nce again, it is with a great sense of accomplishment we look back over the 1999-2000 academic year. Many students demonstrated their talents at our liturgies, school production, sports events, public speaking and Science Innoventions. In particular, we wish to highlight this year's school production - Hidden Stories, a play created and performed by the students of St. Margaret Mary School.
Hidden Stories was the creation of all 165 students of our remarkable small school. Every child had a valued part to play, be it a dance, a song, a story on stage or the endless tasks of writing, design, construction and backstage assistance. Though one could be tempted to single out individual accomplishments, the fact is that this was a collaborative effort. The whole was much greater than the sum of its parts.
The grand finale, presented on April 28 at the Alumni Theatre of Carleton University, cannot speak to the months of effort and enthusiasm that proceeded it. Nor can it reveal the importance of the process, moving from initial inspiration through to ultimate manifestation.
There were many layers to this rich and complex story. It began with a small group of creative souls and the catalyst of vision. They asked how different strands of the arts could be combined into a community building tool.
Next came the framework - how to integrate the curriculum, how to give students the opportunity to take ownership of the process, how to allow them to go beyond perceived limits and be who they really are. When children are given the chance to demonstrate what they can do, they surprise and delight us.
Building community has always been one of the strengths of St. Margaret Mary School. Though the children were the true stars of this production, many others came together to support them, from staff and parents to a nameless but dedicated core of artists to the larger community through such organizations as the Community Foundation of Ottawa and the Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board.
There are stories within stories. The one we saw on stage captured a moment in time; the rest are carried within each of the people who played some part.
With St. Margaret Mary Parish, we celebrated our faith. Children from grade 2 celebrated the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist and grade 6 students celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation.
We thank Rev. Don MacLellan and his Parish Team for their time, support and dedication and we wish Rev. Don all the best in his future endeavours. Students and staff demonstrated their commitment to Catholic education by assisting organizations in our local community - UNICEF, Emergency Food Shelter, Toy Mountain Campaign, Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Hunger Foundation.
We continued to implement our No-Bullying Program and introduced our Peer Mediator Program in April. Our dynamic and supportive Catholic Advisory School Council once again significantly enhanced our arts, science and physical education programs. This year the students participated in Jiu-Jitsu classes, swimming at Brewer Arena, and soccer and basketball workshops that were facilitated by Carleton University team members.
Next year, we will continue to implement our innovative Quality Daily Physical Education program. We thank all parents who supported these programs and we look forward to working with you next year.
As we prepare for the next academic year, we will continue to prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I thank students, parents and staff for supporting the shared vision at St. Margaret Mary School. If you are interested in registering your child at our school, please contact us at 730-9328. Have a safe summer.