Richmond Hill High School (Richmond Hill, Ontario)

Infobox_Education_in_Canada
name= Richmond Hill High School


imagesize= 200px
streetaddress= 201 Yorkland Street
city= Richmond Hill
province= Ontario
postalcode=
areacode=
phone=
fax=
email=
url= [http://www.richmondhill.hs.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/ www.richmondhill.hs.yrdsb.edu.on.ca]
schoolnumber=
schoolboard= York Region District School Board
motto= ""
motto_translation= Variously translated as: "Dare to Learn, Dare to be Audacious, Dare to Know, Dare to be Wise"
superintendent= Mr. Bill Hogarth
trustee=
affiliation= Secular
principal= Mr. John Glezakos
viceprincipal= Mr. Kim Garner, Ms. Marlene Fogel
schooltype= Public High school
grades= 9-12
language= English
mascot= the Raiders (Viking)
founded= 1851
enrollment= 1700
lastupdate=
colours= Forest Green & White
bgcolor_section= #6FDE6F
bgcolor_label= #6FDE6F
bgcolor_value= #F7F7F7
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bgcolor_address= #F7F7F7 Richmond Hill High School is a secondary school located in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. It is one of the oldest schools in York Region Municipality, established in the mid-1800s. Richmond Hill High School has long had a strong academic standing and reputation, often placing well in academic contests as well as regional standardized tests. In the 2000-2001 year, it was ranked the #1 non-private school in Ontario, according to the Fraser Institute, scoring a 9.8/10 ranking (academic). [ [http://oldfraser.lexi.net/publications/studies/education/report_card/2001/ont/section_06.html The Fraser Institute: Report Card on Ontario's Secondary Schools : 2001 Edition: Ranking the schools ] ] However, in the 2005-2006 school year, Richmond Hill High School was ranked #21 in Ontario (including private and religious schools) by the Fraser Institute and received a 8.7/10 ranking. [ [http://www.fraserinstitute.org/Commerce.Web/product_files/70ONESC07COM1.pdf The Fraser Institute: Report Card on Ontario's Secondary Schools : 2007 Edition] ]

The school is a host to several regional special education programs, including the Gifted Program, Advanced Placement Program, Alternative Education Program, Co-Op, Developmentally-Delayed Program and an Orthopedic Program. There is also a very large variety of academic and hobby clubs held for students.

History

Richmond Hill High School is one of the oldest higher education schools in the Greater Toronto Area, founded on December 2, 1851, a mere 24 years after the founding of King's College (University of Toronto). The school underwent expansions in 1853, 1872, 1897, 1924 and 1950, until moving to its current home at 201 Yorkland Street on September of 2000.

In 2005, former South African president and 1993 Nobel Peace Prize Winner F.W De Klerk visited the school, applauding the school for its dedication towards a global community through charities, events and raising social awareness.

In February of 2008, Mr. John Glezakos replaced Dr. Ivy Chan as the principal of Richmond Hill High School. Dr. Chan moved on to be Chairwoman of York Region's International Languages program.

Building & site

The current school building, two levels high and measuring 180 174 square feet, was completed in 2000. It contains two gymnasiums, a workout room, a cafetorium including a stage, a library, has six computer labs and a communications technology room including a green and blue screen.

chool song

"Hail to Richmond Hill"
"Hail to Richmond Hill"
"Hail to thee our Alma Mater"
"Loyal true every son and daughter"
"In every field of fame"
"For the honour of our name"
"We'll fight with all our might"
"Yeah for colours green and white"
"Ah zis boom bah"
"Ah zis boom bah"
"Ah hip hip hip hurrah"
"Hail to Richmond Hill"
"Huzzy wuzzy hurdy gurdy zis boom bah"
"Green and white that's right"
"Caw Baw yell and cheer"
"Let the people know you're here"
"Gnaw 'em, chaw 'em, Zis Boom Bah 'em"
"Yeah Richmond Hill - Fight Team Fight! "

Clubs and extracurriculars

tudent Council

The Student Council (a.k.a. "StuCo") oversees many of the school's student-run events, such as school dances, semi formals and spirit days. They are also in charge of distributing funding and resources to other school clubs.

The StuCo for the 2008-2009 school year:

*Fiona Chui - President

*Josh Lee - Vice President

*Tiffany Santos - Treasurer

*Esther Phua - Secretary

*Terry Cho - Social Convener

*Shelley Liu - Social Convener

*Zimu Zhu - Minister of Publicity

*Jason Zhao - Minister of External Affairs

*Frederick Ding - Webmaster

The official web site for the RHHS Student Council is located at [http://www.rhhsstuco.org/ RHHSStuCo.org] .

Clubs

As of May 2008, Richmond Hill High School has 31 officially listed clubs.
*Arts and Design Society
* [http://www.rhhs-rasa.ca Space Club]
*Biology Club
*Student Book Club
*Chess Club
*Computer Science Club
*Cycling Club
*Debate Club
*DECA
*Engineering Club
*FAITH
*Fashion Show
*Film Club
*Gay/Lesbians/Straight Alliance
*History Council
*Improv Club
*J-Fan (Japanese Culture Club)
*Mock Trial Club
* [http://www.rhhs.ca/math Math] Club
*Muslim Student Association
*Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID)
*Reach for the Top
*Red Cross Youth Action Group
*Robotics Club
*Samulnori (Korean Percussion) Club
*STAND - Students Taking Action Now: Darfur
*Nature Conservancy Council (NCC)
*Tech Crew
*World Action Council
*Writer's Guild
*Youth Alive

In addition, there are various committees in charge of special events or projects. These include:
*Prefects
*Prom Committee
*Yearbook Committee

Yearbook Committee

The Yearbook Committee oversees and records various school run events, such as school dances, semi formals and spirit days, as well as significant student achievements throughout the year. The committee is in charge of the entire creative and administrative process of the construction of the annual yearbook.

The Editor-in-Chief of the Yearbook Committee for the 2008-2009 school year will be Kevan Lu.

Athletics

Athletic Council

The physical education department of Richmond Hill HS coordinates and funds many of their own athletic activities. The Athletic Council, run by a committee of dedicated students both inside and outside of athletics, is in charge of coordinating many of the athletic events run at RHHS, as well as fund raising for the department. Some of the events that take place are: Celebration Friday, Battle of the Bands and Air Bands.

Teams and sports clubs

*Badminton
*Basketball - Junior/Senior Boys/Girls
*Curling - Varsity Boys/Girls
*Dragon Boat
*Field Hockey - Varsity Girls
*Football - Junior/Senior Boys
*Lacrosse
*Ping Pong Club
*Rugby Junior & Senior Boys
*Ski and Snowboard
*Soccer - Junior/Senior Boys and Girls
*Swimming
*Tennis Club
*Track and Field
*Ultimate Frisbee
*Volleyball - Junior/Senior Boys/Girls
*Slo-pitch - Girls
*Flag Football - Varsity Girls

Music

Music Council

The Music Council is a committee of music students who promote music spirit and organize fundraisers for the Music Department at Richmond Hill High School. The council's events culminate in a Music Banquet at the end of the school year to celebrate music success and the dedication of music students at RHHS.

The official web site for the RHHS Music Department and Music Council is located at [http://www.rhhsmusic.com/ RHHSMusic.com] .

Bands, choirs and other musical groups

*Gold Band (Senior Concert Band)
*Silver Band (Intermediate Concert Band)
*Concert Band (Junior Concert Band)
*Gold Fever (Senior Stage Band)
*Clarinet Ensemble
*Flute Ensemble
*Sax Club
*String Ensemble
*Concert Choir
*Vocal Jazz
*The Gentlemen of R.H.H.S. (Men's Choir)
*Musical Theatre

Notable alumni

*Farley Mowat, conservationist and author [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title= Farley Mowat’s Remarkable Teacher |url=http://www.oct.ca/publications/professionally_speaking/june_1998/remark.htm |format= |work=Professionally Speaking |publisher=Ontario College of Teachers |id= |pages= |page= |date=1998-06 |accessdate=2007-11-22 |language= |quote=...who taught English to Mowat from 1937 to 1940 at Richmond Hill High School in Richmond Hill. |archiveurl= |archivedate= ]
*Kathleen Wynne, Liberal MPP for Don Valley West and Minister of Education of Ontario [cite news |first=Tess |last=Kalinowski |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=From student council to head of the class |url=http://www.thestar.com/News/article/170695 |format= |work=thestar.com |publisher=Toronto Star |id= |pages= |page= |date=2007-01-13 |accessdate=2007-11-22 |language= |quote=Kathleen Wynne was a track star and student council secretary when she graduated from Richmond Hill High School in 1971. |archiveurl= |archivedate= ]

Controversy

The Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) population at RHHS believes that past administrations have treated it with discrimination. While several schools in York Region had active GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance) groups, RHHS had remained without one. [ [http://www.640toronto.com/john_oakley/john_oakley_audio.cfm?rem=61627&jor=61627 AM640 Toronto RADIO - CFMJAM - CFMJAM ] ]

However, on February 7, 2007, they successfully had their first meeting.

References

ee also

*York Region District School Board

External links

* [http://www.richmondhill.hs.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/ Richmond Hill High School Website]