Friday, September 24, 2010

Grade 10 Spiritual Retreat

The 'Quest' Bible camp at Christopher Lake, 1 1/2 hr. north of Rosthern, was the site for the Grade 10 Spiritual Retreat. The theme for the 3 day retreat was 'Risking New Beginnings". the cool, rainy weather could not dampen the enthusiasm of the 14 students who took in the three day retreat, led by RJC staff members Bev Epp, Cassandra D'Amore and Jim Epp.


Jim Epp led the retreat sessions with the students as they considered the lessons about "risking" found in the story of Moses.


The retreat was a good mix of organised and spontaneous activities. Cody Epp, Kayla Bloomfield, Kelsey Cancade, Kyla Boldt and Crystal Lau join with other classmates around a table in a game called "Dead Fish".
Another popular activity was table tennis. Keita Leung serves to Johnathan Meikle as Nicole Brockman waits for her turn to play.
Cody Epp and Landon Falconer enjoying a laugh!!

Students were led through a variety of team-building activities. Kelsey, Phoenix, Crystal, Say Eh Htoo, Matt and Kyla work together to balance their platform.
Landon and Jim make sure Johnathan does not fall as he tries his luck on a challenging low ropes obstacle course.
Teams were challenged to travel the length of the gym without touching the floor. They only had several small platforms to use. Working together, Matt, Crystal, Phoenix, Laura, Kayla and Say Eh Htoo were able to accomplish this task.
An annual highlight of the grade 10 retreat is an afternoon of tube riding on Christopher Lake. Cool temperatures and cold water was not about to stop this crew! Johnathan, Michael and Landon go airborne.
Cody, Say Eh Htoo and Matt hang on as their tube goes wide around a corner.
Crystal and Johnathan clearly enjoying their ride.
Kelsey, Kayla, Nicole and Kyla appear to be having a contest to see who can scream the loudest. Notice that some wore socks in the hopes of keeping their feet warm.
Johnathan, Keita and Landon go for an unexpected swim as their tube overturns.

The Quest provided the group with a comfortable location to hang out and play games. Cody, Matt, and Landon enjoy the warmth of the fireplace.
A goal of the retreat was for the grade 10 class to spend time together. Here, many of them are enjoying each other's company.
There was lots of time spent relaxing and visting and playing games.
The class works cooperatively to accomplish a task.
Johnathan, Michael, Keita and Landon try to fill up their tower while keeping all the holes plugged at the same time. This challenge is much tougher than it looks!
Phoenix, Crystal, Kelsey and Laura competing in the water tower challenge. There were more holes to plug than the girls could handle as the boys won this competition.
Johnathan and Say Eh Htoo took advantage of the water trampoline and catapult for some swimming fun.
The grade 10 class posing for a group picture. The class would like to thank Ewald and Louise Epp for coming along and cooking for them. They also want to thank Ed and Mary Ellen Brockman for bringing their boat and spending hours on the water giving them tubing rides.

Phys-Ed 20 Out Trip to Grey Owl's Cabin


The Phys-Ed 20 class recently spent 3 days hiking in Prince Albert National Park. The 17 students made the 40 km round trip trek to Grey Owl's Cabin with fully loaded packs. We braved near freezing temperatures, while encountering 3 wolves and a friendly black bear along the way. In the end we had a great time, getting to know each other around roaring fires and excellent meals. A special thanks to Sarah Unruh for coming along as a chaperone (and taking the group picture above).

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Design Class Sandal Project

The design class began the year by learning about the design process; planning, making, evaluating, redesigning, remaking, evaluating. The first project was to design a pair of sandals that were sturdy enough to walk in but also pleasing to look at.

 
Macaila Funk and Sarah Driediger

Jessie Ho and Kaitlyn Baker
 
Vichael Ho and Alain Schenker

Brett Hauser and Ryan Mooney

Alannah Balzer and Taleen Dutchak

Monday, September 20, 2010

Grade 12 Spiritual Retreat

The grade 12s spent a day at Waskesiu in Prince Albert National Park on Monday, September 20 for a day of spiritual retreat and guidance.

Craig Neufeld and Patrick Preheim were the resource guides through the day.  They led the students on a journey through spiritual discernment and some disciplines.

Katie, Brooklin, Alannah and Stuart listen intently as Craig and Patrick describe various spiritual disciplines.

Tracy, Clay, Evan, Hannah and Dekota explore silent meditation, guided by thought provoking readings.

The students were introduced to the practice of footwashing. Here John washes Ryan's feet while other students wait their turn.

Jordan and Jocelyn meditate on the word of God by comparing 4 different translations/paraphrases of a passage from the Bible.

Hannah, Erin, Hillary, Jordan, Luke and Clay led their class in singing at various times through the day.

Tanya and Kirsten led their class in a craft - making personal CD covers - creatively encouraging the students to look closely at their own life.

Marina and Taleen working on their CD covers.

Waskesiu is a beautiful park with spectacular wildlife.  Even though it was a rainy and gloomy day, this very large bull elk strolled right past the lodge windows.  Also seen while on a walk - an otter playfully swimming in the lake.

The grade 12 class at the end of their spiritual retreat at Waskesiu.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

We're back!!! 2010-2011

The leadership committees arrived on Campus early to prepare for the upcoming school year. Both SRC and Dorm Council were excited to be back and eager to start the planning for the arrival of the 2010-2011 student body.

The group attended several sessions on leadership and participated in many team building activities.

Nic Fast, dean of men, explains the goal of one of the team building activity

SRC and DC work together to accomplish the task.


Patrick Preheim and Reese Ratzlaff from Nutana Mennonite Church in Saskatoon lead many of the workshops.

The two days of preparation ended with a Commissioning Service where the students were affirmed in their roles. Local pastors from Rosthern Mennonite Church, Barb Froese and Craig Neufeld participated in the service.


The staff surround the students in a prayer of blessing.


The students then continued the preparations for opening weekend by packing welcome bags for everyone.

Kathy Powley, one of the dean of women, discusses objectives and goals with the girls dorm council.

Hannah Jones and Jennifer Klaassen are on poster making duty.
Kirsten Wiens and Hillary Fast spray paint decorations for the girls dorm.
Sarah Driediger registers for the new school year.
Dress Code!

Luke Warkentin lends a helping hand.
Steph Willie and Sam Garnet assist Ryan Mooney with his move into the dorm.
Friends excited to see Friends! A warm welcome for second year student Ryann Goota!
AAwwhh....Clay Buhler helps his sister Laura with her belongings.
Many hands make light work! Dan Dueck and David Wiebe with some heavy lifting.
Every one loves mixer games!
Chaos!
Hold still Sarah Nickel and Luke Zakreski or you will be disqualified!
Tag anyone? Go Jamieson Go!
You have to be quick at recognition to beat this game.


Sunday evening ended with the Walk a Mile and nightlunch. Then off to bed to rest up for a full day of classes!