St. Aloysius Gonzaga S. S. Focus Courses
Below you will find a listing of the focus courses unique to St. Aloysius Gonzaga S. S. in
each of the following areas:
Arts
Classical Studies & International Languages
Health and Physical Education
Information Technology
Arts Focus Courses
Instrumental Music - Band
Guitar Music
Music - Vocal/Choral
Visual Arts - Non-Traditional
Grade 9
AMI1O
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12
AMG2O
AMV2O
AWT2O
AMG3M
AMV3M
AMG4M
AMV4M
Music, Grade 9, Open (AMI1O)
This course emphasizes the performance of music at a level that strikes a balance between
challenge and skill and is aimed at developing technique, sensitivity, and imagination. Students
will participate in creative activities that teach them to listen with understanding. They will also
learn correct musical terminology and its appropriate use.
This course is intended for students who have previous experience in Concert Band
Instruments.
Prerequisite: None
Music, Guitar, Grade 10, Open (AMG2O)
This course emphasizes performance of music at an intermediate level that strikes a balance
between challenge and skill. Student learning will include participating in creative activities
and listening perceptively. Students will also be required to develop a thorough understanding
of the language of music, including the elements, terminology, and history.
This course is intended for students who have little or no experience in Guitar Music.
Prerequisite: None
Music, Guitar, Grade 11, University/College Preparation (AMG3M)
This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis, and performance of various kinds of music,
including baroque and classical music, popular music, and Canadian and non-Western music.
Students will perform technical exercises and appropriate repertoire, complete detailed creative
activities, and analyse and evaluate live and recorded performances. They will continue to
increase their understanding of the elements of music while developing their technical and
imaginative abilities.
This course in intended for students who have completed AMG2O
Prerequisite: Music, Guitar, Grade 9 or 10, Open
Music, Guitar, Grade 12, University/College Preparation (AMG4M)
This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis, and performance of music from the romantic
period and the twentieth century, including art music, jazz, popular music, and Canadian and
non-Western music. Students will concentrate on developing interpretive skills and the ability
to work independently. They will also complete complex creative projects.
This course is intended for students who have completed AMG3M
Prerequisite: Music, Guitar, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or Open
Music, Vocal, Grade 10, Open (AMV2O)
This course emphasizes performance of music at an intermediate level that strikes a balance
between challenge and skill. Student learning will include participating in creative activities
and listening perceptively. Students will also be required to develop a thorough understanding
of the language of music, including the elements, terminology, and history.
This course is intended for students who have little or no experience in Vocal Music.
Prerequisite: None
Music, Vocal, Grade 11, University/College Preparation (AMV3M)
This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis, and performance of various kinds of music,
including baroque and classical music, popular music, and Canadian and non-Western music.
Students will perform technical exercises and appropriate repertoire, complete detailed creative
activities, and analyse and evaluate live and recorded performances. They will continue to
increase their understanding of the elements of music while developing their technical and
imaginative abilities.
This course is intended for students who have completed AMV2O.
Prerequisite: Music, Vocal, Grade 9 or 10, Open
Music, Vocal, Grade 12, University/College Preparation (AMV4M)
This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis, and performance of music from the romantic
period and the twentieth century, including art music, jazz, popular music, and Canadian and
non-Western music. Students will concentrate on developing interpretive skills and the ability
to work independently. They will also complete complex creative projects.
This course is intended for students who have completed AMV3M
Prerequisite: Music, Vocal, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or Open
Visual Arts, Non-Traditional, Grade 10, Open (AWT2O)
This course emphasizes learning through practice; building on what students know; and
introducing them to new ideas, materials, and processes for artistic thinking and
experimentation.
Student learning will include the refined application of the elements and principles of design,
incorporating the creative and design processes, and the relationship between form and content.
Students will also learn about the connections between works of art and their historical
contexts. Course objectives may be achieved either through a comprehensive program or
through a program focused on a particular art form (e.g., drawing, painting).
Students are challenged to think “outside of the box”, resolving visual problems through
exploration of traditional and non-traditional media and techniques. Prerequisite: None
Classical Studies and International Languages Focus Courses
Grade 9
Italian
Grade 10
LWIBD
Grade 11
LWICU
Grade 12
LWIDU
Italian, Level 2, Academic (LWIBD)
This course provides students with the language learning experiences that will enable them
to communicate in Italian. Students will continue to develop and apply their speaking skills in a
variety of contexts, and will participate in activities that will improve their reading
comprehension and writing skills. They will also continue to explore aspects of the Italian
culture where the language is spoken by taking part in community sponsored events and
activities involving both print and technological resources. Although students will continue to
expand their vocabulary and repertoire of language structures, the language they will use at this
level will be simple.
Prerequisite: none
Italian, Level 3, University Preparation (LWICU)
This course offers students opportunities to further develop their knowledge of Italian and to
enhance their communication skills. Students will use increasingly sophisticated language in a
variety of activities that will enable them to speak and write with clarity and accuracy. Students
will also enhance their thinking skills through the critical study of literature, and continue to
explore aspects of the culture of countries where Italian is spoken through a variety of print and
technological resources.
Prerequisite: Italian, Level 2,Academic
Italian, Level 4, University Preparation (LWIDU)
This course prepares students for university studies in Italian. Students will enhance their
ability to use Italian with clarity and precision, and will develop the language skills needed to
engage in sustained conversations and discussions, understand and evaluate information, read
diverse materials for both study and pleasure, and write clearly and effectively. Students will
also have opportunities to add to their knowledge of the culture of countries where Italian is
spoken through the use of community resources and computer technology.
Prerequisite: Italian, Level 3, University Preparation
Health and Physical Education Focus Courses
Grade 9
Personal and Fitness Activities
Large Group Activities
Aquatics
Outdoor Activities
Grade 10
PAF2O
PAQ2O
Grade 11
PAF3O
PAL3O
PAQ3O
PAD3O
Grade 12
PAQ4O
Personal and Fitness Activities, Girls, Grade 10, Open (PAF2O)
This course emphasizes regular participation in a variety of enjoyable physical activities that
promote lifelong healthy active living. Student learning will include the application of
movement principles to refine skills; participation in a variety of activities that enhance
personal competence, fitness, and health; examination of issues related to healthy sexuality,
healthy eating, substance use and abuse; and the use of informed decision-making, conflict
resolution, and social skills in making personal choices.
This course is limited to females only.
Prerequisite: None
Personal and Fitness Activities, Strength Training, Grade 11, Open
(PAF3OF – girls, or PAF3OM - boys)
This course focuses on the development of a healthy lifestyle and participation in a variety of
enjoyable physical activities that have the potential to engage students’ interest throughout
their lives. Students will be encouraged to develop personal competence in a variety of
movement skills and will be given opportunities to practice goal-setting, decision-making,
social, and interpersonal skills. Students will also study the components of healthy
relationships, reproductive health, mental health, and personal safety.
The focus is for students to develop and follow a personal training program including strength
training and cardiovascular conditioning activities. Separate sections for females and males.
Course fee $20.00.
Prerequisite: None
Large Group Activities, Basketball, Grade 11, Open (PAL3OB)
This course focuses on the development of a healthy lifestyle and participation in a variety of
enjoyable physical activities that have the potential to engage students’ interest throughout
their lives. Students will be encouraged to develop personal competence in a variety of
movement skills and will be given opportunities to practice goal-setting, decision-making,
social, and interpersonal skills. Students will also study the components of healthy
relationships, reproductive health, mental health, and personal safety.
This course will focus on developing Basketball skills.
Prerequisite: None
Aquatics, Grade 10, Open (PAQ2O)
This course emphasizes regular participation in a variety of enjoyable physical activities that
promote lifelong healthy active living. Student learning will include the application of
movement principles to refine skills; participation in a variety of activities that enhance
personal competence, fitness, and health; examination of issues related to healthy sexuality,
healthy eating, substance use and abuse; and the use of informed decision-making, conflict
resolution, and social skills in making personal choices.
Prerequisite: None
Aquatics, Grade 11, Open (PAQ3O)
This course focuses on the development of a healthy lifestyle and participation in a variety of
enjoyable physical activities that have the potential to engage students’ interest throughout
their lives. Students will be encouraged to develop personal competence in a variety of
movement skills and will be given opportunities to practice goal-setting, decision-making,
social, and interpersonal skills. Students will also study the components of healthy
relationships, reproductive health, mental health, and personal safety.
This course will be taught in the pool area and will focus on Aquatics.
Prerequisite: None
Aquatics, Grade 12, Open (PAQ4O)
This course focuses on the development of a personalized approach to healthy active living
through participation in a variety of sports and recreational activities that have the potential to
engage students’ interest throughout their lives. Students will develop and implement personal
physical fitness plans. In addition, they will be given opportunities to refine their decisionmaking, conflict-resolution, and interpersonal skills, with a view to enhancing their mental
health and their relationships with others.
This course will be taught in the pool area and will focus on Aquatics.
Prerequisite: None
Outdoor Activities, Grade 11, Open (PAD3O)
This course focuses on the development of a healthy lifestyle and participation in a variety of
enjoyable physical activities that have the potential to engage students’ interest throughout
their lives. Students will be encouraged to develop personal competence in a variety of
movement skills and will be given opportunities to practice goal-setting, decision-making,
social, and interpersonal skills. Students will also study the components of healthy
relationships, reproductive health, mental health, and personal safety.
A significant portion of course time will be spent on activities that will take place outside the
regular school day. These activities may include, but are not limited to; orienteering,
backpacking, hiking, camping, skating, wall-climbing, Alpine and Nordic skiing. Course fee: to
be based on the activities that will be available during the session.
Prerequisite: None
Information Technology
Grade 9
Computer Engineering Technology
(Robotics & Control Systems)
Grade 10
Grade 11
TER3M
Grade 12
TER4M
Computer Engineering Technology (Robotics & Control Systems) – Grade 11
This course examines computer systems and control of external devices. Students will develop
knowledge and skills in electronics, robotics and programming and will build systems that use
computer programs and interfaces to control and/or respond to external devices. Students will also
develop an awareness of environmental and societal issues related to the use of computers and learn
about secondary and postsecondary pathways to careers in computer technology.
Prerequisite: None
Computer Engineering Technology (Robotics & Control Systems) – Grade 12
This course extends students’ understanding of computer systems and computer interfacing with
external devices. Students will assemble computer systems and will learn more about fundamental
concepts of electronics, robotics, programming and networks. Students will examine
environmental and societal issues related to the use of computers and explore postsecondary
pathways to careers in computer engineering and related fields
Prerequisite: TER3M Computer Engineering Technology (Robotics & Control Systems) – Grade 11