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Middle School Matters
By Vancouver Christian SchoolEducation
Middle School Matters episodes
- The Final Word from Mrs. De Boer
Welcome back to our Middle School Matters podcast!
- My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m the VCS Middle School vice-principal
- My name is Mary DeBoer, and I’m the retired VCS Middle School principal
We want to start by acknowledging that our school is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and it’s on this land that we are grateful to live, work, and play.
Here were some highlights from our last two weeks of the school year:
- Grade 6 Class Trip to Stanley Park
- Grade 8 Class Trip to Centennial Beach
- Wednesday, June 22: Last half day for K-8, MS final assembly
- Wednesday, June 29: MS teachers sharing circle (affirmations of Mary, highlights of the year, plans for summer)
- All-staff praise and worship, devotional from Jeremy about sabbath
Upcoming Dates for Parents:
- Tuesday, September 6th: First (Half) Day of School for Students
Extended Interview with Mary
- Let’s start by looking back on this final school year. How would you summarize it?
- Now let’s look back on your entire career. What do you think was one of the hardest challenges or experiences you faced, and how did you overcome it?
- If you could go back and talk to rookie-teacher-Mary, what would be one piece of advice you would give yourself?
- Zooming back to 2022, what is one piece of advice you would give rookie teachers today?
- What is one piece of advice that you would give to rookie administrators and developing leaders?
- Looking back on your career, what have been some of the biggest changes in education that you’ve observed over those years?
- Following that up, how is teaching and learning today better than it was three decades ago?
- You’ve been committed to the philosophy of Christian education for your whole career, and Canadian society has evolved a lot during those years. Do you think the mission of Christian education looks different in 2022? If so, how?
- Shifting gears back to the present, what’s your early verdict on the retired life so far? Do you feel like you’ve fully recovered yet?
- How will you remain connected with VCS in the coming year?
- How can listeners get a hold of you going forward?
Final Words
- Thank you for listening! We so appreciate your support.
- We’d encourage you to subscribe so that you don’t miss a future episode, and encourage other parents to do the same!
- Contact us at any time at [email protected] or [email protected]. Remember to send us your comments and feedback about the show.
- We’re humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve your children each day. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you again next weekend!
- Talk to ya later, parents.
35 min - Meet Mr. Wes Liu, Our HS Vice-Principal + One Lucky Listener Wins the Summer Prize Pack
For Friday, June 17, 2022
Welcome back to our Middle School Matters podcast!
- My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m the VCS Middle School vice-principal
- My name is Mary DeBoer, and I’m the VCS Middle School principal
We want to start by acknowledging that our school is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and it’s on this land that we are grateful to live, work, and play.
Here were some highlights from the week:
- Monday: Bump competition for Grade 7 boys
- Wednesday: Grade 7 class trip to Cates Park
- Thursday's House Team Winner Event
- In the gym: The Purple Barneys spent an hour of fun on two inflatable obstacle courses: The 2-lane Bungee Obstacle Course and the Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course. Even Ms. Cheng and Mr. Tang got in on the fun after the students were dismissed back to their classes.
- On Friday we celebrated our soon-to-be-married teachers and YOU (Mary) with some game shows, fun videos
Upcoming Dates:
- June 21: Grade 6 Class Trip to Stanley Park + Grade 8 Class Trip to Centennial Beach
- June 22: Last half day for K-8, MS students to be dismissed to the back field
- Grade 8 parents are organizing a lunch at Boston Pizza for Grade 8 students. This is not an official school event and VCS staff will not be present, but we encourage parents to consider allowing their child to take part.
INTERVIEW with Mr. Wes Liu, Our HS Vice-Principal
Our next scheduled staff interview will be with Vanessa Neufeld, our K-8 Educational Support Service Coordinator.
Spinning the Wheel: One Lucky Listener WINS Our Summer Prize Pack!
Contact us at any time at [email protected] or [email protected]. Remember to send us your comments and feedback about the show. Our final "spin it to win it' draw for a family prize pack is going to happen right now! .
We’re humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve your children each day. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you again next weekend!
43 min - Meet Mrs. Grace Voo, Our HS Principal + Purple Barneys Are Champions
For Friday, June 10, 2022
Welcome back to our Middle School Matters podcast!
- My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m the VCS Middle School vice-principal
- My name is Mary DeBoer, and I’m the VCS Middle School principal
We want to start by acknowledging that our school is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and it’s on this land that we are grateful to live, work, and play.
Here were some highlights from the week:
- Monday: Tim’s devotional message: Let’s finish our race WELL.
- Grade 8 boys bump competition - E. won
- Tuesday: Grade 7 ultimate team competed in a tournament at Empire Field
- In the gym: Relay Races with the Grade 7s! Then the final ANNOUNCEMENT. Purple Barneys WIN!
- Thursday night: band concert
- Friday: Beach Day
- Chapel: Mary
- Reading with Grade 7s and 1s
Upcoming Dates:
- June 22: Last half day for K-8
- Grade 8 parents are organizing a lunch at Boston Pizza for Grade 8 students. This is not an official school event and VCS staff will not be present, but we encourage parents to consider allowing their child to take part.
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Our next scheduled staff interview will be with Wes Liu, our HS VP.
Final Words
Contact us at any time at [email protected] or [email protected]. Remember to send us your comments and feedback about the show. Our final "spin it to win it' draw for a family prize pack will happen in June.
We’re humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve your children each day. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you again next weekend!
Stick around to hear bits and bytes from our wonderful middle school community. Talk to ya later, parents.
Tim: Good-bye!
55 min - Meet Mr. Joel Wedemire + We Are Now in June
*This episode was originally recorded on May 27, 2022
Welcome back to our Middle School Matters podcast!
- My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m the VCS Middle School vice-principal
- My name is Mary DeBoer, and I’m the VCS Middle School principal
We want to start by acknowledging that our school is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and it’s on this land that we are grateful to live, work, and play.
Here were some highlights from the week:
- Tuesday: Grade 6-7 immunizations
- House Team Games of the Week
- In the gym: Relay Races with the Grade 6s! Basketball, wheelbarrow, hula hoop, shoe scramble.
- In the classroom: Wikipedia Race
- Chapel: Ms. Chou, strings performance
House Team Scoring Update
Upcoming Dates:
- Thursday, June 9: MS Band and Choir Concert begins at 7:30 pm
- June 22: Last half day for K-8
Other Items
We are looking for a middle school teacher for next year! This is a full-time, permanent, humanities position. If you or someone you know is interested in joining a fun, progressive teaching team that loves to learn together, please check the VCS website (see Careers under the Contact tab).
Mr. Cavey’s Seesaw Update: What learning have students been sharing lately?
Interview: Mr. Joel Wedemire, Director of Technology
Final Words
Contact us at any time at [email protected] or [email protected]. Remember to send us your comments and feedback about the show. Our final "spin it to win it' draw for a family prize pack will happen in June.
31 min - Meet Miss Mina Chan + Our First Middle School Carnival
Welcome back to our Middle School Matters podcast!
- My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m the VCS Middle School vice-principal
- My name is Mary DeBoer, and I’m the VCS Middle School principal
Here were some highlights from the week:
- Monday: Grade 7 girls bump competition
- Thursday: Walkathon
- Chapel: Mrs. Voo (Thank You, I’m Sorry, Tell Me More)
- Friday: House Team Carnival Competition
- Major thanks to all our parent volunteers!
House Team Scoring Update
- Blue Cheese: 459
- Green Zombies: 392
- Purple Barneys: 537
- Red Dragons: 403
Upcoming Dates:
- Monday, May 23: Victoria Day (no school)
- Tuesday, May 24: Immunizations for Grade 6s
- Thursday, June 9: MS Band and Choir Concert begins at 7:30 pm
- June 22: Last half day for K-8
Other Items
We are looking for a middle school teacher for next year! This is a full-time, permanent, humanities position. We are also looking for a Resource Teacher in a 50% position. If you or someone you know is interested in joining a fun, progressive teaching team that loves to learn together, please check the VCS website (see Careers under the Contact tab).
Mr. Cavey’s Seesaw Update: What learning have students been sharing lately?
From 7B Science: A couple of video posts showed simple motors, connections between magnetism and electricity
Mina Chan Interview
Final Words
Contact us at any time at [email protected] or [email protected]. Remember to send us your comments and feedback about the show. Our final "spin it to win it' draw for a family prize pack will happen in June.
Bits & Bytes: Catch a few moments from Mrs. Voo's chapel talk.
41 min - Meet Mrs. Debbie Harvey + Grade 6 Egg Drop
Welcome back to our Middle School Matters podcast!
- My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m the VCS Middle School vice-principal
- My name is Mary DeBoer, and I’m the VCS Middle School principal
Here were some highlights from the week:
- Last Week was Teacher Appreciation Week - thanks to the Mok family for making it special
- Tuesday: Congratulations to our Grade 8 badminton players for winning their tournament at Deer Lake last week!
- Outdoor Trips: Grade 7s went to Stave Falls, Grade 8s went to Lynn Canyon
- House Team Game of the Week: Dodgeball with Basketball Rescue for Gr. 7s
- Chapel: Mr. Cavey: Finding Faith in the Face of Fear (David and Goliath, personal stories)
House Team Scoring Update
- Blue Cheese: 418
- Green Zombies: 363
- Purple Barneys: 502
- Red Dragons: 344
Upcoming Dates:
- Wednesday, May 18: Annual Walk-A-Thon
- Friday, May 20th: Elementary Sports Day in the morning and House Team Carnival Competition. We have 27 parents who have already signed up as volunteers to help us with our Carnival event. That is so exciting!!
- Monday, May 23: Victoria Day (no school)
- Tuesday, May 24: Immunizations for Grade 6s
- Thursday, June 9: MS Band and Choir Concert begins at 7:30 pm
- June 22: Last half day for K-8
Other Items
We are looking for a middle school teacher for next year! This is a full-time, permanent, humanities position. We are also looking for a Resource Teacher in a 50% position. If you or someone you know is interested in joining a fun, progressive teaching team that loves to learn together, please check the VCS website (see Careers under the Contact tab).
Mr. Cavey’s Seesaw Update: What learning have students been sharing lately?
6Ta Science: Egg Drop Experiment
Debbie Harvey Interview (our next staff interview will feature Miss Mina Chan).
Mary: Contact us at any time at [email protected] or [email protected]. Remember to send us your comments and feedback about the show. Our final "spin it to win it' draw for a family prize pack will happen in June.
Bits & Bytes from the Middle School
Featuring Grade 6 Science and clips from our strings concerts.
37 min - Meet Mr. Ed Kwong + the Purple Barneys Roll On
Welcome back to our Middle School Matters podcast!
Here were some highlights from the week:
- House Team Game of the Week: Scattergories + Grade 6 Dodgeball in the Gym
- Today was Holiday Day!
- Chapel - featuring a VCS parent
- Grade 8 badminton players won third place in their badminton tournament.
House Team Scoring Update
- Blue Cheese: 291
- Green Zombies: 287
- Purple Barneys: 373
- Red Dragons: 262
Upcoming Dates:
- Monday, May 2 - Friday, May 6: Teacher Appreciation Week
- Thursday, May 5: MS/HS Strings Concert in the Lower Gym begins at 7 pm
- Wednesday, May 18: Annual Walk-A-Thon
- Friday, May 20th: Elementary Sports Day in the morning and House Team Carnival Competition. We have 24 parents who have already signed up as volunteers to help us with our Carnival event. That is so exciting!!
- Monday, May 23: Victoria Day (no school)
- Tuesday, May 24: Immunizations for Grade 6s
- Thursday, June 9: MS Band and Choir Concert begins at 7:30 pm
Other Items
We are looking for a middle school teacher for next year! This is a full-time, permanent, humanities position. As well, we are looking for a Resource Teacher in a 50% position. If you or someone you know is interested in joining a fun, progressive teaching team that loves to learn together, please check the VCS website (see Careers under the Contact tab).
Mr. Cavey’s Seesaw Update: What learning have students been sharing lately?
From 6L in French: Le bistro des animaux
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Our next scheduled staff interview will be with … Karen Kwong!
Final Words
Contact us at any time at [email protected] or [email protected]. Remember to send us your comments and feedback about the show. Our final "spin it to win it' draw for a family prize pack will happen in June.
Bits & Bytes from our students
38 min - Meet Miss Tana Wilkins + Badminton Victories at VCS
For Monday, April 25th, 2022
We are a little bit out of our normal schedule for this episode because you and I were at a principals retreat last week. It was a wonderful time of learning and building relationships with other visionary leaders from our schools across BC.
Here were some highlights from the week:
From Mr. Tse: “Congratulations to all the players who represented VCS to combine for winning the CESS Grade 6/7 Badminton Championships - Overall Team Champions Award! A great showing yesterday from everyone.”
House Team Game of the Week: Charades
House Team Scoring Update
- Blue Cheese: 230
- Green Zombies: 226
- Purple Barneys: 294
- Red Dragons: 240
Upcoming Dates:
- Monday, May 2 - Friday, May 6: Teacher Appreciation Week
- Thursday, May 5: MS/HS Strings Concert in the Lower Gym begins at 7 pm
- Wednesday, May 18: Annual Walk-A-Thon
- Friday, May 20th: Elementary Sports Day in the morning and House Team Carnival Competition. We will be looking for parent volunteers to help our staff run the carnival stations so be on the lookout for an email and a SignUp Genius. If you haven't already submitted a parent volunteer application, please connect with Rachel Jeal in our MS office and get the process started as soon as possible.
- Monday, May 23: Victoria Day (no school)
- Tuesday, May 24: Immunizations for Grade 6s
- Thursday, June 9: MS Band and Choir Concert begins at 7:30 pm
Other Items
We are looking for a middle school teacher for next year! This is a full-time, permanent, humanities position. If you or someone you know is interested in joining a fun, progressive teaching team that loves to learn together, please check the VCS website (see Careers under the Contact tab).
Mr. Cavey’s Seesaw Update: What learning have students been sharing lately?
7T: 🎙️Record your two Poetry Cafe poems
Interview: Miss Tana Wilkins
Mary: That was such a great conversation with Tana. I loved hearing her surprising love for teaching English! I'm sure her enthusiasm spills out to her students. As well, it warms my heart to hear how she has been welcomed and loved by our staff community!
Tim: Our next scheduled staff interview will be with … Ed Kwong!
Final Words
Contact us at any time at [email protected] or [email protected]. Remember to send us your comments and feedback about the show. Our final "spin it to win it' draw for a family prize pack will happen in June.
We’re humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve your children each day. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you again next weekend!
30 min - Meet Mrs. Ellen Freestone + Thunderstruck at School!
For Thursday, April 14th, 2022
Welcome back to our Middle School Matters podcast!
Here were some highlights from the week (see MS Community Classroom):
- Lightning Strike and Thunder Boom
- House Team games: Pictionary
- Easter chapel - Mary’s story
- The start of cross-stitching club
House Team Scoring Update
- Blue Cheese: 98
- Green Zombies: 108
- Red Dragons: 142
- Purple Barneys: 112
Upcoming Dates:
- Thursday, April 21: Parent Education Series: The Tech-Wise Family from 7:00-8:00 pm
- Monday, April 25th: Professional Development Day for K-12 (no classes)
- Thursday, May 5: MS/HS Strings Concert in the Lower Gym begins at 7 pm
- Friday, May 20th: Elementary Sports Day in the morning and House Team event in the afternoon
- Thursday, June 9: MS Band and Choir Concert begins at 7:30 pm
Other Items
- We are looking for a middle school teacher for next year! This is a full-time, permanent, humanities position. If you or someone you know is interested in joining a fun, progressive teaching team that loves to learn together, please check the VCS website (see Careers under the Contact tab).
- We are also looking for parent volunteers at our upcoming May 20th middle school House Team Carnival Competition.
Mr. Cavey’s Seesaw Update: What learning have students been sharing lately?
- From 7T: The Most Dangerous Writing App: Fiction Composition Under Pressure (5 minute maximum)
- 🎯 Learning Target: I can … explore language and text as a source of creativity and joy.
Mary: Up next on the show, it’s time to hear from one of the all-time VCS greats, Mrs. Ellen Freestone!
Our next scheduled staff interview will be with … Tana Wilkins.
Final Words
Contact us at any time at [email protected] or [email protected]. Remember to send us your comments and feedback about the show. Our final "spin it to win it' draw for a family prize pack will happen in June.
43 min - Meet Mrs. Karen Prinsloo + The Red Dragons Win Ice Cream
Welcome back to our Middle School Matters podcast!
- My name is Tim Cavey, and I’m the VCS Middle School vice-principal
- My name is Mary DeBoer, and I’m the VCS Middle School principal
Here were some highlights from the week (see MS Community Classroom):
- House Teams Winner for Jan-Feb were the Red Dragons who get ice cream treats next week
- It's Ultimate season and practices and games are on
- Hosted a Badminton Scrimmage with Maple Ridge Christian today
Upcoming Dates:
- Friday, April 15th: Good Friday, no school
- Monday, April 18th: Easter Monday, no school
- Monday, April 25th: Professional Development Day for K-12 (no classes)
- Friday, May 20th: Elementary Sports Day in the morning and House Team event in the afternoon
Other Items
We are looking for a middle school teacher for next year! This is a full-time, permanent, humanities position. If you or someone you know is interested in joining a fun, progressive teaching team that loves to learn together, please check the VCS website (see Careers under the Contact tab). The job description can also be found here: https://vancs.org/downloads/sb_vancs/MSHumanitiesTeacher1.pdf
4 Tips for Parents from Common Sense Media: How to Embrace Your Child’s Screen Time
- Show interest in what they're doing online.
- Help them recognize their screen time habits.
- Talk about their emotional health.
- Talk about what to do when they have negative feelings or want to set new screen time habits.
Mr. Cavey’s Seesaw Update: What learning have students been sharing lately?
From 7C: In this unit in science, students have been learning about how climate change impacts people around the world, and how people are responding to climate change (i.e. mitigation, adaptation). Students were given a climate change profile of a real person around the world, and learned how to think like them and speak like them. Students interviewed and were interviewed by 6 other students, to learn about how climate change impacts people differently. Students then compared and contrasted these profiles with this graphic organizer. (Previously featured: 8P, 8C)
Mary: Up next on the show, it’s time to hear a little bit more from one of our awesome Grade 8 teachers, Mrs. Karen Prinsloo!
Thank you for listening! We so appreciate your support. We’d encourage you to subscribe so that you don’t miss a future episode, and encourage other parents to do the same! Contact us at any time at [email protected] or [email protected]. Remember to send us your comments and feedback about the show. Our final "spin it to win it' draw for a family prize pack will happen in June. We’re humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve your children each day. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you again next weekend!
35 min
About Middle School Matters
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to the Middle School Matters podcast, where Principal Mary De Boer and Vice Principal Tim Cavey discuss the latest news and information from the VCS Middle School.