Holy Cross Secondary School Brings Literature to Life With Production of 'Shakespeare In Love The Play' For Three Shows

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The students of Holy Cross Secondary School in grades 9 to 12 are putting on the production of 'Shakespeare In Love The Play' for three dates on Feb. 28, 29 and March 1.

Photo courtesy of PVNCCDSB.

The play is based on the screenplay by Marc Norman, and Tom Stoppard was adapted for theatre by Lee Hall.

It is being produced by Holy Cross teacher Serena McKenna as it is her 24th production.

“There are a number of staff members and students involved behind the scenes which speaks to the supportive relationships that exist at Holy Cross,” she said. “Shakespeare said a good heart never changes and I see this in the staff and students here. We can always count on each other.”

Ella Doris is taking the female lead in playing the role of Viola DeLesseps.

 “Having been involved in the previous productions at Holy Cross, I am very excited to see how this show is evolving and being involved in a performance of this size is an overwhelmingly tremendous experience,” she explained. “I am looking forward to opening night and feel proud and grateful of the work that has been put in by the cast and crew.  This has been a great experience to have in my Senior year.”

Only one Grade 9 student has an acting role in the production as this play is Xy Pascual's first-ever time taking the stage.

“Being the only Grade 9 in this play is a bit stressful but thankfully I have formed a new relationship with my castmates and I have been made more comfortable in stepping out of my comfort zone,” she said “I am already excited to be involved in the next Holy Cross Production.”

The play is open for the public to watch for all three dates with ticket prices at $20 for adults and $15 for students at the door.

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Photos: St. Peter's and Holy Cross Secondary School Unite For Terry Fox Rally Fundraiser For Cancer Research

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Roughly over 1,800 students and faculty from St. Peter’s Secondary School (SPSS) and Holy Cross Secondary School (HCSS) came together to walk for the Terry Fox Rally to raise money for cancer research on Thursday morning.

Both institutions walked in a circuit, starting from St. Peter’s on Medical Drive before convening at the school’s football field.

“To see the love and the effort here to support such a cause in Terry Fox, I know that cancer has affected each of our lives so to be here today and to have the energy, it's such a beautiful feeling,” said Natalie Bittner, HCSS principal.

HCSS aimed to raise $15,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation. Their most significant fundraising method was selling dress-down tickets to allow students to dress casually rather than in their uniforms for a week. The school did face painting and nail decorations and sold Terry Fox apparel to help with the fundraiser.

SPSS had a more ambitious goal of $70,000. Students registered with the Terry Fox website to raise money independently. They also had dress-down days and ran community events to raise funds.

“Last year, we finished third overall in Canada for raising the most,” said Shannon Brady, SPSS principal. “Last year, we raised $60,000 so we’re bumping it up to $70,000 this year.”

All proceeds from the snack and concession stands —sold by both schools on-site — went towards the schools’s respective fundraiser totals.

The two schools also held their annual football game against each other, with both the junior and senior teams playing, following the walk in the afternoon. The game is known as the ‘Catholic Bowl’ or ‘Holy Bowl.’ since it is the city’s only two Catholic high schools. It started in 2003 when Holy Cross began its inaugural football program.

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Last-Second Invite Yields An OFSAA Silver Medal For Holy Cross Girls' Rugby

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The returning-champion A/AA Holy Cross Hurricanes almost successfully defended their title with a last-second invite and earned a silver medal at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Girls Rugby Championships on Wednesday.

Front row (left to right): Audrey McDonald, Audrey stone, Logan jolley, Jenna whynot, Katie Belk, Emma Belk, Olivia gaebel, Jordyn Scott, Macy Harper, Shannon Elliott

Back row (left to right): Jake Fowler, Marielle Collins, Mariah Maybee, Charley Wade, Kassidy buott, Iza Buott, Payton cough, Jordan bankes, Riley Stone, Sophie McLean, ruby Briand, kyrsten white, Chloe ward, alara Rourke, Brian Greer, Chris Paige Photo courtesy of Holy Cross Secondary School.

The Hurricanes originally were not qualified for OFSAA after suffering a defeat at the hands of the Cobourg’s St. Mary Thunder in the Central Ontario Secondary Schools Association (COSSA) championships, 7-5. The team received an invite from OFSAA organizers last Thursday after a last-second vacancy was made.

Holy Cross took another loss from them again in the OFSAA finals, 14-5 at Mary Ann Sills Park in Belleville in a three-day event from Monday to Wednesday.

Head coach Jake Fowler said that he’s proud of the drive, determination and team’s character which resulted in second place, considering the short window of opportunity to prepare for OFSAA.

“It speaks tremendously to the girls and their hearts and the pride they take in our program,” he explained. “Many of them were members of the gold-medal team last year so they went back to their experience and that was what propelled them.”

Holy Cross opened their day with a 60-7 rout of Toronto’s Ursula Franklin Academy Flames on day one to advance them into the quarterfinals.

They continued their run, playing their first of two games on the second day. Holy Cross advanced to the semifinals, defeating the Cairine Wilson Secondary School Wildcats out of Orleans in a close 15-12 win.

The Hurricanes kept their winning streak going with a tight win over Shelburne’s Centre Dufferin District High School Royals, 14-12. That win gave them the rematch against St. Mary’s, resulting in a loss.

“It's been quite a season,” said Fowler. “To go from not getting an invite to pulling it off just speaks to the group of girls.”

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Peterborough to Host OFSAA Boys Lacrosse Championships In Two-Day Event Starting Monday

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Peterborough is hosting the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Boys’ A/AA and AAA field lacrosse championships on Monday and Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of TAS Griffins.

The Holy Cross Hurricanes and Thomas A. Stewart (TAS) Griffins are co-hosting the event. The tournament is being hosted at Trent University’s Justin Chiu Stadium and at TAS for the AAA tournament. The A/AA division will see Sir Sandford Fleming Turf Fields and Holy Cross as their venues.

TAS and St. Peter’s Saints have qualified for the event from their standings at Central Ontario Secondary Schools Association (COSSA) for the AAA tournament. Holy Cross, Crestwood Mustangs will be in the A/AA tournament according to the league’s schedule.

Monday consists of round-robin play where each school plays everyone in their three-team pool. Tuesday is where all consolation and playoff games will be played.

Schedules for the AAA and A/AA tournaments can be found online.

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Photos: Holy Cross Students Celebrate Asian Heritage Month With Cooking Demo In 'Cook Eat Love' Culinary Program

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Roughly 20 students from grades 9-12 at Holy Cross Secondary School received a cooking demonstration from Susan Tung and Morgan Bell, owner and general manager of Hanoi House (Vietnamese) and NAKA Japanese Food & Drink restaurants.

The demo is part of the school’s Cook Eat Love culinary program offered to the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board’s six secondary schools throughout May to learn about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage.

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Holy Cross Celebrates Grand Opening Of New Sport Complex

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After three years of construction, the next era of athletics for Holy Cross Secondary School (HCSS) is here as a new sports complex with an artificial turf field has officially opened on Tuesday.

City members, Holy Cross student athletes and staff celebrate on the artificial turf that is also available for use by the community. The Holy Cross’s football team began in 2003. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

City members, Holy Cross student athletes and staff celebrate on the artificial turf that is also available for use by the community. The Holy Cross’s football team began in 2003. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The project cost $3.7 million and sports such as field hockey, football, track and field, rugby and more are played at the complex.

Upgrades include an artificial turf field converting from natural grass. Night lighting, improving track and field features, such as high jump, long jump, and resurfacing the eight-lane track surrounding the field. New pathways and upgraded spectator seating improve the accessibility of the facility.

“To have the field here for all our rugby practices and games, it's awesome,” said Sophie McLean, Grade 11 student and girls’ rugby player.

“For my whole high school career, it's always been at a different school because our field has been at work,” said Eli McColl, HCSS senior student trustee and HCSS quarterback. “It finally feels amazing to be stepping at home and bring our teams here and show them what Holy Cross really is.”

@ptbo_canada

This is what $3.7 million dollars looks like! Awesome new field you have Holy Cross Secondary School!

♬ Rock 'n' Roll (Part 2) - Gary Glitter

The joint project was led by the city and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB).

Mayor Diane Therrien, Councillor Leslie Parnell and school board officials were in attendance to briefly speak on the official opening.

“We have been watching the construction of this new state-of-the art track and field at Holy Cross CSS with much excitement,” said Joan Carragher, PVNC Director of Education. “We are thrilled that the track is now officially open and we look forward to seeing students and staff using these facilities to the fullest this upcoming school year and for many years to come.”

“Being a father of four daughters who are all involved in athletics, I know that some of the greatest lessons are learned on the sports field,” said David Bernier, PVNCCDSB Chair.

“The new artificial turf field and track amenities are top-notch. This is an exciting project that will greatly improve sports and recreation facilities for the Peterborough community, PVNC students. Artificial turf fields allow us to expand the sports season and add to our “sport’s hub” for sports tourism and local tournaments,” said Parnell. “Artificial fields present savings in terms of annual operating costs as they only need to be raked once weekly and do not need watering or fertilizing.”

Mayor Diane Therrien was one of several speakers that attended the ceremony. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Mayor Diane Therrien was one of several speakers that attended the ceremony. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The artificial turf also has safety advantages that the coaches and players have experienced on other fields.

“You're getting consistency in turf like this. It is an aggressive surface. It moves faster but there are no potholes for you to fall into,” said Geoff McKinley, HCSS boys football coach. “Things that we're working on with the athletes are acceleration and deceleration to make sure that they're minimizing injuries but you're not dealing with things that you can't control that can happen on a grass field and the maintenance that goes with that.”

“It gives you the opportunity to cut in and out, make those runs and those passes that you need to make,” said McColl. “It gives you the opportunity to shine as an athlete and shows your full potential as well.”

The facility was available to permit beginning July 19 with community sports groups using it throughout the summer and on evenings and weekends in the fall.

Holy Cross CSS has been using the facility since the beginning of the school year. Community sports teams can contact 705-742-7777 ext. 1829 for current permit information.

The first game played on the field since its opening was girls’ rugby as the Holy Cross Hurricanes hosted the Campbellford District Flames on Tuesday.

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Holy Cross Students Walk A Mile In Her Shoes Event Was A Thing Of Beauty

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[***UPDATE: YWCA tells PTBOCanada that the total amount raised for the Holy Cross Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event is $2,383.25—surpassing their goal of $2,000! Awesome!!]

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This year's Walk A Mile in Her Shoes event for YWCA takes place May 27th, but in the build up to the big day many local schools—Holy Cross, Crestwood and Kenner—are hosting their own special events to raise money and awareness among students.

On a beautiful Tuesday (May 3rd), Holy Cross students and staff hosted a great day at their school to show their support for Walk a Mile and promote healthy relationships.

More than 50 staff and students participated, walking four laps on the school track in heels.

Eileen Kimmett was there and snapped these great photos...

There were also great tweets throughout the Walk a Mile event at the school...

The day was further proof that youth in our community—the next generation to make an impact—are amazing.

[Related: 10 Things You Should Know About 2016 Walk A Mile In Her Shoes]

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Stuff To Do in Peterborough This Weekend

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Friday

31st Annual Peterborough Psychic Fair, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Best Western Otonabee Inn (84 Lansdowne St. E) $5

Peterborough Theatre Guild presents Art, 8 p.m. $18, $16/Seniors, $10/Students

Students of Holy Cross Secondary School (1355 Lansdowne St W) present Nifty 50's Musical,  8 p.m. $10 at the door, $5/students, $25/family

Mid-Life Crisis at The Venue (286 George St. N) $15, Doors open at 8:30 p.m. 

Saturday

18th Annual Rock and Fossil Show 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evinrude Centre (911 Monaghan Road) $3, Children under 12 - Free

31st Annual Peterborough Psychic Fair, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Best Western Otonabee Inn (84 Lansdowne St. E) $5

Premiere Studio of Dance presents Showcase 2011, 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Showplace Performance Centre, $15

Peterborough Theatre Guild presents Art, 8 p.m. $18, $16/Seniors, $10/Students

Students of Holy Cross Secondary School (1355 Lansdowne St W) presents Nifty 50's Musical,  8 p.m., $10 at the door, $5/students, $25/family

Greg Keelor with Travis Good at The Venue Doors open at 8 p.m. $25 in advance, $30 at the door

Sunday

18th Annual Rock and Fossil Show 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Evinrude Centre (911 Monaghan Road) $3, Children under 12 - Free

31st Annual Peterborough Psychic Fair 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Best Western Otonabee Inn (84 Lansdowne St. E) $5

4th Line Theatre presents 8th Annual Breaking Ground hosted at the Peterborough Museum and Archives (300 Hunter St E at Museum Drive) 2 p.m. *Admission is free but limited seating available

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To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.