The district French Festival brought together Core French and French Immersion communities for a joyful celebration of language and culture. Designed to be interactive and inclusive, the event welcomed families to explore Francophone traditions through food, music, movement and student voice.

Participants collected stamps in mini passports as they engaged in hands-on activities — a highlight for many families.

The concours d’art oratoire, a national French public speaking competition hosted by Canadian Parents for French, ran alongside the festival. This year saw 65 participants, with 18 advancing to the provincial event in Surrey.

Families praised the event for its energy, organization and meaningful experiences. With strong turnout and positive feedback, the festival showcased how French language learning thrives through creativity, culture and community connection.

When the computer lab was dismantled last year, it created an opportunity — not just for redesign, but for rethinking how the space can serve students. Instead of making top-down decisions, staff turned to those who would use it most. The result: a calm, flexible Makerspace designed to support creativity, collaboration and connection.

Inspired by Dr. Gordon Neufeld’s idea of “emotional playgrounds,” the space was shaped with student well-being in mind. Seating promotes comfort and social interaction, while materials invite movement, building and imaginative exploration.

The impact is clear. More learners are choosing to spend time in the space, especially during Maker Club sessions. They come to invent, express themselves and connect — with one another and with their ideas. The evolving space continues to reflect a shared commitment to belonging, creativity and emotional wellness.

Several hundred hand-painted fish now swim across a school fence, forming an eye-catching art display and a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect local waterways. Part of the Stream of Dreams project, this initiative blends environmental education with public art to highlight how everyday actions impact watersheds.

Before painting, students attended a presentation on watershed protection, learning how everyday habits — like what goes down our drains — can affect fish habitats. Inspired by the message, each learner contributed their own fish, blending creativity with environmental stewardship.

The project also sparked conversations about sustainability and Indigenous teachings of interconnection. Teachers noted how engaged and reflective their classes were throughout the process.

With over 410 fish now in place, the installation stands as a lasting symbol of learning, and a school-wide commitment to the environment.

Ten students represented the Richmond School District at the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair (GVRSF), one of the largest science competitions in the country. Hosted at UBC, the event featured nearly 300 participants and over 200 projects across a range of STEM fields.

Students were selected after completing a science fair project as part of a Grade 9 course and presenting at a school-wide event. With more interest than spots available, a committee chose the final group to attend. In the months leading up to the fair, participants refined their work for a broader audience.

Mentored by teacher sponsors, the young scientists demonstrated creativity, critical thinking and innovation. Several earned awards, including recognition in chemistry, engineering and mycology. All French-language submissions at GVRSF came from Richmond.

Participation in a competition of this calibre celebrated student potential and raised the profile of our district programs.

A school courtyard is being transformed into a rich outdoor learning space thanks to a hands-on garden project. Seed potatoes have been planted, garden beds cleared, and plots carefully mapped out for spring planting. The activity brought together math, collaboration and environmental learning, as groups measured and divided the space before selecting and ordering their seeds.

To support the garden’s growth and organization, the class also created wooden signage through a wood burning activity, blending creativity with purpose. Throughout the process, the class explored the concept of reciprocity and the principles of the Honourable Harvest — including taking only what is needed, giving back, and showing care and respect for all living things.

Author, illustrator and animator Jeff Chiba Stearns brought creativity and inspiration to learners during a full day of presentations for kindergarten to Grade 7. Through storytelling, animation clips and live drawing, he shared how his mixed Japanese and European heritage has shaped his life and career.

Jeff’s journey — from childhood sketching to becoming a published author in his forties — encouraged students to embrace their identities, follow their passions, and explore different ways of telling stories. He also highlighted Japanese Canadian history and the importance of honouring family heritage.

Live drawing demonstrations added fun to each session, as Jeff sketched students and showed them how small details can bring characters to life.

The visit supported school-wide learning tied to literacy, identity and history. Jeff donated signed copies of his books to the school library, leaving behind meaningful stories, fresh inspiration and lasting memories.

Masks, mayhem and imagination came to life in Clue Less?, an original play inspired by Commedia dell’Arte — a 14th-century Italian theatrical style known for exaggerated characters, quick wit and physical comedy.

The performance blended slapstick humour, live music and mystery to create an engaging experience for all. Brought to life by 24 Theatre Company members from Grades 10 to 12, the production was a team effort from start to finish. Students took on roles both on and off stage, including acting, lighting, stage management, costumes and more.

Bringing the play to the stage required creativity, problem-solving and teamwork. Many said the experience helped them grow in confidence and leadership. Audience members praised the show’s originality and inventive use of masks.

For those involved, Clue Less? was a memorable celebration of storytelling, collaboration and the power of live theatre.

Two primary classes explored how math could help them better understand the world around them — starting with a familiar local landmark. With their teachers, the students visited the West Dyke to investigate its natural and cultural significance.

During their outings, they learned about local plant and animal species and made connections to Musqueam culture. A highlight was spotting two coyotes playing in the estuary grasses, which sparked curiosity and a wave of thoughtful questions: How big are coyotes? How fast can they run? How far is it to the dyke? What do those towers do?

Back in the classroom, these wonderings were examined through a mathematical lens. Using tools like measurement, estimation and data collection, students explored topics such as distance, size and speed — all while building their understanding of the land, its wildlife, and the stories it holds.

A live performance of How Raven Stole the Sun gave the school community a chance to experience the richness of oral storytelling. Shared in an engaging and interactive way, the traditional Indigenous tale brought important teachings to life.

Grounded in the First Peoples Principles of Learning — particularly that “learning is embedded in memory, history and story” — the performance featured three students who helped dramatize key moments. Guided by a visiting storyteller, the young actors took on their roles with growing confidence and enthusiasm, contributing to a performance that was both memorable and entertaining.

The experience also supported the school’s focus on literacy and comprehension. By highlighting the importance of oral tradition, it helped learners see that stories can be shared in many forms — not just through books. It reinforced the idea that storytelling connects us to culture, learning and one another.