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Eyeiessa Darville

About Eyeiessa Darville

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MS7's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Like all H.I.S. student theatre, the MS7 Shakespeare production is a core curriculum experience. With the guidance of former headteacher and Shakespeare director Cate Allen, MS English teacher Joey supported our students in the journey from first reading to the stage. MS7 performed Much Ado at Alderney Landing Theatre on Thursday, December 19. 

Student Theatre = Healthy Risk-Taking

This student theatre production includes all MS7 students, not only those with a passion for theatre. While students hoping for a specific role can audition, each MS7 student is expected to take on at least one role. In addition to in-class prep and rehearsal, the cast spends four days rehearsing in theatre. The professional sound and lighting specialists at Alderney Landing Theatre dependably help our students shine. We believe that this investment in student theatre is appropriate. It complements the effort and engagement that we expect from our students. 

How Sayest Thou?

Our Shakespeare productions are immersive, as students tackle the unfamiliar vocabulary and phrasing of the script, a period dance, and often, a study of Elizabethan society. During the lead-up to this year’s performance, MS7 students prepared and performed a puppet show designed to introduce the Olds (Grades 3 and 4 students) to Much Ado’s storyline. In addition, Students worked on sets and created masquerade masks, with Art teacher Sara. 

Behind the Scenes Support

Throughout preparations, the H.I.S. community – past and present – made a difference! This student theatre production benefitted from   

  • savvy costume acquisitions and the work of volunteer seamstresses who have slowly built our fabulous collection of Elizabethan era-inspired costumes,
  • set pieces built and adapted over years by H.I.S. students and art teachers,
  • musical accompaniment from music teacher Adam Johnson and The MerryWeather Band, and
  • in-theatre photography by parent, Danielle Boudreau

Thank you to teacher Tina for her support throughout the season of rehearsals and preparations. We are grateful for everyone who joined us at the theatre or online, and especially for the cast members of Much Ado 2021 (Class of ‘24), who joined us. It was great to have them cheer on this year’s cast!

If you missed out, catch the recorded version here Much Ado 2024.

Alumni:  Reminisce with us!

Reach out and share memories of your Shakespeare student theatre experience. Please include the year and your role, if you recall it. Alumni Contact Form

Photography by: Danielle Boudreau / Halifax Independent School Parent

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INTEGRATED STUDIES SHOWCASE: I AM... WE ARE...

While continuing to pursue inquiry-based integrated studies, December featured a departure from our typical end-of-term Elementary Knowledge Fair format. Rather than class-specific weekday events, we hosted an evening,  open-house-style, “Identity Showcase”. Students served as hosts/guides, and helped their parents explore the hands-on, minds-on learning that captured our attention as we investigated and celebrated “Identity”. 

Inquiry-Based Learning = Research

From Littles to Elders, our students learned about various components of identity, including brain function, emotions, and learning styles. Research results, models, and self-reflections were centred around topics such as

  • Family & Community
  • Play
  • Food
  • Communication
  • Thinking and Learning
  • Geography

Displaying student work in topic groupings, rather than age-based collections highlighted learning progression, with Middles’ work displayed alongside Elders’ work within a shared topic.

Showcase Contributions from our Junior High Students

Integrated studies look different in our upper grades. In addition to their conventional subject-specific instruction, and collaborations with their book buddies, our senior students contributed through reflections on their own identity, including as learners over their time at H.I.S. They also contributed identity hexagons created individually in French class. These designs highlighted commonalities, which were even more illuninating when the hexagons were connected and displayed as one in our Multi-Purpose Room.

Cameo Appearances from the Much Ado Cast

Throughout the 2-hour event, our MS7 students strolled the halls in their “Much Ado About Nothing” costumes, spreading the word about their upcoming performance at Alderney Landing Theatre.

Celebrating, Singing, and Creating, in Community

Our families connected with one another and allowed our students to take pride in sharing their work.

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Showcase visitors participated in two collaborative art projects, including a stained-glass panel now installed in our front entrance.

The centrepoint of the evening was a whole-school gathering in our gymnasium. Music teacher Nelle taught parents and grandparents the chorus of “We’re Independent”, our school song, and then led us in singing the song, all together, accompanied by a live band. 

Remembering Our Last Expo: “Building Community 2018” 

Our last evening showcase of an integrated studies theme was the “Expo” in February 2018, when we opened the campus expansion. At that time, families, alumni, and capital campaign donors came together to explore the school and view our research and projects centred around “Building Community”. Together, we celebrated the history of the school and the construction that led to our exciting new space. It is hard to believe that was almost 7 years ago! Did you share in that celebration? If so, we would love to hear from you.

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CONGRATULATIONS

This year, our Female/Female Identifying (F/FI) volleyball team welcomed five new players for a roster of 12. Coached by Leigh-Ann and assisted by Sara, the young team showed amazing dedication to learning and refining skills. They had some fantastic games during the regular season, often going point-for-point with higher ranking teams. Of particular note, this season, was the group’s exceptional ability to balance “finding the fire” with maintaining composure during high-pressure matches. Most importantly, the players were regularly commended by spectators for consistently supporting one another on the court. Although they ultimately lost to the first-place ranked team in the playoffs, their performance this season reflected team sport at its best.

Congratulations to all of these athletes

To our current Grade 9 players – you will be missed!

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Cultural Sharing

So Many Possibilities!

Our school community reflects many diverse backgrounds, traditions, and customs. This fall, in keeping with our studies around identity, we created fresh opportunities to hear more about one another’s stories and lived experiences. On two mornings in November, we hosted 19 cultural-sharing spaces, where parents, grandparents, and other community connections offered their stories and experiences with multi-age groups of students, from Littles to grade 9.

Topics were as Diverse as our Community

We learned about 

  • the Scottish traditions of Highland Dancing and the Highland Games
  • growing up in places such as Newfoundland, Baffin Island, Brazil, and Morocco
  • Filipino and German Christmas Traditions
  • the Indian festival of Diwali
  • Tibetan yoga
  • culture, language and food from countries such as Colombia, The Bahamas, China, and Ireland
  • education around the world; and
  • family experiences of travel, immigration, and neurodiversity.

We learned about the oldest rainforest in the world, Junkanoo, and mummering, and we sampled coconut treats, granadilla, and scrunchions and toutons.

Thank you to our guest speakers!

These sessions and activities were rich learning experiences for our students and staff, and we are grateful to all who shared their stories  and their time with us.

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Barbel (parent) shared about German Christmas traditions, and showed us how to make a homemade lantern.

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May (parent), shared with us about growing up on Baffin Island, Nunavut. She brought in a polar bear skull to show us!

A similar initiative, more than 20 years ago, inspired these valuable learning sessions. While in our former building on South Street, we hosted a series of Multicultural Fridays. Parents and community members shared with mixed-age groups of students. The focus at the time was on Geography, and folks shared about growing up in countries such as Albania, France, Japan, and Scotland.

If you were part of those sessions, as a student or a presenter, we’d love to hear any memories you have!

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Whit-tia shared about the Bahamas. We learned about Junkanoo and sampled traditional coconut tarts!

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Maria (parent) shared about Filipino Christmas traditions, like the parol (lantern/star).

We're Independent

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WE'RE INDEPENDENT

In the spring of 2024, we collaborated with local songwriter Meaghan Smith to create a school song, “We’re Independent!”. This effort brought together ideas from every grade, from Littles to grade 9, and reflects our values of creativity, individuality, and togetherness, blending heartfelt lyrics that captures the essence of what it means to be part of Halifax Independent. 

Song Credits
Written by: Halifax Independent MS students, Meaghan Smith, Jason Mingo, Nelle Callanan
Music by: Jason Mingo, Meaghan Smith
Vocals by: Halifax Independent Littles – MS9
Produced by: Jason Mingo

Recorded at Halifax Independent School, Mingo Productions

Download & Listen Today!

Apple Music
Amazon Music
Spotify
Youtube Music
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Terry Fox Run 2024

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NO MATTER WHAT

With determination and compassion, our students laced up their sneakers and ran, knowing their efforts were making a difference. Together, our students and their generous sponsors raised $1,145 to support cancer research! The energy and enthusiasm on run day were inspiring, as students cheered each other on and embraced the enduring spirit of Terry Fox’s “Marathon of Hope”.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our volunteers and to everyone who donated in support of this such a meaningful cause. 

Continue to support the cause and donate to the Terry Fox Foundation!

MS7-9 Hosts Field Days

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STUDENT LEADER | MULTI-AGE FUN

Our MS7-9 students recently took the lead in organizing two successful and fun-filled field days for the elementary students.

From planning age-appropriate activities to guiding younger students through each event, our MS student leaders modelled preparedness, leadership, and kindness.

Together, they delivered two afternoons of excitement, teamwork, and smiles all around.  It was a wonderful opportunity for the older students to demonstrate responsibility, and they truly rose to the occasion. 

Thank you, Middle Schoolers!

Olds & Elders Cross-Country Meet

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3rd-PLACE FINISH OVERALL

Our students showcased their athletic spirit at the Maritime Independent League (MIL) Cross-Country Meet, competing against local independent schools. Our entire upper elementary group took on the course, resulting in an afternoon of camaraderie, personal bests, and plenty of school pride. We are proud of their accomplishments and the strong sportsmanship they demonstrated throughout the meet.

We’re thankful for the support of the teachers and families who cheered them on every step of the way!

#GoStorm