Grade 9 Foundations is a unique program designed to integrate curriculum and incorporate useful objectives from the Ontario government's Common Curriculum without sacrificing the important skills and basics provided within our regular courses. Foundations begins in the first term as a set of skills which are emphasized and integrated within our regular grade 9 courses. These skills are intended to provide all students entering the senior school with a common skill platform which they can then use to maximize their learning potential throughout the rest of their academic career at Holy Trinity School. Skills examined within Foundations include those associated with studying, researching, statistics and probability, as well as information technology.
In addition, the Foundations Program emphasizes areas intended to assist students in developing constructive, benevolent, and enthusiastic attitudes as they enter their high school years. Skills pursued to this end include environmental appreciation, utilizing media and appreciating current events, as well as the development of positive interpersonal-skills. Many of these skills are explored within the context of trips, workshops, and other activities throughout the year.
The final aspect of the Grade 9 Foundations program is a focus on cross-curricular learning. In this regard, a variety of cross-curricular projects are used to facilitate cognitive and affective connections between what might otherwise appear to be disparate academic subjects. More on this aspect of the program is examined within the "Program Rationale" section outlined below.
The rationale for Grade 9 Foundations comes from the objectives of the Common Curriculum:
Integrated learning occurs when the student makes connections among ideas, concepts, and various elements of reality. The goal of an integrated curriculum is to develop students’ ability to relate new learning to previous learning and to use ideas and information from many areas of knowledge in seeking solutions to problems. Integrated programs must:
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http://www.newlearner.com/projects/foundations/
The Grade 9 Kandalore Retreat is a trip designed to support the Grade 9 Foundations Programme - similar to the
Wanakita Trip in September. Approximately 74 students and four
supervisors will be departing from Holy Trinity School on Monday,
January 11th at precisely 8:30 am. We will be returning to H.T.S.
on Wednesday, January 13th, at approximately 4:30 pm.
For over 25 years, the Kandalore Outdoor Center has been providing quality programs for schools. They have worked with public, separate and private schools from as far east as Hastings County, to as far west as Lampton County, and everywhere in between. They cater to participants from grade five to College and University. They also work with businesses, agencies, teachers and other adult organizations.
Their program allows participants to discover personal strengths and develop problem-solving and decision-making skills in a fun and challenging environment.
The cost for the trip is approximately $135.00 plus GST. This covers the cost of transportation, meals, accomodations, and a variety of team-building exercises, leadership development programmes, and interpersonal skills workshops.
Grade 9 Students not attending the grade 9 retreat to Camp Kandalore will still come to school.
They will remain in the senior library and complete specified assignments independently.