Quilchena Elementary marked its 50th anniversary with a celebration on October 2, honouring five decades of learning, growth and community. Students, families, alumni and staff gathered for a lively open-house event filled with activities and cherished memories. Guests took part in a school-wide scavenger hunt and enjoyed slideshows and displays featuring photos from past decades. 

Heartfelt stories from alumni, paired with the joyful energy of current students, showcased the deep connections, lasting friendships, and pride that have flourished at Quilchena over the years. The event was a meaningful tribute to the school’s legacy and a spirited celebration of its continued commitment to learning and community in Richmond.

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 (Run Yu) 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.

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.

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.

Fred the gummy worm was in trouble! He had fallen off his boat and forgotten his Life Saver (candy) floatie! In a lively STEM challenge, students worked in small teams to rescue Fred using only paper clips, without touching him, his boat or his life-saving gear. 

Laughter and creativity filled the room as students tested strategies, adjusted their designs and cheered each other on. The activity was a lot of fun, offering a hands-on way to build teamwork, problem-solve, communicate, and develop fine motor skills. “Can You Save Fred?” gave students a memorable opportunity to explore the design process and discover how collaboration leads to success.

How can a simple pencil on paper convey a sense of space? In an elementary classroom, students eagerly explored the world of one- and two-point perspective. Guided by step-by-step video tutorials and pre-formatted templates, they learned how to create depth and dimension in their drawings. Along the way, they discovered how artists, from Renaissance masters to contemporary creators, use perspective to focus the viewer’s eye and bring their work to life. Inspired by these techniques, students began crafting their own imaginative scenes. 

Looking closely at their artwork is like stepping into a gallery of unique visual worlds: bustling city streets, towering buildings, flowing rivers, bridges, nightscapes and even alien landscapes. Each piece reflected their creativity, keen observation, and growing confidence in expressing three-dimensional space on a flat surface. This hands-on exploration of perspective enhanced both their imagination and artistic skills, which offered a meaningful glimpse into how artists see and shape the world.

“What makes me, me?” That was the guiding question behind this art project, inspired by one classroom’s inquiry. Students have been reflecting deeply on their values, interests, family stories and cultural traditions. 

This project encouraged both creative expression and personal growth. Students designed their own layouts, chose photo poses and created abstract backgrounds using wax crayons and bright watercolours. They learned how wax resists water, adding a fun scientific twist to the process. 

Rooted in the Positive Personal and Cultural Identity competency, this work empowered students to embrace their stories, honour their heritage, and proudly express who they are, inside and out.

From the first sketch to the final glaze, students turned simple slabs of clay into vivid expressions of creativity. Each piece is a mini masterpiece that celebrates the joy of making, the power of storytelling and the boundless possibilities of artistic discovery rooted in both ancient and contemporary ceramic traditions. 

Using techniques such as sgraffito, mishima, slip-trailing, image transfer, water etching, majolica, stenciling, stamping, and texture impressing, students discovered how design choices can transform a simple tile into a work of art. The process emphasized experimentation, thoughtful planning, and respect for materials drawn from the earth.