Duke of Ed Gold Trip to Colombia: Acclimatization Hike

Posted on March 10, 2016 by admin

DoEGold_AccimatizationHike_Mar2016 Leaving the small town of Mongui, we all felt quite nervous about what lay ahead. The hike we were about to embark on was not going to be easy and that was made very clear from the beginning. Living at sea level in Montreal and climbing to an outstanding 3,200 meters would bring the expression “physically draining” to a new level. Many of us didn’t know what to expect and I can speak for the majority when I say we were all surprised.

The hike consisted of extensive segments of uphill trekking with minimal flats to regain our energy. Considering the drastic change in altitude, we all felt out of breath very quickly. After the first 15 minutes we knew what was in store for the next three hours.

Having 19 other peers at my side provided a sense of comfort as well as support throughout the hike. In my opinion, the practice hike was the first real bonding experience of the trip. Everyone felt the same way and we knew that all we had to do was keep encouraging one another.

Arriving at the top we were quick to take a seat and enjoy the view. After many pictures, snacks and applications of sunscreen we were ready to head back down and enjoy lunch. Many memories and jokes were formed on our descent. From where we ate lunch it took us around an hour to head back to our hotel in the centre of town. We were overcome with a profound sense of self-accomplishment and excitement when the main square was in site. Having pain in our legs, slight sunburns, and blisters, we had accomplished something we had all been dreading, together. –Viv Tellier ’17

The Reward of Service

Posted on March 9, 2016 by admin

2015_2016_DoEGoldTrip_BuildHouses_Mar2016 As part of the Duke of Ed Gold Trip to Colombia we had the opportunity to build houses for two families in need. Before arriving at our destination, we had no idea what to expect. We were told that we were going to a very poor area near Bogotá and would even require military escort to bring us there. When we finally arrived, this could not have been further form the truth. Instead of the rundown and dangerous area that we imagined, we discovered simple, sparse homes in the country with beautiful views and great weather.

During the building and painting of the houses, one of the relatives of the families that we were helping invited us into their home for a delicious lunch of sancocho, a Colombian stew. We soon learned that whatever wealth they lacked was made up for with kindness, pride, and happiness.

When we finally finished the houses we received big “thank yous” and even saw some of the members break into tears of gratitude and joy for all that we had done. At the end of the day we felt truly humbled. We saw first hand the impact that an act of charity could bring to others, and we all felt very grateful that we were given the opportunity to do the work and make the difference that we had made. If the opportunity presented itself again, I know that we all would have built the houses a thousand times over.
–Louis de Gaspé Beaubien ’16

Student Exchange Australia: Coastal Discoveries

Posted on March 9, 2016 by admin

2015_2016_TXiao_StudExchange_AUS_01 I can’t believe that it’s already my fourth week in Australia. This has been an amazing journey that I will never forget. I have already been to many different places along the coast of Victoria and it has been quite eventful. Last weekend, Tom’s family and I went to Inverloch, a small town on the beach. Since they have a beach house there, we stayed for one night and we spent a lot of time relaxing. The Australian coast is very different from North America. It seems to be a lot more natural with fewer people and more wildlife such as sea grass and marine organisms. Also, there aren’t many buildings on the shore, which is great.

Tom and I spent a lot of time together on the beach and it turns out that he is huge NFL fan just like me, so we threw a football around on the sand. In addition, we visited an area called “Eagles Nest,” which is a very rocky area on the shore. I enjoyed going there and we were able to see some crabs and even a scorpion!

This week, Tomas and I went to The Great Ocean Road, one of the most scenic and historical areas on earth. In fact, it was the Australian WWI veterans who built this highway after they returned home. The drive was just amazing and we saw many beaches, the ocean, and some hills. The water seamed clear and turquoise and I really wanted to stop and jump in. However we weren’t able to because we wanted to leave enough time to see the Twelve Apostles. The Twelve Apostles were beautiful even if there are only eight left. The reason why four are missing is because the apostles are actually limestone stacks in the ocean so they are eroding quickly due to the waves. In fact, if I come back in a few years, some of them might be completely gone.

This trip is going by very quickly and I’m enjoying all of the experiences and adventures so far. We are going to Sydney and the Eureka Tower next! –Terry Xiao ’18

Headmaster’s Open Letter to LCC Staff

Posted on February 8, 2016 by admin

Dear LCC Staff:

LCC_Staff_Faculty_2015_cropped

In the mid-1980s I started teaching at a very good Canadian independent school. That was the era of “chalk talk” and an expectation that teachers would mostly stand and deliver key content. The chalk and blackboards are gone and the world of education has changed. In fact, it has changed a lot. Yet, the general public and many self-appointed experts haven’t always noticed. I have – and I want to thank you all for adapting, innovating and being difference-makers in the lives of so many young children and adolescents. Whether it’s staff in critical support roles or teachers in the classroom, people working here bring a special professional passion to their jobs. A solid weave of skill, patience, care, and empathy are why so many children feel so comfortable and at home at LCC – even years after graduation.

So since I began working in education, what’s changed in the world of the LCC staff member? In no particular order, here are a few notable things:

iPads, laptops, Assaly Arts Centre, SMART Boards, Chamandy Arena, apps, rubrics, multiple teaching strategies, differentiation, welcoming crossing guards and receptionists, collaboration, LEAD Centre, Internet, character education, electronic academic reports, the cloud, co-curriculars, counselors, brain science, cross-curricular initiatives, debating competitions, environmental sustainability, resilience, helicopter parents, History Night, HIV-AIDS, stick-with-itness, tech bubble, bilinguisme, end of Cold War, teen anxiety, multimedia, LEED standards, globalization, Gestetner machines, multiple intelligences, admissions/business/advancement/IT/communication specialists, Exploratorium de Gaspé Beaubien, wellness, PREP, global citizenship, robotics, learning support, smart phones, “anywhere anytime learning”, email, Foire Équitable, Gulf War I & II, social media, Québec referendum, IT integration, IEP’s, advisors, arts education, faculty interns, YPI, Model UN’s, mindfulness, blogs, LCC Reads, DQ-Destiny Quebec Global Issues Conference, teaming, international student exchanges, Café Cabaret, 9-11, service learning, LCC TV, Innovation Centre, Webster Learning Activity Centre, experiential learning, Grandparents’ Day, turf field, Duke of Edinburgh leadership training, after-school care, open houses, CAIS national standards, QAIS advocacy, Round Square, IB, philanthropy, digital revolution……..

Yes, that’s a lot of change and there’s a lot more. Somehow you’ve all adapted, gained notable expertise and integrated impressive new skills into your professional toolkit at LCC.

What remains constant for our LCC students is the deep dedication of all the adults who work here. Our staff embodies the timeless values that are our foundations: respect/empathy, passion/excellence, collaboration/communication, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous growth. You build daily on these foundations to enhance the lives of children, girls and boys of all ages, no matter what their background or emotional mindset. Many of you might not even know how much you earn – but when it comes to our students, you should be very proud of how much you make, build, inspire, support, direct and guide. In today’s glossy world that’s truly special and meaningful. You’re amazing!

Thank you for making a difference in so many young lives!

With respect and appreciation,

Christopher Shannon
Headmaster

E-Books Versus Print: The Debate Continues

Posted on February 5, 2016 by admin

The Allure of Print

Now that we are able to do so much online, it can seem like print books are no longer useful. They’re heavy. They get dusty. They weigh down your backpack and fill up your locker.

Why lug those things around when you can read almost anything on a screen now? There are e-books, digital databases, online textbooks. La Presse recently stopped printing a daily paper (except on Saturdays). Now, the best way to access it is through its app, which the Toronto Star is also using.

But the allure of holding an actual book in your hands is one that tablets and laptops can’t duplicate. Books are tactile objects that you can touch and smell. You can fold the pages over and write in the margins.

People still love books. E-book sales are down, and sales of second-hand books are up. University students continue to prefer textbooks in print – even when they’re given the electronic version for free. They find that it is easier to focus on a physical textbook, it is easier to highlight, and there is less chance of distraction. And research shows that a well-stocked home library improves children’s academic achievement across the globe, regardless of their socio-economic status or the country they live in.

A solid 21^st century school library should offer a combination of books, e-books, and databases to provide students with the information they need. As a librarian, not only do I believe that print and digital resources can peacefully co-exist, but that they complement each other. There are times, like when you’re standing on the metro or crammed into an airplane seat, that e-books just make more sense. But then there are other times, like a rainy day when you’re curled up with a cup of tea, when only a real book will do.

– Laura Sanders, Librarian Laura_Sanders

Laura Sanders, the Head Librarian at Lower Canada College, received her Master of Library and Information Science from McGill University in 2013. She taught English Literature abroad for four years and enjoys reading in both print and digital formats.