A Spirited Start to the School Year

On September 8th, the Senior School’s orientation day morning was filled with the usual rituals. For many it meant finding home rooms and obtaining schedules, while for all Grade 6 students, and Grade 7 and Level I students new to the school, it involved taking part in the very first Where Everybody Belongs session of the school year.

But after lunch, it soon became clear all formalities were called off. Grouped in their assigned houses, the students and staff stood for yet another rendition of Oh Canada…when something mysterious happened. A crackle of electronic interference, billowing smoke, the strains of the Mission Impossible theme and then masked bandits stormed the room, kidnapping not only the House Trophy, but the Headmaster himself! Quelle horreur!

The students’ mission – should they wish to accept it – was to accumulate as many house points as possible throughout five challenges. And most especially, during the Bank Robbery task, they had to infiltrate the house of kidnapper Carmen Sandiego and find clues leading them to the whereabouts of Dr. Godfrey.

So for the remainder of the afternoon, the students jumped, answered quizzes (no, the national animal of France is not the cougar), evaded lasers, proved their artistic prowess, and above of, demonstrated their spirit.

At the concluding assembly, all houses engaged in one final activity – the Cheer Challenge – before both the House Cup and Dr. Godfrey were restored to their proper places.

As for which house proved to be the loudest and proudest? The honour, for now, goes to Giles, followed by Sharp and Volk. Of course, there’s a whole school year left to change that score!