UGDSB’s IB program at GCVI continues to outperform worldwide results
July 9, 2019
GUELPH, Ontario – The students enrolled in Guelph CVI’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) continue to achieve outstanding results.
The IB DP is a two-year, academically challenging program that prepares students for success at university and beyond. The internationally recognized program prepares youth for effective participation in a rapidly evolving and increasingly global society. In the Upper Grand District School Board, the IB DP is offered at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute.
This spring, every GCVI student who entered the May 2019 exams attempting the IB Diploma earned it, 35 students in total.
GCVI’s class average was 35.8, compared to 29.62 worldwide. GCVI’s average rose from 35.2 in 2018.
Three GCVI students earned 44 points out of a possible 45 points and eight earned 40 points or more.
The school and board are very proud of the GCVI students and of the staff who supported the 2017-2019 cohort through the two-year program.
GCVI staff start GAELS Foundation to help school community
GUELPH, Ontario – A group of staff members at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute have started a foundation to help support members of the GCVI community.
The goal of the GAELS Foundation is to “provide financial support for members of our local, national and global communities in need and to create a model of generosity, compassion and caring for students and to generate awareness of issues of need from a local to global level.”
The foundation committee is made of four teachers and one administrator; their responsibilities include the collection and distribution of the funds received.
According to the GAELS Foundation committee, funds for the foundation “have been primarily collected in the first few weeks of the school year leading up to the Thanksgiving (or GaelsGiving) weekend.” In the inaugural year, more than 35 staff members at the school donated over $6,500 for the foundation.
Of the funds given to date, half of the money has been used to support students, staff and initiatives that students have brought forth that are in need of financial support.
Nobel Prize winner Donna Strickland visits GCVI
February 15, 2019
GUELPH, Ontario – Students at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute had a special visit from a former student who has been recognized for her groundbreaking work in physics.
On Friday Feb. 15, Nobel Prize winner Donna Strickland visited Guelph CVI to speak to students. Professor Strickland is a Guelph native and attended Victory Public School, Willow Road Public School and GCVI. Currently, Strickland is an associate professor at the University of Waterloo.
In October, Strickland was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for her work in laser physics. Half of the award is shared between Strickland and France’s Gérard Mourou. The other half was awarded to Arthur Ashkin from the United States.
The three were recognized for “groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics.” Strickland and Mourou were specifically honoured for “their method of generating high-intensity, ultra-short optical pulses,” according to information on the Nobel Prize website. Their technique, Chirped Pulse Amplification, is used in a variety of applications, including in corrective laser eye surgery. Professor Strickland is only the third woman to win the Nobel Prize in Physics.
On Friday, GCVI hosted Professor Strickland at the Guelph high school and held two assemblies so that all students could hear about her time at GCVI, her post-secondary studies, career and the whirlwind experience of receiving the Nobel Prize.
Friday’s event was organized and emceed by GCVI students Bridget and Roscoe, with the assistance of school staff.
Professor Strickland spoke her work in the laser lab, explaining the technique she helped develop. She also answered a number of students’ questions about her experiences at GCVI and beyond. She had always liked physics and math, and being in school. Even as a young student at Victory PS, when learning about what a PhD is, she knew she wanted to be in school for a really long time. In high school, she loved playing in the band, although added that she didn’t play very well. She stressed to students that no matter what field they decide to pursue, learning how to write is important.
She also explained to students the dangers of working in the laser lab and how she would often come up against roadblocks or failures, but when that would happen, she would continue on. Throughout the talk, Strickland drew a few good laughs from the crowd, describing her fairy-tale like experience receiving the Nobel Medal on December 10 from the King of Sweden and what her life has been like since the award was announced.
Also speaking at Friday’s event was Mr. Jim Forsyth a retired GCVI teacher and Professor Strickland’s former physics teacher. He said that the first award in physics that Strickland received was at GCVI.
At the end of the assembly, GCVI arts students presented Strickland with a mural they created. It will hang in the school next to the physics room.
Mindfulness Sessions
Mindfulness is returning to GCVI. The Minds@Ease program will run every Thursday until Thursday December 20th. Sessions are held in the Balcony above the Aud from 8:00-8:45. There is no cost to participate.
Proven benefits of mindfulness include improved focus and concentration, emotional regulation, increased resiliency and greater well being. All of these qualities will help you in your final year of high school and beyond in university and life so if you have time and are curious about mindfulness, come out this Thursday and give it a try!
Sign up with Mrs. Snell in the International Programs Office.