Southwood Secondary School
Encyclopedia
Southwood Secondary School is a high school in Cambridge, Ontario
, Canada
, for students in West Galt and North Dumfries.
It became the subject of controversy in 2003 when it was perceived that this was an undersized school and should be closed, as funding was needed to build the Huron Heights Secondary School
elsewhere in the Region. After lengthy protests, differing proposals, and the November 2003 municipal election, the trustees voted to reverse the decision of the previous board and keep Southwood open.
program, which has since moved to GCI. Beginning in the 2006-2007 school year, Southwood will host the region's PAL program.
Southwood's Athletics is also respected, having won several championships at the WCSSAA and CWOSSA levels in the last few years, notably in Volleyball, Basketball, and Cross Country. These teams have also participated at OFSAA. In 2007, the Sr. Boys Basketball Team won the AAA OFSAA championship.
In 2007, a group of students from Southwood were among a group of over 3500 students from across Canada who travelled to Vimy Ridge to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the battle and restoration of the memorial.
Cambridge, Ontario
Cambridge is a city located in Southern Ontario at the confluence of the Grand and Speed rivers in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It is an amalgamation of the City of Galt, the towns of Preston and Hespeler, and the hamlet of Blair.Galt covers the largest portion of...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, for students in West Galt and North Dumfries.
History
Southwood was founded in 1962. Although it has one of the lower student enrollments in the region, that does not seem to affect performance. It has proven itself over the years with its numerous Ontario scholars and high success rates from the literacy test: 6% above the board average and 8% above the provincial average. Southwood's unique role as a high school is explained here in a report from the Region of Waterloo to the school board:Southwood Secondary School’s culture is unique due to its student population being made up of students residing in an urban environment and a significant number of students from a rural environment. It is the only secondary school located in the west side of Galt-Cambridge to serve that community as well as the adjacent Township of North Dumfries.
It became the subject of controversy in 2003 when it was perceived that this was an undersized school and should be closed, as funding was needed to build the Huron Heights Secondary School
Huron Heights Secondary School (Kitchener)
Huron Heights Secondary School is the newest high school in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. It serves the rapidly-growing southwest end of the city, located at the intersection of Strasburg and Huron Road. It opened on September 5, 2006...
elsewhere in the Region. After lengthy protests, differing proposals, and the November 2003 municipal election, the trustees voted to reverse the decision of the previous board and keep Southwood open.
Programs
Southwood is renowned for the calibre of its music and mathematics programs, well respected by universities and residents of the area. Prior to the 2005/2006 school year, Southwood also hosted the area's French ImmersionFrench immersion
French immersion is a form of bilingual education in which a child who does not speak French as his or her first language receives instruction in school in French...
program, which has since moved to GCI. Beginning in the 2006-2007 school year, Southwood will host the region's PAL program.
Southwood's Athletics is also respected, having won several championships at the WCSSAA and CWOSSA levels in the last few years, notably in Volleyball, Basketball, and Cross Country. These teams have also participated at OFSAA. In 2007, the Sr. Boys Basketball Team won the AAA OFSAA championship.
In 2007, a group of students from Southwood were among a group of over 3500 students from across Canada who travelled to Vimy Ridge to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the battle and restoration of the memorial.
Notable alumni
- Yvonne Tousek — Gymnastics (1996 Olympic Games)1996 Summer OlympicsThe 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
- Jody HullJody HullJody Hull is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger who is currently an assistant coach with the Peterborough Petes.-Playing career:...
— retired NHL player - Bryan LittleBryan LittleBryan Matthew Little is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League .-Early life:...
— NHL Player (Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg JetsThe Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
) - Vincent MarconeVincent MarconeVincent Marcone is a Canadian web designer, illustrator, film director, and musician. He forms one third of the Guelph, Ontario based band Johnny Hollow...
— Juno award-winning artist & graphic designer - Patrick Fitzgerald — The Biggest Loser contestant
- J. R. FitzpatrickJ. R. FitzpatrickJohn Ryan Fitzpatrick is a Canadian stock car driver. He is currently the youngest driver to win the CASCAR Super Series championship...
— NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Camping World Truck Series & Nationwide driver, CASCARCASCARThe Canadian Association for Stock Car Auto Racing was the governing body for amateur and professional stock car racing in Canada.-History:It was established in 1981 by President Anthony Novotny...
champion - Doug Consiglio — former Canadian Olympian and World Record holder
- Fred Klinkhammer — Media mogul. Central European Media EnterprisesCentral European Media EnterprisesCentral European Media Enterprises is a Bermuda-based vertically integrated company. Founded by Ronald Lauder, it owns broadcast, content and new media operations in Central and Eastern Europe...