At Westridge, we offer a number of programs to benefit the students in a variety of ways. To find out more, please click on the program of interest below.
Please check out our Student Life section for more examples of opportunities for students.
Choir
Every student in the school sings in one of the two school choirs. All choirs rehearse weekly throughout the year during school time.
Junior and Senior Primary Choirs
Once a week, students in Divisions 7-9 meet Mrs. Pritchard in the music room for thirty minutes of Junior Primary Choir. Students in Divisions 4-6 meet Mrs. Pritchard in the music room for forty-five minutes of Senior Primary Choir. All Primary students enjoy playing musical games, singing call-response and partner songs and learning new seasonal songs. Each year the Primary Choirs prepare music to perform for the school and community. This year, students will perform in the Remembrance Day Ceremony and during the Christmas Celebration of learning. In April they will present the musical “Town Without a Name”.
Intermediate Choir
Once weekly, all students in Divisions 1-3 meet with Mrs. Pritchard for forty-five minutes of Intermediate Choir. Each year, the Intermediate Choir prepares music to share with the community. This year they will perform in the Remembrance Day Ceremony and present the musical “It’s Christmas, Carol!”during the Christmas Celebration of Learning. In May they will present the musical “No Strings Attached”.
Music and Drama Program
Teacher: Mrs. Pritchard
At Westridge, Music and Drama are truly treated as performing arts.
At the Remembrance Day Assembly, the whole school meets to pay tribute to Canadian soldiers and to reflect on war and peace. Poetry and Music are an integral part of this assembly. It is always very moving to hear songs sung in harmony by approximately 180 students. Many members of the community, including former students and their parents, make a point of attending this assembly each year.
At Christmas time it has become a tradition for the Grade 7 students to perform a Christmas play at the Celebration of Learning Assembly on the last afternoon before the Winter Break. While the Grade 7 students do the acting, the entire Westridge community sing the songs. Again, many former students come back year after year to share in this warm tradition.
In the spring, the Primary students present an evening of drama, song, and dance for the rest of the school community. This year they will share their play, “Town Without a Name”, with the rest of the school on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 14. This will be followed by an evening performance for families on the evening of Wednesday, April 15.
There is also a yearly musical performance for Intermediate students. Students audition for acting and singing roles, help to create props and scenery, and have an opportunity to serve on the Stage or Sound System Crews. This year we will share our play, “No Strings Attached” with the rest of the school on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 14. This will be followed by an evening performance for the wider community on the evening of Wednesday, May 15.
In addition to the Drama and Choral Music, students in Grades 6 and 7 have the opportunity to play in the Band. Students in Grades 4-7 also play the recorder in Music class, preparing them for future instrumental music experiences.
At the end of the year, the choirs make one last contribution to the life of the school during the Grade 7 School Leaving Assembly. The last song we sing each year is Blessing, which sends us all off for the summer on a high note. Students returning to Westridge after graduation often comment how the Drama and Music are among their fondest elementary school memories.
Enrichment Program
On the recommendation of classroom teachers, students in Primary and Intermediate classes may participate in an Enrichment program for a part of the school year. Opportunities are given to students in the following areas:
Primary Enrichment
The Primary Enrichment program gives students in opportunities to participate in a number of “mind-expanding” activities. Students meet with Ms. Clark.
Intermediate Enrichment
The Intermediate Enrichment program gives students in opportunities to participate in a number of “mind-expanding” activities. Students meet with Ms. Chan once a week.
