Aldershot School
Encyclopedia
Aldershot School, also known as Aldershot High School, is a grade 7-12 school located in the Aldershot community in the south-western corner of Burlington, Ontario
. Although the current school building was constructed in the mid 1900s, the original Aldershot School was built in 1870, making the name the oldest in continual use for an educational institution in Halton region.
Originally a high school (grades 9-13, later cut back to grade 12), grades 7 and 8 were added in 2001 to make use of spare capacity. The school's enrollment is approximately 500 high school students and 200 elementary school students. Since 2003, the school has continually made dramatic improvements in student achievement and student provisions.
The school's Latin
motto, Veritas Nos Ducat (meaning Truth Shall Lead Us), speaks to a remarkable honour system
in place during the 1970s. At that time, any misplaced belonging in the school was essentially guaranteed to make its way to its rightful owner, and in some cases, take-home exams were permitted, bearing that the student not use outside information and write the school motto on his or her test. The remnant of this implicit system is in the school's also traditional, annual Honour Society listing, which notices students who have achieved distinctions in academics at a level of above 80% in every course being taken.
tests place Aldershot far and above other schools in Halton
, having been ranked first for performance by the Halton District School Board
's (HDSB) annual reviews. It was the top rated school in Halton according to Toronto Sun (2007), and the 13th best school in the Greater Toronto Area
(GTA). From 2003 onward, the school's rankings have fluctuated within the top 50 schools in the province, arriving at the 2007 rank of #16, and 2008 rank of #12 school in Ontario, according to the Fraser Institute.
(May), Spring Carnival (May), Beach Day (March) and more. Other regular events include the Semi-Formal Dance and Pep Rallies
. The 2010 Prom
was not an official school event.
There are also many "School Spirit" days throughout the year, during which students may partake in an activity to show their school spirit (e.g. Jersey Day, Ugly Sweater Day, Beach Day).
) favorites for second straight year 2006 & 2007.
Aldershot Lions Football
Aldershot has an inconsistent history when it comes to football. They dominated in the early 80s, but didn't see their teams come back to the top until the 2004 season. The 2004 Aldershot Football Junior Football team
is considered by many to be the most dominant junior program of all time in Halton. The team averaged over 40 points per game and had an undefeated record of 13-0(including play off games). That year Aldershots Senior Team also posted an impressive 6-2 record, going on to barely loose in the semi-finals. However since the success of both teams in 04', Aldershots football teams have a combined record of 4-24. For the first time since football was introduced at Aldershot, they will not be fielding a senior team. Many factors go into this, but contributing are the schools small size, and some may say the schools inability to bring in a full coaching staff. A few Aldershot players decided to play their final year at Central High School a well known rival.
In the recent season,(2011-2012) The Aldershot senior mens football team managed to finish the regular season with a record of 6-1, this was the best the team has done since 2004.
Sadly the senior team came up short and lost in the semi finals match against OT (Oakville)Aldershot hopes to have another great season in the following years to come.
Aldershot Rugby Mens
The Aldershot Rugby team has been very successful in the past 4 years, making it to the semi final every year with the number one seed finishing the regular season. Pearson Highschool has managed to stop Aldershot consistantly each year but the 2012 season is looking very promising for the Lions, who are hoping to finally win a championship title for the school.
Aldershot womans Rugby
The womans rugby team has won the championship in their division 2 years in a row and have been extremely dominant since being started in 2010.
Female sports teams at the school are often called the Aldershot 'Lady Lions'. Hockey and baseball teams are referred to as the "Aces". All other teams are referred to as the Lions.
and the OBA Concert Band Festival, at both junior and senior band levels. In 2008, both Junior and Senior Bands achieved a gold standard level at MusicFest Canada. In 2009, the school's Senior Concert band again achieved a gold standard level at MusicFest while the Junior band achieved silver. At the 2009 MusicFest Nationals held in Markham, ON, the Senior Concert Band, under the direction of David Willms, achieved the gold standard, a highly difficult and rewarding placement to receive. They have continued to achieve a gold level at MusicFest Canada in 2010 and 2011.
The school has a Senior Concert Band (Grades 9-12), Junior Concert Band (Grades 7-9), Choir (Grades 7-12), Jazz Band, and occasionally a String Ensemble. The groups all play at an annual Music Night and sometimes at other events or festivals.
- and the consistent integration of both elementary and secondary students through Halton's first Link Crew
program, a creative breakfast program for students, and a range of extracurricular options on par with schools of over 2000 students.
at Aldershot has been called the Aldershot Student Leadership Team (SLT) for decades, and is unique amongst other provincial high schools for not only having a non-traditional name, but a non-traditional structure, with no such designation as President, Prime Minister etc.
The Aldershot School mascot
is a stylized golden lion
, most often represented clawing upward to a stylized medieval crown. A traditional symbol/marking at the school is a simplified, pawprint (consisting of 4 circular shapes).
The first Student Trustee to come from Aldershot was elected to the HDSB as 2007-2008 Student Trustee Jason Karmody.
In 2001 Aldershot became a controversial 7-12 school, changing its student enrollment from grades 9-12 to students from grades 7-12. Many older students and parents felt that the younger students were not prepared to handle the peer pressures involved in going to a high school. The move was made to prevent Aldershot from being closed down. Ten years later, the transition has resulted in a vibrant and inclusive school community that values the contributions of both the elementary and secondary students.
Burlington, Ontario
Burlington , is a city located in Halton Region at the western end of Lake Ontario. Burlington is part of the Greater Toronto Area, and is also included in the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area. Physically, Burlington lies between the north shore of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment...
. Although the current school building was constructed in the mid 1900s, the original Aldershot School was built in 1870, making the name the oldest in continual use for an educational institution in Halton region.
Originally a high school (grades 9-13, later cut back to grade 12), grades 7 and 8 were added in 2001 to make use of spare capacity. The school's enrollment is approximately 500 high school students and 200 elementary school students. Since 2003, the school has continually made dramatic improvements in student achievement and student provisions.
Aldershot Vision
The Aldershot Vision reads: "Aldershot is an inclusive environment that develops and challenges individuals to learn and live responsibly in a global community."The school's Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
motto, Veritas Nos Ducat (meaning Truth Shall Lead Us), speaks to a remarkable honour system
Honor system
An honor system or honesty system is a philosophical way of running a variety of endeavors based on trust, honor, and honesty. Something that operates under the rule of the "honor system" is usually something that does not have strictly enforced rules governing its principles...
in place during the 1970s. At that time, any misplaced belonging in the school was essentially guaranteed to make its way to its rightful owner, and in some cases, take-home exams were permitted, bearing that the student not use outside information and write the school motto on his or her test. The remnant of this implicit system is in the school's also traditional, annual Honour Society listing, which notices students who have achieved distinctions in academics at a level of above 80% in every course being taken.
Rankings
Scores based on EQAO scores and literacyLiteracy
Literacy has traditionally been described as the ability to read for knowledge, write coherently and think critically about printed material.Literacy represents the lifelong, intellectual process of gaining meaning from print...
tests place Aldershot far and above other schools in Halton
Halton
- Places in the United Kingdom :* Halton , Cheshire**Halton **Halton, Cheshire village* Halton, Buckinghamshire village** RAF Halton* Halton, district of Leeds, West Yorkshire* Halton, Northumberland village...
, having been ranked first for performance by the Halton District School Board
Halton District School Board
The Halton District School Board serves public school students throughout Halton Region, including the municipalities of Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville. Its administration area is to the southwest of the city of Toronto. In 2006-2007, it served almost 50,000 students, excluding...
's (HDSB) annual reviews. It was the top rated school in Halton according to Toronto Sun (2007), and the 13th best school in the Greater Toronto Area
Greater Toronto Area
The Greater Toronto Area is the largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a 2006 census population of 5.5 million. The Greater Toronto Area is usually defined as the central city of Toronto, along with four regional municipalities surrounding it: Durham, Halton, Peel, and York...
(GTA). From 2003 onward, the school's rankings have fluctuated within the top 50 schools in the province, arriving at the 2007 rank of #16, and 2008 rank of #12 school in Ontario, according to the Fraser Institute.
School Events
Annual events run by the school's Student Leadership Team include: Relay For LifeRelay For Life
Relay For Life is the main volunteer-driven cancer fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. Originating in the United States, the Relay For Life event has spread to 21 countries. Relay events are held in local communities, campus universities, military bases, and in cyberspace...
(May), Spring Carnival (May), Beach Day (March) and more. Other regular events include the Semi-Formal Dance and Pep Rallies
Pep rally
Pep rallies are events that occur primarily in the United States and Canada. A pep rally is a gathering of people, typically students of middle school, high school and college age, before a sports event. The purpose of such a gathering is to encourage school spirit and to support members of the...
. The 2010 Prom
Prom
In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal dance, or gathering of high school students. It is typically held near the end of the senior year. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students...
was not an official school event.
There are also many "School Spirit" days throughout the year, during which students may partake in an activity to show their school spirit (e.g. Jersey Day, Ugly Sweater Day, Beach Day).
Athletics
The school's performance in athletics has been marked by numerous regional wins, despite being one of the smallest schools in Halton (In Halton D3 football Aldershot is half the size of the next smallest school, Lester B. Pearson) such as Sr. Boys Volleyball OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic AssociationsOntario Federation of School Athletic Associations
The Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations is an organization of student-athletes, teacher-coaches, student-coaches, teachers, principals, and sport administrators in Ontario, Canada...
) favorites for second straight year 2006 & 2007.
Aldershot Lions Football
Aldershot has an inconsistent history when it comes to football. They dominated in the early 80s, but didn't see their teams come back to the top until the 2004 season. The 2004 Aldershot Football Junior Football team
Football team
A football team is the collective name given to a group of players selected together in the various team sports known as football.Such teams could be selected to play in an against an opposing team, to represent a football club, group, state or nation, an All-star team or even selected as a...
is considered by many to be the most dominant junior program of all time in Halton. The team averaged over 40 points per game and had an undefeated record of 13-0(including play off games). That year Aldershots Senior Team also posted an impressive 6-2 record, going on to barely loose in the semi-finals. However since the success of both teams in 04', Aldershots football teams have a combined record of 4-24. For the first time since football was introduced at Aldershot, they will not be fielding a senior team. Many factors go into this, but contributing are the schools small size, and some may say the schools inability to bring in a full coaching staff. A few Aldershot players decided to play their final year at Central High School a well known rival.
In the recent season,(2011-2012) The Aldershot senior mens football team managed to finish the regular season with a record of 6-1, this was the best the team has done since 2004.
Sadly the senior team came up short and lost in the semi finals match against OT (Oakville)Aldershot hopes to have another great season in the following years to come.
Aldershot Rugby Mens
The Aldershot Rugby team has been very successful in the past 4 years, making it to the semi final every year with the number one seed finishing the regular season. Pearson Highschool has managed to stop Aldershot consistantly each year but the 2012 season is looking very promising for the Lions, who are hoping to finally win a championship title for the school.
Aldershot womans Rugby
The womans rugby team has won the championship in their division 2 years in a row and have been extremely dominant since being started in 2010.
Female sports teams at the school are often called the Aldershot 'Lady Lions'. Hockey and baseball teams are referred to as the "Aces". All other teams are referred to as the Lions.
Music
Aldershot has had a significant presence in music competitions both in the past and at present; achieving gold, silver and bronze medals in regional and provincial competitions such as MusicFest CanadaMusicFest Canada
MusicFest Canada is a competition festival, established as the Canadian Stage Band Festival in Toronto, in 1972, by Robert Richmond , Gary Wadsworth, and Paul Miner...
and the OBA Concert Band Festival, at both junior and senior band levels. In 2008, both Junior and Senior Bands achieved a gold standard level at MusicFest Canada. In 2009, the school's Senior Concert band again achieved a gold standard level at MusicFest while the Junior band achieved silver. At the 2009 MusicFest Nationals held in Markham, ON, the Senior Concert Band, under the direction of David Willms, achieved the gold standard, a highly difficult and rewarding placement to receive. They have continued to achieve a gold level at MusicFest Canada in 2010 and 2011.
The school has a Senior Concert Band (Grades 9-12), Junior Concert Band (Grades 7-9), Choir (Grades 7-12), Jazz Band, and occasionally a String Ensemble. The groups all play at an annual Music Night and sometimes at other events or festivals.
Other Accomplishments
Aldershot has been noted within the Halton Board and even the province of Ontario for innovative and unique initiatives. These include the ECO Studies program - a Specialist High Skills Major program in conjunction with the Royal Botanical Gardens, OntarioRoyal Botanical Gardens, Ontario
Royal Botanical Gardens is headquartered in Burlington and also include lands in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It is one of the major tourist attractions between Niagara Falls and Toronto, as well as a significant local and regional horticultural, education, conservation and scientific resource...
- and the consistent integration of both elementary and secondary students through Halton's first Link Crew
Link Crew
Link Crew is a leadership program offered to high schools in the United States and Canada. The program allows the school to choose upper-classmen to be linked with freshmen throughout the year. The Link Leaders help the freshman get involved by informing them about the activities put on by the...
program, a creative breakfast program for students, and a range of extracurricular options on par with schools of over 2000 students.
Miscellaneous
The equivalent of a Student CouncilStudent council
Student council is a curricular or extra-curricular activity for students within elementary and secondary schools around the world. Present in most public and private K-12 school systems across the United States, Canada and Australia these bodies are alternatively entitled student council, student...
at Aldershot has been called the Aldershot Student Leadership Team (SLT) for decades, and is unique amongst other provincial high schools for not only having a non-traditional name, but a non-traditional structure, with no such designation as President, Prime Minister etc.
The Aldershot School mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
is a stylized golden lion
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
, most often represented clawing upward to a stylized medieval crown. A traditional symbol/marking at the school is a simplified, pawprint (consisting of 4 circular shapes).
The first Student Trustee to come from Aldershot was elected to the HDSB as 2007-2008 Student Trustee Jason Karmody.
In 2001 Aldershot became a controversial 7-12 school, changing its student enrollment from grades 9-12 to students from grades 7-12. Many older students and parents felt that the younger students were not prepared to handle the peer pressures involved in going to a high school. The move was made to prevent Aldershot from being closed down. Ten years later, the transition has resulted in a vibrant and inclusive school community that values the contributions of both the elementary and secondary students.
Notable alumni
- Actor Jim CarreyJim CarreyJames Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian. He has received two Golden Globe Awards and has also been nominated on four occasions. Carrey began comedy in 1979, performing at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto, Ontario...
- Actor Christopher ElliottChristopher ElliottChristopher Elliott is an Australian Actor in Sydney represented by Carolyn White . He grew up at 14 Sheldon Street Nudgee, Qld., and attended Virginia State Primary School 1967-1974 and then Brisbane Grammar School 1975-1979.-Study:Christopher is an alumnus of Stella Adler Studio Of Acting New...
- Football Player Chris SchultzChris SchultzChristopher "Chris" Schultz is a retired National Football League and Canadian Football League player who played the offensive tackle position primarily with the CFL Toronto Argonauts...
- Spoons (band)Spoons (band)Spoons are a Canadian New Wave new romantic synth pop music group, formed in 1979 in Burlington, Ontario. They recorded several Canadian chart hits between 1982 and 1989, and in 1983, they won Group of the Year at the U-Know awards...
guitarist Gordon Deppe and bass guitarist Sandy Horne - Creative Director & founding member of Spoons (band)Spoons (band)Spoons are a Canadian New Wave new romantic synth pop music group, formed in 1979 in Burlington, Ontario. They recorded several Canadian chart hits between 1982 and 1989, and in 1983, they won Group of the Year at the U-Know awards...
and founder of Ceramic HelloCeramic HelloCeramic Hello was a duo from Burlington, Ontario, formed by Brett Wickens in 1980 after leaving Spoons. He teamed up with Roger Humphreys who added a more classical bent to the minimal synthesizer tunes ....
: Brett WickensBrett WickensBrett Wickens , is a Canadian and British Creative Director living and working in the USA.Canadian-born Brett Wickens is a creative director and partner in the design studio Ammunition, which was named one of the top ten Most Innovative Companies in Design in 2011 by Fast Company magazine -- for... - Avian artist Chris Bacon
- News Anchor Nick Dixon CHCH News
- Silverstein (band)Silverstein (band)Silverstein is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 2000. Their band name is a reference to the famous children's author Shel Silverstein, whom the band had admired and read the stories of as children. They have released a total of five studio albums, three EP's, a...
guitarist Josh Bradford - Director/Writer Kyle Burns
- Melanie_Booth, Canadian Women's Soccer Team, Graduated from Aldershot High School
- Hockey Player - Peter Crosbie - Goalie - Boston Bruin Organization