Mentor College has developed a primary programme which builds on the enthusiasm and involvement which children feel when learning. Students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 4 are immersed in a stimulating curriculum and provided with a wealth of support and encouragement. Staff members foster the development of good work habits and a sense of responsibility which provide a solid foundation for the challenges that lie ahead.
Students in the Primary Division are challenged by Mentor’s curriculum, as it is more advanced than those in public, separate, and most private school programmes. Homeroom teachers instruct in math, reading, grammar, spelling, and social studies and specialty teachers teach music, computers, science, French, and physical education.
In addition to the curriculum, there are a host of school clubs, teams, and activities that students are welcome to join. The highlight of the school year occurs when the entire school stages the year-end musical! Every student takes part in the production – as an actor, dancer, pit band member, backstage crew, or chorus member.
The Primary Campus houses all of the students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 4. The building boasts a gymnasium for physical education classes and athletics, a computer lab, a music room, a science room, and an indoor pool that the students visit several times each term. Mentor encorporates field trips into its curriculum throughout the year.
Mentor College hires only qualified teachers with a primary-aged subject specialty and a warm and sensitive attitude towards children. The more-experienced teachers are enthused by the younger staff members and the newer teachers gain valuable insights and resources from their older colleagues. Staff members work as a team for all the major school events (Terry Fox Run, Play Day, School Musical, etc.) and every teacher volunteers his or her spare time to the many clubs and activities of the school.
"We like to excite students about the learning process…if they believe it’s worthwhile to achieve, they will continue to challenge themselves when they get older."
Leeanne Talarico
Principal, Primary Division
M.Ed., Nipissing University
