1. Saint Thomas Aquinas Graduation Year 2015 -2016 Parent Information Meeting

2. Agenda  Introduction  Graduation Program  Ministry of Education  The Provincial Scholarships Program  Post-Secondary  Grade 12 Retreat  Graduation Information  Questions and Answers

3. Graduation Program Requirements Required Courses SUBJECT AREAMinimum Credits English 104 Language Arts 114 Language Arts 124 Social Studies 104 Social Studies 11 or BC First Nations Studies 12 or Civics 114 Science 104 Science 11 or 124 Mathematics 104 Mathematics 11 or 124 Physical Education 104 Planning 104 A Fine Arts and/or Applied Skills 10, 11 or 124 Total48 ELECTIVE COURSES Students must earn at least 28 elective credits for Grade 10-12 courses28 Graduation Transitions Students must earn 4 credits by completing GT4 Overall Total80 Of the 80 credits for graduation, at least 16 must be at the Grade 12 level, including a Grade 12 Language Arts course. Others may be required or elective courses 3

4. Graduation Credits External Credits –Musical Instruments, Driver’s Education, Dance, Sports Distributed Learning –Courses taken outside of STA (i.e. online, summer school) Language Challenge Exam –Students who have studied in Canada since grade 9 and have a first language other than English –Exams are written through the Delta School District 4

5. Graduation Transition Plan 1.Components -Students will be working on their GT portfolio throughout the year during HACE weeks -Resume, Goal Setting, Financial Plans, etc… 2. Presentation of GT Portfolios to STA Staff Members - Presentations occur in April 5

6. Required Provincial Graduation Exams Mathematics 10 –Apprenticeship and Workplace Math 10 or Foundations and Pre-Calculus Mathematics 10 –English 10 –Science 10 Social Studies 11 –Social Studies 11 or Civics 11 or First Nations 12 Language Arts 12 –English 12 or –Communications 12 6

7. Ministry of Education: Graduation Program Examinations Scholarship -Will be phased out 2015-2016 school year -5000 -$1250 scholarships available & 20 - $2500 available -Criteria: Must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent BC Resident Final mark of B (73% or higher) English 12/Communications 12 Ranks among the top 5000 Gr. 12 students in BC based on averaged percentage of all 5 provincial exams or top 20 for the $2500 7

8. Ministry of Education: The Provincial Scholarships Program Passport to Education –No longer offered by the Min. of Ed. District/ Authority Scholarships –Outstanding Achievement in Fine Arts, Applied Skills, Physical Activity, International Languages, Community Service, Indigenous Languages & Culture, & Technical and Trades Training www.bced.gov.bc.ca/graduation/ district_authority_scholarships.htm 8

9. Ministry of Education: The Provincial Scholarships Program New Awards - BC Excellence Scholarship - BC Achievement Scholarship - The Pathway to Teacher Education Scholarship - www.bced.gov.bc.ca/awards/ 9

10. Post Secondary Admi ssion Post Secondary Institution (PSI) - Students must authorize the Ministry of Ed. to forward information to BC’s PSI - Students are given the information during their GT classes to register Check websites of specific PS Institutions to determine: –Admission criteria –Admission procedures –Course requirements –Application deadlines –Tuition and Fees 10

11. Post-Secondary Planning www.educationplanner.bc.ca A resource to provide clear, reliable and detailed information about post- secondary programs available in BC. Using Education Planner can help learners make well-informed decisions about their education and career options. 11

12. Post-Secondary Day Monday, October 19 th, 2015 7:00 – 9:00 pm Information Sessions with a variety of PS Institutions including SFU, UVic, UNBC, KPU, TWU, CCC, CapU, Douglas, La ngara etc… 12

13. University Advisor Visits University of B. C. Oct. 27 th at 10:30 am University of Western Ont. Nov. 3 rd at 10:00 am University of Calgary Nov. 9 th at 3:15 pm McGill University Nov. 25 th at 8:45 am University of Alberta Nov. 27 th at 10:30 13

14. Scholarships & Bursaries Begin looking now –Corporate & Associations –Community & Athletics –Post Secondary Institutes –STA ( Internal Awards) Academics as well as School & Community Leadership and Service important criteria STA Website for some links 14

15. Scholarships and Bursaries www.studentawards.com www.scholarshipscanada.com www.academicinvest.com 15

16. Transcripts Required for some PSI and scholarship/award/bursary applications Requests made to Academic Advisor in writing or by e-mail outlining specific criteria and number required Takes 1 week 16

17. Reference Letters Give reference 1-2 weeks Give copy of the criteria Copy of the Biographical Resume –All About Me Forms Be selective –Choose a person who can speak to your gifts and talents 17

18. Academic Advisors Provide academic advising, post secondary exploration and course selection Available to work with students and parents one- on-one for academic planning and support –Available by appointment or e-mail me at: –lparuzzolo@aquinas.orglparuzzolo@aquinas.org 18

19. Grade 12 Retreat 19 May 4 th, 5 th and 6 th, 2016 Camp Stillwood in Chilliwack Mandatory attendance (plan ahead for work & other commitments) STA Alumni involved Great experience for next phase of life after grad

20. GRADUATION 2015 Grad Portraits Yearbook Write-Ups School Sponsored Events Confirmation Sheets Grad Activity Fee Fundraising Initiatives Valedictorian Selection Awards Ranking Dry After Grad 20

21. Graduation Events Graduation Mass –Friday, June 10 th, 2016 –11:00 am in the School’s gym Commencement Ceremonies –Friday, June 10 th, 2016 –7:00 pm at Broadway Church Graduation Dinner & Dance –Saturday, June 25 th, 2016 from 6:30 pm to midnight –Crystal Pavilion Ballroom, Pan Pacific, Canada Place Dry After Grad STA’s Website for Details 21

22. Questions & Answers Thank-you Have a great year Congratulations 22