Woodcrest Student Page
Oct 10, 2018
A Woodcrest Public School Grade 8 student has been selected to serve as a Legislative Page at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in Toronto. During her term of duty, Sophie Sutherland, will serve as a messenger on the floor of the Legislative Chamber, meet key parliamentary figures and learn about Ontario’s parliamentary system of government. Sophie Sutherland’s term of service will commence on Monday, October 15 and conclude on Thursday, November 1.
“The entire Woodcrest Public School community is extremely proud of Sophie for being accepted into this very unique and prestigious program,” says AJ Keene, Principal at Woodcrest Public School. “We are looking forward to learning about her experiences when she returns following the completion of her term.”
Each Legislative Page earns their spot in the program by submitting an application that includes an essay outlining their achievements, involvements and suitability for the program. Each Page must study and learn the faces, names and locations of the 107 MPP’s before arriving at Queen’s Park for their first day. In addition to their Legislative duties, Pages selected from across the province come together at Queen’s and develop lasting friendships and meet fellow students with similar interests.
During a typical day in the program, Pages arrive at Queen’s Park at approximately 8:00 a.m., dress in their uniforms and then prepare the Legislative Chamber for the morning’s debates. As the day progresses, Pages are involved in a number of activities including: delivering messages and water for MPPs in the Chamber, taking classes in legislative process and mathematics, and meeting with key legislative players such as the party leaders and the Speaker of the House.
The Legislative Page Program is open to students in Grades 7 and 8 who have an interest in current affairs, have an academic average of 80% or higher and get along well with their peers and adults. Applications for the Legislative Page Program are accepted for two deadlines each year: November 15 and June 15. Grade 7 students are eligible for both of these deadlines. Grade 8 students may apply for the November 15 deadline only.
