1. Halifax West High School
Class of 2021

2. Secretary……………Cathy Fitzgerald
Counsellors
Leah Ann Cameron: A-F
Tanya Ellsworth: G-M
Lori Welsh: N-Z
Secretary……………Cathy Fitzgerald

3. Guidance Website
HWHS Guidance Website

4. Light the Way for Learning

5. myBlueprint

6. myBlueprint Activities
discover their learning style 
narrow in on areas of interests 
learn more about their unique personality 
set goals 
explore careers
research and compare options after secondary school 

7. WHAT IS A CREDIT? EVERY COURSE TAKEN AT HWHS COUNTS AS ONE CREDIT
Exceptions:
Math 10 – Full year, 2 credits
Science 10A & B – 1 semester, each is .5 credits

8. THE SEMESTERED SYSTEM
TWO SEMESTERS PER YEAR (Sept-Jan, Feb- June). Exams at end of each semester.
FOUR COURSES PER SEMESTER
FIVE 1 HOUR PERIODS PER DAY (except Friday)
8 courses in gr. 10, 7 in gr. 11 and 6 in gr. 12

9. HWHS Timetable (Rotating Fridays)
9:10-
10:10 A B C D
A 9:10-
10:25
10:17-
11:17
B 10:32-11:47
11:24-
12:24
12:24-
1:08
lunch
Lunch
11:47-12:38
1:13-
2:13
C 12:43-1:58
2:20-
3:20
D 2:05-3:20

10. Attendance
Attendance is taken every period, recorded by the end of the day and monitored by the teacher and vice-principals. Automated phone calls are made every day there is an absence or late.
Students can be withdrawn from a course or from the semester because of excessive absences (defined as 20% of the course or more).
Attendance and achievement go hand and hand.

11. Power School : Parent Portal
Timetable/schedule
Attendance
Teacher / contact
Academic Progress
Same as Jr. High Account

13. Exemptions opt out of final exam; based on attendance
Exam can be written and not counted
Up to date in class
some exceptions (math & English), Pre IB
Max 6 absences per class (includes excused absences) & not chronically late

14. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
TOTAL OF 18 CREDITS
3 ENGLISH 10,11, and 12
3 MATH
2 SCIENCES(Sci10, Bio11, Phy 11or Chem 11 + one other)
1 OTHER (Math, Science, Tech)
1 CANADIAN STUDIES (Mkq11, Acs11, Chs11)
1 GLOBAL STUDIES (GGS12, HGS12)
1 FINE ARTS (Art, Music or Drama)
1 PAL or Yoga or Phe
No more than 7 grade 10 credits towards 18 mandatory
Minimum 5 grade 12 credits

16. Math Essentials 10 Basic math skills with a very practical approach
For students struggling significantly with Math 9
One-semester course with no formal exam

17. Math at Work 10 More challenging math concepts, but practical
For students meeting outcomes of Math 9 but who have difficulty with abstract concepts such as algebra
Students will need to keep up with classwork, however there is minimal homework assigned
One-semester course with a Provincial Exam worth 20% of the final grade

18. Math 10 Abstract math concepts; algebraic
For students with a solid understanding of concepts in Math 9, good number sense and algebra skills
NOT a one-semester course that is stretched over the entire year … concepts are studied in depth with a significant amount of classwork and homework
Full-year course with a Provincial Exam worth 20% of the final grade

19. Math 10 Pre-IB Abstract math concepts; highly theoretical
For students who excel in Math 9 with a very strong understanding of abstract concepts
Very rigorous course covering all topics in Math 10 in addition to the more advanced topics necessary for IB math; Students will have approximately minutes of math homework every night.
Full-year course with a Provincial Exam worth 20% of the final grade

20. Math 11 is now offered as a full year (220) hour course
Extended Math 11

21. Can you go to university without academic math?

22. Electives May or may not fulfill requirements
Open level or university prep
Alternates

24. TECHNOLOGY COURSES Exploring Technology 10 Business Technology 11
Communication Technology 11
Electrotechnologies 11
Applied Network Technology 11
Construction 10
Design 11

25. Fine Arts Visual Art 10 Drama 10 Music 10 Band Music 10 Explore
Halifax West Fine Arts and Technology

26. Social Studies
Must take at least one of the following (usually in grade 10 or 11):
Mi’kmaq Studies 11
African Canadian Studies 11
Canadian History 11

27. Science Human Biology 11 Biology 11 Oceans 11 Agriculture /
Agrifood 11(New)
Science 10/Science 10A/B

28. Additional Electives Core French 10 francais 10I Spanish 10
Career Development 10
Foods for Healthy Living/Food and Society10

29. Course Selection Process
Parent Night & Jr High Counsellor Day
Students are given registration sheet.
Descriptions online: HWHS, Guidance, Grade 9 Supplement
Students should consult with their teachers/parents/Junior High Counsellor

30. Selection Process Cont’d
Course Selection forms turned in to Junior High Counsellors by deadline
Course Selection entered in Power School by Halifax West Registrar
Student Orientation at Halifax West

31. Grade 10 Course Selection - English
5 MANDATORY
English 10
Math (Math10, Math at Work 10, Math 10Essentials, Math 10IPP)
Science (Sci 10 or Sci A/B)
Fine Arts 10- Art/Band/Drama /Exploring Music
Physically Active Lifestyles (PAL11) or Yoga 11
Option - Social Studies (History 10,Mi’kmaq11*, African Canadian Studies 11*, Canadian History 11*)
*Meets Canadian History requirement (or Elective)
7. Elective
8. Elective (math elective for Math 10 students)
Plus1 or2 ALTERNATE COURSES (choose these carefully!)

32. Course Changes
Course changes WILL NOT BE MADE AFTER YOUR REGISTRATION SHEET IS SUBMITTED.
If you fail a course first semester, you cannot repeat it in the second semester.
Students are choosing courses for the year and they do not have a choice of the semester in which the course falls.

33. O2 …. A high school program that
Offers students more hands-on learning experiences with a career focus.
Designed to prepare students for successful transitions from high school to work, a career path, or a post-secondary program.

34. Describing the O2 Student …
Someone who requires re-engagement with their
learning and with school
Someone who may need support in achieving
their academic potential
Someone needing direction and support in
developing career/life pathway
Someone who is prepared to commit to a new
approach to their learning.

35. O2 ….
Provides multiple opportunities where students learn in community and workplace settings, link their in-school learning to the workplace, and enhance their employability skills. A cohort with some shared classes

36. … the PROCESS 1. Applications – student and parent 2. Interviews
Students will be accepted with potential for reserved seat at NSCC

37. FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM
MUST COMPLETE 9 FRENCH IMMERSION CREDITS FOR FI CERTIFICATE
DELF – French Language Proficiency Tests (must be registered in Fra 12 or French 12)
MINIMUM OF 2 FI CREDITS PER YEAR INCLUDING FRENCH (FRA). At least 4 FI credits in grade 10 year.
THE FRENCH IMMERSION CERTIFICATE IS NOT A BILINGUAL CERTIFICATE

38. French Immersion Mission Statement
: In a consistent French only environment, students will flourish in the French language in all 4 skill areas: speaking, reading, writing and listening.

39. French Immersion Courses
fra 10I fra 11I fra 12I sci 10I bio 11I bio 12I mdv 11 his 11I hep 12I (HGS) adr 10I *Students leaving French Immersion in Junior High cannot take French 10, only Fra 10I.

40. Grade 10 FI sample Required 1. English 10 2. sciences 10I 3. fra 10I
4. mdv 11I
5. ADR 10I or Bio 11I
6. Math (1 or 2 semesters)
7. Elective (or 2nd half of Math 10)
8. Elective
Suggested
Other of bio 11I or adr 10
Elective
Two alternate courses
Note: FI Students who plan on taking advanced math classes and multiple sciences are encouraged to take 5 french classes. Do a three year plan !!

42. Role of Guidance Counsellors
Social /Emotional Counselling
Mental Health
Mediation
Academic Advising
Career/Vocational Counselling
Post Secondary

43. West Life

44. HWHS Activities Best Buddies Community Involvement Musical
Table Tennis
Weight Room
Chess
Anime
Debating
Dungeons & Dragons
Student Government
Tech Crew
Coffee Houses
Improv Team
Musical
Gender & Sexuality Alliance
Rotary
Math Club
Model Parliament
Multicultural Club
Athletic Teams
Ultimate frisbee
Intramurals
Best Buddies

45. Transition Events HWHS Parent Night: Wed. Nov. 22, 6:30pm
Junior High Counsellor Day: Wed. Nov. 29
Grade 9 Orientation at HWHS: Jan 9th (PW & CP) & Jan 11th (BS & FJHS)

46. The Pre-IB and IB Diploma Programs at Halifax West
The Grade 10 Pre-IB and Grade 11 &12 IB Diploma are different programs
Grade 9 students are only choosing whether or not to enter the grade 10 year Pre-IB program
If there is a chance you might take the IB Diploma program in Grades 11 you need to take the Grade 10 Pre-IB program

47. What is the International Baccalaureate Programme?
A challenging two year program for students in grades 11 and 12
It is very well known at universities in Canada and around the world
Focus on research, writing, critical thinking

48. Grade 9 Supplement
Course Descriptions