Student Speaks: Of Western Experience

Anonymous

My school year so far at Western has been a pretty challenging, yet enjoyable experience. During September, I met a lot of students who are very motivated, inspiring, and welcoming. In the beginning of the school year, it was really nice to get to know other people and discover how wonderful and intelligent they all are. I made many new friends with very diverse perspectives and personalities. There are many clubs at Western that I could have joined, and I was able to join Interact. I am really fortunate that I decided to join a non-academic club because they act as a break in the day, to do something useful but not stressful. My teachers from my courses are all very helpful when it comes to the things I'm learning because the topics can be tough at times. In general, Western is a really good environment to be learning in and I am enjoying my school year so far.

Student Speak: Making New Friends

By: Hailey S.

The Student Speak section allows you to gain a sense of what your peers at Western Canada High School feel about particular issues or activities that interest them in our school or around the community. Particularly, this article explores how four students felt when transitioning from junior high to high school!

Question: 
Has it been easy this year to make new friends at Western? Have you kept up previous friendships from other schools? How have you been introduced to new people? In your opinion, has everything gone the way you thought it would?

Alison D.
Grade 10 Student – Yes, for me it’s been easy because I came from a junior high that a lot of people here didn’t come from, so pretty much all the friends I have at Western are new friends. And yes, as well because we share the same likes and dislikes. I’ve been introduced to them mostly through Band and IB classes.  Pretty much; everything has gone the way I thought it would here.

Matt A.
Grade 10 Student- Yeah, [it has been] pretty easy. Everybody here is more accepting then a lot of other places, so even if you come from a school where not a lot of kids came to Western, it would still stay pretty easy, especially if you get involved in many of the activities you can. That helps a lot. I’ve still maintained the old friendships I already had, because only two of the kids at my old school, not including myself, go here. The new friends I’ve made, I’ve met through sports and being introduced to other people from those new people. Everything has gone better then I thought it would, since high school hasn’t been as hard as I thought it would be.

Graham G.
Grade 10 Student– Definitively, it’s been easy! I think that because it’s such a big school, everyone can get to know each other better, enjoy new people and make new friends. It’s really cool; I’ve met some really neat new people through option classes, walking around school, through trips and just talking to everyone. It’s great to meet new people! So far it’s been better then I thought it would be! Better – because I came here as a “newbie” from a school with only five new junior high kids that came, so [the experience here] has been great!

Danielle L.
Grade 11 Student- It’s been very easy for me to make new friends here. Everyone is so accepting and there are a lot of different groups so it’s easy to find new friends! I still have really strong friendships as well, from my other school, but I’ve met new friends mostly through other classes and through a lot of clubs throughout Western. There are a lot of clubs; it’s a great way of meeting people! I would say that so far, it has been a great experience for me at Western because everything has gone the way I thought it would!

From the voices of these four students, it seems that they all share the same positive attitude towards their experience at Western when it comes to forming new friendships so far. It definitely requires risk-taking skills to encounter new people; however, we all have the ability to break these barriers over which we evidently have in control. Once you venture out and take advantage of this new opportunity, it’s much easier than your mind may perceive. Make your Western Canada High School experience worth it, because seconds pass instantaneously and soon you’ll be graduating!

Student Speak

By: Grace. F
What clubs are you in right now? What for?  What do you think about Western’s club selection? Should we have more or less clubs?  If you can choose any club to be included in Western Canada, what would it be and why?

Jade Z. and Helena M. - I’m in Yearbook right now, and I really enjoy it so far. Yearbook gives me the chance to learn about design which is something that I’m really interested in. We get to try new things, and it’s a really great experience overall!

We should definitely have more clubs. I’d like to see some book clubs being added because I personally enjoy reading, and I think it’s always great to have a group of people reading the same book and have a lively discussion! There should be clubs that are similar to P.E because IB students don’t get the chance to take P.E in grade 11 or 12. There should also be clubs that allows students go to other student for help on homework.
I would personally want Design because it’s something that I’m interested in and I’d like to work with people who have the same interests as me. I want the club to be really broad so that it could include computer design or fashion design, and then there would be a lot more people who I will be able to meet and work with. I believe that students at Western should be able to recommend or put in their ideas for clubs so that the administration can see what the students want.

Laurie L.G. - I’m in the Franco-Western club. One of the best things about this club is that there are bonus marks awarded for people in the FSL classes, and that’s one of the reasons why I decided to join the club. The club only lasts for one semester, but I think it should be offered throughout the year because it gives students a chance to practice their French with other students. This is the other reason why I joined the club. It’s really helpful when you can talk to other students who are also learning French.

There should be more clubs! Western has an extremely diverse population, and we all have many different interests. Clubs should be there to give the opportunity for students to show their talent. As well, it can also show students that there are other people out there who might share the same interests as them!

I don’t have a particular one that I think should be added, but clubs that other people are interested in should be included.

Student Speak

By: Clare T.

Western Canada High School is the biggest public school in Calgary, and attracts hundreds of diverse students each year. In this issue of the Western World, Clare Talbot finds out why some of these students chose Western and how they feel about their decision now.

Mila H., Grade 12

CT: Why did you decide to come to Western?

MH: Well, I’m actually one of the student minorities here at Western who lives in the school district! Honestly, I never considered going anywhere else. Western has an amazing reputation, and it’s such a fun place to be at!

CT: What’s one word you think describes Western and why?

MH: One word that I think describes Western is ideal. Western offers so many opportunities, it’s in the middle of the city, and because it’s so big, it helps with the transition into university!

CT: If you could be any teacher at Western for one day, who would you be and why?

MH: If I could be any teacher at Western for one day, I would be my P.E/ Leadership teacher, Mr. Wiebe. It seems like he has a really fun job, and everybody loves him!

Jenny Y., Grade 10

CT: Why did you decide to come to Western?

JY: I decided to come to Western because I heard from so many friends that it’s a wonderful school, with a great academic and athletic reputation!

CT: What’s one word you think describes Western and why?

JY: One word that I think describes Western is enhancing! Western provides students with an endless amount of opportunities to not only further our learning, but to also grow as individuals.

CT: If you could be any teacher at Western for one day, who would you be and why?

JY: If I could be any Western teacher for a day, I would definitely be Mr. Selby, because he probably can win every single argument. That could really come in handy one day!

Fiona M., Grade 10

CT: Why did you decide to come to Western?

FM: I decided to come to Western because I was interested in being a part of the French Immersion and the IB program. Also, Western is the designated school for my area.

CT: What’s one word you think describes Western and why?

FM: One word that I think describes Western is big! There are so many people to meet, classes to take, and clubs to be a part of!