Keeping P.A.C.E. | MAY + JUNE 2025

THE PACE OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

WOW – it’s July! May and June flew by and with the months ahead it’s a great time to reflect on the lessons learned and challenges faced and overcome this past year. The smiles, laughter and memories made. 2024/2025 was a good year and we are so proud of everything you have become from all the fulfilling educational experiences you have had. Wishing you a fun filled summer full of inspiration and introspection – you deserve it!

“There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.” — C.S. Lewis

MAY + JUNE HIGHLIGHTS

Here’s what we’ve been up to—let’s just say they’re ‘soaring to new heights’

Adventurous Exploration: A Science Odyssey
P.A.C.E.’s Science Odyssey was a huge success, as students in grades 6 through 8 shared their discoveries in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  Thank you to all of the parents who took time out of their day to judge and support our burgeoning scientists!  May 2 marked the culmination of months worth of work on the part of our students who predicted, designed, executed and analyzed findings from a physical experiment or working model of their own interest.  Congratulations to all on an outstanding celebration of the world of science.

Grade 5: Art Forms and Traditions
Our grade 5s took a trip to the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre where they created tangible connections between concepts learned in their theme unit to Japanese art forms and traditions!

Grade 3: Challenging Structures
Our grade 3 engineers took on The Tallest Earthquake-Proof Structure Challenge! Using just 50 toothpicks and 25 styrofoam balls, they designed and built towers that had to be tall, strong and stable.

After building, each tower faced an “earthquake” shake and a weight test. From sketching designs to testing real prototypes, students combined creativity, science, and teamwork to problem-solve like pros!

Grade 4: 3D Modelling
Grade 4 students used their knowledge of the human body systems to design and build 3D models using recycled materials. From inflating lungs to pumping hearts, they explained how the digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems work together to keep us alive.

Grade 7: Showcase of Creativity
Our grade 7s have been busy learning the foundations of game development, from planning mechanics and designing levels to writing code line by line. They built their own 2D platformer games in Python—handling everything from character movement and gravity to scoring, collision detection, and sound. Each student created and customized their own levels, and spent time testing, debugging, and refining their games. The project wrapped up with a showcase where they presented their work and reflected on what they learned about coding, creativity, and problem-solving.

Grade 6: Owl’s Hollow
P.A.C.E.’s annual Owl’s Hollow was a success! As part of their entrepreneurial studies, groups of our grade 6s pitched their innovative and creative designs to a panel of “investors” (teachers). Congratulations to all businesses!

Grade 3: Exploring Ancient Egypt
After completing their unit on Ancient Egypt, students had the opportunity to explore the museum through a guided tour, investigate various artifacts, make their own hieroglyphic name, and spend some time in the museum’s gift shop.

Grade 6: Team Building
From May 21-23, our Grade 6s embarked on a leadership and team building field study at Olympia Outdoor and Challenge Education Centre. Students participated in several fun activities together, such as the zipline, the murder mystery, the climbing tower, the high ropes, and the giant swing! They also learned outdoor life skills, such as how to make shelter, the principles of Leave No Trace, and general outdoor safety rules.

Canada’s Wonderland Festival of Music
On May 28, Our Grades 7 and 8 ensembles, and the P.A.C.E. concert band performed live at the Canada’s Wonderland Festival of Music.

Gary Page was adjudicating and observed all performances. He provided students with advice and critique on the use of dynamics, articulation, and tempo. P.A.C.E. students were credited on being well rehearsed, displaying great sight reading, and genuine stylistic playing of various pieces ranging from Marches, Latin repertoire, and Dance songs. 

Congratulations and thank you to all music students for your hard work and dedication throughout the year. Mr. de Lara is thankful and proud of all your musical achievements!

Grade 5: Exploring Albion Hills Conservation Field Centre
From May 21-23, our Grade 5s participated in an overnight field study at Albion Hills Conservation Field Centre, where students furthered their understanding of scientific concepts linked to ecology, astronomy, and living things!

SSAF Track and Field
On May 26, select students in Grade 5 through 8 attended York University to compete at the SSAf track and field meet. Congratulations to all athletes for your hard work and accomplishments!

Richmond Hill Centre For The Performing Arts: P.A.C.E Music Festival
On May 14th, P.A.C.E. students from grades 1 through 8 participated in the annual P.A.C.E. Music Festival at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. 

Ms. Fuller masterfully conducted and choreographed the choirs (grades 1 through 4, and extracurricular) and ukulele ensemble. Mr. de Lara (music director and conductor) prepared the band ensembles (grades 5 through 8), P.A.C.E. string ensemble, and P.A.C.E. concert band – a select group of grade 5-8 music students. 

The evening was filled with various styles of music, instruments, and students of various ages performing with one another and capturing their musical moments. 

Ms. Fuller and Mr. de Lara are proud and thankful for everyone’s efforts in practice, and in performance. Your musical talents and passion for performing truly shined!

Thank you to our Producer and school Director, Ms. Gruchy, for her leadership and vision throughout the year and guidance on performance day, and to the administration and teaching staff who assisted behind the scenes from start to finish. 

Grade 5: Financial Literacy
Our Grade 5s finished their Financial Literacy presentations, where students budgeted for their ‘families’ for the week. Students came up with a week’s worth of groceries that met their family’s dietary needs and were nutritional, for under $230. Some meals were very creative! Great job on your presentations, grade 5s!

Annual Awards Assembly
On June 17, we hosted our annual awards assembly for our grades 3-7 students! This was an opportunity to acknowledge our students’ achievements and accomplishments throughout the 2024-2025 academic year in areas such science & technology, fine arts, French, math, writing composition, athletics, and overall academic performance. Congratulations to all!

SETTING THE PACE

May and June have been outstanding! From a very successful Science Odyssey to learning about Japanese art forms and traditions to engineering, 3D modeling and creative showcases . We’ve had so much to celebrate. We’re going to miss you these next few months! To our Grade 8s we have revelled in the moments watching you learn, grow, and make memories, we are so proud of your hard work! As we look ahead, we are excited for what’s to come:

• September 3 – First day of school!

Keep pace with what’s going on with our students with our bi-monthly blog updates. For an insider’s view into your child’s enriched learning experience, join the P.A.C.E. community on Instagram.