West Hill Collegiate Institute
Encyclopedia
West Hill Collegiate Institute (West Hill) is a public high school in Toronto
, located in eastern Scarborough
. The school was opened in 1955 and named after the community of West Hill, Toronto
in which the school is located, and recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2005. The school's motto is Surgo in Lucem which translates to I rise into the light.
) created several new schools during the mid to late-1950s and among them was West Hill. Construction for West Hill C.I began in 1954. Staff was in place in May 1954, and on September 6, 1955, West Hill Colligate Institute made its debut; classes were in progress encompassing the very first students of the WHCI family. Initially, there were 25 staff members and 376 students.
The school population increased at about 200 students each year after its initial opening. In 1977, the student population at WHCI reached its peak of 2131 students, taught by over 100 teachers. Over the years, the student body population decreased to about 1200 - 1400 students which is roughly the current amount of WHCI students.
and Centennial College. Although YMCA began with only 27 rooms, the school underwent a huge renovation during the 1970s to create an additional 50 classrooms, four gymnasiums, a library (named after West Hill's first principal, H.A.C. Farrow), two studios for the Drama Department, workshop
rooms, and a quad
for biological
and botanical
studies. The area's revival took over a decade, and won several environmental awards. In addition, it serves as working grounds for visual arts students. The school also holds a swimming pool
in its southwest wing, which is open not only to staff and students, but also to the community.
, threatened to cancel a scholarship he had previously awarded to the school's top student in math and science. His actions were criticised by Frances Lankin
in the provincial parliament.
The CUPE
Local 4400 strike of 2001 which lasted nearly a month, left the staff and administration of West Hill with their hands tied as they were amongst the many schools in the Toronto District School Board
which were affected. CUPE
manages the custodial and secretarial positions within the schools, and their walk off the job left West Hill in a chaotic mess. West Hill also served as a target location for mass pickets where several of the building's bay windows were smashed.
As of 2005, the Toronto District School Board
deemed West Hill a suitable candidate for its "Facility Renewal Project", posting a sign upon the school's fence indicating it was in need of critical changes to the building. The absence of centralized air conditioning within the school causes poor ventilation and extra moisture in the school's air, and further air quality problems, and additionally accelerates growth in the mold during the warmer months. Pipe leaking has also been a major cause in the building's deterioration as a massive break in the second level pipe system left one Geography classroom completely flooded in 2004. Currently, the Ontario Ministry of Education also acknowledges that the school is in need of funding for additional equipment for its weight room, to promote physical activity within the school.
in order to increase the school's security. West Hill's security cameras are monitored by the school administration in attempt to ensure the safety of the staff and students, and to minimize school issues involving assaults, drug use, and theft. The school's policy and dress code also forbids students to wear bandanas onto school property to prevent gang affiliation.
On September 18, 2006, an anonymous phone call to the Toronto Police Department threatened that there was to be "another Columbine attack
" to occur at 11am, targeting several secondary schools in the Scarborough
East region, naming West Hill Collegiate as a school in potential danger. This forced all targeted schools into a complete lockdown with police surveillance for several hours. Higher security precautions were in effect, in light of the Dawson College shooting
s that had only occurred five days earlier. However, nothing had occurred after this threat, deeming it to be only a hoax
.
and those with learning disabilities and special needs.
West Hill CI offers opportunities for students to engage in extra-curricular activities, both academic, and athletic to allow students to try new activities, socialize, and become more all-rounded individuals.
, football
, volleyball
, softball
, lacrosse
, wrestling
, swimming
, soccer, badminton
, hockey
, rugby union
, cricket
and track and field
. On February 7, 2002, Denham Brown
, a former West Hill student, scored 111 points representing West Hill C.I in a Basketball game against R.H. King Academy, setting a high record for a Canadian high school student. West Hill sports teams have often made it to OFSAA competitions. In 2006, the OFSAA Basketball Silver Medalists consisting of WHCI students, were a part of the first Metro Hoops Showcase basketball tournament at the Air Canada Centre
. The physical education department has a student-run council known as WHAC (West Hill Athletic Council), which organizes school spirit assemblies and Athletic Banquet. WHAC coordinates intramural sport teams for a variety of sports such as indoor soccer, dodgeball and basketball.
which has competed in several Kiwanis
music competitions since the 1980s and have ranked first several times. The concert band also performed internationally in Germany during the late 1980s. It also includes a stage band
and several vocal choirs. There is an additional repertoire class for an advanced instrumental music program that is held weekly on Mondays after school. Together, the Music Department traditionally features two annual concerts every year: one in winter for the holidays and one in the spring called, "Music in May". It has also organized several musicals in the past including the 2000 performance of, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
," in which both staff and students were involved in its cast and production. West Hill also encourages dance
, offering a dance course. The school's Step Team
once made an appearance on Breakfast Television
in 2003. The group is now called, "PhaseOne".
. Students are elected for SAC positions every June and decisions are made by the student body. President, Vice President, Treasurer, Public Relations, Social Convenor and Administration Assistant are some of the SAC positions at WHCI. The Prefects consists of students in grade 10 to 12 who are selected by teachers at the end of every school year. Prefects volunteer at events during the school year and occasionally organize their own events. The Peer Relationships Team, consisting of senior students, go to various grade 9 classes to help ease new students into high school life and to teach them how to establish positive relationships with their peers. Student philanthropists participate in an organization called Brick by Brick which raises money for building schools and improving education systems in Africa
. It has on several occasions collaborated with the school's local McDonald's
for fundraising events. The West Hill Action Team (WHAT), is composed of student activists who address some of the school's current issues that are of importance to the students. The most famous (and the best) SAC President was of course the almighty Alexander Sewrattan.
Student Association and the Fellowship
of Christian
Students, as well as other cultural clubs, such as the Desi Dance Crew which performs in most of the school's multicultural assemblies. In 2005, a Multicultural Committee was created to promote the large presence of ethnic minorities
within the school. It is further divided into individual clubs, such as the West Indian Club, Asian
Association and Desi
Club, where students participate in Food Fiestas and a Multicultural Night. This night is community-wide and featured not only West Hill's students but also talents from surrounding elementary school
s. Additionally, West Hill has an Afro-Caribbean Society which promotes Black History Month
in February and educates the school on related topics during morning announcements.
's Science Olympics every year. Most recently, they won the Paper Triathlon and placed third in Twist and Turn, a protein building exercise. The Robotics Club, SWATT (Scarborough Warriors at the Top) Team #1088, competed in the 2003 FIRST Robotics Competition
. As rookies, they won three awards: first place in the Canadian Regional Championships, Engineering Design and the Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers Entrepreneurship Awards. The team travelled to Houston, Texas
that year to compete internationally; the following year, they went to Atlanta, Georgia
. This club is currently inactive. West Hill has also been involved in DECA
competitions promoting education in business and management. The school additionally has a newspaper entitled, "Hilltop Reflections," and is published three times a year, coinciding with the end of every term.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, located in eastern Scarborough
Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
. The school was opened in 1955 and named after the community of West Hill, Toronto
West Hill, Toronto
-Location and principal features:It is located in the eastern end of the city, in the former city of Scarborough. Scarborough was merged with five other municipalities and a regional government to form the new "City of Toronto" in 1998...
in which the school is located, and recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2005. The school's motto is Surgo in Lucem which translates to I rise into the light.
History of West Hill C.I
In response to high population growth, the Scarborough Board of Education (now amalgamated with the Toronto District School BoardToronto District School Board
Toronto District School Board, also known by the acronym TDSB, is the English-language public school board for Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
) created several new schools during the mid to late-1950s and among them was West Hill. Construction for West Hill C.I began in 1954. Staff was in place in May 1954, and on September 6, 1955, West Hill Colligate Institute made its debut; classes were in progress encompassing the very first students of the WHCI family. Initially, there were 25 staff members and 376 students.
The school population increased at about 200 students each year after its initial opening. In 1977, the student population at WHCI reached its peak of 2131 students, taught by over 100 teachers. Over the years, the student body population decreased to about 1200 - 1400 students which is roughly the current amount of WHCI students.
Campus
West Hill is located near the intersection of Morningside Avenue and Ellesmere Road. Houses are to the west and Highland Creek to the north and east. It is next to Morningside Park, and close to the University of Toronto ScarboroughUniversity of Toronto Scarborough
The University of Toronto Scarborough is a satellite campus of the University of Toronto. Based in the Scarborough district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the campus is set upon suburban parkland in the residential neighbourhood of Highland Creek...
and Centennial College. Although YMCA began with only 27 rooms, the school underwent a huge renovation during the 1970s to create an additional 50 classrooms, four gymnasiums, a library (named after West Hill's first principal, H.A.C. Farrow), two studios for the Drama Department, workshop
Workshop
A workshop is a room or building which provides both the area and tools that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods...
rooms, and a quad
Quadrangle (architecture)
In architecture, a quadrangle is a space or courtyard, usually rectangular in plan, the sides of which are entirely or mainly occupied by parts of a large building. The word is probably most closely associated with college or university campus architecture, but quadrangles may be found in other...
for biological
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
and botanical
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
studies. The area's revival took over a decade, and won several environmental awards. In addition, it serves as working grounds for visual arts students. The school also holds a swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
in its southwest wing, which is open not only to staff and students, but also to the community.
Budget Cuts, Strikes, & Additional Changes
The school was the focus of a minor controversy in 1998, when it erected a sign and sent letters to parents, indicating that the budget cuts to education made by the provincial government would result in teachers having less time to organise clubs or coach sports teams. The MPP for the area, Steve GilchristSteve Gilchrist
Steve Gilchrist is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1995 to 2003, and served as a cabinet minister in the government of Mike Harris....
, threatened to cancel a scholarship he had previously awarded to the school's top student in math and science. His actions were criticised by Frances Lankin
Frances Lankin
Frances Lankin, PC is a former president and CEO of United Way Toronto, and a former Ontario MPP and cabinet minister. On November 30, 2010, Frances Lankin was appointed by the province to co-chair, along with Dr. Munir Sheikh, a comprehensive review of social assistance in Ontario...
in the provincial parliament.
The CUPE
Canadian Union of Public Employees
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is a Canadian trade union serving the public sector - although it has in recent years organized workplaces in the non-profit and para-public sector as well...
Local 4400 strike of 2001 which lasted nearly a month, left the staff and administration of West Hill with their hands tied as they were amongst the many schools in the Toronto District School Board
Toronto District School Board
Toronto District School Board, also known by the acronym TDSB, is the English-language public school board for Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
which were affected. CUPE
Canadian Union of Public Employees
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is a Canadian trade union serving the public sector - although it has in recent years organized workplaces in the non-profit and para-public sector as well...
manages the custodial and secretarial positions within the schools, and their walk off the job left West Hill in a chaotic mess. West Hill also served as a target location for mass pickets where several of the building's bay windows were smashed.
As of 2005, the Toronto District School Board
Toronto District School Board
Toronto District School Board, also known by the acronym TDSB, is the English-language public school board for Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
deemed West Hill a suitable candidate for its "Facility Renewal Project", posting a sign upon the school's fence indicating it was in need of critical changes to the building. The absence of centralized air conditioning within the school causes poor ventilation and extra moisture in the school's air, and further air quality problems, and additionally accelerates growth in the mold during the warmer months. Pipe leaking has also been a major cause in the building's deterioration as a massive break in the second level pipe system left one Geography classroom completely flooded in 2004. Currently, the Ontario Ministry of Education also acknowledges that the school is in need of funding for additional equipment for its weight room, to promote physical activity within the school.
Social issues
Acts of student violence has been an on-going issue at West Hill, where several cases reportedly caused hospitalization with severe wounds. In 2004, the school added and upgraded all of its surveillance cameras to high definitionHigh-definition video
High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
in order to increase the school's security. West Hill's security cameras are monitored by the school administration in attempt to ensure the safety of the staff and students, and to minimize school issues involving assaults, drug use, and theft. The school's policy and dress code also forbids students to wear bandanas onto school property to prevent gang affiliation.
On September 18, 2006, an anonymous phone call to the Toronto Police Department threatened that there was to be "another Columbine attack
Columbine High School massacre
The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine, an unincorporated area of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton. Two senior students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12...
" to occur at 11am, targeting several secondary schools in the Scarborough
Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
East region, naming West Hill Collegiate as a school in potential danger. This forced all targeted schools into a complete lockdown with police surveillance for several hours. Higher security precautions were in effect, in light of the Dawson College shooting
Dawson College shooting
The Dawson College shooting occurred on September 13, 2006 at Dawson College, a CEGEP in Westmount near downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The perpetrator, Kimveer Gill, began shooting outside the de Maisonneuve Boulevard entrance to the school, and moved towards the atrium by the cafeteria on the...
s that had only occurred five days earlier. However, nothing had occurred after this threat, deeming it to be only a hoax
Hoax
A hoax is a deliberately fabricated falsehood made to masquerade as truth. It is distinguishable from errors in observation or judgment, or rumors, urban legends, pseudosciences or April Fools' Day events that are passed along in good faith by believers or as jokes.-Definition:The British...
.
Status
The school's student success rate in province-wide EQAO tests consistently range at 72-74% since 2002-2006, and the school continues to offer the necessary programs to allow a wide range of learning opportunities for all students, encouraging students to purse their academic interests. The school also includes programs for ESLESL
ESL is a common abbreviation for English as a Second Language, see English language learning and teaching.ESL may also refer to:-Companies:...
and those with learning disabilities and special needs.
West Hill CI offers opportunities for students to engage in extra-curricular activities, both academic, and athletic to allow students to try new activities, socialize, and become more all-rounded individuals.
Athletics
West Hill offers many opportunities for athletic involvement and promotes physical activity and the maintenance of good health and a balanced lifestyle. There is a wide selection of offered sports such as basketballBasketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
, softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
, lacrosse
Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin played using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick, mainly played in the United States and Canada. It is a contact sport which requires padding. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh...
, wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
, swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
, soccer, badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
, hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
, rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
and track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
. On February 7, 2002, Denham Brown
Denham Brown
Denham W. Brown is a Canadian professional basketball player who currently plays for the Ciclista Olímpico in the Liga Nacional de Basquet.- High school :...
, a former West Hill student, scored 111 points representing West Hill C.I in a Basketball game against R.H. King Academy, setting a high record for a Canadian high school student. West Hill sports teams have often made it to OFSAA competitions. In 2006, the OFSAA Basketball Silver Medalists consisting of WHCI students, were a part of the first Metro Hoops Showcase basketball tournament at the Air Canada Centre
Air Canada Centre
The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar ....
. The physical education department has a student-run council known as WHAC (West Hill Athletic Council), which organizes school spirit assemblies and Athletic Banquet. WHAC coordinates intramural sport teams for a variety of sports such as indoor soccer, dodgeball and basketball.
Arts
West Hill's Visual Arts Department runs an Art Club that meets weekly. The Drama Department participates in the Ontario Sears Drama Festival, and every winter, they perform a play. West Hill also has a concert bandConcert band
A concert band, also called wind band, symphonic band, symphonic winds, wind orchestra, wind symphony, wind ensemble, or symphonic wind ensemble, is a performing ensemble consisting of several members of the woodwind instrument family, brass instrument family, and percussion instrument family.A...
which has competed in several Kiwanis
Kiwanis
Kiwanis International is an international, coeducational service club founded in 1915. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Current membership is 240,000 members in 7,700 clubs in 80 nations...
music competitions since the 1980s and have ranked first several times. The concert band also performed internationally in Germany during the late 1980s. It also includes a stage band
Jazz band
A jazz band is a musical ensemble that plays jazz music. Jazz bands usually consist of a rhythm section and a horn section, in the early days often trumpet, trombone, and clarinet with rhythm section of piano, banjo, bass or tuba, and drums.-Eras:SwingDuring the swing era in the mid-twentieth...
and several vocal choirs. There is an additional repertoire class for an advanced instrumental music program that is held weekly on Mondays after school. Together, the Music Department traditionally features two annual concerts every year: one in winter for the holidays and one in the spring called, "Music in May". It has also organized several musicals in the past including the 2000 performance of, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart....
," in which both staff and students were involved in its cast and production. West Hill also encourages dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
, offering a dance course. The school's Step Team
Stepping (African-American)
Stepping or step-dancing is a form of percussive dance in which the participant's entire body is used as an instrument to produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps...
once made an appearance on Breakfast Television
Breakfast Television
Breakfast Television is a Canadian morning news and entertainment program which airs on the Citytv stations . Each station produces its own local edition of Breakfast Television....
in 2003. The group is now called, "PhaseOne".
Leadership
The Student Activity Council (SAC) plans and executes events and activities for the student body in hopes of making each school year fun, educational, and memorable. Some annually planned SAC events include Grade 9 Orientation Day, Semi-Formal and FormalProm
In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal dance, or gathering of high school students. It is typically held near the end of the senior year. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students...
. Students are elected for SAC positions every June and decisions are made by the student body. President, Vice President, Treasurer, Public Relations, Social Convenor and Administration Assistant are some of the SAC positions at WHCI. The Prefects consists of students in grade 10 to 12 who are selected by teachers at the end of every school year. Prefects volunteer at events during the school year and occasionally organize their own events. The Peer Relationships Team, consisting of senior students, go to various grade 9 classes to help ease new students into high school life and to teach them how to establish positive relationships with their peers. Student philanthropists participate in an organization called Brick by Brick which raises money for building schools and improving education systems in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. It has on several occasions collaborated with the school's local McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
for fundraising events. The West Hill Action Team (WHAT), is composed of student activists who address some of the school's current issues that are of importance to the students. The most famous (and the best) SAC President was of course the almighty Alexander Sewrattan.
Culture
As a multicultural school, West Hill has various organizations to reflect this, such as the MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
Student Association and the Fellowship
Communion (Christian)
The term communion is derived from Latin communio . The corresponding term in Greek is κοινωνία, which is often translated as "fellowship". In Christianity, the basic meaning of the term communion is an especially close relationship of Christians, as individuals or as a Church, with God and with...
of Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
Students, as well as other cultural clubs, such as the Desi Dance Crew which performs in most of the school's multicultural assemblies. In 2005, a Multicultural Committee was created to promote the large presence of ethnic minorities
Minority group
A minority is a sociological group within a demographic. The demographic could be based on many factors from ethnicity, gender, wealth, power, etc. The term extends to numerous situations, and civilizations within history, despite the misnomer of minorities associated with a numerical statistic...
within the school. It is further divided into individual clubs, such as the West Indian Club, Asian
East Asia
East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
Association and Desi
Desi
Desi or Deshi refers to the people, cultures, and products of the Indian subcontinent and, increasingly, to the people, cultures, and products of their diaspora. Desi countries include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh...
Club, where students participate in Food Fiestas and a Multicultural Night. This night is community-wide and featured not only West Hill's students but also talents from surrounding elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
s. Additionally, West Hill has an Afro-Caribbean Society which promotes Black History Month
Black History Month
Black History Month is an observance of the history of the African diaspora in a number of countries outside of Africa. Since 1976, it is observed annually in the United States and Canada in February, while in the United Kingdom it is observed in October...
in February and educates the school on related topics during morning announcements.
Academics
The West Hill Physics Club goes to McMaster UniversityMcMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
's Science Olympics every year. Most recently, they won the Paper Triathlon and placed third in Twist and Turn, a protein building exercise. The Robotics Club, SWATT (Scarborough Warriors at the Top) Team #1088, competed in the 2003 FIRST Robotics Competition
FIRST Robotics Competition
The FIRST Robotics Competition is an international high school robotics competition organized by FIRST. Each year, teams of high school students compete to build robots weighing up to , not including battery and bumpers, that can complete a task, which changes every year...
. As rookies, they won three awards: first place in the Canadian Regional Championships, Engineering Design and the Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers Entrepreneurship Awards. The team travelled to Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
that year to compete internationally; the following year, they went to Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. This club is currently inactive. West Hill has also been involved in DECA
DECA (organization)
DECA, also known as Collegiate DECA on the college level) is an international association of students and teachers of marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality, and marketing sales and service . DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing,...
competitions promoting education in business and management. The school additionally has a newspaper entitled, "Hilltop Reflections," and is published three times a year, coinciding with the end of every term.
Notable alumni and former students
- The WeekndThe WeekndAbel Tesfaye , better known by his stage name The Weeknd is an Ethiopian Canadian singer. Songs recorded under The Weeknd name first leaked in late 2010, though the identity of the individual behind the project was initially unknown.The Weeknd released a nine-song mixtape, House of Balloons, on...
- Musician. - Denham BrownDenham BrownDenham W. Brown is a Canadian professional basketball player who currently plays for the Ciclista Olímpico in the Liga Nacional de Basquet.- High school :...
- Former UConnConnecticut Huskies men's basketballThe Connecticut Huskies is the name of the men's college basketball team representing the University of Connecticut, in Storrs, Connecticut, USA. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference...
Basketball Player, Drafted to NBA by the Seattle SuperSonicsSeattle SuperSonicsThe Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
. - Rowan BarrettRowan BarrettRowan Barrett is a retired Canadian basketball player.Barrett played in high school for West Hill Collegiate Institute and collegiately for St...
- Former St. John's UniversitySt. John's University (New York City)St. John's University is a private, Roman Catholic, coeducational university located in New York City, United States. Founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1870, the school was originally located in the borough of Brooklyn in the neighborhood of Bedford–Stuyvesant...
Basketball Player & member of Canada national basketball team. - Delroy ClarkeDelroy ClarkeDelroy Clarke is a Canadian football cornerback for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2008 CFL Draft by the Argonauts...
- Football player for the Toronto ArgonautsToronto ArgonautsThe Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
of the Canadian Football LeagueCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. - Denise DonlonDenise DonlonDenise Anne Donlon, CM is a Canadian executive, television producer, television host, and programme director.Born in Toronto, Ontario, she joined MuchMusic in 1985 as a host and producer...
- Former Sony Music Canada president. - Norm FosterNorm Foster (playwright)Norm Foster is a Canadian playwright, considered to be Canada's most produced playwright. Foster discovered his talents as a playwright in Fredericton, New Brunswick, while he was working as host of a popular morning radio show. He accompanied a friend to an audition, and landed his first acting...
- Playwright. - Bronwen HughesBronwen HughesBronwen Hughes is a Canadian film director. She was born in Toronto.-Filmography:* The Journey is the Destination * Fairly Legal 2011 * Tangled 2010* Cutthroat 2010* White Collar 2009...
- Canadian film director. - Al SecordAl SecordAlan William Secord is a retired professional ice hockey left wing who played in the National Hockey League for twelve seasons from 1978–79 until 1989–90.-Playing career:...
- Former NHL hockey player. - Jevohn ShepherdJevohn ShepherdJevohn Shepherd is a Canadian professional basketball player, currently playing for Zorg en Zekerheid Leiden of the Dutch Basketball League.- College Basketball :...
- Former MichiganMichigan Wolverines men's basketballThe Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Michigan. The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Wolverines play home basketball games at the...
Basketball Player and currently plays professionally in Europe. - Chris Stewart - Hockey player for the Colorado AvalancheColorado AvalancheThe Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
of the National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. - Paul TracyPaul TracyPaul Tracy is a professional automobile racer who has competed in CART, the ChampCar World Series and the IndyCar Series...
- Professional automobile racer. - Craig MabbittCraig MabbittCraig Edward Mabbitt is an American musician. Currently the lead vocalist for the band Escape the Fate and formerly of the bands Blessthefall and The Word Alive.-Blessthefall:...
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