List of 15 news stories.

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  CDS Debaters Shine on the World Stage in Malaysia

  CDS proudly celebrates an extraordinary achievement as all three of our debaters advanced to the finals at last week’s 37th World Individual Debate and Public Speaking Championships (WIDPSC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This marks the 18th consecutive year that CDS has qualified at least one student for the prestigious World Championships — and the fifth time we’ve sent three.
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  Junior School Mathematics Contest

  Earlier this week, 82 of our Junior School students wrote the Mathematica Mathematics Contests which are open to students across North America from Grades 3 to 9. We had 13 Grade 3 students who wrote the Thales Contest, 21 Grade 4 students wrote the Byron-Germain Contest, 19 Grade 5 students wrote the Fibonacci Contest, and 29 Grade 6 students wrote the Pythagoras Contest.
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  Tour For Humanity Brings Powerful Lessons to CDS

  This week, CDS had the privilege of hosting the Tour for Humanity — a mobile classroom created by the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FOSW). Led by passionate educators Simon and Ariel, this travelling learning experience delivered impactful and age-appropriate workshops to students in Grades 6, 8, 10, 11 and 12, as well as a dedicated CDS parent group.
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  Grade 12 Law Field Trip

  By David Downer

  
  

  The Grade 12 Law class visited the Newmarket courthouse this week where students learned about a wide variety of criminal justice roles.
  
  Our class was greeted by courthouse police officers and special constables who described their roles with the safety and security aspects at the courthouse. They then demonstrated the restraint tools they have including handcuffs, shackles, and a restraint chair and some brave students volunteered to try them out! The officers also allowed students to see the holding cells and the transport wagon.
  
  We then sat down for a scheduled meeting with a judge, a defence lawyer and a Crown attorney. These individuals described their roles and answered our questions about courtroom procedures and legal careers.
  
  The primary reason for the field trip was to attend trials and learn how the criminal justice system operates. Students were able to sit in on bail hearings, assault cases, a preliminary inquiry for a homicide, as well as some serious high level cases that are in the news.
  
  This day was certainly an eye-opener that had the students buzzing all the way back to school.
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  Students Compete at Ontario Vocal Festival

  By Michelle Kettrick

  
  

  Last week, the Middle School Choir and the Senior School Vocal Class participated in the Ontario Vocal Festival at Central Peel Collegiate in Brampton. Both choirs were adjudicated by some of the finest choral clinicians Canada has to offer, and were commended on their polished performance and sophisticated and varied repertoire. 

  
  

  The groups have grown tremendously in musicianship and technique this year. Make sure to secure a ticket to the Middle & Senior Schools’ Spring Concert on May 15th to hear them yourself!
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  Senior School Student Leadership

  By Andrea Leacock

  
  

  Beginning this week, all students in the Senior School have access to information about the student leadership application process for next year through MyCDS. This week, students interested in applying for student leadership were invited to meet with Ms. Leacock, Head of Student Life Middle/Senior School, along with a team of current student leaders, to hear about the opportunities available to them and the process to apply.

  
  

  Exciting updates this year include new leadership roles and revised application timelines, with opportunities to apply in both the Spring and Fall for leadership positions. These roles provide a fantastic way for students to give back to the CDS community while building valuable leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

  
  

  CDS Portrait of a Graduate - a CDS Graduate actively participates in and enriches their community.
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  Three Debaters Set Off to CompetE at Worlds in Kuala Lumpur

  Best of luck to Diviya Amarnath ’25, Jack Brown ’25 and Ananya Kapur '26 and their coaches Ms. Wyndham-West and Mme Davidson who are heading to compete in the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the end of the month. This will be Diviya’s second time competing at Worlds, and the first time for Jack and Ananya.

   

  This is the 18th consecutive year that CDS has qualified at least one student to compete against some of the top high school speakers and debaters from around the world.

   

  The 37th WIDPSC will be held between March 30-April 6. All three of our students have to participate in four events each: Debate, Impromptu Speaking, Persuasive Speaking and Interpretive Reading.

   

  We wish them all the best!!!

   
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  Tour For Humanity - Holocaust and Genocide Educational Experience

  By Dave Downer

  
  

  From April 8 to April 10, many Country Day School students will have a special educational experience when the school hosts the Tour for Humanity mobile classroom. This traveling classroom is an education centre sponsored by The Friends Of Simon Wiesenthal.
  
  Throughout the three days, we will have students from Grades 6, 8, 10, 11 and 12 attend age-appropriate workshops on genocide and the Holocaust that are linked to their class studies.  The self-contained mobile classroom will be set up in the Junior School parking lot on each of the three days and students will go for lessons led by FOSW instructors. More information about the classroom and workshop descriptions can be found here: Tour For Humanity
  
  

  There will also be an opportunity for interested family members to attend a workshop organized specifically for them on Thursday, April 10, from 12:45 - 1:45pm. If this is of interest to you, please email Mr. Downer to have your name added to the list on a first-come, first-served basis. Space for this parent and guardian workshop is limited to 28 individuals.

   

  Email Mr. Downer at: dave.downer@cds.on.ca.
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  Youth Opportunity Fair in King - April 10th

  The Mayor of King’s Youth Action Team is hosting a Youth Opportunity Fair on Thursday, April 10th from 3:30 - 6:30pm at the Zancor Centre (1600 15th Sideroad). This is a chance for students to connect with local businesses, community groups, colleges and universities to see what youth opportunities are available. 
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  CDS Middle School Debate Championship

  On Monday, March 4, and Tuesday, March 5, the Paul C. Duckett Theatre was filled with anticipation and excitement as CDS Middle School students showcased their eloquence, critical thinking, and persuasive skills in the inaugural Middle School Debate Championship. This two-day event brought together young orators from Grades 7 and 8, who demonstrated their ability to craft compelling arguments, engage with complex topics, and present with confidence.
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  Concours d'art oratoire

  On Monday, March 3, three Grade 9 students travelled to Toronto District Christian High School in Woodbridge to compete in the regional Concours d’Art Oratoire (Independent Schools’ French public speaking competition). Sophie Yuan, Maya Sood and Sean Liao competed in the traditional and impromptu categories in levels based on their accumulated French hours. 

  
  

  All three students did extremely well and are to be congratulated for their willingness to compete in French. Sophie Yuan placed first in her category (impromptu, immersion) and will move on to compete at the provincial level in May. 

  
  

  Congratulations to all!
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  Jr National Qualifiers

  On Tuesday, March 4, CDS hosted 13 schools and over 45 participants at the Ontario Junior Public Speaking and Debating Qualifier tournament for Nationals. Among the contestants were eight students from Grades 7-9 who had previously auditioned to be eligible to compete. For most of our Middle School students this was their first ever public speaking tournament. There are four required events; impromptu debating, persuasive speaking, interpretive reading and impromptu speaking. 

   

  CDS students fared extremely well, with four students placing in the top 12 and three of those qualifying for the National Public Speaking and Debating tournament in Vancouver in May. 
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  SS Concert Band & Jazz Section Win Silver & Gold!

  Last month, our Senior School Concert Band and the Gr. 11 & 12 Curriculum Class, who were entered in the Jazz section, competed in the Golden Horseshoe Music Festival at Mohawk College in Hamilton. The CDS Concert Band won Silver 🥈and the Jazz Group won Gold🥇!

   

  Congratulations to our musicians!
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  CDS Robotics Team Competes in Newmarket This Weekend

  The CDS Senior School Robotics Team, Team 4951 - CDS Cyclones, is competing in its first tournament of the season this weekend in Newmarket! This event is the opening FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) tournament in Canada for the 2025 season.

  
  

  🪸 This year’s FRC game, REEFSCAPE, features an underwater theme. The game requires students to prepare robots that will interact with aquatic-inspired game pieces. The team is excited for the chance to put their hard work to the test competing against other teams from across Ontario.
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  My Life Online: How to Be Safe, Smart, and Kind Online

  According to My Life Online, today’s students are the first generation to grow up with text messaging in their pockets and social media at their fingertips. The average age for getting a smartphone is now just 11, with kids spending an average of six hours a day in front of a screen—while teens spend up to nine. Alarmingly, 52% of kids have regretted something they’ve posted online.
  
  

  On Tuesday, students in Grades 4–6 attended a My Life Online presentation, an internet safety speaker series focused on the positive impact of social media. In a highly interactive session, Wendy, our presenter, explored the importance of navigating the digital world with care, kindness, and critical thinking. She highlighted key considerations such as the permanence of online posts, the emotional impact of our words, and the challenge of distinguishing between fact and fiction.
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