Interaction 2014

Yesterday, students from WRMS attended the Interaction 2014 Conference at the University of Guelph.

Guelph Interaction is a full day conference for university bound grade 10 and 11 students who have a passion for learning and a desire to continue their education beyond the secondary school level.

Students were given an introduction to life at post secondary school that highlighted the importance of pathway planning and had the opportunity to attend a lecture by Francesco Levi on Psychology, Neuroscience and Drug Addiction.  They were also given a tour of the Centre for Students with Disabilities and the Library Accessibility Services department.

Students attend lecture at University of Guelph

Emma, Megan, Gen and Harp at University of Guelph Interaction 2014

Run for Light Events

Run for Light Zumba 
May 13 7:00pm-9:00pm at the W. Ross Macdonald
$10.00 registration fee gets you A Run for Light t-shirt and free admission for Run for Light on Thursday May 15

Run for Light
May 15
6:00pm-9:30pm at the W. Ross Macdonald School

Ontario wins Gold, Silver and Bronze at Goal ball Junior Nationals

The Ontario Men’s and Women’s Goal ball Teams won a gold, silver and bronze medal at the National Junior Goal ball Championships which were held at the W.Ross Macdonald School this past weekend. The junior tournament is for athletes who are 20 years of age or younger. Team Ontario was made up of present and former students from the W. Ross Macdonald School.

Teams from British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the Host Province Ontario took part in the tournament.
In the men’s division, The Ontario White Team earned a bronze medal by defeating Team West (British Columbia and Alberta) 12 -5. Simon Braham led Ontario with 6 goals.  Nathan Lamont had 5 goals and Palmer Douglas added a single goal. The other member of Team Ontario was T. J. Gill. They were coached by Drew Finucane.

In the Men’s gold medal match, New Brunswick defeated the three- time defending champion Ontario All Blacks by a score of 2-1.  Justin Lowrey had the lone goal for Ontario. Simon Richard scored both goals for New Brunswick.  Members of the Ontario team were Justin Lowrey, Kyle Brunet, Brice Parker and Arvin Carandang. They are coached by Bob Mannen and Mike Breuls.

The men’s All-Tournament team consisted of Justin Lowrey (Ontario), Simon Richard (New Brunswick) and Guillaume LeBlanc (New Brunswick).

Emma Reinke scored with one minute left in the second overtime period to give the Ontario Junior Trilliums a 4-3 victory over the Alberta Junior Team. Meagan Mahon led Ontario with 2 goals and Gen Hart added a single goal. Mahon also had a crucial penalty shot save in the second overtime period for Team Ontario. Members of Team Ontario included, Meghan Mahon, Emma Reinke, Gen Hart, Jill Havens and Alison leach. They are coached by Annette Carmen and Jen McMillan.

In the bronze medal match Team Alberta Youth defeated British Columbia 7-5.

The women’s All-Tournament team consisted of Meghan Mahon (Ontario), Emma Reinke (Ontario) and Ruby Soliman (Alberta Junior’s).

Special thanks to all of the staff from the WRMS who volunteered their time to help serve food, coach , referee, transport athletes or who just showed up to watch and support the athletes. There were Parents of athletes not only from Ontario but from all of the provinces that competed and all of them remarked on the first class athletic facilities we have here at the school as well as the staff that work here.

In the News:

National junior goalball championships in Brantford (Brant News)
Great start for All Blacks at goal ball championship (Brantford Expositor)

Provincial Goalball Club Championships

This past weekend 17 Goalball teams from across Ontario competed in the first ever Provincial Goalball Club Championships. Of the 70 athletes competing, many were present or former students of the School.

In the Men’s and Women’s “ A” division 15 present or former members of Canada’s Junior and Senior National team competed on various club teams representing their home regions. The tournament was divided into three divisions. There was a Men’s “A” division, a Men’s “B” division and a Women’s Division. In the “B “Division Brantford defeated Sudbury 11-7 to claim the championship. T.J. Gill and former student Nathan Lamont were members of Team Brantford. In the Women’s final, Ottawa defeated The Thistles by a score of 12-5. Gen Hart and former student Whitney Burke were members of Team Ottawa. The Thistles were composed of Meaghan Mahon, Allison Leach and former students Cassie Orgeles and Brook Perriam, In the Men’s Division Brantford overcame a 6-1 deficit to rally and defeat Toronto by a score of 8-7. Team Brantford was composed of the WRMS high school team which will represent Ontario at the Junior National Goalball Championships which will be held here in two weeks. Members of the team were Justin Lowrey, Brice Parker, Kyle Brunet and former student Arvin Carandang. Team Toronto was made up of former students Ramone Autar, Tyler Burke and Brandon King.

Thanks to all of the WRMS staff who volunteered their time as a referee, coach or timekeeper to help make the tournament a success. The National Junior Goalball Tournament will be held at the WRMS April 11-13. Volunteers are needed. If you are interested please see Mike Breuls or Mick Ferras.

Poster Competition

In preparation for celebration day, student council would like to display posters throughout the school providing messages to visitors and friends of W. Ross about awareness on blindness, visual impairment, and deaf blindness. We invite all residences, and classes to participate in creating a poster.

The deadline for the posters is May 1st. Student council will provide the Bristol board, please see a member of student council as soon as possible to request a board. This is a great opportunity to provide tips, and education to the public.

The Writing is on the Wall

Greetings from the library!

The library will be undergoing renovations this spring, with completion scheduled in September of next year. While the architects are in the planning stages, staff and students or WRMS are invited to submit a suggestion for a word or slogan to appear on a feature wall in the library. The word or words chosen will be shown in print and braille. Electronic submissions will be accepted on the staff intranet and the library website , or use the link below. Print or braille ballots are available from Mary Cousineau, Kristi Gardner or Tanya Gardner.

The Writing is on the Wall Form

Legally-blind photographer creates amazing works of art

Check out this video from the Globe and Mail about former WRMS student Dylan Johnson:

Legally-blind photographer creates amazing works of art