Toronto Grade 9 students get a jump on the high school scene

Kojena Selvarajah was one of more than 200 Grade 9 students waiting anxiously outside Runnymede Collegiate Institute’s office early Wednesday morning.

She was out of bed at 7 a.m. on Aug. 29 in preparation for her unofficial first day at the Dundas West and Jane streets area high school. Kojena was participating in Moving On Up Day, an opportunity for Grade 9 students to find their way around their new school, find their classrooms and familiarize themselves with their new timetables while meeting their new teachers.

“It’s kind of like a regular school day,” she admitted.

Asked if she was nervous, Kojena nodded her head vigorously. She was not alone. Angie Lin shared similar feelings.

“Yeah, I’m very nervous,” Angie confessed. “But, I’m excited.”

She thought it was important to take part in Moving On Up Day to get to know people. The Jane Street and Finch Avenue area resident says her hour-long commute will be worth it.

In recent years, Runnymede Collegiate’s Grade 9 population has hovered around 95 students, however, this September, 230 Grade 9s are enrolled at the school. The high school has grown from 450 teens to 600 this term.

Principal Paul Edwards attributes the growth in part to Runnymede’s Masters of Math, Science and Technology, a specialized program designed for students who excel in those subjects. When they’ve completed the program, they receive a university recognized Masters’ certificate.

There are 51 Grade 9 students enrolled in the Masters program this year, Edwards said.

Moving On Up Day was comprised of five class rotations that included a welcome assembly, information sessions and activity-based workshops. Geography teacher Christine Sabetti facilitated a ‘getting organized’ workshop that took Grade 9s through the school year, highlighting important dates and events, such as Runnymede Student Council Representative Elections on Oct. 2, December’s ‘Holiday Bash,’ the school’s talent show and exams, which take place Jan. 23 to 29.

In the gym, the Grade 9s were told of the school’s sports and extra-curricular clubs and activities like basketball and volleyball, hockey, badminton, soccer, baseball and softball, the swim team, drama and improv clubs, art council and an after-school fitness club.

“You can create your own club as long as you can get a teacher representative,” said student council president Meaghan Campbell.

“Everyone’s really close here. You know a lot of people,” she said.

The Grade 12 student had some words of wisdom for her younger counterparts: “Have fun in Grade 9. Make your mistakes now,” she said.

Sharmarje Farah didn’t exhibit any signs of nerves, fears or unease. He seemed quite at home as he participated in some ice-breaker games in the gym.

“It’s going good so far,” he said.

Sharmarje is looking forward to getting involved in athletics.

“All sports – just not hockey,” he said.

History and philosophy teacher Robyn Tenenbaum, co-ordinator of Moving On Up Day said she is hoping students feel more prepared come Sept. 4.

“It’s a different environment (in high school) than in elementary school. It’s so much bigger. It’s unfamiliar faces. We want them to be successful. We want them to feel like they belong in the Runnymede Collegiate family. Happy kids are successful kids,” said Tenenbaum.

Sarah Kirke, a student council rep, was in Grade 9 last year and could empathize with how the new students were feeling.

“They’re probably feeling anxious and scared, but excited,” she told The Villager. “I loved how everyone was so accepting. It was like a really big family.”

Lisa Rainford 
Bloor West Villager