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Mont Talks 2025: Designing Futures and Launching Dreams

Mont Talks 2025: Designing Futures and Launching Dreams

by | Jul 9, 2025 | High School, Highlight, Learning News, Program Bites

Mont Talks 2025: Designing Futures and Launching Dreams

Reflections from Grade 12 Grads

Featuring Merric Hanton AND Ares Van Koeveringe

On June 16th, the high school community gathered to witness the culmination of years of learning, growth, curiosity, and creative exploration as Merric Hanton and Ares Van Koeveringe took to the stage for their senior Mont Talks. With polish, precision, and genuine passion, each student delivered a powerful, personal, and inspiring presentation that not only reflected their individual journeys, but also showcased the unique strengths of a Westmont education.

Merric Hanton: Turning Points

Merric’s talk, Turning Points, was an eloquent reflection on how moments of curiosity and mentorship can lead to profound purpose. Drawing on a lifelong love of golf and design, Merric explored the world of golf course infrastructure and architecture, examining how these recreational spaces can serve as canvases for sustainable and ethical land use.

But Merric didn’t just theorise, he built. Over the course of the year, he designed, and 3D printed a full-scale model of a golf course pro shop and restaurant, envisioning not just the game but the entire experience of the space. Using a satellite image of a real piece of land, Merric developed a topographic model, which he laser-cut and assembled to present his ideal location for a new course, carefully considering slope, and environmental impact.

At the heart of his work was a sincere drive to consider ethical approaches to land use, informed by architects who use sport and public design as tools for stewardship. Merric’s perspective was not limited to the local; instead, he drew deeply from his global experiences. During Westmont’s international trip to Australia, Merric shadowed Peter John Cantrill, a leading Sydney-based architect. He spoke of learning how public spaces are shaped by community input and city-wide votes, and how this democratic process can lead to both innovation and cultural representation in urban architecture.

These moments were pivotal. They acted as “turning points,” not only in the trajectory of his project, but in the trajectory of his own life. Merric now heads confidently to the University of Calgary, where he will pursue a Bachelor of Design in City Innovation, bringing with him a vision that is creative, pragmatic, and community-centred.

His presentation was fluent, clear, and compelling, marked by maturity beyond his years. Merric spoke with a grounded authority, captivating his audience and leaving many inspired, not just by his project, but by the clarity with which he sees the world, and his place in shaping it.

Ares Van Koeveringe: Problem Solving through Rocketry

If Merric’s presentation built toward grounded futures, Ares’s launched us skyward. In his Mont Talk titled Problem Solving through Rocketry, Ares invited the audience into a story of lifelong fascination, relentless tinkering, and unshakable curiosity.

For Ares, the journey began early. He recounted childhood obsessions with flight, propulsion, and the dream of space. But rather than just dream, Ares did what few do: he built. His project was nothing short of an engineering tour de force. Over the past year, he designed, 3D printed, and constructed a functioning small-scale rocket, which he successfully launched after rigorous testing and refinement. But this wasn’t just a “model rocket” project, it was an exploration into real-world aerospace principles. Ares developed and installed a telemetry computer, allowing him to collect live flight data and refine each iteration based on performance metrics. He spoke about the value of failure in engineering and how each setback, each misfire or miscalculation, was another clue in the ongoing puzzle of progress.

Then, just as the audience thought they had seen the pinnacle of the project, Ares unveiled perhaps the most ambitious component: an Ion Drive. That’s right. Ares built a working version of a propulsion system that mimics the technology used by NASA spacecraft, translating high school-level materials and self-directed research into a viable prototype. It was an extraordinary demonstration of what can happen when passion meets persistence.

Ares’s presentation was marked by a confident, engaging, and articulate delivery, peppered with humor, honesty, and a clear joy for the subject matter. He reflected not only on the physics behind each build but also on the emotional and psychological lessons he learned throughout the process, how to troubleshoot, how to stay focused, and most importantly, how to stay inspired.

A Shared Trajectory: Future-Makers in Flight and Form

Though Merric and Ares pursued vastly different projects, their Mont Talks echoed a shared message: that learning is most powerful when it is driven by passion, shaped by mentorship, and made real through design and experimentation. Whether grounded in land use or lifted by propulsion, both talks reminded us that the future will belong to those who not only imagine bold new possibilities, but build them.

The Westmont community could not be prouder of these two graduating students. With minds sharpened by inquiry and hearts committed to progress, Merric and Ares are launching into their futures with clarity, courage, and creativity. The Mont Talks may be over, but their journeys are just beginning.

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Hosting the Sagkeeng First Nation

Hosting the Sagkeeng First Nation

by | May 20, 2025 | High School, Highlight, Learning News, Program Bites

Hosting the Sagkeeng First Nation

Eagle Class Hosts Sagkeeng First Nation

Connection, Culture, and Coastlines 

Last week, Eagle Class had the tremendous honour of hosting students from Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba for a week-long cultural exchange that was nothing short of extraordinary. This visit was part of our ongoing partnership through the Experiences Canada exchange program and served as a meaningful opportunity to deepen intercultural learning, foster friendships, and showcase the beauty and history of the West Coast.

The week began with a warm Westmont welcome. After arriving on campus, our guests were greeted at a special school-wide assembly where we acknowledged the lands of the Sc’ianew and T’Sou-ke nations. As a whole school, we celebrated the beginning of our shared experience. From there, we set off for a classic West Coast day: a walk along the beach, a challenging (and bonding) hike up Mount Metchosin, and a feast of locally caught salmon cooked on the Barbecue back at school. This full day outdoors grounded our new friends in the natural beauty that surrounds our school and gave them a taste, quite literally, of coastal life on the South Island. 

On day two, we ventured into Victoria for a full day of learning and exploration. In the morning, students participated in a special Indigenous Innovations workshop at the Royal BC Museum, where they explored First Nations technologies and traditions through hands-on exhibits and discussion. The afternoon brought a truly unforgettable adventure: a private whale watching charter through the Salish Sea, generously provided at a discounted rate by Eagle Wing Whale Watching. To our delight, we encountered sea lions, and other marine wildlife, including a rare sighting of a sea otter! We capped the day off with dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf, where the salty sea air and floating homes created a setting that felt almost dreamlike.

The next day, our journey continued with a walking tour of downtown Victoria. With a focus on Chinatown, the oldest in Canada, we explored themes of migration, multiculturalism, and resilience, with special stops at Songhees Point and the Inner Harbour. Afterward, we switched gears with a kayaking adventure up the Gorge Waterway. Paddling together in tandem kayaks, students navigated the currents and wildlife with laughter and teamwork. The day concluded with a sunset dinner at the beloved Red Fish Blue Fish, a uniquely Victoria experience that delighted everyone’s taste buds.

Thursday took us to the historic grounds of Royal Roads University for a guided tour of the gardens, castle, and lagoon. The stories of the land’s past, military, educational, and Indigenous, offered rich insight into layered histories. That afternoon, we pushed our limits and conquered fears at WildPlay, where our entire group completed the Classic Course. We’re incredibly grateful to WildPlay for donating this adventure and for giving our students a chance to swing, climb, and leap among the treetops. It was a thrilling and confidence-building experience that none of us will soon forget.

On Friday, we travelled to East Sooke Park for a majestic coastal walk. The landscape felt alive around us, rugged bluffs, ancient arbutus trees, and breathtaking ocean views. The moment of the week came when a humpback whale surfaced just metres from the shore, feeding while a group of seals hunted nearby. We paused our own lunches to watch in awe as this marine drama unfolded, reminding us of the deep connections between land, sea, and story.

Our final evening brought the entire community together for a beautiful farewell BBQ. Families, staff, and sponsors gathered to share food, reflect on the week, and offer thanks. Students from both schools exchanged handmade gifts, heartfelt words, and plenty of hugs. It capped off a wonderful week in an incredible way.

Thank You!

This exchange would not have been possible without the generosity and support of many. We extend our deepest thanks to Eagle Wing Whale Watching for offering us an unforgettable marine experience at a generous rate, and to WildPlay for donating the Classic Course experience that brought so much joy and confidence to our group. We would also like to thank our generous donors: 

  • The Westmont PAC 
  • April Sim 
  • Westmont Alumni 
  • Carmalita Heron-Ewart 
  • Liz Koolman 
  • Janet Gray 
  • The Burns Family 
  • Mikaela Miller 

To our families, volunteers, staff, and community members who cooked, drove, supervised, cleaned, donated, guided, spent money at bake sales or attended trivia nights, and welcomed with open arms, thank you. You helped create memories that will last a lifetime. 

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Our Trip to the Sagkeeng First Nation

Our Trip to the Sagkeeng First Nation

by | Apr 17, 2025 | High School, Highlight, Learning News, Program Bites

Our Trip to the Sagkeeng First Nation

Stories from High School

In April 2023, the Westmont High School students ventured to the Northwest Territories (you can read about their visit here), and Westmont had the privelage of having the NWT students explore the captivating landscapes and vibrant culture of Vancouver Island.

In 2024, Westmont was once again has been fortunate to be a part of an Experiences Canada exchange, this time with Biggar, Saskatchewan where students came to appreciate the diversity of this country.

In late February 2025 Westmont visited the Sagkeeng First Nation. We are a part of an experience Canada exchange with the Sagkeeng Anicinabe High School in Sagkeeng First Nation, Manitoba. As a part of this exchange, we will be hosting these students soon as they will be visiting Victoria in May.

 

 

On Monday we had a tour of the Whiteshell Laboratories nuclear power plant. The power plant is inactive and being decommissioned now, though when it was active in 1965 to 1985 it was used for research to test different materials to be used in future reactors. We got to stand on top of where the main reactor was located, learn about its time in use, and how the decommissioning process is going. We also got to have a tour of the Fire Hall they have at the nuclear power plant and we got to sit in their firetruck and learn about the tools they have to fight fires.

On Tuesday we split into two groups. We got to learn ice fishing on the Winnipeg River on the first day. Fishing is an integral part of the lives of the First Nations people of Sagkeeng, Manitoba. It has been a major source of food for them for a long time and we were very opportune to be taught by experts in their craft. We learned how to cut holes in the ice and how to bait our rods. It was fun to try to catch fish and a few people caught fish but only one from our group. Congratulations Jasper! We also got to see how to gut a fish right on the ice. Ice fishing taught us a lot of patience and fishing skills. I hadn’t fished a lot before this though I still found it exciting and everyone learned a lot.

On Wednesday our group went on a 30-minute Ski-doo ride into the bush, and we came to a campfire. Ww cooked marshmallows, had hot chocolate and played hide and seek before lunch. Then we had Bannock burgers and hotdogs for lunch and learned some Ojibwe words and phrases, as well as shared stories with our buddies. After that Black Sky, an elder who is also the Ojibwe language teacher, took us on a trail walk. He told us some of the Ojibwe names of the plants around us, as well as their traditional uses and had us pick some mashkiigobag (Labrador Tea) to make into a tea. We also learned about the names of animals and how to identify their tracks and traces in the bush.

On Thursday morning we were taught how to make ribbon shirts and ribbon skirts. These are important pieces of cultural attire that we were honoured to get the opportunity to make with guidance from experienced ribbon skirt and ribbon shirt makers. Some are used for daily wear, and some are used for cultural celebrations. We got to pick colors of ribbon, and we sewed them to the shirts and skirts. We also visited the local planetarium, and they had some excellent videos about first nations star stories projected on a dome. They told stories of constellations in the night sky from Cree and Anishinaabe cultures.

We then went into a sweat lodge led by an elder named Gilbert. Sweats are for physical and spiritual cleansing and healing. Gilbert sang songs, told stories, and gave us juniper medicine. He talked about the importance of sharing in these times of turmoil and the importance of sticking together, no matter how many horrible things happen in the world.

In the evening, we went to a round dance hosted by the community. A round dance is an event where drummers in the centre will sing songs and people will hold hands and dance in a circle around them. The round dance is a celebration for healing, honouring ancestors, celebrating life, and fostering community unity. The round dance at Sagkeeng was held to welcome us to their community and show how much they appreciated us coming to which we were extremely thankful and honoured. We were welcomed so beautifully, and they gave us a handmade beaded medallion with the community emblem on it and other gifts.

On Friday we drove into Winnipeg. We first went to the Manitoba Museum and learned about many things including the environment of current and past Manitoba and the people who have lived there over the ages. We then went to the Forks for lunch which is an indoor market where the Red and the Assiniboine rivers combine. It was a trading spot for thousands of years for indigenous groups and still is today. We then went to the Human Rights Museum and learned about the evolution of human rights across Canada. We also saw the Witness Blanket and the Canadian Journey’s exhibit. It would have been great to have stayed longer though due to time constraints we sadly had to leave. We learned so much about Canadian history and it was a great day to round off the trip. We flew back to Victoria on Saturday.

While on this exchange we learn a lot about the Sagkeeng First Nation and Ojibwe ways of life. We also learned lots of indigenous techniques and indigenous ways of knowing. We are really excited to host the students from Sagkeeng in May and to show them around Victoria and the South Island.

 

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Montessori Education: Research-Backed Insights for the Modern Learner

Montessori Education: Research-Backed Insights for the Modern Learner

by | Feb 20, 2025 | Learning News

Montessori Education: Research-Backed Insights for the Modern Learner

The Montessori method has withstood the test of time with its century-old pedagogical principles, and current research confirms its relevance and efficacy for today’s educational needs. Below we explore how the Montessori approach is supported by contemporary studies, providing parents and educators with a data-driven perspective on this child-centered approach to learning.

Montessori Method and Child Development

A Comprehensive Review of Benefits

Recent studies underscore the effectiveness of the Montessori method in fostering academic success and social-emotional development. A comprehensive review published in npj Science of Learning highlights the method’s impact on a child’s development, pointing out its benefits in promoting independent learning and positive behavioral outcomes. This review identifies key elements of Montessori education that contribute to its effectiveness, such as its emphasis on child-centered learning environments and the individual pacing of progression.

Academic and Social Outcomes

Empirical Evidence of Superior Performance

Research analyzing Montessori education’s impact on academic and non-academic outcomes found that Montessori students often outperform their non-Montessori counterparts. These findings suggest that unique educational tools and teacher-guided autonomy within the Montessori approach can lead to superior outcomes across a broad spectrum of metrics, including academic achievement, executive function skills, and social behavior.

Montessori Method and Behavioral Impacts

Enhancing Social Skills and Academic Proficiency

Further support comes from research published in Frontiers in Psychology, which provides insights into the behavioral effects of Montessori pedagogy on children’s social skills and academic performance. It reaffirms that Montessori schooling is effective in addressing children’s specific learning needs, thereby contributing significantly to the observed positive outcomes.

Research Summary and Contemporary Support

National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector

The National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector notes a growing body of research evidencing Montessori methods’ effectiveness over a range of outcomes, which includes school readiness and executive function skills. These findings are pivotal for the educational community as they underscore the Montessori approach’s capacity to cultivate well-rounded individuals who thrive academically, socially, and in their personal development.

Final Thoughts

Contemporary research robustly supports the Montessori pedagogy as an impactful approach to education. By creating environments that prioritize self-directed learning, mixed-age interaction, and hands-on discovery, Montessori education not only aligns with current educational research but also exemplifies a forward-thinking model that nurtures the holistic growth of each learner.

 

Sources:

  1. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41539-017-0012-7
  2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10406168/
  3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8870616/
  4. https://www.public-montessori.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Research-Summary-Montessori-Does-it-Work.pdf

Montessori Education: Fostering Independent Thinkers

Montessori Education: Fostering Independent Thinkers

by | Jan 15, 2025 | Learning News

Montessori Education: Fostering Independent Thinkers

When we think about education, it’s like envisioning a garden — each child a unique bloom, nurtured to unfold in their own wondrous pattern. ???? The secret gardener wielding the magic watering can? Montessori education! It’s a way of learning that’s as cozy and tailored as hand-knit socks. But why all this buzz about independent thinkers, and what’s Montessori got to do with it?

Montessori: The Think-Outside-the-Box Toolbox

From the get-go, Montessori isn’t your cookie-cutter education style. It’s like swapping instruction manuals for discovery maps. Picture preschoolers who aren’t just stacking blocks, but exploring geometry; grade-schoolers who aren’t solely memorizing dates, but understanding history’s narrative intertwined with today; and high schoolers not just solving equations but decoding the world around them.

This journey from preschool to grade 12 is about weaving independence into learning — not as an afterthought, but the very fabric of the educational tapestry. Montessori fosters an environment where kids feel seen, heard, and free to follow their natural drive to learn. In turn, they become confident, self-directed learners, problem-solvers, oh, and those precious independent thinkers we keep mentioning!

Why? Because the world needs them!

In this garden of tomorrow, our independent thinkers are the buzzing bees of innovation. They’re the game-changers with growth mindsets who can pivot faster than a dancer with new tap shoes. Whether they’re facing climate change, technological leaps, or just figuring out how to fit an extra book on an already crowded shelf, these are the folks with the creative gusto to say, “I’ve got this!”

Creating a community of learners that respects diverse perspectives, operates with empathy, and tackles complexities with a cool head? That’s what we’re after. And it’s more than academics; it’s about nurturing the compassionate leaders, curious question-askers, and bold dream-chaser who dare to ask, “What if?”

The Westmont Way Is the Montessori Way

So, Montessori isn’t just another educational option. It’s a rich soil that nourishes independent thought from the roots up. It’s the Westmont way, after all. Not to mention, we’re all aboard this learning adventure together — because who wants to travel solo when you can have a whole band of merry thinkers along for the ride?

While we’re all about sharing the magic of Montessori and its power to nurture independent thinkers, we’re also big fans of exploration and discovery on your own terms. ????️‍♂️???? Think of us as your friendly guides pointing towards the treasure map, but you’ve got the compass in your hand!

We totally understand that every child, every family, and every educational journey is beautifully unique. That’s why we encourage you not just to take our word for it but to embark on a little adventure of your own. Dive into the ocean of information, swim through different perspectives, and maybe even chat with families who’ve walked the Montessori path themselves.

There’s something incredibly empowering about discovering facts, stories, and insights that resonate with you personally. It’s like putting together a puzzle — with each piece of information, the bigger picture of what’s best for your child and your family comes into clearer view.

And hey, if you stumble upon something super interesting or have a lightbulb moment, we’re all ears! Sharing those discoveries can spark the most fascinating conversations. So, let’s keep those lines of communication wide open, and remember, we’re navigating this exciting journey together. ☺️????

Ready to start researching? We’re cheering you on every step of the way!