Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 30, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Although other graduating classes may dwarf Ecole Allain St. Cyr's, the occasion is no small affair.

The five students set to graduate June 2 at Joint Task Force North's officers' mess will be NWT's first class to graduate from a Francophone school.

To encourage the students to stick out a Francophone education, the Commission Scolaire Francophone de Division offered the students $3,500 bursaries for post secondary education if they've attended the school since Grade 10.

With just five in their graduating class, and only one Grade 11 student set to graduate next year, the students said there are both advantages and disadvantages, to having a small class.

Charles Baillargeon, 18, said he hardly brought any work home, because they had so much extra class time to work.

While other schools are fighting to keep class sizes down, Kathy P. Sovignac, 18, said that their tiny class meant they each got lots of teacher attention and help.

"Teachers take time to explain students everything we want so we can understand more," said Sarah Malu, 19. "They always have time for us."

Most classes combined Grade 10 and Grade 11, or Grade 11 and Grade 12 students together.

But with the advantages came the disadvantages. Compared to the dances and events of Sir John Franklin and St. Patrick high schools, this group didn't have as many other students to socialize with.

Marie-Eve Dugre, 16, stayed at the school because of her parents' encouragement. They are both Francophone. She said it wasn't easy having few friends around.

Most of the students now plan on moving on to junior college in Quebec, the Quebec college system or University or college. It should prove a big change to go from a class of five to several thousand.

Having completed his schooling at Ecole Allain St. Cyr since kindergarten, Baillargeon said he expects some differences, as he plans on going to the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton.

"Since I've been here so long, I have a very close relationship with the teachers," he said. "I can talk to them as friends. I don't think that's ever going to be the same at any other school."

Baillargeon said the $3,500 scholarship encouraged him to stay at Ecole Allain St. Cyr.

Gerard Lavigne, director general of the Francophone school board, said the scholarship was thought of four years ago to help keep secondary students at the smaller school.

The amount each student get is based on how long they were at Ecole Allain St. Cyr. Each graduate will receive $500 for Grade 10, $1,000 for Grade 11, and $2,000 for Grade 12. They'll get the money once they've completed their first semester at any post-secondary institution.

With an addition under construction at the school, Principal Jacques Angers expects to attract more Francophone students to the school.

He said that there are currently 250 Francophone students in Yellowknife and 100 students enrolled at Ecole Allain St. Cyr.