School clubs are excellent extracurriculars to join at Calgary Academy. They allow students to connect with others or discover a new interest, including music, Dungeons and Dragons, or planning the yearbook.
CASTLE (Calgary Academy Student Leadership) is a way for the school’s most important voices, the students, to be heard. As the club gets up and running for the school year, CA teacher Alex Noel is ready for another year of supporting students as they engage with their school community.
Student Ideas, Teacher Encouragement
CASTLE has been around longer than Mr. Noel has taught at Calgary Academy. Originally called CASE (Calgary Academy Student Executive), the club offers students a chance to get involved in the school community for Grades 9–12.
The club was founded to empower students, and according to Mr. Noel, this still stands today. He notes that the club changed its name to represent the mandate students created: to make a positive impact in the school that club participants can be proud of.
“The main goal of CASTLE is to empower students… they have worked hard to pass their mandate on to the students entering Senior School that this is a place for those who want to have an impact on their community.” – Mr. Noel
CASTLE members meet every Tuesday at lunch in Mr. Noel’s room. The agenda can look vastly different depending on the time of the school year. The group may be busy in circles brainstorming for new spirit days (dress as Adam Sandler day is popular choice) or deciding how to support student athletes at major school events like Dig Pink.
The club’s initiatives can change from year to year, but they always focus on getting students involved and making an impact. One of Mr. Noel’s favourite memories from CASTLE was last year when students helped host a school dance—something students had attempted many times in the past.
He reminds CASTLE members that they steer the ship of ideas and initiatives. His job is to help with whatever they need, whether that’s creating a budget, filling out paperwork, or working with school administration.
“My favourite thing about working with these students is that they’re way more attuned to the community’s needs than we really give them credit for… We show students that what they say matters and that we will help them act on what they care about.”
Big Plans for 2024–2025
The 2024–2025 school year should be exciting for CASTLE. With approximately 20 dedicated members, Mr. Noel is excited and proud to see plans develop each Tuesday.
He sees himself and other teachers in the club as hurdle removers—people who help make it easier for student plans to succeed. Mr. Noel is there to support big ideas (sometimes bringing students back to reality when necessary) and help bring them to life.
“I view the students’ role as guiding us on how to build the community. And then, we as teachers must help remove the roadblocks they shouldn’t have to deal with.”
CA student and CASTLE member Addison H. has appreciated being in the club. She is currently in her second year and originally joined to feel a sense of community in the school.
Her favourite part of CASTLE is working with her fellow students to “create magic.” She mentions that the teachers’ support has been essential in the club, where they find a balance between letting ideas thrive and stepping in to help when needed.
“The teachers give you so much space to do whatever you want. Whatever you desire, you can do that, but they’re there to help with some of the harder stuff like organizing, volunteering, and getting materials… They encourage you to take whatever idea you have and make it come true.” – Addison
A few meetings into the school year, CASTLE is determining its priorities. Any and every idea is currently on the table. Mr. Noel encourages interested students to check out the club—especially if they’re on the fence about joining. He and his fellow teachers ensure that all students have a voice in CASTLE, no matter what.
“Your ideas will be heard… We’ve got more teachers this year than ever ready to move rocks out of the way and help support students.”
CASTLE is a club for all Senior School students who want to get involved in the community. They meet every Tuesday at lunch in Mr. Noel’s homeroom, and all members, staff, and students are excited about this year’s possibilities.