September Ruby Studios: December 2014

Friday 19 December 2014

I Saw Six Ships Come Sailing In

PERSONAL COLLECTION

#138

Watercolour

Carole Villeneuve

November 2014

Unframed

21" x 11"

Santa 12 Collection

In the traditional Christmas Carol, "I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In",

composed in England in the 1600's, the significance of the three ships has long been debated. One could not actually sail into landlocked Bethlehem. Was the composer referencing the Three Wise Men? Perhaps they were symbolic of camels, which have long been referred to as Ships of the Desert? Maybe the ships were symbols for Faith, Hope and Charity? Or quite simply Mary, Joseph and Jesus?

In this Christmas painting, there are not three, but six sailing ships.

Santa is greeting them enthusiastically, as he too, has embraced a sense of adventure. Santa looks to Miss Adventure to take him sailing and join Ethan, Tristan, Logan, Reegan, Sadie and Oliver in their sailboats already out on the lake. No matter the symbolism of the original three ships, these six ships, with their red and white sails, are a definite symbol for the joy and happiness children bring to all those whose hearts are open to the joy, peace, hope and charity of Christmas.

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Every Dollar Counts

Running total of $1442.50 in donations to support making Mental Health a priority in support of Research and Education. Other donations include "Old Friend" as a Silent Auction donation to support Habitat for Humanity, "La joie du printemps" donated to a Silent Auction in support of a well deserving family, "Dream of a Vineyard" donated to a Silent Auction in support of Tools for Schools Africa foundation and "Behold the Jewel" to a Silent Auction in support of Project H.O.P.E., a community based program, in partnership with Golden Hills School Division, that provides therapy to children with developmental challenges.

What's in a Name?

The Fast Facts

My first full time position (1977-1979) at Andersons of Craigmyle at Penhold Base as a grade 1 to 8 French teacher (as well as Math and Reading Resource and Art) brings memories of chaperoning junior high school dances, staff events at the Officer’s Mess, teaching skipping on the tarmac at recess and track and field days.

In between 1979-1982 a couple of temporary French Language teaching contracts at Normandeau and Mountview as well as substitute teaching here and there.

The Immersion Years

Moving on to Grandview Elementary as a Grade One teacher in 1982 in the French Immersion Program. I moved with the Immersion Program to Mountview in 1987 (teaching grade 1, 2 and a little 3) and here I am in 2011. Ready to take on a different role.

Memories

The following activities are only words but often it is the simplest words that invoke memories. They are activities which I embraced and enjoyed through school events and friendships developed in the school community, because of the commitment, energy and friendship of others. It is my hope that those of you with whom I shared these experiences through the years have a wonderful memory triggered by reading through them.

Lollipop Trees, Mother’s Day Teas, Dad’s nights out, Boat Floats, l’Aurore (French-Canadian Dance Group), Jump Rope for Heart, Neighborhood Walks, Family Pods, Autograph Days, Staff Ski Trips, 50’s Field Day, Amazing Race, Dinosaur Egg Hunts, Weigh-Ins, Noon-Hour Walks, Skating and Skiing, Reading buddies, Partner classes, Countless Field Trips (Remember those Zoo trips), Multi-grade option days (cake decorating, kite making), Progressive Dinners, Baby Showers, Children’s Christmas Parties (all those volunteer Santas), Nature Walks, Dawe Run practices, Dawe Run, Student Math conferences, Student Art conferences, The Millennium Run, The Enviro-Run, The PiperView Runs, The Peace Runs, The Terry Fox Runs, Canadiana Theme Year, African Theme Year, Friendship Walks, Neighborhood Christmas caroling, Splash Bashes, Christmas Concerts, Christmas Craft Nights, Christmas Giving Elves, The Shoebox Program, McCracken Workshops to Seven Habits PD, Winter Fun Days, Skating at Bower Ponds, Schoolyard Ice Sculptures, the multiple Winter and Summer Olympic Moments, the averted Teacher's Strike, Schoolyard Dances, Noon-hour Dances, Family Night Dances, Energizers, Basketball Teams, Staff Barbecues, Staff Kananaskis Team, the conferences we attended together, Artsview, Year End Picnics with Candy Scrambles and Wheelbarrow Races, Coke Floats and Movies, Walks through the courtyard, Yoga Club, Do Ré Mi, McDonald’s Breakfast Club, Early Morning Running and Swimming and Go For the Goal

(if you think of some I missed please share them)

Classroom Memories

Countless and precious. As I went through my class pictures it brought back memories of everything the children taught me through what I taught them. Through teaching I gained as much as I gave.

Merci Mille Fois

Memories of and thank you to, countless students, parents, teaching buddies, coworkers, good friends and a supportive loving family…..…

……the students who showed me what they needed and taught me to listen

………the parents who told me about their children and entrusted me with their children’s education

………the partners in education (teaching buddies, administrators, caretakers, secretaries, educational assistants) who shared their ideas, knowledge, time and expertise

……….the friends who helped in times of need, laughed and cried, talked and listened, played and worked together

……….my family who showed their unconditional and supportive love throughout it all. My husband who is my rock and my hero. My daughters who are my inspiration. My son who taught me what’s important in life. My son-in-laws who show me what endurance means. My grandchildren who give me hope and joy. My parents who taught me the importance of learning.

33 wonderful years in the classroom! What will the next 33 years bring?

What’s Next You Ask?

Family and fitness, painting, photography, travel

and teaching (once a teacher always a teacher).

September Ruby Studios

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Friday 19 December 2014

I Saw Six Ships Come Sailing In