Friday, May 11, 2012
Specialist High Skills Major Program celebrate achievements
On Tuesday, May 15, the incredible talents of the students of the Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute’s Arts and Culture Specialist High Skills Major Program will be celebrated at a special event at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. Beginning at 7:00 p.m., singers, dancers and visual artists will entertain and enlighten the visitors to the gallery during this evening presentation. Information on the program will also be available for interested students and parents.
“This is a very special evening that will see students and their families gather to celebrate their accomplishments and the uniqueness of the Arts and Culture Specialist High Skills Major Program,” says Jamie Philp, Student Services Teacher at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute. “Specialist High Skills Major programs are an extra layer of training and experience for students who are focusing on a specific career path or post secondary destination.”
Specialist High Skills Major programs provide students interested in a career in Arts and Cultural expression (music, drama, graphics, design, native studies and visual art) with the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) while developing essential Arts related skills and work habits. The Program provides full and comprehensive program offerings in the arts, from reach ahead instrumental music and guitar, to a full range of musical choices including band, orchestra/strings, guitar and vocals.
Post secondary arts programs typically require portfolios for admission. Through the Arts and Culture Specialist High Skills Major Program at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute, students are able to cultivate additional and practical pieces of evidence with industry-recognized certifications for their arts portfolio and their resumes. In addition, the students are able to develop real-life employability skills through arts and culture specific co-op placements.
In addition to a “bundle” of Grade 11 and 12 credits, participating students also achieve a number of Arts related sector-recognized certifications and training including:
- Musical instrument repair
- Recording equipment
- Lighting and sound Equipment Maintenance
- Training in an art form or technique
- Taping for dance performance
Technology and the use of Arts related technology are significant components of the Arts and Culture Specialist High Skills Major Program at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute. Almost all of the Arts rooms are equipped with Smart Boards to aid in student instruction. Recent technological enhancements have seen the introduction of recording equipment that provides opportunities for students to write and record professional CD quality recordings.
“The Specialist High Skills Major program is a perfect example of the innovative, current and comprehensive programming offered at Lakehead Public Schools,” says Philp. “This type of programming engages our students in practical and meaningful ways, providing opportunities for learning and success in all the pathways for all students.”
Students who successfully complete the elements of the program receive the Specialist High Skills Major designation on their OSSD diploma. For more information about the Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute Arts and Culture Specialist High Skills Major, please call 577-4251.
Tuesday, May 15
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Thunder Bay Art Gallery
1080 Keewatin Street