Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough Teams Split Games In OFSAA Field Lacrosse Championship, Teams Aim for Consolation Championship Tuesday
/St. Peter’s Secondary School Saints (SPSS) and Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School Griffins (TASSS) will have to compete for the consolation championship as both teams had a split record of 1-1 during the round-robin portion of the OFSAA Field Lacrosse AAA Championship on Monday.
Both teams had great starts to the championship.
COSSA champions SPSS defeated the Mayfield Mavericks 14-2 in the tournament’s opening contest at TASSS’s field.
“We came lights-out ready and we were a stronger team,” said Rod McGillis, Saints head coach. “We played well, it was a good game for us to work on our plays and get ready for game two.”
Host school TASSS had coasted their way to a win in this first game against Sacred Heart Crusaders with a 14-7 win. The Griffins had let in the first two goals before going on a six-point streak to run away with the contest.
Roughly over 250 students were in attendance at this game during school time to watch and cheer on the Griffins.
“We had the school community out here, the vibes were good and our big dogs stepped up today,” said Jeff Ralph, Griffins head coach. “That's what you need to do in a big tournament like this, you have to rely on your best players.”
Both teams ran into snags in their second and final round-robin games. Wins would propel them into the semifinals but losses would send them down to the consolation championships.
The Saints had lost a close game to the Wellington Falcons after failing to find the back of the net despite multiple scoring chances in the fourth quarter. SPSS fell 11-8 and would have to compete for fifth place on Tuesday.
“You have to give them credit, they're very well-coached, they're disciplined, they play the way we do,” said Gillis. “They did all the things right, they were a really tough opponent and you have to give them credit.”
TASSS was the last game of Monday but they fell to the Brooklin Bears 12-9 after falling behind early with a five-goal deficit. They attempted to mount a comeback in the second half getting as close with a three-goal deficit but just fell short.
“I was proud of the boys,” said Ralph. “We played Brooklin earlier in the season in the Trent tournament. We lost by a goal and it was a battle. We knew what were getting into today, the boys looked a little down early, we called a timeout, regrouped, picked their heads back up and we bounced back in the second half.”
Both teams have won their day-two games and will compete against each other for fifth place at TASSS at 2 p.m.
TASSS Students Bringing 'The Wizard of Oz' Musical To Life After Three-Year Hiatus
/After being unable to cast a theatrical production for three years, students of Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) are back on the stage, putting on ‘The Wizard of Oz’ musical scheduled with four public shows in June.
The school was unable to put on a play for the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With a long hiatus, the students are eager to get on stage and perform before a live audience according to Michaela Hetherington, TASSS music director.
“The anticipation and the excitement is really building as we get closer,” she said.
Roughly 50 students are involved in the musical production. Grade 10 students are stagehands while Grades 11 and 12 are performing in the production.
Auditions began back in February and students have been working tirelessly to be ready for showtime in June.
“We have students that help out on their first and second-period spares when they don't have class, lunchtime rehearsals and after school,” explained Hetherington. “They've made costumes, set pieces and painting. If you can think of something that goes into a production, they've done it.”
The production is directed and choreographed by Bryanna Ostrander who is also an instructor at Imagine Studios. Justin Hiscox is the music supervisor of the production.
Dates for the shows are as follows:
June 1, 7 p.m.
June 2, 7 p.m.
June 3, 2 p.m.
June 3, 7 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased through School Cash Online or at the door at TASSS for $20.
Thomas A. Stewart Dance Program Honours MacHart Family Through ‘Sweet Charity’ Fundraising Event
/The Thomas A. Stewart (TAS) auditorium was packed with a sold-out crowd Tuesday night as the school’s dance program hosted the ‘Sweet Charity’ fundraising event in support of the MacHart family.
After a 4-year hiatus, the TAS Dance Program was able to host their annual fundraising event in-person on Feb. 21.
“This year's event was extra special to us for a few reasons,” says TAS dance teacher Susie Clarke. “Due to the pandemic, we haven’t been able to host live performances, so filling a space with this many people and having them experience this as a collective, once again, has been so meaningful for all performers and audience members.”
The next reason, Clarke says, is getting to give back to the community.
“Traditionally, Sweet Charity funnels all proceeds to multiple local charities, as chosen by each participating dance organization. This year we collectively decided to channel all proceeds from the event to support the MacHart family,” she said.
Clarke says all participating organizations were in support of this, which TAS is “wholeheartedly grateful for.”
Riddick, Jon and Stefphanie MacHart were victims of a fatal accident on Hwy. 7 on the 22nd of November last year. Rowghan MacHart, the only survivor, was airlifted to SickKids hospital where she remains today.
Riddick MacHart had been a member of the dance program for the past five years, and sister Rowghan a grade nine Integrated arts student at the school. Stefphanie was an educational assistant at TAS.
“If anyone had the opportunity to see Riddick in his element, you would already know that he exuded passion, commitment and joy every time he stepped on to the stage,” said Clarke. “As you can imagine, this loss has been profound for not only the TAS dance community, but for our entire school. Furthermore, it is clear that the MacHart family had, and continues to have, a profound impact on our entire dance and arts community in Peterborough.”
In an update from MacHart family GoFundMe creator Tanya Hart on Feb. 16, she says that Rowghan is “making progress day by day” despite challenges due to her extensive internal injuries.
“Rowghan has proven time and time again that she will not let it stop her from progressing and moving forward,” the update reads.“We would like to thank TAS and all of the performers for always being such a huge support to the family.”
The event included 22 dance pieces, submitted and performed by twelve local dance organizations; Thomas A. Stewart Dance Program, Trent University Dance Team, Velocity School Of Dance, Lakefield College School Dance Company, 7 Attitudes School of Arts, Next Generation Dance Company, Revolutions Dance Studio, Imagine Studios, Premiere Studio of Dance, Jubilation Studios, Dance Nouveau and Baily Baptie School of Dance.
In total, there were 209 dancers who performed in front of the sold-out crowd.
Clarke says that Rowghan and Riddick’s grandfather Jim was in attendance, as well as Riddick’s girlfriend, Brooke Conroy. Clarke says Conroy was an integral part of the production of the event, who worked alongside her to create something special and honour the MacHart family.
“The night was magical. Although difficult and definitely pulled on our heart strings, it also showcased the joy that dance brings to us all,” recalls Clarke. “On the evening of Sweet Charity, we danced not only for our team, our audience, and ourselves, but to support and make a significant difference. The show was an example of the power of dance and the arts through collaboration, community, and resilience. We came together to support a family from our community; one that has had an impact on us all in some way.”
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PtboPics: Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School Anti-Bullying Event
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The colour pink is prominent today at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School as they are holding an anti-bullying event spearheaded by teacher Kim Driscoll. The theme was to wear pink to send a message that students are taking a stand against any form of bullying.
Anti-bullying programs work, schools say, and more and more are focusing on stamping it out at their schools with such events. Kim Driscoll had T-shirts made for the event. Every one of them sold out.
Pink was chosen as the colour to be highly visible to help spread the message that the issue exists and for sympathy to those affected by it. Kim feels that it is a very real issue and is pleased by the involvement of the students and the teachers.
[Words & pictures by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]
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