Rockway Mennonite Collegiate
Encyclopedia
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate (RMC) is a private Mennonite
high school
located in Kitchener, Ontario
. It offers academic programs for grade 7–12 students, various cross-cultural exchanges, as well as numerous arts and athletics programs. Throughout the course of the past few years, it has developed numerous scholarships and awards presented to students graduating from this school.
Despite its name, app. 40% of its 300-student population are typically Mennonite, coming from the modern Canadian Mennonite church
, rather than Old Order Mennonites. Although the school name refers to "Mennonite", Rockway accepts students from all types of religions. It offers renowned religious studies courses that allow students to explore all areas of faith, religion, and belief.
with China, hosting dozens of Chinese students annually, and supporting a number of senior Rockway students who travel to China. There is also an exchange to France and Germany available to students after completing Grade 11. Recently, the Grade 12 class has been offered the chance to go on an exchange to Guatemala. Due to the many exchange programs Rockway offers, there are also many language courses. Rockway is one of the few schools in Waterloo region to offer Mandarin as one of its language courses.
Rockway also attracts students from Germany
, South Korea
, Japan
, Thailand
, Hong Kong
, Taiwan
, Russia
and the United States
, with roughly 15% of its student body coming from outside of Canada. The school arranges host families for them to live with, has an international students club, and offers English as a second language
classes.
The school's music program is highly regarded, participating in many choral festivals and hosting two concerts every year. In 2009, the Senior Choir participated in the Ontario Vocal Festival, held at Galt Collegiate Institute. As a result of their excellent performance, the choir had been invited to the national showcase, MusicFest Canada in May.
Each year, the school's drama department puts on a variety of productions. Every three years, the school puts on a musical (the most recent of which was High School Musical
in 2007).
Once every year, the Visual Arts committee hosts a public art show, featuring pieces submitted by the students who are currently attending the school. The show usually runs for one night only.
Rockway's chess team has also won various international competitions.
"For more than two decades, students from Rockway Mennonite Collegiate have undertaken a food drive in late November and early December as part of the school's Christmas celebrations. Many students purchase food with their own money while others seek support from the community by collecting food from door-to-door...All collected food is donated to the House of Friendship Christmas Hamper Program, a partner with the Waterloo Region Food Bank...Over the past few years, Rockway has averaged over 30,000 food items per year!"
Mennonite
The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after the Frisian Menno Simons , who, through his writings, articulated and thereby formalized the teachings of earlier Swiss founders...
high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located in Kitchener, Ontario
Kitchener, Ontario
The City of Kitchener is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It was the Town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. The city had a population of 204,668 in the Canada 2006 Census...
. It offers academic programs for grade 7–12 students, various cross-cultural exchanges, as well as numerous arts and athletics programs. Throughout the course of the past few years, it has developed numerous scholarships and awards presented to students graduating from this school.
Despite its name, app. 40% of its 300-student population are typically Mennonite, coming from the modern Canadian Mennonite church
Mennonite Church Canada
Mennonite Church Canada is the conference of Mennonites in Canada, with head offices in Winnipeg, Manitoba.The first Mennonites in Canada arrived from Pennsylvania in 1786. The majority of the Mennonites that migrated to Canada over the next 150 years came directly from Europe...
, rather than Old Order Mennonites. Although the school name refers to "Mennonite", Rockway accepts students from all types of religions. It offers renowned religious studies courses that allow students to explore all areas of faith, religion, and belief.
History
The school was created by Swiss Mennonites living in Waterloo, upset with the increasing military influence on wartime schools in Canada. They raised $50,000 and purchased a farmhouse on Doon Road to convert into their first school building.Exchange Program
The school has a strong exchange programStudent Exchange
Student Exchange is a 1987 television film directed by Mollie Miller.-Plot:Carole and Neil, two nerdy teenagers, get only perfect grades but have no social skills. When Carole learns that two foreign exchange students from France and Italy have gone to another school, they grab their chance and...
with China, hosting dozens of Chinese students annually, and supporting a number of senior Rockway students who travel to China. There is also an exchange to France and Germany available to students after completing Grade 11. Recently, the Grade 12 class has been offered the chance to go on an exchange to Guatemala. Due to the many exchange programs Rockway offers, there are also many language courses. Rockway is one of the few schools in Waterloo region to offer Mandarin as one of its language courses.
Rockway also attracts students from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, with roughly 15% of its student body coming from outside of Canada. The school arranges host families for them to live with, has an international students club, and offers English as a second language
English language learning and teaching
English as a second language , English for speakers of other languages and English as a foreign language all refer to the use or study of English by speakers with different native languages. The precise usage, including the different use of the terms ESL and ESOL in different countries, is...
classes.
Arts Program
Rockway is widely known for its Arts Program. The school offers Visual Arts and Music (Theory, History, Instrumental and Choral) to all students in the school. Students in the high school are offered a wider range of Arts courses, which includes Dramatic Arts, and a more extensive Visual Arts and Music program.The school's music program is highly regarded, participating in many choral festivals and hosting two concerts every year. In 2009, the Senior Choir participated in the Ontario Vocal Festival, held at Galt Collegiate Institute. As a result of their excellent performance, the choir had been invited to the national showcase, MusicFest Canada in May.
Each year, the school's drama department puts on a variety of productions. Every three years, the school puts on a musical (the most recent of which was High School Musical
High School Musical
High School Musical is a 2006 American television film, first in the High School Musical film franchise. Upon its release on January 20, 2006, it became the most successful film that Disney Channel Original Movie ever produced, with a television sequel High School Musical 2 released in 2007 and...
in 2007).
Once every year, the Visual Arts committee hosts a public art show, featuring pieces submitted by the students who are currently attending the school. The show usually runs for one night only.
Athletics
Rockway has a variety of sports and competitive teams available to the student population. These include basketball, golf, cross-country, badminton, soccer, chess, wrestling and volleyball. Though the school has a variety of sports, the focus sports are volleyball and basketball (sports with which the school excels). Rockway remains a comptetitive school with many of the larger schools in the region. For example, Rockway had been the District 8 Champions for Senior Girls Volleyball (2009) recently . In the last four years Rockway has medaled four times at "A" OFSAA Basketball. 2005 Silver, 2006 Gold, 2007 Silver, 2008 Bronze. In 2008, the girls senior basketball team won the gold at OFSAA and coach Bernie Burnett became the first coach to receive a gold medal for both the senior girls and boys basketball team.Rockway's chess team has also won various international competitions.
Community service
Rockway has a history of service in the community. One of their largest fundraisers is the Food Drive. In a description taken from the website, they say that:"For more than two decades, students from Rockway Mennonite Collegiate have undertaken a food drive in late November and early December as part of the school's Christmas celebrations. Many students purchase food with their own money while others seek support from the community by collecting food from door-to-door...All collected food is donated to the House of Friendship Christmas Hamper Program, a partner with the Waterloo Region Food Bank...Over the past few years, Rockway has averaged over 30,000 food items per year!"
Notable alumni
- Carl ZehrCarl ZehrCarl Zehr is the mayor of Kitchener, Ontario. He has held the position since 1997, after serving as a city councillor from 1985 to 1994, and is the longest serving mayor in the history of Kitchener. He is a member of the Large Urban Mayors' Caucus of Ontario and served as its chair in 1999...
, Current Mayor of the City of Kitchener - Brad SchlegelBrad SchlegelBradley Wilfred Schlegel is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman.Drafted in 1988 by the Washington Capitals, he also played briefly for the Calgary Flames...
, Former NHL hockey player - Kristin Booth, Gemini AwardGemini AwardThe Gemini Awards are annual television broadcasting industry awards in Canada.First awarded in 1986, the Geminis celebrate the achievements of TV members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Essentially, it presents awards for the best television productions in Canada. Awards are...
and Genie AwardGenie AwardGenie Awards are given out to recognize the best of Canadian cinema by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. From 1949-1979, the awards were named the Canadian Film Awards...
winner - Luke Snider, Former member of Canada men's national volleyball teamCanada men's national volleyball teamThe Canada men's national volleyball team represents the Canada in international volleyball competitions. The team placed third in the Pan American Games in 1979 and 1999.-World Championship:*2010 — 19th place-World Cup:...