By Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
The first day of school for new and returning Nobles at Belle River District High School marked the beginning of an exciting new year. The start of the school year at Belle River District High School was marked by enthusiastic welcomes from staff and teachers, followed by a spirited green-and-white day. The school hallways were alive with Noble spirit, setting a positive tone for the year ahead.
On the topic of school spirit, Ms. Bell, Student Council advisor, said the student body is currently in the midst of its annual Hallowe’en for Hunger Can Drive. “We’re also looking forward to Movie Night and Hallowe’en Spirit Week,” she added. Students can also anticipate the return of the Metler Cup dodgeball tournament in November.
Academically, Nobles are celebrating recent achievements and aiming for continued success. The Grade 9 EQAO results for 2023-24 were recently released, with Belle River achieving strong results—72 per cent of students met the provincial standard. This places the school second in the Windsor-Essex area, following two years as the top-ranked school.
In addition to traditional coursework, Belle River offers Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs to Grade 11 and 12 students, providing hands-on experience in career-focused areas. Lindsay Steiler, a member of the Arts and Culture SHSM program, was recently named the SHSM Spotlight Student of the Month by the Greater Essex County District School Board.
Ms. Quaggiotto, head of the Construction SHSM program, encouraged students to consider joining. “Join the Construction SHSM program and build a bright future with hands-on training and real-world experience!” she said.
Outside the classroom, students are making the most of enrichment opportunities. On Oct. 16, the English department took students on a trip to Stratford to see Romeo and Juliet. In the coming months, students with an interest in theatre will have the chance to audition for the school’s upcoming production of Matilda Jr., set to hit the stage in February 2025.
Clubs continue to play a vital role in student life. Belle River’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) has already welcomed six new members and hosted its first guest speaker of the year. Ms. Cirino, GSA staff advisor, shared, “Our group is looking forward to a wonderful year of gaining new friendships in a safe place to be ourselves.”
With a mix of academic, extracurricular, and social activities, the Nobles are off to a strong start and looking forward to another successful year at BRDHS.
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