Kuper Academy Elementary Leadership & Teambuilding Camps Kuper Academy has always been a leader in providing coeducational field experiences for young people, and Kuper actively promotes educational excursions, firmly believing that day and overnight outings, coordinated with the curriculum, broaden the perspective of our students and help them to learn more about themselves. Every year during the fall season, Kuper students are given opportunities to learn new skills and to develop self-esteem outside of the classroom. This fall, the entire grade six class spent two days (one night) at a leadership camp in the Laurentians, north of Montreal. Students challenged themselves by trying daunting tasks (climbing, archery, etc.) that helped them build confidence and gave them the opportunity to believe in themselves and in their various capacities. The quality time they spend together also allows them to get to know each other in a different environment, which strengthens their understanding and acceptance of each other and the differences between them. Not to be outdone by the grade six class, grades three and four also took some time to visit camp Notre-DameDe-Fatima (in Ile Perrot) for a day of teambuilding and leadership activities. As you will see on the following pages, all students were engaged and active participants in the various activities. Fall 2015 - Vol. 32
Grade Six ~ Fun Times
Grade Three and Four Students Learn to Accept Differences and Build Friendships During Leadership Camp Days
The Great Outdoors- A Perfect Place for Growing Confidence & Expanding Breadth of Skills!
Grade Ten Class- Bonding Through Outdoor Education Out-of class undertakings and activities provide not only a sense of belonging to students, but also excitement and an understanding that they are part of a larger whole. Now that the academic year has fallen into full swing, grade ten students and staff recently took some time to spend outdoors in nature, reflecting on the year ahead and making the effort to appreciate the opportunities that a Kuper education affords. This year the entire class took a canoe trip down the Diable River, which is located near Mont Tremblant, two hours north of Montreal. Outings such as this provide students a chance to better know themselves as well as their teachers, a reality that then lends itself to a more successful academic year.
Graffiti Artist Encourages Students to Embrace Creativity Graffiti and visual artist Philippe Mastrocola recently spent some time with each of the grade nine art classes in order to show them how interest and passion in the arts can lead to a rewarding career. After pursing his studies in Studio Arts and Art Education at Concordia University, Mastrocola became involved in various artistic non-profit organizations which supported and promoted public art in Montreal. His passion led him to invent an innovative technique where he was able to capture images of his work by reusing spray paint cans as pinhole cameras. As he explained his abstract work to the students, their interest was palpable and it was obvious that they were making the link between passion, art, creativity, and employability. After Mastrocola s presentations, students were given the opportunity to create their own graffiti art (example seen below). Putting pen to paper, they were able to see their own imagery, select their own harmonious pattern... and to let it happen without overthinking it!
Golf Team Wins GMAA Titles During the fall season, many Kuper student-athletes step up and compete at various interscholastic sports. Kuper Academy is known for excelling in a wide variety of areas, including golf. As each year goes by, Kuper students continue to prove their prowess on the golf course. This year was no exception as both the boys and the girls team brought home the gold in the GMAA Golf Championships. Way to go Kuper and thanks to Mr. Harris and Mr. Thiessen for such excellent coaching! From left to right: Massimo Thauvette, Tyler Behl, Ben Gledhow, Ben Clarke, James Donaldson, Phil Morgan, Brandon Azzi, Sylvia White, Anna Zachary, Kaitlyn Tcheki, Kendall Horn
Strengthening Relationships ~ Elementary School Pep Rally Builds Community Everyone wants to feel like they belong. Whether you are an elementary student, a high school student, or an adult trying to survive in the workplace, it is important to feel that you are not alone and that you are a part of something bigger than yourself. Kuper works diligently to create a family-like environment and believes in continually striving to ensure that each and every student feels like they are an integral part of their classroom as well as the larger school environment. In light of this belief, Kuper has adopted what we call the House System. This system groups students of all elementary ages together into colours (red, grey, blue, and green), and provides the students with opportunities throughout the year to participate in pep rallies (as seen here), as well as various games and competitions. By ensuring that students get to know children of different ages, they come to realize that there are many resources that they are able to depend upon. Students say hello to each other in the hallways, are less intimidated by age, and play together better on the playground. They learn that looking out for each other is a way of life, and that family is not just the people you are related to, but those you live with and learn with on a daily basis.
Kuper ~ A Family that Laughs Together & Learns Together!
K5 ~ Kindergarten Students Learn Through Play and Dress-Up Kindergarten at Kuper means learning through play. It means that students have the chance to try on different hats (and uniforms!) and to imagine what it would be like to be an astronaut, a fireman or a doctor. Students are encouraged to try things out for themselves and to ask questions as they encounter challenges. But most importantly, Kindergarten students have so much fun that they don t even realize they are learning!
K4 Apple Picking ~ Healthy Habits Start Early at Kuper It is important to eat a balanced diet, and Kuper staff members work hard to encourage healthy lifestyle choices in all of their students. Teaching students about the kinds of food that give them energy and nutrients is one way we share information with them. But as we know, children learn by watching what WE do... so we take them on outings that not only tell them, but that show them the enjoyment that healthy eating habits can bring!