Two Holy Cross students graduate with ‘red seal diplomas’
June 29, 2010
Two students will graduate from Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School June 29 with special Red Seal Diplomas prepared specifically for them from the Ontario Ministry of Education.
Submitted photo ---- Eric Hurt, sitting in George Stroumboulopolous's chair on the set of The Hour, and Grace Sylvester have graduated with communications technology diplomas.
Two students will graduate from Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School June 29 with special Red Seal Diplomas prepared specifically for them from the Ontario Ministry of Education.
Grace Sylvester and Eric Hurt have completed a customized program with a number of rigorous requirements within Holy Cross' certified Information and Communications Technology Specialist High Skills Major program.
In order to qualify for this diploma, students are required to complete a series of certifications, courses in Communications Technology, and a minimum of 220 hours of experiential learning in a workplace environment supervised by a professional, explains teacher John Esford.
"They must also participate in Reach Ahead experiences with post-secondary schools, participating in tours, workshops, and skills competitions. SHSM students also complete additional units of study related to their field while meeting all other standard diploma requirements set out by the Ministry of Education," he notes.
Holy Cross Information and Communications Technology students study animation, audio production, computers, graphic design, photography, video production, and web site design. Students produce a variety of authentic media production projects, for example; the Cogeco KASSAA "Game of the Week" operating a mobile television production van recording school sports events which Cogeco airs to the Kingston community.
A hallmark of the Holy Cross SHSM is the opportunity to travel and witness first hand media production careers in major markets. Students travel to Hollywood (2008, 2010), New York City (2009, 2011) and Toronto (each semester) and are live studio audience members in numerous productions: Jeopardy, The Hour, Much on Demand, and So You Think You Can Dance Canada, to name a few.
The program is dependent on generous support from community business and post-secondary schools. Some Holy Cross SHSM business partners include; Cogeco Television, CHUM radio, DigiGraphics, and Kingston This Week newspaper. Post-secondary partners include; Queen's University, Ryerson University, St. Lawrence College, Humber College, and Loyalist College.
Both students hold certifications licenses in Standard First Aid, CPR, Health and Safety Regulations, Fall Protection and WHMIS.
"The graduates speak highly of the SHSM training and feel confident that they are well prepared for their destinations of further studies and future careers in the media production industry," says Esford.
The Information and Communications Technology Specialist High Skills Major program started this past school year and is an initiative from the Ontario Ministry of Education Student Success program. Holy Cross is the only secondary school in the Greater Kingston area qualified to offer this program which required an intensive application process and annual evaluation and application.
Twenty five students are registered in the Holy Cross SHSM program for the 2010-2011 school year.
Two students will graduate from Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School June 29 with special Red Seal Diplomas prepared specifically for them from the Ontario Ministry of Education.
Grace Sylvester and Eric Hurt have completed a customized program with a number of rigorous requirements within Holy Cross' certified Information and Communications Technology Specialist High Skills Major program.
In order to qualify for this diploma, students are required to complete a series of certifications, courses in Communications Technology, and a minimum of 220 hours of experiential learning in a workplace environment supervised by a professional, explains teacher John Esford.
"They must also participate in Reach Ahead experiences with post-secondary schools, participating in tours, workshops, and skills competitions. SHSM students also complete additional units of study related to their field while meeting all other standard diploma requirements set out by the Ministry of Education," he notes.
Holy Cross Information and Communications Technology students study animation, audio production, computers, graphic design, photography, video production, and web site design. Students produce a variety of authentic media production projects, for example; the Cogeco KASSAA "Game of the Week" operating a mobile television production van recording school sports events which Cogeco airs to the Kingston community.
A hallmark of the Holy Cross SHSM is the opportunity to travel and witness first hand media production careers in major markets. Students travel to Hollywood (2008, 2010), New York City (2009, 2011) and Toronto (each semester) and are live studio audience members in numerous productions: Jeopardy, The Hour, Much on Demand, and So You Think You Can Dance Canada, to name a few.
The program is dependent on generous support from community business and post-secondary schools. Some Holy Cross SHSM business partners include; Cogeco Television, CHUM radio, DigiGraphics, and Kingston This Week newspaper. Post-secondary partners include; Queen's University, Ryerson University, St. Lawrence College, Humber College, and Loyalist College.
Both students hold certifications licenses in Standard First Aid, CPR, Health and Safety Regulations, Fall Protection and WHMIS.
"The graduates speak highly of the SHSM training and feel confident that they are well prepared for their destinations of further studies and future careers in the media production industry," says Esford.
The Information and Communications Technology Specialist High Skills Major program started this past school year and is an initiative from the Ontario Ministry of Education Student Success program. Holy Cross is the only secondary school in the Greater Kingston area qualified to offer this program which required an intensive application process and annual evaluation and application.
Twenty five students are registered in the Holy Cross SHSM program for the 2010-2011 school year.
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