Message from the Principal

Happy New Year to all members of our Bodwell family!

I hope that you all enjoyed a peaceful, restful and rejuvenating semester holiday. I am very excited about the year ahead of us! I remain humbled to serve the mission of Bodwell High School and Academy as Principal. I learned so much from the staff and students of Bodwell in my first semester as Principal and I feel very privileged to be part of this wonderful and unique school community.

Last semester, during the month of October, our school underwent the External Evaluation process that is mandatory for all independent schools in British Columbia. This review occurs every two years. A team of four educators embedded themselves in our school for a week. In this time they thoroughly reviewed all aspects of our school. At the end of this time the Committee met with all the staff to inform us that Bodwell High School and Academy once again met all the statutory requirements for our classification and certification in British Columbia.

In particular, the Committee made note of four areas of commendation. The External Evaluation Committee commended Bodwell High School and Academy for:

• The creative use of community resources and facilities to deliver the best program possible to our students.


• The effective use of technology in supporting teaching and learning.


• The intentional recruitment in non-traditional markets for new students which supports the mission statement of the school to make Bodwell a truly broad based international school in effect, ensuring that we do have Strength in Diversity!


• The comprehensive structure of the Academic Preparation program and the commitment and dedication of staff to continually refine the program (based upon results) in support of non-English speaking students.

At Bodwell we believe that students are at the center of education and learning. Everything that happens in our school must be judged by the sole criterion: how well will this promote learning and well-being for students while reflecting the Mission, Vision and Motto of the school. The commendations given by the External Review Committee speak directly to this belief.

It is a great honour for us to serve your children and you. We accept, with great humility the trust that you place in us and the invitation to be part of your families. Thank you for your gift to us; your children, our students!

Sincerely,

Kevin Booth
Principal

School Expansion

The school expansion project which began in January 2010 was completed in August 2011. Our floor area has increased by almost 40%. We added on the ground level south of the original swimming pool a music room and a multipurpose room; a second floor with a staff lounge, teachers' offices, and five classrooms; and third and fourth floors for dormitory use with a hundred additional student beds.

We also expanded the high-ceiling cafeteria by almost double, with a new dormitory office at the centre. The cafeteria is equipped with operable garage doors opening to the front court with all-season artificial turf. There is also a covered playground outside the swimming pool. The roof of the expanded portion of the cafeteria has become a garden-patio overlooking the Vancouver harbour.

Farewell to Ms. Carol Carson

Ms. Carol Carson, our music and Academic Preparation teacher, retired from January 2012, after thirteen years with Bodwell. Ms. Carson graduated from McGill University with a B. Mus. and from Concordia University with an Honors B.A. in creative writing. She came to Bodwell after twenty years of experience teaching music, English and drama.

During the years with us, Ms. Carson surprised the school community again and again, work magic with students who had never touched an instrument and read music before and turning them into graceful musicians performing in concerts. She was well-liked by her students. She rode a bicycle to work everyday from Vancouver to North Vancouver, crossing the Lion's Gate Bridge, inspiring students and staff with a healthy and nature-oriented lifestyle. The school community said farewell to Ms. Carson in the school assembly on December 5th, 2011.

Athletics

During the fall of 2011, Bodwell sport's teams were very successful!

Student Dormitory

Toward the end of last semester, on November 30, the 250 dormitory students attended a Family Dinner. Other than good food, the evening featured an award presentation, student performance, and a show by a magician.

In the Winter 2012 semester, sixteen students have been appointed as Dormitory Prefects. They are: Caribbean Hall: Kristina FROLOVA, Kamilla URAZBAKHTINA, Ayumi KOHARA; Mediteranean Hall: Rosalia MATZUMIYA GARCIA, Maria MAKRETSOVA, Aisulu KHISSAMEDENOVA; Arctic Hall: Bastien BONILLA, Adil YERTAYEV, Olzhas ABULGAZIN; Atlantic Hall: Diego LOZANO MARTINEZ, Boris ZASIMOV, Yiyang (Alex) ZHANG, Pacific East: Santiago DE ECHAVARRI VILA, Taija WILLSON-RYMER; Pacific West: Denver WILLSON-RYMER, Jaliff Hon YIU.

Guest Speakers/Visitors to Bodwell

The Canadian Flowers For Food Society: CFFS is a non-profit organization which assists marginalized peoples to regain their dignity and self-worth, and to educate others on issues related to poverty and homelessness. A former homeless person and recovered drug addict spoke to students on the difficulty of overcoming these obstacles and of the importance of understanding those in need. visit website

ARC Initiative (business speaker from South Africa): The ARC initiative seeks to build a bridge, an arc, which facilitates a genuine two-way exchange of knowledge and business skills. They work to initiate and foster relationships between University of British Columbia students, Sauder School of Business alumni and faculty and communities in South Africa and Ethiopia. visit website

Jeff Torres on his World Vision trip to Africa: North Vancouver's Jeffrey Torres gets a clear reminder every time he opens his fridge of his good fortune in living in a country where his parents can afford to care for him. On a magnet on the door is a picture of 12-year-old Madleen Jameel Zeidat - an Israeli girl his parents sponsor through World Vision Canada. read more

Cops for Cancer bike riders: Committed Cops. Inspirational Kids. Caring Communities. Every kilometre they ride, every community that welcomes the tour, every dollar donated helps children fighting cancer. Every fall over a hundred members of law enforcement and emergency services cycle up to two weeks across four areas of British Columbia to support children with cancer and their families. visit website

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society: Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society (NWPS) have been encouraging preservation of natural environment and promoting awareness about wildlife and wildlife systems throughout northwest North America since 1987. visit website

In the News

2011 Kenya Volunteer Trip : NORTH SHORE NEWS NOVEMBER 25, 2011 - Rafiki Club members from Bodwell High School, Mount Longonot secondary and Maai Mahui secondary overlook the beautiful Rift Valley as part of the Bodwell Club's annual visit to Kenya. read more

At Bodwell High School students grow together: NORTH SHORE NEWS NOVEMBER 2, 2011 - When a young person steps through Bodwell's front doors for the first time, she is immediately faced with a challenging question: How can a school unite youth from drastically diverse backgrounds? read more

Bodwell Graduate earns a PhD from Simon Fraser University (SFU): Paul Yeung, a Bodwell graduate student, made it to the top 10 for the 2011-2012 PDK International Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award competition which highlights exceptional education research in the field. The American Educational Research Association (AERA) received more than 11,000 submissions for the 2012 AERA Conference which will be held in Vancouver. Paul's submission was reviewed by highly qualified reviewers in the field and got accepted to the Division G - Social Context of Education. Congratulations Paul!

Looking Ahead

Bodwell Olympics: In the lead-up to the 2012 London Games, Bodwell's student leaders are organizing a series of fun interhouse sporting competitions open to all students.

Model United Nations Vancouver: In January, a group of Bodwell students will attend a three-day conference with other youth from across British Columbia. By representing a number of countries, they will simulate the activities of the UN's various committees and find out what it takes to make the world a better place.

2012 Annual Student Survey: In March, we'll be conducting a second school-wide survey of student satisfaction and engagement to compare to last year's results. This helps us know how we are doing as a school and gives us ideas to become an ever better platform for student learning and development.

Graduation: On March 30, the graduates of 2012 will march across the stage to receive their diplomas and celebrate their accomplishments!

Class of 2012 Whistler Trip: On March 9th, graduating students will have a rewarding day of fun, exercise, and friendship out on the snowy slopes of Whistler.

2012 Kenya Volunteer Trip: In April, our biggest-ever student team will be travelling to Kenya to head up our biggest-ever friendship project, the Knowledge & Resource Centre in Maai Mahiu Town. This marks the fifth time Bodwell students have participated in service learning in Kenya.