January in Review

Skating Season in Full Swing

Outdoor learning and active play are in full swing at the Elementary School as our campus rink officially opened for the season. This beloved winter tradition is a testament to the strength of our community and the power of collective effort. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated parent volunteers, staff members, and students who came together to make this happen. From the initial flooding to the ongoing care and maintenance required throughout the winter months, your commitment to leadership and service ensures our students have a joyful space to develop their skills and connect with nature.

Becoming “Sorting Heroes” in the Classroom

January at St. George’s School was a month of deep dives into environmental stewardship, beginning with interactive waste management workshops for our entire Elementary School. Organized as a school-wide Sustainability initiative, these sessions were provided free of charge to our students by the City of Westmount and delivered by the environmental education organization, Héritage St-Bernard.

In partnership with Gère ta poubelle, classrooms were transformed into learning hubs where students explored the lifecycle of their waste. By learning to properly sort items for recycling, and composting, our students discovered how daily habits impact the planet’s health. The workshops sparked high-level discussions on complex topics like “greenwashing,” directly supporting the ongoing leadership of our student-led Green Team.

“The waste management workshops were incredibly engaging and approachable, making the content feel truly relevant to our students’ everyday lives. Seeing the entire process of what happens to our waste in such a visual way made the concepts feel real for them. It was wonderful to see the students making connections to bigger ideas like greenwashing and asking such critical questions. The sessions perfectly supported the initiatives our Green Team has been driving this year.”

— Talya Barnes, Kindergarten Teacher and Instructional Lead for Sustainability, Elementary School

A Sweet Success for the Roatan Marine Biology Trip

The High School Student Lounge buzzed with friendly competition on January 17th during the annual Roatan Cake Auction. This wasn’t a typical bake sale; it was a high-stakes silent auction featuring edible masterpieces baked by talented students and faculty. Groups of friends and Advisor groups pooled their resources to place winning bids on a variety of stunning cakes.

The funds raised will support our Grade 10 Marine Biology students during their upcoming trip to Honduras. Beyond their scientific studies, students will donate to the Roatan Marine Park and the School of Life (SOL) International Foundation, providing toys, educational materials, and sports equipment to local children.

Dragons Compete at Bishop’s Tournament

Our Senior Basketball teams travelled to Lennoxville this month for the annual Bishop’s Tournament. This year’s competition was particularly meaningful for our graduating Grade 11s, marking their final appearance in this cherished St. George’s athletic tradition.

Our athletes played with heart and tenacity throughout the weekend. A special congratulations goes to Brody W. ’26 and Arielle K. ’26, who both earned Team MVP honours for their leadership and performance on the court.

Empowering Lifelong Skills: CPR and Babysitting

January was a month of skill-building and leadership for our students. On Saturday, 17 students from Grades 5 to 9 participated in the Red Cross Babysitting Course, gaining vital skills in first aid, child development, and the professional “business of babysitting.”

Meanwhile, Grade 9 students completed a mandatory CPR and AED certification course led by our community partner, Rescue 7 Inc. By earning their Level A certification, these students are stepping into their roles as capable leaders, prepared to respond confidently in emergencies both at school and in the wider community.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

On January 27, High School and Pre-University students gathered to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In partnership with The Foundation for Genocide Education, the school welcomed guest speaker Barbara Cieply, who shared her family’s extraordinary story of resilience and survival. The assembly opened with a moving candle-lighting ceremony, setting a tone of deep respect and shared reflection.

The session empowered students to think critically about modern challenges, including the rise of intolerance on social media and the “funnel of hate” created by digital algorithms. By studying the roots of prejudice, our students reinforced the idea that “Never Again” is not just a slogan, but a daily call to action rooted in empathy, inclusion, and the courage to stand up to injustice. Read the article >

Building a Culture of Belonging

This January, the Elementary School began a focused exploration of neurodiversity, kicking off a series of school-wide initiatives designed to celebrate different ways of thinking. Through a special assembly led by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), students explored how brain differences contribute to the strength and diversity of our community.

These student-led mentorship opportunities help our Dragons develop pride in their own identities while learning to respect and value the unique perspectives of others. This meaningful work at the Elementary School sets the stage for the rest of our community, as we look forward to High School students leading their own Neurodiversity Week initiatives this coming March.

“Moments like these help create a safe space for discussing diversity and showcase how every student is seen and valued.”

— Leon Yu, Music Teacher and SEL Instructional Lead, Elementary School