Departments

Arts

Visual Arts

Check out our website to see our students work and keep up to date on exciting events in the Arts: https://swcarts.commons.hwdsb.on.ca/

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The Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School Visual Art Program provides exciting hands on experiences and enables students to develop their skills producing and presenting art by introducing them to new ideas, materials and processes for artistic exploration and experimentation. 

Art Students learn how to apply the elements and principles of art and design when exploring the creative process and use critical analysis to reflect on and interpret art within a personal, contemporary and historical context. 

Art courses at SWC include but are not limited to activities in drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, and digital photography and digital art, elements and principles of design, colour theory, art history and art analysis.  

SWC has three visual art rooms. These spaces includes a spray booth for air brush painting, a kiln room for firing clay, a dark room for experimenting with photography techniques, a lab for editing and presenting photography and traditional and new technologies for screen printing and crafting. 

Students who take their required art credit in grade 9 often continue to take art classes throughout their high school career.  Various Visual Art courses are available through grades 9-12, with the addition of a business minded craft class last year. Some grade 12 courses, such as AVI4M, may be used as a university entrance courses. 

There are many opportunities for artists at SWC to showcase their talent around the school and in the community, participate in field trips, and community and class art projects.  The art department continues to partner with The Art Gallery of Hamilton every semester on theme based exhibits and the Dundas Valley School of Art has renewed their Artist’s Connects program bringing local professional artists into the classroom through art education and hands on workshops. 

Students do not need a prerequisite for grade 10 art!  Show up with an open mind, creativity and a willingness to learn something new.

Drama

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The Drama Department operates under the umbrella of the Arts Department and offers a selection of courses at each grade level. Grade 9, 10, and ADA3O (Grade 11 Open) are Open courses and do not require a prerequisites or any experience. It is recommended that students interested in Drama start in grade 9 or 10, thereby building on their experiential learning each year. The grade 11 Academic Drama, ADA3M, requires either grade 9 or 10 Drama, and ADA4M, Grade 12 Academic Drama, requires ADA3M as a prerequisite, and can be used on post-secondary applications. As well, students in grade 12 without an Arts Credit can take ADA4E, Workplace Drama, with a prerequisite of Grade 9 or 10 Drama.

Canadian & World Studies

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English

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Although English is a mandatory course in each year of high school, there are still options available. Students must decide whether they are planning on attending university or college, or are in fact heading into the work world directly from Grade 12.

Those students that are planning on attending university should follow the Academic path (ENG1D, ENG2D, ENG3U, ENG4U). Those students planning on going to college or into an apprenticeship should follow either the Academic path or the Applied path (ENG1P, ENG2P, ENG3C, ENG4C).

The Applied path is also available to students heading directly into the work world. For those students having difficulty with the basics of reading and writing, the Essentials path (ENG1L, ENG2L, ENG3E, ENG4E) is available to provide students with the skills to function in the workplace.

Health & Physical Education

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Take Phys. Ed–It’s Good for You!

Love sports? Feel the need for healthy competition or just want to learn how to get fit? Phys. Ed. has a course for all your needs. Choose one of our traditional classes or spice up your life with focus courses in hockey, football, volleyball, basketball, or weight training courses.

Humanities

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All students should take Family Studies courses as they teach us about ourselves, our families, our community and society.

There are hands on activities that make the learning fun and interactive.

Family Studies courses help students make wise decisions about important life issues such as healthy fetal development, healthy eating, saving and spending money wisely, dating relationships and so many more.

Learning Resource

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Teachers

Mr. J. Troisi (Dept. Head)  A-K ext. 4609  [email protected]

Ms. J. Laka (Assistant Dept. Head) L-Z ext. 5800  [email protected] 

Mr. T.Cripps  ext 5712  [email protected] 

Ms. H. Goater ext 5724  [email protected]

Mrs. R. Horta ext 4625  [email protected] (semester 1)

Ms. H. Kurpe ext 5804  [email protected]

Mr. J. Laposi ext 4612  [email protected]

Mr. K. Lewis ext 5792  [email protected]

Ms. C. Palmieri ext 5787 [email protected]

Ms. S. Parras ext 5791  [email protected]

Ms. J Renner ext 5738  [email protected]

Ms. C. Simon ext 5789  [email protected]

Mr. D. Soules ext 5727 [email protected]

Ms. S. Bufalino ext 5738 [email protected]

Mr. C. Waters ext 5729 [email protected]

Ms. K. Agbonkpolar  [email protected]

Ms. J. Barry  [email protected]

Ms. W. Bullock  [email protected]

Ms. V. Burrows  [email protected]

Ms. R. Divjak  [email protected]

Ms. J. Henderson  [email protected]

Ms. T. Johnson [email protected]

Ms. K. Mark  [email protected]

Ms. O. Ogunlenu (LTO)  [email protected]

Ms. E. Ballantyne [email protected]

Ms. M. Shantz   [email protected]

Ms. N. Omoghan [email protected]

The Learning Resource Room

At Sir Winston Churchill, the Learning Resource staff is committed to encourage all students to reach their full potential.  This commitment is reflected in the role of the Learning Resource Teacher.

At the beginning of each semester, all Sir Winston Churchill students who are deemed Exceptional by the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board are invited to the Resource room. There, they meet the Resource teachers and are given an opportunity to see how this support service can benefit them.

In addition, all Exceptional students are monitored on an on-going basis. Classroom teachers work closely with the Resource teachers so that early intervention will alleviate potential difficulties.

The Resource teachers along with Administration, Student Services, Adjustment Services, the Special Education Consultant, the Psychological Consultant, Social Worker, and Speech and Language Pathologist comprise the Churchill Systems Team. This group meets regularly to discuss alternative solutions to ensure success for students experiencing problems.

The Resource teachers are also responsible for the Identification, Placement & Review Committee (I.P.R.C.) process. Once a year, the Exceptional student and his/her parents/guardians are invited to an Annual Review meeting to discuss the student’s progress. Parents/Guardians, as well as the student, are encouraged to participate with the Resource teachers, Administration, and Guidance counsellors in addressing the student’s current and future educational needs.

If a student needs extra help with an assignment or an exam, he/she may get that help in the Resource room.

A member of the Resource Team is on duty in the room at all times. The Resource room at Churchill is equipped with professional books, student materials and access to computers. Staff is encouraged to visit and consult with the Resource teachers, as needed, to discuss alternative teaching strategies for accommodating curriculum.

We are committed to delivering a program suited to the unique needs of the individual.

Library Learning Commons

Sir Winston Churchill’s Library Learning Commons is newly renovated, clean, fresh, and functioning learning space.

Math

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The Math curriculum is designed to help students build a solid conceptual foundation in mathematics that will enable them to apply their knowledge and skills and further their learning successfully. Like the elementary curriculum, the secondary curriculum adopts a strong focus on the processes that best enable students to understand mathematical concepts and learn related skills. Attention to the mathematical processes is considered to be essential to a balanced mathematics program. The mathematical processes apply to student learning in all areas of a mathematics course.

To encourage better understanding, grade 9 and 10 students can access Homework Help, a province-wide site found at ontario.ca/HomeworkHelp.  This site offers on-line assistance to students who need help with their math homework.  Qualified math teachers are on-line nightly from 5:30-9:30 Sunday to Thursday.  In addition to this help, all students are encouraged to speak to the math teachers in the department.   Math teachers are available to provide extra help during most lunch hours.

Students who are interested in additional challenges are encouraged to write the University of Waterloo math contests.  These math contests are offered throughout the year for all grades.  Any interested student should speak to his/her math teacher.

Modern Languages

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Did you know that Languages are the passport to the world? Have fun learning how to talk about yourself, your friends and family. You’ll be able to carry on a basic conversation in French!

Senior students will be able to write compositions, debate hot topics, read and analyse novels, plays, newspaper articles and research and present a country of their choice.

By learning a second language, you can and will enhance your career choices, your thinking and communication skills and you will gain an appreciation for diversity.

Music

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Our Music Department is an established and thriving part of the Arts at SWC. We have a full program of instrumental music classes to offer our students. Mr. Laposi teaches Instrumental courses and leads the instrumental ensembles such as Senior Concert band, Junior Concert band, Senior Jazz band and Junior Jazz band. We have also included a recording studio to our technological tools, which has proven to be a useful and entertaining way to evaluate student success.

We offer five different ensembles to our students: Senior Concert Band, Junior Concert Band, Senior Jazz, Junior Jazz, and Choir. Our Senior Concert band is a performance based credit course that rehearses Monday and Wednesday after school and is offered to our Grade 10-12 students. Our Junior Concert band is offered to our Grade 9-12 students and they rehearse Mondays at lunch. Our Senior Jazz band is a credit course that focuses on jazz performance and jazz history/theory. This course is offered to our Grade 11 and 12 students and they rehearse every day, typically during the second semester. Our Junior Jazz band is offered to Grade 9-10 students and they rehearse Wednesdays at Lunch. Choir is offered to our Grade 9-12 students and rehearses Tuesdays and Fridays at lunch. All of these ensembles perform for our three major concerts: the winter “Snowin’ and Blowin’”, our vocal coffee house in March “Java Jive”, and the last presentation of the year, “Spring Tune-Up”. We also enjoy performing at our feeder schools, local festivals and community events. Every year, the Senior Band and Jazz Band travel the U.S. and Canada to explore and perform shows as well as attend concerts and plays.

The SWC Music Department has a few goals that we hope your children achieve while taking music. First, we aim to create an environment that encourages the development of creativity. Second, we will introduce them to different styles and genres of music, to allow a comprehensive appreciation of the arts. Thirdly, we will strengthen their learning skills to their full potential, in order to serve them well in the future. Lastly, we will help make their overall secondary school career as enjoyable and meaningful as possible. We look forward to seeing you in the Music Department.

Science

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Why Science?

Science is a way of thinking. In an increasingly scientific world, our students need to develop the skills and knowledge that will allow them to understand the many ways science & technology will affect their lives.

Not every student will pursue a scientific career, but all of them will be faced with decisions that involve science.  SWC Science Department wants to enable students to make those decisions in an informed manner.

Depending on individual interest & ability, students will select Grade 9 Science at one of three course types: Essential, Applied, or Academic. In Grade 10, students build on concepts acquired in Grade 9, while in Grade 11 and Grade 12 the courses offered branch out into the three major areas of Science: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. There is a specialized senior course in Environmental Science offering students a more in-depth look at ecology and geology, all in the context of current issues in those fields.

You can follow SWC Science on twitter: @SWCScience

Student Health Centre

In addition to our Guidance staff, we have a variety of community supports available to students.

All of our supports are accessed through referrals, although students can often self-refer.

  • Ms. Karen Galloway (Public Health Nurse) (905) 973-4469
  • Ms. Lorena Dolinar (Substance Use Therapist) 905-549-4124 or 905-527-4469 available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday [email protected]
  • Ms. S. Ritchie (Mental Health Nurse)  289-973-7346 available Mondays  [email protected]
  • Mr. Dennis Villannueva (Social Worker) ext 4616  [email protected]

The Student Health Centre at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School has the goal of providing students with the mental, emotional, physical, academic and cultural supports needed to achieve their full potential.  Please click on the link below to view the brochure outlining our range of services.

Student Health Centre Brochure

Technology

Department Members:

Is Technology the key to your future?

We offer six exciting areas of study using practical application of skills and knowledge, multi-credit packages  and links to apprenticeships and co-op placements.

We also offer Health Care, Manufacturing, Construction, Transportation and Hospitality & Tourism courses through the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs.

The Manufacturing Shop is the place where you learn machining, fabrication, robotics and welding.

Our Construction Shop is very popular. Learn how to design and build a residential structure, install electrical circuits and drywall as well as basic plumbing. The cabinet-making program offers you a unique experience to work with specialized designs and types of wood.

The Transportation Shop is another favourite spot where you learn car repair, custom design and detailing. We have modern electronic analysis equipment and software available for your use.

 Tech Design programs further enhance the Tech Department’s array of interest for Churchill students.

Cosmetology allows students the chance to learn different skills and techniques in hair design, makeup, and nail art/care.

Upcoming Skills Competitions in Carpentry, Transportation, TV & Video, Cabinetmaking, Welding and Precision Machining.