Inside King's-Edgehill School

For the past three weeks, I have attempted to feature the Concert Band; however, I have messed up each time with incorrect camera settings. Yesterday, I managed to capture the video 'with' audio. This number features the trumpet section which consists of Ella Brown (Grade 11), David Ubber (Grade 10), Eva Redmond (Grade 11), Gala Holm (Grade 9), and Sachaa Rudrum-Bhimji (Grade 7). I am delighted and very lucky to have a full section as three trumpeters graduated this past June. Our new additions are terrific. They are doing some lightning licks in this piece which is carried along nicely by the other band members, and the high C at the end is executed by the section first chair, Ella. As the school year develops, I hope to turn up the heat and get the tempo up to 138; that's about 30 beats per minute faster than this performance! I know we'll accomplish this goal in time for the annual Spring Fling Concert. Wish us luck!

Last week the Grade 7 students met for their first science challenge of the school year. During a science challenge day, students are introduced to new science ideas and then challenged to apply these concepts to a novel problem. This challenge was all about: insulation and heat transfer. Students researched how heat moves, how it effects biology and how these ideas have been used to create new technology. Then came the challenge; each group was provided with cardboard, tape, plastic bags, newspaper, string and aluminum foil and were asked to build a structure that could insulate a 600 gram block of ice, preventing it from melting overnight.

Recently, our Grade 11 students attended our annual “Career Night”. We operate the event on a model similar to “speed dating”. Each student was able to choose one of four “career clusters”: Health Sciences, Social Sciences and Arts, Applied and Physical Sciences or Business. On the night of the event, they met with three professionals from their chosen cluster, and three presenters from a different cluster. This way they had the opportunity to hear about a career they were interested in, plus they were exposed to careers that they may not have considered before. Students had 8 minutes to hear about each professional’s career and the path he or she took to get there. It was wonderful to have such a diverse group of presenters come to meet with our students. After the 6 circuits were completed, there was a reception that allowed students to mingle and chat more informally with our presenters. This was a highlight of the night for many. It was great to see so many of our students creating connections, networking, and engaging with our Alumni, Parents, and Friends of the School.

Once again, our King’s-Edgehill School Cadet Corps represented our community at Operation Veteran in Ottawa. Our group of 25 attended the ceremonies at the National Cenotaph, toured the War Museum, the Museum of Canadian History, the Canadian Mint, Notre Dame Basilica and Parliament. Highlights included an insider’s tour of the Speaker of the House’s office as Halifax MP, Mr. Geoff Regan, currently holds that position.

As you have no doubt read before, Ms. Stephanie Cummings has joined the KES faculty as our new dance teacher. This is a fantastic addition to our Performing Arts Programme, and our dance aficionados are wild over it! To date, Ms. Cummings has assembled her dancers to perform for some of our various public events such as the Terry Fox BBQ, Grandparents' Day, and Open House. I have been delighted to see fresh new choreography each time, showcasing creative, expressive, and talented routines. This week, I am taking a break from my usual musical feature to present a breakout routine that the dancers did at our recent Halloween Dance. Be prepared to watch Ms. Cummings lead the troupe to Sail in this performance art piece. Their onlookers were surprised, supportive and impressed, and the dancers left the stage to join their peers on the open dance floor feeling accomplished and appreciated. I hope you enjoy their performance!

King’s-Edgehill School presents Mamma Mia! on November 22^nd -- November 24^th with 7:00 pm performances and a 2:00 pm matinee performance on Saturday, November 24^th.  Tickets are available at the door or by emailing or calling Janet Naugler at 798-2278, ext. 3593. ABBA's hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father. This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.