Welcome back to a new school year Mustangs! Course outlines & pathway options are available via the link above in case you lose the one you are given in class, and as always if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!  I am very excited to see what this year has in store for all of our students, as each year the creativity continues to increase!  Here's to a great start for a new school year Mustangs!

Our course outlines and pathway selection documents are now uploaded to the web site. Exemplars from semester 1 are being updated to showcase the amazing talent and hard work of Mustangs last semester! Here's to a great semester 2 for 2017!

​The following ladies will be representing our school this year in 2D animation competition at Provincial Skills in Edmonton, Alberta:

Portia Scabar (Grade 10)
Grace McLean (Grade 10)

I am super excited about our team!  With their grade 11 and 12 year still ahead of them, this year's skills competition will be a great experience building event for our team and they definitely have the skills to compete for the medals!

For more information about the skills competition please click here to view their webpage.

Coach_Robi

Our students have worked very hard in class and at Provincial Skills over the years, and in all cases each team had to learn new software that they had never used before!  Currently competing in 3D Animation, Highwood offers instruction in the industry leading 3D animation software Autodesk Maya. 

Students are able to download a free copy of this powerful software for use at home in addition to the instruction they receive at the school during our animation sections.  To get your student copy of Autodesk Maya simply visit http://students.autodesk.com and setup your account today!

Autodesk Maya has been used in many Hollywood movies and famous video games.  For example, have you heard of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings?  How about Shrek or Despicable Me?  It has also been used in many video games, such as the Call of Duty series and more!

Even if animation or video game design isn't part of your career plans, you will get to experience and explore many powerful software packages in Communications Technology.  In addition to 3D animation, we also explore audio, video, and digital imaging!  It's basically Digital Art and expression! How cool is that!  


And the best news? No experience required!  


It's always a great day to explore technology at Highwood!

Big updates to the course sections as well as the student exemplar sections.  Course outlines are now available for download at any time, and the overall program descriptions have been updated.  

Did you know that your son or daughter can access some of the most powerful software at home for free?  Autodesk, the company responsible for some of the world's most powerful animation and design software, has created a program at http://students.autodesk.com that allows students in High School or College/University to use their programs free of charge as long as they remain in school.  

This means software like Autodesk Maya, Autodesk CAD, and 3DS Max are only a few registration steps away from being on your families's computer to assist with your students' learning!  Many of these software titles run into the thousands to purchase, so this is a great opportunity that shouldn't be missed!

If you are interested in pursuing a career in Animation, or even video games and other areas of design, check out the Art Institute of Vancouver! Some of my previous students have attended and went on to work in major international video game companies!  I have heard many great stories of the calibre of work at the Art Institutes as well as the excellent networking opportunities they provide.

If you are a big fan of film and video production, SAIT offers a 2 year diploma.

Course information can be found on the SAIT web site here and if you are interested in that field I definitely recommend checking out the admission requirements. 

First, let me say welcome back to school!  It's been so awesome for me to get back into a regular schedule after the events of this summer that I am sure all students and families will welcome that familiar feeling and sense of purpose as well!  

My family of nine, like so many of my students and community members, was devastated by the flood of 2013.  We lost pretty much all that we had.  I know intimately what people have been going through, and I am available at any time to talk or help direct you or your son/daughter to resources to help with the transition back to school!  

I know that a huge part of the healing process for everyone will be getting back to regular experiences, learning, challenges and events that our school provides, and I am very excited to begin that chapter of our collective experience when school resumes September 3rd and 4th!

The main focus of Communication Technology this year will continue to be advanced digital image editing and design, 3D computer animation with Autodesk Maya 2014, and audio/video editing.  This program achieved it's highest provincial recognition last year when my student Daniel Parker achieved silver medal at Provincial Skills in 3D animation.  For 4 years now, our technology students have placed top 5 in provincial competition which is awesome!  

I am very excited to continue to increase the rigour and content of our technology courses to benefit all students even more than in previous years!

Take care, and here's to a great 2013/14 school year!
Mr. Robideau