Vauxhall Junior/Senior High School making connections

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By Greg Price
Vauxhall Advance
gprice@tabertimes.com

Vauxhall Junior/Senior High School has had another strong start in delivering quality education.

“It has been a great start to the school year where we have a couple of new teachers,” said Todd Ojala, principal at Vauxhall High School.

Those two teachers include Brian Bergsma who is on a temporary contract due to a maternity leave, and will be teaching junior high science and chemistry.

The other new teacher at the school is Keith Miller who is teaching Social Studies and English at the junior and senior high levels. The school is also featuring a couple of new support staff as well.

“We’re really working really hard on our junior and senior high advisory programs. Within that program we have time throughout that students can take to connect with teachers,” said Ojala.
“On Thursdays we have an advisory class where students spend time with staff members. The kids are divided up into advisory groupings where we do a lot of fun stuff. The main emphasis is making those connections between staff and students.”

Enrollment at Vauxhall Junior/Senior High School is at 193 students, which is down a few students from 2014/2015.

“Our numbers are pretty stable,” said Ojala.

The first day of school featured a motivational speaker in Paul Isaac who is an ‘inspirational humourist.’

“He talked about following your dreams, and doing what he loves every day as an entertainer,” said Ojala.

“He did some amazing juggling feats and rode a unicycle, and involved staff and students. It was a good start to the week.”

Spirit Week from Sept. 8-11 also involved the Teachers/Community Members versus the Grade 12 students in the annual Blue Cup flag football game.

Once again the teachers proved victorious this year thanks to the help of a ringer.

“It was a nail-biter of a game, 28-21,” said Ojala. “We had a secret weapon this year. Brian Bergsma played quarterback for the University of Calgary Dinos. It never hurts to have someone who can pass the football quite well,” said Ojala.

Although a small-town rural education, Ojala noted the school strives to provide all the same opportunities as their urban counterparts.

“We want to offer all the extra little things. We have a full compliment of CGS programs and different programs that the kids can take,” said Ojala.

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