Category Archives: Foundation Student Reps

The Dragons’ Den: Spring Edition

Over the past few years, we have featured articles about our “Dragons’ Den”—a twice yearly event at which student groups ask the Foundation for funding to support NT’s extra-curricular clubs and teams, many of which were thriving when you were at the school. Clubs like Graffiti, the illustrious school newspaper, request monies to help with their printing costs, while the Remembrance Day Committee, which puts on an annual assembly at the school, uses our funding to pay for pipers and a reception for the participating Veterans. Without our help, some of these groups would not exist, or would be unable to do some of the things they do.

At our most recent Dragons’ Den, the Foundation was able to provide some financial support to all of the groups who requested funding. For example, the YMCA Exchange group received a grant to purchase TTC passes for students visiting from an Indigenous Reserve in Northern Ontario so that they could travel around the city with their NT hosts. Another group received funding to pay the cost of a bus so that members could attend a leadership camp. Although the groups making presentations often ask for more funds than we are able to provide, we do our best to award at least some of what they request. We particularly try to support groups whose initiatives reflect NTCI’s traditions and heritage.

When you consider donating to the Foundation, remember that any amount, large or small, is always welcome! Your $50.00 donation could help pay the registration fee for the Robotics Team to participate in a competition. A $100.00 donation could pay for a new team jersey! Please remember, your donations go a long way to ensure the continuation of the school’s extra-curricular activities. The funding we provide is always appreciated: the students are genuinely grateful for any contribution we can give them.

Our 2017 Student Reps

Being student representatives on the North Toronto Foundation has been not only a privilege but a delight. In the beginning, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into and were frankly a little intimidated. As both the youngest and the newest, we knew absolutely nothing about how anything worked within the community that the Foundation had built over the years. Nevertheless, we were not surprised to be greeted with open
arms and warm smiles at our first meeting – NT’s welcoming tradition in action. Everyone introduced themselves with their name and grad year and, of course, some background information on themselves.

The Foundation usually holds about five or six two-hour meetings throughout the school year. On some topics, such as financials and newsletter discussions, we don’t have much to contribute. However, when it comes to what’s currently going on inside the walls of NT, we can definitely contribute student knowledge, such as thoughts on club activities and upcoming school-run events, and updates on everything from recent athletic achievements to events such as Midnight Madness or Mental Health Awareness Week.
A more specifically defined job of ours is to work alongside another Foundation member to organize the Dragons’ Dens. We help with the promotional and organizational aspects of the event, serve as MCs during the presentations and contribute background information on the clubs when the time comes to vote.

Being on this committee has taught us many skills that we will be able to use in the future. While both of us have been involved with councils at North Toronto and have run many events, the difference between a school-run committee and the alumni council is huge. We’ve gotten a feel for what real responsibility is, and an understanding of how to handle big projects that involve hundreds of people. In addition, it has been incredible to hear the beginnings of real-world initiatives, such as the acquisition of a trophy case or the creation of the Foundation News. Overall, serving on the  Foundation has been an amazing experience!

Eleni Anastasiadis and Jake Ballantyne

A Day in the Life of an NT Student

This is the fourth consecutive school year in which the foundation has had the benefit of direct input from current NT students. our student reps enliven our meetings with their perspective and help us keep the purpose of our endeavours fresh and real. We thought you might like to hear from Siobhan Kidd and Riley Scanlan.
A Day in the Life of an NT Student
Subway doors open, it’s time to get off,
You’ll work hard and play hard, to quote Gorenkoff.
You walk up the street, and pick up a green tea.
You thank the barista, and skip off with glee.
Approaching NT, Dan welcomes you in,
He gives you a high five and a great big grin.
You enter home form and you hear Hot Air play,
Your day has begun in a wonderful way.
O Canada blares as you look ’round the room;
You smile as your friendships are starting to bloom.
First period begins, the teacher presents
A lesson about a historical event.
An hour has passed and you start to pack;
You walk down the hall and say hi to prez Jack.
This period is spare, so you look for your friend;
You’ll go to the library and plan your weekend.
Lunchtime arrives, intramurals calls your name,
You grab a couple friends and start a dodgeball game.
It’s almost 3:15, the day has flown by;
Now you’ve got choir, time to sing low and high.
You finally get home, what a long day you’ve had—
No homework tonight, oh boy aren’t you glad?
Another day down, you get ready for bed
You’ve worked hard and played hard, just as he said.