Fall 2015
GCVI
Preparatory Program Newsletter
GCVI: International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Candidate School
GCVI’s mission:
To develop informed, engaged and responsible citizens of local,
national and global communities. These aspects of citizenship are
achieved in the IB@GC through social responsibility, academic
rigor, environmental stewardship, intercultural understanding and
the pursuit of positive relationships, health and well-being.
INTERNTIONAL DAY
OF PEACE 2015
On September 21, GCVI celebrated the International Day of
Peace- a United Nations recognized day that challenges us
to reflect on what peace means and the role we can play in
creating peaceful local and global communities. This day
gave us an opportunity to practice being global minded as
we considered the relative peace in Canada and the
opportunities such peace affords us compared to those living
in war torn countries. In particular, students paused to think
about Syrian refugees and our role as global citizens in
helping to alleviate the suffering of others. At the Grade 10
Preparatory Assembly we also discussed how peace is more
than the absence of war. We looked at interpersonal and
intrapersonal peace and how we can create a culture of
peace at GCVI and beyond.
Education is widely accepted as a significant tool to fostering
peace and to establishing communities that are just, openminded, caring and culturally informed. These characteristics
of peace are deeply valued by the IB and are evident not
only in the curriculum but in program components such as
the Learner Profile and Creativity, Activity and Service.
IB Visit: Parent Volunteers!
On October 22nd and 23rd the IBO
will be sending a team to come to
GC to conduct a verification visit.
The purpose of this visit is to
confirm that GC is meeting the
requirements of the IB in order to
offer the Diploma Programme.
Our journey as an IB candidate
school has been a rewarding one
and we are excited to finally be at
the visit stage of the process.
The visiting team would like to
meet with some parents of
prospective students on Thursday
October 22nd from 4:45-5:30. The
meeting will be held in the staff
room at GCVI. If you would like
to volunteer to meet with the IBO
team, please contact the IB
Coordinator Designate, Angela
Snell, at asnell@ugcloud.ca.
GCVI
Spring 2015
Preparatory students are encouraged to become involved and
join clubs at the school that focus on educating our community
on diversity and intercultural understanding and environmental
and social justice issues. Through being informed, students
can become agents of change who help to make peace a
reality. At GC the Multicultural Club, Social Justice Club and
the Environmental Club are all making a positive difference
locally and abroad. Don’t wait until tomorrow to get involved,
attend a club meeting and begin collaborating with others to
make a better future today!
Parents and students are
reminded that they are welcome
to provide feedback on policies
developed by GC staff for the
implementation of the IB
Diploma Programme at GCVI.
Please visit our website at
www.ugdsb.on.ca/ib-gcvi/
IB LEARNER PROFILE
Can you identify the LP
characteristics demonstrated in
each of the statements below?
1) A student volunteers during an
assembly to get up on stage and
participate in a …
2) A student develops a research
question on the topic of the 2015
Federal election.
A collection of peace symbols decorated by GCVI students and staff can be
found on the Multicultural Club’s bulletin board outside of room 217.
3) A homeroom class collects food
to donate to GC’s breakfast
program.
SERVICE LEARNING TRIP
CAMBODIA 2017*
A student team presents a new one-room
raised home to a poor rural family in
Cambodia. The families save US$30 towards
materials and the student team funds the
balance. For a family living in extreme
poverty, to finally have a secure home is a
relief and they take pride in the home they
saved for over several years.
Mrs. Klaassen and Mr. Snell are planning a 10-day
service learning trip to Cambodia in early July of 2017.
This trip is open to all Grade 11 (2016-2017) GCVI
students and will help IB Diploma Programme students
meet their CAS learning outcomes. Students who sign
up for the trip must commit to being part of a student
team that will study the history and culture of
Cambodia, educate our school community on the
people and issues in Cambodia and conduct fundraisers
to raise the money needed to contribute to initiatives
that are bringing dignity to the poorest of the poor in
Cambodia. Highlights of the trip include visiting World
Heritage Site Angkor Wat and building homes with the
NGO Tabitha- Cambodia. *Trip pending school board
approval*
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GCVI
Spring 2015
Meet the IB Lead Teachers
Grade 10 Preparatory Event
Students attended an IB meet and greet during lunch on Tuesday October 6th in the auditorium.
GCVI teachers who have been trained in the IB Diploma Programme, have written the subject
outlines and are likely to teach the IB DP courses next year were in attendance. Teachers
provided a summary of their subject and gave the students an idea of what to expect from the
course in grades 11 and 12. Following the subject summaries, students were invited to approach
the teachers and ask any questions they have regarding the IB DP courses. Students are
encouraged to see Mrs Snell or the appropriate subject teacher should they continue to have any
unanswered questions.
Remember to open the
additional
attached
document in your email and
join REMIND to ensure you
get Preparatory newsletters
and receive all Preparatory
program notifications! This is
an important year in your
preparation for the IB DP.
You don’t want to miss any
important
deadlines
or
information!
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