A Core Competencies “Lunch and Learn” had its first meeting, with 15 staff.  During this session, teachers shared their own experiences and dabbling with core competencies, ranging from IEP development that centres around the core competencies to assessment practices that include reflection around the competencies to whole unit development with the core competencies at the centre.  It was clear through discussion that staff have been working to find ways to make core competencies a focus in the classroom in a variety of ways in an effort to support student learning.

Meanwhile, a student focus group involving ten grade 8, 9 and 10 students met to discuss their experiences with Core Competencies.  Students shared how the focus on life skills beyond curricular content can help them later after graduation.  A lively conversation focussed on how to develop ways to facilitate student self-reflection and how students need more diversity in how they reflect. The group agreed that as a whole school the focus should be on Social Awareness and Responsibility, and discussed ways to develop this focus.