Values Awards – YMCA Academy

2017 Graduation & End of Year Ceremony

Don Adams July 7, 2017 Community, Head of School, Student Spotlight, Values Awards No Comments

Among the many amazing things about a YMCA Academy graduation, the one that stands out for me is the sense of shared celebration. We are members of a close and inclusive community of learners, who support one another socially and academically. Many of our students come to the school with little hope of success based on their experience within the education system; in their admissions interviews with me prior to enrolment, many of their parents and guardians express their sense of hopelessness for their children’s academic and life success.

So, the sense of celebration, of having achieved beyond their expectations, of heading off to new challenges well-equipped for success — this is what is behind the entirely positive vibe of the night! The fact that this was our largest graduating class to date only added to the energy of the evening.

Each member of The Academy is fully invested in the success of our students, and we all experience with them the sense of accomplishment and excitement for what comes next. That this is a shared experience is clear from every conversation I have that evening. It’s clear as well from what was shared on various social media.

Have a look here:

I am so proud of my youngest daughter Emma. In spite of all the challenges the world through at her, she persevered and…
Posted by Ben Mair on Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Such an amazing Graduation Evening last night. Many thanks to Don Adams, the teachers, and staff. YMCA Academy is a…
Posted by Jules Steele Clyde on Thursday, June 29, 2017

As we move into a new academic year, I keep the graduation in my mind as motivation. See you next year!

Check out more photos from this event on our Facebook page!

Book of Core Values Event

YMCA Academy May 23, 2014September 28, 2015 Events, Student Spotlight, Values Awards No Comments

The Academy’s own Tristan A. designed and created an extraordinary booklet containing information, games and reflection questions about the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s six core values: Responsibility, Respect, Caring, Inclusiveness, Health and Honesty. At lunchtime, we had an author’s signing event in the cafe for “The Lucky Lassy’s Book of Core Values” where students got their booklet’s personalized by Tristan himself. Students in the grade 10 Literacy class are going to use the booklet for their current unit on literacy skills through script reading and acting. Congratulations, Tristan! We can’t wait for your next publication!!

Check out the rest the rest of the pictures on our Facebook page!

Graduation and End of Year

YMCA Academy July 3, 2013September 28, 2015 Beyond the Classroom, Student Spotlight, Values Awards

Our annual YMCA Academy Graduation and End of Year Celebration was a huge success! The food spread was amazing, the decorations were spectacular and the energy and excitement was fantastic. A highlight of the evening was the Academy’s first ever “dance”, a dream that was set to motion by our student Dakota, which featured the acclaimed DJ El Machetero on the turntables. Congratulations to Cato, Jamie, Tristan, Joseph, Hannah and Lexie, our Values Awards winners; Yasin, the winner of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Volunteering and Alex, the YMCA Academy Community Involvement Award. And of course, we would like to extend a huge congratulations to our graduates, Ahmed, Yasin, Alex, Diana and Michael. We wish you all the best in your future, and hope you come back to visit often!