St. Thomas d’Aquin hosts French-Canadian Carnaval
The spirit of winter fun was very much present as St. Thomas d’Aquin school hosted its annual winter Carnaval for all students on Friday. The event included games, songs and sports celebrating many French Canadian and Quebecois carnival traditions.
“The students have a lot of fun,” said principal Terry Kennedy, who was walking the school grounds with megaphone in hand. “The afternoon is separated into about 20-minute blocks and they rotate through different stations. There’s limbo, snowbowling, maple syrup outside on snow cones, which is kind of our own take on something that is very traditionally French-Canadian.”
Grade 4 student Zach Wiens was taking part in the limbo station when the News caught up to him. He was dressed in a red lumberjack shirt and jeans, and was all smiles. Wiens was not disappointed with the lack of snow on the day. He also understood the cultural importance of the event.
“It’s kind of a French tradition in Quebec. They do it every year in Quebec, so for us, because we do the French immersion school, it’s important too.”
Grade 6 student Grace Jacobs was playing shinny with her friends, but was really looking forward to the tug-of-war challenge later in the afternoon.
“It’s girls against boys. I think the girls are going to win this year,” she said confidently.
According to Jacobs, the annual carnival was always a lot of fun for everyone at the school.
“I like how there is all these different things we can do, and have a lot more fun than usual at school instead of doing work.”