First World Café for SWLSB! - Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board

Sports News from Laurentian Regional HighLRHS and polyvalente Lavigne Joinby Alex MawdrykFor the first time in Lachute’s history, Laurentian Regional High School andPolyvalente Lavigne have joined together to create one program open toboth the Anglophone students of LRHS and the Francophone students ofLavigne. LRHS and Lavigne hockey players are now skating together asteammates on the ice as part of the LRHS Hockey Option.The vision of having the students of the two schools together began sometime last year, and talks were supposed to begin this year. However,when the devastating fire hit Lavigne and forced the students to attendclasses in the evening with no time for extra-curricular activities such ashockey practice, the coaches of the two schools grasped the opportunityto accelerate the discussions and organizational details. The interested Lavigne students joined LRHS Hockey Option students on theice with two coaches from LRHS and two coaches from Lavigne. And so was the beginning of a program where Lavigne and LRHSstudents played and learned together in both English and French.Rugby NewsSince its inception 5 years ago, LaurentianRegional’s Rugby Program has expanded,and evolved, to accommodate thetribulations associated with being aregional secondary school; a vast regionat that.Created in 2007 – 2008, four LRHS teachers decided to create aninexpensive, and sustainable, extra curricular sport where bothgenders could participate fully and equally in either a mixed, orseparated environment. Moreover, they wanted to promotemore personal, self-motivated success which would lead to a healthier environment to develop their potential. A major spin off hasbeen that many students have become more involved in their own learning and actively participate in their own success.Many of our students have gone on to CEGEP and continued to play. Some went on to play at university; a goal they set out for themselvesin order to graduate high school. In all, 8 of our players have gone on to either represent Quebec in U16 and U18 nationalcompetition, or in the National Championship itself. We are very proud of these students and know they have taken away greatmemories and lessons that will be passed down as they grow.Next school year, LRHS is planning on adding its second sports concentrationoption: Rugby. It will be open for any Cycle Two student interested inplaying a highly physical sport that will challenge their physical and cognitivewill power. By having such a course, we hope that our success will notonly continue, but grow with the year round training schedule and longerpractice sessions.SIR WILFRID LAURIER SCHOOL BOARD Page 48 VOLUME 3 · ISSUE 3 · March 2012