School's In Podcast for November 21, 2014

 Host Leah Hennessy shares news from Blackville School for the week of November 21, 2014.  School's In podcast are heard on Life Radio friday evenings.  Podcast edited by Perry-Jay Peterson.

Assassin's Creed Unity Review

wall.alphacoders.com

Through fear, crime, betrayal, and bloodshed, experience the newest extension to one of the most well known major action-adventure franchises today. Assassin's Creed Unity has something for everyone's inner assassin. Ubisoft and Ubisoft Montreal, have done it once again, they have managed to make their seventh instalment to the Assassin's Creed series and it surely lives up to its predecessor Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. Directed by Alexandre Amancio and written by Travis Stout, Assassins Creed Unity hooks you in as soon as you start the game. Assassins Creed Unity was released November 11th, 2014, and is available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.



Assassin's Creed Unity puts you in the life of Arno Dorian (voiced by Dan Jeannotte) a native Frenchman, son of an Assassin, set during the eve of the French Revolution in Paris. After the death of his father and being blamed for the murder of his adoptive father, Arno sets out to become a member of the Brotherhood of Assassins, where he slowly rises through the ranks. Driven by revenge and the will to save Paris, Arno sets out to seek the truth during this tragic period in history.

Assassins Creed Unity was the latest Ubisoft product created with the AnvilNext game engine, with new implements that will change the way you play. One of the newest additions is the Phantom Blade, which replaces the second Hidden Blade from previous Assassin Creed's. This weapon allows you to kill stealthy from a distance. It is a blade, attached to a crossbow type mechanism that allows you to shoot knives at people, to kill without being noticed. Since staying in the shadows is a major part of how you play through the game, this weapon comes in handy in tougher missions.


Another huge difference is the addition of the "Parkour Up" and "Parkour Down" mechanics. These new abilities allow the player to easily scale up and down (hence the name "Parkour Up & Down") buildings and obstacles. This gives the free running element have much more flexibility within Assassin's Creed. This aspect makes the game feel much more fluent and not as slow as the previous games. Another smaller addition to the game is that the world of Paris is huge, and allows you to roam to and from different districts while many in game activities appear like; fist fights, chasing a pick-pocket, or just simply solving a murder mystery. The last big addition to the game they implemented was the co-operative multiplayer, which allows you to freely roam Paris with your friends, or do missions and heists if that's more your style.

Many of the major aspects of Assassin's Creed Unity are executed excellently, but there are always some flaws in every creation. So far, from my experience with the storyline, I am really enjoying it but I find some things could be explained a little better before the missions are started. The voice acting is spot on in my opinion; all the voices are different and it's hard to find similarities in the sound of the characters which is an awesome aspect to the game.

Most of the gameplay mechanics within the game are great, and make you truly feel like an assassin the entire time. Although there are some bugs, mostly with NPC (non-playable characters) walking through buildings and obstacles, or standing on other characters. Also sometimes the costumes, hair, and weapons of some characters will become wonky, and might also cause the frame rate to drop, not drastically, but enough to notice it for a second. Even with the flaws, all the other gameplay aspects allow the player to feel more like an assassin than ever before in any other Assassin's Creed to date.

Assassin's Creed Unity really gives you a grip on life within the French Revolution, while telling a gripping tale about rising above revenge and thinking more about the innocent, rather than yourself. Assassin's Creed hasn't been known for recreating the exact moments from that time period, mostly because they add the Brotherhood of Assassins into the time eras, causing some events to have some twists, which play out well. Assassin's Creed Unity brings new tech and new elements that will change the series for the better in the long run. Assassin's Creed Unity is definitely a must buy this holiday season. Always remember the Brotherhood code; "We work in the dark to serve the light. We are Assassins."


by Brody Nash

Star Athletes of Blackville School

 High School Boys - Dylan Storey

"He's been consistent, dedicated and works hard in games and practices," said Coach Rodney Buggie about Dylan concerning his efforts with the Senior Boys soccer team and his place in their quest for the provincial banner. Dylan is not only the goalkeeper for the Senior Boys soccer team, but he is also a crucial part of the Senior Boys Basketball team. Outside of school, Dylan likes to play any type of pick up sports including outdoor basketball and road hockey.

Middle School Boys - Denver Donovan

"Denver shows a 100% effort day in and day out, and works hard every game," said Coach DJ Mason about Denver and his contribution to the Middle School boys soccer team. Denver put in a great effort in the last few games of the boys season, scoring six goals in two games. Denver is also a main part of the Middle School boys volleyball team. Meanwhile outside of school, Denver plays hockey and road hockey. 

 High School Girls - Felicia Stockless

"Felicia was a great asset to the team this year, she was always giving 100% and she had a great attitude and willingness to learn," said coach Ronda Vickers about Felicia when asked what kind of a player Felicia was. She was a very valued player despite this being her first year playing soccer and her first year at Blackville School. Outside of school Felicia also enjoys playing hockey.

Middle School Girls - Laura Colford
"Laura is a great athlete and always puts forth a great effort during practices and games. She is a great asset to the middle school girls soccer team and always has a great attitude and keeps the team in high spirits," said Coach Jessica Munn about Laura and her work with the Middle School girls soccer team. Laura was a great team player, and barely came off the field throughout the season. Outside of school Laura also plays hockey and volleyball.

Compiled by Graham Manderville, Larissa Bryenton and Ashley Vickers

School's In Podcast for November 14, 2014

Host Leah Hennessy shares news from Blackville School for the week of November 14, 2014. School's In podcast are heard on Life Radio Friday evenings.  Podcast edited by Perry-Jay Peterson.

Remembrance Day Colouring Contest 2014

Take Your Kid To Work Day

Delanie Coughlan at Home Hardware

Grade nine students at Blackville High School took part in, "Take Your Kid To Work Day," on Wednesday, November 5, 2014. The students went to various work places to be an employee for the day, and get a sense of what it is like to be in the work force.

Each student went to their preferred work place setting. The students learn about what type of tasks are done on a daily basis as well as participate in the daily tasks that typically take place at the establishment.

Mackenzie Stewart at Valu Foods

Janet Jardine went to work at McEvoy Insurance, Delanie Coughlan went to Home Hardware and Madison Underhill as well as Mackenzie Stewart went to Value Foods for the day. Other places that the students went to are the Blackville RCMP as well as the Adult Learning Center.

By Ashley Vickers

The Teddy Bear Project

Blackville School kindergarten students

Blackville school is partnered up with Instituto Tecnológico Avanzado en Educación del Sureste in Mexico for the Teddy Bear Project. This project, organized through the iEarn Collaboration Centre, involves Mrs. Norton and Mrs. Hallihan's Kindergarten classes as well as a class from Mexico.

The purpose of the Teddy Bear Project is to have students foster understanding and knowledge about other countries and cultures.

Left to Right: Ava Underhill and
Wilson Jardine

Mrs. Norton said the Blackville School got involved because it is something different to do and it is something for the kids to be excited about as they learn about a different culture.

"We will be taking the bear on trips to learn about cultural things that we do here that they may not do there. For example, one of the students will be able to take the teddy bear to a hockey game which they would not experience in Mexico," explained Mrs. Norton.

In the near future, there is a possibility that the classes may get a chance to communication online through video chat. The teacher from Mexico sends an e-mail to Mrs. Norton weekly to let her know how the teddy bear is doing.

Left to Right: Kiara Dunnett, Brenden Dunnett,
Brandee Gillespie and John Patrick McCormack

They received Mexico's teddy bear on Friday October 24. They emailed Mexico to let them know it has arrived and also how it was doing.

Mrs. Norton's and Mrs. Hallihan's students expressed excitement and enjoyment over having the teddy bear at the school, as well as learning about Mexico and Mexican culture.

By Mariah Hallihan

Dating Violence Presentation

Family Violence Outreach Coordinator Patty Michaud and Youth Care Worker students from NBCC Miramichi came to speak to high school students about Dating Violence on Wednesday November 13. They first showed a short slide show about dating violence and then they broke off into focus groups to ask questions and talk about dating violence.

From left to right: Michael Waugh, Alex Hallihan,
Larissa Bryenton, Moranda Frennette, Patty Michaud
 and NBCC Students from the Youth Care program

Remembrance Day Ceremony at Blackville School

Mersereau: We can't stray from honouring the past

A piece of the Berlin Wall that belongs to Mersereau

This past week I had the privilege of interviewing former army communications officer and Blackville native Warrant Officer Troy Mersereau. Son of Vera and Burton Mersereau and brother of elementary school teacher Twila Sturgeon.

Mersereau graduated from Blackville in 1986 alongside Blackville School's principal Rodney Buggie. He spent his youth in Blackville playing hockey and as a member of the Blackville Air Cadet squadron. He joined the army branch of the Canadian military in 1987 after working in Fredericton for a short while, trying to find his place in life.

Memorabilia from Mersereau's military career

Troy had a long and rewarding military career, having been stationed in numerous locations in Canada, including Petawawa and Kingston, Ontario and Edmonton, Alberta; he also was stationed in numerous places overseas including Germany, Syria, Israel and three tours in Bosnia. Some of the answers that are given in the interview below are paraphrased and are not direct quotes.

Q: Why did you join the military? What would recommend the military as a career path to a graduate of today?

A: The military was always an interest to me, it offered security, and a trade without taking the more typical route through university. I would recommend the military to a graduate of today; it presents numerous opportunities that are often unheard of in the civilian world. It's a totally different experience, and if you're looking for an adventure that is never a dull moment, then the military is the right fit for you.

United Nations Memorabilia 

Q:Would you change anything about the path you choose if you could do it over again?

A: Not at all. I went in with a good attitude and made the best of what it was. There were some times when it sucked beyond belief, but if you have a good attitude and make the most of the situation, it is not as bad as it seems, those are the times when memories are made.

Q: Next week we are celebrating Remembrance Day and as a teenager and a student, I know what it means to me, but as a member of the military, what does it mean to you? And the military in general?

Vimy Barrack memorial

A: To me it's really just a time to reflect on friendships and experiences that I had in the Canadian Forces. As for the military in general, it is held as a sacred day; it is often a tough day as well, remembering lost friends and just lost service members in general.

Q: What is the most memorable Remembrance Day ceremony you have participated in and why?

A: In grade 11, I actually laid a wreath at Blackville School as an air cadet, and I can still remember that ceremony distinctively. However, no matter where the ceremony is held - either here in Blackville or in Bosnia - they are just as important, and I remember them all.  

More military memorabilia 

Q: Is there any part of the Remembrance Day ceremony performed by the military that is different than one that civilians put on, for example like the one in Blackville? What part of the ceremony is the most special to you?

A: Ceremonies everywhere that are held, by either military or civilians, are very similar everywhere. They all take a moment to remember all the service members that are no longer with us. There is no part that is special to me, because the whole ceremony is special just like the day.

Q: This summer I had the opportunity to visit Juno Beach, Vimy Ridge and the Passchendale Battlefields do these places have any specific value to you? And what value do they have to the military as a whole?

Warrant Officer Mersereau at the
Blackville Remembrance Day Ceremony

A: I was stationed at the Vimy Barracks in Kingston for a period of time. Everything that we did in Kingston was tied back to Vimy Ridge; we would get talks about the men like Sir Arthur Currie and how we should strive to be that type of leader. To the military as a whole, Vimy Ridge was the first victory that Canada won by ourselves. We had no help; it was only Canadian boys on the battlefield that day for the Allies. Even though we were under British control, the Canadian military and really the country of Canada found its identity in that battle. Now Vimy is a massive glorified monument and we talk about it as a glorious battle and treasured spot in Canadian history, but to the men that actually fought the battle it was basically a place to go and die. It was not all bells and whistles, there was no glory in 1917.

Q: When we consider the recent attacks and deaths in Canada that have targeted our military what role do you think these recent actions have when it comes to the impact of why Remembrance Day is vital and important in the 21st century?

A: Concerning Remembrance Day I think that it will be a little more difficult in the areas that were affected by these attacks; however from a security perspective it will generate a lot more concerns that we have never really had to face before in Canada.

Q: Speaking as a former member of the military, what would you want today's youth to know about Remembrance day?

A: Remembrance Day has a very important place in Canadian society, and if we stray away from having ceremonies and honouring our past and present military service members then it will be very hard to get back to it.

It was truly an honour interviewing Mr. Mersereau. The stories that he had were truly incredible and I could sit and listen to him tell them all day. Every student and staff member thanks Mr. Mersereau for his service and thanks every former and present service member for there service as well. Without these brave men and women, we would not have the freedom and privileges that we have today and we must keep Remembrance Day a prominent day in our society in order to pay our respects and honour our military service members. Lest We Forget.

by Graham Manderville

Opinion: Remembrance Day

Every year on November 11 we remember those who fought for our country. We respect those who are still here with us today and also those who sacrificed their lives for us and this country. A country they loved and believed in so much, they fought to defend its values.

Here at Blackville School every year around Remembrance Day we always hold a service that takes place in the gym.  The ceremony features our choirs, band, readings from students between K to 12. It also includes  the wreath laying which includes each person from each grade to lay a wreath in remembrance of our soldiers that fought in the world wars. The wreath laying also includes members from our community, such as the local legion and the wreath is laid in memory of fallen soldiers. 

To show respect for our soldiers most people wear a poppy on our left sides over our hearts. This year it was noticed that more Canadians are wearing poppies which, in part, could be because of two soldiers who were recently killed here in Canada.  

Below are some thoughts from students who  went on a trip to Europe in June 2014. While they were there they got to visit the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France that is dedicated to the memory of Canadian soldiers killed during the First World War. 

By Ashton O'Donnell 

I always held Remembrance Day in high regard, in my opinion it is one of the most important days in the calendar year. It's a time when we remember the men and women who sacrificed their lives  in order so that we could live in a free country.

High School students from Blackville School at Arc de Triumph 

This summer I got the opportunity to visit Juno Beach, Passchendaele and Vimy Ridge while on a trip to Europe. All of these locations are very prominent in Canadian History. Juno Beach was the Canadian designated beach in the D-Day landings, Passchendaele was a World War I battle that claimed over 15,000 Canadian lives, and of course Vimy Ridge was the first victory that the Canadian military got on its own.

Visiting these locations really made me realize just how much these men who fought during the first and second World Wars sacrificed to preserve our countries freedom. While at Vimy Ridge, we got to tour some of the underground tunnels which served as a home to many of the Canadian troops leading up to the actual attack on Vimy. I could not even imagine spending more than an hour in these tunnels, even the shortest person in our group had to duck sometimes to walk through doors or down hallways. Seeing these living condition and hearing the tour guide talk about how inhospitable these tunnels were in 1917 really opened my eyes to the sacrifices that these men made.

We visited many Canadian cemeteries as well on our trip through western Europe. The cemetery that really made me realize how lucky and proud I am to be Canadian was one of the Normandy cemeteries. Walking down the rows of graves and seeing the ages of some of the men that participated in the D-Day landings was incredible.

 I stumbled upon a headstone with the age 17 written on it and was dumbfounded for words. Our lives were so different. I wake up every morning knowing what the day will hold, and I know that I will wake up the next morning. However, this boy woke up not knowing what the day was going to hold, and praying that he lived long enough to wake up the next day.

Touring Vimy, Passchendaele, Juno Beach and all the surrounding cemeteries has given me stronger and deeper feeling of thankfulness for our veterans that served during WWI and II, Korea, Bosnia, the Middle East and really anywhere that the Canadian military has been. Because without their service, I know that I would not have the life that I have today. My trip to Europe has given me a better understanding of what these men went through and this in turn has increased my standing on Remembrance Day and its importance in our society.

By: Graham Manderville

Remembrance Day is a day every year where citizens across Canada join together to commemorate the brave acts of the soldiers who fought for our freedom.  Remembrance day has always been an important day to my family and me, because I've had many relatives who have fought over seas in certain conflicts.

It is a day when we extend our thanks to those who were lost in order to live the great lives that we all have today. This past summer I had the amazing opportunity of taking part in a Canadian Battlefield tour across Europe. We went to very well-known battlefields, cemeteries, and landmarks that were once populated with Canadian soldiers in conflict.

 It was a very touching experience knowing that soldiers have lost their lives right on the ground I was standing on. I had moments where I was proud because of the bravery that past Canadian soldiers had, but I also had moments of sadness when I realized how many young lives were lost. I was fortunate enough to visit Juno Beach, Passchendaele, Vimy region, Normandy region, and countless other well-known war-time landmarks.

My personal favourite part of the experience was the Vimy Ridge memorial. It was breathtakingly large and beautiful. I didn't realize the true size of the landmark until I was standing directly under its shadow. I was in awe for the most part of the trip because of the beautiful European scenery, and the Canadian history that surrounded me for the whole trip.

I consider myself tremendously lucky for being able to travel across the world to see a place that is held so high in Canadian regard. Many people dream of seeing some of the landmarks I visited. My trip to Europe made me appreciate remembrance day more, and I have a better respect for Canadian gains, and also, much more respect for the losses. I will always look back on the amazing trip that I was part of. 

By Noah Hallihan

Middle School Student of The Month

Middle School Student of the Month for 6D is Denver Jardine. Denver is a hard working student and especially kind and helpful towards others. Denver is also especially thoughtful in school. Congratulations, Denver!

Middle School Student of the Month for 7M is Brady Nash. Brady is especially kind and helpful towards others and is also very respectful. Brady has also been coming extra early for homeroom. Congratulations, Brady!







Middle School Student of the Month for 7W is Shana Jardine. Shana is a hard working student and shows great leadership skills in school. Shana is especially kind and helpful towards other students and has reached an academic achievement recently in school. Congratulations, Shana!








Middle School Student of the Month for 8O is Gabe Keenan. Gabe is very hard working and shows outstanding effort in school. Gabe has improved very much this year in academics. Congratulations, Gabe!








Middle School Student of the Month for 8M is Christopher Underhill. Christopher is a very hard working student and is especially kind and helpful towards others. Christopher shows outstanding effort in school and has reached an academic achievement recently. Christopher is also very thoughtful and shows respect for others as well. Congratulations, Christopher!