Hometown:  Victoria BC

How long have you been at St. Andrew's?  23+ years.

Job Title:  Science Teacher/Science, Maths, Technology Department Head.

Tell dad jokes, drink tea, avoid marking, and try to find ways to make complexity simple, or simple things more complex (often simple things are more complex than we think, and vice versa).  Also, trying to be a new and improved version of myself.

Who is your superhero alter ego? Jack Jack.  He is the most incredible Incredible! 

Who are some of your real-life heroes?  The pope, Ursula Franklin (read The Real World of Technology!), Albert Einstein, our kids Olivia, Duncan, and Gavin, and my wife.

When you’re not at the school you are: Cooking, running, hiking, reading BBC, CBC, ProPublica, or Al Jazeera News, watching Knowledge Network or PBS, watching documentaries, all to avoid marking.

 

Last thing you learned:  Padlet will not allow me to show a video no matter what format I use.  I tried about a half dozen times and, in the process, got no marking done.  Although that goal was obtained, you now have to put up with a picture of me as you might see me at St. Andrews.

HOWEVER, Thanks Ms. Paul, I am providing a link to my video and I hope this works.  Want to see me?  Click this link and remember, patience is a virture.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TtUaiR5cj65ds6UK84SpUuDK0rga4DGn/view?usp=sharing

 

Social Media: Not a fan.  It tends to be a time vacuum.  https://xkcd.com/2223/ is a comic if think is quite appropriate regarding this.  However, it can be a valuable tool for keeping in touch when used sparingly.

Google Classroom?  Yes.  Links will be sent to parents via email after all course changes are done (deadline is tomorrow).

Pax tecum

DBALLAM 

This is my 17th year teaching at St. Andrew’s, and 18th year with Island Catholic Schools. Two years ago, I completed my Master of Education in Contemplative Inquiries and Approaches in Education through SFU. I previously completed my BA and BEd through UBC, and I studied theology at Newman Theological College. I am also a trained yoga instructor, with 13 years of experience teaching yoga to teenagers, and a certified yoga therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Outside of the school community, I spend most of my time with my husband and 8 year old daughter. I also love my own yoga practice, going for walks along Dallas Road, listening to music, reading, and continued learning.

The community of SARHS is a special one that I am proud to be a part of; the staff and students at our school exemplify building in love. In this year at St. Andrew’s, I hope for our students to find a deeper connection of community, and to value the relationships we have with ourselves, others, and the earth. 

My classes and syllabi are on Google Classroom for my students. Please have your child share with you. 

Thank you,
Cathy Fowlie
cfowlie@cisdv.bc.ca

 

I look forward to another fantastic year with our St. Andrews students and staff!

 

My name is Daniela Hemmings and I am one of two Administrative Assistants in the school office.  I been with Island Catholic Schools in one role or another for many years.  First as a student, graduating from St. Patrick’s School, then as a parent with both my boys having attended either St. Patrick’s. St. Andrew’s Elementary and the high school.  I have also worked with ICS for over 20 years.  

 

I was born in Invermere BC and lived there until my my family moved to Victoria when I was 5.  After graduating from high school, I moved to Winnipeg for post-secondary education.  There I met my husband who I have been married to for 36 years.  During our time together, we have lived in Edmonton, Vancouver and now Victoria.  We have 2 sons, one 29 years old and one 21 years old.  

 

One of the perks of working in the office is seeing how your child arrives as new a student with all the anxiousness and excitement of starting a new adventure and then to watch them grow and mature to a young adult ready to start another new adventure upon graduation.  Our school community is also enriched by parents who support our school in many ways.  

 

As we move through this school year, I pray that our school motto “To Build in Love” is reflected in all the experiences that your child has.  

 

Reading and books are in my soul – I come from a long line of readers. 

 

So, it is not surprising that I have a Master’s degree in English Literature or that I have been an English Teacher and Teacher-Librarian for over 30 years.

 

Toss in some stints as a magazine editor for two national school library journals, a loyal Book Club member, an adjunct faculty member in the English department at UVIC and in the Library Science faculty at UBC and you get the idea.

 

Nor should it be surprising that I have been married to an academic and serious reader for 40 years!  

 

I also have a thing for colourful flowers and beautiful outdoor spaces. That minor obsession led to my garden being featured on a Pond and Garden tour.

 

As an English teacher, my goal is to engage my students in the learning process and to foster within them a love of reading. I work to give each student the ability to see literature as a reflection of life: its joy, humour, insight, even sadness. Popular activities include:  Speed Book Dating, Literature Circles, Talk Like a Troll, Poetry Slams, creating Ekphrastic poetry, and the thrilling Battle of the Books competition.

 

As a Teacher-Librarian my primary responsibility is to support inquiry-based learning, and project-based learning.  Together with my colleagues, we focus on developing our students’ critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, digital literacy and creativity. 

 

I am also responsible for curating our school’s print and electronic resources.

 

If you’re desperate for more information about my professional background you’re welcome to visit my LinkedIn profile.

 

 

Recommendations for two apps and one website that can have a positive impact on students' academic success, study habits and mental health.

 

Flora is an app that provides a fun way for students to improve their ability to focus on academic work and learn to live without their phones for short bursts of time.  

 

Audible is the leading audiobook provider.  If your child finds it difficult to read printed text, then listening to stories on Audible is the perfect alternative!

 

Khan Academy provides free online tutorials for a variety of subjects and grade levels. 

 

The Midnight Library      I regularly provide book recommendations for students, but this one is for you. Midnight Library is for adults who love books, libraries, and are intrigued by parallel universe theory. 

My name is Alexis Tate and this year your child will be in my class if they are taking Spanish 9-11, New Media and Composition 10, English Language Development 10 or Film Studies 11 and 12. My undergraduate degree is in Hispanic Studies with a concentration in History.

The supportive community of St Andrew’s made quite an impression on me over a decade ago when I completed my first teaching practicum here; I consider it a great blessing to have spent the majority of the following years working at the school in a variety of capacities. I am passionate about teaching the Humanities and helping students feel part of a special bastion of community and faith in an at times bewildering world. After my courses, I hope your child is more confident and competent in their literacy skill development, whether it be in English or Spanish, and that they find themselves inspired to keep learning.

The other side of me loves cooking for and with my family - even if they don’t always appreciate soup or custard-based desserts as much as I do ;), gardening, listening to music, and watching scary or funny movies. What am I reading and viewing at the moment? The third book in the Dune series by Frank Herbert and my second rewatch of the comedy series Community.


Blessings for a happy and healthy 2021-22 school year.

Alexis Tate
atate@cisdv.bc.ca

My name is Greg Van Dyk and I’m looking forward to a more ‘normal’ school year!  This is my fourth year teaching at St. Andrew’s, my own alma mater, where I currently teach English 8 and Religion 10-12.  I was born and raised here in Victoria and studied English and History at the University of Victoria, where I earned my BA and BEd.  I also studied theology at St. Paul University in Ottawa and St. Mark's College, UBC.  I spent several years teaching in Vancouver, but couldn’t resist the appeal of Island life and the community at St. Andrew’s.  I am currently completing my Master of Education from the University of Prince Edward Island.

My wife and I first met when we were both students in these school hallways and have been married for over six years.  We have two young kids at home and spend our family time exploring the outdoors, playing (and listening to) music, and reading good books.

The best part about being a teacher here at St. Andrew’s is the spirit of our school.  It’s something very unique and I think that we really live our motto here -- to Build in Love.  I hope my students will value their time here at St. Andrew’s; it is truly a school unlike any other and a real blessing.

Course syllabi and Google Classroom information was emailed to parents during our first week of class.  Please feel free to get in touch with me with any questions about the school year.  God bless!

 

After teaching five years in the public school system, I joined the staff at St. Andrew’s, where I have now taught over thirty years. Currently, I teach English 8, 9, and 11 and also serve as the Humanities Department Head. I enjoy sharing my interest in literature, especially in poetry and Shakespeare units. Now that Focus Blocks have returned to our school,  I am intending dedicate Tuesdays to sentence structure practice and Thursdays (and some Fridays) to the Chess Club. Parents and guardians who are keen to know what homework has been assigned in any of my classes may check the Google Classroom. 

Teaching aside, my interests include travelling abroad, camping throughout North America, English literature, recently translated novels, ancient and early modern history, classical music, and jazz.

My other interests include reading (both professional and pleasure ), travel, walks, swimming at the lake, hockey (Canucks will win the cup one day!), music, and nature.

I look forward to meeting you as the year progresses.
  
 Miss Davis

cdavis@cisdv.bc.ca