Quick Links

Direct Links

Related Links

Technological Education News

SHSM Toronto Field Trip

Spring Trip
SHSM students Jessica and Taylor with MuchMusic guest Danny Fernandes.

Students enrolled in the Holy Cross Specialist High Skills Major in Communications Technology travelled on a field trip to Toronto on Tuesday, April 10th, 2012. Grade 12 student Taylor Weaver described her anticipation, "I felt like a little child on Christmas Eve, the night before our trip, because I was so excited for our visit to Sheridan College and Much Music, I had a hard time sleeping!"

Students visited Sheridan College in Oakville, touring the general campus, buildings and facilities. Students focussed their excursion on the audio, video and photography production studios and programs. Grade 12 student Daisy Barrette discovered, "The experience at Sheridan College opened my eyes to new possibilities to pursue in post-secondary education. I was impressed by the balance between the focussed academic studies and practical hands-on learning within the Photography degree program offered at Sheridan." An added bonus, students had the opportunity to speak with HC SHSM grad Claire McLean who is a first year Sheridan student in Photography. Thank you to Sheridan staff and students Muhfuz, Marnie, Pierre and Susan!

Students then visited MuchMusic to be audience members in their live national broadcast of Much Music Live. The theme was Dance Competition Week and singer/dancer Danny Fernandez judged two dance performance groups; The Geek Freaks and The Projexx's. Students had the opportunity to meet and have their photographs taken with V.J.'s Pheobe and Jessie. Grade 11 student Braedon Couvreur shared his reaction, "Much Music Live was fantastic because the tech crew, V.J.'s and guests were extremely friendly, welcoming and professional. The different dance performances were awesome. The Much atmosphere of a live show was surreal to experience; loud music, bright lights, and impressive talent!" Thanks Tracy, T-RexXx, Phoebe, Jesse and Danny!

Grade 11 and 12 students in the Holy Cross SHSM Communications Technology program study animation, audio production, desktop publishing, graphic design, journalism, photography, video production and web site design. Students participate in various activities to enhance their media production knowledge and skills and to make informed decisions about post-secondary school studies and career pursuits. Interested Grade 10 and 11 students are invited to contact Mr. Esford in Room 218 to learn more about joining the SHSM program.

Limestone Skills Competition
Meggan Greyling and Jessica Taylor hard at work in the TV / Video Production Competition.
Limestone Skills Competition
The HC Team of Hayley Dykins, Grace Esford, Daisy Barrette, Jessica Taylor and Meggan Greyling was extremely successful at the 2012 Limestone Skills Competition.

Com Tech Students Win Skills Competition

Congratulations to Holy Cross SHSM Specialist High Skills Major Students in Communications Technology for winning big in the 2012 Limestone Skills Competition! The event took place on Wednesday, April 4th at St. Lawrence College, Kingston. The Limestone Skills Competition provides students with the opportunity to practice their technological skills in such diverse areas as carpentry, desktop publishing, and culinary arts.

Daisy Barrette
See some of Daisy Barrette's "Silver Medal" photographs.

The TV / Video Production Competition had 15 students from Holy Cross, Sydenham and L.C.V.I. Hayley Dykins and Grace Esford won Gold Medals in TV / Video Production. Meggan Greyling and Jessica Taylor won Silver Medals in TV / Video Production. This is a repeat of last year's competition results! Hayley and Grace advance to the Eastern Regional Skills Competition at St. Lawrence College Saturday, April 14th.

Twenty students were entered in the Digital Photography competition. Daisy Barrette won a Silver Medal in Digital Photography. Daisy advances directly to the Provincial Skills Competition in Waterloo, Ontario May 1st.

New Course for Senior Athletes and Artists!

Promo UHC offers a course just for you! TGJ 3O Grade 11 Communications Technology Broadcast and Print Production.

"Promo U" is designed to assist the advancement needs of graduating students. Artists and athletes will create promotional materials for application to college, university, or work. Students will produce their own personal promotional video, DVD case cover, photos, and electronic portfolio web site. TGJ 3O is only offered in the fall semester to provide students the opportunity to create their promo materials in time for application deadlines. Enrollment is limited. Select TGJ 3O this February during the course selection sessions for the 2012 - 2013 school year.

To learn more information contact Mr. Esford in Room 218 and to view sample videos, photos, web sites, etc... go to the TGJ 3O course page on HCToday. (From the top menu, follow Tech/Com. Tech./Grade 11 Com Tech:Broadcast and Print Production)

SHSM Students Broadcast the Memorial

Memorial Senior Team

Photo by Meggan Greyling
Senior Crusader Robert Halligan (Paul Halligan's nephew) prepares to shoot a free throw. See an HCTV report on the Holy Cross Senior Basketball Team.

SHSM Specialist High Skills Major Communications Technology students were out in force to provide media production support to help make the 2012 Memorial Games a success! In conjunction with their community partner, the SHSM crew worked on operating TV Cogeco's mobile television production van. Students Airin, Andrea, Braedon, Grace, Nicole, Stephanie and Ted operated video cameras, slow motion, graphics, and audio to record the junior and senior Memorial games. The production was projected live in the RND gym during the game. Fans enjoyed viewing slow motion replays of fouls immediately after the infraction.

Senior Team Memorial Preview

Photo by Meggan Greyling

Junior Crusader Jeremy Pendergast at the free throw line. See an HCTV report on the Holy Cross Junior Basketball Team.

In addition, the Grade 11 and 12 SHSM students produced halftime shows for both games. Recorded in the HCTV studios at Holy Cross, students used blue screen and teleprompter technology to record news anchors Airin and Tyler. Student reporters Daisy, Grace, Hayley, Jessica, and Megan conducted video interviews of HC and RND coaches and captains to produce news stories on the teams.

Holy Cross is the only secondary school in the Greater Kingston area, approved by the Ontario Ministry of Education, to offer the Specialist High Skills Major in Information and Communications Technology focus program. The program provides students with enhanced opportunities to explore post secondary studies and careers in the media production industry. As part of the Holy Cross broadbased Communications Technology courses, students study; animation, audio production, graphic design, journalism, photography, web design and video production. At graduation SHSM students receive a special diploma with a red seal. Interested Grades 10 and 11 students are invited to contact Mr. John G. Esford in Room 218 for information on joining! The Memorial was cablecasted on TV Cogeco Monday, January 23, 2012 at 9 p.m. on cable channel 13 and digital channel 700 in HD!


CKWS Tour

SHSM CKWS Tour
Holy Cross students Brian Ridgley and Jacob LaFrance listen in to the live broadcast at CKWS's FM 104.3

Grade 11 Communications Technology and Specialist High Skills Major students recently toured CKWS Television and Radio Stations at 160 Queen Street. The students in Mr. Dusome's and Mr. Esford's Period 3, Grade 11 Communication Technology classes visited CKWS to explore career opportunities in the Canadian media production industry.

Students toured the television studio and tried their hand presenting a weather report in front of a "Green Screen" and read the news from a "Teleprompter" on the News Watch anchor desk. Live@5 host and producer Heather Butts spoke with students about post-secondary school studies and careers in the television news industry.

Students also toured the television master control room, promotions office, and the television commercial production edit suite. In addition, students visited CKWS's FM 104.3 radio studio and were interviewed live on air by DJ Jodi Decker.

Holy Cross Technological Education students had an exciting experiential learning opportunity to assist in making informed decisions on their educational journey.

Communication Technology Photography Exhibit

Architectural Photography
Kingston This Week Senior Photographer and Reporter Rob Mooy gives Jessica Campbell some advice about her architectural photography.

Grade 12 Communications Technology students mounted a photography exhibition in the school foyer November 16th and 17th, 2011. In late October, students participated in a field trip to Downtown Kingston to photograph architectural images. Students were challenged with the task of capturing 12 architectural styles / themes / techniques; modern, heritage, religious, etc... After the field trip students used the computer software Photoshop to manipulate their images.

Kingston This Week Senior Photographer and Reporter Rob Mooy visited the students in class, critiqued their photography and computer skills, and selected winners in 4 categories. The students then displayed their work for the school community to view. HC staff and students had the opportunity to vote on their favourite image. The “Best Effect” award was won by Nicholas Robidoux, “Best Technical” Daisy Barrette, “Most Creative” Jordan Bulhoes, “Best Architectural” Jessica Taylor, and “People's Choice” Hayley Dykins.

Grade 12 Com Tech student Daisy Barrette reflects: “The artistry of architectural photography can be surprisingly complex. It's an interesting challenge to make a photo of a building look personal. I have learned that even familiar places and buildings can be perceived in new ways. Everything and everyone has layers that aren't visible from the surface.”

Some of the students' images will be published in Kingston This Week newspaper. The students received numerous compliments on their photographic technical skills and creativity from their teachers and fellow students. Congratulations to all Com Tech students for their achievements!

SHSM Gets Busy!

SHSM Training
Andrea Streicher was one of the SHSM students who participated in a training session with TV Cogeco and their half a million dollar High Definition mobile television production van.

The last week of October 2011 was very busy for SHSM Specialist High Skills students in Information and Communications Technology.

Loyalist College Visit

SHSM Cogeco Training
SHSM students Nicole Courneya and Erin Shannon operate a swicher in the Cogeco HD mobile van as part of their training.

On Thursday, October 27th, SHSM students participated in Loyalist College's (Belleville) "Media Mixer". Students toured six communications technology programs at Loyalist; 3D animation, Advertising, Journalism, Radio Production, Television Production and Television Electronics Technician. Students had the opportunity to tour facilities, production labs, view college student projects, and to talk to professors. This "Reach Ahead" experience is one of the six criteria of the SHSM focus program. Visiting college and universities provides students with enhanced preparation and educated decisions for post-secondary school studies.

TV Cogeco Mobile HD Television Production Van Training

On Saturday, October 29th, SHSM students participated in a training session with TV Cogeco and their half a million dollar High Definition mobile television production van. Students were instructed in the operation of professional television production equipment. Students were taught to operate video cameras, audio, graphics and slow motion equipment. The HD cameras are valued at $75,000 each which provides HC students an authentic "experiential learning" opportunity. HC students benefit from this exceptional community/business partnership with TV Cogeco. Students receive training to produce the KASSAA Game of the Week, where local secondary school sports events are recorded and cablecast on TV Cogeco Channel 13 and Digital Channel 700.

HC Students Visit New York City

New York City Trip

Photo by Jessica Taylor
The HC Com Tech group photographed on the "Alice in Wonderland" statue in Central Park.

Thirty Grade 11 and 12 Holy Cross Catholic S.S. Communications Technology students travel to New York City Wednesday, April 27th to Sunday, May 1st, 2011. The students are in Mr. John G. Esford's Communications Technology classes which study media production; animation, audio production, graphic design, Journalism, photography, video production and web page design. The trip has a Com Tech career exploration theme visiting such destinations as; NBC studios, Radio City Music Hall, and famous TV and film locations, to name a few items on our itinerary.

As part of the educational experience, students have been assigned communications technology tasks to develop their media production skills. During the trip students will be "blogging" about their "Big Apple" experience. Check out their blog as it documents their trip with student articles, photos and videos.

HC SHSM Students Win Big at Skills Competition!

Comm Tech Win
Ben Locke and Jamie Gillespie (L) won gold while Ashley Roddy and Steph Jodoin (R) won silver at the Limestone Skills Competition on April 6th, 2011. Click to see Steph and Ashley's video.

Four Holy Cross Grade 12 Communications Technology SHSM students had a very successful day at the Limestone Skills Competition on Wednesday, April 6th, 2011. The Holy Cross team composed of Jamie Gillespie and Ben Locke won Gold medals with a score of 81%. The Holy Cross team of Steph Jodoin and Ashley Roddy won Silver medals with a score of 80%.

The event took place at St. Lawrence College with 367 students participating in a wide variety of skill testing competitions; from traditional trades like masonry to high tech sectors such as web page design. The competition provides Technological Education students the opportunity to take on a challenge, hone their skills, and build self-confidence. When students gain confidence this leads to greater success. The Holy Cross student win reflects their commitment to excellence and personal growth.

The students were faced with the challenge to produce a 30 second public service announcement promotional video on the Limestone Skills Competition itself, all in one day. Starting at 8:30 a.m. the students had to video record visuals and edit a complete video by 1:45 p.m.. The videos were judged by professionals from CKWS TV, Cogeco Community Television, a Freelance video producer and a staff member from Ryerson University's School of Radio and Television Arts. The Holy Cross teams are coached and mentored by Communications Technology teacher Mr. John G. Esford.

Jamie, Ben, Steph and Ashley are Specialist High Skills Major students at Holy Cross. SHSM is a “focus” program in Communications Technology which provides students with additional learning and training opportunities for greater success. The students take a Co-operative Education course which provides them with "real" work world experiences. Students also complete Com Tech learning activities linked with their English and Math classes. The SHSM program gives students an extra advantage, indeed!

The Holy Cross students advance to the Eastern Regional Skills Competition on Saturday, April 16th, 2011 at St. Lawrence College. From the regional event, the top three TV / Video production teams advance to the May Provincial Skills Competition in Waterloo.

Electronic Portfolios of Grade 12 Communication Technology Students

Courses in Communications Technology provide students with opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills required to design, use, and manage electronic, live, recorded, and graphic communications systems. They will help students understand the role of communications technology in our economy and its effect on people, society, and the environment. The Grade 12 Communication Technology (TGJ 4O) course at Holy Cross CSS includes group and individual projects focussing on video production, still life photography, animation, graphic design, desktop publishing and web site design.

As their culminating activity, the members of this course created an electronic portfolio. Constructing this electronic portfolio required the students to reflect on their work in this and earlier Communication Technology courses. They then had to decide which of the projects they were most proud of and write a description of how they approached the project and what was their motivation behind their work. Finally, they had to design a web site to attractively display their work for a wide audience.

See the electronic portfolio of each of the students in the 2010/11 Semester One TGJ 4O classes taught by Mr. J. Esford and Mr. P. Murphy.

HC Girls' Only Custom Woodworking Course

Female Woodworking
Deanna Ridgley shows off her custom wood project produced in the HC “Female Only” Custom Woodworking course.

“What could be better than making custom wood projects?” Grade 12 student Allison McLean enthusiastically declares, one of the first female students to complete the new “Female Only” Custom Woodworking course at Holy Cross. Offered in Grades 11 and 12, female students have the advantage to acquire woodworking knowledge and skills in a course comprised of only their female peers.

Younger female students may be put off taking a technology course by the perception of an unwelcoming boys’ club. “The fact that it was all girls, I didn't have to feel lesser than the boys, because they don't think girls should do woodworking,” explains McLean. “The benefits of an all girls class is that we don't feel judged or pressured by boys in the class,” said Grade 11 student Hayley Dykins. A common observation was that there were no “distractions”, “competition”, and “everyone is mature”. Adds Deanna Ridgley, Grade 12 student, “In this class, everyone worked hard!”

The class represents a victory for Construction Technology teacher Mr. Doug Corrigan. The course worked, the gender intimidation factor was removed, the students produced high quality projects, and the girls LOVED IT! Grade 11 student Jennifer Moran reports “The best project was the jam cupboard because I got to design something and then make it, I liked how I could customize the design to the way I wanted to see it.” Female students built a variety of woodworking projects; chairs, benches, jam cupboards, and hutches to name a few. Ridgley proudly shares her “best project was a hutch, it was a surprise, so the look on my parent's faces was priceless!”

The Holy Cross Technological Education Department decided to offer “Girls' Only” courses to; attract female students in a traditionally male dominated area, provide a welcoming and nurturing learning environment for girls, introduce and engage female students to the interesting world of technology, help female students succeed in technology courses, and prepare females for rewarding careers in technology. All-girls classes are rare, however these courses encourage Holy Cross female students to participate in technology and offers hands-on learning opportunities that will lead to success. Moran expressed that “I like to learn new things, develop the skills that I will need in the future, and I liked the girls only aspect!”

Some female students may not go into this field because they’re afraid of being the only girl in a traditionally male dominated technology class. That’s a loss for them and the technology field in general, every province is facing a shortage in the skilled trades field, and there are many exciting employment opportunities in the technology sector. Ridgley indicates she intends to explore a career in construction technology and design. “I do want to pursue woodworking at the post-secondary level,” she said.

Female students have proven in the Custom Woodworking Female Only courses that they can acquire high levels of knowledge and skill. Interested female students are encouraged to contact Mr. Corrigan, view student projects in Room 137, and enroll in TWJ 3EF or TWJ 4EF Custom Woodworking (Female Only) courses. Female Crusaders have proven themselves able to succeed in technology. Of the girls only woodworking experience, McLean reflects, “It was pretty cool!”

Comm Tech Students Win Big!

Holy Cross Technological Education students were big winners in the 4th annual Whig Standard “Design-An-Ad” contest placing in the top three spots in sixteen out of the nineteen categories. Mr. Esford's and Mr. Scarpazza's students produced newspaper advertisements for local businesses and the winning submissions were printed in a special Whig Standard advertising feature on December 17th. Seven-hundred Kingston area students from eighteen schools participated in the contest.

Students researched their assigned business to learn about the products or services they provide, included logos and contact information, and answered the “5 W's”... who, what, where, when and why. Students learned about layout and graphic design, deadlines, marketing, business, advertising, publishing, and the print media industry through this authentic project. Students in Mr. Esford's Grade 11 Communications Technology Class produced their own original photographs in addition to the layout and graphic design of their winning advertisements.

First place winners from Mr. Esford's Class included:

Whig Standard Contest
Daisy Barrett's ad for Edwards Ford was one of the first place winners from Mr. Esford's class in the Whig Standard's "Design-An-Add" Contest.

Second place winners included:

Third place winners included:

Students in Mr. Scarpazza's Grade 11 Technological Design Class included:

Thank you to the participating Kingston businesses for their support of youth learning activities and the Kingston Whig Standard and staff for providing a wonderful opportunity to challenge and showcase student talent!

Holy Cross student Miranda at her Coop placement “The Main Obsession” hair salon.

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

Apprenticeship is a training program of choice for more than 35,000 employers, 120,000 apprentices, and 300,000 active journeypersons in Ontario. (Apprenticeship Training in Ontario: A Guide for Employers and Sponsors. June 2010)

An apprenticeship is a hands-on training program for people who want to work in skilled trades or occupations. About 90% of an apprenticeship involves on-the-job training by employers; the remaining 10% involves theoretical training at a college or with a training provider. In Ontario, there are more than 150 trades in which a person may register as an apprentice. Exciting apprenticeship opportunities are available in a broad range of careers; from a hairstylist, to a baker, to a carpenter.

One popular route to an apprenticeship is the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. Senior students with the help of their OYAP coordinator, register as apprentices while still in secondary school. These students complete a cooperative education placement in a skilled trade. They receive credit for the skills they develop and demonstrate to their employer during the apprenticeship. A successful OYAP placement can lead to paid employment and continuation of an apprenticeship after graduation.

Interested students should speak with their Holy Cross guidance counsellor, Holy Cross cooperative education teacher Mr. Mark Kallevig, ALCDSB OYAP Coordinator Mr. Jim Johnston at (613) 532-3985, or visit the OYAP website at: www.oyap.com

SHSM Students in Action

The Holy Cross SHSM Specialist High Skills Major is a focus program in Communications Technology offered by the Holy Cross Tech Department. The week of November 15th to 20th was a very busy week for SHSM students!

SHSM Camera

Photo by Georgia Katar
SHSM student Jessica Madore was part of the broadcast team that presented the 2010 EOSSA Girls' Basketball Finals on Cogeco.

KASSAA Game of the Week
On Monday, November 15th, SHSM students participated in a training session on the set up, operation, and pack up of TV Cogeco's mobile television production van. Cogeco's $250,000 van was recently upgraded with new $75,000 High Definition cameras. The van also boasts a new professional audio mixer, switcher, graphics and instant replay equipment. On Wednesday, November 17th, the SHSM students video recorded the EOSSAA Senior Girls' Basketball finals hosted at Holy Cross. Two announcers voiced the play-by-play, four video cameras recorded the action, instant replays revealed fouls, and the program was video projected back in the gym live. The next Game of the Week production will be the Memorial Basketball Tournament on December 15th, 2010.

The Game of the Week is an excellent experiential learning opportunity for Holy Cross students to operate professional grade equipment. Thank you to our SHSM community partner TV Cogeco and their staff!

First Aid

Photo by Georgia Katar
Ben Locke "administers" first aid to "casualty" Joseph Cifala as part of the SHSM CPR and First Aid Training.

CPR and First Aid Certification
As part of the rigorous SHSM requirements students must complete six industry recognized certifications to acquire the special red seal graduation diploma. On Friday, November 19th and Saturday, November 20th, SHSM students logged 15 hours participating in a St. John's Ambulance CPR and First Aid course in the small HC gym. Students were trained in a broad range of first aid treatments; from CPR, to a choking victim, to a broken wrist casualty. This certification and all extra SHSM activities are funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education's Student Success initiative.

The SHSM Program
The SHSM program provides students in Grades 11 and 12 with extra experience which provides students with a greater opportunity to succeed at the secondary school, college, university and workforce level. Students who would like to explore a career in animation, audio production, graphic design, journalism, photography, video production, and web site design should enroll in the HC SHSM program. Interested Holy Cross students or students from other area schools are invited to contact lead SHSM teacher Mr. John Esford for more information on how to join this focus program at esford@alcdsb.on.ca

Skilled Trades and Technology Week - November 1st - 7th, 2010

With over 150 trades in Ontario, there is a skilled trade for every interest. By 2018 more than 50% of skilled trades workers are expected to retire. The Holy Cross Technological Education Department encourages Crusaders to consider careers in the skilled trades and technologies through numerous Holy Cross courses and programs.

Take Tech!

Did You Know That Holy Cross Offers...

Enrol in a Holy Cross Technology course... project based, hands-on, broad based, technology driven, employable skills, computer based, fun activities, career destinations!

TAKE TECH!

SHSM Students Got All The Right Moves

SHSM Toronto Trip
HC student Miranda (left) and Holy Cross HCTV grad Amanda Oosterman. Amandaworks on the "So You Think You Can Dance Canada" production team

Twenty-Five Specialist High Skills Major students in Information and Communications Technology participated on a post-secondary school studies and career exploration experience on Wednesday, October 6, 2010. SHSM students visited Loyalist College, Belleville, and toured the Journalism; Online, Print and Broadcast program. Students viewed television studios, computer labs, general campus facilities, and even sat in on a college lecture delivered by professor Rob Washburn on “Social Media”. Students also had the opportunity to chat with recent Holy Cross SHSM grad Sarah Costa who is a first year student at Loyalist.

SHSM students then travelled to Toronto's “Show Line Studios” to be studio audience members in a video tape recording of “So You Think You Can Dance Canada”. Students had the opportunity to witness, first hand, communications technology professionals at work. In addition, SHSM students met with Holy Cross HCTV grad Amanda Oosterman who works on the SYTUCDC production team. The pre-taped group dance segment airs on CTV before the live portion of the show Thursday, October 7th, at 8 p.m.. Watch for crowd shots of familiar Crusader faces! Students completed their exciting day with a delicious dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory.

See a photo gallery of the trip.

The Holy Cross Specialist High Skills Major focus program in Information and Communications Technology is available to Grades 11 and 12 students. Students gain experience in audio production, graphic design, journalism, photography, video production, web site design, and yearbook production. Students participate in some activities free of charge due to generous funding from the Ontario Ministry of Education's Student Success initiative. Grades 10 and 11 students interested in joining this program are invited to talk to Mr. John Esford in Room 218.

SHSM Fall Protection
Claire McLean gets ready to climb safely at the SHSM Fall Protection Seminar at Holy Cross on September 24, 2010.

SHSM “Fall Protection” Certification

Holy Cross Specialist High Skills Major students received “Fall Protection” certification as part of the requirements of the SHSM program in Information and Communications Technology. Twenty students participated in the course which covered basic safety, safety harness, scaffold, and scissors jack training.

Funded by the Ministry of Education, SHSM students acquire six certifications to qualify for the special SHSM red seal on their Ontario Secondary School diploma. The Communications Technology focus program prepares students for future success in college, university or the workforce. The next SHSM event is to tour Loyalist College's (Belleville) Media Production program and then being studio audience members in a video recording of “So You Think You Can Dance Canada” (Toronto) for post-secondary school studies and career exploration.

See a photo gallery of the SHSM students hard at work.

“Acting and Directing for Television and Film” Workshop for SHSM Students

Barry Blake Group
SHSM Students with actor Barry Blake (“The Border”, The President “Fido”) directed an interactive workshop on professional techniques, tricks and tips on acting and directing for the camera.

Holy Cross Communications Technology students enrolled in the SHSM Specialist High Skills Major participated in an “Acting and Directing for Television and Film” workshop. ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian, Television and Radio Artists) member and professional working actor Barry Blake (“The Border”, The President “Fido”) directed an interactive workshop on professional techniques, tricks and tips on acting and directing for the camera. The workshop was offered in conjunction with the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, one of the Holy Cross SHSM community / business partners. In addition, SHSM students participated in the film festival’s “Breaking In: Starting a Career in Film and Media”, a career exploration event featuring representatives from prominent Canadian film and media organizations. The Canadian television and film professionals included: Film Critics, Directors, Television Editors, Network Programmers, Screenwriters, Art Directors, Editors and Radio Producers. This event was hosted at Queen’s University, of which the Queen’s Film and Media Department is a post-secondary school partner with the Holy Cross SHSM program. Our next SHSM event: Com Tech March Break Field Trip 2010 to Hollywood, Los Angeles, California!

Grace Certified
Grace Sylvester in Safety Harness with Scissor Jack.

SHSM Students Get Certified!

As part of the Information and Communications Technology Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program, Holy Cross students recently received training and certification in Ladder Safety, CPR, and First Aid. Students must acquire 6 certifications in industry recognized skills to qualify for the SHSM designation on their diploma. To earn their Ladder Safety Certification the students were instructed on how to safely use ladders, scaffolds, safety harnesses and scissor jacks. Students also received St. John's Ambulance training in CPR and First Aid. Holy Cross is the only school in the Kingston area to be Ministry of Education approved to provide the SHSM in Communications Technology.

Communications Technology Students Win Design Contest

Hunter Award
Jessica Hunter displays her winning McCoy Bus Service and Tours ad. Jessica placed first in the Kingston Whig-Standard’s “Design-An-Ad” Contest.

Students in Mr. Scarpazza’s Grade 10 Communication Technologies class received recognition in the Kingston Whig-Standard’s “Design-An-Ad” Contest. HC Students accepted the challenge to compete and design unique and professional print advertisements with hopes that participating businesses would choose their submissions for publication. Congratulations to the following students for their accomplishments. First place honours went to Jessica Hunter (McCoy Bus Service and Tours) and Silvia Montablano (Kingston Whig Standard), Second place to Emma Murphy (Stradwick Carpet), and third place to Nathaniel Melanson (Edward’s Ford) and Kathleen McGregor (WalMart). Well done Technological Education students!

SHSM Logo Winner!

Grace Sylvester shows off her winning SHSM poster.

Congratulations to Grade 12 Holy Cross SHSM Communications Technology Student Grace Sylvester for having her logo design selected to represent the HC SHSM program. Grace’s design was selected by her SHSM peers and team of teachers from a field of 16 entries. The SHSM (Specialist High Skills Major) in Information and Communications Technology (ICM) is a special Ministry of Education focus program. In addition to their regular Comm Tech classes, students do additional studies in their area of interest. Students complete a bundle of Comm Tech courses, Co-op placement, industry certifications, experiential educational opportunities, and reach ahead opportunities to college, university and the workplace. ICM students study animation, audio production, computers, graphic design, photography, video production, and web page design. Holy Cross is the only secondary school in the greater Kingston area to qualify to offer this specialized program.

"West Side Story - The Other Story" Exibit

This Year’s dramatic production of West Side Story was accompanied by a special art exhibit "West Side Story - The Other Story" in the HC Library.

This exhibition allowed our visual arts and communications technology students to explore one of the play’s central themes of contrast. The audience was asked to vote on their favourite works.

The winners for the works produced by the communication technology students are:

See all of the posters created by the Grade 12 Communication Technology students.

HC This Week Podcasts - "Behind the Scenes of West Side Story"

Grace Sylvester and Sam Hume, members of the HCTV Club, are the newsreaders for the HCTV This Week Podcasts for the week ending November 27, 2009.

Grade 12 Communications Technology students are producing the HC This Week Podcast again for our fifth season! This year's edition of the podcast is an expanded news, sports and information program. Students perform the roles of anchorperson, studio camera operators, audio and lighting technicians, field camera operators, reporters, music composers, graphic designers and editors.

This week's podcast focuses on the many stories behind the HC production of West Side Story along with the accompanying art exhibit "West Side Story - The Other Story".

See the podcast "Behind the Scenes of West Side Story" for the week ending November 27th, 2009.

Com Tech Students on National Television Broadcast

HC Tech students Stephanie (L) and Miranda (R) pose with E Talk host Tanya during the tour of the CTV Globemedia building in Toronto.

On Thursday, November 12th, Grade 12 Communications Technology students, lead by Mr. Esford and Mr. P. Murphy, traveled to Toronto to explore potential post-secondary school studies and career opportunities in the Canadian entertainment industry. Students toured Ryerson University's general campus, buildings, Phys Ed facilities, and residences. Students were treated to a personal tour of Ryerson's Radio-TV Arts facilities, lead by Ryerson staff member and HC Com Tech grad Mr. Dan Greenwood. Students had the opportunity to operate $75,000 cameras and $100,000 audio boards.

The group then traveled to CTV Globemedia building to tour the Much Music, CP24 TV News, Etalk, and Fashion TV facilities. After the tour, the students were audience members in the live national broadcast of "Much On Demand". Students mingled with VJ's Tim and Devon and provided a loud cheering backdrop for the show!

The day wrapped up with a delicious meal at "The Old Spaghetti Factory"! Students reported that the day was:"eye-opening", "exciting", and "they want to live it!"

See a photo gallery of the highlights of the trip.

HCTV "Game Of The Week"

HCTV members Eric and Iza, are the first to anchor the "HCTV Game of the week Half Time show."

Holy Cross Television (HCTV) in partnership with Cogeco Community Television are producing the KASSAA "Game of the Week". Holy Cross Com Tech students will be operating Cogeco's half-million dollar mobile video production van recording home sports events. This activity is a direct dividend from the new Holy Cross SHSM program. Students will operate professional video cameras, audio, graphics, switcher, and instant replay equipment. In addition, students are producing the HCTV Half-time Show, a news, sports & information program. The Halftime show will include student news anchorpersons introducing news reports created by Holy Cross student reporters and camerapersons. The Game of the Week production will start with football games and continue throughout the school year to cover other sports. The program will be cablecast on Cogeco channel 13 following the games.