Thank-you to everyone who ordered Belmont and Grad Wear this year. Orders have been sent into our suppliers and delivery to the school is expected in late January! For updates, visit https://bit.ly/Belmont2023
Dear Belmont Students, Families and Caregivers,
As we move towards the end of this calendar year, it’s a time for all of us to celebrate and reflect on the successes of the year. We are looking forward to our last day together, and we are very appreciative of all the staff and students who have been planning a special breakfast and fun activities for the morning. We will be operating on a special bell schedule for the day, to accommodate these plans for our Belmont Staff and Students.
Winter Wonderland Breakfast – 9:00 – 10:00 am December 16th, 2022
Pancakes, sausages, hot chocolate, and cookies will be served to students and staff. Donations to the Legion and Santa’s Anonymous will be collected.
Block A – 10:00 – 10:53
Block B – 10:59 – 11:52
Lunch – 11:52-12:32
Block C – 12:32 – 1:25
Block D – 1:31 – 2:24
We are so fortunate to have support from our local Legion for volunteers to cook the pancakes and to the Lions club for providing the griddles.
We wish all of our Belmont students and their families and caregivers all the best for the break, and we’ll see you for a strong finish to the semester in January!
Your Team at Belmont
Staff and Students visit Cherish Senior Home
Student and Staff from our Impact Class made a visit and had a Sing Along with the Residents of Cherish this week
Derek our EA lead the sing along and good time was had by all
BMD Music Department
“Congratulations to everyone on a great Winter Concert. Due to the donations from our audience we were able to donate 500 dollars and a bunch of non-perishable food items to the food bank.”
It was a great evening of Music at the Winter Wonderland Concert
Scholarship Info Night – Presentation:
Any grade 12 parents, guardians or students who missed the scholarship info night on November 30th, 2022 can access the presentation here. Feel free to contact Mrs. Hoskins (choskins@sd62.bc.ca) if you have any questions. Stay tuned for the second info night in the new year!
Gingerbread House Decorating
This week our ISP classes also celebrated the holiday season with the making of Gingerbread Houses. The students had a great time. Special thanks to Ms. Boyte, Mr. Feser and Ms. Evans for all the they did to create such a special event for these students.
We know that there are Belmont families who are feeling the burden of rising costs on a daily basis. This pressure will continue as we head into the Winter Break. As you are aware, we have access to one-time funding focused on easing financial struggles. Families facing hardship are encouraged to reach out to their child’s Counsellor or Vice Principal to discuss supporting your child.
Keeping Young Drivers Safe
As some of our senior students earn their driver’s licenses, we want to ensure that they take this responsibility seriously. At our recent grade 12 assembly, Constable Mark Hall (School Liaison Officer) highlighted the importance of following all driving laws, including travelling at a safe speed and not overloading vehicles. He shared that in addition to fines and point penalties, students who overload are personally liable (not covered by ICBC) for passengers. RCMP will be watching out for dangerous driving in the community and ticketing as needed. Please make sure that you are speaking with your child about staying safe on the roads.
Belmont Pep Rally
We started off this week with a PEPRally, a great time was had by all, introducing, clubs, teams, etc. ending with a Staff and Student tug of war.
Scholarship Info Night
Any grade 12 parents, guardians or students who missed the scholarship info night on November 30th, 2022 can access the presentation here. Feel free to contact Mrs. Hoskins (choskins@sd62.bc.ca) if you have any questions. Stay tuned for the second info night in the new year!
Newcomer Families Night
The Intercultural Association of Victoria has organized a Newcomer Families Night for families in Sooke and the Westshore. It will be held on Wednesday, December 14th, at Spencer Middle School, and all Newcomer families in our school district are invited to attend! Poster attached.
The Governor General’s Award has been presented since 1873 and has become one of the most prestigious awards a Canadian student can receive. Each year, Belmont is honoured to present this award to the graduating student who earns the highest average on all combined grade 11 and 12 courses upon graduation and final grade submissions.
It is with great pleasure that we announce graduate Jim Wheen as the 2022 recipient! In addition to excelling in the full range of courses at Belmont, Jim is a top ranked mountain biker and coach, skilled outdoorsperson, and kind individual. Jim will be attending the University of Victoria to study Engineering.
Belmont wear and grad hoodies are on sale now!
Belmont sweatpants, t-shirts, hoodies and grad hoodies are on sale now for a limited time! Sales are online-only. Visit bit.ly/Belmont2023 for all the details! Students can also come check out the try-on station in the school foyer at lunch to see sample sizes! Brought to you by Belmont’s Entrepreneurship 12 class. Act quick sales have been extended until December 12th.
Belmont Boys Soccer
It is with immense pride and gratitude that we (coach Gant, coach Pags and Ms. Gaetz) announce that Belmont Boys Soccer are champions of the Colonist Shield!! The boys fought hard at Hampton field and that hard work paid off. This is the first time that Belmont’s name will be on the shield since 1995, and previously 1978,77,76. If you see one of the players in the hall or in your class, please make sure to congratulate them on a job well done!!
Fall in the BMD – November 2022
Welcome back to another year in the Belmont Music Department. As always, we have the pleasure of seeing many new and old faces as we strive for another year of musicianship and improvement. Though we are sad to see Mr Chan go, we are delighted to have Ms. Fortin return, and to welcome back Ms Spencer as the new director of Senior Winds.
Starting off the 2022/2023 year with our annual Meet the BMD gathering in September, music students of all grades attended this amazing welcome event full of games and treats. To end the evening, we held a delicious pizza party to feed all of our musicians.
Shaking off the summer cobwebs, both literally and figuratively, clinics were held for concert band members of all grades. Featuring personal lessons within sections as well as a mass band rehearsal with several UVic students, we thank all our clinicians for spending a Saturday afternoon with us.
Congratulations go to Drumline, directed by Mr Rivollier, with tremendous support from Lachlan and Alex. Drumline performed at Belmont football games for the first time in six years! Special thanks to the Belmont Athletics department for their support in making this possible
The Concert Choir, directed by Mrs Dawson, performed live for Remembrance Day. On November 10th, everyone was welcome to join us in the Learning Commons, in honor of all veterans.
This year the BMD has had many fundraising opportunities for the recent, overnight trip to Comox, as well as for the upcoming Con Brio Whistler and Abbotsford trips. Besides the usual Purdy’s and Poinsettias, we also held our very first BMD Bottle Drive. Special thanks to Ms Spencer for coming up with the idea and our directors and Music Executive for organizing the event.
Dates to look forward to as we get closer to the holidays: November 28th, a Pep Rally will be held for the whole school featuring both Drumline and R&B performances. Show your Belmont spirit! Carolers will be singing in Millstream Village on Saturday December 3 and 10 to spread that holiday cheer!
And last but not least, we host our annual Winter Concert on Thursday, December 8th, All performing groups this semester, as well as solos and student combos, have been working hard for this event. The concert will begin at 7pm, with admission by cash donation. Food Bank donations are also gratefully received. We would love to see you there!
Belmont Music Department
Scholarship Deadlines Approaching
UBC Entrance Awards Application Students who have applied to UBC can apply for the Centennial Scholars Entrance Award. These awards are based on student’s financial need and a separate application from other automatic entrance award considerations is required.
Eligibility Requirements:
– You must be a strong academic student
-You must meet all UBC entrance requirements
– Open to first time undergraduate students
– You must be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or protected person living in Canada
This award is for Indigenous students to help them complete their post-secondary education. There are 20 scholarships available valued up to $10,000 each year for up to 4 years. These are available to First Nations, Métis and Inuit students across Canada. Students should demonstrate strong academic achievement and community involvement.
Deadline: December 1st, 2022
West Kelowna Orthodontics Scholarship
This award is $500 and involves writing an essay on the ways that orthodontics can improve a person’s life.
Student Eligibility:
– BC Resident
– Planning to attend college/university for full/part-time studies in September 2023
– GPA of 2.5 or higher
To apply or for more information see the link below:
Association of School Transportation Services of BC Commercial Heavy Duty Mechanic Scholarship
The ASTSBC will award 4 scholarship annually to eligible students attedning a BC educations facility for the expressed purpose of attaining certification as a Commercial Heavy Duty Mechanic
For more information and application see the link below:
Parents/Guardians and graduating students please also see the Belmont Scholarship link for other December deadlines (below) or see Mrs. Hoskins for support – choskins@sd62.bc.ca
Applications to be the Belmont nominee for this prestigious award are open now. They offer at least 20 undergraduate scholarships valued at $60,000-$80,000. They are available to students in Canada planning to enroll in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Mathematics) programs at specific Canadian universities. Each secondary school may nominate ONE student. If you would like to be the Belmont nominee please fill out the nomination form in the Grad 2023 Google Classroom by January 6th, 2023 (that is the first Friday back after winter break so please think about this sooner rather than later!)
Beedie Luminaries offer 105 scholarships to Grade 12 students in BC who are applying to any BC post-secondary institution. They offer $15,000 awards for 2 year programs and $40,000 awards for 4 year programs. They are looking for resilient students who have faced significant adversity. Students must have demonstrated grit, desire, and potential to create positive change.
Deadline: January 12th, 2023
For more information: click the link below, check out the scholarship website or contact Mrs. Hoskins for support:
Cmolik Foundation Scholarships
Belmont is able to nominate one student for these scholarships of up to $35,000. The foundation is looking specifically for students who have faced significant adversity, but through hard work and determination have been successful in achieving their goals. These awards are awarded to students who have demonstrated a good work ethic, tenacity, and commitment. It needs to be proven that without financial assistance, these students would not be able to attend post-secondary school. If you would like to be the Belmont Nominee for this award, please complete the nomination form in the Grad 2023 Google Classroom by January 20th, 2023.
For more information please click the link below, check out the scholarship website and/or reach out to Mrs. Hoskins for support:
November 21- Dec 2 – Grad Photo sessions – Learning Commons
November 30 – Scholarship Info. Evening
Learning Conferences
Learning Conferences will take place on Nov. 24 from 2-4 and 5-7 pm please see post on website for more information and instructions on how to book an appointment.
Is your student graduating this year?
Please see information on website on how to book an appointment for Graduation Photos which will take place Nov 21-Dec 2, in the Learning Commons at Belmont
Message from Learning Commons In an effort to maintain our current resources, we respectfully request that all students return their materials to the learning commons when they are due. Novels/Graphic novels have a 2-week due date (they can be renewed). Semester 1 textbooks are due back by January 27th, 2023. This year, when Semester 2 textbooks are being distributed, if students have overdue or lost materials, they will not be issued textbooks or other materials. Materials need to be returned or paid for prior to textbooks being distributed. If you have any questions, or concerns – please email sbaas@sd62.bc.ca Librarian.
There has been a lot going on around Belmont the last two weeks
Spanish Class – Day of the Dead celebrations
Belmont’s Spanish classes and Spanish speaking students teamed up to create a Day of the Dead Altar. This holiday is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd mostly in Mexico. Its focus is to celebrate life with colourful decorations, skulls, music, food, and laughter. The students made Calaveritas de Azucar (sugar skulls), Papel Picado (tissue paper banners), flores cempasuchil (marigold flowers), and brought in offerings such as candles, clothing, food, and drinks. This collaboration gave life to artistic talent, cultural conversations, self-reflection, and most importantly, some powerful learning.
Here is some quick info about this holiday:
Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It originated in Mexico and is now celebrated in many Latin-American countries, all with various customs. The Mexican costume combines an indigenous Aztec ritual with Catholicism, which includes the use of colourful sugar skulls, marigold flowers (“cempasuchil”),papel picado, and an altar dedicated to the dead.
Climbing Academy
Vaughn is working on completing a green tape in the cave / 45-degree wall. This wall requires a lot of upper body strength since, as you can see in the picture, most of Vaugn’s weight is in his arms. Vaugn’s good footwork is helping him take some of the weight off of his arms as he pushes off with his right for and prepares to reach for the second to last hold with his left hand.
Ollie is working on sending a purple tape on the vertical wall. This wall requires good balance and precise footwork. She has her right foot placed delicately on a tiny foot chip so all her following movements must be controlled and calculated. Her arms are spread wide, and her feet are closer together – this forms a triangle for maximum stability.
Remembrance Day
Ceremonies were in full swing, with an amazing performance from the BMD choir.
Reminder: Purdies Fundraiser our quest is to help our students raise money for spring travel! All orders are due this Friday, Nov. 18. Orders must be picked up (and delivered to customers) on Friday, Dec. 2.
If you click Fall Fundraising and scroll down you will find instructions to participate in this simple and popular fundraiser.
Over the past two weeks, Leadership students ran a Fall Food Drive that concluded with a community drop off night. Thank you for all of your support!
Tripta our EA is very excited the Class puzzle is complete.
Elder Henry once again came in to assist us with our Annual Salmon Bake.
Oct 31- Nov 4th – Graduation Assessments/Spirit Week
Nov. 8th – PAC Meeting 7:00 pm – Learning Commons
Nov. 10th – Belmont Remembrance Assemblies
Nov 11th – Remembrance Day – School not in session
Reminder: Wednesday November 30th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM, join us for the Scholarship Info Night in Room A 109
Another amazing product of our Culinary Class!
BC X-Country Championships
Several of our students will be both competing and volunteering at the BC X-Country Championships at Royal Roads on Nov. 5th. Wishing them all good luck.
Purdies Fundraiser We’ve launched our Purdies Fundraiser in our quest to help our students raise money for spring travel! All orders are due by Friday, Nov. 18. Orders must be picked up (and delivered to customers) on Friday, Dec. 2. If you click Fall Fundraising and scroll down, you will find instructions to participate in this simple and popular fundraiser.
Staff and Students all joined in for Spirit Week
More Pumpkins
Spirit Week
Pumpkin Carving Fun
Thanks to ISP and Leadership
The Fall Food Drive
The Fall Food Drive will be happening for October 31st to November 10th. We are accepting non-perishable items and canned foods, please do not bring any homemade items or items that have been opened. . This Food Drive is for all A block classes, and will have a pizza party for the winning class.
Oct. 31st-Nov 4th – Grad Assessments – Spirit Week
A huge shout out to the amazing Belmont drumline! This award-winning group makes our day brighter every time they play.
Dear Belmont Students and Families,
We hope that everyone has been enjoying our sunny fall! We would like to acknowledge the incredibly hard-working staff and kind students who make our school a wonderful place to be! Please see our most recent Belmont Bulletin for recent news and upcoming events. We value student success and are hoping you will partner with us in reinforcing a few key messages to ensure that all students are reaching their potential:
We ask that parents do not contact students during class time unless it is an emergency. During instruction, we encourage students to keep cellphones in their locker or backpack so that they can be fully attentive to their schoolwork. Our front office is always available during school hours and can contact your child in class if you need to urgently reach them.
Student employment can be an important part of a young person’s learning and growth. However, after school jobs need to be balanced with schoolwork. Students should ensure that they are scheduling work shifts well after the school day has ended, as we need students to be in attendance until the end of the day. We also encourage students and families to continue discussing how to strike the right balance between personal wellness, homework and commitments outside of school.
Please note that we are a scent-free environment. Perfumes and other fragrances can trigger asthma attacks and allergies in other individuals.
Now that we are well over a quarter of the way through semester 1, students should have a clear idea of how they are progressing in their courses and a sense of how they can meet their learning goals. If they have any questions, we encourage them to connect with their teachers. Parents also do not need to wait for report cards or learning conferences to check on progress – please reach out to teachers for updates as needed.
It has been a wonderful start to a ‘normal’ year! We look forward to continuing to work with you in keeping our community strong.
Sincerely,
Your Team at Belmont
UVIC & Camosun College Info. Night Oct. 26th in the Belmont Theatre from 6:00-7:00 pm. Join us in the Learning Commons for our Parent/Guardian Student Information Evening.
Student Photos
If your student had their photos taken, during school photo day on Sept. 15th, proofs have been delivered to their A block teacher. Please check with your student to see if they have received them. You can order through the information received with the proof or online at mylifetouch.ca using your student ID # and process payment through Lifetouch. Please note that Photo Retake Day is October 27th, 2022.
Purdies Fundraiser
We’ve launched our Purdie’s Fundraiser in our quest to help our students raise money for spring travel!
All orders are due by Friday, Nov. 18. Orders must be picked up (and delivered to customers) on Friday, Dec. 2.
If you click Fall Fundraising and scroll down, you will find instructions to participate in this simple and popular fundraiser.
The Belmont Bulletin 