Awards for leadership, performing/visual arts, athletics and more for 16-21 year olds!! Award includes $1000.00 for you and $500.00 for your charity. Last year we had 3 Tamanawis students recognized, with two of our Tamanawis students receiving the top recognition for their categories of “service above self”. The Awards show was just amazing, with great talent. This year’s award presention in October will include a top 40 recording artist, Victoria Duffield as well as Much Music VJ Sarah Taylor. It is a spectacular recognition at the Bell Theatre.
If you have been involved in “service above self”, meaning that you have given effort to your school or your community, you should be nominated. The deadline for nominations if Friday, June 1, 2012 with nomination forms available at www.sassyawards.ca
The categories include: Youth Leadership; Humanitarian, Against the Odds; Community Service; Performing & Visual Arts; and Athletic/Sportsmanship. Find someone to nominate you for your service.
Ms. M.
The Ministry has provided Tamanawis with 15 scholarships of $1000.00 for students who go “above and beyond” in non-academic areas (dance, Band, Choir, Woodwork, PE, Athletics, etc). Our Parent Advisory Committee have 20 scholarships to award to deserving students who excelled in their studies, citizenship and leadership. Our community through personal donations and business donations also sponsor scholarships for Tamanawis scholars. However, you must complete an application by April 13th to be considered for any of these awards!
Valedictorian applications are also now available to our students. To be considered for Valedictorian you must be an Honour Roll student for Grade 11 and Grade 12, and have leadership qualities you have used at school as well as extra curricular involvement . Deadline for Valedictorian applications is Wednesday, April 11th.
We place the highest value on citizenship and honesty and this is a requirement to be considered for our awards and valedictorian program.
Applications forms are available in the Career Center, or you can get an electronic version on the Career Center’s webpage.
Last night parents attended the Parent Advisory Meeting to get the latest information about events at Tamanawis Secondary.
Ms. Tifenbach (Counselling Department Head) and Mr. Bains (Athletic Director) outlined the impact of the pending BCTF vote on extracurricular activities at Tamanawis Secondary. Although there are some practices happening, league play and game schedules and opposing teams to play are all in jeopardy as we move forward anticipating the outcome of the vote to be held in mid April. Contingency plans are being put into place and volunteers are stepping forward to help Tamanawis. Former graduates of Tamanawis have offered to coach Ultimate and to direct/produce a drama production. More volunteers will be required as we assess our needs for special events such as Commencement and the Grade 12 Banquet.
Mr. Bains outlined the process for volunteers which includes a criminal record check as well as some district forms which will then provide liability coverage for our volunteers.
Also at the PAC meeting the student nurses (3rd year) who have been presenting sexual education information to Grade 10 Planning classes gave an overview of their work. Many of our attending parents expressed a desire to have this factual information presented before Grade 10. Parents asked if it would be considered that we host a special seminar for parents/students as this material is covered so well by the nurses. Student Nurses Harpreet and Kim impressed our parent audience with the information that they were presenting and with their openness to address this sensitive topic. Our student nurses include topics of understanding your personal values, sticking with your personal values and understanding the importance of meaningful relationships in comparison to peer pressure.
Our last Parent Advisory Council meeting of this school year is the first Monday in May. We will formalize to our parents if a new extended bell schedule is required to handle the increase in our student population, along with the change in legislation which will affect class size. We are seriously considering the extended day which will have some classes start at 8 am and some classes end at 3:30. It may be our only option at Tamanawis. Please join the discussion in May and watch our website for updates.
Ms. Molson
The Tamanawis Grad Class of 2012 participated in a Tamanawis tradition we call the Honour Ceremony. Our inspirational speaker was Rob Rai, who works with the SAFE Schools Division of the Surrey School District. Rob has also volunteered as a basketball coach, mentor, youth worker at Tamanawis and is a familiar face we consider part of the Tamanawis family. There were many things for us to think about, from Rob’s presentation. He discussed opening oneself to possibilities, the experiences one can get from travelling and never forgetting your roots and giving back to your own community at some future date.
The Graduates received a beautiful Tamanawis t-shirt designed by graduating student, Erin Sandhu. We encourage our Grads to join the staff in wearing their spirit wear on Fridays. This Thursday there will be fabric markers available for students to have their shirts signed 
by their friends to personalize their gift.
We are so very proud of the legacy that the Grads of 2012 will be leaving with Tamanawis. We can say that we have met our goal of a safe and peaceful school which prides itself on student leadership as has been demonstrated by the Grads of 2012 over the five years that they have been students. It has been my pleasure to have come to know these fine citizens and I look forward to hearing about their new adventures as well as enjoying our final celebrations of their time together as the Tamanawis Grad Class of 2012.
Ms. Molson