High school students from across the district gathered for the 2025 Student Voice Forum, a day dedicated to learning, listening and building connections.

Guest speaker Gayathri Shukla shared powerful insights on the role of storytelling in building understanding and connection. Through real-life examples, she shared how listening to others' experiences cultivates empathy and strengthens school communities.

After the keynote, students took part in Story Circles for Belonging, an activity designed to encourage self-reflection and connection. In small groups, they considered what makes them unique and shared their personal experiences. This created a space for open dialogue, deep listening and meaningful connections. The discussions also extended beyond storytelling, touching on important topics such as mental health, safe and inclusive spaces, technology in learning, and preparing for life after graduation.

The Student Voice Forum was a meaningful opportunity for students to engage in thoughtful dialogue, express their perspectives, and highlight the importance of student voices in shaping the future of education.

Although the snow arrived later than expected this winter, students eagerly embraced the season with creativity and collaboration. Some teamed up to build intricate snow forts, while others shaped hearts in the snow as symbols of friendship and kindness, transforming the wintry landscape into a place of connection and shared experiences.

The changing conditions also sparked curiosity and hands-on discovery. As snow melted and refroze into ice overnight, one class conducted experiments to explore the properties of matter, while another studied the science of snow, forming delicate crystals and observing their intricate structures up close. Younger children became nature detectives, following animal tracks in the snow and uncovering clues about how wildlife adapts to winter.

These moments of exploration turned the snowy outdoors into a dynamic learning space, where students engaged with nature, investigated scientific concepts, and experienced the wonder of winter in new and meaningful ways.

Lunar New Year festivities brought warmth, excitement and a sense of togetherness to schools in our district. In the days leading up to the celebration, classrooms transformed into hubs of creativity.

Students painted intricate snake designs to mark the Year of the Snake, crafted vibrant lanterns symbolizing hope and good fortune, and adorned windows with elegant calligraphy. Hallways showcased festive displays, each reflecting their artistic expressions and appreciation for tradition.

Beyond the decorations, the festivities provided meaningful opportunities for cultural learning and connection. Students eagerly took part in a lively dragon dance parade, savoured the flavours of spring rolls during food tastings, and dressed in beautifully detailed traditional attire, embracing the spirit of the new year. The event served as a reminder of the rich cultural diversity within the district and the shared joy of celebrating together.

Secondary students came together for a warm and welcoming breakfast, reinforcing the value of shared meals in building community. Organized by the school’s Care Club and supported by the Feeding Futures Program and Breakfast Club of Canada, this morning activity showed how nutrition programs provide students with regular access to healthy food.

The Feeding Futures Program was established by the Ministry of Education and Childcare in 2023 to fund a variety of school-based initiatives, including breakfast and lunch programs, snack cupboards and community fridges in every school. The program builds partnerships with local suppliers and organizations to ensure sustainable and high-quality meal options, all of which are purchased — not donated — to maintain consistency and quality.

Aside from breakfast club activities like this one, Feeding Futures continues to evolve and expand food supports to better serve the students in our district. From weekend food supplements and inclusive meal options to enhanced food preparation resources, the program remains committed to ensuring every student has access to nutritionally dense foods in a dignified and sustainable way.

Families with young children participated in an engaging Early Learning for Families event at one of our elementary schools. Designed for children aged 0-5, the afternoon offered fun, hands-on learning experiences while helping families build connections with schools and the community.

Among the highlights was an energetic performance by JUNO-nominated musician Will’s Jams alongside the kindergarten and Grade 1 students. Together, they co-wrote an original song, Family Tree, and rehearsed it ahead of the big performance. Seeing their ideas come to life in music made for a memorable and rewarding moment.

The gathering also welcomed key community partners from across Richmond, offering families valuable resources and supports. By strengthening connections between schools and the broader community, this initiative helped ensure families have the tools for a strong start in education.

With compassion and community spirit, a group of secondary students took action to support those in need, delivering care packages to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

After spending the past year running a school store to raise funds, these young entrepreneurs turned their efforts into meaningful action. Using their profits, they carefully assembled 100 care packages, ensuring each one provided warmth and comfort. Inside, recipients found mittens, neck warmers, non-perishable food, bottled water, and hygiene products — items chosen to make a real difference during the cold winter months.

"Even just two hours in the cold made us realize how difficult it must be for those living outside," reflected one student. The experience not only provided essential supplies but also deepened students' understanding of the challenges faced by others in their community, reinforcing the impact of compassion and collective action.

On February 22, the McRoberts Jazz Band delivered a standout performance at the 2025 Surrey Jazz Festival, earning the festival’s “Outstanding Performance” award in the junior/senior band division. Their set featured “Scrapple from the Apple” by Charlie Parker, “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” by Charles Mingus, and “Mattitude”, a soulful Funk-Shuffle by Matt Harris. Competing against 24 bands from across Metro Vancouver, they impressed audiences and adjudicators with their musicianship and energy.

Adding to the school’s success, a Grade 12 trumpeter received the "Outstanding Senior Trumpet Player" award — an impressive honour, accompanied by a $1,000 scholarship. With many talented senior trumpeters at the festival, this recognition underscores the student’s dedication and growing reputation in the jazz community.

The success of the McRoberts Jazz Band is a testament to the hard work and passion of our young musicians who continue to make the district proud.

Under clear blue skies, a group of secondary students spent a full day of Indigenous learning at Grouse Mountain. This experience blended cultural teachings with outdoor activities, offering participants a chance to immerse themselves in Indigenous traditions, history and ways of knowing.

Guided by a Squamish Elder, they listened to traditional stories passed down through generations. These narratives deepened their understanding of Indigenous perspectives and strengthened their connection to the land. Snowshoeing along the mountain’s trails also gave them the opportunity to engage with the natural landscape while learning about its cultural significance.

They gathered to share a traditional meal of salmon, bannock and soup, savouring the flavours of each dish, which have been passed down through generations of Indigenous traditions. Afterward, they engaged in cedar plank painting as a form of reflection, using art to process their experiences and express their connection to Indigenous knowledge and traditions.