Solisterra: Building Model Rocket Stoves & Memories that will last a Lifetime

Posted on June 2, 2015 by admin

LCC is privileged to go on annual trips to Solisterra. Whether for grade 8 enriched math, Green Team leadership, or senior service trips, we have been going on these trips for the last five years.

The very first year LCC students went to Solisterra, they built a three-storey playhouse fully equipped with a fireman’s pole and slide. The next year, the students participated in a community project building a gazebo in Kazabazua made from the ruins from the oldest house in the town. During the third year, our most “ambitious” year, the students built an 80 foot tall windmill made with cement blocks weighing 1.2 tons each–not to mention the straw bale workshop as well as chicken coop which is now home to 15 roosters and hens. The following year, student leadership along with the grade 8 enriched class built a solar shower, straw bale generator shed, chicken run and rocket stove to keep the chickens warm. In April of this year, the senior service trip students finished the solar shower and straw bale workshop. A big thank you to all who have participated over the years.

I was lucky enough to be a part of this year’s enriched math trip and I would like to share what it was like for us.

Three weeks ago, 20 of my classmates, Ms. Webster, Ms. Saunders, Mr. Clark, M. Tremblay and I embarked on a three-hour bus ride to Solisterra not quite knowing what to expect. When we arrived, we quickly learned that bug spray was absolutely no help against the vicious swarms of insects that attacked us the second we walked off the bus. Ms Saunders got us quickly engaged building model rocket stoves followed by roasting marshmallows and a nighttime hike. For our sleeping quarters we were separated into two houses, Pinia and Rose.

The next day we were on the building worksite by 7:30 am after consuming the best homemade bread ever. One small group went to parge, another worked on the rocket stove bench, and the other worked on a pizza and bread oven. The work was hard and tiring, but always exciting and rewarding. Thank goodness for the amazing snacks and meals that were made for us by Deb! We spent the next two days alternating projects and having a blast. It goes without saying that we were all a bit reluctant to get on that bus back to the city.

I’m so grateful to all the people who helped to make this trip a reality and on behalf of all the students who attended, wish to thank to Ms. Saunders, Ms. Webster, Mr. Clark and M. Tremblay. We had a great time and we made new memories and strong bonds that will last us long past our graduation. –Emma Belhadfa ’18

A “Soft” Pitch for Key Work Skills

Posted on April 29, 2015 by admin

We are holding our annual Career Day today. This student-organized event brings professionals to the school to speak to LCC’s grade 10 and 11 students on the nature of today’s workplace.

The concept of “career” is complicated for many young people. Jobs are shifting and changing more rapidly than ever in the past. Some examples of lucrative jobs that didn’t even exist 10 years ago include: App Developer, Social Media Manager, and Sustainability Expert. The list is actually quite lengthy.

On this shifting career landscape, one thing is certain. What were once considered “soft skills” and designated as less important than technical skills, are now considered significant attributes that employers actively seek. More and more, employers are sending messages that they can teach technical skills to their employees after being hired, but the soft skills need to be embedded and need to be strong from the outset. In fact, they now require a new focus, perhaps just as important as technical skills.

So what are soft skills? They include attributes such as: verbal communication, capacity for teamwork and collaboration, tact and diplomacy, empathy for others, creativity, cultural sensitivity, resilience, and flexibility. A positive mindset is also very important.

In his book, Hiring for Attitude, author Mark Murphy claims that close to 50 per cent of all new hires fail in the first 18 months, and of those new hires, 90 per cent fail for reasons associated with attitude and weak soft skills.

So we cannot dismiss soft skills as “fluff.” They seem to be emerging as key skills in today’s workplace. I expect this message will be reinforced in today’s career seminars with our many guests. – Chris Shannon, Headmaster

Ma troisième semaine à Paris: Je suis déjà habitué au style de vie parisien

Posted on March 27, 2015 by admin

À la troisième semaine, je suis déjà habitué au style de vie parisien. Tous les jours je prend le métro pour aller et pour retourner de l’école (on est accompagné en auto de temps en temps). Pour le déjeuner (lunch), je mange au restaurant avec mon groupe d’amis, et lorsque j’ai de plus longues pauses, je rentre à la maison pour quelques heures, et j’en profite pour faire mon travail, ou même la sieste! Pour finir la journée moi et mes amis on s’improvise un match de soccer au Jardin du Luxembourg sans aucun horaire a respecter. Bien sur le diner je mange plus tard. Ce style de vie ici est bien diffèrent et bien plaisant, j’avoue.

Pour le weekend, moi et la famille de mon correspondant Tangui, sommes allés en Bretagne. Même si les gens à Paris pensent que la Bretagne est moche et déprimente, ils ont complètement tord. Le paysage est extraordinaire et l’ambiance est relax. Mon expérience préférée en Bretagne a été de mangé des crêpes bretonnes, reconnue mondialement, sous la pluie typique de la Bretagne.

En conclusion, cette troisième semaine ici à Paris ne pouvait pas être plus agréable. Je crois personnellement qu’il n’y a pas d’autre ville qui a un mode de vie aussi extraordinaire que Paris. Je ne peux pas croire que j’entame déjà ma quatrième semaine ici :(. – Ryan Garber ’17, Exchange Student at École alsacienne

Travel: The Greatest Teacher

Posted on March 26, 2015 by admin

“Travel,” wrote Mark Twain, “is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness”. Even ancient thinkers realized the value of travel as the best way to build respect for others and identify the inherent value of cultural difference. Theologian and philosopher St. Augustine stated in the 4^th century that: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Indeed, travel Is about experience. It doesn’t just help one to imagine a place – it is about feeling a place, it’s culture and rhythms. Inherently, this challenges norms and routines and broadens perspectives and one’s limited understanding of the world.

Travel allows people to visit places of heritage, historical significance, places with unique cultures vastly different from one’s own. The impact of experiences lived abroad can be very lasting.

At the time of a journey, one is caught up in the immediacy of doing – it’s only afterward that one has a chance to interpret it, put it into a greater context, and fully appreciate it.

So many of our students were fortunate to travel over the recent March Break. In the process, every student who went away had a unique opportunity to learn and grow. The school organized three memorable trips.

Fifty-five (55) members of the LCC Senior Band journeyed to Cuba. They were able to perform in a unique setting and gained a better appreciation of Cuban culture, the country’s communist political system, and the deeply alluring Latin rhythms engrained in Cuban life. Our music teachers are very well travelled and they rank this trip among the very best they have ever participated in with a group of music students. They were proud of our students!

Our Senior Hockey team went on its bi-annual trip to Europe – this year to Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. Coach LLano has long said that each and every one of these journeys is more of an opportunity to expose students to old-world cultures than about simply competing to win on the rink. Yes, the hockey was fun and went well, but the boys gained important exposure to new cultures and communities and they each have many lasting memories.

This year’s Duke of Edinburgh Gold Trip took more than twenty students to beautiful Morocco in West Africa. The group gained insights into Arab culture, visited the mysterious “Souks” of Fez and Marrakesh, and trekked the beautiful snow-covered Atlas mountains. Faculty leaders Mr. Salkeld, Ms. Owen and Monsieur Maurice were very proud to travel with our students – many of whom had to physically push themselves hard while on the multi-day hike in the mountains. So much was learned while away.

At Tuesday’s assembly I asked each of our students who was fortunate to go away on the break to be sure to think and reflect on what was seen and experienced. The many memorable experiences will take awhile to sink in.

Regarding the importance of travel, Mark Twain also said:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by what you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

I agree with Twain. Travel is the greatest teacher – a wise and savvy teacher. We want our students to open their eyes, hearts and perspectives though meaningful experiences. These are critical to their personal growth and development. – Chris Shannon, Headmaster

Ma première semaine à Paris fut spectaculaire!

Posted on March 16, 2015 by admin

Quand je suis arrivé à Paris, j’étais complètement bouleversé. J’eus le temps de dire au revoir à ma famille et à mes amis, puis brutalement, je fus libéré comme dans une jungle. Malgré un début de séjour compliqué à Paris, à cause d’une gastro toute la première nuit, j’étais prêt à commencer mon voyage avec un bon état d’esprit.

Habituellement, un correspondant ne connaît pas son nouvel environnement. Il ne possède aucune idée de l’école, de l’accueil qui lui sera réservé, et sans certitude de se faire des amis. Mon cas fut différent de celui-ci et j’en suis très chanceux. En effet, la première partie de l’échange se déroula à Montréal : j’accueillais mon correspondant français, Tangui. Notre relation s’améliora de jour en jour et nul doute que Tangui fait désormais parti de mes meilleurs amis. Il m’a donc été possible de nouer de fantastiques liens d’amitié et de ne pas être apeuré par la rentrée scolaire à Paris.

Par conséquent, mon arrivée à l’École alsacienne fut plus facile et je pus tirer de ma première semaine de meilleurs bénéfices. Tangui joua un rôle majeur dans mon intégration et dans mon adaptation à ce nouveau lieu. Le premier jour, Tangui m’attendait devant l’école avec plusieurs de ses amis. Très gentils, ils me posèrent de nombreuses questions et tout de suite je me sentis à l’aise. La sonnerie retentit alors, synonyme de début des cours. La première semaine fut superbe: les enseignants ont été bienveillants, les étudiants chaleureux et surtout la météo plus clémente (il fait plus chaud qu’à Montréal!). Si ça continue ainsi, je n’aurais jamais envie de partir!

Pour conclure, ma première semaine à Paris fut spectaculaire. La famille qui m’accueille dans sa maison est vraiment fantastique et aimable. Même si j’eus d’abord une expérience difficile, mon voyage se déroule de mieux en mieux et m’a déjà beaucoup appris. Ce séjour m’a complètement changé en tant qu’humain, et ça ne fait qu’une semaine que je suis ici! – Ryan Garber ’17, Exchange Student at École alsacienne