mate Spencer Houston, from Oceans Wild came to Blackville School on November 17. They delivered a presentation about what they do, how they do it, and they also informed the students about the negative impact humankind is having on the ocean, and how we can prevent it.

Filled with passion and dedication to what they do, the presentation really hit home for many of the students. The information they provided gave a reality check to the student body about what is happening in the world surrounding us, and how so many of the small decisions we make impact us so greatly.

Gaetan and Houston had excellent display tables with many artifacts, fossils and life size replicas of sharks, whales and fish. All the demonstrations were presented with real life artifacts from his life experiences as a shark fisher. In the words of Captain Art Gaetan, “our generation will not be affected, nor will our children, but our grandchildren will be affected by our decisions and actions due to the rapid increase in global warming.”

The event was sponsored by the Blackville Home and School Association. For more information on Oceans Wild, click here.

Front Row (left to right)- Mackenzie Fournier, Jade Underhill, Robyn Stewart, Braxton Stafford, Jacob Donahue, Captain Art Gaetan and Riley Donovan (First mate Spencer Houston in background)

Article by Jessica McIntyre and photo by Krista Sherrard

Cool Campers

Blackville School Grade 11 students of the Outdoor Pursuits class braved the elements on November 9 and 10 when they camped overnight at Kouchibouguac National Park. For more photos from the camping experience, click here.

In photo: (left side) Alex Sturgeon, Taylar Curtis, Braden Coughlan, Eldon Duffy, Michael Bell, Lyall MacDonald
(centre) Mr. Craig Russell.
(right side) Gina Sturgeon, Michael McNeil, Lindsay Underhill, Colby Buggie, TJ Donohue, Dustin Keenan, Bradley Couglan

Scholastic Book Fair next week

The Blackville School Library will be hosting its Pre-Christmas Scholastic Book Fair next week.

• November 24, 25, and 26
• 9 am to 4 pm each day
• Family Event is November 24 from 5 pm - 8 pm

Everyone is invited to check out the fantastic selection of popular new titles. Please come out and support this annual school library fundraiser.

How will you remember?

Students and staff of Blackville School joined many community members for the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony at the school on Wednesday, November 10. Following the ceremony, special guests, including veterans, were invited for a luncheon hosted by the Culinary 110 class. Shown here is Grade 11 student Cory Keenan serving tea and coffee to World War II Veteran Corporal Joyce Fortune and Blackville Fire Chief Garth Underhill. For more photos from the ceremony and luncheon, click here.

Photo by Alejandra Leon de Gante

Boys Middle School Soccer takes bronze

The Middle School Boys Soccer team took the bronze medal at their Soccer Jamboree. The boys first played Dr. Losier and lost with a score of 4-1. The only goal was scored by Stewart Jardine. The team played Nelson next and won with a score of 3 to 2 in a shootout. Scoring for the team was Tanner Manderville, Riley Keenan and Bailey Curtis.

Ghost, Ghouls and Goblins

Middle and high school students from Blackville High enjoyed a Halloween dance on Thursday night, October 29. To see more photos from the dance, click here.
Meanwhile, the Graduating Class of 2010 hosted Halloween parties for the elementary students in the early evening of October 29. To see photos from the parties, click here.

Just monkeying around...

Grade nine students from Blackville school journeyed to Miramichi Valley High School to take part in the High Elements Course on Monday, October 25. The purpose of the activity is to challenge students to move outside their comfort zone while also building support and trust with their peers. The High Elements Course is part of District 16's Adventure Education Initiative. For more photos, click here.

Middle School Cross Country Team Update

The Middle School Cross Country team played their best at their final meet in French Front Cove , last Wednesday, October 20. Congratulations to all the runners who participated in the race. The results are as follows: For Grade 8, Caitie McCabe, finished 3^rd overall and 1^st for Blackville, and Ashley Vickers, finished 9^th overall and 2^nd for Blackville. For Grade 7, Wyatt Vickers, finished 7^th overall and 1^st for Blackville. For Grade 6, Laura Sturgeon placed 1^st for the school, Nicole Nash placed 2^nd for the school, and Emily McCabe placed 3^rd for the school. Miss. Hart would like to send out a huge thank you to all of the runners and parents for their continued effort, support and dedication! It was an awesome season.

Blackville students view new MADD video, Shattered

Blackville High School students had the opportunity to see the new Shattered video produced by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). After viewing the video, the students had an opportunity to discuss the video with MADD School Outreach Field Representative Roch-Alain Poirier. NB Liquor Representatives Tara McNeil and Elizabeth MacDonald also spoke to the students. NB Liquor sponsored the presentation costs for the school.

In photo: Student Council President Melita Urquhart, Secretary Mogan Donovan, Tara McNeil of NB Liquor, Second Vice-President Michaela Jardine, Boomerang representative Carly Hallihan, Elizabeth MacDonald of NB Liquor, Boomerang representatives Michael McNeil, Melissa Underhill, Junior Vickers, and TJ Donohue, MADD representative Roch-Alain Poirier and 1st Vice President Dallas Underhill.

Miramichi Big Canoe Challenge

Blackville High students from the Outdoor Pursuits Class participated in the first Miramichi Big Canoe Challenge at the Bicentennial Park in Nelson. Students had the opportunity to try out the 26-foot Voyageur canoe "Sipu" on Sunday, September 26. More photos from the event can be viewed here.
(l-r) Michael McNeil, Taylar Curtis, Gina Sturgeon, Mr. Johnston, Dallas Underhill, Mr. Russell, TJ Donohue, Braden Coughlan, Alex Sturgeon

Pumpkin pals

The Grade 1D students welcomed the autumn season with a pumpkin face painting activity last Friday, September 17. The students took a moment to pose for the camera with their newly acquired pumpkins before they painted them.

Have canoe will travel

Blackville High students from the Outdoor Pursuits 110 class enjoyed some canoeing time this past week. Some students enjoyed some tipping and swimming too. To see more photos, click here.

Remembering Terry Fox

Blackville School students, staff and other members of the community participated in a Terry Fox Fundraiser for the fight against cancer on Monday morning, September 20. This year marked the 30th anniversary of Terry Fox's run across Canada to raise both awareness and money in his fight against cancer. For more information about Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope and how his dream lives on, click here.
To see more photos from the event, click here.

Mr. Hal Muck and Mrs. Jennifer Hambrook join the students in the "Fight Back" against cancer rallying cry during the Terry Fox fundraiser at Blackville School.

Boomerang

Grade 9 students at Blackville School participated in the Boomerang program on Tuesday, September 7. With grade 11 and 12 team leaders, the grade 9 students spent the day in an orientation and introduction to the high school. For more photos, click here.

They came bearing gifts

Students, staff and Mr. Muck's family gathered in the Blackville School gymnasium on Friday morning, June 11 in honour of outgoing principal Mr. Muck who is retiring this year. Each class presented Mr. Muck with a gift in recognition of his service to Blackville School as principal for the past twenty seven years. More photos can be viewed here.
In photo: Mr. Muck receives a gift from grade one student Desmond C. as grade one student Andrew J. looks on.
Photos by Dolan Brophy

"Yes We Can"

The week of May 30th to June 5th was declared Disability Awareness Week by the Premier's Council on the Status of Disabled Persons. Blackville School students and staff showed their support by walking around the school grounds on Friday, June 4. This year's theme is "Yes We Can" and the aim was to promote support for persons with disabilities in New Brunswick. For more photos from the walk, click here.
Photos by Dolan Brophy

Students Receive Year-End Awards

Grade 12 student Mitchell Donohue and Grade 11 student Nicole Duguay receive their awards for Outstanding Academic and Extra-Curricular. Behind them is the new flag that was unveiled during the Awards Ceremony Monday morning, May 31. For more photos from the ceremony, click here. Photos by Leigh Flett

High spirits

Blackville High School students enrolled in Outdoor Pursuits 110 journeyed to Miramichi Valley High School to take part in the High Elements Course on Wednesday, May 26. The purpose of the activity is to challenge students to move outside their comfort zone while also building support and trust with their peers. Even students who are scared of heights are assigned a job that leaves them on the ground. However, all the students in attendance from Blackville High participated in the climb. The High Elements Course is part of District 16's Adventure Education Initiative. For more photos from the event, click here.

Speaker shares her experiences as a refugee

High school students Melita Urquhart and Taylor Colford pose with guest speaker Rebecca Campbell.

Rebecca Campbell, a refugee of the civil conflict in Sierra Leone (over control of the diamond mines), spoke to the high school students at Blackville School on Wednesday afternoon, May 19. Campbell was invited to speak to the World Issues 120 class and it was decided her story should be shared with the entire high school community. Campbell is now a Canadian citizen who lives in Miramichi. She is a business owner and wrote a book called Strong and Free. Campbell spoke to the students about her experiences in Sierra Leone, her escape through a war zone with her three young children, her journey to Canada and the importance of education. You can find out more information about Rebecca Campbell at her website, Strong and Free.

Full House at High School Performances

Krystina Augustine proves to be a very enthusiastic first date as Cory Hogan slowly becomes more uncomfortable in the Theatre Arts play Check Please.

The Agents (l-r) Michaela Jardine, Nicole Duguay, Carly Hallihan, Michelle Jardine, Marissa Donohue and Melissa Underhill explain How to Succeed in High School Without Really Trying, the High School Drama Club's play.

It was a full house in the Blackville School cafeteria Wednesday evening, May 19. The High School Drama Club and Theatre Arts 120 class presented their two short comedies, How to Succeed in High School Without Really Trying and Check Please. The audience enjoyed many laughs and also some sweets, tea and coffee, served during the intermission.

Mum's the word

Chicken mummies? Grade five students at Blackville School are working on their final project for their study on Ancient Egypt. The students are mummifying chickens. Each group will eventually wrap their mummified chicken in linen (gauze) at the end of the six weeks and make a sarcophagus for their chicken - just like how it was done in Ancient Egypt. For more photos of the students working on their project, click here.
In photo (l-r): Jessica D., Robyn S., Ciara A., Hillary C., and Nicole H.

Grade 4 Student Wins Earth Day Contest

Grade 4 student Jules Keenan (fourth in front row from right) poses with her classmates and displays her new prize, an Ipod Shuffle. Jules won first prize in an Earth Day Contest and her classmates also received recognition for their efforts. For more information, click here.

Be One of a Kind!

Last Week (April 12 - April 16) Blackville School held their first annual "Be One of A Kind!" Week. The purpose of the week was to encourage students to make a difference and to develop empathy for others.

Classes in Kindergarten through Grade 12 participated in a number of events throughout the week. Some of the events included a food drive for the Miramichi Food Bank, Caught You Caring Campaign (where students who were randomly caught doing good deeds received a ballot that was entered for a draw for a movie pass), a positive message t-shirt design contest, and classroom lessons on kindness and making a difference.

The finale of the week was Pink Shirt Day in which students wore pink t-shirts to show that they agreed to take a stand against bullying. Many classes had 100% participation rates proving that Blackville School students can and do make a difference.
For more photos from the week's activities, click here.

Kindergarten students pose in front of the "Be One of a Kind" bulletin board.

High School Student Council Executive Members Sylvia Donovan, Mitchell Donohue, Grace Coughlan, and Melita Urquhart get the food donations ready for the
Miramichi Community Food Bank.

Jensen U. (grade 5), Jorja D. (kindergarten), Sarah M. (grade 5), and Emily M. (grade 5)

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From electricity to popcorn, Middle School students display their Science Fair Projects

Grade three to five students at Blackville School held their science fair Friday morning, March 12. In photos are Logan B. (top), Kailey D. (bottom left) and Lauren V. (bottom right). For more photos from the fair, click here.

Crunch!

Middle School students and staff at Blackville School participated in "The Great Big Crunch" on Wednesday, March 10. The activity took place across Canada to promote awareness of healthy eating habits and local and global food systems. Every student and staff took a healthy bite from their apple at the same time. For more information about the campaign, click here.

Winter Carnival Day Four: Twist and Shout

Blackville High School students planned a game of Twister during the Winter Carnival Noon Hour Competition. Day four of the celebrations was Flashback or Crazy Hat/Hair Day. For more photos, click here.

Winter Carnival Day Three: Nerds are Cool

Grade six student Amelia U. was one of many middle school students who dressed up for day three of Winter Carnival Week, Nerd Day. Elementary and high school students along with staff participated too. For more photos click here.

Winter Carnival Day Two: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Students at Blackville School "switched" roles or wore their clothes backwards during day two of the Winter Carnival. Top photo shows High School "girls" (l-r) Jordan B., Tanner K., Jordan H., Kyle M., Mitchell D., and Ryan F. Bottom shows Middle School "boys" (l-r) Victoria M., Brooke U., Maddie A., and Morgan U. To see more photos from Switch/Backward Day, click here.
Photos by Dolan Brophy and Kristina Augustine

Staff Appreciation Week

The Blackville Home and School Association provided the staff with snacks, sweets and even a buffet lunch during Staff Appreciation Week (February 15-19).
In photo: Home and School Members Denise Kelly and Necia Nash (back l-r) provide snacks to staff members Colleen McLaughlin and Leigh Flett on Friday, February 19 during "Salsa Snack Day."

In the Spirit of the Olympics...

Blackville School held their 4th Annual Math Olympics on Tuesday, February 16. Inspired by the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, it was decided by the Elementary teachers to hold this year's event in February during the first week of the Winter Olympics rather than in the fall as in previous years.

Madame Michelle Tobin Forgrave and grade eight student Noella Doiron were official torch bearers for the Olympic flame as it made its way through Canada. They lead the kindergarten to grade eight into the gym for a "victory lap." This was followed by a brief description of their experience of being part of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. The two then lit the Olympic Math flame.

In the spirit of the Canadian experience at the Olympic games and to celebrate flag day, flags depicting the provinces and territories were carried by the Grade 7 class. The classes from kindergarten to grade 2 started the Math Olympic ceremony. They were assisted by Home and School members and as several Middle School students. The classes from K-5 also selected a team name and a colour for the day.
The classes from grades 3-5 began their Olympics in the afternoon where all participants had events that called on them to use strategy, team cooperation, encouragement, and school spirit.

The medals for the games will be presented at another assemby where students from each class will receive a gold, bronze, or silver for each of the events. For more photos from the event click here.

Photos by Twila Sturgeon and Dolan Brophy