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Vice Principal Pam Dickerson addresses grade 10 students at a grade group meeting Thursday, September 13th.

If you happened to be looking out a window facing the creek on the third floor of St. Joseph’s Catholic High School last week, you may have spotted every student’s biggest distraction- the annual Renfrew Fair. For the entire first week of school, students braved the first week of classes in hopes of being rewarded with an evening of cotton candy and Fair rides. Luckily, they all made it, and are entering their second and third weeks of school with open hearts and open minds.

 

“It’s pretty much impossible to concentrate when it’s happening,” mentioned grade 11 student Noah Lee about how the Fair affects students’ academic performance. “But we managed, I mean, I definitely did. And I don’t see anyone too upset to be back (at school), I think we’re all a little excited to be back on a routine with our teachers and friends, whether we want to admit it or not.”

 

Students of SJHS have been kept busy and on-edge for the past week, with new classes, new teachers, and word of a carnival-themed Friday dance to conclude Spirit Week activities. Extracurricular activities such as Improv Club, Choir, and Jazz Band have been keeping students occupied outside of school as well.

 

Back-to-school shopping has proven to be quite difficult, as the fluctuating weather has permitted sweaters one day and shorts the next. “I just wear shorts and a sweater,” explains an enthusiastic Faith Lavoy, a 9th-grade, self-proclaimed “fashion icon” at St Joseph’s. “I mean, how can I go wrong!”

 

Another event on the SJHS calendar to look forward to is Spirit Week. This week-long extravaganza takes over the halls of the school twice a year, where staff and students can be seen parading in costumes pertaining to the day’s theme, which include “Dad Day”, “Hippies vs. Hipsters”, and many others. The celebration of St Joseph’s welcoming its community back ends with Friday’s Spirit Day, where the staff and each grade are assigned a colour to decorate themselves in, and the schedule holds no classes. Enjoyable activities such as minute-to-win-it challenges, inflatable obstacle courses, and much more will be the norm on that day.

 

Growing closer together each year, SJHS welcomes all new and returning students back for another year of tests, assignments, exams, the legendary cafeteria fries, but most importantly, meeting new people and building up the St Joseph’s community through faith, friendship, education, and acceptance.  We’re looking forward to another terrific year.