2016 Cantando Sun Peaks Music Festival

The Secondary Campus recently sent 26 members of the Senior Choir and Senior Concert Band to the Sun Peaks Music Festival, from April 22 to 24, 2016. These representative music teams are great ambassadors for the school and participate in this festival every other year (during years when the school is not putting on a musical). The festival takes place at the scenic Sun Peaks Ski Resort near Kamloops, BC, and is one of the highlights of the secondary music program, where students can demonstrate the results of their hard work and be assessed by top musicians.

As well as performing, students receive scored adjudication and a workshop experience from professionals. They participate in sectional rehearsals where they receive specific instruction relating to their instruments. They take part in a mass performance where students rehearse and play together with students from other schools. They get to be audience members for their peers from other places as well as take in concerts performed by seasoned veterans. It is a highly educational, enjoyable, and memorable event for our music students.

Both groups had excellent performances. The Concert Band was put into a scored category and achieved a gold mark.

Mr. Shingo Kawamura
Band & Choir Teacher

Badminton

The RCS Badminton team had another busy season this year, participating in the Richmond League, Christian School’s Tournament, and the RSSAA Individual Tournament. After a hard fought season in the Richmond League, both junior and senior teams had a strong showing at the Christian School Tournament, with the senior team winning the championship again this year due to great individual performances:

Nicole C. – 4th Place in Junior Girls Singles
Wesley C. & Max K. – 3rd Place in Junior Boys Doubles
Janica T. & Michelle C. – 2nd Place in Junior Girls Doubles
Nicole C. & Keira C. – 4th Place in Junior Girls Doubles

Justin N. & Hannah D. – 1st Place in Senior Mixed Doubles
Justin N. – 1st Place in Senior Boys Singles
Edmond N. – 2nd Place in Senior Boys Singles
Hannah D. – 2nd Place in Senior Girls Singles
Tiffany X. & Joy L. – 2nd Place in Senior Girls Doubles
Sanmi S. & Caris T. – 3rd Place in Senior Girls Doubles
Edmond N. & Chris N. – 1st Place in Senior Boys Doubles

In the RSSAA Tournament at Cambie, Richmond Christian players performed very well in what is a difficult tournament, achieving three top four finishes:

Samuel K. – 1st Place in Junior Boys Singles
Justin N. – 4th Place in Senior Boys Singles
Justin N. & Edmond N. – 2nd Place in Senior Boys Doubles

Special thanks go out to Terrance T., Ronny C., and Jeffrey N., graduates from last year who came back to help out the teams in practices and support them through games, Mrs. Lai for her assistance and enthusiasm during practices, and Jeffrey Y. for his time and expertise in helping the team! Coaches Ms. Tam & Mr. Kinniston extend their congratulations and thanks to all of their players for their sportsmanship, hard work, positive attitude, and dedication – we look forward to another great season next year!

Rock Climbing

The RCS Grade 9 students went rock climbing at Cliffhanger Climbing in Vancouver as a part of their Physical Education course. They had a great time exploring new skills and challenging themselves in new ways. The RCS Mission Statement says that we are to equip all students and we were happy to see this come true with all of our grade 9 students, specifically with one of our students named Josh who has Cerebral Palsy and moves through our school in a wheelchair.  Josh was able to participate and climb with his friends. It’s a great day when all students have the chance to experience new challenges.

Camp Jubilee Reflections

The trip to Camp Jubilee as a leader far surpassed our expectations.  We felt a lot of positivity from the kids, very little complaining and everyone was participating and enjoying themselves.  It was cool to see the kids overcome their fears and grow spiritually together as a grade.  Their openness towards each other as a group really surprised us and was awesome to see.   We felt encouraged and blessed by our experience leading at camp and wish every week could be spent like our week at camp Jubilee.  The impact made on us and the grade 10s will, to us, last beyond just camp. – Outdoor Ed Leaders

Through our experience at Jubilee we discovered that leadership is not always about being upfront and telling people what to do, but it is really about simply encouraging people towards a goal.  We learned that even if you don’t feel confident in you leadership abilities, sometime you just gotta dive into it and see possibilities.  Through this we had the privilege of getting to know a range of students that we may not have previously known.   One of the joys and blessing of the week was hearing the grade 10s stories and getting to know them personally.  We were pushed out of our comfort zones and this taught us a lot about ourselves too! – Outdoor Ed Leaders

The campfire worship sessions were really great because they brought us all together in a way I didn’t know was possible – especially the last night when so many of my friends where sharing struggles and milestones and the atmosphere was so warm and supportive.  – Grade 10 Student

Something God taught me is that is is okay to not always have to be ‘perfect’ or meet other’s standards.  God wants us to live for Him and not follow the world’s views.  Overall this experience helped me let go of my worries and doubts but instead reminded me to focus on God. – Grade 10 Student

I was always afraid to step out of my comfort zone and I never gave myself a chance to experience or explore new hobbies or activities.  After this camp, I found out so many things about myself and that I wasn’t afraid to try new things.  I really want to keep pushing myself and learn and experience new things. – Grade 10 student

Wednesday, May 25th is Open Studio Night at the Secondary Campus, 6:30 – 7:45pm.

An exciting peek into the Arts at the Secondary Campus!  Enjoy the musical stylings of Choir 9 and entertaining performances and rehearsals-in-process from Drama 9-12. Experience Art 10-12 students working with their media and view new works. Watch Senior woodworkers buzzing the saws for projects underway or peek in on Senior Culinary students whirring away.
Come dialogue with artists at work– and even try your hand at some of the artistic activities. Bring your curiosity, questions, and sense of humour!