From archery demos to math games, Marymount students give visitors some fun at open house

By Kristin McNeill

Prospective students and their families lined up for the evening portion of Marymount Academy International in NDG's  Open House on September 25 and were greeted by Principal James Fequet and Vice Principal Amanda Foster. They joined others in small groups for a tour of the school, led by senior-grade students. 

One of the main attractions was the archery demonstration by the students of Phys. Ed. teacher Mike Dorais-Bunn. They showed off their skills and then invited visitors to give it a try. One younger sibling, on tour with his family in the classrooms above, was heard exclaiming “Let’s go try the archery!”

The tour included stops in the school’s four science labs, where students were eager to demonstrate their projects in the areas of physics, chemistry and technology. 

The student tour guides explained the school’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Program, which was established in 1996. Students enrolled in the program take history, geography and science in French in Secondary 1 and 2, Français, programme enrichi, as well as a course in Spanish. Community service is also a core part of the program and takes place within the school and outside in the greater community. 

In the music room, teacher Marie Francis, sat with visiting families in a circle, inviting everyone to try the djembe. 

In a social sciences classroom, students of Richard Ouwendyk proudly displayed the Marymount IB Newspaper, which they created on their own. 

Parents were interested to learn that the periods on Wednesdays were extended to allow for a 1 pm dismissal time, providing students with the afternoon to pursue different interests. 

Many extra-curricular activities are offered in the area of the arts including writing, acting and music, and in sports, with the newest addition of boxing in conjunction with Blackout Gym. Other activities include TEDx-style talks and spoken word events.

Earlier that day, a group of Marymount students continued the tradition of an annual visit to elementary schools to talk to Grade 6 students about their school. 

Of this year’s open house event, Mr. Fequet said, “We had a super team of students giving tours, and we received some great feedback from parents, complimenting them!”

Check the school’s website for the upcoming date and time of the placement test, which is required for IB applicants only. Results from the test are used to assess the student’s strengths and weaknesses, the student’s academic standing and ability to manage some curriculum in French.