Submitted by Pam Mielhausen,
Vice-Principal, BPDS & St Edmunds
If spring feels a little busier around Bruce Peninsula District School (BPDS)and St. Edmunds Public School, that’s because it is! Between field trips, performances, athletics, and hands-on learning, our students have been making the most of every sunny (and not-so-sunny with all those rainy days of April) moment.
Exploring the Arts and Culture at Peninsula Schools
Several classes recently travelled to Cape Croker Park in Neyaashiinigmiing, where cultural interpreters guided them through Ziibaakdakaan and learning of the traditional art of maple syrup production. Students sipped cedar tea with a hint of maple and explored Anishinaabe culture through storytelling and hands-on experiences—proof that learning can be both meaningful and delicious.
Our Celebration of the Arts Night had audiences tapping their toes and smiling ear to ear, as every class performed creative twists on nursery rhymes and classic stories. Families also enjoyed a gallery of student artwork—and let’s be honest, the free pizza from School Council didn’t hurt attendance either!
Creativity has also been in full bloom at St. Edmunds, where students tried their hand at pottery by designing ceramic ice cream cone bowls. Each student proudly brought home a one-of-a-kind creation, complete with a cherry on top —perfect for dessert, or at least for showing off on the kitchen counter. Thank you to guest potter, Nicole Gamble, for sharing her passion with our kids.
Meanwhile, a group of students travelled to Stratford, Ontario to experience a live performance of The Hobbit. Watching Bilbo, Gandalf, and Smaug come to life on stage was unforgettable—but the behind-the-scenes workshop may have been the real showstopper. Students explored acting, set design, carpentry, and costuming, discovering just how much magic happens offstage.
St Edmunds Welcomes “Show & Tell” Parent Guests
At St. Edmunds Public School, our youngest learners have been busy welcoming some very special guest speakers—their own parents! JK and SK students delighted in “show and tell” with a twist, as people shared their work experiences. It turns out the parents have some pretty interesting jobs, and students were thrilled to put them in the spotlight for a change.
Grade 6/7 Class “Hitting the Trails” with PBTC
Our Grade 6/7 class has been hitting the trails—figuratively and literally—thanks to a partnership with the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club (PBTC). Students have been learning about the Bruce Trail, creating trail signage (constructing and painting Bruce Trail blazes for the side trails), and studying invasive species and their impact on the environment.
BPDS crowned overall Bluewater District School Board Champions
On the courts, our elementary athletes have been making a big impact in volleyball, basketball, and badminton. We may be a small school, but our teams have proven that determination and teamwork go a long way—this year, we’ve been proudly holding our own and then some!
On April 21, the BPDS elementary badminton team travelled to Peninsula Shores to compete in the regional badminton tournament. The 18 players faced strong competition from students representing Hepworth, Wiarton, and Sauble Beach. After an exciting day of matches, BPDS finished with the highest overall points, earning the team a spot at the Board-level tournament.
On April 27, the top players travelled to Georgian Bay Community School to compete against the best teams across the Bluewater District School Board. It was a day filled with fierce competition and impressive performances. BPDS earned fourth place in Boys’ Doubles, first place in Girls’ Singles and Mixed Doubles, and second place in Boys’ Singles and Girls’ Doubles.
When all the points were combined, BPDS was crowned the overall Bluewater District School Board Champions. This incredible achievement was earned through fierce competitiveness, early morning practices, and the team’s determination to continually improve their skills. Ms. Rosenburg and Ms. McIver are extremely proud of the team’s hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship throughout the season.
The senior badminton team had a great season! Our seniors proudly represented our school at the BAA North Tournament, where both a girls’ doubles team and a boys’ doubles team qualified for the BAA Tournament in Kincardine. At BAA, Lena and Isis captured first place in girls’ doubles, while Myles and Hunter earned an impressive third‑place finish in boys’ doubles. Both teams advanced to compete at the CWOSSA level in Kitchener. We love being badminton and are excited to see what our athletes accomplish next year!
BPDS Girls’ Basketball Team Win Championship Banner
On April 9, BPDS hosted the Regional Girls’ Basketball tournament, welcoming teams from PSDS, Amabel-Sauble, and Hepworth. With a small but mighty roster of just eight players, BPDS showed incredible determination and teamwork, going undefeated throughout the day. The girls scored a combined total of 145 points while allowing just 18 against them, demonstrating a powerful offensive presence and a disciplined, shutdown defense. This dominant performance earned them yet ANOTHER championship banner!
The following week, the girls advanced to the board-wide tournament in Walkerton, where they faced even tougher competition. Despite going up against teams with full benches and multiple lines, they continued to give it their all. BPDS secured one hard-fought win out of four games, and with limited substitutions, many players spent most of the day on the court, showing impressive resilience, endurance, and heart.
Ms. McIver is extremely proud of the team’s skill, effort, grit, and determination!
Students Roll-up Sleeves for Earth Day Community Clean-up
Earth Day saw students from both schools roll up their sleeves for community litter walks. Judging by the impressive collection of “treasures” (some more mysterious than others), the effort was well worth it. Our harbour communities are looking cleaner, greener, and much more welcoming.
Outers Prepare for Annual Algonquin trip
And for those who prefer their adventures a little more… outdoorsy, our Outers students are gearing up for their upcoming trip to Algonquin Provincial Park. They recently braved a particularly chilly day on Spry Lake to practice paddling, route-finding, and portaging. “Refreshing” might not have been the word they used—but they showed true grit and teamwork in preparation for the big trip.
BPDS Attends Regional Envirothon
On April 29, 12 BPDS students travelled to the Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association property in Georgian Bluffs to take part in the regional Envirothon competition. Envirothon is a team event that involves answering a series of questions and conducting hands-on activities in the areas of Forestry, Aquatics, Wildlife, and Soils. The team also prepared and presented information for a case study based on a specific environmental issue. BPDS fielded two teams, one competitive and one ‘shadow’ team for the event. The competitive team were the winners of the day’s “Spirit Award”, and came in second overall in the competition. The shadow team gained valuable experience to prepare them for next year’s competition. Congratulations to Carly, Bronwyn, Cadence, Mady, Piper, Lily, Emerie, Mary, Wolf, Nash, Adelaide and Morgan on their excellent attitude, leadership and willingness to learn!
As the calendar begins to wind down, activities are only ramping up. With more learning, field trips, athletics, guest speakers, proms, and graduations just around the corner, there’s plenty to look forward to.
It’s a wonderful (and wonderfully busy) time to be a Bruce Peninsula Panther or a St. Edmunds Fox—and if this spring is any indication, we’re finishing the school year strong, smiling, and maybe just a little bit muddy.
