Bruce Peninsula District School & St Edmunds Public School News
Submitted by Annabelle Galasso
Our Peninsula family of schools are off and running towards another exciting school year. Many fun and welcoming events have already taken place at Bruce Peninsula District School (BPDS).
On September 10, 2024, high school students in grades 10 through 12 journeyed to the Lion’s Head Beach to complete their swim tests, necessary to qualify for the Outers program’s water adventures, as well as the annual Footprints camping trip. Each student demonstrated their best swimming skills, all successfully passing the test.
Senior student council members have joined together to represent the Secondary Student Government for the BPDS 2024-2025 school year. They welcomed the grade nine students into high school by hosting a luncheon at which students got free pizza and BPDS swag! Then, on September 26, Council hosted a ‘Calling of the Crews” fun-day, in which they ran outdoor games and activities to spread school spirit, while providing the grade nines with opportunities to create friendships with the senior students and become more comfortable as they enter high school. Students competed against one another in fun games representing their respective house colors. This was followed by the Meet the Teacher BBQ and the year’s first secondary dance.
On September 11, 2024, the secondary Europe Trip participants received a generous donation of over $5,000 from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 202. BPDS is tremendously grateful for the Legion’s efforts to support its students and staff in commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Canadian Liberation of The Netherlands by traveling to Europe in May.
On September 10, Outers students went to the Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre (OEC) to complete their ORCKA (canoe certification) training. The weather could not have been more perfect, and much fun was had out on the lake. This fantastic weather continued for another week, when on September 19 the grade eight class travelled to the OEC for a one-night stay. Students played games and came home smiling – though tired!
Senior Boys Volleyball practices have started, along with Elementary Soccer and Cross-Country running. Stay tuned for updates on all our athletes.
Students and staff are very pleased with all the fun activities that have taken place this September, and plan to continue to provide them as the year progresses!
Report from the Principal’s Office
Submitted by Brenda Brewer, Principal, and Breanna Heels, Vice-Principal
Welcome back to the 2024-25 school year! By the time you read this, we will already be a month in and into October! We have had a wonderful start to the year at both BPDS and St Edmunds Public School (St. Eds) and we are excited for what this school year will bring!
We have welcomed our newest and littlest students to our schools – the JKs at both BPDS and St. Eds, Grade 8s have already been camping at the Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre, Outers have done their Swim Test and ORCKA training, Secondary have already had a Theme Week and a dance, St. Eds have had a Terry Fox Run and we have hosted our Meet the Teacher BBQ at BPDS! We have also welcomed Matthew, an exchange student from Taiwan, to BPDS!
We would also like to welcome some new staff members:
• Mackenzie Simpson – teaching Careers/Civics and Geography this semester to our Secondary students
• Kelly Burgess – teaching Grade 3/4 until Mrs. King returns. This is a ‘welcome back’ as Kelly taught in both the Grade 5/6 and 4/5 classes last year as well!
• Lannie Tigert – replacing Mrs. Clark, Lannie is working with Mrs. Collins as the ECE in the JK/SK class at BPDS
• Jodi Vahramian – Office Professional at BPDS, so when you call BPDS, it may be Jodi that answers the phone or you see when you come into the office
• Nicole Craddock – Office Manager at St. Eds, so when you call or come into the office, it will be Nicole that welcomes you!
Upcoming Important Dates:
-October 2 – Elementary Cross-Country Races
-October 3 – Outers Practice Fall Hike
-October 9 – 11 – Grade 6s and 7s at the Bluewater Education Centre
-October 9 at 3:30pm – St. Eds School Council Meeting
-October 10 at 4:30pm – 6pm – Meet the Teacher at St. Eds
-October 14 – Thanksgiving Monday – No School
-October 16 – 18 – Outers Fall Hike
-October 23 at 3:30-5:30pm – SED Kindergarten Registration for JKs starting in September 2025
-October 24 at 3:30-5:30pm – BPDS Kindergarten Registration for JKs starting in September 2025
-October 25 – PA Day – No School
-October 30 – Picture Retake Day at BPDS
If you don’t already follow our Facebook page, you can follow us at Bruce Peninsula DS or if you have a student that attends St. Eds, you can join the St. Edmunds Public School Community Facebook group to see all of the amazing things happening at the school. If you ever have questions or concerns, give us a call at (519) 793-3211 or by email: Brenda_Brewer@bwdsb.on.ca and Breanna_Heels@bwdsb.on.ca.
