Student Organizations

Student Organizations in Canterbury’s Upper School challenges students to discover their interests and exercise a high degree of leadership.  New organizations form each year as students’ interests emerge. In addition to service learning—which is organized through advisories—and outdoor education at Canterbury’s fall retreat, Upper School faculty members sponsor and students lead a variety of organizations including:

The Associated Students of Canterbury (TASC) is a student-led organization responsible for planning Upper School activities. TASC is comprised of an Executive Council consisting of a President, Vice President, a Program Director, and a Treasurer along with a senate made up of two elected representatives from each grade in the Upper School. Upper School faculty members support and advise these students. As a student-led organization, TASC’s scope and structure serves the Upper School community by planning and executing parties, dances, pep rallies, coffee houses, movie nights, prom, fund-raising, and other events.

Model UN competes both locally and nationally in mock simulations. Led by Mr. Ted O’Connor and assisted by Mr. Hebert, the team is comprised of roughly one half of the Upper School. Students represent nations at the conferences and develop skills in writing position papers, formulating and passing resolutions, public speaking, parliamentary tactics, and caucusing. Canterbury receives numerous awards and commendations at Model UN conferences hosted by Georgetown University, the Ivy League conference at the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of North Texas.

Speech Under the direction of Mrs. Trisha Hummel-Seifert,  Canterbury will field its first Texas Forensic League Speech Team in the 2009-2010 season. Events include Domestic Extemp, Forensic Extemp, Original Oratory, Dramatic Interpretation, Humerous Interpretation, and Duet Acting.  Students compete in individual events, with scores accumulating for team totals. The team’s goal is to participate in a minimum of 5 TFL events, plus districts in 2010. TFL meets attract 4A schools and some of the most competitive, larger private schools in North Texas.

Debate is led by Upper School History teacher Mr. Ted O’Connor.  Debate is open to all interested Upper School students. The Debate team is a member of the Texas Forensic League. Canterbury competes in Policy Debate and participates in UIL competitions in the Dallas area.

The Spanish Club is lead by Sra. Peck and is open to all Upper School students. The Spanish Club is a great way for members in Spanish classes to further explore the Spanish language and culture. Students engage in conversational Spanish, celebrate Latin cultural traditions, watch critically acclaimed Spanish films and often prepare Spanish dishes to share with the club.

The National Honor Society. New members are inducted each year. Selection is based on scholarship, leadership, character and service. NHS students lead a peer-tutoring program to help students in math, science, history and foreign languages. The NHS faculty chair is Mrs. Katherine Reves.

The Honor Council is lead by Mrs. Madeleine Hoffman. Upper School Honor Council representatives are chosen by a committee of Upper School advisors. Representatives are stewards of the community’s commitment to an Honor System that governs students’ behavior both inside classrooms and around campus. All Canterbury students in grades 6-12 indicate their acceptance of the Honor Pledge by signing the Honor Contract at the beginning of each academic year.

The Canterbury community expects students to act honorably. The Honor system provides as much a learning experience as anything students will ever be exposed to at Canterbury. The Honor Pledge is required of all students in academic endeavors:

Middle School Enrichment

Middle School Enrichment activities are offered during D block for students not presently involved in MS sports. Activities will vary throughout the year, depending on the number of students available for enrichment.  Chess, robotics, sample foreign language classes, and word games will vary throughout the first quarter.  Third quarter will include play practice in D block for lead roles in the MS musical, Godspell. As the year advances and enrollment in sports varies, preparation for PSIA competitions in the spring will be added.