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September 2014
The Knightly News
Family Bulletin
In This Issue
Mark Your Calendars
Introducing the New and Improved Official STMC Website
Hot Lunch Program Schedule & Menu
Spain, France, and Italy for 12 Days
A Word From Turkish DeKnight
Meet the New Teachers
Grad Class of 2014 Donates Their Time and Money to the HTC Breakfast Club
Meet the New Members of the Learning Assistance Department
5 STMC Girls Participate in High Profile Vancouver Theatre Program
Following @STMCBurnaby on Instagram
Missed a Family Bulletin or Email Announcement? Fear No More.
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Welcome back! These two words are often said without thinking but in our case they hold a real significance. In our Mission Statement, we talk about "forming a welcoming Christian community" and this is reflective of who we are and how we treat one another.

 

It is a privilege and pleasure to be part of such a wonderful faith and learning community. As a result, it is with much sincerity that we welcome all of our staff, parents, and students back to the STMC family for the 2014-15 school year.


Our hope for all of your sons and daughters is that they feel safe and that they belong. It is only in this environment that they can work to their full potential. One of the keys to achieving this goal is for you to get involved - there are so many great opportunities to take advantage of the various gifts that you bring to our community.


Please know that my door is always open if you have a question, a concern, or just want to say hello.

 

God Bless,

Mich DesLauriers

Mr. Michel DesLauriers

Principal

Mark Your Calendars 
Important Upcoming Dates

Sept 05 Knighting Ceremony
Sept 10 New Parent's Orientation
Sept 11 School Photos
Sept 18 Opening School Liturgy
Sept 19 Homecoming
Sept 24 Department Meeting
Sept 24-25 Grade 8 Retreat
Sept 25 Grade 8/12 Mixer
Sept 26 NO SCHOOL (Professional Development Day)

Introducing the New and Improved
Official STMC Website

Over the summer, improvements were made to the official St. Thomas More Collegiate website. The update includes a dynamic home page with a news feed of up to date and instant information on STM related events, accomplishments, and announcements. The menu is clearly labeled and categorized to be user-friendly and allow for easy access to pertinent information for parents, students, alumni, friends, donors, and staff.

If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions about the website, please contact Tiffany Hill at tiff.hill@stmc.bc.ca or call her directly at 604-521-1801 ext 101.

Check out the website: www.stthomasmorecollegiate.ca
 
Hot Lunch Program Schedule & Menu
Begins on Friday, September 12

The Hot Lunch Program will be getting underway effective Friday, September 12th. We will be kicking off the year with "Filipino Friday" and we need volunteers for this!! This was a new lunch program last year and it was hugely popular with the students and staff. All of the hot lunch programs are priced very reasonably - detailed information will soon be available.

If you volunteered to assist with Hot Lunch this year and have not heard from your Hot Lunch Coordinator, please drop them a quick note. It is always a bit frantic and crazy the first few weeks back to school and challenging for the leaders to get to all their volunteers right away. We hope you and your student(s) have a great year!!
 
Spain, France, and Italy for 12 Days    

Next year STMC will once again be traveling to Europe during Spring Break. We will be visiting Spain, France and Italy for 12 days. If you are interested in learning more about the trip and possibly signing up, please see Mr. Corbett as soon as possible. You can also call the school at 604-521-1801 ext 106 to find out more. If you would like to see the itinerary and a price breakdown please click on the link below. Bon Voyage!

A Word From Turkish DeKnight
Student Council Team 2014/15

"Turkish DeKnight" is St. Thomas More's new student council team for the upcoming school year. We chose the name "Turkish DeKnight" because "Turkish Delight" is a small dessert that packs a huge punch of flavour, and we feel like we are a small team of individuals that can bring a lot of good to the school.

We are a fun loving team made up of ten ambitious people. We have Ivan Anicic and Peter Colistro as Chancellor and Vice Chancellor. Representing arts and clubs is Xenia DuMont. Brandon Lee is our Sports Rep. Handling all financial businesses is Chantal Costa as Treasurer. Lorenzo Cirillo is representing Grade 12. Nicolas Dupuis and Olivia Padron are Grade 11 Reps. Anthony Prpic will represent the 10th Grade and Eva Cindric will be our Grade 9 Rep.

We are all actively involved with the school and we want to insure everyone is enjoying their time at school as much as possible. Not necessarily joining a club or a sport but exploring high school in their own manner and in ways they feel suit themselves. We want everyone to have fun and be comfortable in school.

Our team really wants to work on increasing school spirit. We want to liven up pep rallies and make them more enjoyable, as well as school dances and get students participating. We want to keep to old traditions but also lay down some new ones for the benefit of the school. We have so many great ideas for the upcoming year and we can't wait to use them to help the school. Turkish DeKnight hopes to make this school year the best one yet!
 
Meet the New Teachers
Mr. Szlivka, Mr. Roselli, Mr. Greenwood, and Ms. Soares

Mr. Szlivka

After graduation from STMC in 1989, I went on to UBC, where I completed my Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees. In the fall of 1996 I began my teaching career in the Surrey School District, and shortly after moved on to Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary, where I've spent the last thirteen years. While at Carney, I taught Social Studies, English, and Christian Education. For the past number of years, I've specialized in English, and ended my time at Carney teaching all English 12 sections, and serving as English Department Head.

Throughout my teaching career I've enjoyed coaching and leading extra-curricular activities. At Carney I helped lead Ski and Book Clubs, and ran the intramural sports program for many years. I've also enjoyed coaching boys and girls soccer at the junior and senior levels. We had some very talented players at Carney, and I was privileged to coach a number of championship and top five-placed teams in Fraser Valley, Catholic, and Provincial Championship competitions. I hope to be involved with sports and extra-curriculars here at STMC as well.

Being a former alumnus of STMC, I'm excited to be back home, and to have the opportunity to serve the students, families and staff who make up the STMC community. As a student, I grew up here, and received so many positive lessons from the brothers and staff. I'm looking forward to helping our students succeed, and contributing to the continued strength of STMC.

Mr. Roselli
I am a graduate of Douglas College (2013) and received a Bachelors of Physical Education & Coaching and a Diploma in Sport Science. I am also a graduate of Simon Fraser University (2014) where I received a Bachelors of Education with a minor in Curriculum Development. In my former years, I was a National Wrestling team member winning the Canadian Greco-Roman Heavyweight title 1991 and I went on to Wrestle professionally in North America and Japan from 1992-1998. I worked as a Professional Stunt Performer and Actor in the film industry from 1999-2013 and worked on 60 plus feature films and television shows.

At STMC I am a Drama and English teacher who will be coaching Football, Wrestling and directing the school musical production (Cinderella) in 2015.

 

Mr. Greenwood
I am new to British Columbia! I'm from Sarnia, Ontario where I had been teaching for the previous three years. While at St. Thomas More, I will be teaching Science 8, Science 9, as well as Information Technology 8. My passions include coaching and working out. This fall I will be an assistant coach with the grade 8 football team and also working with all quarterbacks in the football program. I am a graduate of the University of Western Ontario.

 

Ms. Soares

My name is Maggie Soares, I am an Alumni of STMC. I played soccer for three years at Capilano University and transferred to UBC and graduated from the Human Kinetics Program in 2010. I am a recent graduate from the UBC education program and I am excited to share some new ideas and material with my classes and get involved with coaching various sports at STMC. 

 

Grad Class of 2014 Donates Their Time and Money to the HTC Breakfast Club
Thank you, thank you, thank you

We experienced a wonderful summer at the Holy Trinity Breakfast Club, where we were very fortunate to have many STMC students coming to volunteer during the summer months. We couldn't do it without them, especially since many of the adult volunteers are away on holidays. The students just jump right in and are eager to assist whenever needed!

Big thanks to:
Michelle Santella Class of 2015
Josh Juni Class of 2015
Ethan Austin Class of 2018
Justin Ng Class of 2018
Jackie Mah Class of 2014
Rachel Rickaby Class of 2014
Ryan Rickaby Class of 2014
Isaiah Regacho Class of 2014

It was especially wonderful to witness the Class of 2014 (Jackie, Ryan and
Isaish), make a donation to the HTC Breakfast Club of $500.00. The Class of 2014 voted on which charity they wanted to provide a gift to...and they chose this program!

 

Meet the New Members of the Learning Assistance Department 
Mrs. McClary, Mrs. Caravaggio, and Ms. Davidson

Mrs. McClary
I am a STM alumnus and am excited to be returning to this exciting community and team as the Learning Assistance Coordinator. I have been working with students for the past 8 years and believe that each child is an individual and should be provided with the educational, social and emotional supports that capitalize on their strengths to help them achieve their full potential. I graduated from UBC with a Masters degree in Special Education with a concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities and is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst.
 

Mrs. Caravaggio
I am grateful and feel welcomed to be part of the St.Thomas More Collegiate community. I feel privileged to be part of the lives of students, empowering each on their journey of learning and success. As a practicing Catholic, I feel blessed to have the opportunity to work in an environment that will nurture and support my faith. 

 

Ms. Davidson

After completing my B.Sc. at SFU, I attended UBC to complete my B.Ed. in 2011. I will be working in the Learning Assistance Department at STMC. My 17 years experience in aquatics will benefit this years swim team. I grew up in North Vancouver and currently reside there. I feel a strong affinity for the outdoors and enjoy hiking and swimming in the north shore rivers with my dog. Recently, I joined a women's soccer league after a 20 year soccer hiatus. I look forward to becoming a member of the STMC community and am committed to student success. 

 

5 STMC Girls Participate in High Profile Vancouver Theatre Program
Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance!

This last spring, five of our talented STMC girls auditioned and were accepted to participate in a very high profile Vancouver theater program called Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance!. This program is run by a first class professional faculty that has produce many triple threads who have performed in places like Broadway.

 This was a very special year as it celebrated its 20th Anniversary. As part of the program they all attended 4 weeks, of full days, of intense rehearsals, learning numerous dances, songs and dialogue and ultimately performed in this year's July show called "Heaven Help Us!". The show featured songs from Hairspray, Wicked, The Wiz, Beautiful and the Wizard of Oz. Some video footage of their performances can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gotta-Sing-Gotta-Dance-Musical-Theatre-Summer-Program/153027481434598

Congratulations Alicia Aparicio, Emma Ciprian, Megan Schwartz, Katrina Testani and Bronwyn Williams!

 

Following @STMCBurnaby on Instagram 
#followfriendlikesharecomment

To start off the new school year right, follow @STMCBurnaby on Instagram! Or take a moment to see the school in filter: http://instagram.com/stmcburnaby
#thenextbestthing
 

Missed a Family Bulletin or Email Announcement? Fear No More.     

The Knightly News Family Bulletin is a periodic email newsletter intended to keep current STMC families informed on happenings around the school. Past issues of the bulletin and email announcements can be found on the home page of the newly renovated website under Newsletter Publications. If you are not receiving this email newsletter but would like to, send an email Tiffany Hill at tiff.hill@stmc.bc.ca.

 

St. Thomas More Collegiate