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Barbados on the Water Festival Shares Culture, Music and More

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BY: KRISTINA RAMCHARRAN

The annual Barbados on the Water festival in Toronto took the city by storm, with Bajan fashion, music, food and much more. The two-day event ran from Friday to Sunday, giving the weekend festival goers a great treat to take part in cultural festivities by the lake.

The event which runs every year at the Harbourfront Center in Toronto is co-produced by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. This year’s event dominated the last weekend in May, as events occurred all throughout the day and into the night on the 26th till the 28th.

Many in attendance included Bajan natives, as well as curious Torontonians looking to be immersed in the Bajan culture, or even those interested in traveling to the tourist friendly island.

With the smell of island food in the air, there were Bajan food vendors all around the festival selling signature dishes like flying fish and delicious macaroni pie. And to accompany those dishes there were many popular Caribbean drinks available. Those included fresh mauby and sorrel, which people could also buy to take home.

The vendors market was a colorful array of displays, with vendors selling clothing, including traditional outfits, jewelry, natural hair and body products, and accessories. The marketplace took over a sprawling area outdoors, where DJ Niterider was spinning all of the best Bajan and Caribbean music to keep up with the lively atmosphere.

The Harbourfront theater featured the Bridgetown Barbados Fashion weekend, which included two fashion shows, giving attendees a chance to see the latest in Bajan cultural fashion. The fashion show ran for all three days of the festival.

This year’s event featured a great lineup of performers at the concert stage. Performers ranged from those up and coming such as R&B singers Nikita and the Ryan Lewis Project to popular Bajan musicians. Of those musicians, there were notable Soca heavyweights like Edwin Yearwood, Peter Ram, Lil Rick, and Rupee.

Superstars Lil Rick and Rupee closed off the first two nights of the festival with high energy performances that drew hundreds of people to the concert stage as the event concluded each night.

International Soca Artist Rupee was the most anticipated headliner at the festival and was sure to meet and greet all of his fans at the end of his performance on Friday. After his performance, Toronto Caribbean was able to have an exclusive interview with the superstar and find out what he has planned for the rest of 2017.

“My next appearance might possibly be for Caribana,” said Rupee, ensuring anyone who missed his Barbados on the Water performances, that he will be back in August.

On top of coming back to Toronto for the city’s annual carnival, he is also taking Soca music to new heights around the world. “[My] Travelling schedule has been crazy, I was just recently in Abu Dhabi, Doha in Qatar. Took Soca music to Doha for the first time, an absolutely amazing experience.”

He also noted he will be traveling to perform in Columbia and Belize for the first in time in the upcoming weeks.

“I just came out of an extremely successful Trinidad carnival,” added Rupee on his latest carnival experience. “[It’s the] first time I was there after maybe seven years, felt as though I never left.”

On his new music, Rupee is also bringing Soca into the mainstream by signing his latest song to a big record label, ensuring for great exposure. “We released a song called ‘Tipsy’ that has just completely blown up. It was recently signed to Ultra Music/ Sony Music.”

He also hinted at releasing more music later in the year, “Cropover is around the corner in Barbados and we’re looking to release maybe one or two songs for that.”

“I can safely say that Rupee wouldn’t be who he is today, without Toronto, without their support. They’re such an integral part, of who I am, my foundation. I mean I’ve been coming here for over more than seventeen years, almost two decades,” he said when asked to share a message with his fans in Toronto.

“The love it just continues to grow stronger, it’s never withered.”

Rupee’s performances at the festival wowed the fans and got everyone on their feet as he sang some of his most popular songs like “What Happens in the Party” and “I Am a Bajan”, which also summed up the spirit of the island country of Barbados.

Other events that took place during the weekend besides the concerts, provided a family friendly setting which included face painting for children, story time sessions with famous authors, and even making Cropover masks in an arts and crafts session.

The free cultural event attracted thousands over the course of the weekend, as festival attendees were able to enjoy all of the festival’s great offerings such as the Barbados Rum Experience, the Bajan way for enjoying patio drinks in Toronto.

Festival attendee Shawn Mohabir noted as a previous traveler to Barbados, the festival made him fall in love with the country all over again. “The people there are nice, the place is beautiful, the food is amazing and the scenery is to die for. In general, it’s a beautiful country,” he said.

For anyone who missed this year’s festivities, don’t be alarmed. The festival is slated to return to Toronto in the late spring-early summer of next year.

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Record entries for JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition

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Winner of the 2023 staging of the JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition ,Joel Miller, (third from left), shares a moment with representatives of the Jamaica Cultural |Development Commission (JCDC), organizers of the event. From left are Shaun Drysdale – Drama and Theatre Arts Development Specialist, Andrew Brodber – Director, Arts Development and Training and Executive Director, Lenford Salmon.

BY RUSHANE FERRON

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has received an unprecedented number of submissions for this year’s FiWi Short Film Competition. Launched earlier this year, the competition drew an impressive 47 entries. Currently, 17 shortlisted films are available for public viewing on the JCDC’s YouTube channel, with winners set to be announced on October 24th.

Executive Director of the JCDC, Mr. Lenford Salmon, expressed pride in the competition’s growing success, stating, “This record number of entries reflects how Jamaicans are embracing the programmes offered by the JCDC. While the Commission is well known for preserving and showcasing our culture, we also recognize the importance of using technology to engage, particularly with our youth. The FiWi Short Film Competition is a perfect example of how we can bring our culture to life in the digital age. The fact that it’s four years old and already experiencing this level of growth is a promising sign for the future.”

Drama and Theatre Arts Development Specialist at the JCDC, Mr. Shaun Drysdale, attributes this year’s spike in entries to the increasing interest in filmmaking, fueled by the proliferation of social media platforms that support storytelling through visuals.

We are living in a digital age. Filmmaking is now in the hands of the average person on the street via his, or her cell phone. Add to that the inherent creativity of Jamaicans and you are left with a potent combination, which when given the correct environment, can reap tangible rewards. That is what we are experiencing at this time,” Mr. Drysdale said.

The JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition seeks to promote Jamaican culture through the production of films ranging from 3-5 minutes in duration. The films must be based on set criteria, and primarily centred around a Jamaican proverb.

This year’s proverbs are: “Sweet mout fly follow coffin go a hole”; “Puss nuh hab han, but him tek him foot wipe him face”; “Keep clear a ole house, les dem fall dung pon you”; “Rockstone a riber bottom nuh feel sun hot”; and “Finger tink, yuh cyan cut eh trow ‘wey”.

In addition to the proverbs, participants were also given two special themes around which to build the treatment of their films, based on concepts provided by two sponsors. These are: “SEAS IN FOCUS: Uniting for marine managed areas”- National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica (NCTFJ) and “Need a passport quick, Get it with just a click”- Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA).

Mr. Drysdale further noted that this year’s shortlisted films represent a variety of the possible genres with eleven dramatic works, two animation films, one comedy, one documentary and two science fiction films. Three of the participants are from the youth category, which is for filmmakers between 12-18 years old and the remaining 14 from adult category.

In addition to viewing the short films online, the public will have an opportunity to view at a special screening to be held on National Heroes’ Day, Monday, October 21st, 2024, as a feature of JCDC National Heritage Fest and Family Fun Day being held on the south lawn at Devon House in St Andrew.

The FiWi Short Film Competition was started by the JCDC in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition is the brainchild of the JCDC’s Drama and Theatre Arts Unit and encourages Jamaican amateur filmmakers to examine selected Jamaican proverbs and based on their interpretation create the treatment for a short film.

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York Catholic is leading the province in educational achievement

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BY PAUL JUNOR

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), which administers the Grade 3, 6 and 9 assessments across Ontario and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), recently released the 2024 results. For many schools across the province, EQAO results are a snapshot of how students are doing compared to their peers in other schools at the same grade level.

The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) has maintained a high level of consistency with respect to the outstanding performance of its students on the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). In a media release on Wednesday, October 9th, 2024, details were revealed about the positive achievements and exemplary accomplishments of its students.

EQAO results were released on September 26th, 2024. The focus was, “Mathematics Achievement Remains an Area of Focus but Sees Gradual Growth Over Time with Some School Boards Showing Significant Increases; Literacy Achievement Remains High but Shows Some Decline.” The data was based on the 2023-2024 school year during which over 570,000 students wrote the EQAO assessments at the elementary and secondary levels on the English and French-language school systems.

For students who wrote the Grade 3 Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics:

  • 71% met the provincial standard in reading compared to 73% in 2022-2023, and 73% in 2021-2022.
  • 64% of Grade 3 students met the provincial standard in writing, compared to 65% in 2022-2023 and 65% in 2021-2022.
  • 61% of Grade 3 students met the provincial standard in mathematics, compared to 60% in 2022-2023 and 59% in 2021-2022.

For students who wrote the Grade 6 Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics:

  • 82% met the provincial standard in reading, compared to 84% in 2022-2023 and 85% in 2021-2022.
  • 80% met the provincial standard in writing, compared to 84% in 2022-2023, and 84% in 2021-2022.
  • 50% met the provincial standard in mathematics, compared to 50% in 2022-2023 and 47 % in 2021-2022.

For students who wrote the Grade 9 Assessment in Mathematics:

  • 54% met the provincial standard, compared to 54% in 2022-2023 and 52% in 2021-2022.

For students who wrote the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT):

  • 85% of first-time eligible students were successful, compared to 85% in 2022-23 and 82% in 2021-2022.
  • 52% of previously eligible students were successful in 2023-2024, compared to 63% in 2022-2023 and 85% in 2021-2022.

John De Faveri, Interim Director of Education of the YCDSB writes, “We are always looking for ways to provide a better school experience, but today is a time to celebrate our students and staff for their excellent academic achievement. I want to particularly highlight the incredible work that is being done in mathematics, which we see in these results. Mathematical literacy is such an important life skill and we are happy to share a love of numbers with our students.”

Results from the Grade 3, 6 and 9 EQAO Mathematics results show improvement in Mathematics compared to 2023. In addition, with respect to reading and writing results for Grade 6 there has been a consistent steady upward rise in the performance of students as 89% and 90% of students met or exceeded provincial standards when compared to the province’s average of 82% and 89%.

Elizabeth Crowe, Chair of the Board of Trustees for YCDSB states, “EQAO results are just one of the ways we see how York Catholic is leading the province in educational achievement. As a Catholic learning community, we want to see every child succeed and EQAO results help us measure our progress toward that noble goal.”

Overall, the percentage of students who participated from YCDSB in Grade 3 and 6 EQAO were 97% and 98%, respectively. For Grade 9 Math assessment there were 93% of eligible students and 97% in the OSSLT.

Any parents or guardians interested in learning about the 2024 EQAO and OSSLT results and individual school results for their children can check the EQAO’s website: https://www.eqao.com/results/.

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York Catholic District School Board plans open house for future high school students

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Credits: Pch.Vector

BY PAUL JUNOR

There is: planning, preparation, and organization that parents, guardians and caregivers must make in York Region as they prepare their children for high school. For those who chose to send them to a high school at the Catholic board, there are open houses planned to make this process easier to navigate.

In a press release on Thursday, October 10th, 2024, details were revealed about these open houses. It notes, “The open houses will highlight key aspects of each school, including administration, programs, graduation requirements, uniforms, school structure, student opportunities and more. In addition, information about the registration process, including registration dates, deadlines and documents needed to enroll, will be discussed.

The media release mentioned the seven regional programs, and ten Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) programs. They include:

Advanced Placement

Programs with an extended and enriched curriculum allow students to earn credits or advanced standing at most universities.

English as a Second Language

(ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD)

English as a Second Language and English Literacy Development programs assist English language learners from diverse linguistic and education backgrounds in attaining English language proficiency.

French Immersion (FI)

Students who completed the Elementary French Immersion programs, or equivalent can continue with the immersion program to earn a French immersion certificate upon graduation.

High Performer Athlete (HPA)

An academic-based program for student-athletes participating in competitive-level athletics. Students benefit from a flexible timetable to help balance their academic and athletic commitments and earn high school credits for the work they put into their training.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

A rigorous and intellectually challenging pre-university course of study that allows students to earn an IB Diploma upon graduation, recognized in Canada and abroad.

Regional Arts (RAP)/Integrated Regional Arts Program(iRAP)

Students specialize in drama, dance, visual arts, digital media arts, instrumental music, or vocal music- while obtaining their high school diploma. In the iRAP, students experience their learning through an integrated model where the curriculum is explored in relation to the interconnectedness of the individual, the community, and the world.

STREAM Program

Students explore real-world challenges and use the design thinking process to develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills, guided by the traditional Catholic social teachings. This academic program uses an interdisciplinary approach to inquiry and problem-based learning.

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

Students can obtain a diploma with a specialist in either: Arts and Culture; Aviation and Aerospace; Business; Health and Wellness; Hospitality and Tourism; Information and Communication Technology; Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services, Manufacturing; or Non-Profit. Every YCDSB school offers a SHSM program.

Parents or guardians who live in York Region and are interested in any programs can check: Website: www.ycdsb.ca

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