Around the District highlights moments of creativity, collaboration and community across our schools. As we reflect on the past year, we’re revisiting some of the most viewed stories that captured the people, projects and passions that made this school year one to remember.
A School Entrance Reimagined
Inspired by a shared vision for a more welcoming and inclusive space, students and staff came together to reimagine how the school greets its learners and families each day.
For many, being seen and acknowledged is a vital part of feeling connected to a space. With this in mind, student clubs took the lead in designing an entryway that celebrates the word “Welcome” in all the languages spoken across their school community.
Thanks to the creativity and collaboration of students and staff, the entrance now features rainbow pillars and multilingual greetings that reflect the school’s rich cultural tapestry. The final touch is a stunning piece of artwork by an Indigenous artist featuring “Welcome” in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓.
Home of the Ravens: Where Stories Take Flight
A new mural at MacNeill Secondary now stretches across the wall like a story unfolding in colour and movement. Titled Home of the Ravens, the artwork features a sky shaped like a large raven, with its wings outstretched, enveloping the landscape and symbolizing mentorship, guidance and connection.
This piece was inspired by a school-wide prompt asking students and staff to share words that represent their community. Themes like curiosity, creativity, challenge and belonging emerged and helped shape the final design.
Artist Amy (Yun Ru) Bao collaborated in after-school workshops, guiding participants through collage-making and tonal explorations that reflected personal ties to MacNeill. The final creation blends student voice with artistic vision, flowing with symbolism and meaning.
Young Athletes Shine at District Fun Run
Elementary schools from across the district came together at Garry Point for the annual cross-country fun run, a yearly event that brings together fitness, perseverance and community. Participants ran distances suited to their age, with younger grades covering 900 metres and older students tackling up to 1,600 metres.
In the weeks leading up to the event, schools held lunchtime practices, and the hard work paid off under clear, sunny skies. Energy was high as runners cheered one another on, showing athleticism and sportsmanship at every turn. Parents and district staff came to support and encourage the kids, making the afternoon a true team effort. Every runner crossed the finish line with pride and received a ribbon to mark their achievement.
Campfire Moments and Outdoor Fun on Deas Island
An overnight camping trip to Deas Island gave outdoor education students a chance to put new skills into practice while building confidence in nature.
From pitching tents to knot tying and fire-starting, they worked together and learned to adapt when challenges arose. When one tent began to leak, quick thinking and teamwork kept everyone comfortable for the night. The evening was filled with laughter, board games and a lively round of Werewolf. Some even enjoyed fish that one camper brought to grill and share. Many of them particularly liked practicing their fire-building skills, so much that they woke up extra early the next day to ensure a campfire for the morning.
This experience gave students more than practical skills; it created lasting memories and a genuine enjoyment of the outdoors. It also sparked confidence and curiosity, encouraging them to keep exploring, try new activities, and carry forward a love for nature and adventure.
Bringing Nature to the Wall: School Celebrates Colourful Mural
The school grounds were alive with excitement as students, staff and guests gathered for the unveiling of a new mural. Bold bands of colour stretched across the wall, depicting local rivers, mountains, plants and animals, transforming the space into a vivid landscape that reflects the richness of the surrounding nature. Attendees paused to admire the scale and features, while conversations and laughter carried across the yard as everyone took in the scene.
The project began over the summer and grew through consultation with students. Their observations of the natural world shaped the imagery and direction of the piece. During the event, artist Ben Evely guided learners through the creative process, sharing timelapse videos, images of the preparation work, and explaining how sketches, projection, paint mixing and layering brought their ideas to life.
Seeing the finished wall alongside the steps behind it helped students understand how collaboration and curiosity can turn ideas into lasting art. Now part of the school environment, the mural showcases student voice and connection to place, inspiring pride and helping make the school a more welcoming and inspiring space for the entire community.
When Classroom Practice Becomes Real-World Readiness
In a Medical Sciences class, triage practice brought a new level of focus to the classroom. Learners rotated through roles as patients and responders, working through realistic scenarios where careful observation and clear communication were essential. One responder assessed injuries while a partner recorded findings, with both collaborating to determine the appropriate medical response.
As the scenarios unfolded, confidence grew. Participants practiced staying calm, communicating clearly and making decisions together, stepping forward to explain medical information in clear and reassuring ways.
The impact of the practice continued beyond the classroom. Many later recognized opportunities to apply their skills at home or in the community, stepping in to help when support was needed. Through triage practice, students came to understand that what they were learning carried real responsibility and purpose.
A Culture of Care: Environmental Club Inspires Change Through Action
An environmental club is turning big ideas into bold action, transforming everyday tasks into meaningful acts of care. What was once routine “garbage duty” has become an intentional effort rooted in stewardship and community pride.
After thoughtful brainstorming on ways to inspire mindful choices around waste and recycling, the team set forth with bags in hand, collecting litter across the school grounds while modeling care for the environment. These hands-on efforts are now sparking a broader dialogue about responsibility, sustainability and shared spaces.
Students from all grade levels took part in this meaningful project, which has left a visible impact on their school grounds and inspired a culture of care that will continue to grow.
Cooking Around the World: A Multicultural Culinary Adventure
A senior food class embarked on a global culinary journey through a multicultural food project. Working in pairs, students researched a country, selected a recipe, and presented a cooking demonstration before sharing their dishes buffet-style. Their most recent stop was Brazil, where groups prepared peri-peri chicken, feijoada (black beans and rice), Brazilian potato salad and brigadeiro fudge balls.
The two-day lab blended culinary skills with cultural learning, as each group submitted a written report and answered questions about their chosen country. Collaboration was key as groups experimented with unfamiliar tools and ingredients to complete complex recipes.
In the end, sharing meals together strengthened connections, and staff joined in to sample the dishes. Next, the class will explore Italian, Japanese and First Nations cuisines to continue this flavourful learning journey.
