Of the graduates of 2010 who applied to university, 100 per cent have earned offers of admissions to Canadian universities, most to the faculty of their choice. The overwhelming university destination trend this year is Dalhousie University as 13 students, many of whom are our top students, will attend this local school in the fall. All of these students have received a scholarship from Dalhousie University. Our students have overwhelmingly enrolled in Bachelor of Science programs, although Bachelors of Arts, Engineering, and Commerce remain popular. The most competitive university this year was McGill, while the most competitive programs were Queen’s University’s Commerce and McMaster University’s Nursing. All students who completed applications to these competitive schools and programs were offered admission.

More than 80 per cent of the graduating class of 2010 earned one or more scholarship. More than $737,000 of scholarship money has been offered to our graduates, including entrance awards, renewable & named scholarships, and a national scholarship. Priya Koilpillai earned one of the most prestigious scholarships in Canada, the Loran Award, while Rachel MacLean will attend one of the top ranked liberal arts colleges in the United States, Williams College.

For more information including the list of Named Scholarships and a list of graduates and their awards click here.

Senior School Closing and Graduation Award Recipients for 2010 click here.

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This year's Senior Students were acknowledged for all their accomplishments at this year's graduation ceremonies, on June 12.

For a list of this year's Senior Graduation Award Recipients please click here to read.

For the Middle School Award Winners click here.

Thanks to parent Kim Turner for a selection of Middle School Photos:
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For Prep School Closing Awards click here to read.

Prep Closing Photos:
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The Annual Grad Dinner was held on Friday, June 11, at the Mariott Hotel on the Halifax waterfront. It was a wonderful opportunity for faculty, staff, and families to celebrate the graduating class of 2010.

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HGS Athletes were celebrated for their success, participation, sportsmanship, and for contributions to the overall Grammar Experience at this year's banquet on June 10. For a list of award winners click here.

Thanks for an enjoyable year!

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Under the sun, in the picturesque Public Gardens, the Graduating Class of 2010 held their annual Parade of Gowns on Tuesday, June 8. The young men and women of this year's graduating class looked spectacular!

Senior Prom Photos:
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Gillian Fong-McMaster is travelling to China from August 2-20th, as a part of Junior Team Canada, to represent our region and meet with political, business, and development leaders. Gillian is thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase Nova Scotia on an international stage.

The trade mission is organized by Global Vision, a national non-profit organization that was founded in 1990 by Terry Clifford. Global Vision has led missions to more than 20 countries, with the most recent being to Malaysia in February 2010. The program provides Canadian youth, ages 16-25, with the skills, experience, and knowledge necessary to become the new generation of global leaders.

As a delegate at meetings in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, Gillian will be representing the potential that Nova Scotia has to offer on an international level. Gillian’s focus will be to increase awareness and generate trade potential for the educational, agricultural, and seafood sectors of our province. Sponsorships from organizations that will benefit from initiation or continued trade with China are required to fund this mission.

Youth delegates were selected through a rigorous process that started with attending the Global Leader’s conference for Nova Scotian students at St. Mary’s University, followed by completing a lengthy application. Gillian was one of the 125 young Canadians then selected to attend the National Youth Ambassador Caucus in Ottawa this past May.

Beth MacDonald will be heading to Acadia this summer! Discovery Quest is an experience-based program designed to support students in their desire to learn and contribute to a deeper understanding of themselves and the world in which they live. Only 40 students who exhibit exceptional promise as university-bound students were invited to engage in this highly successful one-week program.

Discovery Quest introduces students to tools to assist them in career planning, entrepreneurial thinking, interest assessments, environmental consideration, and technology. In addition, participants are challenged to reach a new level of self-sustainability while on campus. They have the opportunity to experience campus life, to meet peers from the east coast region, and to interact with academic and business leaders. Students collaborate in the development of a solution to a major environmental challenge. The week includes students participating in a field trip to witness a number of solutions to environmental challenges. Throughout the week, they set goals, create work plans, and prepare to present possible solutions on the last day of the program.  Way to go, Beth!

There was music in the air on Monday, June 7, when the Prep Choir held its closing concert at Bethany United Church. It was a wonderful way to end the year and spend an evening. Congratulations on a superb performance!

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There will be several new faces in the Grammar school as six teachers bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our community.

Katrina Braun has joined us part time in the Junior Primary program as a temporary replacement for a maternity leave.

Janice Peach also joins us as a temporary full-time teacher, maternity-leave replacement in the Primary program at HGS.

Renee Forrestall is the new part-time Prep School Art teacher. Renee holds a BFA and BEd from NASCAD and brings a wealth of experience to the Grammar School.

Martin Chandler will join the Middle School as a permanent, part-time band teacher. Martin is a graduate of Acadia and is experienced in both small and large group instruction to students of various abilities.

Stephane Couillard joins the Middle School as a full-time teacher and will teach mathematics and physics. Stephane is an experienced classroom teacher with a BED from the Universite Laurentienne in Sudbury. Stephane also holds a degree in mechanical engineering.

Tina Capalbo joins the Senior School as a full-time teacher and will teach English and Drama primarily to the senior high students. Tina holds a BEd from the University of Western Ontario, a BA in English and Drama from the University of Western Ontario, and a Masters of Arts in English from Dalhousie University.

Grade eleven students will participate in the first annual S2 Retreat Day. This retreat will take place on the Saint Mary’s University campus in the Sobey Building from 8:30 AM to 3 PM on Thursday, September 2, 2010. Throughout the day students will attend a series on workshops designed to make their transition into the IB programme a smooth as possible. The workshops will includ the following Time management, Planning your CAS programme, Library research, and Stress management. HGS graduates will host a panel discussion, answering questions, and sharing their HGS and university experiences.

The schedule will be emailed to students and parents in late August. Until then, I hope you have a relaxing and peaceful summer holiday.

Ms. Laura Brock, IB Coordinator & University Advisor

Senior students at HGS are planning a Habitat for Humanity trip for March 2011. We will travel to a location in Central America, either El Salvador or Guatemala. The details of the trip will not be finalized until the fall; however, interested students are encouraged to contact Ms. Laura Brock as soon as possible, as we require 15-20 students. As well, fundraising activities will begin this summer, and we will need all interested students to participate. HGS has participated in three Habitat for Humanity volunteer trips. Our students lived and worked alongside people from their host country (El Salvador & Equator) and constructed several homes. In doing so, students gained invaluable insights into different cultures and themselves. It is not surprising that these students view their experiences working with Habitat for Humanity as life changing.

The student leaders are Pelham Flowerdew and Philip Gores. Faculty leaders are Laura Brock and Teresa Woodford. For more information about Habitat for Humanity Global Village Programme, please click here.

Starting in April and lasting until May, the Impact Microcredit Challenge was a success for students Gillian Fong-McMaster, Arielle Legere, and Priya Koilpillai.

The Microcredit Challenge was a competition that tested their entrepreneurial skills with a challenge of raising as much money as they could in ten days with $100. The money was donated to a charity of the competitors’ choice. They decided on FEED Nova Scotia, as they are all involved in the organization, Youth for a Hunger Free Nova Scotia. YHFNS is a coalition of high schools across Nova Scotia that aims to increase the number of youth who are aware of food insecurity in Nova Scotia as well as to motivate more youth to take part in helping the hungry.

With a slow start, the girls raised around $400 in a hectic eight days. They did this through many bake sales and sales of water bottles with the YHFNS logo on them. They would like to thank every one for their support, especially Ms. Silverman.

They had lots of fun and look forward to being involved in more fundraisers for Feed Nova Scotia.

The Prep School Running Club was 70 members strong this year! Students from Prep 2, 3, and 4 had the opportunity to participate in Running Club each Tuesday and Thursday. We began our training with a 2.0 km run and gradually built up to 4.0 km. The weather cooperated (for the most part) and these eager runners gave it their all! Well, usually. As we know, everyone can have a bad run, now and then! The goal of the program, sponsored by Doctors Nova Scotia, is to promote physical activity and healthy living. The culminating event was the Youth Run of the Bluenose Marathon. The participants who came to each practice and completed the Youth Run, ran a VIRTUAL MARATHON!!!

As we know, these school events cannot happen without the support of many staff and parents. Thank you to the teachers who ran and those who recorded attendance and to all the parent volunteers who ran or kept check on our runners at a designated corner. I'm sure the children are especially thankful for the Gatorade that a group of parents lovingly dispensed on some of our longer runs.

Although not in the Running Club at school, some children in the Prep did participate in the Youth Run. HGS had 41 per cent of our students participate in the Youth Run! This incredible number of participants earned us 2nd place among all the schools in the province. This honour comes with a $250 cheque to be used toward a healthy living initiative. HGS has decided to donate this money to a Breakfast for Learning in HRM.

Congratulations everyone!! Leann Jollimore-Behie, faculty

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P3's experience at the Clay Cafe was astronomically awesome! We preplanned our astronomy designs and then painted our designs onto our boxes, continuing an annual tradition for all those who travel through the P3 galaxy. Even the bus ride to and from Quinpool Road added to our adventure.

Upon returning to The Grammar School, we were met by Yoda at the front door and escorted in to the P3 Cosmic Cafe, another annual tradition. The look upon P3 faces was priceless as they gazed at the stars, constellations, disco balls, strobe lights, the complete solar system in dessert form and a full luncheon buffet. We ate star shaped sandwiches. moon shaped cheese and shooting star fruit kebobs, all while Star Wars music played in the background. Each student met with Yoda and had their picture taken with him. This could only happen once in a lifetime!

Many thanks to the parents who set up, decorated, baked, and helped to create an unforgetable, inter-galactic experience. We couldn't have done it without you.

Ms.Mangusso and Ms.Mac Donald, faculty

This year’s Volunteer Reception on June 3 brought together past and current volunteers for a wonderful celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Parents’ Activities Committee. We welcomed back the past chairs and executive, class parents, and other members who so willingly gave their time and talents to benefit every aspect of school life since 1970. It was a fond trip down memory lane as they looked through scrapbooks, photo albums, and The Grammar School history book. The event’s garden theme carried through to the flowering house plants that were given to the former PAC volunteers, a small token of our appreciation and pleasure in having them amongst us once again. The culinary talents and display artistry of Raj Gupta, The Westin’s Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director and HGS parent were the piêce de résistance of the evening. It was an abundant feast of sumptuous hot and cold hors d’oeuvres that delighted everyone.

It is important that we acknowledge and thank our volunteers – parents and alumni parents, students, and staff – who make a difference every day at HGS. We count on them to coach sports teams, help with clubs and productions, serve on the Board and committees, chaperone class trips, and involved themselves in numerous other tasks. Many of these activities are organized by the industrious members of the PAC, including the tireless Class Parents, who keep the school community spirit alive and well while raising significant monies. A cheque presentation by the PAC Co-Chairs Ondra De Jager and Terry Anne MacNaughton to the Headmaster Blayne Addley enriched the school’s coffers by $17,685.31. Gifts were given to the six members of the 2009-10 PAC executive, Ondra, Terry Anne, Vice-Chair Johanna Calder, Treasurer Christine Wilson, Secretary Ann Scholz-Crane, and Member-at-Large Kate Law, ’86 with our gratitude for a successful year’s work. Thank you to everyone who came out to share an evening of stories, photos, laughter, and above all, enduring friendships.

Photos Highlights:

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It was a relaxing evening on June 7 when the Alumni Association officially welcomed the 37 Graduates of 2010 as HGS alumni at a reception held at Onyx, a chic restaurant and lounge. The music entertainment provided by alumni grads Jeff Bethune’05, Charlie Grant’06, and Jasper Crace’07, talented members of The Band Before Time, certainly added to the enjoyment of the occasion. Peter Dawson’81 of the association executive addressed the graduates, teachers, and alumni present including the Board Chair Rob Grant’73 and his wife Elizabeth Currie. Chloé Jacobs, Priya Koilpillai, and Niko MacLellan, were introduced as the Class Reps and presented with gifts. Peter and fellow directors Holly McCurdy Dunn’88 and Brendan Chard’98 handed out the traditional gift from the Alumni Association to each graduate. Priya thanked the Alumni Association, on behalf of her class, for hosting the special event, and Headmaster Blayne Addley gave the closing remarks .

We are fast approaching the June 30 deadline for donations to the 2009-10 Campaign. Please add your name to the list of donors, if you haven’t yet made your gift this year. The school year certainly ended on a high note with the stellar results of our students in many areas including debating, math, German contest, soccer, basketball, poetry, and numerous university scholarships including Loran Scholarship, Chancellor Scholarships, IB Renewable Scholarships, American and Canadian entrance scholarships, and others. Our students meet and succeed in their every day challenges at school.

The challenge for us, parents, alumni, grandparents, alumni parents, faculty, and friends is to support all students in their efforts, sustaining our national reputation of excellence through gifts to the annual fund that enhance every aspect of a Grammar education. Please give it some thought and consider the impact of your donation towards our goal of $90,000. Every gift to the annual fund, regardless of size, is important and very much appreciated. You can click here to donate online at www.hgs.ns.ca under Support HGS.

A huge Thank-You to our generous donors who have contributed $85,506.93 to date for the 2009-2010 Annual Giving Campaign. Please, click here to view a current list of donors, some of whom have given for five and ten consecutive years.

We are still receiving applications at all grade levels for this September. Campus tours and entrance testing will continue throughout the summer. Any parents who know of families who may be interested in applying for the coming year should refer them to Ann Marie Kent, in the Admissions Office, at 431-8550.

Have you ever considered hosting an international student? Do you have some extra space in your home that might be suitable? Perhaps your son or daughter would benefit from sharing the experience of meeting a student from another culture?

The School places international students with carefully selected families who will provide room and board, and parental supervision.

Parents who are interested in the homestay program, or who know of someone who might be interested, are invited to contact Ann Marie Kent, in the Admissions Office admissions@hgs.ns.ca, or call 431-8550.

9th Annual HGS Golf Classic
Friday, September 24, 2010
Sherwood Golf & Country Club
Tee-Off time is 10 a.m.
To Register Online click here.

Halifax Grammar School Alumni Association
Alumni Dinner & Annual General Meeting
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The Halifax Club
1682 Hollis Street
6:00 pm~ Reception
7:00 pm ~ Dinner

For more details on these events click here

The Halifax Grammar School and Armbrae Academy are proud to be hosting the Canadian Association of Independent Schools' Under 13 Boys' Soccer Tournament. This tournament will take place October 20, 21, and 22, 2010.

Think back to the first time you or your child experienced being hosted by a family in another city and how important it was to feel welcome and comfortable. This is a great opportunity to experience the joys of meeting new children from across Canada and is a great way to give back.

We are currently seeking host families for this three day event and encourage you to click on the link below to obtain more information. Please remember, even if your child is not participating in this tournament, we invite and encourage you to open your home for such a worthy cause.

Thank you for your consideration!

Please click on the link below for more billet information.

The dates for report card pick up are Thursday, June 24th and Friday, June 25th. Please note that report cards for all grades will be available for pickup at the Tower Road Campus only.

We wish to remind parents of the terms of the Student Enrolment Contract stating that incidental and tuition accounts must be paid in full or final reports will not be released.

If your child will be picking up their report card, please ensure your accounts are paid in full in advance or send payment with him or her so that we can release the report card. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our Director of Finance at 446-3303 or via email lreynolds@hgs.ns.ca

If you have specific inquiries regarding your account(s), please contact our Accountant, Julie-Ann Bennett at 431-9414 or jabennett@hgs.ns.ca

Welcome to the HGS Uniform Shop. I hope the following information proves useful as you are planning your summer and thinking ahead to the start of the new term in September. Please click on the link for Shop hours and information.

June 24 & 25: Report Card and Yearbook Pick-up, Tower Road Campus. The Middle School Lost and Found will also be on display for pick-up!

June 28: Accounts will be billed for all unreturned textbook.

July 1 to July 4: The school will be closed. We will re-open on Monday, July 5. For more complete summer hours please refer to the website.

September 2010: Hot Lunch Program will startup in September. Forms will be available on the Parent-Online Directory in mid-August.

For more event information, please visit our school calendar on the website.

What’s your reaction to this issue of our e-newsletter? The Grammar Newscast welcomes your ideas, thoughts, and comments. Your feedback is important to us. Would you like to submit an article? Send your comments and submissions to us at communications@hgs.ns.ca