Exploring South African Culture

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Dahlia_Kahn3The first day I arrived in South Africa was so exciting and nerve-racking. I had just gotten off of a 15-hour flight to go and meet my new exchange. I was greeted with a very warm welcome from Tatum, my exchange, and her mother, Debbie. We had driven home in the boiling hot weather, just after attending the school’s open house. It gave me a chance to see what the school was like and understand how a few things work. We arrived at home in no time, where I was greeted with balloons and posters wishing me a great stay while I’m here.

The next day I was very jet lagged, but managed to take on the day. I was taken around the neighbourhood and shown multiple parks, houses and even a few different birds. including the Hadada. For dinner, I tried a South African sausage called Boerewors, which was quite delicious. It had been a long day and I needed to get some rest seeing that the next day was my first day of school. School started at 7:30 am which is around when I normally get downstairs in the morning in Montreal. We had to wake up at 5:30 am and leave the house by 6:30 am. Once we arrived, I was welcomed and it felt as though everyone was my friend. The day consisted of seven subjects, one of which was Afrikaans. Although it was interesting to listen to, it was very hard to follow and understand. St. Stithians College is also different due to the fact that it is an all girls’ school and most of their hallways and lunch zones are outside (you are responsible for packing your own lunch). It’s so nice to be able to sit outside in the sun and enjoy the weather, unlike how it’s cold and snowy in Montreal. After school their are multiple sports options including running, swimming, squash, etc. I decided I would do Saint Striders, which is running.

The school is a Christian Methodist Church, which means that on every Tuesday we go to chapel. It was the very first time I was attending any form of church and it was really interesting. There were beautiful stained glass windows and a giant organ. Once everyone was seated, a choir sang and it was beautiful. I’m looking forward to hearing them sing again.

 – Dahlia Kahn ‘18, Exchange Student at St. Stithians College

Welcome to Melbourne!

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Carey_Grammar_SchoolOn February 5, 2016, I left Montreal to go to Melbourne, Australia. Because there were no
direct flights to the city, I had to take two flights. The first one was to Doha in Qatar and after a six-hour layover, the second flight went straight to Melbourne. After leaving my parents and boarding the plane on my own for the first time, I had a million thoughts go through my mind. I was extremely excited to be able to meet Tomas for the first time as well as all his classmates at Carey Baptist Grammar School. However, at the same time, I was a bit nervous since I did not really know what to expect and I’d be going to a new school, living with a host family and meeting new people. Fortunately, after getting settled in on the plane, I got rid of those thoughts by falling asleep because it was already 11 pm.

When I finally woke up, the plane had already begun its descent to Doha and it was a very pleasant 13-hour flight that actually felt kind of short. Unfortunately, because of my flight schedule, I had to wait in Doha for six hours. But surprisingly, this was not boring at all. In fact, the airport was very modern and equipped with many different shops, services and amenities. The lounge there was over the top and unlike anything I’ve ever seen; there were two restaurants, shower rooms, sleeping rooms and even a man-made lake. Plus, the staff there was very nice and helpful and they took very good care of me during my time in Doha.

Finally, I got on the last flight of my trip and watched movies until I arrived at Melbourne. When I set foot in this new country, more questions started to arise. Will Tomas and his father come to pick me up on time? What if border control tries to stop me from entering Australia? Nonetheless, all my questions were answered when I breezed through customs and met Tom and his dad.

My first few days at Carey were a blast. I met many new classmates and got to know my host family a lot better. They were all very nice and friendly, which made me feel at home and remind me of my friends back in Montreal. However, everything here is quite different from Canada and I learned that through a few amusing events. For instance, after being picked up from the airport, I thought that my fellow exchange student was driving since he got into the left side of the car, but I was wrong because Australians drive on the right instead of the left.

All in all, I am very excited and I can’t wait to explore and experience Australia even more. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I am eager to make the most out of it!

– Terry Xiao ‘18, Exchange Student at Carey Baptist Grammar School

Kangaroos, Koalas and Wombats… Oh My!

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Sophie_Tellier2I have been in Ballarat, Australia for a week now, and I must say that I am having the best time. Traveling all the way here wasn’t the most eventful part of this first week, though after finally meeting my wonderful exchange family it was definitely worth it. Out in Ballarat, my exchange family has a home in a small town called Skipton, which is where they harvest crops and take care of sheep for their wool. The Walker family was extremely welcoming, with a nice box filled with Tim Tams, an Australian flag and some Australian stuffed animals.

Ballarat Grammar School is an amazing school. It’s somewhat different from LCC, with many more buildings, a farm, a pool and multiple boarding houses. Though with many more differences, the people are just as friendly as back home. Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to visit the Ballarat Wildlife Park to see some kangaroos, koalas and wombats up close. I can easily say that a kangaroo is really as cute as you see in pictures. I hope the next five weeks won’t go by too quickly because I am having the most amazing experience.

– Sophie Tellier ’18, Exchange student at Ballarat Grammar School

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More Australian Adventures…

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blog 2 pic 2I am now into my second week at Carey Baptist Grammar School and I have already made many friends. Although they live all the way across the world, Chloe’s friends are actually very similar to mine at LCC. We are mostly into the same music, movies, celebrities and more. The school itself is a little bit different than LCC. The hallways and lockers are outside but the way the teachers teach is similar. Their uniforms are also different; the boys wear shorts and the girls wear yellow dresses! They have a lot of electives like metalwork, fashion, food and more, which are very exciting to try.

This past week, I’ve been able to go to a beach in Sorrento with rock pools, participate in a school swimming carnival, go shopping in a mall in the city and even try kangaroo in my food class!

Overall, I have been trying many new things, making new friends and having an amazing experience. It is already going so fast and I am sad to say that my journey is already halfway done. This is a once in a lifetime experience that I know I will never forget.

– Danielle Cutler ’18, Exchange Student at Carey Baptist Grammar School 
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Headmaster’s Open Letter to LCC Staff

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Dear LCC Staff:

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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