Elementary Christmas Concert

Festive Celebrations

By Braden Coughlam

Before staff and students go home for the holidays, Blackville School has been very busy with all sorts of festive activities.

On December 9 the Blackville High School celebrated their annual Christmas formal with 90 in attendance. And on the 16th the middle school celebrated with 118 in attendance.

On Monday December 19 Blackville School held a Christmas concert, and on the morning of December 20 the annual Elementary Christmas concert took place, featuring Kindergarten to grade 5, with performances such as “Oh Christmas Tree” and “Deck the Halls”. Parents and members of the community were in attendance.

The middle school also put on two plays for the school and the community “Believe” and “A Mall and the Night Visitor”. More photos: Christmas program, Choir and Band, and Middle School Drama.

Bilingual Magic

By Nathalie Sturgeon

Magic happened at Blackville School on December 16 as Rémi Boudreau a bilingual magician came for a visit.

Boudreau was brought to the school through a bilingual fund that each school is presented with based on student population.

A school committee, headed by vice principal Aaron Johnston, Carrie Trevors, Carlene Lyons and Janice Jardine came together to share ideas on how to spend the fund.

It is a goal of the school to incorporate many elements of bilingualism within Blackville School. Planned initiatives like morning video announcements in both French and English at least once a week, as well as O’Canada sung in both languages at ceremonies and announcements.

Vice principal Aaron Johnston said that Boudreau is a good example of someone who functions well in both languages, and who has made a successful career as a bilingual performer.

After two successful years, the school hopes to have Boudreau return again and help to foster a positive attitude for bilingualism.

For more photos, click here.

Student's Christmas Story to be Published in Local Paper

By Braden Coughlan

Blackville High School student Maddie Astle will be getting her Christmas story published in the Miramichi Leader. Her story is about a little boy whose father is in Afghanistan.

When asked what inspired her to write the story, she replied that it just kind of came to her.

She was very excited when she got the news because at first she thought that her sister had won the prize, but when she found out that it was her instead it made her that much happier.

Her English teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Underhill, is very proud of her.

Science in Action

By Nathalie Sturgeon

Carly Hallihan explains the experiment to Mandy Colford and Junior Vickers

Students from the grade 12 Biology class were in attendance with their experiments at a STEM (Science, Technology and Math) Expo that was recently held at James M. Hill Memorial High School.

Melissa Underhill and Carly Hallihan armed with a Wii and a cell phone brought their experiment about texting while driving. The experiment was titled “Texting Behind the WiiL.”

Alex Sturgeon, Brody Dunnett and James Vickers also went to the expo with their experiment “Game On.” They tested whether playing video games improves your reflexes.

Alex Sturgeon said he enjoyed viewing all the different and interesting experiments that were brought by other students at the expo. Another STEM expo will be held around the third week of March, and Blackville School anticipates entries for March.

Bring in the season with lots of music from the Blackville choir

By Braden Coughlan

An Evening of Christmas Music to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the choir on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Bridget’s Church in Renous.

This concert will feature performances by the Blackville School Girls’ Choir, the Blackville School Alumni Choir, the Blackville School Elementary Choir, St. Raphael’s Youth Choir, the Millerton Catholic Choir, St. Bridget’s Children’s Choir, Susan Butler, Jake Stewart, and various other vocal solos and duets.

Tickets can be purchased for $12 at the Blackville School office. Light refreshments will be served in the church basement.

All proceeds will be going towards the Blackville School Girl’s Choir for their trip to Ottawa in 2012.

Blackville School will be presenting its annual Choir and Band Christmas Concert on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the school gym. Admission at the door is $5.00 for Adults and $2.00 for Students.

Blackville School’s K – 5 Christmas Program will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. in the school gym. Admission will be a free will offering at the door.

A special guest at Christmas breakfast

By Braden Coughlan

The parents of the Blackville Graduation Class of 2012 hosted a breakfast of eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast, served with hot coffee or tea to the public on Saturday December 3 at the Blackville Hall.

The event was a huge success and raised $1300.00 with over 300 breakfasts served. The money raised will be used for Safe Grad and prom.

Also Santa Claus made a very special appearance to talk to the children and see what they wanted for Christmas.

For more photos click here.