Kenora Catholic District School Board

Just before the last day of school École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys organized a 'Graduate Walkthrough' down the halls of the school for the graduating grade 6 class. It was a complete surprize for the graduating class because the school assembled while the class was outside taking graduation pictures. The entire school lined the hallways and clapped and cheered as the grade 6 students entered the school and there were a lot of tears, proud faces and 'high fives' as the students walked down the hallway.

You can watch the Graduate Walkthrough here:

Teacher Roxanne Viel talks about why she organized the Graduate Walkthrough. "I organized the grade 6 Graduate Walkthrough as a way for our school community to congratulate their fellow students and as a way to say goodbye. So many of our older students have such positive relationships built with their younger peers through various clubs and groups and this was a really great way for the younger students to say goodbye to the grade 6 students."

Max Froese Grade 6 student shares his reaction. "At first, I was very surprized to think that the whole school was clapping just for us and they looked up to us. It was so cool and neat that they did that for us.

Kyla McLaughlin, grade 6 also shares how she felt when she walked down the hallway for the last time. "It was really cool because this is the first time they have ever done a Graduate Walkthrough at École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys. It was hard not to cry because everyone was crying as we walked down the hallway."

Grade 4 Student Sydney Merlino shared what the experience was like. "I felt that École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys had prepared the Grade 6's to go on to St. Thomas Aquinas High School and it made me feel really proud that I got to be part of their time here before they moved on. It was really nice to clap for them and it made me feel very good for the grade 6 students because it's going to be a big memory for them to be cheered on to go on to their next step in life."

Here are a few pictures from the Graduate Walkthrough:

Grade 5 student Taylor Henley shared what she was feeling in the moment. "I was feeling excited and happy. Many of the Grade 6's are my friends. Watching them go is kind of sad but it's also exciting at the same time."	Here the younger students wait with anticipation for the Graduate Walkthrough to begin.
Although the grade 6 students were surprized by the Graduate Walkthrough their surprize quickly turned to pride and joy.
Many of the students commented that the experience was a great way to say goodbye.	Many of the teachers and staff at École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys found the Graduate Walkthrough to be a moving experience. Especially seeing the pride on the students' faces as they walked the hallway for the last time. Roxanne Viel talks about what she was feeling. "My reaction was overwhelmed as I saw the surprised looks on their faces. they were so proud of themselves and seemed honoured to be able to take part. Seeing those smiling faces as they passed their peers, teachers and staff members was an amazing experience."
Grade 6 students Max Froese and Kyla McLaughlin.	Interview with grade 6 Graduates: How are you feeling about graduating from École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys? Kyla: It's mixed emotions. I'm happy to be leaving but yet I still don't want to leave. We are ready to go but we are going to miss our teachers. How did you feel when you saw the emotions during the walkthrough? Max: When I saw my mom crying I kind of chuckled a little bit. Every time I saw one of my teachers crying I remembered when I was in their class and how much fun we had and how I have to leave now. It's been a long time but we are ready for this. School is a lot of fun but we are ready for a new chapter. What would you like to say to your teachers and principals right now? Kyla: I would like to say thank you for all the encouragement and for helping me learn. And I would like to say that I will definitely miss them too. My life right now wouldn't be the same if I went to a different school. It wouldn't be the same without all the teachers that helped me through my school life. Max: I would like to say a big, big, big thank you to all the teachers because they really taught us life lessons and stuff we can use towards our life. Really important things like math skills and social skills and things we will remember our whole lives. So thank you.