Rockway Mennonite Collegiate
| Rockway Mennonite Collegiate | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
110 Doon Road Kitchener, ON N2G 3C8 Canada | |
| Information | |
| Motto | Together we shape great lives through learning, opportunity, caring and faith. |
| Principal | Terry Schellenberg |
| Staff | 18 (as of 2009-2010) |
| Faculty | 39 (as of 2009-2010) |
| Enrollment | Approx. 24 Students per Class (max) |
| Color(s) | Red and Black |
| Athletics | Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Badminton, Wrestling, Baseball, Track and Field |
| Website | http://www.rockway.on.ca |
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate (RMC), informally known as Rockway, is a popular private school located in Kitchener, Ontario. Founded in 1945, Rockway has developed over the years into a one of the many private high schools in Waterloo Region.
School Information
Founded in 1945, Rockway Mennonite Collegiate is a private Mennonite high school located in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. It offers academic programs for grade 6-12 students.
Despite its name, usually only about half of its 400-student population are actually Mennonite, coming from the modern Canadian Mennonite church, rather than Old Order Mennonites.
Exchange Program
The school has a strong exchange program with China, hosting dozens of Chinese students annually, and supporting a number of senior Rockway students who travel to China. There is also an exchange to France and Germany available to students after completing Grade 11.
Rockway also attracts students from Germany, South Korea, Japan, Thailand and the United States, with roughly 10% of its student body coming from outside of Canada. The school arranges host families for them to live with, has an international students club, and offers English as a second language classes.
Arts Program
Rockway is widely known for it's Arts Program. The school offers Visual Arts and Music (Theory, History, Instrumental and Choral) to all students in the school. Students in the high school are offered a wider range of Arts courses, which includes Dramatic Arts, and a more extensive Visual Arts and Music program.
The school's music program is highly regarded, participating in many choral festivals and hosting two concerts every year (Winter and Spring). In 2009, the Senior Choir participated in the Ontario Vocal Festival, held at Galt Collegiate Institute. As a result of their excellent performance, the choir had been invited to the national showcase, MusicFest Canada in May.
Each year, the school's drama department puts on a variety of productions. Each year, the plays receive many amazing reviews from students, faculty, and critics. Every three years, the school puts on a musical (the most recent of which was High School Musical in 2007).
Once every year, the Visual Arts committee hosts a public art show, featuring pieces submitted by the students who are currently attending the school. The show usually runs for one night only.
Athletics
Rockway has a variety of sports and competitive teams available to the student population. These include basketball, golf, cross-country, badminton, soccer, chess, wrestling and volleyball. Though the school has a variety of sports, the focus sports are basketball and volleyball (sports with which the school excels). Rockway remains a comptetitive school with many of the larger schools in the region. For example, Rockway had been the District 8 Champions for Senior Girls Volleyball recently [1]. In the last four years Rockway has medaled four times at "A" OFSAA basketball. 2005 Silver, 2006 Gold, 2007 Silver, 2008 Bronze. In 2008, the girls senior basketball team won the gold at OFSAA and coach Bernie Burnett became the first coach to receive a gold medal for both the senior girls and boys basketball team.
Community Service
Rockway has had a history of service in the community. One of their largest fundraisers it the Food Drive. In a description taken from the website, they say that:
"For more than two decades, students from Rockway Mennonite Collegiate have undertaken a food drive in late November and early December as part of the schools Christmas celebrations. Many students purchase food with their own money while others seek support from the community by collecting food from door-to-door. Students are authorized to collect food but not money and are expected to have their student card ready for inspection upon request.All collected food is donated to the House of Friendship Christmas Hamper Program , a partner with the Waterloo Region Food Bank. This year all items will be turned in to the House of Friendship in mid December in time for pre-Christmas distribution. Over the past few years, Rockway has averaged over 30,000 food items per year!" [2]
Notable Alumni
Carl Zehr, Current Mayor of the City of Kitchener
Brad Schlegel, Former NHL hockey player
Kristin Booth, Gemini Award and Genie Award winner
Jerry Enns, A Popular Hypnotist and Performer
Luke Snider, Former member of Canada men's national volleyball team
Andrew Pogson, Professional Magician performing under stage name of Freddy Fusion
Peter Etril Snyder, Popular artist of Waterloo Region
References
- ^ District 8 Athletic Association, Direct Quote.
- ^ Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Direct Quote.
External links