Departments

Arts

The Importance of the Arts Curriculum

Experiences in the arts – dance, drama, media arts, music, and the visual arts – play a valuable role in the education of all students. Through participation in the arts, students can develop their creativity, learn about their own identity, and develop self-awareness, self-confidence, and a sense of well-being. Since artistic activities involve intense engagement, students experience a sense of wonder and joy when learning through the arts, which can motivate them to participate more fully in cultural life and in other educational opportunities.

Courses

Music Courses

The music program at Brooklin High School offers a host of classes and extracurricular ensembles for students. Participating in music classes and ensembles at Brooklin High School allows students to grow their creativity, hone their musical skills, develop self-awareness and self-confidence and be a part of a tight-knit musical community.

From grades nine through twelve, students can take AMU instrumental music and AMV vocal music. Students in grade nine also have the opportunity to take AMC music for creating or AMG guitar class. The music program also offers additional courses for students interested in more specific disciplines. In grade ten, eleven and twelve, students can enrol in AMH jazz studies and AMT pit band.

The Brooklin High School music program offers a variety of instruments for students to choose from. These include flute and piccolo; alto, tenor and baritone saxophone; trumpet and trombone; french horn, euphonium and tuba; piano, electric and upright bass; electric and acoustic guitar; and percussion.

Drama Courses

The drama program at Brooklin High School offers a mix of classes for students to engage in.

The school runs ADA Drama courses for students in grades nine to twelve each semester, and regularly offers AMT Musical Theatre courses for students in grades ten and above.

Visual Art Courses

At Brooklin High School, students can take a variety of visual art courses to fulfill their creative needs.

Available to all students from grades nine to twelve is AVI visual art. Outside of AVI visual art courses, students can take other courses within the discipline of art. In grade ten, students have the option to also enrol in AWL drawing. In grade eleven, students can also choose to take AWT urban art.

Extra-curricular

Music Ensembles

The music program offers a wide array of extracurricular ensembles for students to participate in. All ensembles are free to join, with the exception of Prospect Park, which requires an audition.

Ensembles

Grizzly Winds Ensemble (open to students grades ten to twelve)
Concert Band (open to students grades nine to twelve)
Prospect Park Jazz Band (auditioned group for students grades nine to twelve)
Jazz Collective (open to students grades nine to twelve)
Brooklin Singers (open to students grades nine to twelve)

Each year, the Brooklin High School music ensembles participate in festivals and trips across Canada. Previous trip locations have included Jacksons Point Camp, Prince Edward County and Montreal, Quebec. Festivals attended include the Southern Ontario Jazz Festival, Humber Next Generation Jazz Festival, Picton Jazz Festival and the OBA Provincial Band Festival.

Brooklin Players

We are Brooklin High School’s Drama Club! We are a group of people that love to create! We experiment with acting styles, set design, lighting design, sound design, script writing, and fashion. This club invites students who love the stage, or to work behind the scenes, who love to create, and who love to work with others. No experience is necessary.

There are a variety of opportunities throughout the school year to be involved. Saty tuned to the Brooklin High School Instagram for up coming shows and ways that you can get involved. These often include in school productions and trips to theatre festivals to perform our work.

You can check out the Brooklin Players YouTube page to see past performances at this link.

Your Commitment

Attendance is key to a successful performance. If you are unable to attend the allotted rehearsal times, this may not be the right fit for you. Be sure to review the schedule before you sign up.
Skills that we look for when auditioning students: willingness to be open minded, can take direction, positive attitude, able to project your voice, leadership, willing to take risks. But the most important assets to being a Brooklin Players is your trust worthiness, communication skills, and commitment. If these things cannot be met, you may be asked to step down from your role, as you have a duty to your team to uphold.

Rehearsal Times (Music, Drama, Dance)

Music:

Tuesday 2:15pm - 4:00pm - Brooklin Winds Concert Band

Wednesday 2:15pm - 4:00pm - Prospect Park Jazz Band

Music/Drama:

Thursday 2:15pm - 4:00pm

Dance Team

Wednesday 2:15pm - 4:00pm

Media

Coming soon!

Teaching Staff:

Mr. A. Barber, Arts Department Head

Ms. K.Brunshaw

Ms. L. Jeffs

Ms. T. Manarin

Ms. C. Sluman

Ms. M. Warner

Business and Computer Studies

The Importance of Business Studies in the Curriculum

Business activity affects the daily lives of all Canadians as they work, spend, save, invest, travel, and play. It influences jobs, incomes, and opportunities for personal enterprise. Business has a significant effect on the standard of living and quality of life of Canadians, and on the environment in which they live and which future generations will inherit. Eventually, all students will encounter the world of business, whether they work in urban or rural areas.They must be prepared to engage in business activity with confidence and competence.Young people need to understand how business functions, the role it plays in our society, the opportunities it generates,the skills it requires, and the impact it can have on their own lives and on society, today and in the future.

Teaching Staff:

Mr. K. Kerr, Business Department Head

Ms. T. Dean

Ms. M. Burns

Mr. A. Ostropolec

Ms. S. Shoemaker

Canadian and World Studies

The Importance of Canadian and World Studies in the Curriculum

In Canadian and world studies, students develop skills, knowledge and understanding, and attitudes that will serve them both inside and outside the classroom, including in the world of work and as responsible citizens in the various communities to which they belong. The focus of teaching and learning in the Canadian and world studies curriculum is the development of ways of thinking and of transferable skills that students need in order to acquire and apply knowledge and understanding. Students apply these concepts of thinking and skills in a variety of contexts to examine information critically; to assess the significance of events, developments, and processes; to develop an understanding of and respect for different points of view; to reach supportable conclusions; and to propose solutions to, and courses of actions to address, real problems.

Teaching Staff:

Mr. C. Jeffs, CWS Department Head (Interim)

Mr. S. Guluzian

Ms. C. Kalianteris

Mr. C. Kirchner

Ms. S. Petrie

Mr. J. Taylor

Ms. A. Walker

Mr. J. Penney

Ms. C. Mark

Co-operative Education

Brooklin High School Co-op students earn credits while gaining valuable skills in the community workplace that reflects their interests.

If you selected co-op in your course planner (DCO3O9 or GLN4O9) you MUST submit the Co-op application Google Form by April 14th.

Co-op Application 2022-2023

OYAP Applications 2023 Information

Please find the OYAP Application Package for Regional Level 1 programs beginning February 2023. Applications are to be shared with the Brooklin Co-op Department no later than Monday, May 2, 2022. (Deadline at the DDSB is the 11^th, our department needs time to process applications and ensure they are complete to the best of our student’s ability.)

New for this year Applications will be accepted online. The application and program information can be found at https://www.ddsb.ca/OYAPRegional/.

Additional attachments included:

OYAP and Apprenticeship Introduction in both PowerPoint and PDF files, to use for promotion of the OYAP program.
OYAP Participant Form – Page 1 which must be filled out, signed by parents. This must be completed on paper by all applicants, whether completing an online application or a paper application. The BHS Co-op team will take care of this once the online application is complete.

Students are also required to enter 2 teachers names for reference purposes. References will also be collected online this year. The reference form link will be forwarded to these teachers and collect their responses.

Students applying will be contacted for an interview in late May. Co-op teachers will be contacted with acceptances in early June.

Modern Languages

The Importance of the French as a Second Language Curriculum

The ability to speak and understand French allows students to communicate with French-speaking people in Canada and around the world, to understand and appreciate the history and evolution of their cultures, and to develop and benefit from a competitive advantage in the workforce.

In addition to strengthening students’ ability to communicate, learning another language develops their awareness of how language and culture interconnect, helping them appreciate and respect the diversity of Canadian and global societies. When a student is exposed to another culture through its language, he or she begins to understand the role that language plays in making connections with others. Learning an additional language not only challenges a mind but also teaches understanding, encourages patience, and fosters open-mindedness.

Teaching Staff:

Mr. J. Beggs, Librarian & Modern Languages Dept. Head

Ms. D. Grootveld

Mr. A. Kodra

Ms. R. Trépanier

Ms. A. Walker

English

The Importance of Literacy, Language, and the English Curriculum

Literacy is about more than reading or writing – it is about how we communicate in society. It is about social practices and relationships, about knowledge, language and culture. Those who use literacy take it for granted – but those who cannot use it are excluded from much communication in today’s world. Indeed, it is the excluded who can best appreciate the notion of “literacy as freedom”.

UNESCO, Statement for the United Nations Literacy Decade, 2003–2012

Teaching Staff:

Ms. N. Shah, English Department Head

Ms. R. Bureau

Ms. V. Dykes

Mr. K. Feheley

Mr. M. Johnson

Ms. L. Harkot

Ms. L. Irwin

Ms. A. Lough

Ms. J. Bernard

Ms. S. Mehraban

Guidance

Guidance Department Home Page

The Importance of the Guidance and Career Education Curriculum

The guidance and career education program plays a central role in secondary school by providing students with the tools they need for success in school, in the workplace, and in their daily lives. In particular, the curriculum focuses on skill development that will help students better manage their time, resources, and dealings with other people to improve their opportunities for success both in school and in their future lives. Courses in guidance and career education actively involve students in research, inquiry, problem-solving, and decision-making processes related to planning for postsecondary education, training, or work. The guidance and career education program is designed to recognize the diverse abilities, strengths, and aspirations of all students, providing them with knowledge and skills that will be benefit them throughout their lives. The goals of the guidance and career education curriculum are to enable students to:

understand concepts related to lifelong learning, interpersonal relationships, and career planning;
develop learning skills, social skills, a sense of social responsibility, and the ability to formulate and pursue educational and career goals;
apply this learning to their lives and work in the school and the community.

Health and Physical Education

Bears Athletic Home Page (coming soon)

The Importance of the Health and Physical Education Curriculum

This curriculum helps students develop an understanding of what they need in order to make a commitment to lifelong healthy,active living and develop the capacity to live satisfying, productive lives. Healthy, active living benefits both individuals and society in many ways. Research has shown a connection between increased levels of physical activity and better academic achievement, better concentration, better classroom behaviour, and more focused learning. Other benefits include improvements in psychological well-being, physical capacity,self-concept, and the ability to cope with stress. The expectations that make up this curriculum also provide the opportunity for students to develop social skills and emotional well-being. In health and physical education, students will learn the skills needed to be successful in life as active, healthy, and socially responsible citizens.

Teaching Staff:

Mr. M. Parfitt, PHE Department Head

Ms. E. Batty

Ms. L. Brown

Mr. D. Brown

Mr. J. Kaspar

Mr. E. Markham

Mr. M. Snowden

Ms. C. Toll

Ms. B. Wright

Library

See our Library Learning Commons link on the top banner of our website.

Mathematics

The Importance of the Mathematics Curriculum

The unprecedented changes that are taking place in today’s world will profoundly affect the future of today’s students. To meet the demands of the world in which they will live, students will need to adapt to changing conditions and to learn independently. They will require the ability to use technology effectively and the skills for processing large amounts of quantitative information. Today’s mathematics curriculum must prepare students for their future roles in society. It must equip them with essential mathematical knowledge and skills; with skills of reasoning, problem solving, and communication; and, most importantly, with the ability and the incentive to continue learning on their own. This curriculum provides a framework for accomplishing these goals.

Teaching Staff:

Ms. R. Chronis, Mathematics Department Head

Ms. A. Brittain

Ms. S. Campbell

Ms. S. Shelswell

Ms. M. Sutherland

Mr. R. Westcott

Mr. D. Taylor

Mr. K. Beauchamp

Ms. K. Alphonso

Ms. N. Kamal

Ms. C. Kaspar

Science

The Place of Science in the Curriculum

During the twentieth century, science played an increasingly important role in the lives of all Canadians. It underpins much of what we now take for granted, from life-saving pharmaceuticals to clean water, the places we live and work in, computers and other information technologies, and how we communicate with others. The impact of science on our lives will continue to grow as the twenty-first century unfolds. Scientific literacy can be defined as possession of the scientific knowledge, skills, and habits of mind required to thrive in the science-based world of the twenty-first century.

Teaching Staff:

Ms. S. Puiu, Science Department Head

Ms. E. Cameron

Ms. S. Kroekenstoel

Ms. C. McClure

Ms. S. McCrum

Mr. M. St.Louis

Ms. N. Swain

Ms. M. Williams

Mr. L. Wilford

Social Sciences and Humanities

The Importance of the Social Sciences and Humanities Curriculum

The discipline of social sciences and humanities in the Ontario secondary school curriculum encompasses five subject areas: equity studies, family studies, general social sciences, philosophy, and world religions. Although these subject areas are very different from one another, they all systematically explore the ways in which individuals influence and are influenced by families, communities, cultures, institutions, and societies, and by ideas, norms, and values.

Teaching Staff:

Ms. V. Hodowanski, SSH Department Head

Ms. C. Dawson

Ms. D. Grootveld

Ms. J. Klir

Ms. C. Mapp

Special Education

The Importance of Special Education

Students who have behavioural, communicational, intellectual, physical, or multiple exceptionalities may require special education programs and/or services to benefit fully from their school experience. Such students may be referred to an Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) set up by the school board. If identified as exceptional, they must be provided with appropriate special education programs and/or services designed to build on their strengths and meet their needs. In addition, the principal of the students’ school must ensure that an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is prepared and maintained for these students.

Updated Policies RE: Academic Resource Room - click HERE.

Teaching Staff:

Ms. C. Peralta, Special Education Department Head

Ms. L. McCabe, Special Education Resource Teacher

Ms. L. Briet

Mr. B. Chapman

Ms. C. McNairn

Mr. K. Schultz

Technological Education

The Importance of Technological Education in the Curriculum

Technological innovation influences all areas of life, from the daily lives of individuals to the work of business and government, to interactions on a global scale. It helps meet basic human needs and provides tools for improving people’s lives and exploring new frontiers. The policy outlined in this document is designed to ensure that technological education in Ontario enables students to meet the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century.

Teaching Staff:

Mr. D. Mathieson, Technological Studies Department Head

Ms. S. Rule

Ms. L. Keen

Mr. P. McKee

Mr. H. Raji

Mr. S. St. Juste

Mr. M. Williamson

Mr. K. Bent