The Senior School Musical, Urinetown, opened last night to a full house. As usual, our students did not disappoint.

Perhaps one of the most successful school musicals yet, Urinetown provides excellent musical entertainment and a cast that rivals a professional broadway production. The talent is inspiring; The script, hilarious. With two more nights left, to miss it would be a shame!

Call the box office today at 423-9312. Check out the Urinetown page on our website www.hgs.ns.ca

For the Student Review by Pelham Flowerdew S1, click here.

During the past couple of months, The HGS Prep Drama Club has been busy preparing for their annual March Musical Theatre Production. This year, they are proud to present the story of "Winnie the Pooh." The Prep Four classes make up the drama club and are excited to be performing this musical based on the timeless characters of A.A. Milne.

All of the familiar friends will be present including Christopher Robin, Owl, Piglet, Kanga, Eeyore, Tigger, and of course, Pooh. The Prep One Class will also join the ensemble as a fun filled bumbling swarm of honey-bees.

Come and enjoy the humorous tales of these magical characters as they travel through the hundred acre wood. This production of Winnie the Pooh is based on a book by Kristin Sergel with music by Allan Jay Friedman. Lyrics are by A.A. Milne and Kristen Sergel. The Prep Drama Club is co-directed by Ms. Jane Messenger and Ms. Ashlea Hawker with musical direction by Mr. Shawn Whynot.

Show times are Tuesday, March 2, and Wednesday, March 3, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Meinertzagen Theatre, Tower Road Campus. Tickets are $5 each and are available at the door or in advance from the ASC Reception. Winnie the Pooh is presented with permission from the Dramatic Publishing Company.

Shawn Whynot, Prep School Music Teacher

For the first time since 1988, Team Canada captured the school debating crown. Vinayak Mishra, S3, was among the nine-member national squad that competed in Qatar last week. The team was undefeated in preliminary rounds and emerged as winners over 56 teams! Congratulations Vinayak! Welcome home!

Many 2009 graduates came to visit HGS during their break from university.  On February 16, Nial MacGillivray from the University of Waterloo, Rob Volko from the University of Western Ontario, and Michael Song from Dalhousie University spoke to interested students about their experiences at university, offering sage advice from the inside.  On February 22, Ben Jain(Queen’s University), Jo Youn, Lucy Jackson, and Christianne Aikin (McGill University) returned to speak with senior students about their glorious first year experiences at two of the most popular university destinations for HGS students.  That same day, Anne Kiberd, Brandon Greer, Brett Cameron, Sarah Delecaet, and Matthew Bluteau returned to speak with their ‘old’ teachers.  At one point, all were found huddled in Mr. Moffatt’s office (the Moffice), just like old times. 

It is always a pleasure for us when our young alumni return for a visit. Keep in touch everyone!

Laura Brock, IB Coordinator & University Advisor

Dr. Gillian Hamilton visited the Prep School on February 24 to talk about her experiences as a Biathlon Athlete in the '94 Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway. Dr. Hamilton brought along the clothing and equipment she wore for the cross-country ski portion of her event, complete with skis, as well as the 22 calibre rifle used for target shooting. She shared photos and a video. The children were fascinated, particularly when she demonstrated how the rifle worked!

Deivan Steele, M2, represented HGS in fine style at the recent CANWEST Spelling Bee. It was held at the Rebecca Cohn on February 20 and featured 45 regional finalist from grades 5-6. Participants came from all over Nova Scotia. Devian made it to the fourth round, despite being one the younger spellers in the group. He made all of his supporters proud!

Angela McKegney, HGS Faculty

Grammar's first annual U-12 Soccer Camp will be designed for all levels of play. The camp will run in a fun and friendly manner with emphasis on teaching basic skills and techniques needed to play the game. The day will end with small-sided games and competitions.

The camp will be directed by well-known and respected soccer coach, Peter Leebrook.

March 15, 16, 17
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Grammar Gym
Ages 8 to 12 years
Cost $65
Needed: Snack, Water Bottle, and Soccer Attire

Please see the Parent Online Directory for Registration Forms. They will be available on Monday, March 1.

For more information on Peter Leebrook click here .

A huge "Thank you" to Karen Bezanson for chairing another successful Staff Appreciation Luncheon and to all the PAC volunteers who prepared/provided foods items and prizes for our terrific Grammar School staff.  A wonderful time was had by all in attendance. 

Tuesday, March 2, is the next PAC meeting.  Please try to attend as Spring Fair plans will be discussed, among other items.

Check out the photos from the Staff Appreciation Luncheon.
Gallery 1
Gallery 2
Gallery 3

If you still want to be involved in this year's Spring Fair, you are not too late! Please contact Ondra DeJager or Terry Anne MacNaughton.  Our email addresses are: ondra.dejager@gmail.com
tamacnaughton@hotmail.com  

The Spring Fair is a fantastic Halifax Grammar School "community spirit" event as well as a fundraiser for our children's education.  If you have any ideas, suggestions, or even just an hour or so to work the event, we would love to hear from you.  If your schedule is such that the only way you can support this event is by donating, then check out some of the areas we hope to include:
Food
Games
Used book/toy table
Craft ideas
Silent Auction
Cake Walk

We are also looking for people to coordinate or assist in the above areas.  While taking on the lead inthese categories is, indeed, more time consuming, you receive the added benefit of getting to know other parents and the school community.  Remember: “Volunteers don’t necessarily have a lot of time, but they do have a lot of heart!”  Working together, we will ensure the success of this event. Contact us as soon as possible, please.

Entrancement Assessments are:
February 27
April 17
May 15

Entrance Assessments for Grades 1-4 are scheduled individually by appointment with the Admissions Office.

Campus Tours are available upon request. We are still accepting applications for Junior and Senior Primary, although space will be filling up quickly.

For more information on the application process, please contact Ann Marie Kent in the Admissions Office, 431-8550, amkent@hgs.ns.ca

For alumni news, click here.

Our Annual Giving Campaign continues to receive thoughtful and generous donations from parents, alumni, grandparents, alumni parents, and current and former faculty and staff. With a total of $44,893 raised to date, we have almost reached the halfway mark towards our goal of $90,000. As a valued member of the Grammar community, your commitment of an annual gift enhances every aspect of the Grammar Experience, providing a direct and immediate impact on the daily learning environment. To you, we extend our heartfelt thanks!

Please, click here to view a current list of donors who are contributing to the Grammar Experience. If we have missed you, please contact the Development Office at 423-9312 to be mailed a donation form. Donations are also accepted online at www.hgs.ns.ca.

For news about our Annual Giving Campaign click here.

click here to donate online.

Warm up this winter and order tasty hot lunches by filling in one of the new forms for March and April. Forms are available online through the Parent Student Directory

Please select from Prep, or Middle/Senior forms.

The latest menu is full of great new options and favourites, so please take a look and return forms and cheques to ASC or TRC at least one whole day before you need lunches to start. You can easily join the program during March and April if you miss the deadline, but please help us by sending forms and cheques in as soon as possible.

If you have any dietary concerns or queries about any aspect of the hot lunch program, please contact Joan Lombardo at 423-4354, or Clare Lane at claretew@yahoo.ca.

Thank you very much,

Joan & Clare.

The staff and faculty would like to send out a special thank you to the PAC and all our parents who hosted yet another amazing Staff Appreciation Luncheon. As always, the food was fantastic and the atmosphere was a perfect oasis!

February 26 & 27: Senior School Musical. Friday night is also the Patron Reception.

February 27: Entrance and Scholarship Assessments. Call Admissions at 431-8550.

March 2-3: Prep School Musical: Winnie The Pooh.

March 4-6: NSSAF Basketball Championship.

March 8-19: March Break. March 22, first day back to school.

March 8-12: March Break Movie Camp. Click here for more details.

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