PACIFIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
christ-like living, critical thinking and joyful service
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PRESS
AP Art
Charcoal dust settles in a fine film over the gloss of the wooden tables in the art room. The click of camera shutters
and the scratch of pencils over paper provide our subtle soundtrack. Paint colours swirl together in tiny glass jars and on
palettes before they are delicately smoothed over canvas. Some students are researching, some are planning, some are
collaborating, some are contemplating, and all are creating.
A drawing hangs at the front of the room. It reveals evidence of hours of observation, preparation and dedication.
Deliberate pencil strokes fill the paper forming a composition of balanced lights and darks that dance across the page.
A casual semi-circle of students has formed. The artist sits timidly, waiting. This is a vulnerable moment; a moment in
which one student allows her peers to evaluate her work. This situation has potential to be really scary. But it is not,
because this is our community.
One by one, students begin to offer comments, observations and encouragement about the piece. The work is examined,
suggestions are offered, creativity is celebrated and praise is given. The hard work that has gone into the creation of the
artwork is recognized and the artist feels an increased pride in her work. This community of thoughtful, observant and
uplifting students is our AP Studio Art class.
ELEMENTARY CAMPUS
Art allows us to share with others the world as we see it and as we would 671
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Victoria,
BC V8Z
2E7are able to
reveal beauty in both the obvious and the obscure, to examine social and personal
issues,
and
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with one
[email protected]
another. The AP Studio Art program is an intensive exploration of a variety ofSECONDARY
styles, subjects
and media; however, it is
CAMPUS
“...nurturing
students
Christ-like
living,
also so much
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a placeinfor
community
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654 Agnes St. Victoria,
BC for
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critical
thinking,
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vulnerable with one another and to uplift each other through the development
and celebration of our God-given gifts.
[email protected]
to become faithful citizens in God’s world.”
Phone 250-479-4532
Stacey Jacobson, Secondary School AP Art Instructor
Pacific Christian School
www.pacificchristian.ca
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Your PCS
Grade 6 Dance Club
I have been a part of the PCS family for 20 years now: once
as a student, also a volunteer, then a student teacher, and
now as a classroom teacher. Dance has always been a part
of my life and I have always felt God gave me an avenue
to glorify Him. I’ll never forget the time I was given the
opportunity to dance at our annual PCS Christmas concert.
I went up on stage in my red velvet dress and tap-danced my
way across the University of Victoria stage. The best part
of the experience was being able to share my love of dance
with the PCS community. For me, dance is an outlet. It is
my outward expression of love towards God and my way of
praising him. I always think about it like this: some people
express praise to God through singing, while some praise
through painting or drawing, but I believe that God has
given me the ability to move and be creative and to thank
Him for by dance.
As I embark on a teaching career at PCS, I want to also give
students the opportunity to praise God through movement.
What story or lesson is the song portraying? How can we
tell God’s story through the movements and shapes we
make with our bodies, while still moving in ways which are
edifying to God? These are questions I want my students to
be asking as they dance.
Currently once a week, 10 to 15 students come every Friday and join me for a Grade 6 dance club. We work through
various technique exercises, styles of dance, and combinations. It has been amazing watching these students become
more comfortable expressing themselves in a way that edifies God. It has also been a blessing to watch them gain selfconfidence.
According to Sir Ken Robinson, a renowned educator who recently spoke at a professional development day I attended,
“dance is as important as math.” He went on to describe why it is important to have dance in schools, and to give students
the opportunity to be creative through movement during the normal school day. Listening to Sir Robinson not only made
me smile from ear to ear, but also accentuated the reason why I believe it is so important to offer the opportunity to dance
to students at PCS.
These students have been such a joy to work with, and have been such a blessing in my life. It is so exciting to see how
God is using this dance club to glorify His kingdom.
“Let us praise him with dance.” Psalm 149:3
Kristen Low, Classroom Teacher & School Dance Teacher
Your PCS
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Spelling Bee 2017
It has become a tradition for PCS to hold an
annual or biannual Spelling Bee for students
from Grades 3 - 7. Over a spellbinding few
weeks interested students participate first in
individual classroom bees. The top three to five
from each class move on to compete in a grade
level Bee where the winners receive gold, silver
and bronze medals for their accomplishments.
These grade level winners receive a massive list
of words to practice for the all school final Bee.
The whole school gathers to watch this intense
competition with the 15 finalists who have also
been treated to pizza, juice and donuts for lunch
before the finals. Traditionally the children have
prepared so well that Mr. Helmus often has
to move beyond the prepared list to the super
challenging unseen list to determine a winner.
Trophies are presented to the top three, along
with gift certificates for books. It is a great
opportunity for the participants to showcase
their talent in Spelling and for the “fans” to
experience a different type of competition than
the usual athletic venue.
Anna Welle, Elementary Teacher - Grade 5
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Your PCS
Drama 7
Drama 7 affords students a range of activities from improvisation, theatre games, and scene building, to writing and
performing monologues and learning the basics of puppetry. Within these classes, the students learn a number of skills
related to speech, movement, characterization and teamwork, which become necessary during the year’s culminating
effort: the preparation and performance of a stage play. Past productions have included: The Lion, The Witch and the
Wardrobe, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, A Comedy of Errors, Anne of Green Gables,
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf, Alice in Wonderland, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,
and The Jungle Book. This year, the two Grade 7 classes are working on productions of The Lion, the Witch and the
Wardrobe and Cinderella.
After the unglamorous and sometimes daunting weeks of rehearsals, students finally get to discover the pure joy of
performing live theatre. Seeing their excitement as they don their costumes and step onto the stage is well worth all the
effort to get there. Through dedicated team work over several months, these young people seem to grow in poise and
confidence right before our eyes. At the end of the last performance, we’re all sad that our time is over so quickly, but
the shared experience and lessons learned will last for years to come.
Tom Snell, Elementary French/Drama Teacher
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The Anatomy of a Car Scene
The timeline:
Day 1: Students return to class after the Christmas break.
Twenty Acting 11/12 students share their ideas and thoughts
about an assignment that they will complete during the
next three weeks. The initial task: Write two contrasting
plays featuring two characters, five minutes in duration,
with a beginning, middle and end. The plays must take
place in or around a vehicle.
Week 1: Students focus on the creation of their scripts
working alone and sharing their process with each other.
All scripts are submitted by the end of the week.
Week 2: The class reads all of the forty submitted scripts.
Readings start in small groups, followed by a response
from the group to what they have read. After all of the
plays have been read, students create three lists: “No for
now”, “possibly/maybe” and “yes, for sure.” Fifteen plays
are in the “yes, for sure” pile. The fifteen plays are read
again for the entire class, and ten plays are ultimately
chosen for production. The class works together to cast
each play with an understanding that everyone must be
cast and playwrights must not be cast in their own play.
Casting is complete by the end of the week, and students
spend the weekend memorizing the current draft of each
play. Playwrights also work on suggested edits for each
play.
Week 3: This is an intense week of rehearsal. On Monday
and Tuesday, the pairs of actors work together to develop
the scene while playwrights are permitted to give the
actors edits. On Wednesday, they share the revised versions
of the scripts with the class. Final suggestions are offered
to the playwrights. Vehicles are selected for each play and
props are arranged. After Wednesday’s feedback, the pairs
of actors work together on Thursday with final edits from
their playwright.
Friday, of Week 3: Casts present their CAR PLAY in the
studio for the last time. The class includes some invited
guests who are asked to provide feedback and suggestions.
Saturday, of Week 3, 9:00 AM: All vehicles in place in the
PCS Parking Lot. Rehearsal begins for each play in the
vehicle for the very first time.
10:30 AM: Twenty actors perform 10 plays in 10 different
vehicles, while audiences of 2 watch from inside the
vehicle. Every 5 minutes, a whistle blows and the audiences
are introduced to two new actors and a new play. Each play
is performed 30 times throughout the day, for 30 different
audiences.
Overall: It is an amazing final project, giving the students
the opportunity to take a play from conception to
production, and to demonstrate their skills as writers,
directors and actors. At the same time, students’ family,
friends, and the broader community have the chance to
enjoy a unique, live theatre experience and to celebrate the
brilliant accomplishments of the students.
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Your PCS
From the Secondary International Department
Students come from all over the world to be part of the
PCS community, and our International Department has
been working hard to meet their needs. To support them
in their studies, social lives, faith, and cultural awareness,
some of the programs we offer include:
a healthy relationship with His Word, we separate the
program into manageable pieces. With modern study
applications and great supportive resources, students feel
more comfortable with the text, while also feeling they
can approach it on their own.
Orientation Program:
After-School Tutoring for International Students:
The Orientation Program takes place in August and
February and helps students to feel at home in our
beautiful city before even starting their first day of school.
We provide many opportunities for students to familiarize
themselves with their surroundings and via public transit
and several walking tours. The program helps students feel
comfortable with their living arrangements, the school
setting, and social surroundings, all before starting school.
Our department begins work mid-August, and it’s worth
every minute if we can help these students feel welcome
in their new learning environment.
One of our goals is to support students with their current
course load. Students meet with peer tutors and build
relationships with fellow PCS students while working on
class assignments. Some simply come to connect with
others, even if they do not have a tutor. This support system
is a very important part of the International Program.
This course serves as an exploration of texts, relationships
and values presented in the Bible. As most of our new
students arrive at PCS between grades 9 and 10, it is
important they learn a sufficient amount about the Old
& New Testament, as well as Biblical themes before
continuing with some of the additional components
within our Biblical Perspectives program.
It is difficult t o imagine being in t hese students’ shoes
at 14 or even 17 years old. Some of these students come
here without their parents, while others have one or both
parents with them. I watch them work extremely hard and
the responsibility they shoulder for their own future weighs
heavily on my heart. I am consistently impressed and proud
of the work they do. They navigate social interactions,
language barriers, cultural differences, emotional stresses,
educational successes, and academic stretches. Through
all that, they manage to persevere and accomplish their
work. At PCS, they see the love and passion staff have
for them and for God. We plant seeds and hope they
grow up strong and confident in themselves and grow in
understanding of faith in Christ.
Our hope is that God will open students’ eyes to see His
work through the narrative told in the Bible. To encourage
Sarah Carrie,
Secondary School International Student Coordinator
Bible Basics (Bible 101):
Your PCS
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Grade 7 Market Day
On February 27, our Grade 7 students became entrepreneurs and
created their own real “Market Day,” offering various food, products,
and services. Throughout the eight weeks leading up to Market Day,
they also learned about the struggles of the entrepreneurial poor
in the developing world. They explored ways one could partner
with the poor by donating their Market Day profits through microlending, microenterprise and job creation programs, some of the
best long-term solutions to eradicating poverty. This Christian
program focuses on Godly business practices and growing our gifts
as budding entrepreneurs.
For Market Day, students worked in groups as business teams. They
prepared business plans, created products, experienced advertising
and planning services and storefronts. Rewards of this program
include a better understanding of global poverty and social justice
issues. They learned about, and engaged in, sustainable solutions to
poverty and a Godly attitude toward stewardship of our finances,
both personal and in our work world.
Market Day 2017 raised $4582.45 for Opportunity International, a
company that gives micro-loans to women in developing countries
so they can start a business to support their families!
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Your PCS
Grade 5 Science Fair
Every year, the PCS elementary school holds a Grade 5 Science Fair. It goes back so far in PCS history that we’re
not even sure how many years the fair has been held! We sometimes have kids reaching Grade 5, who have been
thinking about and planning for an idea for several years, ever since an older sibling particpated.
Our Grade Five students are encouraged to choose an idea that is as personal and creative as possible. The students
certainly do not disappoint. This year once again included some great projects. “Smell Ya Later!” was an experiment
to see what will best clean smelly lacrosse socks. “A Concrete Way to Recycle” was created by a student whose father
is a builder. She wanted to find out if recycling materials added to concrete would make it a stronger material. This
year we even had a project done to see what would best relax a person to help them take the most accurate target
shot!
Students are also asked to consider and communicate the Christian Perspective of their research project. One
student who looked at what makes it easier to focus, based their Christian Perspective reflection on our school’s
theme verse, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” They said, “We want to do everything that we do for
the glory of God - and that means trying our best. If you find it easier to do your best while chewing gum, listening
to music, or anything else, you should do that!”
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This highly-anticipated event culminates in a day and evening community event in which 50 - 75 young
scientists present their amazing projects to a panel of brilliant, compassionate judges. The Science Fair also
bridges our parking lot, bringing three or four classes of secondary science students over to help encourage our
younger scientists and assess their projects
The winners of each class go on to represent PCS at the Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair, held at UVic at the
beginning of April. Our young scientists have always done very well at the event and often bring back trophies,
books and even cash prizes, for awards such as The Scientific Spirit Award, or the Young Scientist Award.
One of the best parts of the experience is the bonding that happens while the kids are working together with their
parents, to complete this project. When asked what the best part of doing the science project was (in a survey),
several responded that it was the time they got to spend with their mom and/or dad. An intriguing response on
the questionnaire, however, was in answer to the question: What did you learn about your parents? Answer:
They can get very upset!
The annual PCS Grade 5 Science Fair is an amazing learning experience for all involved. Well done, Grade 5’s!!!
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Your PCS
Missions Mexico
I had the privilege of being a chaperone for the second year in a row on the Missions Mexico trip. I was
excited to have the opportunity to go down for the second time and to take on a few more responsibilities.
Since the trip last year, I have been thinking and questioning about the benefits of short-term missions
trips. I grew up as a missionary kid in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. My family lived there for 8 years and part of
our role was to host different short-term teams that came to visit the country. We would often shake our
heads and laugh as the different groups (typically North American) came through and continually made
cultural faux pas and fumbled their way around the city. These memories and other overseas experiences
have made me doubt whether a group of privileged people from another country swooping in briefly to
try to provide help is really the right way to go about things.
As I headed down to Mexico this year, my questions and doubts were at the forefront of my mind. Are we
helping this community? Are we contributing to a sustainable future? Do we have a positive relationship
with the community? I’m not going to say that all my questions were answered or that I have no more
doubts, but I did come away with a sense of hope and excitement about PCS’s involvement in the
community of Las Aves. My hope particularly came from my interactions with the local pastor and hearing
the vision he has for the community.
PCS has been working in the community of Las Aves for many years now. This community is made up
of indigenous Mexican people, most of whom work on the large American-owned farms in the area.
These are the farms that often provide Americans and Canadians with low-cost fruits and vegetables.
These low costs, however, do come at a cost for the Mexican people who work long hours for low
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wages. The traditional way of life for the people of Las Aves typically involves having many children. It is not
unusual for young women of 17 (the age of the students on our trip) to already have two or three children.
It is a great challenge – sometimes an impossibility – for the families to provide adequate nutrition for the
children or to afford to provide an education for them. Under these circumstances, the cycle of poverty seems
likely to continue. On this trip, though, I felt much hope as I heard the vision of the local pastor, who leads a
congregation out of the church that PCS built in 2015.
On the last night we were there, the pastor gave a dedication service for the new youth center we had just
constructed beside the church. He spoke about how he wanted to preach the Gospel, and also to educate
the parents and the children in order to provide hope for a better future. He told us about the different
organizations that are involved with the community. There is an after-school children’s program put on by a
Christian organization called Oasis. In the near future, three interns from a nearby Bible School are coming to
help out in the community (PCS’s other project on this trip was to build a house in which the interns will stay).
The interns will start a church youth group, host music classes, and teach literacy for both kids and adults.
It was exciting to hear about these plans for the community and I was able to see how PCS can come alongside
the pastor and help him as he invests time and energy into the community. As we think about next year, I am
looking forward to strengthening the relationship we have with the pastor and finding ways in which we can
continue to support the congregation as they serve the community.
Ms Becky Horton, Secondary teacher
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Your PCS
Bible 9
I had the privilege of teaching Bible 9 for the for the first time this semester. To say that I enjoyed it, would
be a great understatement. During our time together, my classroom became a wonderful place of prayer and
learning. As we reviewed the Old Testament story and explored the prophecies Jesus fulfilled, “Holy ground”
became evident. I would describe my student’s approach to the scriptures as one of playful curiosity coupled
with a willingness to wonder at who God is in the person of Jesus Christ.
Our Gospel study included a look at the parables of Jesus. This unit included an overview of the various parables
along with a deeper study that included commentaries, discussions, and illustrated presentations. The interest
and fervor that the students approached this assignment with was inspiring and more than evident during their
presentations. I dare say that there are a few potential preachers growing up in this grade 9 class.
I was especially impacted by the willingness students demonstrated to not only share their prayer requests with
one another but to also pray for one another during our devotion times. The care and sensitivity was nothing
less than an act of God! To be included in such a community of holy care was an experience of true honour.
Lyn Suderman - Secondary Instructor and Counselor
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Robotics Program
The goal of the PCS robotics program is to inspire programming in science, technology, engineering and math
(STEM) through the challenge and excitement of building and programming LEGO EV3 robots. As image-bearers
of our Creator, they can delight in the creative activity of programming. We encourage students to responsibly
engage in computer technology and equip them to use and develop it in ways that honour God.
The students are developing skills in planning, building, testing, trouble shooting, and testing again. They are
learning to collaborate with one another and are developing perseverance when working toward a common goal.
Students have completed tasks that include using the touch, gyro and colour sensors on the robots.
They come to class with positive attitudes and eager anticipation, and we see a lot of creativity, persistence and
excitement as they tirelessly adjust their programs or robots in order to accomplish a task.
This year, PCS also took part in the FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) competitions with a team from our middle
school. This program introduces young people, ages 9 to 14 (grades 4-8), to the fun of science and technology
while building self-confidence, knowledge, and valuable career and life skills. FLL challenges the students to
think like scientists and engineers and, as a team, to solve problems using engineering concepts, presentation
techniques, and robots. Competitors are challenged to research a real-world problem, then create an original
solution for that problem, plus design and build a robot using a LEGO® MINDSTORMS® kit within a common
set of rules to accomplish “missions” on a playing field. Teams from around British Columbia compete annually
in Victoria.
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Your PCS
Out of Chaos
Humanities 8 and Grade 2 study the Biblical Creation
Narrative
Out of chaos, God brought order and beauty. To expand on that central idea from the Genesis account
of Creation, Humanities 8 students spent an hour with Grade 2 students helping them artistically
represent one aspect of the story. The cross-grade, cross-curricular activity followed two weeks
of studying the Biblical Creation narrative, comparing it with international Creation stories, and
discovering what they tell us about the different cultures.
After rewriting the Hebrew narrative for a younger audience, the older students read their versions
to their Grade 2 buddies before asking how them what they envisioned for their art project. Students
then chose from a variety of mediums, such as foil, paint, Plasticine, and poster board, before setting
to work to create unique representations of God’s handiwork.
The older students were proud and excited to be back in the elementary school as high schoolers, and
the younger students were thrilled to have the attention of the big kids. For that hour, there was love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control evident. The activity
surpassed the expectations of the teachers and realized the hopes we had for our students when we
planned it. While the artwork produced was lovely, the personal connections made that day provided
all involved with a beautiful picture of God’s kingdom on earth.
A big thank you to the Grade 2 teachers and support staff for working with us to create something
beautiful in our school (for more photos of the event, head to our Facebook page)
“It was very good.” Genesis 1:31
The Humanities 8 Team
Mr. Ruch, Mr. Rathburn, Mrs. Deringer
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Secondary Teaching Practicums
This Fall, we had the chance to mentor three UVic Education students as they completed their
final teaching practicums at PCS. One of the student teachers was Sarah Catterall (née Fitterer),
who is a 2009 PCS Grad. Here are Sarah’s reflections on her time at the school in her new role:
As I walked back into the halls of the secondary school in October as a PCS grad to begin a
teaching practicum, I quickly noticed the changes: a new floor, beautiful prints of PCS theatre
productions, a new layout in the office, some incredible Science labs. These were a gentle
reminder to me that time had passed, and that PCS continues to grow and flourish. However,
there are fundamental aspects of Pacific Christian School that have remained the same, and I
firmly believe it is these characteristics that make PCS an incredible blessing to its students.
• The administration, teachers, and staff at PCS are deeply invested in all areas of students’
lives. As a student at PCS, I felt that the staff genuinely cared about all of us, and that they
were personally interested in our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, in addition to
supporting us academically. Returning as a practicum student, I have been completely blessed
by this same investment in my own growth as a future teacher, and it’s been incredible to see
how the current students at PCS flourish in this atmosphere.
• Staff at PCS are committed to modeling the love and grace of Jesus Christ and to encouraging
each individual student in their journey of faith. Whether it was through all-school chapels,
Bible classes, or one-on-one conversations with teachers, it is so clear that the heart of the
staff body at PCS is for their students to personally know the Lord and to grow in relationship
with Him.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to come back to PCS for my final teaching practicum to
experience both the new and familiar elements that make this school so unique.
Sarah Catterall
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Thank You!
to all our
parent volunteers!
Pacific Christian School
“...nurturing students in Christ-like living,
critical thinking, and joyful service
to become faithful citizens in God’s world.”
ELEMENTARY CAMPUS
671 Agnes St. Victoria, BC V8Z 2E7
[email protected]
SECONDARY CAMPUS
654 Agnes St. Victoria, BC V8Z 2E6
[email protected]
Phone 250-479-4532
www.pacificchristian.ca