Malakai Kameya, a Richmond student, earned a silver medal in auto refinishing at the Skills Canada National Competition in Regina, Saskatchewan. Competing among more than 500 top students and apprentices from across the country, all of whom had won gold in their respective provincial competitions, Malakai stood out with his exceptional skills and determination.

His journey began with the district’s career programs, where he enrolled in the Youth TRAIN in Trades – Automotive Collision and Refinishing program at Vancouver Community College. This eight-month, dual-credit program offered him hands-on experience in a post-secondary setting while working toward both high school graduation and industry certification.

Through the program, Malakai sharpened his technical abilities and uncovered a strong aptitude for the trades, qualities that carried him to success on both provincial and national stages. His achievement reflects his own dedication and talent, as well as the real-world impact of the district’s skilled trades programs, which provide students with early exposure, practical training and meaningful opportunities to pursue future career pathways.

This spring, McMath’s Contemporary Music class earned national recognition by winning first place in the CBC Spring Music Class Challenge. Their performance of The Returner by Allison Russell stood out for its creativity, musical range and strong sense of collaboration.

The class chose the song for its emotional lyrics and soulful energy. Students worked together to shape a unique arrangement that reflected their strengths as a group. The horn section brought a jazz influence, while the guitars and strings added a blues and country feel. The mix of vocal styles gave the piece even more depth.

Throughout the process, students focused on listening closely to each other and building a strong rhythm together. Their final performance featured a powerful bridge and chorus that captured the spirit of the song and their shared commitment to making music as a team.

What was once a standard emergency supply container is now a vibrant work of art, thanks to the Cargo to Canvas project, a district initiative that blends creativity, place-based learning, and community pride. Four schools took part, and each worked with professional artists to design and paint their own mural.

At one school, students set out on nature walks to observe the local ecosystem before creating silhouettes of plants and animals for the final mural. Another school collaborated with two artists to guide the process from start to finish, using shared values and school culture as the foundation for their design.

With guidance from district staff and professional artists, each mural took shape as a reflection of community and place. Now complete, these containers stand as lasting reminders of the creativity, collaboration and local connection that brought them to life.

A joyful burst of colour and curiosity has earned Homma Elementary a top prize in the international Bulbs4Kids program. Chosen from over 3,000 participating schools from Canada and several European countries, the outdoor classroom and garden program was awarded a Golden Flower Bulb for its outstanding student involvement and creative learning.

Fourteen divisions from kindergarten to Grade 4 took part in the project. Students prepared the soil, studied plant life cycles, and carefully planted bulbs in gardens, planters and around the school’s gazebo. Each visit brought opportunities to learn about pollinators, seasonal changes and environmental stewardship, all while growing deeper connections to the land.

Through a cross-curricular learning unit, a primary class explored Coast Salish ways of life and traditional stories while building literacy skills and expanding their understanding of Indigenous communities. Students practiced reading strategies such as summarizing and making connections, while learning how story connects people to land, family and culture.

To reflect on their learning, the class engaged in a range of hands-on activities including weaving with colourful thread, writing a shared letter of thanks to Mother Earth, building longhouses and canoes with Keva blocks, and creating artwork inspired by Coast Salish designs. A highlight for many was tasting smoked salmon for the first time.

The combination of storytelling, sensory activities and cultural exploration helped students build knowledge in a meaningful and memorable way while growing appreciation for the land and the traditions of local Indigenous peoples.

Angles aren’t just found in math textbooks, they’re all around us. That was the discovery behind a unique art project that combined geometry, creativity and outdoor exploration.

Students began by identifying different types of angles through classroom activities and outdoor scavenger hunts, spotting them in everything from playground structures to trees and fences. Inspired by their findings, everyone created a piece of “angle art” that represented an animal or object of their choice.

The project invited students to blend mathematical thinking with artistic expression, revealing the patterns and structures that shape both nature and design. It also supported broader school goals around caring for place and showing learning in creative ways.

A classroom book club helped students grow as readers while building community through shared stories. The club was the culmination of earlier reading experiences and offered a space for students to engage more independently.

To guide their conversations, participants used the “Say Something” strategy, responding with personal connections, predictions, questions or highlighting their favourite part or character. The variety of genres, topics and reading levels ensured the club was inclusive and accessible to all learners.

For many, the classroom book club became the favourite part of their week and a chance to think deeply, share ideas and grow as readers. It was also a joyful way to ignite a love of reading.

Harnessing strength for a cause, students in a physical education incentive class scaled new heights during their annual Climb-a-Thon at the Richmond Oval. What began as a fitness challenge became a powerful day of teamwork, perseverance and support for BC Children’s Hospital.

Now in its second year, the event was inspired by a student who believed in turning athletic effort into advocacy. This year’s group aimed to match the elevation of Mt. Seymour (1,449 metres) but exceeded expectations by reaching a collective 2,280 metres. Their efforts surpassed last year’s total and they raised over $1,100 through pledge drives, hot chocolate sales and community support.

Throughout the term, participants trained physically and explored leadership and service. On event day, they pushed through fatigue, cheered one another on, and reflected on the impact of sport for good. The experience reinforced key themes of outdoor recreation, community engagement, and the power of purpose-driven fitness.