An Evening of Understanding celebrated at Margaret D. Bennie

By Paul Forman

May ended on a celebratory note at Margaret D. Bennie Public School as An Evening of Understanding took centre stage.

The evening served different purposes as it highlighted the impressive work taking place in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at the school and incorporated multi-cultural elements to recognize that we are all global citizens.

The school had many activities taking place, including a science centre, quilt making, rock painting, sensory station, robotics, chalk messages, cricket, lacrosse, reading on the rocks in the new outdoor learning area, musical entertainment in the gymnasium’s cultural cafe and an exhibition of grade six units of inquiries.

The grade six exhibition in the school’s library was most impressive as the students were eager to share units of personal inquiry that connected to at least one of the United Nations sustainability goals.

One of the exhibits that stood out addressed the need for making greater use of sustainable materials in the manufacturing of goods.

Grade six student Limar Alkharrat was eager to describe her inquiry involving a bicycle made in Ghana that utilized bamboo in the bike’s framework. Limar stated, “It’s important that people know about products like this, our world needs to use more sustainable materials like the bamboo in the bicycle. Bamboo is very sustainable and can be used in things like boats and housing.”

Grade 6 student Limar Alkharrat is pictured in front of her bamboo bicycle project involving the use of sustainable materials in manufacturing.

SUN photos by Paul Forman

The flag-filled cultural cafe was a big hit as it offered both a musical and a food element as students and parents took in the ambiance.

Mrs. Hannigan, the school’s principal, and Mrs. S. Wiper, the IB Coordinator/Interim Vice-Principal, described how the event was intended to include community partners and that was evident as one of the musical acts that educated and entertained patrons was the Leamington Italian Choir.

This choir has been performing for 30-plus years and has entertained audiences around the world, with a focus now of playing at retirement homes in the local area.

On the food side of the evening, Hannigan was thrilled that the Portuguese Club was generous with a donation served out by parents of the school.

The school was very proud of the return of two former students who are now in their graduating year at Leamington District Secondary School, Matthew Kenney and Nicolas Lougheed.

These very impressive young men shared their extended essays with interested onlookers, both essays focusing on the harmful effects of manmade chemicals on the local aquatic environment. Both Kenney and Lougheed will be entering the chemistry program at McMaster University in Hamilton in the fall.

Members of the Wheatley District Friendship Club assisted students, on right, foreground, Mariam Al-Shimmary and Aubrey Bauhaus. The students were preparing pieces to be included in a school-wide quilt. Mariam focused her piece on the country of Canada, while Aubrey filled her piece with hearts.

SUN photos by Paul Forman

These secondary IB students have recently been recognized for their significant accomplishments, as Kenney will be receiving a total of $100,000 in scholarships, while Lougheed will receive $42,000 in scholarships.

Kenney’s scholarship, the $100 000 Schulich Leader Scholarship, is the first ever awarded to a student in the Kingsville-Leamington-Wheatley area.

IB Coordinator Mrs. S. Wiper regarded the evening as a resounding success and would love to see this become an annual event that includes further partnerships with groups and clubs from the local community.