PACIFIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL christ-like living, critical thinking and joyful service
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AP Art Charcoal dust settles in a fine film over the gloss of the wooden tables in the art room. The click of camera shutters and the scratch of pencils over paper provide our subtle soundtrack. Paint colours swirl together in tiny glass jars and on palettes before they are delicately smoothed over canvas. Some students are researching, some are planning, some are collaborating, some are contemplating, and all are creating. A drawing hangs at the front of the room. It reveals evidence of hours of observation, preparation and dedication. Deliberate pencil strokes fill the paper forming a composition of balanced lights and darks that dance across the page. A casual semi-circle of students has formed. The artist sits timidly, waiting. This is a vulnerable moment; a moment in which one student allows her peers to evaluate her work. This situation has potential to be really scary. But it is not, because this is our community. One by one, students begin to offer comments, observations and encouragement about the piece. The work is examined, suggestions are offered, creativity is celebrated and praise is given. The hard work that has gone into the creation of the artwork is recognized and the artist feels an increased pride in her work. This community of thoughtful, observant and uplifting students is our AP Studio Art class. ELEMENTARY CAMPUS
Art allows us to share with others the world as we see it and as we would 671 likeAgnes to see Through it, we St. it. Victoria, BC V8Z 2E7are able to reveal beauty in both the obvious and the obscure, to examine social and personal issues, and to connect with one elementary@pacificchristian.ca another. The AP Studio Art program is an intensive exploration of a variety ofSECONDARY styles, subjects and media; however, it is CAMPUS “...nurturing students Christ-like living, also so much more. It is a placeinfor community development and personal growth. It is a safe place to be 654 Agnes St. Victoria, BC for V8Zstudents 2E6 critical thinking, and joyful service vulnerable with one another and to uplift each other through the development and celebration of our God-given gifts. secondary@pacificchristian.ca to become faithful citizens in God’s world.” Phone 250-479-4532 Stacey Jacobson, Secondary School AP Art Instructor
Pacific Christian School
www.pacificchristian.ca
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Grade 6 Dance Club I have been a part of the PCS family for 20 years now: once as a student, also a volunteer, then a student teacher, and now as a classroom teacher. Dance has always been a part of my life and I have always felt God gave me an avenue to glorify Him. I’ll never forget the time I was given the opportunity to dance at our annual PCS Christmas concert. I went up on stage in my red velvet dress and tap-danced my way across the University of Victoria stage. The best part of the experience was being able to share my love of dance with the PCS community. For me, dance is an outlet. It is my outward expression of love towards God and my way of praising him. I always think about it like this: some people express praise to God through singing, while some praise through painting or drawing, but I believe that God has given me the ability to move and be creative and to thank Him for by dance. As I embark on a teaching career at PCS, I want to also give students the opportunity to praise God through movement. What story or lesson is the song portraying? How can we tell God’s story through the movements and shapes we make with our bodies, while still moving in ways which are edifying to God? These are questions I want my students to be asking as they dance.
Currently once a week, 10 to 15 students come every Friday and join me for a Grade 6 dance club. We work through various technique exercises, styles of dance, and combinations. It has been amazing watching these students become more comfortable expressing themselves in a way that edifies God. It has also been a blessing to watch them gain selfconfidence. According to Sir Ken Robinson, a renowned educator who recently spoke at a professional development day I attended, “dance is as important as math.” He went on to describe why it is important to have dance in schools, and to give students the opportunity to be creative through movement during the normal school day. Listening to Sir Robinson not only made me smile from ear to ear, but also accentuated the reason why I believe it is so important to offer the opportunity to dance to students at PCS. These students have been such a joy to work with, and have been such a blessing in my life. It is so exciting to see how God is using this dance club to glorify His kingdom.
“Let us praise him with dance.” Psalm 149:3 Kristen Low, Classroom Teacher & School Dance Teacher
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Spelling Bee 2017 It has become a tradition for PCS to hold an annual or biannual Spelling Bee for students from Grades 3 - 7. Over a spellbinding few weeks interested students participate first in individual classroom bees. The top three to five from each class move on to compete in a grade level Bee where the winners receive gold, silver and bronze medals for their accomplishments. These grade level winners receive a massive list of words to practice for the all school final Bee. The whole school gathers to watch this intense competition with the 15 finalists who have also been treated to pizza, juice and donuts for lunch before the finals. Traditionally the children have prepared so well that Mr. Helmus often has to move beyond the prepared list to the super challenging unseen list to determine a winner. Trophies are presented to the top three, along with gift certificates for books. It is a great opportunity for the participants to showcase their talent in Spelling and for the “fans� to experience a different type of competition than the usual athletic venue. Anna Welle, Elementary Teacher - Grade 5
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Drama 7 Drama 7 affords students a range of activities from improvisation, theatre games, and scene building, to writing and performing monologues and learning the basics of puppetry. Within these classes, the students learn a number of skills related to speech, movement, characterization and teamwork, which become necessary during the year’s culminating effort: the preparation and performance of a stage play. Past productions have included: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, A Comedy of Errors, Anne of Green Gables, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf, Alice in Wonderland, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and The Jungle Book. This year, the two Grade 7 classes are working on productions of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Cinderella. After the unglamorous and sometimes daunting weeks of rehearsals, students finally get to discover the pure joy of performing live theatre. Seeing their excitement as they don their costumes and step onto the stage is well worth all the effort to get there. Through dedicated team work over several months, these young people seem to grow in poise and confidence right before our eyes. At the end of the last performance, we’re all sad that our time is over so quickly, but the shared experience and lessons learned will last for years to come. Tom Snell, Elementary French/Drama Teacher
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The Anatomy of a Car Scene The timeline: Day 1: Students return to class after the Christmas break. Twenty Acting 11/12 students share their ideas and thoughts about an assignment that they will complete during the next three weeks. The initial task: Write two contrasting plays featuring two characters, five minutes in duration, with a beginning, middle and end. The plays must take place in or around a vehicle. Week 1: Students focus on the creation of their scripts working alone and sharing their process with each other. All scripts are submitted by the end of the week. Week 2: The class reads all of the forty submitted scripts. Readings start in small groups, followed by a response from the group to what they have read. After all of the plays have been read, students create three lists: “No for now”, “possibly/maybe” and “yes, for sure.” Fifteen plays are in the “yes, for sure” pile. The fifteen plays are read again for the entire class, and ten plays are ultimately chosen for production. The class works together to cast each play with an understanding that everyone must be cast and playwrights must not be cast in their own play. Casting is complete by the end of the week, and students spend the weekend memorizing the current draft of each play. Playwrights also work on suggested edits for each play. Week 3: This is an intense week of rehearsal. On Monday and Tuesday, the pairs of actors work together to develop
the scene while playwrights are permitted to give the actors edits. On Wednesday, they share the revised versions of the scripts with the class. Final suggestions are offered to the playwrights. Vehicles are selected for each play and props are arranged. After Wednesday’s feedback, the pairs of actors work together on Thursday with final edits from their playwright. Friday, of Week 3: Casts present their CAR PLAY in the studio for the last time. The class includes some invited guests who are asked to provide feedback and suggestions. Saturday, of Week 3, 9:00 AM: All vehicles in place in the PCS Parking Lot. Rehearsal begins for each play in the vehicle for the very first time. 10:30 AM: Twenty actors perform 10 plays in 10 different vehicles, while audiences of 2 watch from inside the vehicle. Every 5 minutes, a whistle blows and the audiences are introduced to two new actors and a new play. Each play is performed 30 times throughout the day, for 30 different audiences. Overall: It is an amazing final project, giving the students the opportunity to take a play from conception to production, and to demonstrate their skills as writers, directors and actors. At the same time, students’ family, friends, and the broader community have the chance to enjoy a unique, live theatre experience and to celebrate the brilliant accomplishments of the students.
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From the Secondary International Department Students come from all over the world to be part of the PCS community, and our International Department has been working hard to meet their needs. To support them in their studies, social lives, faith, and cultural awareness, some of the programs we offer include:
a healthy relationship with His Word, we separate the program into manageable pieces. With modern study applications and great supportive resources, students feel more comfortable with the text, while also feeling they can approach it on their own.
Orientation Program:
After-School Tutoring for International Students:
The Orientation Program takes place in August and February and helps students to feel at home in our beautiful city before even starting their first day of school. We provide many opportunities for students to familiarize themselves with their surroundings and via public transit and several walking tours. The program helps students feel comfortable with their living arrangements, the school setting, and social surroundings, all before starting school. Our department begins work mid-August, and it’s worth every minute if we can help these students feel welcome in their new learning environment.
One of our goals is to support students with their current course load. Students meet with peer tutors and build relationships with fellow PCS students while working on class assignments. Some simply come to connect with others, even if they do not have a tutor. This support system is a very important part of the International Program.
This course serves as an exploration of texts, relationships and values presented in the Bible. As most of our new students arrive at PCS between grades 9 and 10, it is important they learn a sufficient amount about the Old & New Testament, as well as Biblical themes before continuing with some of the additional components within our Biblical Perspectives program.
It is difficult t o imagine being in t hese students’ shoes at 14 or even 17 years old. Some of these students come here without their parents, while others have one or both parents with them. I watch them work extremely hard and the responsibility they shoulder for their own future weighs heavily on my heart. I am consistently impressed and proud of the work they do. They navigate social interactions, language barriers, cultural differences, emotional stresses, educational successes, and academic stretches. Through all that, they manage to persevere and accomplish their work. At PCS, they see the love and passion staff have for them and for God. We plant seeds and hope they grow up strong and confident in themselves and grow in understanding of faith in Christ.
Our hope is that God will open students’ eyes to see His work through the narrative told in the Bible. To encourage
Sarah Carrie, Secondary School International Student Coordinator
Bible Basics (Bible 101):
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Grade 7 Market Day On February 27, our Grade 7 students became entrepreneurs and created their own real “Market Day,� offering various food, products, and services. Throughout the eight weeks leading up to Market Day, they also learned about the struggles of the entrepreneurial poor in the developing world. They explored ways one could partner with the poor by donating their Market Day profits through microlending, microenterprise and job creation programs, some of the best long-term solutions to eradicating poverty. This Christian program focuses on Godly business practices and growing our gifts as budding entrepreneurs. For Market Day, students worked in groups as business teams. They prepared business plans, created products, experienced advertising and planning services and storefronts. Rewards of this program include a better understanding of global poverty and social justice issues. They learned about, and engaged in, sustainable solutions to poverty and a Godly attitude toward stewardship of our finances, both personal and in our work world. Market Day 2017 raised $4582.45 for Opportunity International, a company that gives micro-loans to women in developing countries so they can start a business to support their families!
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Grade 5 Science Fair Every year, the PCS elementary school holds a Grade 5 Science Fair. It goes back so far in PCS history that we’re not even sure how many years the fair has been held! We sometimes have kids reaching Grade 5, who have been thinking about and planning for an idea for several years, ever since an older sibling particpated. Our Grade Five students are encouraged to choose an idea that is as personal and creative as possible. The students certainly do not disappoint. This year once again included some great projects. “Smell Ya Later!” was an experiment to see what will best clean smelly lacrosse socks. “A Concrete Way to Recycle” was created by a student whose father is a builder. She wanted to find out if recycling materials added to concrete would make it a stronger material. This year we even had a project done to see what would best relax a person to help them take the most accurate target shot! Students are also asked to consider and communicate the Christian Perspective of their research project. One student who looked at what makes it easier to focus, based their Christian Perspective reflection on our school’s theme verse, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” They said, “We want to do everything that we do for the glory of God - and that means trying our best. If you find it easier to do your best while chewing gum, listening to music, or anything else, you should do that!”
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This highly-anticipated event culminates in a day and evening community event in which 50 - 75 young scientists present their amazing projects to a panel of brilliant, compassionate judges. The Science Fair also bridges our parking lot, bringing three or four classes of secondary science students over to help encourage our younger scientists and assess their projects The winners of each class go on to represent PCS at the Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair, held at UVic at the beginning of April. Our young scientists have always done very well at the event and often bring back trophies, books and even cash prizes, for awards such as The Scientific Spirit Award, or the Young Scientist Award. One of the best parts of the experience is the bonding that happens while the kids are working together with their parents, to complete this project. When asked what the best part of doing the science project was (in a survey), several responded that it was the time they got to spend with their mom and/or dad. An intriguing response on the questionnaire, however, was in answer to the question: What did you learn about your parents? Answer: They can get very upset! The annual PCS Grade 5 Science Fair is an amazing learning experience for all involved. Well done, Grade 5’s!!!
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Missions Mexico I had the privilege of being a chaperone for the second year in a row on the Missions Mexico trip. I was excited to have the opportunity to go down for the second time and to take on a few more responsibilities. Since the trip last year, I have been thinking and questioning about the benefits of short-term missions trips. I grew up as a missionary kid in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. My family lived there for 8 years and part of our role was to host different short-term teams that came to visit the country. We would often shake our heads and laugh as the different groups (typically North American) came through and continually made cultural faux pas and fumbled their way around the city. These memories and other overseas experiences have made me doubt whether a group of privileged people from another country swooping in briefly to try to provide help is really the right way to go about things. As I headed down to Mexico this year, my questions and doubts were at the forefront of my mind. Are we helping this community? Are we contributing to a sustainable future? Do we have a positive relationship with the community? I’m not going to say that all my questions were answered or that I have no more doubts, but I did come away with a sense of hope and excitement about PCS’s involvement in the community of Las Aves. My hope particularly came from my interactions with the local pastor and hearing the vision he has for the community. PCS has been working in the community of Las Aves for many years now. This community is made up of indigenous Mexican people, most of whom work on the large American-owned farms in the area. These are the farms that often provide Americans and Canadians with low-cost fruits and vegetables. These low costs, however, do come at a cost for the Mexican people who work long hours for low
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wages. The traditional way of life for the people of Las Aves typically involves having many children. It is not unusual for young women of 17 (the age of the students on our trip) to already have two or three children. It is a great challenge – sometimes an impossibility – for the families to provide adequate nutrition for the children or to afford to provide an education for them. Under these circumstances, the cycle of poverty seems likely to continue. On this trip, though, I felt much hope as I heard the vision of the local pastor, who leads a congregation out of the church that PCS built in 2015. On the last night we were there, the pastor gave a dedication service for the new youth center we had just constructed beside the church. He spoke about how he wanted to preach the Gospel, and also to educate the parents and the children in order to provide hope for a better future. He told us about the different organizations that are involved with the community. There is an after-school children’s program put on by a Christian organization called Oasis. In the near future, three interns from a nearby Bible School are coming to help out in the community (PCS’s other project on this trip was to build a house in which the interns will stay). The interns will start a church youth group, host music classes, and teach literacy for both kids and adults. It was exciting to hear about these plans for the community and I was able to see how PCS can come alongside the pastor and help him as he invests time and energy into the community. As we think about next year, I am looking forward to strengthening the relationship we have with the pastor and finding ways in which we can continue to support the congregation as they serve the community. Ms Becky Horton, Secondary teacher
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Bible 9 I had the privilege of teaching Bible 9 for the for the first time this semester. To say that I enjoyed it, would be a great understatement. During our time together, my classroom became a wonderful place of prayer and learning. As we reviewed the Old Testament story and explored the prophecies Jesus fulfilled, “Holy ground” became evident. I would describe my student’s approach to the scriptures as one of playful curiosity coupled with a willingness to wonder at who God is in the person of Jesus Christ. Our Gospel study included a look at the parables of Jesus. This unit included an overview of the various parables along with a deeper study that included commentaries, discussions, and illustrated presentations. The interest and fervor that the students approached this assignment with was inspiring and more than evident during their presentations. I dare say that there are a few potential preachers growing up in this grade 9 class. I was especially impacted by the willingness students demonstrated to not only share their prayer requests with one another but to also pray for one another during our devotion times. The care and sensitivity was nothing less than an act of God! To be included in such a community of holy care was an experience of true honour. Lyn Suderman - Secondary Instructor and Counselor
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Robotics Program The goal of the PCS robotics program is to inspire programming in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through the challenge and excitement of building and programming LEGO EV3 robots. As image-bearers of our Creator, they can delight in the creative activity of programming. We encourage students to responsibly engage in computer technology and equip them to use and develop it in ways that honour God. The students are developing skills in planning, building, testing, trouble shooting, and testing again. They are learning to collaborate with one another and are developing perseverance when working toward a common goal. Students have completed tasks that include using the touch, gyro and colour sensors on the robots. They come to class with positive attitudes and eager anticipation, and we see a lot of creativity, persistence and excitement as they tirelessly adjust their programs or robots in order to accomplish a task. This year, PCS also took part in the FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) competitions with a team from our middle school. This program introduces young people, ages 9 to 14 (grades 4-8), to the fun of science and technology while building self-confidence, knowledge, and valuable career and life skills. FLL challenges the students to think like scientists and engineers and, as a team, to solve problems using engineering concepts, presentation techniques, and robots. Competitors are challenged to research a real-world problem, then create an original solution for that problem, plus design and build a robot using a LEGO® MINDSTORMS® kit within a common set of rules to accomplish “missions” on a playing field. Teams from around British Columbia compete annually in Victoria.
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Out of Chaos Humanities 8 and Grade 2 study the Biblical Creation Narrative Out of chaos, God brought order and beauty. To expand on that central idea from the Genesis account of Creation, Humanities 8 students spent an hour with Grade 2 students helping them artistically represent one aspect of the story. The cross-grade, cross-curricular activity followed two weeks of studying the Biblical Creation narrative, comparing it with international Creation stories, and discovering what they tell us about the different cultures. After rewriting the Hebrew narrative for a younger audience, the older students read their versions to their Grade 2 buddies before asking how them what they envisioned for their art project. Students then chose from a variety of mediums, such as foil, paint, Plasticine, and poster board, before setting to work to create unique representations of God’s handiwork. The older students were proud and excited to be back in the elementary school as high schoolers, and the younger students were thrilled to have the attention of the big kids. For that hour, there was love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control evident. The activity surpassed the expectations of the teachers and realized the hopes we had for our students when we planned it. While the artwork produced was lovely, the personal connections made that day provided all involved with a beautiful picture of God’s kingdom on earth. A big thank you to the Grade 2 teachers and support staff for working with us to create something beautiful in our school (for more photos of the event, head to our Facebook page) “It was very good.” Genesis 1:31 The Humanities 8 Team
Mr. Ruch, Mr. Rathburn, Mrs. Deringer
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Secondary Teaching Practicums This Fall, we had the chance to mentor three UVic Education students as they completed their final teaching practicums at PCS. One of the student teachers was Sarah Catterall (née Fitterer), who is a 2009 PCS Grad. Here are Sarah’s reflections on her time at the school in her new role: As I walked back into the halls of the secondary school in October as a PCS grad to begin a teaching practicum, I quickly noticed the changes: a new floor, beautiful prints of PCS theatre productions, a new layout in the office, some incredible Science labs. These were a gentle reminder to me that time had passed, and that PCS continues to grow and flourish. However, there are fundamental aspects of Pacific Christian School that have remained the same, and I firmly believe it is these characteristics that make PCS an incredible blessing to its students. • The administration, teachers, and staff at PCS are deeply invested in all areas of students’ lives. As a student at PCS, I felt that the staff genuinely cared about all of us, and that they were personally interested in our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, in addition to supporting us academically. Returning as a practicum student, I have been completely blessed by this same investment in my own growth as a future teacher, and it’s been incredible to see how the current students at PCS flourish in this atmosphere. • Staff at PCS are committed to modeling the love and grace of Jesus Christ and to encouraging each individual student in their journey of faith. Whether it was through all-school chapels, Bible classes, or one-on-one conversations with teachers, it is so clear that the heart of the staff body at PCS is for their students to personally know the Lord and to grow in relationship with Him. I am so thankful for the opportunity to come back to PCS for my final teaching practicum to experience both the new and familiar elements that make this school so unique. Sarah Catterall
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Thank You!
to all our parent volunteers!
Pacific Christian School “...nurturing students in Christ-like living, critical thinking, and joyful service to become faithful citizens in God’s world.”
ELEMENTARY CAMPUS 671 Agnes St. Victoria, BC V8Z 2E7 elementary@pacificchristian.ca SECONDARY CAMPUS 654 Agnes St. Victoria, BC V8Z 2E6 secondary@pacificchristian.ca Phone 250-479-4532 www.pacificchristian.ca