Ah..Grade 12, what a hard year it’s been thus far from being constantly worked without pay. Our fingers worked to the bone, some of us suf- fer from sleep deprivation due to our nightmares of essays and tests. We start the day off with English/Social Studies, trying to master the pen and expand our social perspective on Canadian issues. Then there is third class, which is chemistry: just when you think Mrs. Prakash’s voice will give out from the constant prodding and encouraging directed at unwilling teenagers, she finds someone else to do it for her: Mr. Howie teaches us about equilibriums while watching over us with a stern gaze, a trick believed to be taught to him by his mentor, by Mrs. Prakash. After a short lunch break, we are then herded in to Mr. Herman’s room to be lectured on the finer points of pre-calculus 30 by Mr. Bartsch. As we are tested mentally, physically and emotionally during this hour, it is a wonder no one manages to lose their composure, although outbursts of crying aren’t uncommon, due to release of stress caused by the constant barrage of radians and identities. Finally to end the day, we are thrust into Mr. Tyndall’s domain. Through the haze of sawdust and screams, we are pressed to complete a master piece, of which none of us can even begin to comprehend. Although we are sometimes lost for days in the vastness of the shop, with nothing to survive on but small chunks of 2×4, amazingly we all still survive…for now.

Winter is here and Christmas is right around the corner. Classes are busier than ever. In Foundations 20, we are learning about statistics. We have just begun the Diversity of Life Unit in Biology. In Physics, we are learning the laws of reflection in plane and curved mirrors. We are having a blast playing sports, and doing yoga, in Gym. In English and Social Studies, we are presenting projects on the history of something we are interested in. We also worked together to plan the schools Remembrance Day ceremony.

Well, the grade 10’s have been pretty busy. There’s only a quick breathing spot as football and volleyball wind up and basketball (which they’re also studying in Wellness right now) gets under- way. Which kind of brings to mind the Challenges unit that they’re just finishing up in ELA. And have you noticed the temperature getting colder outside? These kids will be able to convert fluently between Fahrenheit and Celsius, thanks to Mr. Bartsch in Math class. They’ve finally written their final exam in Driver’s Ed, so keep an eye open in and around Hanley for our new drivers. In science, they’re learning about motion and acceleration – hopefully they won’t be testing out extreme acceleration in Driver’s Ed anytime soon! And finally, they’re wrapping up their projects in IA, and putting the finishing touches on their quilts in Home Ec. Was that Christmas music I just heard?

This month in Grade 7 we saw a few big changes. Miss Adelman has joined our class while Mrs. Bain is away on ma- ternity leave. She is excited to be here and get to know everyone better!

In ELA, the girls are continuing to work on the theme Science Fiction and are currently studying the novel Dust. The boys just finished a book called, Escape from Home and are now working on a final project. In Social we are finishing up the unit on “Cooperation and Interdependence in North America”. In Science, we are wrapping up a unit on “Earth’s Crust”. We will be having a unit test this week. In Careers, we have been exploring different types of jobs and will now be looking at how to make a resume. In Math, the girls are finishing up a unit on Integers and the boys are just beginning to learn about Integers. The girls will be having a Math test on Tuesday, Nov. 20. The girls are also learning to router in I.A. and are really enjoying it!