On March 18th, a University of Exeter representative, stopped by Columbia to talk to students about attending university in the United Kingdom. The university booth attracted many students to the Living Wall Lounge's Marketplace where students learned about the school's academic programs, their lively student life activities, admission requirements, and scholarship opportunities. Students were also given information on Exeter'€™s 3 campuses and its study abroad programs and partnerships which gives students the opportunity to study at some of the world’s leading institutions, including Canada's University of Toronto.

About Exeter

The University of Exeter is an international university and recruits top student from over 140 countries and is ranked within the top one percent of universities worldwide. Along with being one of the UK'€™s top 10 Universities, Exeter is recognized for its “first class education” and its commitment to developing student skills needed for a successful career.

More Information

Students interested in attending the University of Exeter, or other UK universities should make an appointment with Mr. John in UPO for more information.

Thank you to Robin, Exeter’s university representative, for coming to Columbia and introducing our students to your school.

March Break Events

Students across Ontario, and a few other provinces, only have a few more days left to enjoy some time off school as the end of March Break quickly approaches. Whether students chose to travel, visit family, or enjoy attractions around town, the winter break is welcomed as it allows them to recharge and relax before heading into exam season. Columbia is helping students get the most out of the week by organizing events to keep students entertained and offer them unique experiences. NBA games, volunteering for Mountain Kidz, and trips to Niagara Falls and Toronto were all included in Student Development’s March Break plans.

For those students who are graduating, this week presents the perfect opportunity to explore their post-secondary options. The University Placement Office organized trips to several Ontario universities that held March Break open houses for high school students. Students visited Western University, the University of Guelph, the University of Waterloo, and Laurier University where they toured each campus, spoke with professors, and got their first taste of university life.

We hope all students enjoy their remaining time off.  

Columbia’s Staff and Students Eat Smart!

Last week, Columbia and its food services provider, Sodexo, were presented with three Eat Smart! - Awards of Excellence for providing outstanding food services in the Ainsliewood Cafe, the Ainsliewood Dining Hall, and its residences. The Eat Smart! workplace program is administered by the City of Hamilton's Public Health Services  and recognizes workplaces that provide "€œexceptional standards" in

• healthy food choices,
• food safety, and
• supporting a smoke free Ontario.

Columbia cares about the overall well-being of the school community and believes that healthy eating and good nutrition play key roles in the development and success of its staff and students. Sodexo and Columbia are committed to providing nutritious meals and are proud to have been recognized by the Eat Smart! program.

Eat Smart!

The Eat Smart! program is a provincial initiative that recognizes Ontario schools, workplaces and recreation centres for their outstanding commitment to five core standards:

• Nutrition,
• Food Safety,
• 100% smoke-free environment,
• Supportive environment, and
• Healthy eating policy. 

Along with promoting a healthy lifestyle, a main goal of the program is to reduce the number of food-borne illnesses and chronic disease in Ontario. To encourage healthy eating, Eat Smart! has partnered with the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Ontario Public Health Association. More information can be found by visiting the Eat Smart! website.

Fun, fairness and fitness were at the core of Columbia’s Hoops for Heart tournament yesterday. Hundreds of students and staff members participated in the Heart & Stroke foundation’s annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament to promote health education and social change. This fundraising event, which was held in the Ainsliewood gym, is popular across Canada and educates students on two important health issues; heart disease and strokes.

The competition was intense, yet players amongst all three divisions showed great sportsmanship and comradery. Congratulations to this year’s top teams:

Male Division
3rd place – Dr. Newman and Mr. Kim
2nd place – Mr. Lawlis
1st place – Mr. Koo

Co-Ed division
3rd place – Mr. DeZoete and Mr. Koo
2nd place – Mrs. Simpson
1st place – Mr. Seo

Female division
2nd place – Mrs. George (math 2)
1st place – Mrs. George (math 1)

The ‘heart work’ of Columbia truly paid off as students raised over $3000 for the Heart & Stroke foundation while learning about exercise and healthy living. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Hoops for Heart tournament. A special thank you to Ms. Simpson, Mr. Freddy, and Mr. Erind for organizing the event and for their dedication to this cause. 

To learn more about the Hoops for Heart and the Heart & Stroke Foundation, click here.

Columbia International College students are among the best and brightest in the world, recognized for their academic excellence and their commitment to become responsible global citizens. This past June, a current Columbia student received one of the most prestigious international awards for academic excellence. Rowa El-Tohami, a grade 12 student, was named Top in the World after she achieved the highest exam score in the world for the Cambridge IGCSE Sociology Examination. The IGCSE – International General Certificate of Secondary Education- exam is offered in over70 subjects and is administered by the University of Cambridge International Examination. Along with being recognized by top educational institutions, it is highly valued by employers worldwide.

About Rowa

Rowa, a passionate and driven individual, came to Columbia to further her education. The social and political conditions in her home country of Sudan, encouraged her to immerse herself in an international environment so that she would be better equipped to “make a change” in the world. Due to its world-class Total Care® education system and diverse student population, Rowa felt Columbia would broaden her cultural perspective and provide her with unique experiences and skills that would allow her to be successful in the future. 

Although she is the only student at Columbia currently from Sudan, she believes this is a positive thing as it has pushed her out of her comfort zone. Since moving to Canada and attending Columbia, Rowa says she has “learned a lot about [myself] and have become more independent and self-sufficient.” She is now an active member of the school community and holds roles with the Executive Student Leadership Team, the Prefects, and the Student Mentors.

Writing the IGCSE Exam

Preparing for the IGCSE exam was not difficult for Rowa. As she is very interested in sociology, she truly enjoyed studying for the exam and applying all the concepts she learned to real life scenarios. Rowa credits her success on the exam to her strong interest and strongly believes that “if you have passion and heart, and you love what you’re doing, success will follow.”

Rowa wrote the IGCSE exam in June while she was attending her high school in Sudan. She received her results in mid-January which excited and surprised her; “I really love the subject but I never thought I’d get the highest in the world.” She also extremely proud that her accomplishment recognizes Sudan “for something good rather than all the negative issues the world usually associates with it.” She also hopes that her award will inspire others to try new things and leave their own comfort zones.

Future Plans

With only a few months left until graduation, Rowa is still weighing all her options. She plans to study Economics and Political Science in Canada or the United states and would like to attend Law school. These of course are just stepping stones to realizing her lifelong dream of becoming the first female President of Sudan. Rowa lives by the infamous Eric Thomas quote - “When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breath, you will be successful”- and we are certain that with her drive and passion, she will accomplish great things.

More information regarding the Cambridge IGCSE exams can be found by visiting their website.

This past weekend, Columbia students participated in World Vision Canada’s 30 Hour Famine, one of the school’s most popular Community Service events. Hundreds of students signed up to participate in this year’s famine to draw attention to the global pandemic and to contribute to ending world hunger.

The event, which began on Friday, March 1^st at 9:00 a.m. and ended the following day at 3:00 p.m., challenged students to fast for 30 hours and had them experience what millions suffer around the world; hunger. Although it was difficult for students to go without eating, Student Development organized many activities to keep them entertained and distracted. Students took part in educational workshops, played fun games and listened to guest speakers, all of which allowed them to reflect on the severity of world famine and practice character values such as fairness, caring and inclusiveness. Last year Columbia raised over $10,000 in support of World Vision and this year’s contributions will be announced later this week.

Thank you to Sodexo for keeping our participants energized and refreshed by providing juice, water and tea throughout the event. Thank you to Student Development and all students for participating in the famine.

World Vision …

World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine began in 1971 to raise funds and awareness for the famine in Africa. The event has grown over the years and is now held in 15 countries worldwide including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States. To learn more about the event and its impact visit famine.ca

Austria, Ukraine, Spain, and Kazakhstan were among the many nations celebrated during last night'€™s European dinner. As the second International Cuisine Series dinner this month, staff and students gathered in the Student Cafe to indulge in European delicacies and honour the many different cultural traditions within the region. A number of traditional dishes were served, including:

• Couscous salad
• Pita bread with Baba Ghanouj & Hummus
• Cream of Mushroom Soup
• Paella
• Spinach and Feta Perogies
• Chicken Gorky
• Country Ham Gratin
• Beef Skewers
• Chocolate Cake

Throughout the evening, guests were treated to outstanding musical and vocal performances by Columbia students.  They also participated in fun and engaging games and took home some great prizes.

Those in attendance agreed that the mouthwatering meal and unique entertainment has excited them for the next International Cuisine Series which will take place on March 28^th and celebrate Korean culture!

Thank you to the Student Development team and the student volunteers for organizing the dinner. Many thanks also to Sodexo for their hard work in preparing another great dinner.

It’s March Madness at Columbia! This month students will be busier than ever as they try to keep up with all the amazing activities and events happening at school and in residence. Every interest from the arts to athletics will be covered, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate in an activity they love. The range of programs also encourages students to try something new and allows them to appreciate the school’s diversity.

March:

• 1^st-2^nd: 30 Hour Famine Community Service Event
• 1^st: Mapleview Mall Shopping Trip for YAA students
• 3^rd: Chilly Half Marathon Community Service Trip
• 4^th-5^th: Orientation for New Students
• 7^th: Hoops for Heart - 3 on 3 Basketball tournament
• 8^th: Scrap Art Musical Performance
• 9^th-12^th: Bark Lake Outdoor Adventure Trip
• 11^th-15: MARCH BREAK
• 12^th: Niagara Falls Trip for new students
• 15^th: Toronto Raptors Trip
• 16^th: CN Tower and Eaton Centre Trip
• 19^th: Staff vs. Students Volleyball Game
• 21^st: Indoor Soccer Tournament
• 23^rd: Bark Lake Leadership Retreat & Dave & Buster’s Trip
• 23^rd-24^th: NCAA March Madness Basketball event
• 28^th: International Cuisine Series – Korean Dinner
• 29^th: Zacada Circus School Trip  
• 30^th: Easter Parade

Students interested in any of the above activities or trips should visit the Student Development Department.

A new report issued by Citizenship and Immigration found that Canada is attracting a record number of international students. The report indicates that Canada welcomed over 100,000 international students, in 2012, the highest number to date.

Immigration Minister, Jason Kenney, attributes this surge in numbers to Canada’s renowned reputation as a welcoming and inclusive country that offers top quality educational programs; “Canada remains a destination of choice for international students because of the remarkable educational opportunities that exist in our world class institutions.”

As the top private boarding and university preparatory school in Canada, Columbia attracts students from over 70 countries and has contributed to the nation’s growing reputation as the number one destination for international study.

For more information, or to read the original story, follow this link: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/canada/BLOG+Canada+international+student+population+surpasses+first+time+2012/8014660/story.html.

On Monday, February 11^th Columbia held its second annual Town Hall meeting. The focus of this event was to celebrate the achievements within the school as well as the hard work and dedication of our talented staff.  The gathering also allowed all staff and faculty members to come together, reflect on the past year, and learn about the upcoming projects at Columbia.

The meeting also served as a platform to discuss the progress and results of one of Columbia’s newest initiatives, the Celebrating Success Committee. This new internal committee seeks to recognize Columbia’s outstanding employees by allowing staff to nominate their co-workers who go above and beyond their duties and who have “contributed to the success of Columbia's overall missions, vision and values.” As a result, the committee created the Total Care® Awards which recognizes staff in 5 key areas. Congratulations to this year’s Total Care® Award recipients:

• Team Player Award
  • Krist Hayes, Liaison Department
• Volunteer Award
• Lue Mahaffey, Student Development Department
• Diana McMahon, Residence Staff
• Diana Koutsokeris, Teaching Staff
• Jane Liu, Liaison Department
• Bert Susin, Teaching Staff
• William Georgis, Maintenance Department
• Customer Service Award
• Innovator Award
• Communicator Award
• Outstanding Achievement Award :

Another purpose of Town Hall is to acknowledge Columbia’s dynamic long serving staff. This year Long Service Awards were given to staff members who have been with Columbia for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years. Congratulations to the following Long Service Award Recipients:

25 Years

• Daniela Markuc, Department Head Mathematics

20 Years

• Denice Garell-Teti, Head of Junior Middle School
• Diana Karan, Teacher

15 Years

• Migdalia Young, Housekeeping
• Rosa Hernandez, Housekeeping
• Nancy Baker, Head of Senior School
• Elizabeth Nagy, Academic Office Manager
• James Campbell, General Manager
• Zhi-Yi Li, Residence

10 Years

• Renuka Arun, Department Head, Guidance
• Rena George, Teacher
• Kristina Nedelka, Teacher
• Hualing Lei, Residence
• Bocheng Hu, Residence
• Alice Pivniceru, Department Head, English
• Sandra Kaytor, Accounting
• Andrea Malelu, Teacher
• James Fitzpatrick, Teacher
• Bonita Towell, Tutor
• Natalia Inozemtseva, Teacher
• Dana Pasca-Hossu, Teacher

5 Years

• Norma Rivera, Housekeeping
• John Broer, Financial Manager
• Colleen Forte, Support Staff
• Rebecca Wellum Junior Middle School
• Robert Archer, Maintenance
• Loganathapillai Jeyanathan Tutor
• Maria Sara Carranza, Housekeeping
• Lin Lin, Residence
• Lisa Ciofani, Accounting
• Stefanie Billeci, Teacher
• Diana Koutsokeris, Teacher
• John O'Carroll, Tutor

Such initiatives contribute to Columbia’s overall success and is one of the many factors that makes Columbia’s work environment unique. We would like to thank our dedicated staff members and faulty who proudly serve the school and who are committed to the values and mission of Columbia.

Universities across Canada continue to send in their reviews of the Columbia’s 2013 University Fair. The University of Windsor and Trent University visited Columbia last semester and were pleased to return for our Fair;

"You did a great job. I had a lot of interest throughout the day, the lunch was great, and the assigned Student Ambassador was fantastic! Congratulations on an excellent event!"
Tim Brunet
Student Recruitment Officer
University of Windsor

"Thanks for hosting an excellent fair!  ... The new format was excellent … Everything went so smoothly."
Andrea Maxie, M.Sc.
International Enrolment Advisor
Office of the Registrar/Trent International Program
Trent University

Our staff is proud of the positive feedback they have received and are working hard to deliver another memorable Fair next year. Thank you again to the University of Windsor and Trent University for visiting Columbia this semester.

On February 21st, Columbia held a Dental Health Day to teach its students about the importance of dental hygiene. Dr. Malisa Gambacorta from Dentistry on Dundurn held 5 information sessions for both JMS and senior students, teaching them about the basics of oral health.  The last presentation was also translated into Chinese by Ms. Grace for some of our ESL students. Students learned about proper brushing, and flossing techniques, cavities, tooth decay, plaque and tartar control, and gum disease. Dr. Gambarcorta answered student questions following the presentation and brought everyone toothpaste to ensure that their smiles stay bright and healthy.

Thank you to Dr. Malisa Gambacorta and the team at Dentistry on Dundurn for spending the day with us here at Columbia. Thank you to Ms. Grace and the Medical Clinic for organizing this visit.
 

During Columbia'€™s University Fair, Queen'€'s University surprised a few Columbia students by hand delivering their university acceptance letters.  Grade 12 student Abdul Wahab was among the lucky group of students to receive this very personal acceptance and said he never expected anything like this would happen. As a student leader, Wahab was assigned to the Queen's booth to assist their university representatives. He was €œshocked€ when he received his letter and thanks the university for giving him such a "memorable experience."

Queen'€™s was one of five schools Wahab applied to for a Bachelor of Arts program. While still undecided about which school to attend, he admitted that €œ"Queen's is the best"€ and believes the University Fair is a great idea for graduating students€ because it allows students to ask questions and helps them narrow down their choices.

Congratulations to Wahab and all students who have received early acceptance!

The University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University were among the school’s that participated in Columbia’s University Fair earlier this month. Both schools were popular among Columbia students who were attracted to the diverse academic programming and well-known reputation of each school. Students were also eager to learn about the designated entrance scholarships offered to Columbia students by the University of Waterloo as part of the University Partners® program. University representatives were overwhelmed by the student turnout and sent us these kind reviews:

"The event was well run.  We were really popular so the day flew by... The welcome, the venue, the lunch and the overall coordination all seemed excellent."
Tony Munro
Manager, Strategic Partnerships
Marketing & Undergraduate Recruitment
University of Waterloo

"… I very much enjoyed your fair. It was very well organized and your students are wonderful!"
Gloria Song
Admissions
Wilfrid Laurier University

Thank you to the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University for participating in the Fair and sending us such rave reviews.

Columbia’s ASEP Total Care® system strives to enhance and develop the skills of each student. Our program ensures that students are well looked after by our team of professionals who teach life skills and strategies that help students succeed in life. Yesterday, the Guidance Department held a Total Care® workshop on time management, an issue many students struggle with. Students who have found it challenging to manage their academic and social lives were invited to participate in the workshop to better maximize their time. Those who attended participated in a number of fun and competitive activities that highlighted proper time management techniques and offered important organization tips.

This was the first of many themed workshops that will take place this semester. A follow-up time management workshop is scheduled for February 21^st at 9:30 a.m. All students interested in attending should contact the Guidance office.

Earlier this week, some of Columbia’s younger students were recognized for going higher and achieving academic excellence during the Junior Middle School (JMS) awards ceremony. Six JMS students, who achieved the highest marks in individual subjects, were presented with a Class Honours certificate and a Columbia medal. Ms. Garell-Teti, head of JMS, and the JMS teachers, distributed the Top Mark Awards to the surprised and excited students.

Congratulations to the following award winners:

Antonio Valverde: Drama, Physical Education, Mathematics, Geography, French

Josehpine Oduro-Yeboah: Language Arts, Library Media/Social Justice

Min Jung Kim: Computers, French

Paulina Terron Mondragon: Science

Elizaveta Getmanskaya: Music

Hitomi Kadowaki: Art

Columbia’s unique JMS programming evaluates students on their ability to communicate, understand, and apply the knowledge and concepts taught in class. More information on JMS programming can be found by visiting our website. 

Last week Columbia held its annual university fair and welcomed university representatives from around the country. With a record number of university participants this year, Columbia'€™s staff were overjoyed by the positive reviews and many thank you notes they received in the days following the fair. Comments from Western University and its colleges were among the first to be received by our UPO staff:

"We are so appreciative of the hard work you’ve put into the organization and delivery of such an amazing university fair."

Jessica Patterson & Rachel Campisi

Admission and Liaison Officers

Brescia University College at Western University

"The fair was fantastic. Thanks to all your staff for their hard work."
Brandon Csendes
Admissions and Liaison Officer
King's University College at Western University

"It'€™s always a pleasure to visit CIC for the fair at such an exciting time for all your Grade 12 students."

Carolyn Ford & Betty Chang

International Recruitment Officers

Western University

We would like to thank all Western University representatives for attending our University Fair. It was a pleasure to welcome all schools to Columbia.

Western University is one of Columbia’s University Partners® and is known for its world-class academic programs. In 2012, Columbia students received $217,800 in entrance scholarships from Western.

Perseverance is among the key character traits Columbia instills in its students.  Last week, during this month’s ESL Awards Ceremony, 10 ESL students were recognized for displaying remarkable determination and excelling in academics.  A Certificate of Distinction and a special medal were presented to those ESL students who excelled in their respective classes and received top marks in December 2012 and January 2013.

On hand to present the Certificates and medals were Mr. Galea, ESL Department Head, Ms. Baker, Senior School Head, Mr. Rambarran, Principal and Mr. Chan, Executive Director, all of whom were extremely proud, and impressed, with the students’ accomplishments. Mr. Galea and Mr. Chan applauded students for working hard and persevering in the challenging ESL classes. They were also confident that the students will continue to be successful in their future academic careers if they “keep working hard” and remain dedicated to their studies.

Congratulations to the following winners;

December 2012:

RUAN YI JING - EOA4Z

WU, TIAN HAO - ESLAO
QIAO LEI - ESLBO
ZHANG YU WEI - ESLCO
CHU CHENHAN – ESLDO

January 2013:

LI LING YU - ESLAO
LU YU ZHU - ESLBO
TAN WENCONG - ESLBO
SONG XIN YUE - ESLCO
WANG LI JUN - ESLDO

On Thursday, February 7^th, Columbia held its annual Lunar New Year dinner. Close to 200 students and staff members filled the Ainsliewood gym for the year'€™s first - and most popular - installment of Columbia'€™s International Cuisine Series. 

Guests were eager to celebrate the Year of the Snake and signed up weeks in advance in order to secure their spot at the dinner. After admiring the beautiful decorations and listening to the opening remarks in both English and Chinese, guests feasted on traditional Chinese cuisine that featured variations of chicken, pork, fish and rice. Along with enjoying traditional food, guests were entertained throughout the evening and captivated by student performances. Singing, dancing, martial arts, and playing musical instruments were all ways in which students honoured their cultures and contributed to the memorable celebration.  

The Lunar New Year is celebrated throughout the world and is a popular holiday in most Asian countries including China, Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. In attending the Lunar New Year festivity gives students the opportunity to learn and experience a new culture through activities and cuisine. Students gain a new found respect for the school’s vast diversity and become culturally aware.

Thank you to the Student Development staff for organizing this wonderful event. Thank you also to Sodexo for providing another delicious meal.  

Visit our Facebook page for photos of this event and more! 

University representatives from 22 of Canada’s top schools filled the Ainsliewood gym this morning as Columbia International College held its annual University Fair. Designed to provide students with information about academic programs and university life, the University Fair is unique to Columbia. Along with providing students a convenient location to access schools from across the country, the Fair presents the perfect opportunity for students to have all of their university related questions answered.

The daylong event allowed students to roam each university’s booth before attending university presentations of their choice in the afternoon. This year’s University Fair was the largest in Columbia’s history with a record number of 22 universities in attendance. Having such a diverse group of school’s present left students with “valuable knowledge and lots of information,” as grade 12 student, Joe noticed. Columbia students were further impressed by the selection of academic programs offered and the number of universities in attendance.

We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to all university representatives who were present today. Thank you also to the UPO office, Student Development and our Student Leaders for their involvement in yet another successful event at Columbia!

In a special presentation this morning, students and staff welcomed award-winning Canadian author Lawrence Hill to Columbia. As part of the English Department’s Writers at Columbia program, Hill was invited to speak to grade 12 English students about his groundbreaking work which focuses on issues of race, identity, and belonging.

 After recounting his childhood and describing the struggles his parents faced living as an interracial couple in America during the 1950’s, he explained how their story influenced his writing. His parents –a black father and a white mother- moved to Toronto for a better life after facing many injustices due to the racial intolerance of the time. He believes it was his ambiguous and complex situation as an interracial child that allowed him to openly, and successfully, write about issues of race and identity. Hill spoke about his literary works, including his renowned novels The Book of Negroes, and Black Berry, Sweet Juice: On Being Black and White in Canada. He then read two short excerpts from the latter which he described as “his own evolution of racial identity as a child, a teen, and a man.”

Hill spent the last half hour of his visit answering student questions that touched on both his professional and personal life. He also graciously answered a few questions for us during an earlier interview. Here is what he had to say about becoming a writer and the advice he has for today’s youth;

What influenced you to become a writer?

• When I was a boy, my father made me write letter to get the things I wanted, such as a pet cat, permission to stay out late, and a new pair of running shoes.  This made me want to write effectively and persuasively, and once he got me going, I never stopped.

What has been your greatest professional achievement?

• First, turning myself into a committed, full-time writer. Second, writing The Book of Negroes. But I hope my greatest achievement yet will be the book that I am still writing.

Why do you believe it is important to speak to young adults/students?

• To inspire them, and to de-mystify the craft of writing. People who don’t write imagine that it is all inspiration and beauty. They don’t see that it is simple, hard work involving a whole lot of time spent alone in a chair. I like to speak to young people to help show them the way, to open up their eyes to the possibility that they too can become artists. But even if they don’t become artists, they can learn to enjoy the arts and pass along this love to their friends, family members and future children.

What is the best piece of advice you were given when you were younger?

• To rewrite my work over and over, until it shines.

What advice would you give aspiring writers today?

• Write as often as possible, make it real and make it sound natural. Don’t bother writing if you can’t be honest and true, in the things that you write. This holds true, even when you are creating entirely imaginary work. Write until it feels like second nature to you. And rewrite until the cows come home.

Thank you to Lawrence Hill for visiting Columbia and sharing your stories with us. Thank you to Mrs. Pivniceru and the English Department for hosting another wonderful event.

Columbia believes in supporting community initiatives and deeply cares about the wellbeing of its students and those in the local community. On Thursday, January 24^th Columbia International College hosted the Hamilton Crime Stoppers 30^thAnniversary Evening of Appreciation event. The celebration honoured the organization’s greatest supporters including members of the Hamilton community, the Hamilton Police Services, and members of local print, radio and television media outlets.  Hamilton Mayor, Bob Bratina, and Hamilton Police Deputy Chief, Eric Girt, were among the evening’s 100 guests who were recognized for their efforts in supporting the organization and the Hamilton community. Numerous awards were handed out to key community supporters, including Columbia who received a Proud Community Sponsor award that recognized the school’s fundraising efforts.

Columbia has supported Crime Stoppers for nearly 20 years and is closely connected to the organization as Principal, Ron Rambarran, has served as its Past Chair since 1995. Mr. Rambarran was honoured to host the event at Columbia and believed it was “very well received by all guests.” He also mentioned that the guests “were especially impressed with the facilities and professional appearance of Columbia – a complement to [the] amazing maintenance and housekeeping staff.” The school “is a proud supporter of the Hamilton community” and will continue to work with local organizations to teach its students the importance of community, inclusiveness, and integrity. 

Crime Stoppers is a local organization that functions as an “investigative tool” and uses the resources of local police, members of the community and the media to solve crime and make the community a safer place. There are over 100 Crime Stoppers programs in Canada, Hamilton being the city in Ontario to develop a Crime Stoppers program. More information about the organization can be found by visiting their website.

February may be a short month but that doesn’t mean we'€™re cutting back on activities or events. With exciting events happening in school and in the school community, Columbia students have much to look forward to this month.

February

• 3^rd: NBA Game- Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat
• 6^th: University Fair  https://www.facebook.com/events/320131241441594/
• 7^th: Lawrence Hill visithttps://www.facebook.com/events/506040526115413/ , Individual meet and greet with a University of British Columbia representativehttps://www.facebook.com/events/318416518275720/, International Cuisine Series: Lunar New Year Dinner https://www.facebook.com/events/322452111198664/
• 8^th: Progress Reports & Mid-Term marks distributed
• 9^th: AHL Game -Hamilton Bulldogs vs. Texas Stars, Beasley Winter Carnival
• 11^th: Professional Development Day, Ski Trip
• 14^th: Valentine’s Day School Dance
• 16^th-18^th: Hamilton’s Kids-Fest http://www.kids-fest.ca/Hamilton-Kidsfest.php
• 18^th: Family Day
• 20^th: Staff vs. Students Basketball Game
• 23^rd: Students volunteer at Wesley Urban Ministries
• 27^th: MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) presentation
• 28^th: International Cuisine Series: European Dinner

Students are encouraged to participate in these events as extracurricular activities are important parts of student life that provide unique experiences and foster personal growth. For more information regarding trips and events, please visit the Student Development department.

Columbia believes in supporting community initiatives and deeply cares about the wellbeing of its students and those in the local community. On Thursday, January 24^th Columbia International College hosted the Hamilton Crime Stoppers 30^thAnniversary Evening of Appreciation event. The celebration honoured the organization’s greatest supporters including members of the Hamilton community, the Hamilton Police Services, and members of local print, radio and television media outlets.  Hamilton Mayor, Bob Bratina, and Hamilton Police Deputy Chief, Eric Girt, were among the evening’s 100 guests who were recognized for their efforts in supporting the organization and the Hamilton community. Numerous awards were handed out to key community supporters, including Columbia who received a Proud Community Sponsor award that recognized the school’s fundraising efforts.

Columbia has supported Crime Stoppers for nearly 20 years and is closely connected to the organization as Principal, Ron Rambarran, has served as its Past Chair since 1995. Mr. Rambarran was honoured to host the event at Columbia and believed it was “very well received by all guests.” He also mentioned that the guests “were especially impressed with the facilities and professional appearance of Columbia – a complement to [the] amazing maintenance and housekeeping staff.” The school “is a proud supporter of the Hamilton community” and will continue to work with local organizations to teach its students the importance of community, inclusiveness, and integrity.  

Crime Stoppers is a local organization that functions as an “investigative tool” and uses the resources of local police, members of the community and the media to solve crime and make the community a safer place. There are over 100 Crime Stoppers programs in Canada, Hamilton being the city in Ontario to develop a Crime Stoppers program. More information about the organization can be found by visiting their website at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com/.

Loud cheers and banter filled the Ainsliewood gym yesterday afternoon as students and staff members faced off in an exciting and intense game of dodgeball. During period 3, groups of students made their way to the gym to catch a glimpse of the ongoing staff vs student rivalry. With bragging rights on the line, both sides were relentless in giving up any points and showed no mercy. The teachers claimed victory in the first two rounds but the students soon gained momentum and made defeat difficult for their opponents. The intensity from both sides was easily felt as players jumped, dodged, ran and threw the ball like their life depended on it. Although the game ended in a tie, both sides showed tremendous school spirit and teamwork. JMS and senior students also loved playing their teachers and are looking forward to the next student vs staff competition which will be held next month.

Thank you to all students and staff who participated.

Everyone’s favourite week is back! You can expect to see a lot of crazy costumes and unique accessories around Columbia this week as students and staff members show their spirit by participating in Spirit Week! All week long, students will have the opportunity to take part in themed days and will be challenged to dress according to the theme of the day;

• Pajama Day – Monday, January 28^th
• Holiday Day – Tuesday, January 29^th
• Culture Day – Wednesday, January 30^th
• Athletic Jersey Day – Thursday, January 31^st
• Wacky Day – Friday, February 1^st

Daily prizes will be awarded to the best dressed students and all are encouraged to participate. Students and teachers will also compete against each other in morning activities and the winning classes will receive great prizes.

Spirit week is a welcomed tradition at Columbia, organized by the Student Development team. It encourages students to get involved in the school community and allows them to share unique experiences with their friends and classmates. It also promotes key character traits such as inclusiveness, respect, and diversity by bringing students together and learning about different cultural customs. 

Photos and video of daily events will be posted on our Facebook page.

The diversity and talent within Columbia’s student body is unparalleled. Yesterday afternoon, one of our senior students Luo, Hao revealed one of his hidden talents to fellow classmates and staff members as he practiced the art of calligraphy in the Living Wall Lounge. Luo, a student from China, used his impressive calligraphy skills to help Columbia prepare for the Lunar New Year by beautifully writing various well-wishes and greetings exchanged during the New Year. Happy Chinese New Year and Best of Luck in the Snake Year are a few of the many messages he wrote that will be displayed at our annual Lunar New Year Chinese Dinner celebration happening on February 7^th.

Chinese calligraphy is an ancient art that requires much practice, focus, and discipline; all qualities displayed by Luo. Eager and excited to be involved in the Lunar New year preparations, he combined this cultural tradition with school pride and wrote a special sign that says, “Columbia International College,” - the phrase in the image above.  

We would like to thank Luo, Hao for lending us his time and contributing his talent to our Lunar New Year celebration!

Winter is here and has brought us a mix of snow, sunshine, and high winds that have created bitter cold days and nights. Around this time of year, daytime temperatures fall below zero and a high wind chill makes it feel much colder than it really is outside. When temperatures drop below -15 degrees Celsius or -20 degrees Celsius with the wind chill, a cold weather alert is issued to warn people of the dangers associated with prolonged exposure to the cold and the high risk of getting frostbite. Environment Canada has issued an EXTREME COLD WEATHER ALERT in Hamilton for the second consecutive day due to the rapidly falling temperature. Adjusting to these changing temperatures may take some time but the best way to cope with this change is to dress in proper winter attire, even if you are just crossing the street! To ensure that everyone is prepared for the low temperatures and cold fronts that define Canada’s winter season, we want to offer some tips for staying warm this winter.

1. A Warm Winter Coat:

• An insulated winter coat is the most important thing you can buy for winter. A coat that is down filled and waterproof is your best defense against winter weather.

2. Dress in Layers:

• Wearing more than one layer ensures that you have extra clothes. Longjohns, sweaters, and socks are a few things you can wear to keep your body insulated and warm. In wearing multiple layers you have the option of removing a layer if you get too warm.

3. Keep your Feet Dry:
   • It usually snows quite a bit in Ontario during the winter months. It is important to have a pair of waterproof winter boots to make walking through the snow easy and painless. It is good to invest of a pair of insulated boots that will keep you warm and last a few years.

4. Accessories are Essential:

• One of the easiest ways to keep warm is by adding an accessory to your winter wardrobe. Hats, scarves, mittens, gloves and earmuffs are staple winter pieces that keep heat close to your body. Such items can be found in almost any store for a low price.

Winter clothing can be easily found in stores across Hamilton. If you need to stock up on winter garments, consider visiting the one of the following:

• Jackson Square (2 King Street West. Hamilton)
• Westdale Village (King Street West, -from Cline to Sterling Ave- Hamilton)
• Walmart Supercentre (675 Upper James St., Hamilton)
• Limeridge Mall (999 Upper Wentworth Street, Hamilton)

Remember, to check the weather at the bottom of the school’s homepage, visit the Weather Network, or listen to the local news and radio to find out the weather conditions of the day.

Cross country skiing, high ropes and snowshoeing were among the activities Columbia students experienced this weekend. As part of a weekend leadership retreat, 50 students and a few Student Development staff members, headed north on Friday to visit the pristine grounds of Bark Lake, one of Canada’s top leadership training centres. During their four day getaway, students learned the true meaning of “leadership” by completing daily activities that focused on character building and that highlighted the benefits of diversity. They also engaged in a number of meaningful exercises that showcased the importance of inclusiveness. 

Students embraced the activities featured in Bark Lake’s signature Total Outdoor Leadership Experience (TOLE) that were enhanced by 4 inches of fresh snow. Along with testing their athletic abilities, the outdoor activities introduced them to exciting winter sports like snowshoeing.

Students are scheduled to return to Hamilton later today where they will begin to put their training into practice, becoming examples of leadership for entire the student body. 

To learn more about Bark Lake, visit their website http://www.barklake.com/index.html or follow them on Twitter @BarkLakeLC.

This week was all about student involvement and extracurricular activity as Columbia celebrated Club Week! All week students were introduced to the many great clubs and after-school groups offered at school and in residence. Before racing to the Ainsliewood Gym on Wednesday and Thursday to secure a spot in their favourite club, students had the opportunity to preview all clubs earlier in the week. As students are often overwhelmed by the selection of clubs, the Student Development department held several club information sessions to allow students to browse the large selection. This semester’s clubs met the diverse interests of our students and covered areas such as:

• Cooking
• Improv
• Set Design
• Glee
• Community Service
• Strategy Board Games
• International Film
• Athletics
… and many more!

Extracurricular activities are an important part of student life here at Columbia. Along with learning new skills and making new friends, participating in clubs helps build individual character and teaches important life values.

Most clubs begin next week but check with your club leader to confirm start dates, time and location.

The flu season has arrived and it is affecting an unusually high number of people in North America this year. For this reason, Canadian health officials recommend being immunized with the flu vaccination to fight and prevent the spread of the seasonal flu.

What is the flu?
The flu is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus that affects people of every age. Common flu symptoms include:
• Fever
• Headache
• Stuffy nose
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Cough

It is important to note that these symptoms can be different for each person. The flu typically lasts for about one week but there is a possibility that it can develop into a more serious illness. It is best to visit the nurse if your symptoms last longer than a week.

Preventing the Flu
Columbia cares about the health and safety of its students and staff and is taking the necessary precautions to ensure that everyone is protected from the influenza virus. To minimize the risk of catching or spreading the flu, Columbia will be holding a free vaccination clinic open to all students and staff.

If you would like to be immunized, please sign up in the Medical Clinic, Room S126. Please note, parental consent is required for all students under 18 years of age.

For more information about the flu virus and the flu shot, consult the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Flu Guide.

This past weekend, Columbia students embraced the cold Canadian weather and participated in one of the most popular winter sports – ice skating. In a trip organized by the Student Development Department, students spent part of their weekend on ice learning the basics of skating. Along with testing their balance and practicing their spins and glides, students learned about key character traits including inclusiveness and respect. They applied these principles by working together in a variety of different challenges that taught them about team work and perseverance.

For many, this was their first time experiencing the winter sport. Despite the stumbles and falls, students had a great time participating in this activity and are looking forward to the snow tubing trip at the end of the month.

If you are interested in participating in more winter activities, like ice skating and snow tubing, visit Student Development in Room S244 for more information.

Trips, sports, guest speakers and graduation are among the events that students are looking forward to this semester.  Now that the first week of school is over and students are nicely settled in their classes and residences, they can begin to attend all the great extracurricular activities and events here at Columbia.  

Here are some highlights of what’s to come this month;

January

• 3^rd-4^th - Orientation for new students
• 13^th - Ice Skating Trip
• 14^th - Club Information Fair
• 15^th - Club Registration: Pine Hall Girls & Pine Hall Boys Activities
• 16^th & 17^th- Club Registration: Ainsliewood, Oak, Linden & Arkledun Activities
• 18^th - Shopping Trip
• 16^th, 18^th & 21^st - Flu Clinic
• 18^th- 21^st -  Bark Lake Leadership Training
• 25^th - Reptile Show
• 26^th - Snow Tubing Trip
• 27^th - Ice Skating Trip
• 28^th - February 1^st - Spirit Week 

… and many more.

Participating in these fun and diverse activities provides students with the opportunity to meet new people, make great friends and learn the importance of inclusiveness. Be sure to visit our Facebook page to view photos of these events!

School’s back in session! Today marks the beginning of the winter semester and students are excited to be reunited with their friends and teachers. It is an especially exciting time for our new students as they adjust to a new school and a new environment. To make this transition a little easier, Columbia held numerous orientation events. During a two day orientation session last week, students met with teachers and staff members, toured the school’s facilities, and participated in many workshops designed to prepare them for life at school and life in Canada.

New students were also treated to an orientation trip to Niagara Falls this past weekend. This trip, organized by our Student Development Department, gave students the opportunity to explore one of Canada’s most renowned landmarks. Students visited the famous waterfall and spent time exploring the city’s tourist attractions including the Sky Wheel and Clifton Hill. The excursion also provided an opportunity for students to learn about cultural awareness, cultural sensitivity, and team building as they interacted with new friends from around the world.

The Student Development Department has many events and activities designed for new students. Visit them in Room S244 for information on future events.

Each year, graduates of Columbia attend the best universities in Canada. These universities are consistently impressed by the high caliber of Columbia students. As such, Columbia graduates often receive scholarships and awards for their academic excellence.  

Recently, four graduates of Columbia - Tram Hai Bao Nguyen, Hei Tong Lo,  Anindita Pradana Suteja, Ka Lok Van - were recognized by the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus for their academic achievements. These students were among three hundred and twenty Augustana campus students recognized for excellence in Academics, Fine Arts, Athletics, and Leadership. The recipients include;

Student: Tram Hai Bao Nguyen

Graduated from Columbia: May 2011

Program of Study: Bachelor of Management (2^nd year)

Awarded: $500 for Academic Achievement (funded by the Doug and Gail Peterson Award)

Student: Hei Tong Lo

Graduated from Columbia: May 2012

Program of Study: Bachelor of Management (1st year)

Awarded: $1000 for Honours (funded by The Larry Lewsaw Chartered Accountant Scholarship and The Camrose Booster Award)

Student: Anindita Pradana Suteja

Graduated from Columbia: May 2012

Program of Study: Bachelor of Management (1st year)

Awarded: $8000 for Academic Excellence (funded by An Augustana Faculty Academic Entrance Scholarship, A University of Alberta Academic Excellence Scholarship, A University of Alberta Maple Leaf 1^st Year Excellence Scholarship, An International Student Scholarship)

Student: Ka Lok Van

Graduated from Columbia: June 2012

Program of Study: Bachelor of Management (1st year)

Awarded: $8000 for Academic Excellence (funded by An Augustana Faculty Academic Entrance Scholarship, A University of Alberta Academic Excellence Scholarship, A University of Alberta Maple Leaf 1st Year Excellence Scholarship, An International Student Scholarship)

Congratulations to these students!

The University of Alberta is one of Columbia’s University Partners® and is among the Top 5 Universities in Canada. With over 200 undergraduate programs to choose from, students can earn a degree in Humanities, Social Sciences, Fine Arts, Management, Sciences and more. The University of Alberta hosts students from over 150 countries who study at one of its 6 campuses. To learn more about academic programs and opportunities at the University of Alberta visit its website or drop by UPO.

Columbia students are currently enjoying a break from their academics but they are continuing to learn the values of social awareness and advocacy. Students are keeping busy during this year’s winter break by volunteering their time and giving back to the Hamilton community. Over the past two weeks, students volunteered at two of Hamilton’s core organizations: the Wesley Urban Ministries and Hamilton’s Good Shepherd. Students who participated in these community service trips spent time sorting donations for Hamilton families in need and learned the importance of becoming responsible global citizens. Students also witnessed positive conflict resolution techniques while they assisted with the supervision of the distribution of these donations. Along with practicing key character values, students became aware of the needs in the local community and were able to recognize the significance of their actions.

Both the Wesley Urban Ministries and the Good Shepherd promote values of respect, compassion, inclusiveness, and responsibility; values Columbia teaches its students. More information on both organizations is available by visiting the links below;

Wesley Urban Ministries http://www.wesleyurbanministries.com/index.php?page=vision

Wesley Urban Ministries is a community organization dedicated to serving those in the community who are in need by raising funds and awareness. They operate under the values of justice and compassion and seek to decrease social barriers thorough their programs.  

Good Shepherd http://www.goodshepherdcentres.ca/about/mission.htm

Hamilton’s Good Shepherd organization seeks “to enhance the quality of life for all those who seek assistance and support.” They work under the values of availability, hospitality, flexibility, adaptability and dignity.

Friday was an exciting and rewarding day for 71 of Columbia’s senior students as they celebrated the end of their high school careers. In a ceremony held Friday morning, graduates were honoured for their hard work and dedication to their academics and extra-curricular involvement. Graduates and guests were welcomed by Ms. Nancy Baker who served as the events Master of Ceremonies.

After a brief introduction by Principal Mr. Ron Rambarran, graduates and guests were treated to a heartwarming keynote address by platform guest Dr. Deep Saini, Vice-President and Principal of the University of Toronto Mississauga. Rather than offering a traditional piece of advice, Dr. Saini challenged students to “take a risk every now and then – not a foolish risk but a risk that will take you out of your comfort zone to try a new life experience.” He encouraged graduates to always choose the more difficult path for this will assure they remain challenged. After recounting the events and challenges he faced in his own life, Dr. Saini advised students to follow their passion. He also reminded graduates that they can choose to change their path at anytime and should embrace, not fear, the unknown.

The ceremony also included a memorable <strong>Valedictory Address</strong> given by <strong>Neil Ni Jia Ze</strong>. After sharing a personal story of growth and reflecting on his high school career, he thanked his teachers and support staff for their guidance. In particular, he expressed gratitude to Ms. Courtney and Mr. David of Student Development, for their continued encouragement. Neil surprised graduates and guests by breaking into song -with some help from his friends in the audience- and singing the High School Musical hit “We’re All In This Together” at the end of his speech.

Jimmy Nguyen Dac Vinh Hy, gave an equally moving Vote of Thanks speech as he credited Columbia for shaping him into the person he is today. He also thanked UPO, the Guidance department and the various support staff for investing in him and allowing him to excel academically and socially.

 December's Award Winners included:
Principal's Scholarship: Mao, Zhengquan
Kevin Matthews Memorial Scholarship:Huang, Zi Yang
Sylvia Park Memorial Scholarship: Ni, Jia Ze
Scarfonehawkins LLP English Proficiency Award: Zhu, Zhongxuan
Sodexo Scholarship:Oyelowo Ifeoluwa Oluwaseyi
Durwood Jones Barkwell Chartered Accountant Award: Guo, Yi Min, Liang, Xin, Zhang, Shao Xiong
McCallum & Misale Insurance Limited Residence Community Awards: Mendie, Mfonido Ime (Linden), Oghoore, Nina Zino (Pine Girls), Thompson, Abasiama Mfon (Pine Boys)
Global Citizen Award: Joshi, Shail
Fine Arts Award: Wang, Chao
Rita Bosas Memorial Bursary: Cui, Zhi Tong
ESL Continuing Scholarships: Yu, Tie Ning, Chu, Chenhan, Tang, Shi Qi, Chandra, Hendry, Leung, Tsz Wah
Internal Community Service Award: Wahab, Abdul
External Community Service Award: Thompson, Abasiama Mfon
Athletics Award: Nikolaeva, Ruslan

Top Subject Prizes were awarded to:
ARTS: Duan, Zhaojun (Visual Arts)
BUSINESS: Guo, Yi Min (Accounting), Liang, Xin (Accounting), Soong, Tsz Kit (International Business), Park, Hye Mi (Economics), Mao, Zhengquan (Economics)
LANGUAGES: Duan, Zhaojun (Chinese Mandarin)
MATHEMATICS:Mao, Zhenquan (Data Management)
SCIENCE: Zhu, Zhongxuan (Computer Science)
 
Congratulations to all December Graduates!

A special THANK YOU to our platform guest Dr. Deep Saini for his inspiring words and to Mr. Krist, Ms. Akos, the Media, Liaison, and Maintenance teams for their work in organizing and preparing for the event.

Thank you also to SODEXOfor providing a wonderful reception and to Mr. Lawlis and the Vocal Music Choir for their wonderful performances.

Pictures of the Graduation Ceremony and Reception are available on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Columbia.International.College

At Columbia, we believe in teaching leadership and offer students many opportunities to develop their leadership skills. We encourage leadership throughout our school and recognize those who promote and embody leadership values.

Yesterday, this semester’s dynamic student leaders were thanked for their contributions to Columbia’s leadership teams. Those who held positions in the Executive Student Leadership Teams – Prefects; Columbia Crew; Student Council; Pine Activities Council – attended a special Leadership Barbeque in the Student Café. Columbia’s Leadership and Community Services Coordinator Courtney Workman believed the intimate gathering was a great way to recognize those students who have played “key roles in organizing and executing school events such as Character week, totalcare.com/content/columbia-Spirit Week, school dances, International Games Day, and athletic programs.”

The students appreciated the BBQ as it not only recognized their hard work this semester, but it also offered them an opportunity “to get together and have fun” and “enjoy time with friends.”

Thank you to all our Student Leaders for being positive role models in our school community!
Thank you also to Sodexo for providing a tasty and delicious barbeque.

Students interested in becoming student leaders will have an opportunity to apply, and re-apply, for an Executive Student Leadership position in January.

Respect, integrity, responsibility, perseverance; these are among the values Columbia students are taught in leadership training and in leadership classes. Students are encouraged to put these values into action to discover what it really means to be a leader. That is exactly what Columbia’s GPP 30 Leadership and Peer Support class demonstrated today when they made their peers scream for ice cream in support of a good cause.

In keeping with class tradition, fun and creative events are held each year to raise money for local charities. This year, the class decided to hold an ice cream sale in the Living Wall Lounge to support Hamilton’s City Kidz organization which assists underprivileged children living in the community. They wanted to raise enough money to provide Christmas gifts for over 4,000 local children in need. They quickly surpassed their goal of $300 and are thrilled that their contributions will help thousands of children in the area.

The diverse interests and talents of Columbia'€™s student body were celebrated yesterday during this semester's Awards Ceremony. Held in the Ainsliewood Gym, the Student Development staff presented over 50 awards of merit and distinction to students for their outstanding achievements in clubs, athletics, and leadership roles.

Along with celebrating the students’ enthusiasm and commitment to their clubs and teams, the ceremony highlighted student involvement in the school and local community. Community Service Awards recognized those who completed between 75-125 community service hours this semester by volunteering their time at notable events throughout the city of Hamilton. All students were congratulated for their achievements by Ms. Cheeranjie, Director of Student Development and the ceremony’s host, and were encouraged to continue participating in school activates.

The Awards Ceremony reflects the character of Columbia's students who consistently aim to go higher in their academic and extra-curricular life. The awards also demonstrate the dedication of Columbia’s staff who are committed to Total Development® and go above and beyond to deliver a unique student experience.

Thank you to the Student Development staff for organizing a wonderful ceremony and to Mr. Lawlis and his period 6 class for providing the music.

CONGRATULATIONS to all award winners! Excellence

The Ivey School of Business, Western University's premier business school, made a trip to Columbia yesterday afternoon. As a leading business school in Canada, Ivey attracts students from around the world with its unique teaching methods. Columbia students had the opportunity to discover life at Ivey, and its distinguished €œcase method teaching style, in a special after school seminar held in the Student Cafe.

An Ivey teacher introduced students to the school's Learning Through Action courses which gives students valuable hands on experience and allows them to practice the concepts and theories learned in class. After explaining the case method and general concepts students began to analyze the case and recommend tangible solutions. Although it was a challenge, students enjoyed the Ivey experience and appreciated the seminar.

To learn more about the Ivey School of Business, visit their website; http://www.ivey.uwo.ca/.

Over the past few weeks, Columbia’s JMS students have been working diligently to raise awareness and funds for their “Adopt a Village” project in Ecuador. The goal is to build a new water project that will provide access to clean drinking water to hundreds of children in Ecuador. In addition to initiating a penny fundraising contest in the school, the JMS have teamed up with the Prefects to sell Water Rafiki Friend Chains that will benefit their clean water project.

The beaded Water Rafiki Friend Chains have been handmade by the Maasai women in Kenya and can be worn as a bracelet, anklet, or necklace. The chains are being sold for $11 and each one sold will provide clean water to one person for one year. One dollar from each purchase will also be donated to the JMS school project in Ecuador.

The chains make the perfect holiday gift for family and friends. In purchasing one, you will be making a tangible difference in someone’s life. The Water Rafiki Friend Chain can be purchased in the Maple Lobby from 12:40-1:10PM and at the Marketplace in Ainsliewood from 1:10-1:40PM. Support the JMS, the Prefects, and this notable cause by purchasing one of these unique Chains!

 

Perseverance, dedication, and hard work is what it takes to become a top achiever. Today, five ESL students were recognized for displaying each of these characteristics. They were awarded an honours certificate and a medal for obtaining the highest marks in their intensive 4-week October ESL courses. Before handing out the awards, Mr. Galea, ESL Department Head, Ms. Baker, Head of Senior School, and Mr. Rambarran, Principal, congratulated each student on their accomplishment. They also mentioned that their teachers were impressed by their work and that they hope these students continue to maximize their potential and strive for academic excellence.

October’s ESL Award winners are:

LI WEN HAO – ESL AO

LEUNG TSZ WAH – ESL BO

TANG SHIQI – ESL CO

CHISTIAKOVA ANASTASIIA – ESL CO

CHANDRA HENDRY – ESL DO

Congratulations to all our ESL Award winners!

Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and Cambodia were some of the counties being honoured at last night’s Southeast Asian International Cuisine Series dinner. Nearly 150 students and staff attended this month’s feature dinner which was held in the Student Café.

The dinner was a monthly ritual for many of the students in attendance. For others, the evening was comforting as it brought back memories of family dinners they regularly have at home. Students were excited to be there as they got a taste of a new culture and indulged in some of the region’s most popular dishes which included:

• Mango Salad
• Hot & Sour Thai Soup – Tom Yum Goong
• Vegetarian Spring Rolls
• Hainan Chicken
• Rice Breaded Fried Shrimp*
• Beef Satay
• Coconut Milk Rice – Nasi Uduk
• Spicy Bok Choy in Garlic Sauce
• Asian, Peanut & Sweet & Sour Dipping Sauces
• Fresh Tropical Fruit w Ice Cream

The evening also featured some friendly competition as guests participated in games that challenged their speed and accuracy, like the fast-paced texting challenge. The crowd was further enchanted by two powerful vocal performances from students who sang popular songs from their regions.  

Along with enjoying a delicious meal with friends, students had the opportunity to learn and explore a different culture. The committee of student volunteers and the dinner guests further exemplified the character values of responsibility, inclusiveness, and respect.

Last night’s Southeast Asia dinner concluded this year’s Cuisine Series. The highly anticipated event will resume in January with more great meals, fun games, and cultural representation. Photos from last night’s, and this semester’s, dinners can be viewed on our Facebook page.

Thank you to Ms. Keylin and Ms. Melissa, the Student Development Staff and the student volunteers for delivering another extraordinary Cuisine Series. Thanks you also to Sodexo for providing another delicious meal.

The best of the Arts was showcased last week as Columbia held its annual Winter Show. Students and staff filled the Ainsliewood Gym on Friday to watch this year’s much anticipated variety show. Hosted by two humorous and entertaining students - Malak El Allaki and Shail Joshi – their energy and stage presence quickly captivated the audience. The 70 minute show was composed of many high energy dance and musical routines mixed in with a number of creative dramatic performances. The show started with a bang as Columbia’s band set the tone playing an exciting melody. An electrifying atmosphere continued for the rest of the show which featured performances from these dynamic clubs and classes:

• Zumba Club
• Glee Club
• Improve Club
• Ms. Ward’s and Ms. Nagy’s Drama Classes
• Cheerleading Club
• Dance Club
• Hip Hop Club
• Vocal Performance Class

The show ended with the largest group, the vocal performance club, directed by Mr. Lawlis, singing a melody of both Christmas and modern songs. Their powerful performance displayed the level of talent at Columbia and highlighted the diversity of the school community. It also served as a platform for students to demonstrate the character trait of responsibility as they were responsible for creating, developing, and performing an act for the entire school.

A special THANK YOU to Mr. David and the Student Development team for organizing the Winter Show and to Mr. Lawlis for his musical contributions. Thank you also to the Maintenance Team, Mr. Colin, and the backstage crew of students and staff for your assistance.

To view pictures of the event visit our Facebook page.

The Ainsliewood gym was at a fever pitch this afternoon as Columbia students battled staff members in a Movember basketball game. Energy and excitement filled the air this afternoon as fans and supporters of both teams flocked to the gym filling the bleachers and leaving only standing room for this highly anticipated event.

From the tip-off, the game was fast-paced as both teams were eager to score first. Spectators were kept on the edge of their seats as possession changed quickly, resulting in defying cheers and screams from the crowd. At the end of the first period the staff had gained a 10 point lead but the students were confident they could match it.  

The pace of the second half was even more exciting as the varsity team battled to gain the lead and close the gap. There were a few falls and fouls that demonstrated the students’ frustration in being unable to stop the skillful staff team. The students turned their game around and scored late in the game. With only seconds left on the clock, the staff was ahead by one point. Despite their best efforts, the students lost possession which resulted in a 56-55 win for the staff.

With their Movember t-shirts and painted moustaches, staff and students played with heart not only to win bragging rights, but also in support of a good cause. Before beginning the second half, Mr. Freddy, the game’s referee, took some time to remind those in attendance of the importance of health prevention. He encouraged everyone to take their health seriously and visit the doctor regularly. He also thanked the players and spectators for supporting the Movember initiative and raising funds and awareness for cancer and other health issues.

Thank You Mr. Freddy, the staff and students who participated in the game.

Pictures of the game are available on our Facebook page.

Yesterday afternoon, Columbia students met with a Saint Mary's University representative to explore their post-secondary options. The intimate session, which took place in the Student Cafe, presented each student with detailed information regarding their programs of interest. Those who were in attendance learned about the university'€™s East Coast charm, its partnerships with government and non-government agencies, and its commitment to accessibility and diversity. Saint Mary's offers:

• $5 million in scholarships and bursaries
•  Innovative research facilities
•  Experiential learning opportunities, such as co-op and fieldwork, across all faculties
•  Partnerships with 49 post-secondary institutions in 20 countries
•   Four Undergraduate Faculties:  Arts, Business, Environment, Science

Saint Mary's University also welcomes students from around the world and has a Confucius Institute which promotes Chinese language, culture, and commerce. Students interested in applying to St. Mary's should pick up a Viewbook from UPO or consult their website.  

A special thank you to the Saint Mary's representative for coming to Columbia!

You may have noticed that an unusual number of male teachers and staff members are growing a moustache. They are not trying to start a new fashion trend, rather they are participating in Movember - an initiative designed to raise awareness and money for men's health issues. Every November, men around the world sign-up and pledge to grow a moustache in hopes of educating the public about the health risks facing men.

Columbia is ensuring its students and staff are educated on men’s health issues by hosting a number of Movember events and fundraisers. Bake-A-Difference, for example, is adding moustaches to its delicious baked goods and will be donating the proceeds of its sales in November to the Movember campaign. A Movember inspired Staff vs Students basketball game will also be played next week. The teachers will be donating $5 for their team t-shirts and players from the Cougars Varsity Team will pay $2 for a painted moustache.

For those who cannot grow a moustache, the Student Development Centre will be selling different styles and colours of handmade moustaches for only .50¢ in the Marketplace during lunch hours. Purchase one to support Movember and help raise awareness!

Since beginning in Australia in 2003, Movember has raised $301 million CAD, for men’s health issues, particularly prostate cancer and male mental health issues. To find out more about this creative campaign, visit the official Movember Canada page.

A representative from Ryerson University held an information session for Columbia students yesterday afternoon in the Student Café. As an institution known for its innovation and entrepreneurship, Ryerson is one of the most applied-to universities in Ontario. It is located in the heart of Toronto which gives its students access to a vibrant city lifestyle. Students will also establish relationships with prominent business and community leaders through co-op and field placements, internships, and client-based projects. Academic programs at Ryerson are diverse and its extensive research programs are centered on seven key areas:
•    digital media,
•    energy, sustainability and the environment,
•    health and well-being,
•    civil society,
•    design, creative expression and cultural industries,
•    innovation and entrepreneurship, and
•    learning and teaching effectiveness.

The university also has many support services for international students and welcomes students from over 140 countries.

Thank you to the Ryerson University representative for visiting Columbia and answering all of our questions.

More information regarding Ryerson’s academic programs, application process, and scholarship opportunities can be found on their website. Students can also pick-up a Viewbook from UPO.

If you have a rectangular swimming pool of volume 105 m³ whose length is 2 meters longer than its width and whose depth is 2 meters shorter than its width, what is the perimeter (around the top) of the rectangular pool?

If Math is not your subject, this question probably gives you a headache. Luckily, Columbia has many students who share a passion for Math and are eager to test their skills and challenge themselves to answer such a question. In fact, that is just what a group of students did earlier this week as they participated in a Mathlete Contest!

Students were given 30 minutes to answer all types of difficult math problems using only an English to English dictionary and a calculator. Ms. George administered the test and will be choosing five winners.

Good luck to all those who participated!

In case you were wondering, the answer to the above question is 24 meters.

York University and its Schulich School of Business visited Columbia yesterday afternoon. Representatives from both institutions held an information session in the Student Cafe to present students with post-secondary options at York.  As Canada'€™s third largest university, York is recognized for its unique interdisciplinary approach and prides itself on delivering academic excellence.

Here is what you need to know about York:

• 2 Campuses in Toronto -€“ Keele and Glendon
• 28 research centres
• Over 5,000 courses offered throughout its 11 faculties
• Offers Canada’s only space engineering program
• The Faculty of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies are among the largest and most diverse in Canada
• 280 partnerships with international universities  and a large population of international students

Schulich School of Business
York University is also home to the prestigious Schulich School of Business. Ranked among the top 10 MBA schools in the world, Schulich operates worldwide and offers its MBA program in India. It also operates satellite centres in Beijing and Shanghai, China; Mumbai, India; Seoul, South Korea; and Moscow, Russia. Students who attend Schlich can enroll in unique undergraduate programs that include:

•  BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration): a comprehensive four-year degree with nine different areas of specialization, including accounting, entrepreneurship and family business, marketing, and finance, and
• iBBA (International BBA): a four-year honours degree that combines business courses of the BBA with specially designed courses and globally-focused courses .

As one of Columbia'€™s University Partners®, York University offers special benefits for Columbia graduates including Dual Admission and four entrance scholarships, each worth $2,000.  

Thank you to the York University and the Schulich School of Business representatives for their presentations.

Students interested in applying to York, or the Schulich School of Business, should visit UPO for more information.

Did you know...
-    3.4 million people die each year from a water related disease; 99% of these occur in the developing world
-    780 million (about 1 in 7) people lack access to clean drinking water
-    Every 20 seconds a child dies from a water related illness
-    More people have a mobile phone than a toilet
-    Each day, women spend over 200 million hours collecting water
*All figures are courtesy of water.org.*

Columbia’s JMS students are working hard to change these numbers. Currently in their second week of fundraising, they are encouraging the school community to donate their change in support of Free the Children’s “Adopt a Village” project. In participating, JMS students are helping to build a new water project that will provide hundreds of children in Ecuador with steady access to clean drinking water. In addition, they will be raising awareness about the lack of clean drinking water in the world’s poorest nations. Their initiative is also educating other students on the importance of becoming responsible global citizens.

In order to collect enough money to support a village, JMS needs your help. Until November 23rd, donate your pennies, or any change you have, to the JMS’s clean water campaign. With as little as $25, WE can provide clean water to one person for life and make a real difference in the world. Don’t forget, the classroom that raises the most money will be awarded a great prize!

Please support the JMS. Every penny counts and together WE can change the world.

For more information please visit Free the Children.

Hundreds of Columbia students will be spending their Friday night fighting at Ainsliewood. They will not be engaging in any type of physical altercation, rather they, along with millions of Canadians across the country, are picking a fight with cancer.

For the second consecutive year, Columbia students will be participating in the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Along with raising money for cancer research, this annual event seeks to “celebrate the lives of those who are living with cancer” and “remember loved ones lost to cancer.” All funds raised through the event will assist in

• Preventing cancer,
• Funding research to outsmart cancer,
• Empowering, informing and supporting Canadians living with cancer, and
• Advocating for public policies to improve the health of Canadians.

The marathon will be challenging as it begins Friday at 7:00 PM and ends Saturday morning at 7:00 AM. During the 12 hour period, students will take part in a number of group activities throughout the school such as walking and running relays. There will also be music, movies, arts and crafts, and other activities to help students stay awake during the overnight hours.

Relay for Life promotes optimism and further provides students with an outlet to practice key character traits like caring, teamwork, respect, inclusiveness, responsibility, and perseverance.

Complete highlights of Columbia’s Relay for Life will be available next week. Good luck to all those who are participating!

To find out more about the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life visit their website.

Mrs. Markuc'€™s MCV 4US6 class was busy yet again this morning performing good deeds and leading by example. As part of their commitment to character, they spent the first part of class preparing shoe box gifts to donate to Operation Christmas Child, a project run by Samaritan'€™s Purse. They filled two shoe boxes -one for a boy and one for a girl- with everyday essentials including socks, soap, candies, pens, toys and more. After the boxes were filled, the class watched a video describing the journey of the boxes and the great impact the small gift will have on children in need. These students will also be able to track and follow their boxes as they make their way to deserving children living in underprivileged countries.

Fitting all of the items into the small boxes was challenge but it was nothing these calculus students couldn’t handle. They simply applied the theory of optimization to their task, proving the relevance of math in everyday life. 

Mrs. Markuc's class decided to participate in the shoe box project to show character and set an example for their peers. They also used part of their prize money from the pumpkin carving contest to purchase the supplies for the shoe boxes. Thank you to Mrs. Markuc and her period 1 MCV 4US6 class for showing exceptional leadership and inspiring Columbia to exemplify key character traits.

Character Development is a large part of the student lifestyle here at Columbia. Students are taught to embrace key character traits by doing good deeds and helping others. Mrs. Markuc is among many teachers who believes that Columbia'€™s character keys "€œare not just words on a paper, but they are what we live by." € She encourages her students to "€œlead by example"€ and wants them to represent Character in Action.

After winning last week'€™s Pumpkin Carving Contest, it was no surprise that Mrs. Markuc'€™s MCV 4US6 class wanted to share their winnings. Instead of receiving a $100 Tim Hortons gift card, they requested that their prize be divided in half to allow them to spread their winnings and give back to the school and local community. With half of their prize money, they purchased hot chocolate and timbits not only for their class, but also for the 2^nd and 3^rd place contest winners. They surprised Mr. Kim'€™s MHF 4US5 class, Mrs. Simpson'€™s PPL 30 class, and Mr. Wong'€™s Grade 9 science class this morning by delivering a box of timbits to each of their classes. Before presenting each class with the treats, Mrs. Markuc'€™s students explained the importance of character and how they hope their actions will inspire others to lead by example.

Mrs. Markuc'€™s class is going to contribute the remaining $50 to a larger cause. They have purchased toys, school supplies and personal hygiene products to make Christmas shoe boxes that they will donate to Samaritan’s Purse, an organization that supports underprivileged children in over 130 countries. Their generous actions show how far $100 can go and how small actions can make a world of a difference. 

We want to thank Mrs. Markuc'€™s MCV 4US6 class for showing great character and inspiring the school community to "€œlead by example."

Winter is fast approaching and it promises to bring snow, wind and bitter cold weather. Adjusting to Canadian winters takes time and is difficult not only for international students, but for local residents as well. Winter temperatures can get very low and it is common for daytime temperatures to fall below zero. In fact, with a high wind chill, temperatures can drop instantly and have reached as low as -30°C. To ensure that everyone is prepared for the low temperatures and cold fronts that define Canada'€™s winter season, we want to offer some tips for staying warm this winter.

1. A Warm Winter Coat:

• An insulated winter coat is the most important thing you can buy for winter. A coat that is down filled and waterproof is your best defense against winter weather.

2. Dress in Layers:

• Wearing more than one layer ensures that you have extra clothes. Longjohns, sweaters, and socks are a few things you can wear to keep your body insulated and warm. In wearing multiple layers you have the option of removing a layer if you get too warm.

3. Keep your Feet Dry:
   • It usually snows quite a bit in Ontario during the winter months. It is important to have a pair of waterproof winter boots to make walking through the snow easy and painless. It is good to invest of in a pair of insulated boots that will keep you warm and last a few years.
4. Accessories are Essential:

• One of the easiest ways to keep warm is by adding an accessory to your winter wardrobe. Hats, scarves, mittens, gloves and earmuffs are staple winter pieces that keep heat close to your body. Such items can be found in almost any store for a low price.

Winter clothing can be easily found in stores across Hamilton. If you need to stock up on winter garments, consider visiting one of the following:

• Jackson Square (2 King Street West. Hamilton)
• Westdale Village (King Street West, -from Cline to Sterling Ave- Hamilton)
• Walmart Supercentre (675 Upper James St., Hamilton)
• Limeridge Mall (999 Upper Wentworth Street, Hamilton)

Remember, you can always check the weather at the bottom of our homepage, visit the Weather Network, or listen to the local news and radio.

Happy Halloween Columbia!

In keeping with tradition, Columbia held its annual Pumpkin Carving Contest today. Each class was given a pumpkin to carve during period 1 that was then judged by various staff members. There were no rules in this contest which resulted in fierce competition between the classes. The carvings and designs were imaginative and included unique creations like a Tim Hortons cup, turtles, a skeleton and a zombie. Congratulations to Ms. Markuc'€™s class for taking first prize and winning a $100 gift card to Tim Hortons.

Contest Winners:

1^st Place: Ms. Markuc€™'s Class (Skeleton Pumpkin)

2^nd Place: Mr. Kim'€™s Class (Turtle Pumpkins)

Tied for 3^rd Place: Mr. Wong’s Class (Two-Faced Pumpkin) AND Ms. Simpson's Class (Sodexo Hamburger Pumpkin)

Thank you to all teachers and classes for participating! Your creations were fantastic!

Pictures of each pumpkin are available on our Facebook page.

Gangnam Style has taken the internet, and Columbia International College, by storm. Students have fallen in love with the song'€™s catchy tune and entertaining dance moves. Shortly after the video was released, students were eager to create their own parody of the song. With the help of theOmelet, a video production team, Columbia students produced their very own version of the PSY'€™s popular Gangnam Style music video. Students used the facilities at Columbia's residences, its Ainsliewood building, and various public spaces in Hamilton to recreate parts of the original video while incorporating their own fun and creative ideas into the project.

The heart behind the project was Grade 12 student, and assistant director, Rose Lu. As a former TV drama actor in China, she is familiar with show business and came up with the idea to film the parody. Rose said that artistic projects like this parody "€œmakes students happy." € She also believes that "€œdancing makes you feel refreshed"€ and that participating in extracurricular activities is an important part of your high school career.

Another star of the video is Mr. James Lawlis, Columbia'€™s music teacher. He quickly mastered the Gangnam Style moves and undoubtedly steals the scene.

Columbia'€™s Gangnam Style video can be viewed on our Facebook page, YouTube and Vimeo Channels.

Thank you to all of Columbia'€™s staff and students for your support in filming the video. Much appreciation also goes to theOmelet for creating a fantastic video for us.

Columbia students filled the Living Wall Lounge yesterday to attend a presentation for prospective students given by McMaster University. As an institution that "€œinspires innovation and discovery,"€ McMaster is known for its intensive research capabilities and is home to 80 Research Centres and Institutes. McMaster’s research excellence spans all of its faculties which include:

• Natural Sciences,
• Engineering,
• Computer Science,
• Science,
• Arts & Science,
• Health Sciences,
• Humanities, and
• Social Sciences.

The DeGroote School of Business is also one of McMaster's most popular undergraduate programs. Many Columbia students showed interest in this program and are attracted to its internship and exchange opportunities.

Undergraduate students can also apply for numerous entrance scholarships and awards. Columbia graduates are further eligible to receive one of four designated entrance scholarships of $3000 as part of the school’s university partnership with McMaster.

We would like to thank the McMaster representative for spending the afternoon with us.

Students interested in applying to McMaster can pick up a 2013 Viewbook from UPO. Information is also available online.

Beautiful beaches, calypso and reggae music, bright and bold colours, and warm hospitality are a few things you would expect to find on a Caribbean island. Even though there was no beach, Columbia succeeded in creating an authentic Caribbean atmosphere during last night'€™s International Cuisine Series.

Guests lined up early for the Caribbean dinner which was this month’s second feature in the Cuisine Series.  As they entered the Student Cafe, guests received a lei (a colourful wreath worn around the neck) and spent a few moments looking at the fun and unique decor. The vivid decorations perfectly matched the enthusiasm of students and staff who were in attendance. After a few words by the event'€™s hosts, guests dined on a traditional Caribbean cuisine that featured the following delicacies:

• Calaloo Salad
• Chicken & Pumpkin Soup
• Fried Fish with Onion
• Marinated & Grilled Jerk Chicken
• Jamaican Style Lamb Stew
• Basmati Rice w Peas & Coconut Milk
• Fried Plantains
• Banana Pineapple Apple Crisp (Hot) & Ice Cream
• Fresh Fruit Salad -€“ Apple, Mango, Pineapple, Melons (Cold)

The evening ended with a limbo contest that proved to be a challenge for all of the participants. While the theme of the night was the Caribbean, all countries were represented showcasing Columbia's diversity and values of respect and inclusiveness.

Thank you to Ms. Keylin, the Student Development Staff and the student volunteers for delivering another extraordinary Cuisine Series. Thanks you also to Sodexo for providing a delicious meal.

At Columbia our students are regularly recognized for their success and achievements. We believe in acknowledging hard work and are proud that our students are dedicated to their studies. Our monthly ESL Awards Ceremony honours top students in each ESL division and is one of the many ways we celebrate great accomplishments.

This morning Principal, Mr. Rambarran, ESL Department Head, Mr. Galea, and Head of Senior School, Ms. Baker held the October ESL Awards Ceremony to congratulate 7 students for earning top marks in their respective division. The award recipients were:

Wang, Si Ya - EOA4Z

Tang, Shiqi - ESLAO

Chu, Chenhan -€“ ESLBO

Zhang, Jia Ming -€“ ESLCO

Ding, Yi Xin - ESLDO

Nguyen, Thi Huong Giang - €“ ESLDO (8 Week)

Ni, Gong Chen - EOA4Z (8 Week)

The students were also encouraged by Mr. Rambarran to "continue to work hard" and to "€œkeep up the good work."€

Congratulations to all the award winners!

The NEDLAW Living Wall is one of Columbia's newest and most popular attractions that is both aesthetically and environmentally pleasing. Today, Ms. Klodt’s Gr. 11 & 12 biology classes learned more about its construction and significance in a special presentation given by Dr. Alan Darlington, president of NEDLAW living walls. Dr. Darlington explained the components of the wall and compared them to that of the body. He said the process of eliminating old air and bringing in new air requires much energy but works very well. Along with describing how the wall itself works, Dr. Darlington spoke about the economic and social benefits of the wall which include increased energy efficiency and improved air quality. He also believes the wall is a balance of "biology, engineering, and sociology" as all three disciplines are vital to its sustainability.

We would like to thank Dr. Alan Darlington for his interesting and educational presentation. 

Dr. Alan Darlington is a former Biology Professor and Research Scientist at the University of Guelph. His strong interest in air quality served as his inspiration for developing the concept of the Living wall biological filtration system. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Environment Industry Association which represents the interests of the environment industry in Ontario.

"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."€ - John F. Kennedy

At Columbia, the principles of learning and leadership are taught to students and exemplified by teachers and staff members. Ms. Stefanie Achkewich is one of the many dynamic teachers here at Columbia that represents these values. She joined Columbia in 2008, primarily teaching English as a Second Language. Prior to this, she spent 6 years teaching English in Taiwan and 1 year teaching in England. She currently teaches in the ESL department and has a fondness for teaching international students. In fact, the idea of teaching international students was what initially attracted Stefanie to Columbia.

As a result of her experience and passion for teaching, she has been appointed to the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) council. The College works €œto allow teachers to regulate and govern teaching standards and practices in the public interest.

We recently spoke with Stefanie to learn more about her new role and her teaching experience at Columbia.

What do you find is most rewarding about teaching?

• The kids are the most rewarding. Seeing them understand, and having them show you something you'€™ve never seen, or thought of, before is remarkable. Working with other great teachers and sharing ideas is great too. I'€™m a people person and I like that interaction and the opportunity to make connections.

You recently joined the OCT council as a Private School Representative. Tell us about your duties.

• I'€™m excited to be part of the council. I will be involved with 3 committees of the council. The first is the Discipline Committee which reviews cases of teacher misconduct and incompetence, the second is the Finance Committee which deals with budgetary issues, and the third is the Quality Assurance Committee that evaluates the progress of the college in fulfilling its mandate.

What do you hope to gain from this experience?

• I hope to learn more about the policy process and how standards are enforced for teachers. It will be interesting to see how policies are made to put the public, students and parents, before the professionals. This is a great opportunity to represent Columbia and I’m looking forward to it. Being a part of the council will allow me to answers questions from teachers and the public. 

How does Columbia’s ASEP Total Care® compare to other private schools?

• At Columbia, we shape the curriculum to our students needs – academic, social, emotional and physical. There are students from over 73 nations here and we need to filter our teaching style to accommodate them. We always look for teaching material from different parts of the world to contribute to and enhance the lessons of different disciplines. For example, in English class we incorporate stories or novels from popular authors of specific regions so that students can relate to their stories. It is important for students to have a personal connection to what they study to interest and motivate them.

What is the best advice you can give international students?

• I would encourage everyone to make friends with other students from every region. It can be difficult for students to go outside their safety zone but when they do, it is very rewarding. Interacting with kids from different backgrounds also breaks down individual fears, eliminates cultural stereotypes, and helps improve English skills. Using the resources offered by Student Development and talking to teachers and liaison staff is a great way for students to branch out of their comfort zone.

A representative from the Ontario College of Arts and Design (OCAD) University visited Columbia this afternoon and spoke to many art, and prospective OCAD, students. OCAD is an ideas focused school that emphasizes creativity. OCAD is a unique university with small class sizes in a studio environment. The school offers 14 undergraduate programs in Fine Arts (6), Design (6), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (2).

Programs are evaluated on both studio work (70%), and academic and written work (30%). OCAD also requires its teachers to be working practitioners for the benefit of student learning.

Admission to OCAD is further based on individual portfolios, an in person interview, and a personal creative statement of interest. It advises those students interested in applying to start working on their portfolios and sketchbooks early so they have a wide variety of material to present to the university.    Full admission and program information can be found on OCAD’s website and in their handbooks available at UPO.

Thank you to OCAD representative Nadia Galati for a great presentation.

The University of Waterloo is an established institution, excelling in research, engineering and technology programs. Aside from students with good academic standing, the university looks for passionate individuals to bring forward new and innovative ideas. It has earned the title of “Canada’s most innovative university” for the past 19 years thanks to the university rankings in Macleans magazine. It is distinguished in Canada, and the world, for having;

• the largest engineering faculty in Canada
• the largest actuarial science program in North America
• the world’s first kinesiology department
• the largest post-secondary co-operative education program in the world

The majority of programs incorporate lab work and offer students hands on experience. In 80% of these programs, students have the option of completing a co-op placement. The university also offers many academic and social support services including tutors in residence, a Student Success Office, and International Student Office, and a Student Life office. 

As one of Columbia’s University Partners, graduates of Columbia who attend the University of Waterloo receive special benefits including;

• 4 designated Entrance Scholarships for Columbia International College Pre-U graduates (4 x $3,000)
• Students with an average of 85% or above are guaranteed a Waterloo entrance scholarship

For more information regarding programs, admissions, and scholarships, pick up a handbook from UPO or visit the University of Waterloo’s website.

Recently, students and staff of Columbia gathered outside of the Ainsliewood and Maple buildings for group photos. With over 1000 students in attendance, the photos were a great way to bring the school community together. The photos also represent Columbia'€™s rich cultural diversity and embody the values of inclusiveness and respect.

Thank You to everyone who participated, you look great!

Special thanks to Ms. Akos, Mr. Krist, the Media Team and the Liaison Department for organizing the event.

This past weekend, Columbia students experienced haunting sensations when they participated in Canada’s Wonderland’s annual Halloween Haunt. Some walked the Streets of the Undead, some visited the Asylum and others ran into Clowns at Midnight.

Every October, the amusement park transforms into a creepy, mysterious and frightening place intended to terrify its visitors. During Halloween Haunt, the already chilling rides like the Behemoth, the Leviathan, the Bat and Drop Tower operate at night and are guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping. The park also creates thrilling shows and haunted mazes that are filled with eerie creatures, twisted roads, and endless surprises. The trip was very popular among students and sold out within days. Students who participated in this fearsome adventure described it as being fun and scary,€ €œterrifying but awesome,and so much fun.

Halloween Haunt is perfect for those looking to get into the Halloween spirit but is not recommended for the faint of heart. For a list of complete attractions, click here to visit their website.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) was the latest school to visit Columbia during our University fall fair. Yesterday, a UBC representative spoke to Columbia students about its school’s academic programs, admission requirements, and life on campus.

As one of the world’s top 40 universities, UBC is a recognized leader in research. It is home to the second largest research library in Canada and is also a global leader in sustainability. It is a multi-cultural and international school with a main campus located in Vancouver and a smaller, more intimate campus located in the Okanagan region. Like Columbia, UBC values extra-curricular involvement and looks for students who display character and leadership skills. International students are also eligible to receive scholarships and financial assistance to support their university studies.

For detailed program information and admission requirements visit UBC’s website or consult the handbook available at UPO.

A special thank you to the UBC representative for yesterday’s presentation.

University visits continue this week at Columbia. Students are eager to attend the information sessions as they are being introduced to various schools and diverse programs across Canada. Recently, Carleton University and Trent University representatives stopped by Columbia to meet with students and present the program options offered by their respective school.

Carleton University

Carleton University is beautifully located in Ottawa, the nation’s capital and attracts students from around the world. Due to its location, Carleton partners with many industry and government sectors and is able to offer its students unique research and work opportunities.  Undergraduate students at Carleton can choose from over 15 programs with 100 majors in programs ranging from Humanities, to Cognitive Science, to Journalism. Some program highlights include:

• International approaches to research
• Joint programs in science and engineering with the University of Ottawa
• Co-op opportunities available in all faculties
• Entrance scholarships to students who meet the language and academic requirements

The university has also developed a strong sense of community and offers various support services to all its students. International students can benefit from Carleton’s International Student Services Office that offers pre-departure support and the International Student Centre, a student-based organization that focuses on peer support and social activities.  

Trent University

Trent is a student centered university that focuses on individual learning. Known as research intensive university, Trent is one of Canada’s top research universities that offers state-of-the-art and innovative facilities. Trent's main campus is located in Peterborough, ON and its secondary campus is in Oshawa, ON.  In addition to regular courses, students at Trent can also enroll in Emphasis Programs which focus on a particular subject and compliment a standard degree. Emphasis courses include:

• Food & Agriculture,
• Global Power & Politics
• Law & Policy,
• Museum Studies.

Trent also offers specialized programs in the following fields:

• Sustainability and the Environment
• Canadian and Indigenous Studies
• Life and Health Sciences
• Critical Cultural Inquiry

Trent’s scholarship and bursary programs are unmatched by any other Canadian university. Students can apply for numerous scholarships and those with an average of 90% or above are eligible to receive a full scholarship.

Those students interested in Carlton University and Trent University can pick up Viewbooks at UPO and visit the school’s websites for more information.

Thank you to the Carleton University and Trent University representatives for visiting Columbia.

Deafening cheers, loud music and excited fans filled the Living Wall Lounge yesterday afternoon. The rock concert atmosphere was the result of a performance by Columbia’s incredibly talented music students. Vocalists and band members, accompanied by Mr. Lawlis, covered both classic and modern songs including chart topping hits such as;

• “The Climb” – Miley Cyrus,
• “Over the Rainbow” – Judy Garland,
• “I Will Survive” - Gloria Gaynor,
• “I Gotta Feeling” – The Black Eyed Peas,
• “Listen” – Beyoncé,
• “Viva La Vida” – Coldplay
• “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” – Lauren Hill, and
• “As Long As You Love Me” – Backstreet Boys.

A Grade 9 soloist, Lisa Ustinova, opened the show with a stellar performance of Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.” She enjoys music because she is able to “express [her] feelings through song” and believes that “sometimes [singing] is easier than just saying words.” Vivienne Shi, a Grade 12 student, also delivered a flawless performance of Lauren Hill’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.” She wanted to be a part of the show simply because she “loves to sing.”

All of the performances engaged and entertained the crowd who responded with bursts of roaring applause. Performers and spectators could also be heard encouraging one another, as well as complimenting the skill and talent of their fellow classmates. With the talent showcased at yesterday’s event, many hope they won’t have to wait too long for an encore!

Thank You to Mr. Lawlis for his work in organizing another spectacular event. Thank You also to our maintenance team for their assistance in setting-up the stage.

Brock University, considered to be a €œmedium-sized institution, provides its students with quality education and quality teachers. Brock's 6 large faculties incorporate distinctive programs designed to promote academic and creative excellence. With over 70 undergraduate programs to choose from, students can earn a degree in Business Economics, Computing and Business, Kinesiology, Public Health, Sport Management, and much more. Although the student population continues to grow, classes and tutorials have remained small in size which allows students to interact with their peers and instructors.

University Partner®

Columbia is pleased to have Brock University as a University Partner®. With this partnership, Brock offers Columbia graduates 4 designated entrance scholarships that are renewable each year. Like Columbia, Brock also encourages its students to learn outside the classroom by volunteering in communities locally and abroad. There are countless opportunities to get involved at Brock and many personal and academic support services that will ease the transition into university life.

Thank You to all Brock representatives who visited Columbia!

Detailed program and admission information is available on Brock's website. Students can also pick up the newest Brock Handbooks in UPO.

Dalhousie University representatives brought some Maritime charm to Columbia yesterday during an information session for prospective students. As one of the oldest universities in North America, Dalhousie is committed to academic innovation and combines hands-on learning with traditional and collaborative teaching methods. The school offers conventional programs such as Management, Engineering, and Computer Science, but also has many unique programs including;

• Architecture,
• Costume Studies,
• Community Designs,
• Informatics, and
• Environment, Sustainability and Society (ESS).

Dalhousie provides international students with specialized programs, services, and advisors, as well as a multitude of resources available through its International Centre. With campuses in Halifax and Truro, it is a perfect choice for those looking to get a taste of East Coast living.

Students wishing to attend Dalhousie are encouraged to apply for early admission - which begins October 15^th - as they are guaranteed their first choice of residence. January admission is also available for some programs.

Thank You to our Dalhousie representative for delivering a great presentation and for visiting us here at Columbia.

Detailed information regarding programs and admissions can be found online. Student handbooks can be picked up at UPO.

Mama Africa

The second installment of this semester’s International Cuisine Series took place last night. Animal print centerpieces, colourful balloons and streamers, and flags representing different African countries filled the Student Cafe. A mix of modern and traditional music played in the background as energized and excited students eagerly waited for the festivities to begin. Music and rhythm defined the night as guests were treated to a number of surprise performances. An impromptu dance-off competition, a surprise flash mob dance, and a stepping routine were among the evening’s unexpected events. 

Dinner guests also experienced African culture by indulging in traditional delicacies. The main features were;

• Chapatti Pita/Flat Breads
•  Moroccan Chic Pea Soup
• Fried Plantains
• Roast Corn on the Cob
• Nigerian Fried Rice
• Chicken Domoda
• Beef Skewers
• Carved Roast Lamb with Trio of Sauces
• Natural Pan Gravy/Curry Sauce/Red Pepper Sauce
• Fresh Fruit with Custard & Whipped Cream
• Fruit Punch Fountain

The event celebrated African culture and showcased Columbia'€™s diversity as students from all regions were represented.

Columbia would like to thank the Student Development Team and the student volunteers for their hard work in organizing the event. We also want to extend our thanks to the Sodexo staff for all their help in preparing a delicious meal. 

Next Month’s Feature: CARIBBEAN 

The second installment of this semester'ss International Cuisine Series will take place tomorrow evening. Staff and students will experience African culture by indulging in traditional delicacies like Fried Plantains and Chicken Domoda. This month's cuisine series volunteers have also worked hard to create another exciting event and have some surprises planned for their guests. 

Complete details of the Mama Africa dinner, including the full menu and photos, will be available on Friday.

At Columbia, we believe that extracurricular activities are essential to every student's development.  Learning outside the classroom allows students to develop new skills, explore new interests, and meet many great friends. Columbia offers students over 60 unique clubs ranging from arts to technology and everything in between.

Bake-A-Difference is just one of the many exciting clubs that offers students the chance to do something fun while giving back to the local community. Every Wednesday, Bake-A-Difference club members meet to bake delicious treats like Berry Bars, Senor Piquante Chili Bites, and Turtle Cheesecake Truffles. These treats are then sold during lunch hours the following day in the Marketplace. Most items sell for 50 cents with all proceeds going to Hamilton's Ronald McDonald House. 

The club is a fun and creative outlet for students. In addition to having an interest in baking, members are eager to participate because they believe the club is "relaxing" and allows them to do something you don't get to do in residence. Grade eleven students Lynn and Fiona love the club and credit it for helping them "discover new and healthy snacks."

Bake-A-Difference is run by Ms. Beth who teaches students the values associated with responsibility and perseverance while promoting self-confidence. It is a club that encourages teamwork and leadership, values instilled in all of our students.

Located next to McMaster Children's Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House Hamilton (RMHH) provides a "home away from home for families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at a local children's hospital." RMHH expanded last spring by adding 25 new bedrooms to accommodate more families. To learn more about the charity please visit the RMHH website.

Columbia students acted as cheerleaders Friday October 5th as they watched the Varsity Soccer team compete in a friendly match against members of the Hamilton Police squad. The competition was fierce as the Varsity team did well to fight back their early deficit. Despite tremendous efforts from both sides, the game ended in a 4-4 tie. 

The game against the Hamilton Police is an annual fall and spring event held at Columbia's back field. It allows staff and students to come together outside the classroom and offers a break from their studies. Admission to the game was free but donations were collected for McMaster Children's Hospital. Apart from having fun, the game promotes community involvement and is a means for the students to give back to the community.

Thank you to the members of the Varsity Team and the Hamilton Police for taking time out of their busy schedules to participate in the game.

The second installment of this semester's International Cuisine Series took place last night. Animal print centerpieces, colourful balloons and streamers, and flags representing different African countries filled the Student Cafe. A mix of modern and traditional music played in the background as energized and excited students eagerly waited for the festivities to begin. Music and rhythm defined the night as guests were treated to a number of surprise performances. An impromptu dance-off competition, a surprise flash mob dance, and a stepping routine were among the evening's unexpected events.

Dinner guests also experienced African culture by indulging in traditional delicacies. The main features were;
-   Chapatti Pita/Flat Breads
-    Moroccan Chick Pea Soup
-    Fried Plantains
-    Roast Corn on the Cob
-    Nigerian Fried Rice
-    Chicken Domoda
-    Beef Skewers
-   Natural Pan Gravy/Curry Sauce/Red Pepper Sauce
-    Fresh Fruit with Custard & Whipped Cream
-    Fruit Punch Fountain

The event celebrated African culture and showcased Columbia's diversity as students from all regions were represented.
Columbia would like to thank the Student Development Team and the student volunteers for their hard work in organizing the event. We also want to extend our thanks to the Sodexo staff for all their help in preparing a delicious meal.
Next Month's Feature: CARIBBEAN

Western University representatives visited Columbia earlier this week to showcase its various colleges, faculties, programs and Ivey, its prestigious school of business. As Western is one of Columbia's University Partners, students were eager to learn about everything the university offers. Columbia graduates receive guaranteed admission to Western and an admission scholarship if they receive a final admission average of 87% or above. It also offers three designated admission scholarships to the top three graduates of Columbia who register at main campus each year. Other highlights include: 

Western University

• The BEST student experience among large Canadian universities
• 4 Campus options; Main Campus, Brescia University College, Huron University College, King'™s University College,
• Exceptional academic programming supportive residence life, student services, and wide-ranging co-curricular clubs and activities
• An International and Exchange Student Centre that offers year round support and activities
• Renowned research facilities
• Bachelor, Graduate, and Doctoral Degrees

IVEY School of Business

• IVEY's Learning Through Action courses gives its students hands on experience and allows them to practice the concepts and theories learned in class.
• 2 + 2 program structure - The first two years of undergraduate studies allow you to study in any faculty and your last two years are spent studying at IVEY
• Their summer internship program has placed students in diverse fields in Canada and abroad at companies such as Goldman Sachs, Apple and General Mills.
• 93% of IVEY graduates receive job offers within 3 months of graduation with an average starting salary of $64,000 -the highest of any business school in Canada.   
• IVEY students will also gain access to their alumni network who hold great C level positions in companies around the world such as George Cope, President and CEO, BCE INC and Bell Canada, Kevin O'™Leary, star of CBC's Dragon's Den, and Laurie Campbell, Managing Director, Merrill Lynch Debt Capital Markets, Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Want to Visit Western?

Students interested in attending Western can book a tour or attend one of their open houses;

• Fall Preview Day - Saturday, November 17, 2012
• March Break Open House - Saturday, March 9, 2013

A special thank you to all Western representatives who stopped by Columbia this week.

Western University and Ivey handbooks can be picked up at UPO. More information is also available on their website.

At Columbia, our students are encouraged to maximize their academic potential through character building programs.  These programs allow our students to GO Higher to achieve academic excellence, learn fundamental leadership values and build life skills.

In a special ceremony this morning, seven Executive Student Leaders were recognized for exemplifying character and leadership through their roles as Head Mentors. Their commitment and dedication was instrumental in welcoming new students during August's student intake. Mr. Rambarran and Ms. Courtney presented each student with a Head Mentor Award for going above and beyond their mentor duties. In addition to the special plaque, each student received two tickets to a Hamilton Tiger Cats game.

Congratulations to our Head Mentors;

• Wahab, Abdul (Wahab)
• Thompson, Abasiama Mfon (Thompson)
• Sappire, Shulomith (Shully)
• Oghoore, Nina Zino (Nina)
• Mendie, Mfonido Ime (Mfonido)
• Sun, Rui (Samuel)

Keep up the good work!

A representative from the University of Kent spent a few hours in the Marketplace today to discuss the school's programs and features with Columbia students. The University of Kent is the "Uk's European university" and has established an international reputation for its academic excellence. A large number of Columbia students apply to Kent each year and it is among the top choice of school outside of Canada. In particular, students prefer the university's 3-year degree option and are drawn to its Law and Engineering programs.  The University's representative believes that students choose to study at Kent because it offers them œan international outlook, international education, and international work experience that accompanies many programs. The British education system is also comparable to that of Canada which eases the transition from studying in Canada to studying in the UK. The University of Kent offers;

• Overseas study and work options
• Campuses in Canterbury, Medway, Brussels, Paris and Athens
• Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees
• Scholarships available to international students

Thank you to Kim, the University of Kent representative, for spending the afternoon with us and answering all of our questions.

Pick up the University of Kent's International Student Guide at UPO if you would like more information

On display in the Lobby of Ainsliewood and the Living Wall Lounge is a collection of Fabulous Footware designed by Mr. Ferreira's grade 12 art classes. Students were judged on their creations on Friday following presentations they made various staff members. The impressive collection features traditional shoes from South America, South and South East Asia, China, Russia and Africa that represent everything from cultural sports and performing arts to friendship and battle. The shoes are accompanied by a painted portrait and a description of the shoe that explains their origins and significance. Stop by on your lunch period to see all the fantastic designs!

Columbia's school community is committed to working together to outrun cancer. For 30 years Columbia has participated in the Terry Fox Run and is proud to be only 1 of 6 schools in the world to have achieved this.

Yesterday afternoon over 300 of Columbia's students and staff members participated in the annual Terry Fox National School Run Day, walking 5.4 kilometers from Bayfront Park to Ainsliewood. The journey took around 60 minutes to complete and although it was tiring, students did a great job advocating for Terry's cause. Terry showed remarkable courage, perseverance, and optimism throughout his journey, and Columbia works hard to instill these values in its students.

We would like to congratulate the Columbia community for surpassing our goal and raising over $12,000 for this worthy cause.  In total, Columbia has contributed $100,000 to cancer research through the Terry Fox Foundation.
A special thank you to Ms. Sherry Thompson and her committee for their dedication and hard work in organizing another successful Terry Fox Run.

Columbia's newly enhanced back field resembled a mini fair yesterday as it was taken over by activities, sports, inflatable games, and excited students. Why all the commotion? It was GAMES DAY at Columbia!
Yesterday afternoon, classes ended early to ensure that each and every student had the opportunity to play, have fun, and participate in Games Day. When the final bell rang, students rushed outside to lineup for the many great activities that were taking place. They included;
- Hockey and Soccer shooting targets
- Basketball free throw
- Hula Hoop Competition
- Human Hamster Ball
- Frisbee Toss
- Jumping Balls
- Three-Legged Race
- Sack Race
And much more!
Games Day is a recurring event at the school, organized and carried out by our dynamic Student Development department with the help of Columbia's Executive Student Leadership team. Students were responsible for running most stations and explaining game rules while ensuring their fellow classmates were having a great time. Leadership members noted that it is a special day because its ability to bring the school together and allow everyone to play.
Games Day promotes the values that are at the core of Columbia's teaching system. Students learn Responsibility, Honesty and Integrity, Fairness, Caring, Perseverance and Inclusiveness by participating in, and experiencing Games Day.
We would like to thank the Student Development Department for organizing the events and Sodexo for providing the delicious ice cream. Special thank you to the members of the Executive Student Leadership team for your hard work in running the events.
To view pictures of Games Day visit our Facebook site

In a special ceremony this morning, ten ESL students were recognized for their academic excellence, hard work, and perseverance. Awards were given to those ESL students who excelled in their classes and received top marks in June, July and August classes. Mr. Galea, ESL Department Head and Ms. Baker, Senior School Head presented each student with a certificate of distinction and a medal. Principal Mr. Rambarran, and Executive Director Mr. Chan were also present at the ceremony to congratulate the students.
Congratulations to the following winners;

June:
Jiang Jin Yi - ESLBO
Yu Tie Ning - ESLDO

July:
Hou Yan Hong - ESLBO
Rong Peina - ESLDO

August:
Zhang Jia Ming - ESLAO
Chen Zhou Xing - ESLBO
Zhang Yu Wei - ESLBO
Ou Meiyi - ESLBO
Wu Hao Wei - ESLCO
Zhao Shao Yao - ESLDO

University visits have begun at Columbia! On Monday, a representative from Wilfred Laurier University, TK Azaglo, held an information session to discuss the school’s programs and answer questions from students. Among the main topics of discussion were Laurier’s partnerships with the University of Waterloo and the University of Guelph, the differences between the Brantford and Waterloo campuses, co-op program options, and scholarship requirements. TK also highlighted the benefits of attending smaller sized universities, such as Laurier, as they offer smaller class sizes and greater interaction with professors and fellow students.
As a former international student, a graduate of Columbia, and Laurier alum, TK truly understands the confusion and uncertainty international students’ encounter in choosing a university that is right for them. After graduating from Columbia in 2006, he too was nervous about beginning his university career. However, he believes that Columbia prepared him for university as it offered “a good transition into Canadian society and allowed [him] to adjust to Canadian culture.”
He also believes the best way for students to decide on a university is to “go for a campus tour, talk to professors and students who attend the school, and get a feel for the school’s atmosphere.” TK attributed his personal success at Laurier to his involvement in the school community and extra-curricular activities. He encourages all students to get involved as he believes it is essential for “having access to all Canadian experiences.”
Laurier will be holding campus tours on November 2^nd for their Waterloo Campus and November 9^th for their Brantford Campus. Contact the UPO office for more information.

There is incredible talent in Ms. Story’s Grade 12 Portfolio class. Students in this class recently completed covers for their portfolios which are nothing short of amazing. Their designs are on display outside of Room 157 for students and staff to enjoy. Next time you walk down the hall be sure to take a moment to look at their impressive work.

On Thursday, September 27th, representatives from the University of Alberta will visit Columbia. Kelty Heck, a Recruitment Coordinator with the university, will be holding a presentation to discuss post-secondary options at the University of Alberta. Students will have the opportunity to ask specific questions related to their programs of interest. The presentation will take place at 4:00 in the Café. Representatives from the following faculties will be present:
- Engineering
- Science
- Business
- Nursing
- Arts
- Phys Ed
- Augustana (Alberta's satellite campus)
If you are considering applying to the University of Alberta, we encourage you to attend the presentation. We also suggest you research your program of choice and go prepared with questions to ask the representatives.

Animal ears, mismatched socks, and clown wigs were among today’s fashion trends in support of Wacky Day, the last day of Spirit Week.
Over the past week, Columbia students showed exceptional school spirit as they participated in numerous activities and dressed up in outrageous outfits. Enthusiasm and participation increased throughout the week as excitement and student interest grew for Spirit week events. Students said they look forward to Spirit Week all semester and enjoy “dressing up,” the "cheerful atmosphere," and the “awesome morning activities.”
Aside from looking ridiculous in unique costumes and outfits, staff and students had a great time promoting school spirit and the values of respect and inclusiveness. Spirit week has unified the school community and has allowed the student population to promote a common cause: school spirit.
Thank you to all staff and students who participated in Spirit Week. A very special thank you to our Student Development team and the Student Council for organizing all of the week’s events.
To view photos and videos of Spirit Week events visit our Facebook page. 

Next week, Columbia's school community will be continuing one of its longstanding traditions by participating in the Terry Fox National School Run Day. This annual event educates students on the significance of Terry's run and the impact of his actions. It also allows them to reflect on the courage, perseverance, and optimism he showed throughout his journey and ensures his legacy is kept alive. Most importantly, the Terry Fox Run inspires students to go higher to make positive changes in the world, reminding them that one person can make a difference.
The Terry Fox National School Run Day will take place on Thursday, September 27^th. Hundreds of Columbia students will be participating and their goal is to raise $12,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation.
Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope in 1980 after being diagnosed with bone cancer. He was forced to have his right leg amputated but courageously ran more than 5000 kilometers across Canada to raise money for cancer research. The Terry Fox Run is now an annual fundraising event dedicated to raising money and awareness to fight cancer. To date, the Marathon of hope had raised over $600 million worldwide for cancer research.

In a special ceremony yesterday at Hamilton City Hall’s Small Business Enterprise Centre, one of Columbia’s students was recognized for his creativity and originality. Xiao Bo Cheng, a grade 12 student, was the winner of the Hamilton Map App contest that challenged students to name and design a logo for a new app that focuses on discovering downtown Hamilton.
Xiao Bo entered the contest because he “wanted to represent Columbia.” He came up with a design that was “simple and clear” and he believes he won because of his simplicity. As he has only been in Canada a few months, Xiao Bo loves the app and believes it is the perfect tool to help him learn more about, and discover the city. He was awarded $200 in gift certificates for downtown businesses for his design which he can use at a number of places including the Locke Street Bakery, Sapporo, and Theatre Aquarius.
The contest was open to students of Columbia, McMaster University, and Mohawk College with the intention of “connecting youth to Hamilton” as Gisela Oliveira, Employment Service Coordinator with the Student Success Centre at McMaster University stated. Designed by Weever Apps, a Hamilton-based company, the MyHamilton app was created to reveal the many “hidden gems” of the city that are often unknown to students. The app will also publicize jobs, events, accommodations and transportation in the city’s downtown core and represents a collaborative project between Columbia, the City of Hamilton, McMaster University, Mohawk College and Weever Apps. While it is directed towards students, the app will benefit the entire city and can be used by everyone.
To learn more about the MyHamilton app and how it works, check out the demonstration given by Steve McBride of Weever Apps on CBC Hamilton.
More information about the MyHamilton project can be found by visiting the Hamilton Spectator.
Congratulations Xiao Bo! We are all very proud of your accomplishment.

We've got SPIRIT, yes we do, we’ve got SPIRIT, how about YOU?
It's SPIRIT WEEK here at Columbia. Beginning today, students and staff members will have the opportunity to show their spirit by dressing up in outfits and costumes that best represent the theme of the day;
- Pajama Day -€“ Monday, September 17^th
- Nerd Day  -Tuesday, September 18^th
- Culture Day - Wednesday, September 19^th
- 1980’s Day -€“ Thursday, September 20^th
- Wacky Day - Friday, September 21^st
Those who participate can win great prizes as the best dressed student and the best dressed staff member will be crowned daily! Students will also participate in a morning activity where the winning class will receive a prize. Students at Maple will take part in a Scavenger Hunt starting on Tuesday the 18^th.
There is however more to Spirit Week than just silly costumes and great prizes. Spirit week encourages students to get involved and support the school by participating in daily events. It also allows students to practice this month'€™s character key - respect - by appreciating and respecting the school'€™s diversity.
To view photos of daily activities, visit our Facebook page.

This weekend Columbia students will earn community service hours by volunteering at the Fix Our World Festival in Hamilton. Students who signed up to volunteer at this event will be helping raise awareness about various global issues such as Climate Change, Poverty and Disease. This event will be instrumental in teaching students the importance of becoming responsible global citizens and will allow them to practice the values of respect; the theme of this month’s character key.
The two-day festival will be held at T.B. McQuesten Park (across from LimeRidge Mall) and begins tomorrow at 12pm. Highlights of the festival include an Open Drum Circle, a performance by Brian Melo, the 2007 Canadian Idol winner, a yoga session, and a bike giveaway.
Proceeds raised at the festival will go towards the Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club, Empowerment Squared and Fix Our World. Complete festival details are available here.
Fix Our World is a non-partisan grassroots organization aimed at educating communities, particularly youth, about pressing global issues in areas of the Environment, Peace and Conflict, Poverty, and Global Health. To learn more about their mandate and organization, visit FixOurWorld.org.

Mao Zhengquan came to Columbia as a high school junior in 2010 from Shanghai, China. His goals were to learn English and attend university in Canada. Nearly two years later and only a few months away from graduation, Mao is realizing his dream. In addition to achieving academic excellence, he has excelled in extra-curricular activities and has acted as a Student Mentor, a Peer Tutor, and an Executive Student Leader. His 97% class average, his extra-curricular involvement, and his 200 hours of community service have put him in contention to becoming the top December graduate. Mao recently reflected on the time he has spent at Columbia. Here is what he had to say about his journey:
The Beginning
- I first heard of Columbia through a family friend. They recommended it for me and I choose to attend after hearing of its great reputation.
- Before coming to Columbia my greatest fear was the language barrier. I was afraid I would not be able to understand the teachers and what they were teaching.
Overcoming Obstacles
- In my first semester at Columbia I really tried to understand my teachers. I asked them many questions and studied and reviewed my notes every night. It took about two months for me to feel comfortable studying in English.
Achieving Success
- When I came in Grade 10 I spent lots of time in extra-curricular groups. As I got older I put more effort in my academics.
- I know it’s hard to make friends when you’re an international student because you don’t know many people and I wanted to help others.
- I think I have a responsibility to help in the school community because I am able to. For example, I tutor four days a week for Economics, Accounting, Data Management, Computer Science and English and I’m part of the Student Council.
Personal Growth
- Being in Canada and attending Columbia has made me more independent. I’m better at time management and organization now. I’m also on my own and I can socialize with other people more because my English skills have improved.
Future Plans 
- I want to get a Business degree and a Master’s degree in Finance. I want to stay in Canada and attend business school at either Ivy (Western University) or Rotman (University of Toronto). I’m also applying to Oxford University.
Congratulations on all your success Mao! We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

What do you get when you mix a little spice, Spanish and Latin flare, and a dash of different cultures? A Columbia fiesta!
After a brief summer hiatus, our International Cuisine Series returned last night to celebrate the best of Spanish and Latin culture. Mexico, Venezuela and Spain were among the many countries represented in La Gran Fiesta Dinner that took place in McCampbell’s Grill at the Café. Spots for this event filled up quickly as over 120 students and staff members indulged in delicious Spanish inspired dishes. Students had a hand in selecting the menu which included;
Appetizers & Salad
- Fresh Tri-Coloured Nachos with Guacamole, Salsa & Sour Cream
- Mexican Macaroni Salad
- Spicy Cucumber Salad
Entrées
- Chicken Tostados – Corn Tortillias with Layers of Refried Beans, Shredded Spiced Chicken, Cheese & Tomato
- Carne Guisada – Mexican Style Beef Stew
- Mexican Style Shredded Pork with Green Chili, Garlic, Lime & Chipotle Sauce
- Camotos al Horno – Sweet Baked Yams
- Three Bean Stew – Spiced Garbanzo, Black & Pinto Beans with Garlic, Onion, Tomato
Dessert
- Banana Frita con Canela e Acucar – Sautéed bananas with Sweet Cinnamon over Vanilla Ice Cream
There was also music, raffles, and of course, dancing! After dinner students assembled in the back field and took a few swings at the piñatas.
Columbia’s International Cuisine Series is a great event that gives students the opportunity to learn about different cultures and practice key values such as respect and inclusiveness. Students from all regions – from Latin America to South and South East Asia- volunteered at this event and were responsible for its success.
Thank you to all our student volunteers, all students and staff that attended, and our Student Development team for organizing the event.
Next month’s feature: AFRICA!

Columbia students are known for achieving academic excellence. This is reflected in the number of Columbia graduates attending the University of Toronto's Engineering Science program. The EngSci program attracts top students from over 19 countries and is one of the most selective and advanced engineering programs offered in the world.
Five Columbia students, graduates of May and June, were accepted into this prestigious program and were each offered a $5000 scholarship. Four of the five students have chosen to attend the program and are set to begin their studies next week. Congratulations to all five students who were accepted;
- Chen, Bo Wen
- Jiao, Zi Xin
- Sun, Shang Zhe
- Xiao, Zhong Yang
- Zheng, Yu
Engineering Science at the University of Toronto is a very academically demanding program that has a class entering average of 94%. Before selecting a major, students learn the foundations of engineering and science in their first 2 years . The Engineering Science program, like Columbia's educational system, is also focused on extracurricular involvement and aims to develop well-rounded citizens.
For detailed program information, please visit the University of Toronto's Engineering Science homepage. 

Safety First. Be Alert, Don’t Get Hurt. Better Safe than Sorry. Be Aware, Take Care. These are just some of the mottos we want students to always keep in mind.
At Columbia, we are committed to protecting the safety of our students and staff. We want to ensure that everyone practices proper safety techniques and avoids preventable injuries. Starting this week, Campus Safety will be in the Marketplace every Friday to discuss a different safety issue. Today’s topic was Traffic Safety. Columbia’s Campus Safety Coordinator, Dean Mougenout, was present to deliver safety tips to students. In case you missed it, here’s what you need to know:
- Be alert when crossing the street – put cell phones and music away
- Pay extra attention when walking in a construction zone.
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Pay attention to traffic signs
- Obey traffic signs and walk on the sidewalk
He also wants students to know that they can visit Campus Safety anytime in Room 206 to discuss any safety concerns.
These weekly safety information sessions are just one of the many ways Columbia is ensuring that the school remains a safe place to learn and grow.

Mr. Lawlis and his first period senior music class delighted staff in the Administration office this morning. They surprised workers by performing two classic songs: James Blunt's "Beautiful" and The Turtles "So Happy Together". They then made their way to other departments to deliver equally impressive performances. These impromptu renditions are regular occurrences at Columbia and are great ways for the students to practice their performing skills.
Thank you to Mr. Lawlis and his class for brightening everyone's day!

Interested in Art, Cooking, or Sports? There's a club for that.
Yesterday, Columbia held its annual Club Fair in the Ainsliewood Gym. With more than 60 great clubs to choose from, students rushed to the gym to secure a spot in their favourite club. The Club Fair is a great way to highlight the diverse interests of our student population. From Leadership to Archery, Clubs at Columbia cover all subjects and promise to have something for everyone. Some of the many unique clubs include:
- Digital Culture Club
- Strategy Board Games
- Hammer Heads
- Improv Club
- Food-Net Club
- Squash
New and returning students agreed that clubs are the perfect way to meet new people, make great friends, and begin a new hobby. If you didn’t get a chance to attend yesterday, drop by the Gym today at lunch or after school. There are still many opportunities available in a variety of clubs.
Most clubs begin next week but check with your club leader to confirm start dates, time and location.

Learning English and discovering Canada were the two factors that attracted hundreds of campers to Columbia’s Summer Camp program. For the past two months campers were introduced to all aspects of Canadian life, and shared some very unique experiences.
Summer camp proved to be both academically and socially rewarding for campers. In class, campers improved their English language skills while making new friends and discovering new cultures. During daily art, science, computers and sports activities, they learned new skills, created spectacular projects and were taught the importance of teamwork.
Campers spent three to four weeks at Columbia learning English and exploring Hamilton and its surrounding areas. Apart from visiting major tourist attractions such as Medieval Times, Niagara Falls, and the CN Tower, campers travelled to various parts of Ontario and Québec. They spent time exploring Kingston, the Thousand Islands, Montréal and Ottawa, the nation’s capitol. A retreat to Bark Lake was also a popular item on their agenda.
Whether campers were singing karaoke in the lounge, rehearsing their performances for the talent show or playing games during their lunch hour, there was never a dull moment around Summer Camp. Special guest visitors including Calvin the magician, Tai Chi Master Rose Oliver, and Historical Reenactor Jim Taggart, also entertained campers.
This year's Summer Camp was a huge success and was made possible by the extraordinary efforts of the Summer Camp Staff, better known as the Green Team. From the beginning, their goal was to deliver the best summer experience to campers.
After receiving feedback from campers and group leaders, they can proudly say that their mission was accomplished. Columbia's Summer Camp began on July 2^nd and concludes this weekend when the last group of campers return home. For more information about Columbia’s Summer Camp program visit the Summer Camp section of our website.

At Columbia, we want to deliver the best student experience. As a result, we are constantly upgrading and improving our facilities and resources. If you have recently visited Columbia, you would have noticed the construction taking place in the back field. This is part of an improvement plan designed to maximize the space surrounding Ainsliewood and eliminate congestion in the front areas of the school. The large field will be surrounded by a 6 foot walking track and gardens, and will be used as a workout space for field sports. General Manager, Jim Campbell, said the project was initiated to create “better surroundings for students to enjoy the outdoors.” The track has been built with permeable paving which allows rainfall to infiltrate into the ground, reducing runoff and removing many contaminants. It is also Columbia’s newest investment in sustainability since establishing the NEDLAW Living Wall in May.
The enhancements to the back field began last summer and full completion is expected within the next few weeks. Improvements and renovations to the front parking lot will also be starting shortly. The plan is to add school bus turning lanes and grant easier access the back of the lot, making pick-ups and drop-offs more convenient.

A Marketplace is typically known as an area where goods and services are exchanged. Columbia’s new Marketplace is not focused on trade or consumerism, rather it is designed to improve student involvement in school and community events. An initiative of the Student Development Department, the Marketplace aims to be a visible and accessible space at the heart of student activity. Leadership and Community Services Coordinator, Courtney Workman, said the Marketplace is intended to “get everyone involved and reach out to students who normally would not visit Student Development.” Located next to the Living Wall, the Marketplace will be open throughout the week during lunch hours to promote current and upcoming events at Columbia. Thursdays will be dedicated to promoting community service opportunities, and Fridays will highlight various campus safety issues. The Marketplace will also be the spot where students can buy tickets for trips and events, learn about clubs and school activities, and explore opportunities such as the Executive Student Leadership and Student Mentor programs.
The grand opening for the Marketplace took place this afternoon and was widely received by students who described it as being a “helpful” and “valuable” space. Grade 12 student Ogechukwu Ugona noted that it is “a great idea and very useful for getting involved.” Today’s impressive turnout had student’s signing up to volunteer at this weekend’s Dundas Cactus Festival and filling all available positions for Saturday, and leaving few opportunities for Sunday.
Students are encouraged to visit the Marketplace during their lunch hour. Updates regarding weekly events at the Marketplace will be posted on our Website and our Facebook page.

Columbia prides itself on being the largest private junior and senior boarding high school in Canada. We are honoured that students from over 70 countries choose to attend Columbia each year.
The diverse makeup of our student body is one of many distinguishing factors that separates Columbia from other top schools. Our unique student population has contributed to Columbia’s notable reputation overseas and has attracted students from around the world:
- Americas – 10%
- Caribbean – 3%
- Europe – 6%
- Middle East – 0.5%
- Africa – 14%
- East Asia – 59.5%
- South and South East Asia – 10%
Students of Columbia learn the importance of becoming responsible global citizens and go on to study at renowned universities throughout Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
The Columbia Advantage is a Global Advantage.

Orientation is synonymous with new beginnings. It is also an exciting time for staff and students who are eager to face the challenges and adventures of the upcoming year.
Today marks the second of four Fall Orientation days for new and returning students at Columbia. Parents and students have the opportunity to meet staff and teachers, and familiarize themselves with the school, its services and its residences. After a welcome assembly, students will complete numerous administrative tasks that include receiving their student ID’s, writing their English and Math Diagnostic tests, registering for classes, and picking up their uniforms. During this time, parents will attend information sessions and be introduced to Executive Director, Mr. Clement Chan, and General Manager, Mr. Jim Campbell.
On behalf of all of us here at Columbia, we would like to extend a warm welcome to the newest members of our school, and an equally warm welcome back to all returning students.
We wish all students the best of luck as they begin a new semester and a new phase in their lives.

Student: Mai Phoung (Kate) Le (Vietnam)
Graduated from Columbia: June 2012
Accepted to: McMaster University (Commerce)
Success at Columbia: 2012 Valedictorian, Member of Executive Leadership Team, Recipient of the Sylvia Park Memorial Scholarship and the External Community Service Award, Ontario Scholar
Kate Le is one of many Top Achievers that has recently graduated from Columbia. Originally from Vietnam, Kate came to Canada to attend Columbia and learn English. Although she excelled academically and socially, she worked diligently to achieve her success. Here is what she had to say about the time she spent at Columbia:
Q. When you think of Columbia, what comes to mind?
A. Total Care. It really helped me, especially compared to my previous school.  Columbia is more than just school and studying. You can participate in events and sports and make a lot of friends. I also think of diversity because I met people from so many different countries.
Q. What was your greatest fear before coming to Columbia?
A. The language barrier. I was scared of coming to a new environment and I didn’t speak any English when I arrived. I was also a bad listener so I knew learning English would be difficult.
Q. What is some advice you would give current or future students about Columbia?
A. Most students don’t know about school activities and events. I would tell them to participate. People who complain about the school and say they don’t like it haven’t experienced all of what it has to offer.  The best way to enjoy your time here is to get involved in the school. You have to make the most of your experience here.
Q. Describe your best experience at Columbia.
A. I really enjoyed my time in the Executive Leadership and Prefect teams and the Student Council. In these groups we organized events and went to Bark Lake for leadership training. I saw myself change after becoming a Student Leader. I became more open and confident in all areas of my life.
Q. What are your favourite Columbia memories?
A. I really enjoyed going to Bark Lake because the people there are really cool and treated us like a family. I got to try new things when I was there like canoeing, archery, and high rope. The 30hour famine was also pretty cool because it was the first time I participated in an event like that and I got to spend the whole night with my friends. If I was in Vietnam, I would not have been able to do these things. If I didn’t get involved in these extra-curricular activities, I would not have these memories.
Q. Who are your role models?
A. I look up to my mom because she’s a successful woman and always encourages and supports me. I also look up to the Student Development Staff because I think they are good role models. They gave me advice that really helped and I learned a lot by spending time with them.
Q. What are your future plans?
A. In September, I’ll be going to McMaster to study Business and Commerce. I am very excited and I know it’s a great school. I hope to stay in Canada when I’m done and get a job in Banking or Finance.
Q. Would you have done anything differently during your time here?
A. I have no regrets. I enjoyed my life here.

The Character Development Program at Columbia aims to create responsible global citizens and is a large focus of student life. Each month, a different character trait is discussed and integrated into school trips and extracurricular activities. Similar to other major projects at Columbia, students worked with staff in selecting 11 character keys to focus on monthly.
They agreed on the following:
- Honesty & Integrity
- Responsibility
- Inclusiveness
- Perseverance
- Optimism
- Fairness
- Caring
- Peaceful & Positive Conflict Resolution
- Respect
- Self-Confidence & Self-Advocacy
Executive Director, Clement Chan, recently spoke about the school-wide Character Development Program, noting that it is under the guidance of world-renowned Education Consultant Dr. Avis Glaze.  Mr. Chan further noted that the program was created “in an effort to encourage our students to embody good character in addition to their academic excellence.” Character Development has been well received by students and is just one of the many ways Columbia is maximizing students’ academic potential and equipping them with the values and skills to GO Higher.

Year after year, Columbia graduates receive close to $3 million in scholarships and gain admission to some of the world's top universities. Since 1979, through our ASEP-Total Care Education System^®, students have been nurtured to become strong leaders, trained to develop their potential. As a result, they have leaped higher than they thought possible.
At Columbia there are endless opportunities for students to develop their skills and excel in both academic and extracurricular life. Our Total Development® program is committed to fostering a supportive and motivating environment for students. These programs are administered by our Student Development Office and implemented under the following programs:
- Residence Life Program
- Student Life Program
- The Athletic Program
- Leadership, Enrichment and Development (L.E.A.D.) Program
- Community Service Program
In addition, our Leadership Training programs are designed to cultivate communication and leadership skills. Columbia encourages students to participate in Leadership Training courses at our Bark Lake Training Centre and join our Executive Student Leadership team to foster and develop essential life skills.
Our commitment to our students' academic and personal achievement is evident:
Students strive for success; Columbia maximizes their potential to achieve it!

Columbia’s University Partners® program is designed to provide our graduates with exclusive benefits from our partner universities. Top universities from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have joined our program throughout the years. They include;
- Acadia University (Canada)
- University of Alberta (Canada)
- Brock University (Canada)
- Cape Breton University
- McMaster University (Canada)
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology (Canada)
- University of Waterloo (Canada)
- Western University (Canada)
- York University (Canada)
- State University of New York (United States)
- D’Youville College (United States)
- University of London (United Kingdom)
- University of Canberra (Australia)
Guaranteed admission, waived or reduced TOEFL fees, and dual admission are among the advantages given to Columbia graduates by our University Partners®. In 2012, Columbia graduates received 3.5 million dollars in scholarships. 72 percent of these graduates were accepted into the top 8 Canadian universities with 289 admitted to The University of Toronto, 190 admitted to the University of Waterloo, and 206 admitted to McMaster University.
 

A Historical Lesson

Rural, simple and difficult are the best ways to describe life in the 1800’s. ESL Summer Camp classes were given an inside look into a typical Canadian lifestyle between the years of 1812-1820. Special guest speaker and historical reenactor, Jim Taggart spent the day at Columbia teaching campers about the way of life 200 years ago. Here are a few interesting facts he mentioned:
- Girls were married at 14 years of age
- Deodorant was not used
- Baths were taken once a year, usually in May
- People traveled by horse and buggy or on foot
- Families grew their own harvests.
He also showcased great artifacts and brought along historical clothing that students later modeled for their classmates and teachers.
We would like to thank Jim, and his assistant Nick, for spending the day with us and their special presentation. 

Canada is a beautiful country with deep historic roots, breathtaking landscapes and diverse cultures.  While this history and culture can be found in any part of the nation, a trip to Eastern Ontario and Québec is a great way to experience it all in a short amount of time.  An Eastern tour also happens to be part of our Summer Camp program itinerary. 
Those enrolled in Platinum and Gold packages have the opportunity to visit some of Canada's most renowned landmarks.  The agenda has campers travelling throughout Ottawa and Québec.  Highlights include:
- A visit to Parliament hill to watch the changing of the guard ceremony
- Exploring the Museum of Natural Civilization
- A tour of Québec City, North America's oldest city
- A stop at Notre Dame Basilica
Groups who already returned from the tour have had nothing but great reviews and experiences to report.  In particular, campers raved about the old city tour in Québec, the views of the St. Lawrence River, and the exciting and welcoming atmosphere in Ottawa.  They also made sure to purchase a few souvenirs for family and friends, notably hockey memorabilia.  Regardless of individual interests, campers greatly enjoyed the Eastern Tour and were glad it was included in the Summer Camp program.
For a closer look at Summer Camp, visit our blog at http://www.canadasummercamp.ca/.

For many Canadians, summertime and cottage life are synonymous. A cottage retreat is a highly anticipated event that defines the summer months. Embracing the outdoors and soaking up the sun are central aspects of cottage life, often achieved by participating in popular cottage activities such as canoeing, swimming, and hiking. Summer campers will get the opportunity to practice this favoured lifestyle when they travel to Bark Lake. Located in the Haliburton Highlands and the Kawartha Lakes, campers will visit the pristine grounds of Bark Lake and explore the heart of cottage country.
As Columbia’s leadership training facility, campers who visit Bark Lake will participate in character building and teamwork exercises. They will also learn essential life skills and values that will assist their academic and social development;
·    Respect
·    Integrity
·    Trust
·    Effective Communication
·    Positive Decision-Making
·    Goal-Setting
·    Creative Thinking
Bark Lake is an ideal location for summer campers to learn English and discover Canada while making great friends. The experiences and training they receive here play important roles in fostering teamwork, cooperation, and leadership skills which will allow them become to responsible global citizens.
Several summer camp groups have already visited Bark Lake. Additional groups will be making the journey throughout the next few weeks. 
Additional information on Bark Lake can be found by visiting their website: http://www.barklake.com/index.html
For more information about Columbia’s Summer Camp Program please visit the Summer Camp section of our website or visit our blog: http://www.canadasummercamp.ca/. Pictures of daily events can also be found by visiting our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Columbia.International.College.

School might be out for the summer, but things have not slowed down here at Columbia. Our Ainsliewood building has been transformed into Summer Camp 2012 headquarters. As the third week of summer camp approaches, the Green Team continues to work vigorously to deliver an exceptional summer experience for present and future campers.  Everywhere you look, you will find Green Team members preparing activities, organizing group outings, and engaging and laughing with summer campers.
With jam-packed schedules, campers have been exceptionally busy this summer. In between attending class and participating in afternoon activities, campers have been exploring many great Canadian attractions. Here are a few things they have already experienced:
- A  City Tour of Hamilton
- A Tour of Hamilton’s Pier 4 and McMaster University
- Mini-Putting , Go-Karting, and Bowling
- A visit to the historical Dundurn Castle
- Outlet Mall Shopping
- A trip to Wonderland
- Medieval Times
This weekend promises to be very eventful as campers will travel to different parts of Ontario. Some groups will be explore the lively streets of Toronto and attend a Blue Jays Game, while others will discover the quaint life of St. Jacob’s. These excursions are the perfect way for campers to discover the diversity that Ontario offers.
For more highlights and pictures of Summer Camp excursions and activities please visit our Facebook page; www.facebook.com/Columbia.International.College.

As they walked down the red carpet and took their seats, they eagerly awaited the next two hours. Today was the day they worked hard to reach, the day that would officially conclude their high school careers.
This morning, Columbia students celebrated one of life’s many milestones, high school graduation. With close to 250 people in attendance, this year’s ceremony was marked by words of encouragement and optimism.  Ms. Baker took on the role Master of Ceremony, welcoming graduates and guests and reminding them that today marks a new beginning, not an end. Mr. Rambarran Principal’s address took on a similar tone as he offered words of encouragement about the bright and rewarding futures that await this year’s graduates.
A special address was given by this year’s Keynote Speaker, Ms. Priscilla Tamaklo. As an International Admissions Officer here at Columbia, she has grown close to many of the graduates and has been a great source of support for them. In her inspiring speech, she discussed the process of personal transformation that results from making daily choices and decisions. Although she warned that these choices and decisions will present challenges, she believes they are essential to each individual journey. Ms. Priscilla also challenged students to recognize the difference between perception and attitude, highlighting the affect they will have on our decision making.
Two special students – Ms. Mai (Kate) Phoung Le, and Ms. Fanta Diaby - were chosen to deliver the Valedictory address and the Vote of Thanks to their peers. Ms. Kate’s Valedictory address reflected on the past year and the moments that defined her time at Columbia. She credited her extra-curricular involvement for giving her the opportunity to meet new people and make great friends. She concluded by telling her fellow graduates to “shine in [their] own way” which will not be difficult considering their skills and talents. Both Ms. Kate and Ms. Fanta expressed much gratitude to their teachers, and all staff, for their guidance and support that allowed them to become well rounded students. It is evident by their words that they will fondly remember their time at Columbia and are excited to face the challenges that lie ahead.
Here are some of the scholarship winners;
Principal’s Scholarship – Zi Xin Jiao
Harold Mills Memorial Scholarship – Fanta Diaby
Kevin Matthers Memorial Scholarship – Davies Deshola Hamzat
Syliva Park Memorial Scholarship – Mai Phoung Le
Scarfone Hawking LLP English Proficiency Award- Chukwuebuka Ikenna Ekpunobi
Sodexo Scholarship - Zi Xin Jiao
Durwood Jones Barkwell Chartered Accountant Award – Ahmed Nagi Nassar El Gohary and Yue Yue Zhang
Mccallum & Misale Insurance Limited Residence Community Awards - Sabahat Rahman and Niboon Tangnirunkul
Global Citizen Award – Fanta Diaby
Fine Arts Award- Sabahat Rahman
Congratulations Class of 2012! We wish you the best of luck as you embark on new journeys.
A special thank you to Ms. Baker, the entire Senior staff the Liaison and Maintenance Teams for their time and effort in organizing the ceremony. We would also like to thank Mr. Lawlis for his musical performances and the Sodexo for providing a great reception.

They stood tall, dressed in their Columbia uniforms, some for the last time, and reflecting on the memories of this past year. Some had beaming smiles, while others were holding back tears. Proud parents, teachers, and staff filled the beautifully transformed gymnasium this morning to celebrate the Junior Middle School graduation. Graduates and guests were serenaded by Mr. Lawlis’ Vocal Music Class, the JMS Ensemble, and Elizaveta Ustinova who performed an excellent rendition of the “The Climb.”
This year’s graduating class was full of bright young achievers with dynamic personalities who will be missed by classmates and teachers. The intimate ceremony recognized top academic achievements and celebrated the academic success of all students.
Among the many highlights of this year’s ceremony was the keynote address to students given by Principal Rambarran. He discussed overcoming failure and defined personal success. His speech was very personal as he addressed the individual struggles of each graduate and their ability to conquer obstacles and succeed. He encouraged students to “strive and thrive for challenge” and reminded them that some of the “greatest accomplishments will come thorough challenges.”
The ceremony also reflected on JMS’ charitable work with Free the Children. Throughout the year they worked hard raising money to build a school house in Ecuador and were thrilled that they achieved their goal of $8,500.
One of the last speakers was Ada Cheung who gave a heartfelt Vote of Thanks to her fellow graduates and teachers. She shared memories of class trips, school plays, and every day events. It was obvious that the JMS graduates have developed great friendships and will fondly remember their time at Columbia.
Congratulations to all graduates! We wish you the best of luck and hope to see you again.
A special thank you to Mrs. Willison, the JMS staff, and the Media and Maintenance Teams for their time and effort in organizing the ceremony. We would also like to thank Mr. Lawlis & the Vocal Music Class for their musical performances and Sodexo for providing a great reception.