A visit with Terry Seguin

By Nathalie Sturgeon

CBC Information Morning-Fredericton host Terry Seguin came to Blackville School on Friday, November 25 to talk to the Journalism and Law 120 classes.

Seguin came to talk to the students about journalism, and how many changes have occurred within the world of journalism. He outlined what his daily routine is from beginning to end. Students were made aware that journalism is not a 9-5 job.

Near the end of the presentation, Seguin answered a variety of questions that the students provided. Students were receptive to his presentation and enjoyed having him here.

Journalism student Gina Sturgeon posted on her blog that Seguin was a very good speaker who kept her attention, and that she would not mind having him come back.

In photo (l-r): Gina Sturgeon, Junior Vickers, Cory Keenan, Morgan Coughlan, Terry Seguin, Nathalie Sturgeon, Michael McNeil, Kyla Sturgeon

Students take a heavy look at methamphetamines

By Nathalie Sturgeon

A “Synthetic Drug Presentation” was held at Blackville School on November 21. The presentation was held by School District 16 and City of Miramichi Police Force.

Two RCMP officers, Cpl. Girouard and Cst. Fergusson and emergency room doctor Dr. John McCann were on hand to inform students about the harmful effects of drugs.

There were four main drugs that were the focus of this presentation: Crystal meth, ecstasy tablets, ketamine and GHB. Each drug was identified and given clear explanation of what they were and what they can do to a person’s body.

Students were shown real life instances of people who were affected by methamphetamines, videos and pictures were used to display the tragedies that befall people and their families every day.

McCann also said that a high percentage of people who use meth for the first time get addicted. The main message given by both the RCMP and McCann was “Be smart- don’t start.”

Grade 12 student Debora Gilliespie said that the pictures were most effective because they were a true testament of what happens. Gilliespie said that the babies, or “silent victims” of drug abuse stood out the most to her because she couldn’t understand how someone could do that to someone so innocent.

In photo: Marissa Donohue, Melissa Underhill, Cst. Fergusson, Dr.McCann, Ashley Coughlan, Valeja Burnbach (Photo by Nathalie Sturgeon)

Remembrance Day Ceremony 2011

Blackville students participate in Annual Take Your Kids to Work Day

By Braden Coughlan

The Grade 9 students of Blackville School were able to participate in an annual event that allows them to visit a place of work and spend the day as an employee.

On Wednesday November 2 the grade 9 students went to a place of work, to learn about their career. The point of the foundation is for students to learn about careers and prepare them for the future.

Grade 9 student Brody Nash went trucking with his father to the Bathurst and Chipman Mill, there he helped secure lumber on the back of the truck.

“This experience helped me a lot because it showed me that although my father does this, it is not the job for me. The best part of my day was just being able to spend time with my dad and listen to his co-workers,” Brody said.

The Annual Take Your Kid To Work Day, has completed its 17^th year. The foundation truly proves to help kids work towards their career of choice.

For more pictures click here.

Andrew Gillespie

A Royal Treat

By Nathalie Sturgeon

Photos by Taylar Curtis 

Blackville School Girls’ Choir held a Royal Princess Tea Party on November 7. Elementary students were invited to wear the prettiest gowns and come to this grand gala.

The tea party was a huge success and many young princess turned out to enjoy a night of fine dining and company. Proceeds from this event went to the Girls Choir.

For more photos click here.

(left to right) Emma Hallihan & Tessa Coughlan

Lest We Forget

Wreath Layers: Destiny McCormack, Abby Sturgeon, Gabryella Munn, Abigail McEvoy

By Nathalie Sturgeon

The sentiment “Lest We Forget” rang through the gymnasium of Blackville School on November 10.

Community members, school staff and students from every grade gathered to remember those who fought, died and survived.

The ceremony started with the singing of the national anthem by the Blackville Elementary Choir, followed by a welcome message by Blackville students Eden Lynch and Owen Underhill.

Rev. Jonathan McNair gave an opening prayer. The ceremony included many readings and songs performed by both Blackville Girls Choir and the Jazz Band.

A student from each homeroom class laid a wreath, along with various community groups and organizations. This was followed by the traditional two minutes of silence.

The ceremony ended with the procession of veterans and honorable guest. A reception hosted by the Culinary class was held afterwards.

For more photos from the ceremony, click here. 

Nathalie Sturgeon is a student in Journalism 120 at Blackville School. She can be reached at Nast00265@student.nbed.nb.ca

Live different foundation visits Blackville School

By Braden Coughlan

In this world there are thinkers and there are doers, the presenters from Live Different want students from Blackville School to be doers.

Live Different is an organization formed in 2004 that encourages people to live a different lifestyle, and not think about themselves so much. They travel to developing countries and build houses for the less fortunate, and support struggling people.

On Thursday, November 3, Blackville school was treated with a presentation from the organization, which included a musical performance from 2007 Canadian Idol winner Brian Melo.

Combining music and video, the presentation is lively and engaging while challenging students to think about how they can make a difference in the world. Live Different presenter Joseph said, “At first the kids were a little quiet, but near the midway point, they really started to get rowdy, and it was clear that they were enjoying themselves.”

Joseph’s advice for people who may be considering joining the foundation, is to just go for it while you are young, because it is such a rewarding thing - being able to help the less fortunate, and put a smile on a child’s face.

Over the last three months they have been to 45 different schools, and they have numerous locations planned, such as New Bandon, Sussex, Saint John and Fredericton.

A small group of students were able to participate in some extra activities with the group, Grade 12 student Taylar Curtis said, “I thought they were awesome, they talked about things that happen in other countries, but they also told us things that happen in Canada.”

Presently, some of the students at Blackville School are recruiting other students to get involved in an awareness campaign and raise money for Canadians in need.
For more pictures click here.

Left to right: Andrew Gillespie, Karlee Coughlan, Deborah Gilespie, Joy Yu, Meghan Nash, Paisley, Carly Nebbs, Erin Duffy, Vanessa Michaud, Morgan Coughlan.

Grade 12 Biology Project

By: Nathalie Sturgeon

Blackville Schools students are being subject to a special experiment this year. Grade 12 students are testing students from different grade levels. They are learning how to test their reflexes in a term project introduced by their Biology teacher Mrs. Trudy Underhill.

The class was divided into several small groups and selected a certain project provided to them or they created a project themselves. Students will spend many days using a variety of different reflex tests to prove their ultimate hypothesis.

Morgan Coughlan and Taylor Fortune are enjoying their experiment. The students are looking at how texting on mobile devices affects students’ learning. Coughlan says she enjoys interacting with the other students.

Carly Hallihan and Melissa Underhill are using a computer simulation about the effects of texting and driving. While the students text they have to drive through open gates in the simulation. Hallihan says she expects to see higher percentages of open gates missed while texting.

Many students used the ruler drop for testing reflexes, including Lindsay Sullivan, Erin Duffy and Nathalie Sturgeon. Students who were tested from grade 1 said they really enjoyed the ruler drop, and many of them stated they like the older students who helped them.
For more pictures, click here.

Students helping students: Blackville School International Water Project

By Braden Coughlan

Freedom comes pretty easy for Canadians, but in other parts of the world, that is not the case.

Grade 8 Blackville students Ashlyn Moody and Laura Jardine are truly stepping up to the plate.

They are helping children in India attain clean water, food, and an education. It is part of Free the Children’s Adopt a Village Clean Water Project.

Free The Children is the world's largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth involved in innovative education and development programs in 24 countries.

Moody and Jardine are the leaders of the Free the Children school group. The other members include Brooke Underhill, Calvin Furlong, Deanna Donovan, Ashley Kelly, Amelia Underhill, Abby Donovan, Jules and Samuel Keenan, Noah Donovan, Veronica Pond, and Pauline Sturgeon.

It all started with a presentation by Free the Children last fall. The students’ immediate reaction to the presentation was that they would like to help. So the girls set a goal for $5000; they already have $2900.

When asked how they felt about what they were doing, the girls said it made them feel good that they were helping less fortunate people led a better life.

The students are busy planning further fundraisers, including a bake sale and a walkathon.

Braden Coughlan is a student in Journalism 120 at Blackville School. He can be reached at brco00286@student.nbed.nb.ca

Photo: Left to right: Laura Jardine and Ashlyn Moody in front of water project goal poster.

Photo by Taylar Curtis

Halloween Party

By:Nathalie Sturgeon

Goblins and goons of all ages and sizes gathered at Blackville School for a Halloween fundraiser hosted by the Graduating Class of 2012. This Halloween party has been a tradition at Blackville School for at least 30 years.
Two parties were held that evening, a kindergarten to grade three and a grade four to five. 220 elementary students were in attendance. A variety of games were enjoyed by the students.
A middle school dance was also held that evening, 120 students were in attendance.

For more pictures from this event, click here.