TURNING POINT

SIMCOE COMPOSITE SCHOOL

PORT DOVER CAMPUS

Shawn McMillan

(OCT)

"This guy's walking down the street when he falls in a hole, the walls are so steep he can't get out.

"A doctor passes by and the guy shouts up, 'Hey you. Can you help me out?' The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up, 'Father, I'm down in this hole can you help me out?' The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on...
Then a teacher comes along and throws down instructions on how to get out of holes and walks away.

FINALLY a friend walks by, 'Hey, Joe, it's me, can you help me out?' And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, 'Are you stupid? Now we're both down here.' The friend says, 'Yeah, but I've been down here before and I know the way out.'"

I was not what you would call a great student while attending Port Dover Composite School. Although almost always respectful I was more interested in what was happening outside the classroom than in it! One day a teacher I respected pulled me aside and asked me..."when are you going to stop acting like a &$#@ing idiot and take advantage of your talents.

This incident had a profound affect on me for a few reasons. Firstly, I hadn't allowed for the possibility that my behaviour was anything but awesome! Secondly, I was motivated by the fact that a guy I respected thought highly of me. Finally, It made me wonder what it would be like to be on the other end of that conversation!

It was shortly after that when I decided to take school more seriously and started on my path to teaching.

Now let's get out of this hole!!

Lynne Henson

Turning Point Educational Assistant

Recylcing Guru

During High School, here at PDCS, I worked at the Beach Alleys, The Dairy Bar and the Norfolk. Jobs at Ontario Hydro and the Norfolk bank-rolled my post-secondary education in London, Ontario. I didn't quite know what to do with my BA so I went back to work at The Norfolk. (Are you seeing a theme here?) For the next ten years I traveled (Europe, Jamaica and Mexico), worked (The Sandalmaker, Watkinson's and yes, The Norfolk), and had children (Jessie and Adrien) before deciding to dust off the BA and work as an EA. The best part of the Turning Point Program is the diversity of the courses and the students. I think I've finally out-grown the Norfolk and in my spare time I'm a Board member and volunteer for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Haldimand-Norfolk.