School spirit was bursting from the seams during Norwell District Secondary School’s annual pep rally and hockey game on Nov. 30.
Every year, the school invites students from its partner schools to Norwell to join in on the fun and get to know the school and staff. Grade 8 students from Drayton Heights PS, Palmerston PS and Minto-Clifford PS, as well as Grade 6 students from Maryborough PS, were bused to Norwell on Wednesday.
They got front row seats at the pep rally, then joined Norwell staff and students at the Palmerston community centre to watch the Varsity Reds hockey team take on the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders in an annual tournament that sees teams come to Palmerston from as far as Windsor and Toronto.
Now in its third year, the pep rally is organized by the student leadership group. This year it featured events like tug of war between Norwell athletes, a flash mob by the school’s dance crew, and more. Visiting students were also shown a video giving them a glimpse of life at Norwell and how the secondary school “lives and breathes school spirit.”
Wednesday’s event is just one way the school reaches out to help younger students transition to high school and familiarize them with Norwell DSS. The school’s principal and guidance counsellor also make trips to partner schools to speak to students about programs, registration and timetables.
The school hosts a Grade 8 information night for parents, and Grade 8 students are invited to Norwell for its Technology Day.
In speaking to future Varsity Reds on Wednesday, Norwell principal Paul Richard let the younger students know they’re already part of the Norwell family.
Submitted by Heather Loney, communications and community engagement office, Upper Grand District School Board
