Family Bulletin
- May 2017 -
 
As we continue through the Easter season, it is not a coincidence that our faith in the resurrected Jesus occurs during the Spring. The longer days, the budding flowers and trees all remind us of the new life that is associated with this time of year. 
 
Speaking of new life, it is with great humility that I inform you that I have been hired as the Principal of the new Catholic high school opening in South Surrey in Sept. 2018. I will officially start my duties in Sept. 2017 as there is much to do in order to prepare for this exciting new part of my life. I want to thank you so very much for all of you kind words of support and your prayers. They have been so appreciated by both myself and my family.
Please continue reading 
Transitions
May is an interesting time around STMC.  Even though we have 2 months to go, the end of the school year is in sight; you can feel students starting to make the transition.  On May 2nd, all staff members got the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Grade 12 students.  It was time to learn about the student's future plans, about their experiences at STMC and about their faith journey - I am inspired by our graduates!  Please continue reading 

Athletics Round-up
For all team schedules, please consult the calendar.


The Golf team continues its this month with battles against St. John's, Vancouver College and St. George's McCleery courses, culminating in zone playoffs on May 17-18.

Please see the calendar for dates.
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The Track team has had a busy month with 4 league meets and a trip down to Oregon over the Easter weekend. Zone finals run May 9-10, and Provincials will take place June 1-3 at McLeod Athletic Park in Langley. Please see the calendar for more deets on meets.
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The Junior and Senior Girls Soccer teams have been having successful beginning to the season, the highlight of which was a 5-0 win over St. Anne's Academy. Zones take place throughout May, with Provincials running June 1-3. Please see the calendar for game dates and locations.
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The Junior and Senior Ultimate teams, led by Coach Muise, have been very active this past month, including a trip to Spring Reign down in Burlington, Washington. Zones take place on May 18, with Provincials running May 27-28.  Please see the calendar for game dates and locations.
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The Tennis team ends its season this month with several games against independent rivals West Point Grey and ND at the STMC courts. Please see the calendar for game dates.

Mark Your Calendars
Important Upcoming Dates
Speech Night
Thursday, May 4, 2017 | 6:00-8:00pm

Every year, all students are asked to write and perform a speech in their English classes. The top 10-12 students per grade are then invited to Speech Night to compete against each other before a panel of alumni judges, with awards for the Top 3. The night culminates with the winners of each grade presenting their speeches, and the crowning of an all-school champion by the panel of esteemed judges.
Mother's Day Mass
Friday, May 12 | 10:45am-2:00pm

One of STMC's most cherished traditions; current and past mothers and grandmothers are invited to attend mass and the high tea reception afterwards, where they will be doted upon by senior students.

This day will be composed of blocks C, D and mass. Students not serving at the reception are dismissed following mass, around 11:55.
PA Spring Fling
Wednesday, May 17 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm

The Parents Association wishes to invite all current and incoming parents to a special night showcasing all that the PA does for the school community. This is an opportunity for parents to meet other parents, enjoy each other's company and ask PA members any questions they may have. Light snacks will be provided, accompanied by wine and beer.

Student Highlights
Science Challenger
Grade 10 student excels in national contest 
 
Congratulations to Grade 10 student Tess Grindlay on her performance on the Michael Smith Science Challenge. Over 1800 students wrote the contest across the country and Tess finished in the top 10%!

Congratulations Tess!
STMC Dancers Sweep Awards
Top 10s galore at Peak Invitational Dance

STMC students make up a strong contingent at the Northwest Academy of Performing Arts, and performed exceptionally well at the North Vancouver Peak Invitational Dance Competition, with Top 10 finishes in various categories, including Kristian Arciaga (Grade 9), Megan Schwartz (Grade 11) and her sister Julia (Grade 8), and Grade 12s Katrina Testani (pictured left) and Taylor Winters-Sproule (right) achieving a first place in their category and 4th overall for their contemporary duo.
Ice Skating
Grade 9 student skates to victory 
 
Congratulations to Grade 9 student Victoria Verrelli on her performance on the 2017 Vancouver Island Skate Invitational. In the Novice Women (U17) category, Victoria won first place in both the long and free programs.

Well done Victoria!

If your son or daughter has any news worth sharing in the monthly newsletter, please contact Communications Manager, Mark Bradshaw, at mark.bradshaw@stmc.bc.ca

Spotlight On...THINKfast
With Communications Assistant
Bianca Te
THINK fast is an annual overnight fast at STMC to raise funds and awareness for our Christian Brother programs in Latin America, organized by the Blessed Edmund Rice Team (BERT).

Taking place this Friday, May 5, participants will be sleeping at the school, under the supervision of teachers and adult chaperones, as well as taking part in activities organized by the leadership team. Students are not allowed to leave the school during this 20 hour period.

Bianca caught up with two of the Grade 12 organizers about their thoughts on the program:

BT: What makes you want to join THINK fast every year?

Luke Bondi
THINK fast for me is the best way for students at STMC to live the essential elements of standing in solidarity with those marginalized by poverty and injustice. During THINK fast we raise money to support the thousands of people across the world who are cared for by the Christian Brothers of Blessed Edmund Rice.


Maria Napolitano


THINK fast is a great way to have fun and spend time with friends while raising money and awareness for those less fortunate.


Parents Association
Volunteers Needed -
Grade 8 Uniform Sale
Thursday, June 1, 1:00-7:00pm | Cafeteria
 
Volunteers are needed to assist during set-up from 1-3pm, the sale from 3-6pm, and clean-up from 6-7pm. If you are able to assist, please email Amelia Crarer at crarer@shaw.ca as soon as possible. Please indicate your name, whether you're a parent or student, and time of shift you can work.
 
Feel free to contact Amelia with any questions or concerns. Thank you so much!
 
(FYI, our annual Back-To-School Uniform Sale is on Wednesday, August 30th, so if you think you'll be available to help out for that one as well, just let us know!)

Knight Club Sale
Thursday, May 4 | 2:30-4:00pm

This is our last monthly Knight Club sale of the year, and your last chance to pick up any pre-paid online orders.

Check out the Knight Club and Dress Code page for more information about uniforms.
Hot Lunch

For the last 6 weeks of school we will be posting a week-by-week schedule of our mouth-watering hot lunch offerings, in part to avoid having to constantly update the schedule when unforeseen changes inevitably occur.

Please check back every Friday on our website for the next week's schedule .
Women's Personal Safety Workshop
Thursday, April 20 at STMC

The VPD Women's Personal Safety Workshop held at STMC on April 20 was a great success! Over 40 students, teachers and moms attended, and all had a lot of fun practicing offensive and defensive moves (like Ms. Chinnapen, above). 

A Look Back at April Events
Grade 11 Retreat
April 6-7 at Camp Charis, Chilliwack

 
Ula Langdon
Over the first week in April, the Grade 11s attended a retreat at Camp Charis in Chilliwack. We had the opportunity to participate in games and activities that allowed us to bond and grow closer as a grade. Through the duration on the retreat, we were able to realize that we shared many of the same experiences and had things in common with people outside of our friend groups. We were also able to fix and strengthen relationships with our peers. We had lots of fun and can't wait for next year!
Track Trip to Oregon
Easter Weekend in Eugene, Oregon
Oregon 
 
Rachel Way
(Grade 10)

The trip to the Oregon Relays was yet another great experience that I have had while at STMC. Going into to the trip I was super nervous to race against the Americans and to compete in front of so many people. Despite the nerves, the opportunity to compete was an amazing experience. To run in that kind of atmosphere and hear teammates and coaches cheer each other on every step of the way (no pun intended!) was surreal. It was really fun to cheer each other on and bring a little bit of the Knight's spirit all the way to Eugene, Oregon.

Everything from walking onto the football field, hiking up a mountain to a beautiful view, laughing with teammates, eventful dinners, competing in "Track Town USA" and trying the world famous voodoo doughnuts made our trip really memorable and special. I can't thank all the coaches, especially Mr. Mattiazzo, enough for all of their hard work and dedication to make this trip as great as it was! Without all the coaches we wouldn't have these opportunities and I can't thank you all enough for all that you guys do!


Ultimate at Spring Reign
April 22-23, Burlington, Washington   
Ultimate
 
Joe Muise
On April 22nd & 23rd, the senior Ultimate Team took their annual trip to Burlington, Washington to compete in Spring Reign - the world's largest youth Ultimate tournament.  With 88 teams attending from British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho, the Knights knew they would be facing tough competition. They were close in every game, finishing 12th out 48 high school teams. The team improved with every game and come away from the tournament better prepared to take on the rest of the BC as they prepare for provincials in late May.

 
Concert & Chamber Choir at the Con Brio Festival
April 27 - 30, Whistler

 
Mark Bradshaw
(Communications Manager)

Over the last weekend in April, the STMC Concert and Chamber choirs hit the Sea to Sky for the Con Brio Festival in Whistler. With over 700 choir and band students from all over western Canada in attendance, the streets of Whistler were packed with roving bands of choir kids! As a total choir neophyte, accompanying this trip as a chaperone was certainly entering a whole new world for me.

We stayed at the beautiful Crystal Lodge right on Whistler's main drag, and our days were filled with concerts and workshops. When the time came for the STMC Chamber Choir to have its big moment on stage, the buzz in the packed concert hall was unmistakable: this was the choir that everyone wanted to see. And our Knights certainly did not disappoint; from the very first note to the final bow, the audience was held spellbound by the exquisite harmonies and sweet melodies of the choir, 40 voices singing as one. I'm not ashamed to admit I found myself tearing up!

Thankfully, everyone else in the STMC community will have a chance to hear our choir and band perform at the Spring Music Knight and Jazz Knight, coming up on June 2 and 10, respectively, in the school gymnasium. See you there - and bring a tissue!


Massed Choir Performance of "And So It Goes" on the Sunday morning.

Spirit Week & Greek Olympics 

Spirit Week was a fun way to ring in spring, as students and teachers alike dressed up and participated in the general silliness. The week ended high up on Mt. Olympus with the Greek Olympics, a cherished STMC tradition whose origins are as murky and remote as those of the Trojan War. With competitions ranging from "Wipeout" -style antics to a blind pie-eating contest and bubble soccer, the Grade 12s ended up as the big winners once all the points were tallied up. But the biggest winner, of course, was STMC spirit. Enjoy some pics below:
 
St. Thomas More Collegiate | 604-521-1801 | info@stmc.bc.ca | www.stmc.bc.ca 
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