The Bulletin - Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association

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NEWS
P rovincial/Nat i o n a l /In t e r n at i o n a l
Rushoon
Students engage in
unique learning opportunity
On Thursday, December 4, students in Mr. George
Sheppard’s Canadian Law class at Christ The King
School in Rushoon took their study of Criminal Law
to a different level. Earlier in October, they happened
upon the 1998 murder trail of 11-year-old Nathaniel
Abraham. The class researched the case, pouring over
many articles and documentary footage. In an effort
to enhance his students’ participation and learning
even more, Mr. Sheppard made contact with the
prosecutor of the case, Ms. Lisa Halushka, now a Law
Professor in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Shortly after the initial contact, plans were made
to have the former prosecutor of the Abraham
case speak with the class via teleconferencing. Mr.
Sheppard and his students engaged Ms. Halushka for
about an hour on December 4. During that time, the
former prosecutor revealed many aspects of the case
that captivated their attention. Students posed many
questions and were met with responses that were
insightful and enlightening. The students and their
teacher commented that the event was a tremendous
and unique learning opportunity. School Principal,
Leo Hynes, noted that it was the kind of educational
opportunity that speaks to the nature of diverse
teaching strategies and diverse learning.
Christ the King School students participate in a teleconference with Lisa Halushka.
Eastport
Outdoor activities increase
student appreciation for nature
The Physical Education program at Holy Cross
School in Eastport has added several annual visits to
Terra Nova National Park to its repertoire. “With a
revived focus to life-long physical activity in the province’s
Physical Education curriculum, outdoor activities
provide students the chance to enjoy nature,”
said Andrew Poole, Physical Education teacher at
Holy Cross School. “Now thanks to the Park, we have
been able to combine the knowledge and expertise of
their many great employees with educational experiences
students will not soon forget.”
Students at Holy Cross School enjoy a fall canoeing trip at Terra Nova National Park.
This year, students ranging from grades 7 to 12
will travel to the Park to take part in hiking, canoeing
and snowshoeing activities. The students particularly
enjoy learning about the Parks’ ongoing research of
the Newfoundland Martin. Starting in grade 7, students
learn how humane traps are set to catch and
study the animals and the important measures Parks
Canada is taking to protect this threatened species.
Once the students reach high school they take part in
hands-on work, actually accompanying Park biologists
into the field. “So far this season we are zero for
one,” said Mr. Poole, “but last winter we were lucky
enough to see a pregnant female Martin, one of only
approximately 35 animals in the Park!”
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the bulletin january/february 2009