People's Picks (November 1-4)

The middle school teacher of the week is Ms. Paula Davidson. Ms. Davidson said that her favourite thing about teaching is the students because they make everyday different and exciting. She said that she had a lot of trick or treaters this year; over 70! Ms. P. Davidson's advice to all of her students is to always be kind to others and don't ever take your life for granted. We asked Ms. Davidson what is something that she wants her students to know about her, she said, "I want them to know how great I think each and everyone of them are. I love my job because of them."

The middle school student of the week is Tessa Munn. Tessa got student of the week because she is always helping the other students, and she is very kind. Tessa had a lot of fun on Halloween this year trick or treating with all of her friends. Tessa's favourite class in school is Home Economics, she thinks that it is really interesting.

The staff member of the week is Educational Assistant Bonnie MacRae. Bonnie's favourite thing about working at the school is all of the students. Bonnie wants all of the students to know that they can always come to her if they ever need anything no matter how big or small. Her advice to the students is to stay in school and to further your education after high school, so you can do whatever you want in life. 

Viewpoint: Daylight Savings Times

Mountain Bike Club Grows in Popularity

Grade 7 student Logan Urquhart 

It's a newer club at Blackville School, and it's growing in popularity. In fact, the Blackville Middle School Mountain Bike Club has grown extensively over the past two years.

Blackville School teacher Mr. Paul MacKinnon started the club in the fall of 2015. There was interest in the club, and 18 students participated. However, many of those students went on to high school this year.

But many grade six students expressed interested in the club, and the club has even more members this year with a total of 26 students participating. There are also some female students who joined the club this year. The club originally had 9 mountain bikes for members who needed a bike to participate, but that number recently increased to 14.

MacKinnon explained that students like the club for many reasons. He jokingly said, "some like trying to see how filthy they can get by the end of a run." "Others like simply getting out for a ride with some like minded people. Some participants want to be challenged to climb steeper inclines and go fast. Still others just want to 'wheelie' and 'catch air'."

As a sports-minded individual, starting the club was a good fit for MacKinnon. "Mountain biking is a passion of mine. One can always be building upon their technical skills and fitness, so it is a great sport to introduce to students," he explained.

"I love seeing kids progress with mountain biking, witnessing them conquer some terrain that used to spook them is pretty cool," he added.

MacKinnon also likes the flexibility of the sport. "With traditional sports you need a small crowd to make it happen. Mountain biking sessions can be as big or small as you want," he said.

"A lot of people start mountain biking a little later on, when opportunities to play traditional sports are harder to make happen. Exposing the students now will hopefully ignite the spark for them to continue riding," he added.

Grade 8 student Caleb Gillespie said he became a member of the club, "because I love mountain biking. It is a fun sport and I can learn how to do different tricks on the bike, like wheelies."

Grade 6 Josh Mercer follows Mr. MacKinnon

Grade 8 student Lane Weaver agrees. "It allows me to do another fun activity outside of school. We do it once a week, and we also get to go to French Fort Cove at the end of the month, so that's a plus."

The club is planning another run at French Fort Cove in the City of Miramichi to close down their fall season sometime this week.

MacKinnon explained that the cove is mainly a single track riding on some 15-20 kms of groomed mountain bike specific trails. "There are lots of hills, rock features, bridges and many more obstacles. It is one of the top places to ride in the Maritimes," he said.

Article by Samantha Stockless
Photos by Jules Keenan

Athletes of the Month

Caleb Gillespie
Strong leadership Skills
Easy To Coach
Strong player
Always Helping Out.
(Middle School Male Athlete of the Month)

Layla Hallihan
Team Leader
Hard worker
Great Attitude
(Middle School Female Athlete of the Month)

Tanner Manderville
Strong Defensive Player
(High School Male Athlete of the Month)

Erin Moody
Reacts Well Under Pressure
Made Many Important Goals
Constant Effort
(High School Female Athlete of the Month)

Halloween Spirit at Blackville School

Grade 12 students hosted Halloween activities here at Blackville School, as part of their fundraising, on Wednesday, October 26.  Kindergarten to Grade 5 enjoyed a night of fun, playing games, being scared in the haunted house and eating a lot of treats.

                   

To view more photos of the Elementary parties click here.

That same night, Middle School Students had their Halloween dance. Filled with the Halloween spirit, everyone came dressed up in their best costumes.

                   

To view more photos of the Middle School dance click here.

The Class of 2017 also had a very exciting night with everyone and many memories were made. They would like to thank all who attended and made the evening a great success.

High school students had their Halloween dance the following evening, Thursday, October 27.
To view photos click here.

Photos by Jules Keenan
Article by Jensen Urquhart

From Vampires to Witches - They Will be at Blackville School

Blackville School has many activities planned next week to celebrate Halloween.

The grade 12 students are organizing Halloween Parties on Wednesday, October 26 for the children from kindergarten to grade five to fundraise for the class of 2017.

The school is inviting the kindergarten to grade two students to come at 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm and the grade three to grade five students at 5:45 pm to 6:45 pm to celebrate this scary holiday with this year's graduates. The fee for the party is $4 per student, but many sweet treats and drinks will also be available.

The Blackville School is also organizing a Middle School Halloween Dance that same night at 7:00 pm till 8:30 pm, and the fee will be $5 per student. They are expected to come dressed in the scariest or cutest costume they own.

The High School Halloween Dance is scheduled to be on Thursday, October 27 at 8:30 pm till 10:45  pm, but the doors close at 9:00 pm. Don't miss it. There will also be Humans Vs. Zombies on Friday, October 28 at 7:00 pm till 9:00 pm. Students will have to pay $2 at the door to participate.

Next week will be filled with scary but fun activities. Don't miss out on them!

Article by Samantha Stockless

Illustration by Cassidy Brennan

2016 Walk-A-Thon (Video)

Save on Your 2017 Yearbook

If you plan on purchasing a 2017 Blackville School yearbook, now is the time to preorder.

If you are ordering before October 28, you will only have to pay $40, which saves $5.00 off of the regular price of $45.00.

Another great deal being offered for those ordering before October 28 is four free icons with a $5 personalization purchase.

But do not delay, these great savings are only available until October 28. They will not be around for much longer.

Preorder paper forms for the 2017 Blackville School Yearbook are now available at the school office or you can order online by clicking here.

Student Walk-A-Thon Raises Over $7000

Grade 6 students Lydia Sullivan, Tara Martin and
Amber Hambrook

Blackville School students raised just over $7000.00 during a Walk-A-Thon last Friday, September 30.

The Walk-A-Thon was held to raise funds to build a fence around the elementary soccer field.

The field requires a fence so unwanted traffic, such as ATVs, won't be able to damage the field.

Presently,  the field cannot be used by the elementary soccer teams because it is deemed unsafe due to the damage.

Principal Rodney Buggie explained that the fence will a create safer practice and play area for the elementary soccer team.

Participating middle and high students and staff walked from the school to the Old Bartholomew Road and back again on Friday afternoon. It is a 8 kilometre walk. The elementary students and staff walked in the morning.

The school raised $7160.00, but the fence will cost approximately $20, 000.00. The school plans to organize more fundraisers for this cause.

To see more photos from this event, click here.

Written by Samantha Stockless
Photos by Jules Keenan

Grade 6 and 9 Orientations Held on First Day of School

Grade six and nine students participated in orientation activities for middle and high school during the first day on September 6 at Blackville School.

Kindergarten and elementary students also started on the same day. The rest of the middle and high school students joined their peers on Wednesday, September 7.

To check out more photos from Blackville's first day of school, click here.

Photos by Jules Keenan, Paulina Sturgeon and Veronica Pond

Grade 8 Students Celebrate with Banquet and Dance

The grade 8 banquet was held at Blackville School on the evening of June 16. It was a fun filled evening with presentations of “The Grade 8 Fun Awards," a meal of pizza, garlic fingers and a sundae buffet.

Each grade 8 student invited two guests and Middle School staff were also in attendance. 

Grade 8 student Abby Keenan welcomed everyone and grade 8 students Danaya Campbell and Cassidy Urquhart lead the crowd in a grace. The presenters for the evening were Grade 8 students Shana Jardine and Daniel MacVicar.

The banquet concluded with each student receiving their grade 8 certificate and Blackville School t-shirt. Grade 8 student Calvin Keenan offered the thank-you with an invitation to celebrate the rest of the evening at the final Middle School dance. 

The Blackville Middle School Staff extends all the grade 8 students a wonderful summer and best of luck in high school. To see more photos from the banquet and dance, click here. 

Middle and High School Recognition Awards 2016

Daniel Richard and Ashlyn Moody received
 the Most Outstanding Academic and Extra-curricular Awards.

Blackville School held their Recognition Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 6. 

Grade 12 student Ashlyn Moody and grade 10 student Daniel Richard received the Most Outstanding Academic and Extra-curricular Awards.

Grade 12 student Brook Underhill received the Fenton Sturgeon Memorial Award which is awarded to a grade 12 student who has been involved in sports for all four years of high school. Special consideration can also be given to students who have volunteered their time coaching younger athletes outside school hours.

High School Male Athlete of the Year went to Grade 12 student Dylan Storey and High School Female Athlete of the Year went to grade 12 student Ashlyn Moody. 

The Kathy McCormack Award, recognizing athletes who are great school ambassadors, went to grade 12 student Josh Underhill.

Middle School Male Athlete of the Year went to grade 8 student Drake Donovan and Middle School Female Athlete of the Year went to grade 8 student Hayley Underhill.

Grade 11 student Robyn Stewart received the School Spirit Award. For more photos from the awards ceremony, click here.

Middle and High School Plays Recognized at Provincial Drama Festival

Middle School Drama Club members performing in
Drama Geeks Vs. Zombie Cheerleaders at the
NB Provincial Drama Festival

Blackville School plays from both the middle and high school levels were recognized at this year's New Brunswick Provincial Drama Festival held from May 11-18 in Fredericton.

The Middle School Drama Club's play Drama Geeks Vs. Zombie Cheerleaders received six awards and recognitions. Middle School students Reese Urquhart, Anna Sturgeon, Abby Keenan and Patrick Donovan all received Outstanding Actor Awards.

The play also received an Outstanding Use of Choreography Award and a Special Adjudicator’s Mention for Innovative Lighting.

High School Drama Club members performing in
 Game of Tiaras at Blackville School

The High School Drama Club's play Game of Tiaras also received six awards and recognition. Laura Jardine and Jasmine Jardine received awards for Outstanding Student Directors. Robyn Stewart received and Outstanding Actor Award and Gina Keenan received an Outstanding Supporting Actor Award.

The play also received an Outstanding Use of Costume Award and a Special Adjudicator's Mention for Ensemble Work and Comedic Achievement.

Students from the Theatre Arts 120 class performing in
The Nine Worst Breakups of all Time at Blackville School. 

The Theatre Arts 120's play The Nine Worst Breakups of All Time received four awards and recognitions. Calvin Furlong received a Special Adjudicator's Mention for Playing the Villain.

The play received Special Adjudicator's Mention for Ensemble and Special Adjudicator's Mention for Taking Risks. The play also received an Outstanding Use of Choreography Award.

Last week the high school plays were performed at the school. To see photos from the performances, click here. 

To view photos from the Middle School Drama Club's performance at the Drama Festival, click here.

Middle School Male Athlete of the Week

The Middle school Male Athlete of the Week is Macaully Gillespie. Macaully was chosen Athlete of the Week because he fought hard to win during a game earlier last week and he plays hard, game in and game out. Macaully plays for the middle school boys volleyball team. 

Middle School Female Athlete of the Week

The Middle School Female Athlete of the Week is Cassidy Hallihan. Cassidy was chosen because she is a great server and scores a lot of points for her team. Cassidy plays for the middle school JV volleyball team.

Wrestler Returns to Blackville School

Wrestler Devin Chittick with Blackville High School students

The wrestler Devin Chittick, also known as Forest Cullen in the wrestling world, visited Blackville School on Friday, April 22.

Chittick was at the school to speak to the middle and high school students about bullying and the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Chittick's visit was a follow up from when he spoke to the middle school students last October.

For more photos from the event, click here.

Article by Abby Hennessy
Photos by Jules Keenan

Middle School Female Athlete of the Week

The Middle School Athlete of the Week is Hayley Underhill. Hayley was selected because she is dedicated and works hard.

Middle School Male Athlete of the Week

The Male Athlete of the Week for middle school is Drake Donovan. Drake was chosen because of his show of leadership and hustle during regular play along with his efforts at the volleyball tournament in Bathurst. 

Students Enjoy Book Fair and Sock Hops

This week, the Home and School held the Scholastic Book Fair at Blackville school.

Students were allowed to visit the Book Fair from 9 am-3 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday night, they put on Family Night for the Book Fair from 5-8pm.

Click here to see more photos from the Book Fair.



Along with the Book Fair, the Home and School hosted Sock Hops on Tuesday evening for the elementary students. Grades K-2 had a sock hop from 5-6:30 pm and Grades 3-5 had one from 6:30 -8 pm. 

The Easter Bunny made an appearance at both events and stayed to dance with the children and to hand out treats at the end. 

Click here to see more photos from the Sock Hops. 

Photos and article by Abby Hennessy

Winter Carnival 2016

Grade 12 students Ashleigh Kelly, DeAnna Donovan,
Braxton Stafford and Wyatt Vickers participate in a
Winter Carnival game

Students at Blackville School participated in various Winter Carnival activities the week before March Break.

Each day had a different theme including, dress to impress, dressing as twins or just wearing their pyjamas.

High School students also had an evening of laser tag at the school on March 2 and both middle and high school students had MTV dances on Thursday evening, March 3.

There were also various activities at lunch hour during the week.

Friday afternoon the students had games in the gym, cafeteria and open area. For more photos from the activities, click here. For photos from the high school MTV dance, click here.