MAXVILLE, Ontario – Staff and students of Maxville Public School kicked off celebrations of Canada’s 150th birthday this Tues. Feb. 7. The event began in true Maxville tradition with the piping in of guests at 10 a.m. followed by the singing of the national anthem.
The gymnasium was a sea of red and white as students proudly donned their nation’s colours in the marking of Canada’s 150th birthday.
Principal, Krista Mano says that students have been hard at work preparing performances and exhibits for the event, and were eager to showcase the fruits of their labour.
“There’s been a lot of time put into highlighting different components of Canadian history,” said Mano. “There’s a good variety of different exhibits from the students.”
Senior staff from the Upper Canada District School Board were also in attendance, with Wendy McPherson, Tim Mills, Valerie Allen, and Stephen Sliwa present for the morning’s celebrations.
“We have a really good working relationship with our superintendents,” said Mano. “It was wonderful that they were able to find time to join us.”
During the event, students were welcomed to the mic to speak about what Canada means to them. Ava McIntosh was first to speak, talking about her beloved hometown of Maxville.
Esther Gandia, who was as recipient of a public speaking award, also spoke during the ceremony, discussing the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway. “My great grandparents took the railway – it took a whole week with a few stops along the way,” said Gandia. “What did they realize? That Canada was huge.”
Next, the kindergarten class sang a spirited version of Michael Mitchell’s ‘Canada in my Pocket.’
Hailey Robinson spoke about residential schools, noting that ‘not all of Canada’s 150 years were glorious.’ Sharing the story of Chanie Wenjack, most recently acknowledged in Gord Downie’s ‘Secret Path,’ Robinson adding that the residential schools were nothing like today’s schools.
“It’s another important part of Canadian history,” said Mano. “We need to acknowledge this and make sure we don’t make the same mistakes, moving forward.”
In keeping with the theme of Canadiana, the grade one class then performed ‘This Land is your Land,’ before the grade three class belted out the Stompin’ Tom classic, ‘The Good Ol’ Hockey Game.’
The event wrapped up with a performance of ‘The Land of the Silver Birches,’ which featured the entire school.
“Events like this encourage us to reflect on things we often take for granted,” said Mano. “Like living in a country where everybody gets to go to school – that’s something that not everyone has access to.”