ENRICHMENT

Our enrichment program emphasizes three intertwined themes:

  • The underlying purpose of our enrichment program is to provide experiences that help students learn about themselves. We create a physical and social environment that supports the development of positive character traits such as: honesty, respect, responsibility, compassion, independence, initiative, confidence, openness to new experiences, helpfulness, self-discipline, enthusiasm, courage, leadership, critical thinking, interpersonal skills (looking inward), interpersonal skills (reaching outward), creativity, and concern for health and fitness.

  • Everyone involved in Prince of Wales Mini School continuously works on developing and maintaining a strong sense of community. Students are asked to take an active role in all school activities, as we believe these events are an important part of our program. We encourage students of various grades to interact throughout the school year. We promote cooperation between students, teachers and parents as we work together to build a supportive community. All students at Prince of Wales Mini School are required to be involved in school and community service throughout the school year.

  • Personal and social responsibility involve actions and skills that lead to the success of oneself and others. At Prince of Wales Mini School, we encourage students to act respectfully and responsibly in order to foster their own successes while supporting, encouraging, and celebrating the successes of their peers. We aim to constantly develop skills and knowledge in areas such as organization, time management, physical and mental health, personal and social awareness, group dynamics, global issues, and sustainability.

Enrichment occurs in the classroom, and through field trips in the community.

Coursework at Prince of Wales Mini School often goes beyond the provincially-prescribed curriculum by examining topics in greater detail. In some subjects, the prescribed material may be covered at an accelerated pace in order to allow time to explore other areas of interest.

Teachers at Prince of Wales Mini School use a constructivist approach, where the student is an active participant in the learning process. Constructivism is a theory about how we come to know what we know. The meaning of “knowing” is an active and evolutionary process. At Prince of Wales Mini School this process is supported by a wide variety of enrichment activities and events.

Examples from previous years from various subjects are as follows:

  • English ✍️
    Theatre and opera performances, filmmaking with The Cinematheque, trips to Vancouver Writers Fest, Poetry In Voice competition, Shakespeare workshops

  • Social Studies ⚖️
    Guest speakers, Vancouver Art Gallery visits, Vancouver Law Courts tour, film screenings, museum visits, Sustainability Action Project, Model UN, Ethics Bowl

  • Science 🧬
    Grade 8 and 9 Science Fair, study of current scientific discovery and advancement, peer review for Frontiers For Young Minds, guest speakers (Vancouver Brain Bee, UBC Astronomy Club), ecological studies of local areas (e.g., Camosun Bog, PW Garden), tours of local facilities (TRIUMF, UBC SBME)

  • Math ➗
    Accelerated math curriculum, participation in University of Waterloo CEMC math contests (Gauss, Pascal, Cayley, Fermat), challenge projects

Each year, all Prince of Wales Mini School students travel to Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre on Vancouver Island for a 4-5 day wilderness adventure, and to Manning Park for a 3-day skiing/snowboarding and leadership experience.

Prince of Wales Mini School Student Council also organizes activities throughout the year including dances, movie nights, and intramural events such as spirit weeks and Mini Olympics. Evening enrichment events include: Winter Supper in December, Arts Night in April, and our Year End Picnic in June, and more. PW Mini alumni often join us (and still participate!) at these events.

Senior students at Prince of Wales Mini School develop their leadership skills by taking an active role in many of our student-led enrichment activities, as well as through completing meaningful coursework in Mini Leadership 12. Each grade 12 student in the Mini chooses a leadership project in their final year, in which they play a pivotal role in developing their coordinating, organizing, and public speaking skills. Such projects include coordinating school-wide events, facilitating the operations of annual fundraisers, planning community service outings, compiling and designing the Mini yearbook, and more. Students sharpen their leadership philosophy by exploring various leadership styles, hearing from notable guest speakers, and honing essential skills such as effective communication and decision-making.

Please Note

The above events and activities are subject to change due to the interests and expertise of the teaching team, the changing needs of students, and district requirements. While every effort is made to provide continuity from year to year, we make no promises to provide particular enrichment activities.