The Hill Academy Newsletter- October 25th, 2020
October 25th, 2020 HILL Message (from Academic Director Rick Kunc): Legacy. Webster's Dictionary defines 'legacy' as “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.” Legacy is a critical part to the HILL values. It is difficult for an adolescent to see how they may leave a legacy. They often think of legacy as a material thing. At The Hill, legacy is much more than that and it is visible every day. Students leave a legacy when they continue the tradition of honouring the 18 and 45. This tradition has been passed on to each new year of students and honours a set of values and a work ethic that we value. Our culture is visible when I see a student helping another with their academic work in the flex space or when I see teammates cheering on the final runner when they are training. And the culture exists when I overhear a student telling another student, “…we don’t do that”. When our leadership class organized a Red/ White practice as a fundraiser for Toys for Terry. This is a charity event that was started after our student, Tye Tovell, lost his father Terry last year. Students have the single greatest influence on school culture. And when students demonstrate the importance of honouring a set of values and a work ethic, supporting each other, and having an impact on the community they leave a legacy. They pass that way of being to the students that come along after them. They teach these students the importance of being part of something bigger than themselves. Quote of the Week: “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” — Greek Proverb ________________________________________________________________________
Other Notes and Important Information: Monday Morning Assembly: There is a Monday morning assembly tomorrow. Secondary students will tune in by clicking the Zoom link below at 8:30am: Monday Morning Assembly Spirit Week: To raise school spirit, the PG Leadership class is organizing a Spirit Week this week leading up to Halloween. They will be discussing further details on the Monday morning assembly. Here is the schedule of events: Monday: Pumpkin carving contest; deadline Friday, October 31st; submit via Direct Message to @thehillacademy on Instagram. Tuesday: Pyjama Day; wear your favourite pyjamas. Wednesday: Jersey Day; show off your favourite team. Thursday: Costume contest; show off your Halloween spirit! There will be a haunted house in the afternoon. ____________________________________________________________________________
HILL Athletics (From Athletic Director Brodie Merrill) It was a significant week at The Hill, with the opening of our new turf field exclusively for our students athletes. It is a unique setting, immersed within the surrounding nature and situated in a valley- like area, with a lot of natural seating/space for spectators. You can picture future games and events for many years to come. It was nice to see the smiles on our student’s faces, simply getting to run and play on the new field. We reflect back on the fields that we have used over our history and it gives perspective on how far we have come. Our modest facilities (in relative terms to some of our competition) became a part of our program identity. We learned that facilities are great to complement and enhance programming, but do not define a program. The program will always be defined by the character of the people within it! As our campus continues to develop and grow, we want to continue to acknowledge those that have come before us and carry on the challenge and responsibility to keep making the school a better place than when you got here. That has been the mindset of so many staff and students over the years and the root of why we are where we are today. Hockey Notes from Coach Orr: Recently on our prep hockey zoom meeting, we were fortunate to be joined by the Assistant coach of Bowling Green University, Curtis Carr.
Assistant Coach Bowling Green University, NCAA (current position)
Associate Head Coach Merrimack College, NCAA
Head Coach Youngstown Phantoms, USHL
Player Georgetown Raiders, OJHL
He provided valuable feedback on the Recruiting Process: Own your role
They recruit based on what the program and team needs are. Play to your strengths and be the best at your role on the team.
NCAA coaches rely on coaches and people they trust for recruiting
They will call coaches, guidance departments, teachers, strength coaches, etc. to do their research. Advisors are helpful for families. However, NCAA programs will do their research through the necessary avenues that they trust and believe in.
Email coaches to introduce yourself
Be proactive and reach out to programs that may be a strong fit for you.
Keep in mind that your athleticism, academics and overall fit need to line up with the institution you are reaching out to. Key elements they look for when recruiting an NCAA athlete
Skating (hockey is truly a skating game now)
Hockey sense (play with and with out the puck)
Compete (will you do the things to make the team successful and play with a high level of intensity)
I am proud to say I have been friends with Curtis for over 20 years now. He provided our student-athletes with a great overview of the NCAA recruiting process. During his time at Merrimack College, three Hill Academy student-athletes committed to their program. Among others recruited, Ethan Spaxman, Johnny Kovacevic (3rd round pick of the Winnipeg Jets), and Liam Dennison have all gone on to play for Merrimack. We thank Curtis for joining us and wish him all the best moving forward with Bowling Green University. This week the prep hockey teams will be joined by American Hockey League Coach David Urquhart. Dave will be doing a video session on defensive zone coverage. Please find the zoom details in our weekly schedule below. This past week Hill Varsity Hockey Alum, Mikael Kingo was awarded a prestigious leadership/community award from Hockey Canada. Thanks to Mikael for setting such a positive example in the hockey world! Lacrosse Notes: Parents and players are all welcome to join a NCAA information night on Wednesday. The information is below: Topic: Hill NCAA Info Night Time: Oct 28, 2020 08:00 PM America/Toronto Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/94944017312 This Week's Lacrosse Schedule: Monday: Remote Non-Athletic Day (no practices) Tuesday: Grade 9,10, 10 Boys Lacrosse: 8:15- 9:15am Practice @ The Hill Academy Grade 12, PG Boys Lacrosse: 9:30am- 10:30am Practice @ The Hill Academy Girls Lacrosse: 12:15pm- 1:15pm practice @ The Hill Academy Wednesday: Grade 9,10, 10 Boys Lacrosse: 8:15- 9:15am Practice @ The Hill Academy Grade 12, PG Boys Lacrosse: 9:30am- 10:30am Practice @ The Hill Academy Girls Lacrosse: 12:15pm- 1:15pm practice @ The Hill Academy Thursday: Grade 9,10, 10 Boys Lacrosse: 8:15- 9:15am Practice @ The Hill Academy Grade 12, PG Boys Lacrosse: 9:30am- 10:30am Practice @ The Hill Academy Girls Lacrosse: 12:15pm- 1:15pm practice @ The Hill Academy Friday: PD Day- No Classes or practices This Week's Hockey Schedule: Monday: Remote Non-Athletic Day (no practices) Prep Hockey: Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 818 2568 9823 Passcode: cMPe66- Tuesday: Senior Varsity @ Teen Ranch Arena 8:15- 9:15am Prep Hockey: 8:15am- 9:15am U17 and U18 Team Practice @ Alder Arena Wednesday: All Junior & Senior Varsity Goalie Session @ Teen Ranch Arena 8:15 - 9:15am Senior Varsity Skaters: 8:30am- 9:30am Practice @ Alder Arena Prep Hockey: 8:15am- 9:15am Goalie Session and Player Skill Practice @ Alder Arena Thursday: Varsity Hockey: 8:15am- 9:15am Practice @ Teen Ranch Prep Hockey: 8:15am- 9:15am Individual Skill Development @ Alder Arena Friday: PD Day- No classes or practices **Please note that parents are NOT permitted inside the arenas during practice time.**