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Student Success Centre

Student Success Centre (SSC) is an Online-based universal support provided by an EA in Literacy or Numeracy and is offered to students needing assistance in grades 5-12. It is important to note that you do not need a referral for this, you may access the SSC at any point throughout the year. 

  • academic courses - comprehension, higher level thinking, step by step instruction
  • executive functioning (organization, planning, time management)
  • course pacing and accountability
  • navigating Brightspace, Study Forge and Encom
  • building confidence due to anxiety or insecurity
  • motivation

How to initiate support
There is no referral needed to access the SSC. You can book sessions directly with an EA or you can talk to your teacher or GA to set up a first introductory session to meet and get to know the EA.
Friendly reminder: The student success centre is a universal support and is accessible to all grade 5-12+ students. We ask that you kindly limit weekly bookings to 1-2 sessions and no more than 2 weeks in advance. Should your child need further support, we encourage you to contact the course specialist for booking hours and follow up with your IE case manager, learning support consultant, K-9 teacher or GA.
Support is offered via Zoom and students must schedule a meeting time and attend the service.

SSC Workshops:

Check out the SSC link and the school blog regularly for updates for our free drop-in weekly workshops. Topics change each month, offering students even more learning opportunities to build skills such as proper citation, essay writing foundations, provincial assessment preparation, note taking and more!

Meet the SSC EA Team:

Taryn McPherson

SSC Coordinator-

Literacy/Executive Functioning EA 

Carlee Bouillion

Literacy, Numeracy and Executive Functioning EA

Lucinda Beshay 

 Math and Science EA

Andrea Heidema 

 Literacy, Numeracy and Executive Functioning EA

Lucinda Beshay - Science and Numeracy EA 

Support in learning such as:

  • Grades 5-12 Sciences, including Life Sciences and Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences
  • Grades 5-12 Mathematics, including Literacy Foundations, Workplace Math, Pre-Calculus 
  • Coursework Support (lessons, practice questions, assignments, projects, labs)
  • Executive Functioning (breaking down work into smaller steps, organization, time management, goal setting)
  • Skill Building (study techniques, test strategies)
  • Preparing for the BC Numeracy Assessment (Grade 10)

Lucinda’s Strengths: Strong academic background in Science and numeracy, strong background in psychology in listening to students and in highlighting the strength of students with different abilities, and extensive experience with students middle school, high school, and university age. 

Get to know Lucinda: Lucinda is a former HCOS graduate (2017) and UBC graduate (2021); she is thrilled to join HCOS once again, this time as part of the SSC team. For Lucinda, returning to HCOS feels like coming full circle; she is excited to contribute to the very environment that played a crucial role in her own education. Her passion for working in academic settings is complemented by her diverse experiences, where she had the privilege of supporting students emotionally and academically, thus helping them to thrive and succeed. Outside of work and studying, Lucinda enjoys playing the piano, going to the gym, serving at her church's youth group, and reading a book with her headphones on.

Andrea Heidema  -Literacy, Numeracy & Executive Functioning EA

 Booking calendar for Zoom: https://calendly.com/andrea-heidema-ea

Support in learning such as:

  • Reading comprehension
  • Additional support in math & humanities
  • Science Comprehension (biology, earth science ,environmental science)
  • PE courses: PHE, Active Living, Fitness & Conditioning, Outdoor Education
  • Elective Courses (Eg. music, WEX, food studies, photography etc.)
  • Goal setting and encouragement
  • Support with organization, and time management

Andrea’s strengths: executive functioning support, goal setting and accountability, planning and time management, proofreading, research skills, middle school math, upper level science (biology, earth science, environmental science) 

Get to know Andrea:Andrea was born and raised on Vancouver Island, where she lives now with her husband and two school aged children.  Her love for homeschooling began a few years back when she had the opportunity to teach her son through HCOS.  Her favorite part of homeschooling was the flexibility that she had to explore and encourage his particular interests, and spending time diving deep into areas he loved. Andrea has worked with children in a variety of settings for almost 20 years.  She graduated from Camosun College in 2008 as a Community Support Worker & Education Assistant.  She loves making connections with her students, helping them grow in confidence and meet their learning goals. In her spare time she loves to be near the ocean, exploring the beach or fishing with her family.  She also enjoys gardening, baking and curling up with tea and a good book.

Carlee Bouillion - Literacy, Numeracy & Executive Functioning EA
  • English

  • Creative Writing

  • Christian Studies

  • Humanities

  • Career Courses: CLE and CLC

  • PE courses: PHE, Active Living, Fitness & Conditioning, Outdoor Education

  • Elective courses Eg. music, WEX, Foods etc.

  • Support with organizing, planning, time management, and motivation. 

  • Additional support: math grades 5-11, science comprehension/questions

Carlee's strengths: essay writing (planning, structuring, drafting), poetry writing and analysis, story writing and analysis, reading comprehension, citing sources, editing, proofing and polishing, pre-calculus 10 &11.

Get to know Carlee: Carlee Bouillon graduated from HCOS in 2015 and from the University of Victoria in 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Creative Writing, with a minor in Mathematics. In addition to her role at HCOS, she also works at Victoria’s local wildlife hospital as a wildlife rehabilitator. She edits a national cave exploration magazine, and in her spare time likes to sit on the beach in the rain and hunt for sea glass. She often argues with other poets that the most beautiful five sentences in literature are John 1:1-5.

Taryn McPherson -SSC Coordinator - Literacy/Executive Functioning EA

Support in learning such as:

  • English

  • Science comprehension/questions

  • Christian Studies

  • Humanities

  • Career Courses: CLE and CLC

  • PE courses: PHE, Active Living, Fitness & Conditioning, Outdoor Education

  • Elective courses Eg. music, WEX, Foods etc.

  • Support with organizing, planning, time management, motivation

  • Additional support: math gr 5-10 and science 5-11

Taryn's strengths: goal setting, planning and organizing, scheduling (time management); test preparation; research skills; writing skills and proofing; middle school maths and sciences; upper-level sciences (biology and some chemistry).

Get to know Taryn: Taryn McPherson moved from Ontario to BC in 2009, and for 13 years, she called BC home; family brought her back to Ontario in 2022. When the weather cooperates, she loves gardening, hiking, camping and road-tripping; otherwise, she enjoys a good book, puzzle, or cup of tea with a friend. She is passionate about sharing her love of learning with others and helping her students reach their greatest potential. She is encouraged, knowing that no matter what life throws at her, she never has to tackle life alone (Philippians 4:12-13).

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