February 2018
WCS Student Perspective
My name is Christi and I am a grade 8 student at Woodstock Christian School. I have had many great experiences at WCS and have grown in my faith significantly during my time here. I have been attending Woodstock Christian School since junior kindergarten and I will forever cherish my time I have spent here. I have seen God working in the school community and have seen the students here grow in their faith. There have been bumps along the road, but overall Woodstock Christian School has been an amazing experience.
The people I have met during my time at WCS have played a huge role in who I am today. The staff here are very supportive of whatever sports team I’m on, which subjects I need extra help in, and care what is going on in my life at home and at school. They have really shown me how to be a good example to the younger students and have been great role models of the Christian faith. My classmates have also played a huge role in who I am and how I behave. Most of them have been with me since kindergarten and will be graduating with me later on this year. We have definitely gotten closer as a class and we have all learned to accept each other for who we are. As a class we go through the good and the bad together and are there for each other when we need help. Last year we did girls and boys Phys Ed separated along with last year’s grade 8 class. I got to make friends from other grades I never thought I would have. It was a great experience and I still keep in touch with them even though they are now in high school. The friends I have made at WCS have stuck with me no matter what I am going through. I have been friends with some of them for up to 5 years and they have never left my side. I think that is one thing that is a benefit of having smaller classes, we get to know each other well and spend all our time at WCS together. The people I have met here at Woodstock Christian School have really shaped who I am and have influenced me positively over the years.
Another thing that I really appreciate at WCS is the after school activities. I really enjoy playing sports and participating in school wide events. Some teams I have joined are the volleyball, basketball, soccer, and badminton team. All the coaches I have had have made me a much better player. I have grown in skill and have been a much better teammate than I used to be. The coaches really emphasize the idea of teamwork and playing a positive and clean game. Another thing they really emphasize is playing the game not only for enjoyment but for the glory of God. I really love participating and representing Woodstock Christian School at the events.
Every year I have been attending WCS, there has always been something different than the year before. Last year in grade 7, we did classroom meals where we got to make a meal and sit down together and enjoy it. This year we have been doing more group projects. Whether they are plays, presentations, or just group work, I find that they are much more enjoyable when we work as a team to get the project done. Each year there is something new and exciting and that is something I will miss about WCS.
After 10 years with my class, this is the year we graduate. So far this year we have gone on a retreat, had fundraisers, visited Caressant Care, and have started preparing for our graduation. At the retreat we sang worship songs, played games, and had snacks. Overall it was a great experience and was really fun. Going to Caressant Care is something I look forward to every month. I love spending time with the seniors there and playing games with them. We have also been preparing for our graduation. We are brainstorming ideas in art class and ideas for our yearbook. Planning for graduation and preparing for high school has definitely brought our class together and made us a closer community.
My time here at WCS has been an unforgettable experience and I have really enjoyed attending here. The people and friends I have met here are fun, unique, and accepting. I really have grown in my faith and I know attending here has played a big part in that. I remember when I was in the younger grades looking at what the grade 8’s were learning and thought I would never get there, but with the help I have received and the support I have gotten, I did get there. The community I have realized is easy to make new friends in no matter how old or young they are. I’ve been at WCS for a long time and it will be hard to leave this place.
-Christi, Grade 8
Science Fair
Science Learning
Science Fair projects have been a part of the learning culture at WCS for many years. What makes a science fair project such a great learning experience is that it involves so much more than just science? Communication is a key component as students need to be able to articulate their process, goals and findings clearly. Other aspects that tie into the process of creating a science fair project that connect to learning goals for students include writing the research report, researching topics on the internet, conducting experiments using precise skills, and learning about plagiarism. Students are asked to discuss their projects and to relate the learning process to an authentic audience of fellow classmates, teachers, judges, and members of the community who attend the Open House. Of course, the scientific method of learning is at the heart of any science fair project. Science fairs are a great way for students to recognize what is going on in creation—the forces and processes that are at work all around them—and to inspire the desire to understand more about the world that God created. Preparing a science fair project is an excellent example of a hands-on, inquiry-based learning approach that allows students to ask questions and then to explore the answers. It starts already in their earliest learning years! When we provide the opportunity for students to learn this way, we are allowing them to wonder about things and then encouraging them to explore, to research, and to communicate to others what they’ve learned. Come wonder with us!
-Carol Verbeek, Principal
Pancake Breakfast
Our annual pancake breakfast at WCS helps support our neighbours around the world. This year, breakfast money is designated for Edu-Deo Ministries. Here is the logo for Edu-Deo. Look carefully and you will see a book, a butterfly, and the fish symbol through the centre of the design. This logo represents the transformative power of Christian education. Edu-Deo Ministries (formerly Worldwide Christian Schools) is a Canadian, Christian, mission organization serving children in developing countries with quality education rooted in a Biblical worldview. Education is one of the most powerful tools for reducing poverty. Edu-Deo Ministries promotes sustainable schools by partnering long-term with existing school associations and mission organizations. Their goal is to take the effective tool of education and combine it with the transforming message of the Gospel. Woodstock Christian School, on Wednesday, get comfy, get ready for pancakes, and help us support Edu-Deo! For more information see https://edudeo.com/
Talking to Yourself
Talking to Yourself
How inspiring listening to Olympian marathon runner Krista DuChene talk last Thursday about her blessings and trials. She shared stories of both exciting highs and disappointing lows in her bid to win a spot on the 2016 Olympic team. Every success was given back to God; challenges and failures were opportunities to lean on God. Through it all, Mrs. DuChene intentionally told herself positive messages including:
I will choose joy.
I will be thankful.
God’s plan is better than mine.
This made me reflect on the messages we play in our minds all day long. Sometimes these are negative messages which fuel feelings of helplessness, anger, resentment, and despair. I sometimes hear students verbalize their internal dialogue. Just in the past week, I have heard students say things like:
I don’t have friends.
I can’t do this.
I’m not good at math.
When I hear these types of messages, I encourage students to add a small but powerful three letter word to the end of their sentences…YET. “Yet” has the potential to change a fixed mindset into a hope-filled growth mindset. Students with a growth mindset expect their abilities will improve with practice.
As teachers, we are intentional about helping students persevere through difficulties and embrace challenges. God has not promised us that we will never experience hard times, but he has promised to be faithful and to never leave us. By telling ourselves truths like Mrs. DuChene does, we too can reprogram our minds and become resilient, hopeful, lifelong learners who give God all the glory.
Tracy Bulthuis, Learning Support Teacher
SNOW DAY. BUSES CANCELLED FEBRUARY 9. Due to weather advisory for heavy snow, buses are cancelled for today. WCS is closed.
Olympics: Running the Race
Olympics: Running the Race
