Superintendent's Report to the Board | March 2025
This report highlights key updates and events from the past month, all grounded in our core values of learning, belonging, integrity, and equity.
Trustee Tours: School Tours Underway!
Trustees and the Senior Management Team successfully completed the first of four annual school tours, visiting SCAS Gibsons, Elphinstone Secondary, Gibsons Elementary, and Langdale Elementary. Each school showcased its unique community, highlighted achievements, and shared growth plans for the year ahead. A huge thank you to the principals, staff, and students for the warm welcome and for sharing the incredible learning happening in your schools!
ArtStarts Elementary Performances: SAM2 by Scrap Arts Music!
All nine elementary schools in the district enjoyed inspiring performances of SAM2 by Scrap Arts Music thanks to an ArtStarts Grant and district funding. These engaging presentations brought the arts to life for students, inspiring creativity and eco-conscious artistry. Scrap Arts Music transforms recycled materials into high-energy percussion performances. With handcrafted instruments made from salvaged materials, they blend rhythm, movement, and sustainability. They were dynamic, unforgettable musical experiences!
Gold for Coen Enthoven at BC Provincial Wrestling Championships!
Congratulations to Coen Enthoven, a Grade 12 student at Chatelech Secondary, for winning gold at the BC Provincial Wrestling Championships! This incredible achievement reflects Coen’s hard work and dedication, along with the support of coaches Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Rines, manager Ms. Allen, and the entire team. We are so proud of their success and commitment this season!
Pink Shirt Day: Dancing for Kindness and Inclusion
Gibsons Dance Centre brought the spirit of kindness and inclusion to life on Pink Shirt Day with incredible performances at five elementary schools: Roberts Creek, Langdale, Gibsons, Cedar Grove, and Davis Bay. Featuring student choreography, the performances showcased talent, teamwork, and a commitment to anti-bullying. A standout moment at Langdale Elementary saw dancers continue flawlessly for over a minute without music, impressively staying in sync until the track resumed. With students ranging from ages 8 to 17, this event was a beautiful reflection of our caring and connected community.
Tom Schimmer Training: Professional Growth for Secondary Staff
Secondary school teachers participated in a full-day professional learning session with renowned education leader Tom Schimmer. This session, held on February 12, focused on assessment practices and student learning strategies. Educators from Elphinstone, Chatelech, SCAS, and Pender Harbour engaged in valuable discussions and training, strengthening assessment practices in the secondary setting across the district.
CSS Presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Chatelech Secondary’s Music Theatre Ensemble, in partnership with Coast Music Theatre Company, successfully presented Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the Chatelech Theatre. Performances ran from February 28 to March 9, bringing the community together for an outstanding musical production. A special thank you to teacher Sara Douglas for her leadership in making this production a success!
Domtar Donates $10,000 to Support Learning Initiatives
Indigenous Learning gratefully received a generous $10,000 donation from Domtar (Howe Sound Pulp and Paper) in February. The donation is an acknowledgement of the strong Indigenous Learning programs in the district, and is designed to empower Indigenous students and their families. Aimed at supporting Indigenous students to imagine a future where career and post-secondary opportunities are within reach, the donation will help create connections and pathways to success. A heartfelt thank you to Domtar and all those involved in securing this contribution for our schools!
Elphinstone Secondary Hosts 2025 Regional Public Speaking Competition
Elphinstone Secondary hosted the 2025 Regional Skills Canada BC Public Speaking Competition on March 6. Students showcased their public speaking skills, with the winner advancing to the provincial competition and potentially Nationals in Regina. This event, co-hosted by the Technology Festival Association of BC, Skills Canada, Toastmasters International, and the district, provided an incredible opportunity for students to develop confidence and communication skills. Thank you to everyone who made this competition a success!
Elphinstone Secondary Students Shine in Veterans Affairs Remembrance Day Contest
Three students from Elphinstone Secondary advanced to the regional level of the Legion’s Remembrance Day Contest. Under the guidance of teacher Ms. Van Nuys, students from Humanities and Visual Arts classes created thoughtful artistic and written works. Congratulations to Koray (poetry), Cierra (black and white artwork), and Sydney (colour artwork) for representing the Sunshine Coast at the regional level!
Taking Care of Ourselves, Taking Care of Others
During the week of February 24-28, our district welcomed two presenters from Plea Community Services’ Children of the Street program who delivered their impactful TCO2 (Taking Care of Ourselves, Taking Care of Others) presentation to students in grades 5 through 12. This program, uniquely developed by youth for youth, focuses on preventing sexual exploitation and fosters essential life skills among students.
Through engaging sessions, the presenters empowered students to recognize the warning signs of unhealthy relationships, understand the nuances of online safety, and explore various other critical topics. We are pleased to report that students across nearly all schools in the district participated in these age-appropriate, developmentally tailored presentations.
Additionally, a virtual session was held for parents on Tuesday evening, providing them with valuable insights and information regarding the themes covered in the student presentations. The feedback received from both students and parents was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the importance of open discussions around these vital issues.
For those interested in further exploring this essential topic, we encourage you to visit the TCO2 section of the Children of the Street website: https://www.childrenofthestreet.com/workshops/youth-workshops/tco2/
Empowerment through Understanding: Navigating Complex Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Inclusion Support Services is excited to offer “Empowerment through Understanding: Navigating Complex Neurodevelopmental Conditions” a Spring Break Professional Development for our CUPE staff, presented by SD46 Family Support Navigators, Karys Foley and Sarah Joseph, from our District Inclusion Support Team. This comprehensive learning opportunity is designed to enhance our understanding and support for individuals with Complex Neurodevelopmental Conditions, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
During these three days, participants will engage in an insightful exploration of the complexities surrounding Complex Neurodevelopmental Conditions, gaining practical tools and strategies to effectively support those impacted by these conditions. We will delve into the emotional and behavioural defenses often associated with Complex Neurodevelopmental Conditions, fostering a deeper understanding of opposition, resistance, and defiance. This knowledge will empower us to approach these behaviours with empathy and skill. Moreover, the training will emphasize effective communication techniques to help repair relationships and foster meaningful connections, enabling us to transform potential conflicts into collaborative interactions.
Career Programs Update
The Train in Trades, Work Experience and Work in Trades program promotion was fast and furious this month. Attending parent information nights, presenting at student assemblies and trade area classes, as well as having an information station set up in the foyer of both CSS and ESS have culminated into an impressive list of interested students for each of the three Train in Trades programs. Applications have been submitted to each school’s front office by the March 7th deadline.
The Carpentry program is off to a great start! Jonathan Powell, Cheryl Wilson and his students went to the St. Paul’s Hospital work site in Vancouver on February 11. PCL, the contractor for the project, took them on a tour of the site and provided plenty of information and inspiration for our aspiring carpenters!
In addition, the Fire Academy final selection was made at the end of January. Deputy Chief Steven Achterberg decided to increase the amount of students accepted into the program, from 12 students to 14, as there were so many stellar applicants this year. The parent/student meeting took place at the Sechelt Fire Hall on February 20. The highlight of the meeting was when the cadets tried on their respective firefighting gear in front of their family members! The Academy takes place from March 15-22.
Community connections continue to occur. Cathy Gordon and Cheryl Wilson met with the Sunshine Coast Chamber of Commerce on February 19 to educate and promote our programs. In addition, an opportunity for the school district to partner with Gibsons Farm and the University of the Fraser Valley in a work experience/dual credit initiative has been introduced by Jessica (Jesse) Wollen, with a focus on developing and promoting measures that support local food production and security. Lastly, Glass Doctor in Gibsons is very motivated to support students in learning the glazier trade. This trade, like many others, is facing a shortage of certified glaziers, especially on the Coast. Cheryl Wilson met with Nicole, from HR at Glass Doctor, to discuss how to promote this work experience/ apprenticeship opportunity to our students.