Experiential week volunteer supper held at Matthew Halton School

Matthew Halton School Principal Sandra McDuffe
T.  Lucas photos

Toni Lucas - On the evening of Thursday December 5, Matthew Halton High School held a volunteer appreciation supper for all those that helped during Experiential week, which was held October 21 - 25 at area schools. Approximately 100 staff, volunteers, and students attended, celebrating the opportunity the school gave students to try new things that aren't covered in the regular curriculum.


Some of the Experiential Week courses included cosmetology, outdoor studies, mechanics, sports camp, creative baking, photography, wilderness studies, hunter training, early learning child care, and film production. These courses were led by teachers and volunteers from local businesses and citizens. Students were marked and grades were given for these courses.  The diversity offered would not be possible without the help from many sectors of the community.  Many of the students expressed that there was more intensive learning in the fields they chose than they first anticipated.

"A tremendous thank you to everyone that is here,"  said Principal Sandra McDuffe.  "You, people from the community, the volunteers that helped support the week.  I cannot say enough about the work that you did that week. Thank you very much.  We had surveys completed by students and they overwhelmingly support the learning that happened during that week. Staff worked over and above their course load, they gave in prep time, gave lessons, and assessed student work." McDuffe invited students to speak about their experiences after a short film of the week's activities.

T. J.

TJ talked about the photography course where they learned the parts of a camera, photo skills, calligraphy, and some information on journalism.

Joey Duffield

"I was in hunter training with Hilary, Rick and Joe," said Joey Duffield.  "I would like to thank them for offering the course. They did a wonderful job.  It was a great week."

Rick Matheson, Hillary Matheson, Kandy Jacobson and Joe Jacobson

"I thought it was a fabulous week," said teacher Hilary Matheson, who taught hunter training. "It was long, but the kids stayed on task, and they were motivated. We used a combination of classroom, a modual program that is online."  Students went to the Oldman River Gun Club for part of the week.  Assisting Matheson was her husband Rick, and Joe Jacobson who said "It's not just about hunting, it's about conservation. The program is about appreciation of wildlife, safety, and survival."

Janet Taylor

Janet Taylor took horsemanship offered with the assistance of the Westrop family.   She is an experienced rider involved with teaching horsemanship through 4-H, and thought this would be a good refresher.  "I learned so much that week. It was definitely from very beginners to people who are really advanced. Thank you so much to Billie, she did a lot of work."

Emily and Courtney took cosmetology from teacher Renee Van Loon.  They both took a WHMIS course as part of their training, and went to different salons to compare services.  They ended their week by doing hair, nails and makeup.  They agreed that there is a lot more to the field of cosmetology than they first thought.

Brooke, Pete and Mike took outdoor education. They learned how to use compasses, light fires, fish, and other important skills.

Mike, Pete, and Brooke

Alyssa took wildlife studies, a field that she is decided would compliment her potential university application in environmental studies. The students had to count scat, trees, and the number of buds eaten by animals. "It's insane the types of trees out there, you have no idea," She summed up well what was expressed by many of the students.   "Honestly, we are so lucky to have this. Halton is a pretty awesome school to let their kids have a week off of physics, and math, to go out and do something that they want to do.  I mean, I love physics and math, but this was awesome fun, and I cannot wait for next semester. Thank you very much for having this week."

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