“Hell on Earth” – An Unforgettable Trip to the Galápagos

By Alix, Gr. 12

YHS at GalápagosI was ecstatic from the moment I heard the school was planning a trip to the Galápagos. I knew this trip would not only be an amazing opportunity to visit one of the worlds most stunning locations, but also a chance to get some real field research experience. I have been interested in the fields of marine biology and ecology for a few years, and there is no better place to explore the environment and our effects on it than the Galápagos. For example, I saw how an introduced species could take over and harm an area. It was incredible to see the difference we made by working for only an hour and a half pulling out blackberry bushes and, I think I speak for everyone on the trip when I say the fire ants, which often eat tortoise eggs and young, are definitely an animal the island can do without.

GalápagosAside from the technical aspects of the trip, seeing all the sights and wildlife that many only see in books and documentaries is indescribable. The location of the Galápagos Islands really does make them one of the most unique places in the world. On one island the ecosystem changes depending on the side of the island you are on, elevation and the time of year, because there are so many different wind and water currents that converge at the islands. GalápagosIt is easy to see why early explorers called the Galápagos (which still hosts active/dormant volcanoes) a “Hell on Earth” and why later scientists have been so intrigued by the islands. It is quite an experience to go out and work with tortoises that are 100 years old and then a couple days later work with tortoises that are only a couple months old and fit in your palm. They truly are incredible creatures and just being able to see them in the wild would have sufficed, but being able to handle them was the cherry on top, and something I will never forget.

Tortoises in GalápagosWhile the tortoises were the focus, it was hard to not be distracted by the rest of the animals. There was no lack of marine iguanas, sea lions, finches, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, the occasional shark, and many more. If I had to guess, I would say touring some of the islands from the boat and snorkeling was a major highlight for everyone. There is no way to describe the feeling you get when swimming with all the remarkable creatures that we did. Tortoises in GalápagosHaving a sea turtle, rays and sea lions swim past you, penguins swim into you and a shark swim under you, are definitely experiences I, and everyone else on the trip, will always remember. Having that white tipped reef shark swim under us was probably one of the scariest and most exciting moments of my life.

Everyday of this trip was exciting and unreal. I would probably need a few hundred pages in order to fully describe every experience. My visit to the Galápagos will be something that I remember for the rest of my life, and I plan to use all I learned in university, my future career and at the Aquarium, where I volunteer. Experiencing actual field research gave me the opportunity to experience what a future career for me might be like, as well as allowed me to develop skills that I can take with me to university.

Tortoises in GalápagosThe myriad of life and diversity that surrounds the islands is breathtaking and truly extraordinary. From touching 110 year old tortoises to seeing one month old tortoises, and, from walking through well established forest to walking on lava flows that are 116 years old and still only exhibit minimal life, the Galápagos islands hold a bit of the past, present and hopefully, if we’re careful, the future.

Artist in Residence: Hannah Beach

Artist in Residence Hannah Beach works with 2Y
Artist in Residence Hannah Beach works with 2Y

During the week of April 11-15, the junior school and little school was fortunate to be able to work with our Artist in Residence, Hannah Beach. Hannah is the founding Director of the Dandelion Dance Company in Ottawa, Ontario; an inclusive dance company for young women that explores social issues through movement. She also founded and directs a school of interpretive movement for children: Tournesol Dance.

Having grown up in a family of nine children and a further 16 sixteen foster siblings, Hannah developed a keen sense of empathy for the differences between people and a strong belief in social justice issues, all leading her to becoming a social worker. Hannah has combined this background with her passion for dance and developed a unique and inclusive approach to creative movement.

Gr. 6's explore social issues through dance
Gr. 6 class explores social issues through dance

The girls at YHS have really benefitted from, and appreciated, Hannah’s approach to dance. Those who were anxious about dancing, having not had much experience, were relieved to find out that there were no “wrong steps”, while those with a lot of experience were challenged to use their creativity to express their true thoughts and feelings, all in a safe environment. The topics covered ranged from fun and silly (have you ever danced “jello”?), to important social issues such as Inclusion, all through dance.

The response from the girls and the teachers has been extremely positive, as you will see from the quotes below. The week wrapped up with a sharing session for Grades 1 to 7, and after of week of intimate work, it was a great way to see the unique journeys each class took. The support of the Parent Association for the Artist in Residence Program is greatly appreciated by all, and certainly enriches our school in ways that words alone cannot express. Perhaps we need to dance it?!

Dawn Haylett, Junior Music Teacher

Watch the video, and the read the the comments from the girls below.

What Did She Say?

It was fun because you got to express yourself, but it was also a bit scary, because you had to make up something yourself. Mallory (ballerina), Gr. 6

We did colour dances and growing as a flower. It was really fun. –  Tera & Lauren B., Gr. 2

I thought it was expressively creative and you could do it even if you didn’t know how to dance. It was hard because you couldn’t be self-conscious.Christina, Gr. 7

It was cool.Isabel Gr. 2

It was fun. It was very different than I thought it would be.Samantha Gr. 4

It was good and fun. She related to us well, and she let us kind of have privileges and responsibilities to choose what we wanted to do. But she had rules that had to be followed and they got us on the right track.Anisha and Rachel, Gr. 7

It was cool. She made us do things I would never of thought of before to do.Katelyn, Gr. 4

It felt like we were free.Keana, Gr. 2

I really loved it. My favourite dance was the dolphin one.Annika, Gr. 1

It was amusing. It was something you don’t expect. Our favourite was the jello dance.Safya & Maya, Gr. 4

It was a little different than normal dance, but it was great. Salima, Gr. 6

I liked how even the shy and anxious girls were just as into it as the more outgoing girls.Miss Nicole, Teacher

It was unique. It made me feel awesome. It was the first time I danced like that.Tess, Gr. 3

My favourite was when my group got to dance cotton candy.Arabella, Gr. 2

It was really awkward at first, but then it got easier after a while.Ann, Gr. 7

I like the books. I like how we get to pitch in ideas for the dance, instead of the teacher coming up with everything.-  Lauren & Marissa, Gr. 6

She was original. It taught us to express our feelings without thinking about what other people would think, and that there are no wrong things in dancing.Kyra, Gr. 5

She is very generous with people. She is kind and she doesn’t laugh at people when they dance.Elaine, Gr. 6

It was awesome!Alicia, Gr. 1