Alternate Curriculum in Newfoundland

Approach to Alternate Curriculum in Newfoundland

“Sandra Hemmings began the Challenge Our Students to Achieve program in 1999 and continued delivering it until her retirement. She pioneered the Award with our students, and I learned everything from her.”

The Award continues to be a transformative experience for youth across Canada, thanks to dedicated educators like Raelene Butt. With years of experience integrating the Award into Alternate Curriculum, Raelene has played a pivotal role in ensuring that all students can access meaningful and challenging opportunities for growth.

The Award and Alternate Curriculum

Raelene Butt has been utilizing the Award framework to complement her educational programming, providing students with a structured yet flexible approach to personal development and individualized curriculum. At Queen Elizabeth Regional High School, the Award has been delivered prior to the Co-curricular Approach through their Alternate Curriculum. By introducing the Co-curricular Approach in 2024, Raelene Butt has inspired other educators to now integrate the Award within their curriculum through courses to enhance student engagement and real-world skill development.

A Grant That Opened Doors

Through the “Changing Lives Activity Grant” from our generous partners at the McCall MacBain Foundation, Queen Elizabeth Regional High School was able to fund their Adventurous Journey (AJ), a core component of the Award that challenges participants to step outside their comfort zones. Raelene emphasizes the critical role this funding played in making the journey accessible:

“Without the grant money, we would have been unable to access multiple activities due to accessibility barriers for many of our participants.”

The grant not only provided financial support but also ensured that students of all abilities could fully participate, fostering an environment of inclusivity and experiential learning.

Life-Changing Experiences for Participants

Participation in the Adventurous Journey allowed students to engage in new experiences, develop essential life skills, and work towards fulfilling their Gold level requirements. According to Raelene, the impact was profound:

“Participation in the Adventurous Journey has helped expose students to new experiences, helped them achieve the requirements to fulfill their Gold level, and helped them build skills in communication, dedication, leadership, and teamwork.”

One of the most touching moments of the journey was during a swimming activity. Accessibility barriers had previously prevented some students from experiencing water-based activities. For two participants in wheelchairs, this was the first time in years they had been able to enter the water.

“The biggest highlight would have to be when we went swimming. Two of our participants in wheelchairs had not been in the water in years. In particular, one participant had gone six years without swimming due to the accessible access required to get in the water. The day we went, coincidentally, was her birthday. She was so excited to be in the water that she cried.”

For these students, the experience was more than just a recreational activity— it was a moment of independence, joy, and inclusion that would not have been possible without the financial support of the grant.

Building a More Inclusive Future

Beyond the immediate impact of the journey, the experience has provided valuable insights into improving accessibility for future activities.

“This activity helped expose students to new activities. We were able to add accessible materials and learned a lot that we can problem solve around to make future activities even more accessible and engaging.”

Additionally, the funding allowed for peer mentors to join, further enhancing the inclusivity of the camp and fostering strong peer connections.

The Power of the Award in Schools

Raelene Butt’s work exemplifies the transformative potential of the Award when integrated into educational programming. By embedding the Award into the school curriculum, educators can provide students with experiential learning opportunities that enhance personal growth, leadership, and resilience.

Award Canada recognizes the dedication of experienced educators like Raelene Butt, who continue to champion the Award’s impact within schools. Her efforts in showcasing the benefits of the Award within her school has inspired other educators to start delivery the Award through their course. In 2025, Queen Elizabeth Regional High has expanded the Award to their Careers course making it accessible for all students highlighting the power of co-curricular learning in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

For more information on how schools can incorporate the Award into their programming, click here.

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