Category: Communicating Student Learning

What an incredible day in the mountains! Our Grade 6/7 students from Division 1, 2, and 3 had an unforgettable experience at Mount Seymour, taking part in the Winter Survival Challenge. With clear skies and perfect conditions, the students embraced the adventure, working together to build shelters, snowshoeing through the stunning landscape, and, of course, enjoying some fun in the snow!

It was amazing to see their teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills in action as they tackled the survival challenge. Whether constructing sturdy shelters or navigating the trails, they demonstrated resilience and enthusiasm every step of the way.

A huge thank you to our wonderful parent volunteers who helped make this trip possible—we couldn’t have done it without you!

Check out some highlights from our adventure below!

Surrealism is more than an art movement it’s a way of seeing beyond the surface, uncovering deeper truths through dreamlike imagery, unexpected juxtapositions, and symbolic storytelling. This term, students channeled surrealist techniques to explore a variety of themes, creating artwork and narratives that challenge perceptions and spark meaningful conversations.

Art as Metaphor: The Power of the Unconscious

Each piece in our collection weaves together surrealist elements melting landscapes, floating figures, distorted reflections to convey complex ideas and emotions. Through their artist statements, students decoded the meaning behind their work, explaining how visual symbols helped them explore their chosen themes.

Many students incorporated elements of nature, time, and space to express ideas about change, urgency, and the connections between people and the world around them.

Others focused on internal experiences, using dreamlike compositions to represent emotions, transformations, and hidden tensions.

Writing the Unseen: Narrative Reflections

Beyond visual art, students extended their surrealist exploration into storytelling. Their narratives embraced the unexpected characters navigating fragmented realities, dialogues between personified emotions and forces of nature, and plot lines that blurred the boundaries between dream and reality. These surrealist narratives allowed them to voice complex ideas in an imaginative yet impactful way.

The Impact: Seeing the World Differently

Through this project, students not only honed their artistic and literary skills but also deepened their ability to communicate abstract ideas through metaphor and symbolism. By pushing beyond realism, they accessed a space where difficult topics could be explored with nuance and power. Surrealism became their tool for unveiling hidden truths, allowing them and their audience to see the world with fresh eyes.

Their work serves as a reminder that art has the power to make the invisible visible, to challenge perspectives, and to inspire reflection.

This past week, our students took on the challenge of designing more sustainable and inclusive communities. Using their knowledge of sustainability, accessibility, and urban planning, they created prototypes that reflect both environmental responsibility and the values of their user personas.

Through hands-on model-building, students explored solutions for:

Sustainable Housing: Energy-efficient homes using renewable materials and smart design.

Accessible Pathways: Safe, well-connected routes for people of all abilities.

Recreation Facilities: Green spaces that promote health, well-being, and biodiversity and energy efficient swimming pools.

Transit & EV Charging: Infrastructure that supports low-carbon transportation.

Retail & Food Systems: Locally sourced goods, food waste reduction initiatives, and integrated community food bank programs to ensure food security while minimizing environmental impact.

Community Spaces & Stewardship: Multi-use areas that reduce waste and promote circular economies, including makerspaces where residents can repair, repurpose, and sell upcycled products. These spaces also foster community engagement, allowing people to track and celebrate progress toward environmental goals.

Each project was guided by a unique user persona, encouraging students to think deeply about how design choices impact real people’s lives. Their creativity and problem-solving skills were on full display as they built models that prioritize environmental sustainability, inclusivity, and community needs.

Check out the incredible student work below!

Through this process, students gained hands-on experience in sustainable design thinking which is an important step in shaping the cities of tomorrow. What features would you love to see in a more sustainable and inclusive community? Let us know in the comments!

Today, students enjoyed a hands-on fused glass workshop with Debbie Hungle, a talented mosaic glass artist from North Vancouver. Known for her bold, colorful designs, Debbie brought her expertise and enthusiasm to guide students in creating their own unique glass artworks.

Students began by selecting from Debbie’s templates or designing their own patterns. They were encouraged to think about color, texture, and how to section their designs for balance. Using pre-cut pieces of vibrant glass and nippers for smaller adjustments, they carefully arranged their creations on a base, exploring layering and composition.

Debbie provided guidance and shared tips throughout the process, fostering creativity and confidence. Once all the designs were complete, she collected them for firing in her studio kiln. The intense heat will fuse the pieces into polished works of art, which Debbie will return to us next week.

The workshop was a fun and inspiring experience for everyone, sparking creativity and excitement. Students are eagerly looking forward to seeing their finished creations after they’re fused! A big thank-you to Debbie Hungle for making the day so memorable. Stay tuned for the big reveal next week!

What an amazing accomplishment by the students of Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5! Last week, these dedicated and creative young entrepreneurs came together to host a vibrant Business Fair, showcasing their ingenuity and teamwork. Their efforts paid off in a big way, raising an incredible $1,060.50 to support the BCSPCA!

The funds will make a meaningful difference by providing food, medical care, and shelter for animals in need. This achievement is a testament to the students’ hard work, compassion, and commitment to making a positive impact in their community.

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to the students, teachers, families, and everyone who supported this initiative. Your contributions and encouragement made this success possible. We are so proud of our students for demonstrating how even the smallest efforts can grow into meaningful and impactful change. Congratulations on this incredible achievement, Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5!

This is to inform you of upcoming early dismissal dates for parent-teacher conferences on Wednesday, November 27, and Thursday, November 28, at 2:00 p.m. These conferences provide a great opportunity to check in on your child’s progress ahead of report cards, though attendance is optional if you do not have specific concerns.

To schedule a meeting, please use this link: Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-Up. Due to the number of students, additional dates and times are available from November 21 through November 29, with meetings limited to 20 minutes. If you need more time or the available times do not work for you, please email me to arrange an alternative time.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting your child’s learning!

Warm regards,

Ms. Smith

In our latest showcase of student artwork, students skillfully incorporated the elements of art to express their unique perspectives. Through lines, some artists used flowing curves to evoke calmness, while others employed jagged lines to generate excitement. Shapes and forms took center stage in collages that combined geometric and organic elements for a harmonious balance, while 3D sculptures invited touch and interaction.

Color played a vital role, with vibrant palettes radiating energy, while cooler tones created soothing atmospheres. Texture was explored through mixed materials that invited sensory engagement, and rugged surfaces were created through varied techniques. Lastly, students mastered the use of space to create depth, utilizing overlapping elements to depict bustling scenes and minimalist designs to highlight simplicity. Each piece of artwork showcases student’s ability to weave these elements together, resulting in truly unique creations.

In our latest buddy session Rachel, Sasha, Cyrus, and Joe read-aloud, the inspiring book “I Have a Right to Save My Planet.” This engaging story empowered everyone to recognize their role in protecting the environment and highlighted the importance of sustainability, conservation, and community action.

Following the read-aloud, we transitioned into a fun Scrabble word play activity, where students formed words related to the themes of the book, such as “earth,” “reuse,” “green,” and “future.” This not only reinforced the vocabulary but also sparked lively discussions about environmental responsibility and how we can all contribute to a healthier planet.

This read-aloud and word play encouraged students to think critically about their impact on the world and inspired them to take action. Together, we are planting the seeds for a more sustainable future, one word and one action at a time!