Hughenden Public School has exciting first month of school
Hughenden Public School students are well settled into their various grades and classes. We wish to give a Wildcat welcome to new staff Ms. Jessica Ohm who teaches English; part-time teacher Mr. Lance Gulbraa who instructs social studies and other courses; and Miss Jennifer Heather who is teaching Grade 4/5. We also welcome the new students to our school – good luck to everyone for a fantastic year.
Teaching staff were involved in a school-based PD session which focussed on the encouragement of incorporating critical thinking strategies into our lesson plans. The session was informative and allowed staff to polish up the tools they already possess. We explored the TC2 website.
Teachers are excited to incorporate some of the things they learned and will continue to build their knowledge pertaining to how to support 21st century students and encourage life-long learning.
We are looking to establish a Parent Advisory Council. We are all too aware that everyone is busy, but we would like to get a forward-thinking group of parents established who will take a leadership stand in promoting their school and education in our local community, as well as in the larger geographical area. We need parents to be involved.
Our Principal, Mr. Elliott’s door is always open for reflective conversations pertaining to the importance of education and our local school.
Our athletic program is in full swing. Huge accolades go out to the coaches who volunteer their time to work with youth. Congratulations to our Senior Golf team who won zones at the recent CASAA tournament held in New Norway. Special recognition is extended to HPS golfer Brady Johnson who won gold for having the top score of the whole tournament. Members who earned spots on the team included Brady Johnson, Brant Johnson, Dallas O’Connor, and Robbie Evans. They will be advancing to Provincial competition in Strathmore this weekend. Erin and Bailey VanKoughnett are also to be commended for their participation in the girls side of the competition. The Junior Golf team traveled to Wainwright for the BTPS tournament. Representing our school was Seth Holte, Cody Sather, Ethan Holte, and Jordan Tainsh. Congratulations to Seth Holte who won gold for personal best score.
The Senior Volleyball girls have been refining their skills under the guidance of Coach Jennifer Heather. Congratulations to them for making it to the B Championship this past weekend at the Mega Volley tournament in Vermilion. They played very well. They played Altario at home Thursday night. We wish them luck as they play in the Roadrunner Classic tournament this coming weekend in Bonnyville. They are hosting a tournament the last weekend in September, so come out and cheer our local gals on. Senior Boys are being coached by Mr. Ryan Duffett. Their home opener game was just this past week against STA. We have two junior girls volleyball teams with Mrs. Shawna Tainsh and Mr. Lance Gulbraa coaching. Mr. Ryan Duffett is also coaching the junior boys.
Our Leadership class has been very active promoting school spirit. They started off our year with a delicious pancake and sausage breakfast that they hosted. Appreciation is extended to Gibsons of Hardisty for lending their large grill for the event. Students and staff had an opportunity to visit and catch up on summer activities while they ate breakfast.
New Principal, Mr. Kevin Elliott, then started off the year with an inspirational assembly. The first week was spirit week – we had fun dressing up. Leadership students have also been promoting Wildcat Wednesdays. Thus far we have had good participation by students and staff in their chosen theme days.
A bus load of students enjoyed a pizza supper and were treated to a movie at the theatre on Sept. 20. This was an incentive for doing well in their previous school year. Sixty-five students qualified to attend. Once again this year, we are rewarding these same Junior and Senior high school students for academic achievement with the presentation of Student Price Cards. These cards are valid at a variety of stores across the county. This program is based on the previous standards of Project Excel. The students will also receive an additional discount card to a store of their choice. Well done!
Recently, Ms. Keily Stetson from Alberta Health Services visited the Grade 9 health class and gave a presentation on Developmental Assets. Students learned that there are 40 recognized assets that help to support them in securing healthy lives including greater success in school, maintaining good health, demonstrating leadership, value of diversity, making wise choices, handling peer pressure, and protection from alcohol and illicit drug use. An enjoyable activity of using a variety of materials, along with teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity resulted in reinforcement of the presentation. We continue to build assets as we advance through life.
Once again, our school Travel Club is gearing up to do some fundraising to help them with the costs of their Trip to Europe this upcoming Easter. Appreciation is extended to NewAlta for their recent support of the club in assisting them with their golf tournament. There is still room for students and adults to sign up for the trip. If you have an event that you would like assistance with, we would greatly appreciate the opportunity of earning monetary support for our fundraising campaign.
HPS has some new Wildcats in the building. We welcome and are enjoying the presence of Marco and Polo who are two bearded dragons; Skales the corn snake and Tort the red-footed tortoise. Thank you to the “Friends of HPS” for making this a possibility for students to enjoy and learn from.
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