The Michael Smith Challenge is a national science contest written by over 1000 students in grades 8, 9, and 10 every year.  It was piloted in BC in April 2002 and has run nationally every year since.   The Michael Smith Challenge is the only nationwide competition covering all science subjects taught in grade 10.  It’s offered in English and French and consists of 6 short answer questions on anything science related.  For example, one year students were asked:  “Calculate the number of water molecules that fell on Canada last year . . . ”  Where would you begin?

This year WJ Mouat had 5 exceptional students attempt the Challenge:  Anita dos Santos, Ben Klammer, Kulvir Sekhon, Arshdeep Ganda, and Spencer Spenst.  All five students did extremely well and placed in the top 25% in Canada. 

Top 3% ---> Anita dos Santos
Top 10% --> Arshdeep Ganda
Top 10% --> Ben Klammer
Top 10% --> Kulvir Sekhon          
Top 25% --> Spencer Spenst
             
Congratulation again to all of you for your hard work and dedication.  All of us here at Mouat are very proud of you!

On Feb. 2, 2012, the Mouat Aboriginal Program launched a pilot project, a Healthy Living Girls' Group, which supports the respect, integrity and awareness aspects of Mouat's School of Character Initiative. 


A group of seven girls meet once a week at lunch for 6 weeks to learn about a holistic approach to their health. Personal progress is recorded individually in a weekly Medicine Wheel Journey journal and reflected upon together weekly. A discussion is led on a different component of health each week by either a staff member from Aboriginal Health, Mouat  P.E. teacher, Youth Care Worker or Mouat's Aboriginal Program Director. Mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health are subjects addressed through topics such as physical activity, nutrition, boundaries, self-esteem, and practicing gratitude. 


Girls are literally taking steps towards reaching optimum health by recording the number of steps taken daily with a pedometer they each received. Healthy meals are enjoyed together at each group session as well as new friendships being formed. The response from the girls has been fabulous! A grant has even been applied for and approved for this group from the Aboriginal Sports Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council!!! The interest by other students has been overwhelming to not only start another Healthy Living Girls' Group, but also a Healthy Living Boys Group after Spring Break.

Megan Warmerdam, WJ Mouat MS Office Specialist

Business Education teacher Megan Warmerdam has completed the Microsoft Office Specialist program in Microsoft Word 2010 which allows Mouat to become one of the first schools in the province of British Columbia to be recognized as a Microsoft IT Academy.  Students taking the Data Management 12 class will have the opportunity to gain proven technical skills which employers look for in today's innovation ecomony. These Microsoft Certification credentials will provide a competitive edge in embarking on careers with major corporations for Data Management 12 students.

Congratulations Ms. Warmerdam and Congratulations WJ Mouat!

One of Mouat's School of Character values is 'Awareness'.  Click Here for a definition.

If you were to walk through the halls of the school at lunch time over the past few weeks, you would be bombarded by groups of students selling various items to raise awareness and support for a number of causes.  For example the Mouat Mullets (picture to the right), a group of grade 12 boys who pour themselves into everything related to lunchtime intramurals, have taken the initiative to support both Adopt-A-Family and Cancer Research by ordering 'Mouat Mullet' wrist bands and selling them to the student body.  Next, they are selling raffle tickets for the school to have the opportunity to shave off their prized mullets.  Totals thus far have exceeded $200.  Keep in mind that there is no course credit associated with their actions; it's simply being aware of what's going on around them and trying to make a difference in their world.

Of course, this is only the beginning at Mouat. Madame Castonguay's Social Studies students have been selling home-made cupcakes to benefit refugees in Tanzania (Click Here for info), Ms. St-Hilaire's Social Justice students participated in a full day 'Vow of Silence' complete with sponsors and all proceeds benefiting the Fistula Foundation, Mr. Thiessen's Entrepeneurship 12 students are selling Butter Chicken & beverages with 1/2 their proceeds set to benefit the Salvation Army, and the list goes on!

What a wonderful school community with a strong commitment to 'Awareness' both locally and globally!

Mouat is filled with students who are extremely respectful, responsible, and caring!  One sees it in the halls, classrooms, and in the office.  If you imagine 1500 students plus over 100 staff walking the halls between classes, you might expect a bit of a chaotic feel, but that is not the case!  Have a look at students in the halls (random clip)... and check out some of the costumes on our Oct. 31st dress-up day.

Good character was defined at our grade assemblies this past week. One of the concepts/terms identified as being foundational at Mouat is Respect. Imagine a school without respect. If all 1600 students & staff weren't respectful, the place would be thrown into utter chaos. It is actually happening in some parts of the world right now and has impacted the Fraser Valley very recently. Remember the riots in Vancouver over a hockey game? 


In my opinion, respect has everything to do with treating other people the way you'd want to be treated & treating other people's things they way you'd want your own things to be treated. That makes sense to me. Does that connect with you?

It's almost here!  Here are a few tips to get you through your first day at WJ Mouat!

--> Check the front doors for your name and the location of your HAT (Homeroom).  Report to your HAT at the bell.

--> Maps will be available in your HAT class.  If you get lost, look for any adult to help!

--> First Day Hours: 8:25am - 10:50am.

Warning Bell // 8:25 am


--> Make a good first impression!  When you meet your teachers, show them your best!  Being polite and respectful are always a good start.

--> When the day is over, please leave campus asap.

Are you a Mouat student that has an article to contribute to our new blog?  Email your article (under 300 words) to wjm.secondary@gmail.com for consideration!