John G. Diefenbaker High School

Infobox Education in Canada
name= John G. Diefenbaker High School
motto= Freedom, Choice, Responsibility
type= Public
city= Calgary
province= Alberta
country= Canada
principal= Robert Tink
viceprincipal=
grades= 10, 11, 12
enrollment_as_of= as of 2006
enrollment= Approximately 1400
established= 1971
campus= Urban


imagesize= 300px
schoolboard= Calgary Board of Education
grade10= 456
grade11= 470
grade12= 464
colours= Blue, White
mascot= Chief
religious_affiliation= None
website= http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b860/
communities= Beddington Heights, Harvest Hills, Huntington Hills, Panorama Hills, Thorncliffe,
feeders= Colonel Irvine Jr. High, Georges P. Vanier Jr. High, Sir John A. Macdonald Jr. High

John G. Diefenbaker High School is a senior high school located at 6620 4th Street N.W. Calgary, Alberta. The school is named after the 13th Prime Minister of Canada Rt. Hon. John Diefenbaker. The school is part of the Calgary Board of Education. The school graduates around 400 Grade 12 students every year, with a 91% graduation rate. [http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b860/default.htm]

Academics

As one of the five International Baccalaureate high schools in Calgary, John G. Diefenbaker High School is well known for its academic programs. On the Provincial Diplomas, John G. Diefenbaker performs well and is in the top five High Schools in the CBE. [http://www.cbe.ab.ca/results/academic.asp]

Clubs

Athletics

Diefenbaker is a highly involved and athletic High School. As a Division 2 school in athletics, they are well known for the volleyball, football, and basketball programs. John G. Diefenbaker Sr. High School's wrestling team is among the best in Alberta, having won a large number of City Championships as well as several Provinical titles. [http://www.calgaryhighschoolsports.com/league.php?scriptName=HOME&leagueID=5449]

Music Program

Diefenbaker High School's music program is quite large, and among the best in Calgary. The Band program consists of the Concert Band, and Jazz 1 and 2 Bands. Mr. Rod Pauls is the Director of Bands in the school. His ensembles have received many accolades for their musicality and superior performances throughout Canada and the United States. He is one of the founding members of the Westwinds Music Society as well as co-cordinator of the Calgary Regional Summer Band Workshop. This workshop offers participants the opportunity to develop their musical skills in a relaxed setting where they can meet with others from across southern Alberta, and work with a distinguished faculty drawn from Alberta's professional ensembles, orchestras, universities, colleges and schools. Mr. Pauls hold Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education from the University of Calgary. A respected educator, Mr. Pauls maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor and clinician. [ [http://www.westwindsmusic.org/289.asp Westwinds Music Society ] ] The Diefenbaker Concert Band and Jazz 1 Band have won Gold Awards at the Alberta International Band Festival numerous times under his instruction.

The Choir program has gained recognition from music festivals within Calgary, in addition to individual workshop leaders from across the continent. The program consists of a Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Girls' Choir and Vocal Jazz. Mrs. Pat Pilat is the director of Choirs in the school. She is an experienced choral performer and has sung in many ensembles including the U of C Women’s Choir, Calvin College A’cappella choir, and the Calgary Philharmonic Choir. She received her formal education from Calvin College and the University of Calgary where she earned her Bachelor of Education in Secondary Music. [ [http://www.westwindsmusic.org/317.asp Westwinds Music Society ] ]

The Music Department holds two annual public concerts, one in the fall, and one in the spring.

Other Information

*Diefenbaker is situated next to Sir John A. Macdonald Jr. High School, St. Helena Jr. High School (Catholic School Division) and Thorncliffe Pool/Library/Arena complex.
*Diefenbaker's music band program is amongst the best in the city.
*The Youth Volunteer Corps program at Diefenbaker is the largest high school club in the city, run by the dedicated IB students in the school.

References

External links

* [http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b860/ The school's website]