Tag Archives: open house

March 6, 2019 · 10:37

The Latest-March 2019

History is not everything, but it is a starting point. History is a clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of day. It is a compass they use to find themselves on the map of human geography. It tells them where they are but, more importantly, what they must be-John Henrik Clarke

It has been a very busy start to the semester for the students and teachers of the Social Science Department.

At the beginning of February, St. Patrick hosted its annual Grade Information Night. Our department had an opportunity to showcase our amazing programs and courses, demonstrating all the possibilities that the humanities provide. We also had a display on EF Educational Tours, whom we are proud to partner with to provide exciting history and geography based travel opportunities.

Social Science Display, February 2019.

Speaking of travel, on March break 22 students and 3 teachers will be joining a group from St. Ignatius for an exciting history-themed tour of Europe. The group will begin their journey in Berlin, where they will visit such places as the Berlin Wall and the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. From there, they will move on to the Netherlands, visiting the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. In Belgium, they will spend a day around the city of Ypres. In northern France, they will visit the Vimy Ridge and Beaumont Hamel battlefields before proceeding to Normandy and Juno Beach. The last day of the tour will take the group to the many sites of Paris. You can follow their progress on this site and on social media.

St. Patrick & St. Ignatius students pray at the Bretteville-sur-Laize Cemetery, April 2017.

Be sure to check back regularly for the latest news and information.

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Geography, History, Social Science

Tagged as , , , , ,

March 30, 2017 · 13:02

The Latest-April 2017

Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both-C. Wright Mills

It has been another busy month in the Social Science Department.

On February 28th, the school hosted its annual open house for prospective Grade 8 students. In a break with past practice, department booths were located in their respective areas, as opposed to the gymnasium, which was designed to allow students and parents to see more of the school. Social Science was located in the North Hallway across from the music room and there was a fairly steady stream of traffic by our booth. In case you missed it, you can view our department brochure here: Department Brochure

Social Science Display, February 2017.

Learning with hands-on activities is continuing in our classrooms. Students in Ms. Bernardi’s Grade 9 geography class were able to physically create the process of the rock cycle and also eat it too. Utilizing chocolate, the students used heat, pressure and time to form the three different types of rocks; igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. Once they had completed their “model,” they had the opportunity to savour their rock cookies as a snack!

The department trip to Europe to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge is now only days away. Twenty-three students and three teachers from St. Patrick will be joined by students and teachers from St. Ignatius as they make the pilgrimage for this once-in-a-lifetime event. It is estimated that 25,000 people will attend the ceremony, along with representatives from the government and the Monarchy. In addition to Vimy Ridge, the group will be visiting Amsterdam, Beaumont Hamel, Albert, Normandy and Paris. You can follow their progress via our website, or on Facebook and Twitter.

Vimy 100 backpack and jacket, March 2017.

Please check back soon as we will posting details before and during our trip to Europe for the 100th Anniversary of Vimy Ridge.

Leave a comment

Filed under Geography, History, Social Science

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

February 1, 2016 · 12:13

The Latest-February 2015

History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul-Lord Acton

Turning the calendar from January to February marks an important change for all high school students. First semester exams are now completed and with it brings new classes and new opportunities.

Change is in the air for the Social Science Department as well. We would like to welcome Ms. Caza, who has taken over as instructional leader for Mr. Battistel, who will be on leave this semester. The department will certainly be in good hands with her.

You can visit with Ms. Caza and other members of the department at the annual Grade 8 Open House, which will take place on Wednesday, February 17th commencing at 7:00 pm. Stop by our booth and chat about our subject areas, especially Grade 9 and 10 geography, history and civics. You can learn about the technology we utilize, as well as opportunities for hands on experiences.

We will also have information available from EF Tours. Our department will be leading an excursion to Vimy Ridge in the spring of 2017 for the 100th anniversary commemorations of the battle. We’ve also begun planning for our next potential excursion in 2019.

Be sure to check back regularly for the latest news and information.

Leave a comment

Filed under Geography, History, Social Science

Tagged as , , ,

March 31, 2015 · 14:00

The Latest-April 2015

Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it-Edmund Burke

As winter rolls into spring, it has been a very busy time for the Social Science Department.

In early February St. Patrick High School hosted its annual Open House for prospective Grade 8 student. Despite the snowstorm we experienced that day, the event was fairly well attended. Quite a number of people stopped by our booth to chat and ask questions. One of the most popular topics of conversation was our bi-annual European history tours through EF Canada. Even though Vimy 2017 is still more than two years away, the trip is currently full with several students on a waiting list. However, we assured the Grade 8 students and their parents that by the time they reach Grade 12 we will have another tour on tap. Looking ahead to 2019 we are contemplating something different, maybe a visit to the battlefields of Italy as a change of pace.

Social Science booth, February 2015.

Social Science booth, February 2015.

Social Science booth, February 2015.

Social Science booth, February 2015.

On March 11th the department and the school were very privileged to host a special visitor for a second year in a row. Max Eisen hails from Toronto and came to Thunder Bay to share his story of tragedy and survival during the Holocaust. In the spring of 1944, then 15 year-old Max, his family and thousands of other Hungarian Jews were rounded up and set to the Auschwitz concentration camp. While he was very fortunate to survive the horrors of the camp and a subsequent death march, most of his family perished.

Speaking to a packed Auditorium of social science, English and religion students, Max’s personal experience certainly struck a chord with those in attendance. Afterwards, there was a long line-up of students who wanted to chat with Max or even just shake his hand; many were at loss for words. Special thanks go out to Ms. Caza for helping to organize Max’s visit and are very hopeful he can return next year.

Max Eisen, March 2015.

Max Eisen, March 2015.

Gyllean and Denae present to Max, March 2015.

Gyllean and Denae present to Max, March 2015.

Nick and Matt with Max, Matrch 2015.

Nick and Matt with Max, March 2015.

Stewart and Ms. Caza with Max, March 2015.

Stewart and Ms. Caza with Max, March 2015.

Please check back regularly for the latest news and information.

Leave a comment

Filed under Geography, History, Social Science

Tagged as , , , , , ,

February 2, 2015 · 10:29

The Latest-February 2015

Fortes Fortuna Juvat (Fortune favour the bold)-Virgil, Aeneid.

 

Things have been busy as of late for the Social Science Department. January marks the end of the semester and the start of the first round of exams for students. Following this, February brings with it the beginning of a new semester and a number of important events.

 

On February 11th St. Patrick High School will host its annual Open House for Grade 8 students. The event begins at 7:00pm in the school gymnasium. Come and see what we have to offer and what a fantastic learning environment St. Patrick is.

 

As usual, Social Science will have a booth set up along with all of the other departments to showcase our subject areas, especially Grade 9 and 10 geography, history and civics. Technology and our excursions to Europe will be a big focal point. Several members of the department will be on hand to answer your questions, so be sure to stop and chat with us!

 

In 2017 Canada will be celebrating two very important milestones; the 150th anniversary of the founding of our country and the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. These were both monumental events in our great history.

 

As detailed on several previous occasions, St. Patrick will be travelling to France in April 2017 to participate in the ceremonies to commemorate the Battle of Vimy Ridge along with thousands of high school students from across Canada. Led by Mr. Battistel and Ms. Caza, over 20 students have registered to participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity. We will be once again travelling alongside our sister school, St. Ignatius. Even though we are more than 2 years away, the excitement continues to build for this trip.

 

Please check back regularly for the latest news and information.

Leave a comment

Filed under Geography, History, Social Science

Tagged as , , , , , ,

February 28, 2014 · 13:32

The Latest-March 2014

Truth is the cry of all, but the game of few-George Berkeley.

It’s hard to believe that we’re already a month into the new semester. It has been a very busy start to the second half of the year, but also very exciting.

On Wednesday, February 12th St. Patrick High School hosted its annual open house for prospective Grade 8 students. The event was very well attended and quite a number of students and parents stopped by the Social Science booth to learn about our programs. It also gave us an opportunity to promote our many extras in the department, such as field trips and out of town excursions. We look forward to welcoming these students to St. Pats next year.

Social Science booth, February 2014.

Social Science booth, February 2014.

Social Science booth, February 2014.

Social Science booth, February 2014.

iPads ready to go, February 2014.

iPads ready to go, February 2014.

Ms. Caza & Ms. Hallarn hard at work, February 2014.

Ms. Caza & Ms. Hallarn hard at work, February 2014.

Now speaking of excursions, next week 22 students from St. Patrick and 3 teacher chaperones will be making a historical pilgrimage to Europe. They will be joining students and teachers from St. Ignatius on EF Educational Tours “Canada’s Battlefields Tour.” Leading this amazing journey will be Mr. Cappello, Ms. Borgo and Mr. Battistel.

The group will be travelling to Amsterdam, the Scheldt, Ypres and Passchendaele, Vimy Ridge, Normandy, Dieppe and Paris on this 10-day trip. To honour Canada’s sacrifices during WWI and WWII, they will also be visiting the cemeteries at Bergen-op-Zoom, Beny-sur-Mer, and Bretteville-sur-Laize. It is the culmination of two years of planning and preparation and the travellers are eagerly anticipating the March 6th departure date.

Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, April 2012.

Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, April 2012.

During the trip, Mr. Battistel will be attempting to blog everyday about our experiences (wifi permitting). Be sure to check this blog everyday starting March 5th for the latest news and information from this awesome adventure. See you then!

Leave a comment

Filed under Geography, History, Social Science

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

January 30, 2014 · 20:14

The Latest-February 2014

The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself-Friedrich Nietzsche.

Things have been busy as of late for the Social Science Department. January marks the end of the semester and the start of the first round of exams for students. Following this, February brings with it the start of a new semester and a number of important events.

On February 12th St. Patrick High School will host its annual Open House for Grade 8 students. The event begins at 7:00pm in the school gymnasium. Most of the attendees for the open house are drawn from our feeder school, Pope John Paul II Senior Elementary. For St. Patrick, this is our second and most important opportunity to promote our school and our programs (the Grade 8’s visited in late November).

As usual, Social Science will have a booth set up in the gymnasium along with all of the other departments to showcase our subject areas, especially Grade 9 and 10 geography, history and civics. A heavy emphasis will be on our access to and use of technology, as some of our classes are involved with an iPad pilot project. Be sure to stop and pay us a visit.

By far the most exciting news from the department is the forthcoming March break trip to Europe. 2014 marks several important historical milestones; the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I, the 75th anniversary of the start of World War II and the 70th anniversary of the Normandy Landings.

To mark these events and honour those that fought for Canada, particularly those who made the supreme sacrifice, 22 students from St. Patrick and 3 teacher chaperones will be making a historical pilgrimage to Europe. They will be joining 23 students and teachers from our sister school, St. Ignatius, on EF Educational Tours “Canada’s Battlefields Tour.” Leading this amazing journey will be Mr. Cappello, Ms. Borgo and Mr. Battistel. They will be visiting Amsterdam, the Scheldt, Ypres and Passchendaele, Vimy Ridge, Normandy, Dieppe and Paris on this 10-day trip.

German bunker, Nan White sector-Juno Beach, April 2012.

German bunker, Nan White sector-Juno Beach, April 2012.

Canadian National Vimy Memorial, April 2012.

Canadian National Vimy Memorial, April 2012.

This should prove to be a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved, much like it was on the April 2012 trip to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. If you are interested, you can follow our adventures overseas on a daily basis starting March 6th.

Leave a comment

Filed under Geography, History, Social Science

Tagged as , , , , , , ,