News

HRH Offers More Than Just Academics

By Mr. Taylor
10 Jun

With the end of the school year clearly in sight, the Holy Redeemer is staff is busy preparing for the 2010-2011 school year. And one of the items on the agenda is providing an excellent academic courses and a unique list of options programs for students to enjoy.
“Holy Redeemer has always prided itself in providing a stellar academic program combined with a rich variety of option courses for the students to choose from,” says Assistant Principal Bill McGowan. “Next year, we will continue to expand our junior and senior high options program so that each and every student can find something they enjoy.”
On the academics front Holy Redeemer has always been well above the provincial average when it comes to grade 12 diploma results and grade 9 provincial achievement test scores. “According to a provincial report, Holy Redeemer ranked 39th out of over 250 schools province wide,” says Principal Desmond Kilgannon. “This proves our teachers at HRH continue to provide a rich knowledge and skill base for our students.” Kilgannon also mentioned that the number of Holy Redeemer graduates attending post-secondary schools is continuing to increase each year. “We are privileged enough to have many businesses sponsor a number of academic monetary awards for students who wish to further their education after high school.” The student who receives the highest mark in each academic course in grade 12 can receive between $500 and $1000 for their efforts.
Parents also agree that Holy Redeemer provides excellent academic opportunities. According to 2010 Accountability Pillar survey, Holy Redeemer leads the way in the category of ‘Continuous School Improvement’. “This survey was conducted by parents from our school,” says Kilgannon. “And they seem very pleased that their children receive the finest education the province can offer.”
Outside of academics, Holy Redeemer has done its best to try to diversify the option courses students can take. HRH currently offers some unique high school programs such as Art, Cosmetology, Fashions Studies, Film Studies, Foods, and an award-winning drama program. “We offer drama courses from grade 7 straight through to grade 12,” says Drama Teacher Peter Taylor. “Our extra-curricular program holds a full length production each fall and three one-act plays in the spring.” Taylor also mentioned the one-act plays have won numerous awards, including back-to-back Best Senior High Production, at the annual Zone Festival. “We also offer a high school Technical Theatre class for students interested in the design elements involved with a production,” says Taylor.
The Art Program continues to grow. “Each year we build up to showcasing an Art Show during the annual Dessert Theatre,” says teacher Sandy Fedorak. “And our students’ work is even auctioned off at some pretty high prices to members of the public, which says a lot about the visual talent of HRH students.”
Two courses that have gained an incredible amount of notoriety in recent years are the Audio-Visual and Fitness classes, both instructed by Paul Tobin. “A-V has students use professional film making equipment, complete with editing and visual effects software,” says Tobin. “We even have a green screen where students can film themselves in front of, well, just about anything we project there.” He says the program draws a lot of attention from students who wish to gain a better knowledge of filmmaking. “Our students are gaining knowledge of equipment that is used in many post-secondary schools and in the professional filmmaking world.”
The other program, Strength and Conditioning (aka Fitness), has drastically improved the physical well-being of the students. “The course targets two of the major components to overall health: Muscular Fitness and Cardiovascular Fitness,” says Tobin. “Students pretty much get a solid 45 minute workout each class while at the same as learning the proper techniques involved in strength training and conditioning exercises to maximize progress and minimize injury.” There is even a junior high Fitness Class for grade 7, 8, and 9 students.
One program that is brand new within the last year is the Music and Instrumental Program, led by Alison Minelli. “It started off with a junior high choir option,” says Minelli, who has an extensive background in musical theatre. “We even did a performance that was very well received at the Holy Redeemer Dessert Theatre.” Minelli says she wants to continue the momentum started in the program as lot of students have expressed interest. “Many students enjoy singing, and they gain a lot of confidence by doing it as a group.”
In addition to the excellent academic and option programs being offered at Holy Redeemer, there are quite a number of extra-curricular programs as well. “We have a number of sports teams including volleyball, cross country running, basketball, badminton, and track and field,” says Kilgannon. Other after-hours programs, in addition to the sports teams and the drama program, include Student Council and the Travel Club. “Our Travel Club is currently preparing for two trips in 2012,” says Travel Club organizer Mireille Wittig. “One is going to New York City, and the other is going to either Spain and Morocco or Rome and Tunisia. Needless to say it’s going to be fun time.” Fundraising for the trips will being this summer, but all senior high students are welcome to join the club anytime during the coming school year.
And as one can see, Holy Redeemer offers a wide range of programs, in addition to the excellent academic courses they provide, for everyone to enjoy. “We like to think there’s something for all students,” says Kilgannon. “And if we provide the program, we’ll go to great lengths to make sure it is one of the best programs in the province.”
If you would like more information on this article please feel free to contact the school at 780-723-7437.