Gravenhurst High School will be hosting our annual Pathways Week from November 3-7, 2025. During this week, local professionals from the Gravenhurst community will visit classrooms to share about their career and their career pathway journey, in addition to showcasing the tasks and skills essential to their work with the goal of helping students grow their awareness of the careers at work in our community.
Special focus will be on career sectors that connect to our Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs, which include Arts & Culture, Construction, Health & Wellness, and Hospitality & Tourism. Here are the sessions that are locked in and we will continue to update this list as others lock in their presence:
Monday November 3 – EMS & Law Enforcement Day
EMS & Enforcement Career Panel: This panel of local EMS, law enforcement and corrections professionals will discuss their careers and the pathway they took to enter their work, sharing common tasks, required knowledge, essential skills and more. Participants will include Correctional Officer Trevor Faessler (Beaver Creek Institution – Correctional Services of Canada), Assistant Warden of Operations Melissa Mitchell (Beaver Creek Institution – Correctional Services of Canada), Jason Jongen (Base Borden Fire Department), Jason Oncz (Commander, Muskoka Paramedic Services) and Hugh Dunlop (Platoon Superintendent, Muskoka Paramedic Services). The audience will include students from Ms.Hamara’s SCH4C class, Ms.McP’s Cooperative Education class and the Health & Wellness SHSM program.
Explore An Ambulance: Muskoka Paramedic Services will park an ambulance at GHS so students can grow their understanding of the tools and strategies used by paramedics in the field. Health & Wellness SHSM students, as well as Mr.Robb’s Careers class will connect with Muskoka Paramedic Services Commander Jason Oncz and Platoon Superintendent Hugh Dunlop for this interactive opportunity.
Fire Safety Training: This training is provided by Kevin McKelvey of the Town of Gravenhurst Fire Department and will be offered to Construction, Health & Wellness, and Hospitality & Tourism SHSM students. Students will learn about how to be fire safe and will have the opportunity to use a fire extinguisher to suppress a fire.
Tactics & Trends in Local Tourism – Explorers’ Edge: James Murphy, RTO12 CEO, will join Mr.Barz’s CGG3O class and our Hospitality & Tourism SHSM students to discuss the business of hospitality and tourism in Muskoka.
Tuesday November 4 – Health & Wellness Day
Concussion Awareness Training: This training is provided by Shelby Yeoman of Total Balance Physiotherapy to Health & Wellness SHSM students, Mr.Dash’s PPL3/4O students, and student athletes on the girls and boys hockey teams. This seminar is to raise awareness, provide practical information on prevention and symptom recognition, and help promote a safer playing environment for everyone involved.
Health & Wellness Career Panel: This panel of local professionals will discuss their careers and the pathway they took to enter their work, sharing common tasks, required knowledge, essential skills and more. Participants will include Aleisha Burta (Director – Accommodation Services, Community Living South Muskoka), Kelly Warne (Manager & Youth Program Coordinator, YMCA Simcoe-Muskoka), Jason Prichard (Mental Health Counsellor, TLDSB) and Hannah Blair (Program Supervisor, The Friends). The audience will include Health & Wellness SHSM students and Mrs.Clarke’s PAL2/3/4O class.
Chiropractic Care: This learning opportunity is provided by Dr.Kelly McIntosh from Gravenhurst Chiropractic, who will help students understand the role of a chiropractor and how chiropractic care can influence the patient to improve their health. The audience will include Health & Wellness SHSM students, as well as Mrs.Clarke’s PAF2/3/4O students.
Respiratory Therapy: This hands-on session allows students to better understand the respiratory therapist career pathway by intubating a doll and other simulated tasks related to the field. The participants will be students from Ms.Humphries’ SBI3U class and the Health & Wellness SHSM program.
Wednesday November 5 – Arts, Culture, Hospitality & Tourism Day
Customer Service Certification: All SHSM students will understand the relevance of good customer service in any industry. Topics will include essential skills and traits that lead to strong customer service, the impact of good/bad customer service on a business, strategies to employ to ensure positive interactions with customers, and troubleshooting typical scenarios. The training is provided by our GHS Cooperative Education teacher.
Arts & Culture Career Panel: This panel of local professionals will discuss their careers and the pathway they took to enter their work, sharing common tasks, required knowledge, essential skills and more. Participants will include Amanda Greavette (Amanda Greavette Fine Art), Larry Carroll (Larry Carroll Photography), Kelly Hamilton (Gravenhurst Opera House), and Nancy Hunter (Nancy Hunter Art Therapist). The audience will include Arts & Culture SHSM students and Ms.Bulloch’s AVI2O class.
Portfolio Development Training: Local artist Hanna Dykstra will lead Arts & Culture SHSM students, as well as Ms.Bulloch’s AWC3/4O class, through a session focused on helping them create a portfolio that showcases their artistic skill and creativity for the purpose of applying for community and post-secondary art opportunities.
Entrepreneurship In Action – GPHE: Nicole Solmon & Dan Snodden of Gravenhurst Plumbing, Heating & Electric will join Mr.Barz’s Entrepreneurship class to discuss operating a construction business that oversees multiple skilled trades in Muskoka. Some Construction SHSM students will join in this session.
Thursday November 6
Standard First Aid & CPR Level C: Muskoka First Aid’s Julie Charters will lead students in all SHSM programs through a full day of in-person training to complete these certifications. Students will have completed the online component of the training prior to this training.
Friday November 7 – OYAP Skilled Trades Day
Hydro Vac Demonstration: Charles Cooper from Muskoka Hydro Vac will join Mr. Boyce and Mr. Robb’s TAS1O students and some Construction SHSM students to show how a hydro vac truck works and how it is a powerful tool on any construction worksite all year long.
Skilled Trades Career Trade Show: All GHS students will have the chance to participate in this meet & greet with trades professionals from many local companies in all trades sectors. Students will be given a task that encourages engagement and conversation, and doing so will qualify them for a draw. Participating businesses include: Coon Bros, Robinson Haulage, Muskoka Hydrovac, Muskoka Small Engine & Marine, Rockscape, Artisan’s Edge, District of Muskoka, Apple Plumbing, Muskoka Bay Resort, TLDSB OYAP, Community Builders, Milwaukee, Correctional Service Canada and more.
Hands On Trades Sessions: Students in Mr.Boyce’s TCJ2O, Mr.Robb’s TTJ2O and the Construction SHSM program will participate in a rotation of hands-on construction & motive power trades-based sessions.
If you are interested in sharing your career with students, or if you have questions about GHS Pathways Week, please connect with our cooperative education teacher, Jacki McPherson, at jacki.mcpherson@tldsb.on.ca.
