After students spent two months of going outside to boil in the heat and have fun, the doors of Barrie Central Collegiate Institute have finally opened again! Now, you can go to school, and boil in the classrooms without any air conditioning, which is much better than going outside! I’ve heard that it also gives a very fancy taste to the Student Stew.
Once again, the tremendous teachers are teaching, the students are studying, and we’re all having fun. Whether it’s Math, English, Science, French, Gym, Art, Music, Drama, Dance, Latin, Tech or one of the many other interesting subjects offered at Central, three things are certain for every student. One? Lots of homework. Two? Lots and LOTS of fun, at no cost. Three? Your teacher is the best teacher ever. Or at least, you’re telling them that they’re the best.
It’s been less than a week, but already, the Green Team has had its first meeting. The Classics Club (Thursday the 17th, after school), the Social Justice Club (Tuesday the 15th, at lunch), and Students' Council (Wednesday the 16th, at lunch) have planned meetings for the coming week. Several of Barrie Central’s sports teams are practicing or holding tryouts. The Barrie Central Inquisitor is active once again, as evidenced by the fact you are reading it right now! (Don’t worry, I don’t actually have telepathy). Just like the legendary Phoenix, all of Central has come back, better than ever! Except for the boiler. Let's hope that's not going to be a problem.
Unfortunately for everyone, this is now officially the final year for the best school in all of Barrie. After 172 years of rising, at the end of June, the Phoenix will rise no more. Now don’t get mad at the Phoenix. I think we all understand its plight. After all, rising out of bed early every day must be at least as hard as reforming your body from the ashes of an old one. And the Phoenix has to light himself on fire! Ouch. Probably about as hard as brushing your teeth, and we all know how tough that is. You have to pick up the toothbrush, and then the toothpaste, and then you have to open the toothpaste, and if you’re lucky you can make it that far without collapsing from exhaustion or forgetting the next step. Compared to tooth-brushing, Spontaneous Combustion must seem like a piece of cake. Cake with 172 candles on it, of course.
Next year, the Barrie Central students and staff will all need to start over at a new school. It is likely that both the Extended French and Latin programs will travel to Innisdale Secondary School (travel buddies!), and many other students will go to North. While starting over at a different school may be disappointing and annoying, together, we can make it a memorable experience.
172 Years of Incredible Teaching, Outstanding Learning, and Dedicated Extracurriculars. Centralites, let’s work together to make this year the best year yet!
-by Brendan Sheppard