"If good beginnings lead to happy endings... What then of great beginnings?" 

Through play, Colwell Kids learn about themselves and about others.  They learn to think, make decisions, discriminate, analyze, formulate ideas, and how to imagine.  They learn how to create and share.  They learn how to learn.  The positive self-esteem that follows is the single most valuable indicator of academic success in the years ahead, and launches a lifelong love of learning and discovery.

Colwell Kids Doing Great Things is our opportunity to recognize the achievements of those children who exemplify the self-confidence and the love for learning that we encourage as part of our programme at Colwell.  Each month we feature a different Colwell student, past or present, who has gone on to achieve great things in their lives.  Do you have a Colwell Kid in mind?

Click here to submit your nomination!

Malcolm McColl

According to an old English proverb, good beginnings lead to happy endings…. What then of great beginnings?  A student of Colwell Nursery School from 1993 to 1994, Malcolm McColl has gone on to accomplish great things since attending our programme.  At 16 years of age, he is the youngest member of the Canadian World Bridge Team, placed among the most talented players in the world.  The team is comprised of individuals who possess strong mathematical and analytical skills, which tend to be essential attributes of players competing at the international level.  This past summer, Malcolm travelled to Thailand with the team to compete alongside his twenty-one -year-old bridge partner, an extremely gifted exchange student from Bosnia.  His performance in Thailand, along with his inspiring attitude, has earned Malcolm a spot on the team for the next several years.  In addition to playing bridge, he is also an honor student at Pine Ridge Secondary School, and finds the time to involve himself in a variety of sports and other extra-curricular activities.  Future aspirations?  Malcolm has his sights set on university, and later, possibly a career in medicine or engineering.  Expect to continue seeing great things from Malcolm in the years to come.  Congratulations Malcolm, we’re proud to be a small part of you’re success!

Kendra Armstrong

If good beginnings lead to happy endings… What then of great beginnings?  A student of Colwell Nursery School from 1998 to 2001, Kendra Armstrong has gone on to accomplish great things since attending our programme.

At 11 years of age, she is already an accomplished singer and actress, exuding the talent and confidence of a performer well beyond her years.  Her resume boasts oodles of wonderful experiences, including singing at various charity events, community venues, festivals in the arts, and live interviews with Rogers.  Among the most prestigious of events, was an invitation to participate in the Mayor’s Gala this past year.  With great effort comes great reward, and Kendra’s treasure of awards and certificates continues to grow with each stage she graces.  Aside from singing, she finds herself placed on the honour role in her grade 6 class, and also finds the time to dabble in acting and to socialize with her friends.  Future Aspirations?  Kendra has her sights set on university, and later, possibly a career in law.  Certainly her experience in front of large audiences will one day serve her well in the courtroom.  Regardless of which path she chooses, expect to continue seeing great things from Kendra in the years to come. Congratulations Kendra, we’re proud to be a small part of your success!

Benjamin Hall 

If good beginnings lead to happy endings… What then of great beginnings?  A student of Colwell Nursery School from 2001 to 2002, Benjamin Hall has gone on to accomplish great things since attending our programme.

At 8 years of age, he is already well on his way to building a successful writing career, having recently won Ajax Library Services’ “Quest for Heroes” Short Story Contest.  Ben’s grade 3 submission, a 500-word short story about an environmentally conscious crusader named Bio-De-Great, took top honors as Best of Contest.  The contest drew entries from Ajax elementary students, Junior Kindergarten all the way up to Grade 8.  The mayor presented Ben with his prize during an evening recognition ceremony.  Besides writing terrific short stories, how else does Ben spend his spare time?  Ben is an avid reader, a talented pianist, and a fantastically nimble short- stop on his baseball team.  Future Aspirations?  Not surprisingly, Ben has his sights set on becoming an author, although his artistic skills continue to develop, and may take him in other directions.  Regardless of which path he chooses, expect to continue seeing great things from Ben in the years to come. Congratulations Ben, we’re proud to be a small part of your success!