Halifax West High School
Class of 2017 Parents
Counsellors
Leah Ann Cameron ………A-F
Gareth Luke....G-M
Lori Welsh……….....N-Z
Secretary…………Cathy Fitzgerald
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HWHS Guidance Website
http://www.hwhs.ednet.ns.ca/guidance/
Career Cruising
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www.careercruising.com
User name……halifax
Password……..west
WHAT IS A CREDIT?
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EVERY COURSE TAKEN AT HWHS COUNTS
AS ONE CREDIT (except math 10).
Attendance is taken each period and monitored
by vice-principals. If you miss 16 classes you can
lose the credit. If you lose two credits you can
lose the semester.
Exemptions – opt out of final exam; based on
attendance, some exceptions (math & English)
THE SEMESTERED SYSTEM
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TWO SEMESTERS PER YEAR (Sept-Jan, FebJune) Exams at end of each semester.
FOUR COURSES PER SEMESTER (except
Music Band/English, Resource/English and Math
10 which run full year)
FIVE 1 HOUR PERIODS PER DAY
Up to 8 CREDITS PER YEAR (guaranteed 8/7/6)
HWHS Timetable (Rotating Fridays)
9:1010:10
A
10:1711:17
B
11:2412:24
A
B
C
D
12:241:08
lunch
lunch
lunch
lunch
1:132:13
C
2:203:20
D
B
C
D
A 9:1010:25
A
D
C
B 10:3211:47
Lunch
11:4712:38
D
A
B
C 12:431:58
C
B
A
D 2:053:20
TECHNOLOGY COURSES for 10’s
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Exploring Technology 10
Foods/International Foods 10
Business Technology 11
Communication Technology 11
Electrotechnologies 11
Applied Network Tech 11
Construction 10
Design 11
Math Essentials 10
Basic math skills with a very
practical approach
For students struggling
significantly with Math 9
One-semester course with no
formal exam
Math at Work 10
More challenging math concepts, but
practical
For students meeting outcomes of
Math 9 but who have difficulty with
abstract concepts such as algebra
Students will need to keep up with
classwork, however there is minimal
homework assigned
One-semester course with a Provincial
Exam worth 20% of the final grade
Math 10
Abstract math concepts; algebraic
For students with a solid
understanding of concepts in Math 9,
good number sense and algebra skills
NOT a one-semester course that is
stretched over the entire year …
concepts are studied in depth with a
significant amount of classwork and
homework
Full-year course with a Provincial
Exam worth 20% of the final grade
Math 10 Pre-IB
Abstract math concepts; highly theoretical
For students who excel in Math 9 with a
very strong understanding of abstract
concepts
Very rigorous course covering all topics in
Math 10 in addition to the more advanced
topics necessary for IB math; Students will
have approximately 60-90 minutes of math
homework every night.
Full-year course with a Provincial Exam
worth 20% of the final grade
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
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TOTAL OF 18 CREDITS
3 ENGLISH 10,11, and 12
2 MATH
2 SCIENCES(Sci10, Bio11, Phy 11or Chem 11 + one other)
2 OTHER (Math, Science, Tech)
1 CANADIAN STUDIES (Mkq10, Acs11, Chs11)
1 GLOBAL STUDIES (GGS12, HGS12)
1 FINE ARTS (Art, Music or Drama)
1 PAL or PHE
No more than 7 grade 10 credits towards 18 mandatory
Minimum 5 grade 12 credits
Course Selection Process
Students are given course descriptions
and selection sheet.
 Students should consult with their
teachers/parents/Junior High Counsellor
 Hand sheets in to Junior High Counsellors
by date set
 HWHS Course Selection Guide online
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Grade 10
Course Selection
5 MANDATORY
1. English 10
2. Math (Math10, Math at Work 10, Math 10Essentials, Math 10IPP)
3. Science (Sci 10 or Sci 10m)
4. Fine Arts 10- Art/Band/Drama /Exploring Music
5. Physically Active Lifestyles (PAL11)
6. Social Studies (Mi’kmaq10*)
*Meets Canadian History requirement
7. Elective (math elective for Math 10 students)
8. Elective
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Plus**2 ALTERNATE COURSES (choose these carefully!)
Course Changes
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Course changes WILL NOT BE MADE AFTER YOUR
REGISTRATION SHEET IS SUBMITTED!!!!
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If you fail a course first semester, you cannot repeat it
in the second semester.
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Students are choosing courses for the year and they do
not have a choice of the semester in which the course
falls.
Power School: Parent Portal
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Timetable/schedule
Attendance
Teacher email / contact
Academic Progress
( Sign-up information will be available at
…………….www.hwhs.ednet.ns.ca
O2 ….
A high school program that
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Offers students more hands-on learning
experiences with a career focus.
Designed to prepare students for successful
transitions from high school to work, a career
path, or a post-secondary program.
Describing the O2 Student …
Someone who requires re-engagement with their
learning and with school
 Someone who may need support in achieving
their academic potential
 Someone needing direction and support in
developing career/life pathway
 Someone who is prepared to commit to a new
approach to their learning.
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O2 ….
Provides multiple opportunities where
students learn in community and workplace
settings, link their in-school learning to the
workplace, and enhance their employability
skills.
… the PROCESS
1. Applications – student and parent
2. Interviews
3. 20 Students will be accepted with
potential for reserved seat at NSCC
FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM
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MUST COMPLETE 9 FRENCH IMMERSION CREDITS
FOR FI CERTIFICATE
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DELF – French Language Proficiency Tests
MINIMUM OF 2 FI CREDITS PER YEAR INCLUDING
FRENCH (FRA). At least 4 FI credits in grade 10 year.
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THE FRENCH IMMERSION CERTIFICATE IS NOT A
BILINGUAL CERTIFICATE
French Immersion Mission
Statement
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: In a consistent French only environment,
students will flourish in the French
language in all 4 skill areas: speaking,
reading, writing and listening.
Overview of French Immersion
Expectation
French Immersion students will speak
french at all times in all FI classes.
Consequences
1. 3 warnings
2. Call home
3. Lose credit and/or asked to leave
program
French Immersion Courses
fra 10I
sci 10I
his 10I
adr 10I
fra 11I
bio 11I
his 11I
fra 12I
bio 12I
hep 12I(Global History)
*Students leaving French Immersion in Junior
High cannot take French 10, only Fra 10I.
Grade 10 FI sample
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Required
1. English 10
2. Sciences 10I
3. Fra 10I
4. Bio 11I
5. His 10I or ADR 10I
6/7. Math (1 or 2 semesters)
Suggested
PAL 11
1 or 2 Electives (i.e. the other of ADR 10I or His 10I)
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Two alternate courses
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HWHS Activities
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Community Involvement
Table Tennis
Weight Room
Chess
Anime
Debating
Snowboarding
Student Government
Tech Crew
Robotics
Rug Hooking
Tutoring
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Intramurals
Musical
Reach for the Top
Rotary
Math Club
Model Parliament
Multicultural Club
Curling
Athletic Teams A & B
Knitting
Breakfast Club
Student Government
Transition Events
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HWHS Counsellor Visits to Junior Highs:
(January 27th -31st)
Grade 9 Orientation at HWHS:
March 18th & 20th
The Pre-IB and IB Diploma Programs
at Halifax West
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The Grade 10 Pre-IB and Grade 11 &12 IB Diploma are
different programs
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Grade 9 students are only choosing whether or not to
enter the grade 10 year Pre-IB program
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If there is a chance you might take the IB Diploma
program in Grades 11 you need to take the Grade 10
Pre-IB program
What is the International
Baccalaureate Programme?
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A challenging two year program for
students in grades 11 and 12
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It is very well known at universities in
Canada and around the world
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Focus on research, writing, critical thinking