Academics
21st Century Academics:
Building Godly character, citizenship, skills and literacies for the 21st century.
Ephesians 6:7 & 8
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,
because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do…
French Program
The beauty of language is a precious gift from God. Learning a second language where the order and patterns of words as God created them are evident, provides real context and appreciation for other cultures and people. In Canada, we are blessed to be a bilingual country and that students have the opportunity to learn the French language in school.
Our French program is taught by qualified, French As a Second Language, (FSL) teachers. Through many, many years of experience, we have developed our own French curriculum which is based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), the global standard of excellence in second language learning. The focus of our instruction is on oral dialogue and conversation. Singing and rime is a big part of our learning and is tempered with grammar for our older students. French songs and performances are included in our Christmas and Spring Concerts, as well as at our visits to Durham Christian Homes. In the last few years, we have started a new tradition of a Carnaval, in a similar vein to the Quebec Carnival, where we will make and eat taffy, learn and practice ice carving and of course, meet Bonhomme Carnaval!
La joie de vivre – apprenez le français!
Music
Senior Band Class
Senior Band Students in grades 7 and 8 have two instrumental band classes each week. Students continue learning music theory, ear training and music appreciation while performing an instrument of their choice. The concert band performs standard band repertoire, including marches, transcriptions, lyrical selections and the classics that are often categorized as some of the best compositions ever written for young bands over the years. The band sometimes travels as part of a three day tour to various destinations. Past tours have included performances in locations throughout Ontario, Quebec, Michigan and New York State.
Jazz Ensemble
As students progress in their musical skill, some are invited to join the ICS Jazz Ensemble, which has been an award winning ensemble. Repertoire represents a very wide range of musical styles, including: big band swing, funk, jazz waltz, ballads, jazz blues and of course ‘rock’. Students are introduced to the various aspects of improvisation and are featured in many concerts throughout the year. This ensemble has been invited to perform at MusicFest Canada’s National Finals and they are featured as part of the annual school band tour. The ICS Jazz Ensemble only runs when there are enough musically proficient students to form a band. Inquiries can be made to the Music Teacher.
Many graduates from ICS are now accomplished musicians working full time in the North American music industry. These include, but are not limited to Guitarist Nathan Whitney and drummer Chris Kimmerer. Chris resides in Nashville and has recently toured with country music sensation Brad Paisley. Prior to this Chris has performed and/or recorded with David Phelps, SonicFlood, Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman. Other graduates are now music teachers in schools in Ontario.
Grade 3 – 5 Music Program
This music program involves learning more about music through singing, recorders, and ukeleles.
