Trafalgar School offers quality instruction in both French Immersion and the regular English program. As all of our French Immersion and many of our English track students are being educated in a second language, the teachers use strategies that specifically address the needs of second-language learners. The teachers enjoy the support of parents in ensuring our students reach their potential.
The combination of English and French Immersion
tracks provides for a rich multi-cultural student body which is noted for its
welcoming attitude, academic achievement and excellent behaviour.
While specific events are targeted for learners in
each program, all extra-curricular activities include children from both the
French Immersion and English programs. The Care Team, composed of
self-elected representatives from the intermediate class, provides leadership in
social responsibility by undertaking school projects and fund raising for
charity.
The support staff at the school provides additional
assistance anywhere from 2-4 periods per week to all students in the school at
the primary level and at the intermediate level in the English program. During
this time students are grouped according to their instructional level in reading
and engage in literacy activities at that specific level. This has had the
effect of helping all students at either end of the learning spectrum. Students
experiencing significant difficulties are given help over and above this in
either the Learning Assistance program or through the ESL program.
The school boasts a computer lab, relevant
educational software and Internet access. Each class is scheduled for two-forty
minute periods per week of computer instruction. The Library Resource Centre is
also Internet-linked and contains an English and French collection which has
been recently upgraded through a generous donation from the Parent Advisory
Council. Parent resources are also available in Chinese and
Japanese.
Students are privileged to go on a number of field
trips each year to complement their classroom learning. The most notable ones
are a trip to Quebec for the Grade 6 and 7 students in French Immersion, camp
for all Grade 6 students, the ski program for grades 4 and 5 students, and camp
for Grade 2-3 students.
The arts are highly valued at Trafalgar. Students
receive regular classroom instruction and are encouraged to participate in the
school's band. Professional artists perform at the school on a regular basis
and this program is funded also by the Parent Advisory Council.
The school community recently completed rebuilding
and extending the adventure playground at the school