“That we leave our homes, that we step through our doors to the world, that we travel our whole lives not because we want to collect exotic T-shirts, not because we want to consume foreign adventure the same Western way we consume plastic and Styrofoam and LCD TVs and iPads, but because it has the power to renew us—not the guarantee, not the promise, just the possibility. Because there are places our imaginations can never construct for us, and there are people who we will never meet but we could and we might. It reminds us that there is always reason to begin again.” - Stephen Markley, Tales of Iceland or "Running with the Huldufólk in the Permanent Daylight"
Nelson Mandela is one of the CBE's newest high schools and right from the moment you enter the building you can tell it is very different than any other high school you may have experienced. It's not the aviation lab complete with helicopter body and simulator software, or even the state of the art kitchen where aspiring chefs gather to learn...it is the spirit that permeates throughout the building - THAT'S what feel different! Students are bustin' a move to Thriller in the hallway while others play guitar or upright base outside the Band Room. Others are in Grade 10 Community classrooms, learning alongside 4 teachers and another 129 students dedicated to providing a cohort experience, a place where every grade 10 student can feel successful and try new things safely. The staff at Mandela have reconfigured the high school experience and while Dadda was immersed in the experience asking questions and generally loving her tour I was quietly proud of the work my colleagues have done here. As Zane begins his grade 10 year, it is a place I wish my own children could attend. How is this for a random whiteboard in the grade 10 hallway... After an inspiring afternoon we came home to relax a bit and then headed out to Pinnovate down in Mahogany. For those of you non-crafty people, Pinnovate makes it easy to feel artsy! This was a Mountain String Art class and within two hours we had laughed, created and finished the beautiful pieces you see above. (Coordinating grey shirts a happy accident, I swear!) It was stress relief after a busy week and made for some great memories. AAAANNNNDDDD Dadda did not get kicked out of Canada for poor art skills in a class, contrary to initial fears. ;O) Tomorrow - Orange Shirt Day and the Terry Fox Run!
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AuthorAubrey: "Leader of the Elves"....that's me. Mom of two amazing guys, wife to one bigger (yet no less amazing) guy and teacher of little ones. Blogging about the adventures (usually with my rubber chicken in tow) is one of my favourite things. Archives
April 2019
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