High school students unhappy with new middle school

The opening of a new middle school is having an impact on the staff and students at F.J. Brennan Catholic High School.

Corpus Christi Catholic Middle School, along with 300 grade 7 and 8 students, moved into the south end of F.J. Brennan Catholic High School in September this year. The transition has had an impact on students and the staff at Brennan. 

Many students and teachers have said they are unhappy with the new middle school moving in and think too much has changed too fast.

Chantelle Stephan, a student at Brennan, said a lot has changed at the school this year because of the new middle school moving in.

“Besides the middle school moving in, the start time, many teachers, the vice principal and the principal have all changed this year,” said Stephan.  “The change has definitely impacted the students, especially those who have been at Brennan for a few years,” said Stephan.

 

Stephan said due to the increase of students in the building and every middle school student receiving new Chromebook laptops, the wireless internet has been extremely slow. Since the population of the school has increased she is not happy with the transition.

 

“I don’t like the change one bit to be honest, I’ve considered dropping out and taking night school because of how much I dislike Brennan now,” said Stephan. “Bringing in the middle school students doesn’t affect the high school students directly, but did affect the space the school now has.”

 

Stephan said she does feels the school has become stricter this year and thinks the transition is a great experience for kids getting ready for high school. 

 

The vice principal, Joanne Chiandussi, said the decision to bring in Corpus Christi middle school was made in April 2014 by the Accommodation Review Committee. Chiandussi said the committee looked at the numbers and decided the best option for Brennan’s future was to bring in middle school students. Chiandussi said the committee looked at what would be best for the community.

Chiandussi said due to the increase of population at the school and the decrease of space, Brennan has had to modify some programs. She said Brennan has enrolled students from other schools because it is now an open boundary school and has brought in the Hockey Canada program.

“Brennan is trying to create a good athletics program and every year the school will be adding a new sport to the program,” said Chiandussi.  Many teachers told Chiandussi bringing in the middle school was the best thing that could have happened because it kept Brennnan open.

Chiandussi said the Brennan office has not imposed any new strict rules on its students to set an example for the middle school students because they do not interact with each other. There is a locked door with swipe card access and very few poses a card.

 

“It is an exciting time for Brennan Catholic High School. We’re up and coming and were introducing all new programs that I think is going to be neat for the students,” said Chiandussi.