Good News
The Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD)'s Good News is a collection of stories from schools throughout the division. Stories are published monthly, before the upcoming Board meeting. Please check back regularly for updates.
PWPSD News
JUNE
Congratulations graduates!
Congratulations to all 2025 graduates! We are incredibly proud of the hard work that got you to this moment. We wish you all the best as you take the next step towards your future.
PWPSD News
MAY
PWPSD honours mental health week
On May 7, Leah Montes, Educational Technologist, and Shawn O'Shea, Assistant Superintendent, showed their support for Hats On! for Mental Health.
APRIL
PWPSD Annual Engagement Survey opens April 22
On Tuesday, April 22, parents will receive an email to complete their child(ren)'s school(s)'s Annual Engagement survey. Survey links will close at the end of the day on Wednesday, May 7. If you have any questions, please reach out to your school, or visit bit.ly/pwpsdengagement.
MARCH
New student registration NOW OPEN!
New student registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open! Parents can find more information and complete the registration process at www.pwpsd.ca/registration.
FEBRUARY
New student registration opens March 10
Between February 24 and March 9, parents can upload new student information and important documents at www.pwpsd.ca/registration. On March 10, schools will begin processing student registrations.
JANUARY
PWPSD announces new Superintendent of Schools
During the January 16 Board meeting, trustees congratulated Mr. Shawn O'Shea on being named the Division's newest Superintendent of Schools, effective September 1, 2025.
DECEMBER
Evelyn-Lou Wardley named PWPSD's 2024 Christmas Card Art Contest Winner
The PWPSD Board of Trustees would like to congratulate Evelyn-Lou Wardley, Grade 7 student at Harry Balfour School, for winning the 2024 PWPSD Christmas Card Art Contest! Evelyn-Lou has won herself a prize pack and a pizza party for her class.
NOVEMBER
PWPSD Teacher Bursary Program opens Dec. 2
The annual PWPSD Teacher Bursary Program opens next week! For more information, and to apply, click here.
OCTOBER
Harry Balfour School is officially open
On Friday, September 27, students, staff and the greater community gathered to celebrate the official opening of the new Harry Balfour School. The celebration, hosted by Grade 8 students Sanay Friesen and Kacey Hrehoruk, was a big success and a great way to begin Harry Balfour School's next chapter. PWPSD Superintendent Bob Stewart expressed his immense gratitiude to everyone involved in ensuring the new school was open and ready for the start of the school year, and encouraged students to become active members of what makes Harry Balfour School a great place to learn, play and grow.
Left to right: Trustees Piebiak, Kelm, McIntosh and Turner, Secretary Treasurer Ralph Paquin, and Assistant Superintendent Shawn O'Shea pose with Harry Balfour School's newest mascot.
SEPTEMBER
Welcome back!
Alternative Education
JUNE
Indigenous Day
PWEC students and staff were honoured to welcome Elder Barb from Sturgeon Lake to share Indigenous culture teachings.
Testing science theory
PWEC students attended a day of Science labs putting theory into practice.
Track & Field
Congratulations to PWEC athletes for an outstanding day of track and field!
MAY
Photography students
PWEC's Photography students took advantage of the beautiful weather and snapped some photos of the first signs of spring.
Special Project Showcase
PWEC students Carter Merriman and Xander Chernuka share their work in animation and investing.
Smile Cookies
Students and staff would like to thank the Sargent Family Foundation for their generous donation and delivery of Smile Cookies.
GP Youth Career Expo
On May 8, PWEC students attended the GP Youth Career Expo at the Bonnetts Energy Centre.
Flowers for Mom
PWEC students had the opportunity to learn about, and create their own, flower arrangements. They showed the utmost care when creating these beautiful arrangements for Mother's Day.
Celeste Miraglia shows off her flower crown.
Parent Directed Program Community Event
PWPSD Homeschooling Facilitator, Michelle Scarrow, organized a successful community event to provide local organizations with an opportunity to come together and share the programs offered to homeschooling families.
APRIL
PWEC hosts esports tournament
This spring, in collaboration with the Alberta Scholastic Esports League (ASEL), PWEC hosted it first sanctioned tournament! It was lots of fun for students and staff alike!
Students explore Japanese culture
Assistant Principal Rob Robinson led PWEC students on an exploration of Japan's rich language, traditions, culture, and attractions.
PWEC visits Elevation Yoga & Fitness Studio
PWEC students had a great workout at Elevation Yoga & Fitness Studio, where they participated in a 30-minute spin class, and a 45-minute barre class!
MARCH
NWP Career Fair
PWEC teacher Bradi Baker-Bowen with students Celeste Miraglia, Jorja Lang and Jadzia Smith
PWEC students Lexy Olson and Hunter MacKinnon
PWEC students had the opportunity to network with diverse local and regional industries at the Northwestern Polytechnic Career Fair! It was a great way to pratice putting their best forward and making an excellent first impression while speaking to potential employers.
Students explore career paths
Brian Gillies shares a presentation with PWEC students, helping them discover what kinds of careers interest them, and what opportunities exist.
FEBRUARY
PWEC students go golfing
PWEC students would like to send a huge thank you to Fore Seasons Indoor Golf Centre for their sponsorship. They had the opportunity to spend a cold winter day golfing and loved the whole experience!
Students enjoy the fresh winter air
Shay Davidsen and Liara Cundy take advantage of a beautiful winter day and go snowshoeing for their PE activity.
Students enjoy a PWEC Sports Day
PWEC students enjoyed a day of different gym activities, wrapping it up with a fast-paced game of floor hockey.
JANUARY
PWEC students enjoy PE Day
PWEC students have been making good use of the old Harry Balfour School gym! Students and staff are enjoying the newly available space, and spent a day playing badminton and volleyball.
Saying Goodbye to 2024
Spencer Wilson-McCullough and Heather Dunsworth sported their holiday sweaters during PWEC's Say Goodbye to 2024 celebration.
DECEMBER
PWEC spreads holiday joy
PWEC teachers Bradi Baker-Bowen and Melanie Golding
Students and staff have spent time spreading joy this holiday season by volunteering at the local toy drive.
Students tour Prairie Mall
Madison Mosenko and Peter London visit Perry the Polar Bear
PWEC students explored Prairie Mall in Grande Prairie, gaining insight into what job opportunities exist.
Peace Region Tourism
PWEC students Liara Cundy and Shay Davidsen visit Centre 2000 while participating in a tourism workshop.
NOVEMBER
Nature and Wellness
Brandon Mosenko enjoys his time outside.
PWEC students explored the benefits of relationships between plants, animals, and the environment as applied to the health and wellness of people.
Planning for the future
Allasten and Kailey Birkett visit the Philip J. Currie Museum
Students performed introductory investigations of employment opportunities in tourism at the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum in Wembley.
PWEC students welcomed a guest from Northwestern Polytechnic who spoke about the programs the post-secondary institute offers, including certificates, degrees, and trades training.
OCTOBER
Virtual Equine Academy
As part of PWEC's Virtual Equine Academy, student Sonya Salopree has been competing in barrel racing. The virtual program offers students the opportunity to earn high school credits while working on improving their horsemanship.
Body and Mind
PWEC students enjoyed the beautiful fall weather as they participated in a day-long Body and Mind workshop with Assistant Principal Rob Robinson and Guidance Counsellor Bradi Baker-Brown.
SEPTEMBER
Congratulations to the Grad Class of 2024!
Staff at Peace Wapiti Enterprise Centre were honoured to celebrate PWEC's 2024 grad class. Congratulations to all 23 students who completed their graduation pathway last school year!
PWEC students kick off PE 10
Assistant Principal Rob Robinson is joined by a group of students as they start the new school year enjoying some physical activity outside.
Beaverlodge Elementary School
JUNE
BES gets second Gaga Ball Pit
BES would like to thank Greg Riendeau and NuVista Energy Ltd. for our second Gaga Ball Pit.
Classroom in the Dirt
The Grade 4 students enjoyed Classroom in the Dirt at the Grande Prairie Stampede.
BES STEM Science Fair
Our STEM Club has worked hard all year to create some pretty amazing projects! Thank you to TC Energy for continuing to support our STEM students!
MAY
BES hosts annual air band show
BES's annual air band show was a huge success! Thank you to all the students and staff who put on a fabulous show, your talent is unmatched!
BES participates in 3D Children's Society's hockey tournament
On May 9, students had a great time participating in the annual 3D Children's Society's hockey tournament. The annual charity event is an opportunity for students to compete in a 3-on-3 tournament that benefits seriously ill children in our communities.
Annual Spring Tea
Thank you to our Grade 5 students and Ms. P for hosting a beautiful Spring Tea for all our guests!
APRIL
Students receive new books
Thank you to STEP Energy Services and NuVista Energy Ltd. for stopping by and delivering new books for every student at Beaverlodge Elementary School! Together these companies are enhancing the educational experience through two impactful programs at The Educational Partnership Foundation (TEPF).
Reading ... Give it a Shot! is TEPF's longest running initiative, and a free program enabling students to earn literacy collector cards by tracking reading minutes. Books for Kids helps strengthen literacy programs by donating books to Alberta schools with the support of generous sponsors.
MARCH
Tri-Trapper Event
Students participated in their second Tri-Trapper event of the year! They gathered in their multi-grade Trapper groups to participate in some fun outdoor winter activities.
STEM at BES
Paxton and Sawyer show off their clocks
The STEM program has returned to BES! The first project was based on mechanical engineering, where students were tasked with building their own analog clock that actually works.
FEBRUARY
BES goes skating
The Grade 6 Leadership students enjoyed their time helping the Grade 1 and 2 students on the ice.
Teachers go undefeated
Teachers at Beaverlodge Elementary School continue to go undefeated in their Students vs. Teachers basketball rivalry.
Literacy Week at Beaverlodge Elementary School
Students took part in several exciting events throughout Literacy Week. The upper elementary students decorated classroom doors, classes participated in buddy reading, students engaged in some fun Story Jam sessions, and the whole school enjoyed a glow zone attraction, cookies, and rock chocolates!
JANUARY
BES receives community support
TC Energy continues to support and donate funds to the Beaverlodge Elementary School STEM project, offering students in Grades 4-6 a unique hands-on learning opportunity!
Thanks to Canadian Natural Resources Limited, students have been enjoying two new interactive TVs!
Leadership students spread holiday cheer
In December, the BES Grade 6 Leadership students handed out holiday cards to spread cheer throughout Beaverlodge.
Tri Trapper Days return to BES
Before the holiday season, BES students and staff gathered for the first Tri Trapper event of the year. Beaverlodge's South Peace Centennial Museum donated their time to cook and serve a wonderful lunch to students and staff, before the students participated in a round of Jeopardy within their teams.
OCTOBER
BES gets new Gaga Ball ring
Thanks to NuVista Energy Ltd. and the Riendeau/Jones crew, BES students have a new Gaga Ball ring to enjoy!
Students attend Miwaskin Connections Hide-Making Camp
The Grade 6 students had the opportunity to attend Miwaskin Connections Hide-Making Camp, where they gained hands-on experience with different stages of preparing a hide. Thank you Monique Hommy, the Elders and Helpers, and PWPSD Indigenous Education Services for providing such a wonderful experience to our students.
SEPTEMBER
BES participates in Beaverlodge Heritage Parade
The 2024-2025 BES Leadership Team began their school year by participating in the Beaverlodge Heritage Parade.
Beaverlodge Regional High School
MAY
BRHS raises money for 3D Children's Society
Congratulations to our students who participated in this year's 3D Children's Society's hockey and soccer tournaments. On May 9, they participated in some friendly competition to raise awareness of, and money for, this very important cause. This year's BRHS teams raised $740 for critically ill children in our communities.
A Mother's Heart, A Father's Pride
Grade 10 student, Preston Kane, is heading to Ottawa with his winning Remembrance Day poem, A Mother's Heart, A Father's Pride.
Preston submitted his piece to the Royal Canadian Legion's Remembrance Day poem contest, and has won first place at the Local, District, and Command Levels. This fall, he will head to the nation's capital where his poem will be on display at the Canadian War Museum for one year as a unique tribute to the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP members who have, and continue to, defend our country.
As winner of the Command Level, Preston will join other first place winners to represent Canada's youth by placing a wreath at the National War Memorial on November 11, 2025.
On April 29, local Legion members stopped by BRHS to meet with Preston, congratulate him, and present him with his awards. Our Legion members and school community are very proud of Preston for creating such a moving and memorable piece of art.
FEBRUARY
Students participate in work placements throughout Beaverlodge
Work placements are an important part of the high school experience for many BRHS students, as they have the opportunity to earn high school credits while developing their vocational skills. Keira O'Connell is a Grade 12 student who started working at the Beaverlodge Thrift Store in the fall, and has become a valuable member of their team. BRHS greatly appreciates the support from the local businesses that help provide these opportunities.
NOVEMBER
Royals volleyball teams reflect on impressive seasons
Congratulations to the boys' volleyball team on a very successful season! The team won five tournaments, including a Zone title defense, which sent the Royals to Lloydminister to represent the Northwest Zone at Provincials! Congratulations Eric Funk, Trenton Ostaszewski, Matthew Pfau, Adam Ray, Elliott Rourke, Henry Schmidt, Owen Schmidt, Spencer Taylor, Ethan Villiger, and Raeden Villiger on your bronze finish!
The girls' volleyball team showed tremendous growth this season. Despite being a very young team, the girls really stepped up at the Zones tournament and came home with silver medals! Congratulations Sadie DeSchipper, Brynn Funk, Loann McAlister, Marcella MacAulay, Brynn Martin, Shae Martin, Emily Merriam, Tayte Nordhagen, Tyller Rude, Reese Sather!
Bezanson School
JUNE
Year-end field trips
Our students have been enjoying non-stop field trips all over our community: Camp Tamarack, Kleskun Hills, Saskatoon Lake, and so many more!
Track and Field success
The past month was nothing short of spectacular for four of our track athletes. It all began at the Dave Bleile Track Meet, where Amore Hyman swept the 100m, 200m, and 400m - beating the 200m record in the process! Meanwhile, Sloan McNally claimed victories in both the 800m and 1500m events. Next, Amore and Sloan teamed up with Anna and Taylor Wasylchew to dominate the 4x100m relay.
Their success continued at the Track & Field Zones, where Amore and Sloan each captured gold in every event they competed in. All four athletes reunited for the 4x100m relay, and once again crossed the finish line in first place, capping off an unforgettable month on the track.
Play Day!
Teepee Creek School invited our students, and those from Ridgevalley School, to participate in the annual Play Day! Students in Grades 1-6 competed in track and field events, like the 200m dash, high jump, and relay race.
Grade 6 students support the Odyssey House
The Grade 6 class hosted a fundraiser, and collected donations for the Odyssey House in Grande Prairie.
APRIL
Jumping for a cause
Students have started their Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser! Our event will take place at the school on April 29. If you would like to donate or help spread the work, please visit our school's fundraising page.
Dancing into spring
Before spring break, the Grade 5 students visited the local senior centre for live music and dancing.
Students learn about local government
The Grade 6 students visited the County of Grande Prairie office to learn about local government. They had the opportunity to participate in a tour, sit in at a Council meeting, and present to our Reeve and Council members.
MARCH
Bezanson School Trailblazers
On March 11, members of the local Legion visited Bezanson School during the Trailblazer Award assembly to hand out awards to students who won the Remembrance Day contest.
Gold again!
In early March, Hines Creek hosted the 1J Basketball Zones Tournament, where our girls won the title for the second year in a row. Congratulations Bulldogs!
FEBRUARY
Bezanson basketball players making waves
Congratulations to the boys basketball team for earning the silver medal at the inaugural Junior Jam tournament in Sexsmith!
Congratulations to the girls basketball team for winning bronze at their tournament earlier this month!
Bezanson celebrates Literacy Day
Bezanson School celebrated Literacy Day by dressing as their favourite book characters, reading around the school with family and friends, and reading by flashlight in the school gymnasium!
It's a snow day!
Students enjoy building snow forts around the school yard.
JANUARY
Students donate to food bank
Bezanson's Grade 3 students worked together to collect food donations for the food bank in Clairmont. The school was challenged with collecting as many donations as possible, and the class with the most items won a pizza party! Once donations were collected, the Grade 3 students went on a field trip to the food bank, where they were shown how to sort and label all of the donations they had brought in.
Where is Santa?
In December, Bezanson School hosted a play about finding the real Santa to help save Christmas. So much hard work was put into this play, and it was very well received. The students and teachers who worked together on the play did an amazing job!
NOVEMBER
Bezanson remembers
On November 7, students, staff, families, and community members gathered at Bezanson School for its annual Remembrance Day Ceremony.
Jr. Girls wrap up successful volleyball season
The Jr. Girls' volleyball team had a very successful season, earning two gold medals and a bronze finish! The team went on to host the 1J Zones tournament, where they went undefeated and brought home the gold medal and 2024-2025 banner. Congratulations to all players on your hard work and success!
OCTOBER
Girls volleyball off to a great start
Junior Girls AB volleyball team
The Jr. Girls A Volleyball team has had a strong start to the season with two golds; earning the top spot in both their home tournament and in Sexsmith. The AB team has shown great sportsmanship and has enjoyed all the cheering from their many fans. The girls also had the opportunity to participate in a team bonding sleepover where they spent the night in the school gymnasium!
September Trailblazers
Congratulations to our first Trailblazers of the year! Each Trailblazer received an award during a special recognition assembly.
Congratulations Moira and Axel!
Congratulations Moira and Axel (pictured) for being our top Terry Fox Fundraisers! Your hard work and contribution to the Terry Fox Foundation is inspiring!
SEPTEMBER
Meet the Teachers!
Bezanson School celebrated the first full week of school with a Meet the Teachers night. Students and parents were invited to the school, and had the opportunity to meet their teachers and explore the school. School Council members even helped organize and cook a BBQ dinner for everyone to enjoy.
Freaky Friday
Bezanson School enjoyed its first Spirit Day of the year with Freaky Friday! Teachers dressed as students, and students dressed as teachers for a fun day.
Bonanza School
MAY
Thank you parents!
Bonanza School has some of the best parent volunteers! They make sure our students get hot lunch on Wednesdays, healthy snacks once a month, and so much more. Thank you for your dedication to our students!
Officer Pepler
Bonanza School has a great safety officer who patrols during recess. Officer Pepler works to ensure everyone gets along and has fun playing together, and helps keep the peace.
MARCH
Batik Fabric
The Grade 5 and 6 students learned the art of batik fabric. Batik is a type of resist printing process in which wax is applied to the fabric in specific areas. When the wax hardens, the fabric is submerged in dye, and the wax prevents the dye from reaching the fibers, creating a unique design.
The students enjoying creating their own unique masterpieces using toothpaste and hand lotion.
Welcome to Noah's Candy Shop
Noah Young, a Grade 4 student, held a freeze-dried candy fundraiser for the community and school to raise money for snow shovels. After raising a whopping $428, with a matched donation of an additional $428, Noah was able to buy several shovels, a mini sticks hockey set and eight sticks, and some soccer nets and balls to be used during recess. He also learned a lot about running a business, profit and expenses, measuring out the weight of candy, and how to make freeze-dried skittles. Way to go Noah!
Family Math Night
On February 26, Bonanza School hosted its first Family Math Night! It was a great night of math activities, using the Math Festival kit from the PWPSD Numeracy Coordinators. There was a lot of hard thinking, lots of laughs, and great puzzles.
FEBRUARY
Genius Hour
On Friday, February 7, the students at Bonanza School enjoyed their third Genius Hour (interest-based learning). Students had the opportunity to choose between badminton, watercolour techniques, baking brownies, decorating Rice Krispie Squares, learning to paint nails, and crocheting. It was an excellent day filled with tons of learning and smiles! The junior high students even got in on the action by hosting the nail session.
Thank you Saddle Hills County!
The junior high students have been enjoying their new cross-country ski equipment, purchased with a grant from Saddle Hills County!
Letting creativity build
The year is zooming by, and the students are building up to Spring Break!
JANUARY
You Are Awesome!
Making the most of the chilly season, students and staff share affirming messages in the frost.
A Peter Pan Christmas
On December 19, the Bonanza School students put on an amazing show for their annual Christmas banquet and concert. They performed a play called, A Peter Pan Christmas. After the show, Santa made an appearance with candy and books to congratulate the students on their excellent performance.
Winter fun with Savanna School
On December 12, students from Bonanza and Savanna joined for an enjoyable and magical day of skating, Christmas crafts, cooking decorating, and touring the Christmas in the Valley at Theresa Akeroyd's farm. A big thank you to Savanna's Grade 10 students for helping tie skates and guide the younger students on the ice.
DECEMBER
The future is bright
This month, Bonanza School has had the pleasure of welcoming our student teacher! Sierra Evans has been an excellent addition to our learning environment.
NOVEMBER
Bonanza Spirit
Bonanza School's got spirit! Students have been proving that learning can happen in fun and different ways, including in pajamas, camo, and multiples (Twin Day)!
Science is cool!
The Grade 5 and 6 students learned about hydraulics, and built their own hydraulic models to show their new knowledge!
During their science unit, the students learned about compressibility of liquids and created and launched their own bottle rockets! The whole school got in on the fun!
OCTOBER
Little Spot
The Grade 5-6 students have spent some time learning about Little Spot with PWPSD's Mental Health Capacity Building team. Little Spot is a program that teaches students about basic and complex feelings, and how to manage their emotions. The students have been thoroughly enjoying the program.
Dreamer's Lake Run
On September 19, students in Grades 3-8 participated in the Dreamer's Lake Run. They enjoyed a fun-filled day of cross-country running and relationship building. It was a great event!
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On September 27, Bonanza School recognized the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by learning about our Indigenous history and culture. Students and staff wore orange to show their support, and raised $82 for Shannen's Dream through a mini fundraiser.
SEPTEMBER
Tourmaline donates to Nutrition Program
On September 17, Tourmaline Oil Corp. donated over $4,000 to the Bonanza School Healthy Foods and Nutrition Program. The donation was made possible thanks to Tourmaline's annual charity golf tournament.
Students grateful for new playground
Bonanza students have been enjoying their new playground equipment, which was installed over the summer. Students and staff would like to thank the Bonanza Bring It Society, parents, community members and Saddle Hills County for their impressive fundraising efforts and dedication to the school.
Clairmont Community School
JUNE
Annual Intergenerational Lunch
Our Grade 7 students, in collaboration with the County of Grande Prairie, hosted the annual Intergenerational Lunch. Seniors from the community were warmly welcomed into the school for an afternoon of connection, conversation, and celebration. Guests were treated to a delicious meal served by our students, followed by a special performance featuring the top three CCS airband acts! It was a joyful afternoon filled with laughter, music, and meaningful moments that bridged generations.
Meet Big Betty & Poppy
Congratulations to our creative content winner DJ and Emma, who won the Name That Big Truck contest hosted by CANGAS! As a special reward, they got to see the trucks up close. What a fun and memorable way to celebrate their awesome ideas and community spirit!
MAY
Intergeneration Walk
On May 13, our Grade 4 and 5 students teamed up with the residents of The Wellington Resource Centre for an Intergenerational Walk. They enjoyed a stroll around Lakeview, while using "passport" conversation starters to spark meaningful conversations and learn from one another. It was a heartwarming experience that helped bridge generations and build connections within our community.
APRIL
10th Annual CCS Student Convention
On April 11, Clairmont Community School hosted its 10th annual student convention! We welcomed 15 Guinness World Record holder Frisbee Rob as our keynote speaker. His message about digital and real world balance was an important reminder to all of us.
After leaving the keynote address, students participated in three self-chosen sessions, which were all designed to inspire and motivate students to get creative and try something new. The day wrapped up with a traditional dodgeball tournament and grand prize draws.
Miss Wiseman and Mrs. MacKean would like to thank the local businesses who generously sponsored all the food and snacks for the day. The students would like to thank Miss Wiseman, Mrs. MacKean, and the rest of the volunteers who worked hard to create such a fun day!
FEBRUARY
Clairmont Community School celebrates Literacy Week
Students celebrated Literacy Week with enthusiasm! They engaged in fun reading activities, Character Day, Scrabble Day, and special guest readings. The school community came together to highlight the joy of books, and the power of literacy. The library even transformed into Camp Read, and the students enjoyed a fantastic week of learning, imagination, and school spirit!
DECEMBER
CCS celebrates the holidays with annual 12 Days of Christmas
The holiday spirit is alive and thriving at Clairmont Community School! Students and staff have kicked off their much-anticipated 12 Days of Christmas celebration. This cherished tradition brings the school community together, spreading joy, laughter, and festive cheer throughout the season.
Students, staff, and families eagerly await the creative lineup of activities designed to bring everyone into the holiday spirit. This year's festivities began with Holiday Hair or Festive Hats, followed by a delightful Elf Day, where students and staff donned their best elf-inspired attire, transforming the halls into a merry workshop straight out of the North Pole.
The excitement continues with the adventurous Snowball Search, a school-wide scavenger hunt that challenges students to find hidden snowballs throughout the school. Each discovery adds a touch of surprise and magic to the day!
The 12 Days of Christmas brings Photos with Santa, where students have the chance to meet the big guy himself. Santa's warm presence will fill the halls as he poses for pictures, and shares the holiday spirit with CCS.
From themed dress-up days to surprise treats and activities, the 12 Days of Christmas embody the Kodiak Code of Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience. These moments not only celebrate the season, but also bring the community closer together, reminding everyone of the joy in giving, sharing, and connecting as we all countdown to winter break with fun, smiles, and holiday cheer!
OCTOBER
Students spread joy with Thanksgiving performance
The Grade 1 and 2 students brought smiles and warmth to the local senior centre with a special Thanksgiving performance! The students recited heartfelt poems, sang cheerful songs, and danced with enthusiam, spreading joy to the senior residents. This meaningful visit highlighted the spirit of community and gratitude that is at the heart of the holiday. We are proud of our students for embodying the Kodiak Code values of Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience during this memorable experience!
Eaglesham School
MAY
Eaglesham students learn to fish
Our students spent time outside, enjoying the fresh air and learning the perfect cast!
Elmworth School
JUNE
Elmworth School receives funding from the County of Grande Prairie
The County of Grande Prairie has awarded our school a $3000 grant to provide swimming lessons to our students. We are extremely grateful for the support, and can't wait for our students to get their feet wet!
New playground a huge hit
Despite the record-breaking heat, our students were eager to try the new playground equipment!
MAY
Elmworth School receives $2000 donation from Cenovus Energy
Elmworth School is incredibly grateful to Cenovus Energy for its generous contribution of $2000. This donation will go towards the replacement of our school treadmills.
APRIL
Elmworth School's Winter Carnival
On March 5, members of the Student Leadership Team planned a not-so-wintery Winter Carnival for all students to enjoy! They played shlockey, basketball, and "road" hockey, went cross-country skiing, and enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies by the fire in the beautiful sunshine.
FEBRUARY
Students complete swimming lessons
Our elementary students recently completed two weeks of swimming lessons at the NuVista Energy Centre in Beaverlodge. Congratulations on your hard work!
Students participate in annual bonspiel
The Granite Gladiators - left to right: Caden Sandford, Bowen Goodbrand (skip), Kara Carmichael, and Emersyn Pandachuck
The Sweeping Beauties - left to right: Bryland Teed (skip), Jake Funk, Brynn Hommy, and Lydia Faulkner
The Pebble Pirates - left to right: Jenica Willock, Hope Redmond, Donald Forget, Landon Schroeder, and Mia Faulkner (skip)
The Sweep Dreams - left to right: Theory Goodbrand, Aiden Schroeder, Brooke Funk (skip), and Jemma Gillis
The Sultans of Sweep - left to right: Simon Sawchuk, Rheed Bulford (skip), and Ria Friesen
The Ice Queens - left to right: Jacob Redmond, Jackson Baerg, Lexi Murray (skip), and Sean Forget
Our junior high students wrapped up their annual curling bonspiel at the Mountview Curling Club next door. Everyone played well and had a blast!
Harry Balfour School
JUNE
HBS celebrates Indigenous Day
Bengals celebrated Indigenous culture through activities that encouraged connection. Students and staff received Seven Sacred Teachings awards, shared in a story walk, played Indigenous games, read books, and ate berries. Thank you to Ms. Price, Ms. Mel, and Mrs. Okemow for planning the day!
HBS Participarent does it again!
Participarent rallied together, and successfully fundraised enough to cover 1.5 acres of sod for our school grounds! They then organized an amazing team of parent and student volunteers who showed up, got dirty, worked hard, and got the job done. It was an inspiring few days of teamwork, sweat, and community spirit. A huge thank you to everyone who made it happen, you've made HBS greener and greater!
PWPSD Board Tour
Our amazing student leaders provided an in-depth tour of our school for the PWPSD Board of Trustees and Executive team. They did a phenomenal job explaining all the reasons our school is amazing!
Grade 6 trip to Camp Tamarack
The Grade 6 students spent some time at Camp Tamarack, learning cooperative games, wilderness hiking, orienteering, and enjoyed an overnight stay in a cabin!
MAY
Science in Motion
The Telus World of Science introduced our students to the wonderful world of science! Students participated in experiments and activities in Cree Astronomy, Robotics, Building, Nature Connections, and Making Sound.
Student-made ribbon skirts
Ms. Price's Indigenous Girls' Group made their own ribbon skirts! Each student picked out their fabric, learned how to thread a sewing machine, and completed the majority of the sewing. We are so proud of these young ladies, and thank Ms. Price and the PWPSD Indigenous Education Services team for leading this learning experience.
HBS raises money for 3D Children's Society
We are so proud of our Grade 4-8 Bengals who raised funds for the 3D Children's Society while competing in the annual hockey and soccer tournaments. A huge thank you to Ms. Fleming for organizing this fun event to raise money for critically ill children in our community.
Track and field
Bengals competed in our annual track meets! The junior high students participated in the Division's event at Legion Field, while the students in Grades 4-6 competed at our event at Five Mile Hall. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the beautiful weather.
Congratulations to our Intermediate Girls Relay team for racing their way to first place at the PWPSD Dave Bleile Track Meet on May 12!
APRIL
Bengals' badminton in full swing
Badminton is in full swing at HBS! Bengals have competed in tournaments at Peace Wapiti Academy, Sexsmith Secondary School, and Grimshaw. We are so proud of our athletes for representing our school with pride. Thank you to Mr. Boettcher, Ms. Zakordonski, and Mr. Wright for coaching!
Spring Fling Band Concert
Mr. Dommer's junior high band showcased their musical talent alongside other PWPSD bands at the annual Spring Fling concert at Northwestern Polytechnic. HBS's Grade 5-8 band students will soon perform at the upcoming Grande Prairie Music Festival.
Math Festival
PWPSD Numeracy Coaches set up some fun math games in the gym for us to enjoy. Students in Grades 1-6 rotated through stations as the junior high students taught them the games. Families were then invited back in the evening to play the games together. We are thankful for the PWPSD Numeracy Coaches for helping us set up community connections through math!
MARCH
Bengals receive support from 3D Children's Society
Harry Balfour School is grateful to have four of our students be recognized by the 3D Children's Society. Thanks to their kindness, families received travel support for children's hospital trips, and the students each received a special gift. Thank you to all the amazing sponsors and community guests who were there to share in the joy.
Teachers' Convention
Teachers enjoyed their time connecting and learning at the Mighty Peace Teachers' Convention. Some teachers took in a Van Gogh painting class, others opted for yoga, and some made furry friends! We are grateful to have the opportunity for professional development opportunities, collaboration, and connection during Teachers' Convention.
Ski trips to Jasper and Nitehawk
Grade 7 & 8 Bengals had the opportunity to spend two days on the slopes at Marmot Basin in Jasper, and those in Grades 4-8 spent a fun day at Nitehawk. The weather was great, and the hill was full of sunshine and laughter!
Basketball wraps up
To finish off the basketball season, Harry Balfour School hosted its first ever home tournament. Our Bengal Girls' Team Boettcher and Bengal Boys' Team McDermott both earned gold medals, and the Bengal Boys' Team Wright earned the bronze medal. Thank you to all the coaches, volunteers, and athletes for their hard work!
Go Bengals Go!
FEBRUARY
Literacy Week
Literacy Week was full of connection, learning, and fun! Students welcomed guest readers into their classrooms, completed literacy-based challenges, renewed their reading collection through a book swap, and shared their love of reading by dressing as their favourite book character. Bengals also joined together during a school-wide assembly to read collaborative stories written by each other.
Bengals spread the love
In the true nature of Valentine's Day, students chose to spread love and kindness through mentorship activities, and artistic endeavours such as creating Valentine's Day cards for local seniors.
Making the best of winter
Bengals can often be found utilizing the beautiful school grounds and natural elements in our field to play in the snow, connect, and cooperate. Together, we have created some amazing snow sculptures! When it gets too cold, students can be found making the best of indoor recess through quiet reading time in the natural light of our library, connecting with peers and staff, and playing games.
Gamemaster Groff encourages connection
Every few months, Assistant Principal Mr. Groff hosts staff challenges that encourage connection, laughter and fun. During the month of February, our Gamemaster encouraged staff to participate in Cupid's Quest, where staff acknowledge each other for their love of learning, community, and most importantly, the students they serve.
Staff challenges are points-based, and staff can earn points throughout the year. By gamifying small acts of kindness, shared moments, and a bit of lighthearted fun, challenges like this help strengthen our connections, lift each other up, and reaffirm what an amazing community we have at Harry Balfour School.
JANUARY
Winter Carnival
Thank you Ms. Small for organizing the first Winter Carnival at our new school! Students rotated through an entire day of indoor and outdoor winter activities, such as tobogganing, snow painting, iceless curling, and holiday-themed art projects and activities. The PWPSD Capacity Building Team joined us and ran a station, which celebrated holiday traditions, read the new Slumberkins story, made holiday cards, and included a fun photo booth.
Giving Tree Donations
Every year, students and staff at Harry Balfour School work together to collect donations of food and other items to place under the Giving Tree in our school foyer. This year, we donated items to the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre. The County of Grande Prairie Professional Firefighters were gracious enough to stop by to collect and deliver our donations.
DECEMBER
HBS inclusive playground receives community support
Harry Balfour School has received additional funding for the new barrier-free inclusive playground, which we hope to break ground on in the spring. Thank you to Peace Hills General Insurance Company, Rotary Club of Grande Prairie, and the Harry Balfour Participarent group for their generous donations. Harry Balfour staff and students cannot wait to continue spending time outside for fresh air and play; the upcoming barrier-free inclusive playground will help us all achieve this!
Local author shares her literary journey
Grade 8 students have been diligently crafting their own children's stories and, to spark their creativity, invited local author Kirsten Clark for a virtual visit. As a locally published author, Kirsten shared her journey to becoming a writer, highlighting the importance of perseverance and resilience in the path to publication. She also discussed the challenges and rewards of writing.
Students were engaged and asked thoughtful questions about her creative process, finding inspiration, and what it takes to succeed as an author. This inspiring session encouraged students to persevere in their own writing journeys and view challenges as stepping stones to succes.
HBS teachers participate in professional development
HBS teachers recently gathered for a school-based professional development day. They spent the morning with Speech Language Pathologist Carolyn Hovey-Johnson, and Peace Collaborative Services Psychologist Heather Craigdallie, who spoke about the role executive functioning plays in the learning process, and the benefits of using declarative language with students.
In the afternoon, math teachers discussed the importance of fact fluency with PWPSD's Numeracy Coordinator Rhonda Giesbrecht, while a small group of teachers participated in professional discussions about assessment. We then gathered as a staff to learn about artificial intelligence in education. HBS teachers are grateful to have the opportunity to join together for these school-based learning activities.
Spreading Christmas cheer
Grade 8 students Kacey and Sanay emcee the Christmas concert
On December 3, the HBS community came together to kick off the Christmas season during its annual Christmas concert. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 4, and the Grade 3 choir, helped spread Christmas cheer through song. Thank you to all the staff volunteers for helping make this year's event a success. HBS is grateful for all the Bengal families who were able to join in the celebration.
NOVEMBER
The turtles are back!
Thanks to the Ballad group's WERC program and donations from Windsor Plywood, beloved turtles Stinker and Dozer have a brand new turtle sanctuary! The turtles are loving their new home in our Learning Commons, and have had a lot of excited student visitors.
Remembrance Day at HBS
Harry Balfour School took time to honour and remember those who served for our country during its annual Remembrance Day Ceremony. The day included student emcees, artwork, and poems. Families were asked to share their personal stories, and we acknowledged 39 Bengal family members who served in the military. We are grateful that so many HBS families shared their stories, and we honour their family members' commitment and sacrifice.
Fall Fair & School Family Teams
At HBS, each student belongs to a multi-grade team led by a teacher. Students stay with the same team throughout their time at school. When the groups get together, they move their bodies, work on collaborative art projects, share food, and new this year, participate in a community event! During their latest gathering, students toured the school, created self-portraits, enjoyed a veggie snack, and started filling the candy locker to donate to local shelters.
OCTOBER
Halloween dance and fundraiser
Join us on Friday, October 25 for our Halloween dance and fundraiser! We invite everyone to a night of family fun with prizes, a silent auction, and a chance to win two tickets to Taylor Swift in Vancouver! All proceeds from this exciting night will go toward our new playground!
Orange Shirt Day
Throughout the month of October, Harry Balfour School recognized Orange Shirt Day. Indigenous Education teacher Ms. April Price taught students the importance of acknowledging the truth behind residential schools, and move toward reconciliation. Students completed art projects rooted in remembrance and reconciliation. HBS is grateful to have Ms. Price share her knowledge and culture!
Gamemaster Groff encourages team bonding
To keep staff connected throughout the school year, Mr. Groff organizes fun staff challenges. The most recent challenge was Pop Darts, and the finale culminated in a rooftop drop. The five staff finalists competed while students cheered them on. During this challenge, the Grade 8 students practiced their leadership skills as they mentored the Grade 4 students, and all Bengals came together to cheer each other on in this positive game setting.
Bengals volleyball wraps up
Harry Balfour was fortunate to have two girls' and two boys' volleyball teams on the court this year! The Bengals worked hard, improved their skills, and had lots of fun. Thank you to the coaches for all their hard work in making this a memorable season.
New culture classes now being offered
This year, the junior high students have the option of choosing French or culture options. Ms. Webster's Personal and Ancient Culture class spent some time carving and painting hieroglyphic cartouches!
SEPTEMBER
Welcome to the new Harry Balfour School!
Staff were excited to welcome all new and returning Bengals to their new school. On September 13, students and staff gathered for their first assembly of the year. As Ms. Clevette welcomed everyone back to school, students were surprised with their new mascot, which they will have the opportunity to name in an upcoming naming contest!
Students test out their new gym
Ms. Small and Mr. Wright have kicked off their programming in their new space. They've designed a weekly schedule to keep students and staff active throughout the school year.
Movement Monday encourages students to focus on building their muscles through a variety of training forms, learning how to move effectively to stay active for life. Students will explore cardio workouts, strength training, mobility training, balance and stability training, plyometric training, and mind-body connections.
Teamwork Tuesday will give students the opportunity to dive into teamwork and strategy games. Recently, the PE team added a twist to a favourite recess game, Octoball, incorporating a team aspect to get more students involved.
Wilderness Wednesday will see students and staff heading outside to explore alternative environments and make the most of the new school grounds.
Thursday is dedicated to building skills used in sports, such as throwing, catching, receiving, batting, and more. Each month will be focused on a different sport and teach students the necessary skills to be successful.
Fun Friday will bring engaging games to help students develop their critical thinking and sportsmanship.
Helen E. Taylor School
APRIL
Students participate in STEAM projects
Our STEAM students had a great time working on their art projects! They spent time crocheting, drawing, and painting. The painting group learned about layering their painting and how to show glow within their painting of the northern lights with a fire in the foreground. The crochet group learned to single and double crochet, and tried their hand at making dishcloths. Everyone's project turned out great!
OCTOBER
Cupcake Wars
This month, the Grade 9 students battled it out in Foods CTF at Beaverlodge Regional High School. Pictured above: First Place Winner
Second Place Winner
Third Place Winner
Hythe Regional School
APRIL
HRS visits Greece
Eight Grade 9 students, and a group of students from Helen E. Taylor, spent their spring break travelling to Greece! Throughout the trip, the students visited several archeological sites and experienced many different aspects of Greek culture.
Over the past year, these students worked hard hosting various fundraisers to earn some of the money needed to pay for their journey. We would like to thank all our sponsors and supporters for their assistance in making this trip of a lifetime possible. We are especially appreciative of DK Sandblasting for sponsoring the group's travel jackets, which not only helped them look good, but kept them dry in the rain.
NuVista Energy Ltd., STEP Energy Services gift HRS students with new books
Students were very excited to welcome representatives from NuVista Energy Ltd. and STEP Energy Services to HRS. Together with The Educational Partnership Foundation, these representatives brought each and every student a new book to keep and enjoy for years to come. A huge thank you from all of us at HRS!
MARCH
Trout in the tank
Ms. Peterson's Grade 3 class have exciting news: Our rainbow trout fry have officially moved into the big tank! After weeks of careful growth and care, they're now ready for more space to swim and thrive. Stay tuned for updates as we watch then continue their journey.
FEBRUARY
Pre-K students learn about primary colours
The Pre-Kindergarten students had fun getting messy, while learning about primary colours and creating fun colourful art!
Meet Chilli, the Chilean tarantula
On February 12, students welcomed a special visitor to share some facts about tarantulas. Chilli wasn't your typical guest, but was still very welcomed and fascinating!
Hythe Regional School receives community support
Students and staff at Hythe Regional School would like to send a big thank you to Ovintiv for sponsoring a new outdoor Octaball court! Everyone is very appreciative and excited to put it to use.
We'd also like to thank NuVista Energy Ltd. and STEP Energy Services for their kind and generous donation of books! Every elementary student will receive a free book as part of the TEPH Books for Kids Program. What a wonderful gift to promote the lifelong love of reading!
NOVEMBER
HRS wraps up another volleyball season
To wrap up a fantastic volleyball season, our B Girls team won bronze at the St. Mary tournament in Beaverlodge. Great job everyone!
Triple Ball takes over HRS
To support young athletes, HRS hosted a super-successful Grade 5 and 6 triple ball tournament. It was an excellent way to build skills and experience competition in a very supportive environment.
Boo to you!
We wrapped up Halloween with an extraordinary school-wide pumpkin contest! A big shout out to Krystal Miller for providing over 100 pumpkins and some fantastic prizes donated by local businesses.
Thank you CNRL
We are very grateful, and would like to send a big thank you, to Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) for their extremely generous donation to our Christmas lunch.
We will remember them
On November 7, HRS honoured Canadian veterans during its annual Remembrance Day Ceremony.
Jr. High Options
Our latest round of junior high options have started, and students have enjoyed working on small engines and cooking in Cree!
Movember
Movember is a great way to support men's health and show school spirit! Polo, our therapy dog, even got involved!
OCTOBER
Golf team brings home silver
Congratulations to our Boys' Golf team for winning silver at Zones! We are extremely proud of you!
Volleyball success
The Boys' A volleyball team with their silver medals at the Bezanson tournament.
The Boys' A volleyball team with their bronze medals at the Grande Prairie Composite High School tournament.
Congratulations to the Girls' B team on an impressive showing at the Composite High School tournament! They performed well on the big, competitive stage, and won consolation.
A+ for Energy
As part of our successful application to A+ for Energy and Inside Education, we recently had an array of solar panels installed at the school. Students will be researching the impact of solar power on a small scale, and applying it to bigger scenarios. We are very excited for this project, and extremely grateful to A+ for Energy, Inside Education, and Last Call Electrical for their support.
Thank you to our community supporters!
We'd like to thank PGI for their extremely generous support of our hot lunch program, and Ovintiv for helping us get our STEAM program off the ground!
We are looking forward to doing more innovative programming surrounding Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics!
HRS honours Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day was a huge success and helped build everyone's understanding of Canada's past, and the legacy of residential schools. HRS held a school-wide parade around town in honour of truth and reconciliation.
Students welcome special guests
The junior high personal learning time blocks are off to a fantastic start. Students even had the opportunity to visit with some very special guests!
Just keep swimming
Some of our elementary classes have started their swimming lessons! Students are having a wonderful time learning some life-long skills.
Fire Safety Week
During Fire Safety Week, we welcomed the County Fire Department. Firefighters spent some time with our younger students, and shared some amazing hands-on skills.
La Glace School
MARCH
Casey the Fire Dog
Students at La Glace School have been spending some time with Casey the Fire Dog! A huge thank you to his handler, Nikki Hemingson, for connecting with the school to allow for this PAWsome opportunity!
Mentorship Hour
Mentorship Hour has been a success at La Glace School! During this time, students are paired together, one older and one younger, and complete activities with their buddies. Earlier this month, they spent time buddy reading and then decorated cookies!
FEBRUARY
Girls' basketball team brings home the hardware
Congratulations to the girls' basketball team on a very successful season! They have earned gold and silver medals at their last two tournaments. Thank you Mrs. Buhler and Miss Driedger for coaching our team. Go Gators Go!
Mentorship at La Glace School
La Glace School's mentorship hour has begun! During this time, mentees are paired with older mentor buddies to work on literacy, numeracy, and student choice activities.
DECEMBER
Spreading holiday cheer
To kick off the Christmas season, teachers have decorated their classrooms, creating beautiful holiday spaces for their students. The children have enjoyed wrapping up 2024 with the festive decorations and dress-up days.
Students create Roccasins
Thank you to Lindsy Coney from the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre for visiting La Glace School to teach students the importance of connection to the land. The students loved making their own Roccasins (a rock decorated as a moccasin).
NOVEMBER
Students host Remembrance Day service
On November 7, students participated in the La Glace School's annual Remembrance Day service. A variety of poems and songs were performed to remember those who served, and still serve, our country.
A special thank you to Stephen Chatenuf for performing during the service, your musical abilities are truly remarkable!
Congratulations Reata Conrad for earning first place in the junior colour poster category of the Legion's annual Remembrance Day contest!
Métis Week at La Glace School
Rock Your Mocs was a hit! Students rocked their mocs, extra hair pieces, and bracelets for Métis Week.
Mrs. Harris, Early Childhood Instructor, and her boys show their Métis pride by sporting their Métis Cup jerseys during Métis week.
Students create political cartoons
The La Glace Public Library invited students to participate in a political cartoon learning activity, they even had the chance to draw their own!
Junior high hot lunch
Junior high hot lunch has been a hit! Each Tuesday, Courtney Kinderwater and Kristin Strand organize and cook a homemade hot meal for our junior high students. Oh my, our hallways smell delicious!
OCTOBER
Volunteer Firefighting
Students enjoyed a number of fire safety presentations hosted by the County Fire Department. They had the opportunity to dress in full gear and complete different fire challenges, all while learning about what opportunities volunteer firefighting offers.
No Matter What
Congratulations to La Glace students for raising a whooping $6200 for the Terry Fox Foundation! Raylee Meejarrd was crowned our top fundraiser, raising $1425 for the cause!
Peace Wapiti Academy
JUNE
Athlete of the Month
Congratulations Vanden Joyce for being named Athlete of the Month for both football and badminton! Vanden has shown awesome sportsmanship, keep up the great work!
Track team receives $300 donation
The PWA track team has received a $300 donation from The Triple Terrain Trekkers Club!
Congratulations Reanna!
Reanna Chmilar has been recruited to Ambrose Univerity's Lions Women's Volleyball team for the 2025-2026 season!
Getting creative with bleach
Melody Leighton works hard on her bleached shirt.
MAY
Binks earns silver at Regional Skills Competition
On April 11, Gavin Binks competed in the Regional Skills Competition's Culinary Arts category and earned himself the silver medal! Congratulations Gavin on your well deserved medal, your hard work and dedication paid off!
Titans earn silver in badminton
Congratulations to Cohen Casey and Juane Hyman for winning silver at the Districts tournament!
PWA votes
On April 28, in anticipation of the federal election, Ms. Vogan conducted a Student Vote Day. Students were invited to learn about the candidates, form their own opinions, and step up to have their voices heard. It was an incredible learning experience!
The PWA spa treatment
Ms. Brown's Cosmetology 20/30 students have been perfecting their facial techniques, gaining hands-on experience in skincare and relaxation.
Learning with Lego
Ms. Vogan's Job Readiness class learned how to work with the Lego station activities, focusing on problem solving skills, staying focused while being given a specific task, and maintaining appropriate worksite behaviour and conversation.
APRIL
Congratulations Cohen!
Congratulations to Cohen Casey for dominating the competition and bringing home the gold medal from the Intermediate Boys Singles at the Peace Country Invitational! Way to go Cohen - your hard work and dedication paid off!
Perfecting the perm
Ms. Brown's Cosmetology 20/30 students have been perfecting their perm wrapping skills, and having a blast styling each other's hair in the process! Nothing beats learning by doing!
Students hit the slopes in Jasper
To wrap up the season, students hit the slopes during the annual PWA Jasper trip, and everyone had a great time! From excellent conditions to unforgettable memories, it was the perfect way to cap it all off!
Getting noticed on the provincial stage
Grade 12 basketball standout Jasten Hiebert kicked off provincials in style, earning the MVP in the team's first game! An incredible achievement - way to go Jasten!
Foods students celebrate St. Patrick's Day
In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, the Foods 20/30 students collaborated to create vibrant cupcake rainbows, complete with a pot of gold and fluffy clouds!
MARCH
Making sushi
The Grade 9 Introduction to the Trades students took on a unique challenge with Mr. Nagel - making sushi using only written and video instructions! Not only did they get a taste of the culinary trade, but they also sharpened their teamwork and problem-solving skills. The result? Deliciously impressive!
Careers in Agriculture
Student teacher, Ms. Maguire, created and led a lesson for Ms. Vogan's Job Readiness class to gain an understanding of the diversity in the careers of agriculture, and how agriculture assists Canada's economy.
Hands-on learning in action!
Students in Mr. Kalmbach's Introduction to the Trades class got a chance to spark their curiosity - literally! - by trying out welding in the shop. This course gives students a first-hand look at various trade opportunities, helping them discover their passions and future career paths.
Mixed curling team wins silver
Huge congratulations to PWA's Senior High Mixed Curling Team for bringing home silver from Zones in Falher! After big wins against Beaverlodge and Manning, they battled hard in the finals against Sexsmith. The athletes showed amazing effort and great sportsmanship, way to represent our school!
Super Smash Bros. Showdown
Students went head-to-head in an epic Super Smash Bros. showdown at Peace Wapiti Enterprise Centre. They participated in intense battles, clutch plays, and tons of fun!
FEBRUARY
Art students busy with client projects
Ms. Knudtson's art students have been busy with their Client Services projects. Brooklyn designed a beautiful window covering for Mrs. MacKay's classroom door. Amazing work!
PWA visits Grande Prairie Art Gallery
Earlier this winter, Ms. Vogan's Job Readiness class had an inspiring tour of the Grande Prairie Art Gallery. The students had the opportunity to get their hands dirty, creating incredible artwork during their visit. It was a truly creative and educational experience for everyone!
Let's go Titans!
Our senior girls are on fire! They looked like absolute superstars taking on the Nomads this month. Don't miss a moment - catch all the action on Hudl Fan!
STEAM students visit Philip J. Currie Museum
PWA's STEAM class enjoyed an exciting visit to the Philip J. Currie Museum, diving into the fascinating world of paleontology. The students took in exclusive behind-the-scenes access, where they tried their hand at fossil casting, and observed real fossils being carefully studied and prepared.
JANUARY
Students participate in NWP Open House
In December, our students had an incredible opportunity to attend the Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) Science Open House, where they discovered the exciting pathways and possibilities that await them after high school. From hands-on activities to inspiring talks, it was a day full of exploration and inspiration! Thank you to NWP for opening its doors to the future and sparking curiosity in the next generation of innovators.
Grade 9s learn about Youth Criminal Justice Act
Our Grade 9 Social Studies class had the honour of hosting Corporal Ool and Constable Black, who shared their experience on the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Students gained a deeper understanding of this important federal law, and its impact on young people in Canada. A huge thank you to Corporal Ool and Constable Black (a proud former Titan!) for bringing real-world knowledge into our classroom and sparking insightful discussions!
Job Readiness students visit Whiskers Cat Café
Ms. Vogan's Job Readiness class took a special trip to locally-owned and operated Whiskers Cat Café to enjoy some tasty treats and cozy cat snuggles before Christmas break. What better way to unwind and spread some holiday cheer than with furry friends and warm drinks?
GLSP group visits Evergreen Park
The GLSP group had an amazing time at Evergreen Park, joining other community groups for a day filled with fun! Highlights included wagon rides, crafting activities, and of course, delicious s'mores by the fire.
JV Boys Basketball attends High Prairie tournament
On December 13 and 14, the JV Boys Basketball team had an incredible experience at the High Prairie tournament. While we narrowly missed bringing home a medal, the team gained valuable skills, knowledge, and teamwork throughout the competition. Way to grow and represent, boys!
DECEMBER
Foods students test their skills
Mrs. Fehr's Foods 9 class got creative in the kitchen, pairing their French toast with the cutest banana dolphins! Delicious and adorable, great work everyone!
Mr. Kalmbach, meet Mr. Kalmbach
This month's Grade 12 Spirit Day was Dress as your Teacher. Bree absolutely nailed her look as the one and only Mr. Kalmbach! A spot-on impersonation and so much fun!
Outdoor Ed students enjoy the snow
In late November, PWA's Outdoor Education students embraced the fresh snow by learning the art of cross-country skiing. Students enjoyed the beautiful winter scenery while mastering the classic outdoor skill.
The students also spent some time in Grande Cache, enjoying the breathtaking views while tackling winter hiking trails and cross-country skiing adventures. A perfect way to explore Alberta's winter wonderland, and make the most of the season!
GLSP students get creative
GLSP students have been putting their creativity and skills to work, designing and crafting their very own sublimation water tumblers! These unique projects showcare their talent and personal interests. Great job everyone!
NOVEMBER
Students get into the Halloween spirit
Students in Foods 20/30 decorated cakes and cupcakes to celebrate Halloween!
Boys volleyball celebrate another successful season
After a strong season, the Senior Boys volleyball team headed to Lloydminster for the 3A Boys Volleyball Provincials.
Cosmetology 30
Guest artist, Sarah Jane, joined our Cosmetology 30 class to demonstrate the art of eyebrow shaping and waxing.
Using science for fashion
Simeon created his own design and put it on a shirt using a sublimation technique in Ms. Knudtson's class.
Cake anyone?
Mrs. Kendall's Foods 20 students baked and decorated their own angel food cakes!
OCTOBER
PWA raises money for Terry Fox Foundation
Mr. Bowen and Mr. Camsell motivated PWA students to fundraise for the Terry Fox Foundation with a fun challenge, promising to shave their heads in creative ways if the students reached their goal. Thanks to their enthusiasm, students raised over $1000 for the cause. At a school assembly, students had the exciting opportunity to shave the assistant principals' heads as part of the celebration!
Miwasin Connections Camp
Dr. Vavrek's Outdoor Education classes participated in the Miwasin Connections Camp, hosted by Monique Hommy, where students learned the art of hide preparation using traditional methods. In addition to this hands-on experience, students explored a variety of land-based activities, deepening their connection to the natural world.
DELF success
Congratulations to the 48 Grade 9 and 10 students who succeeded in passing their French DELF A1 exam! Additionally, 16 Grade 10 students passed the A2 exam, and one Grade 12 student passed the B1 exam. As FSL students this is a huge accomplishment, as typically only students in French Immersion are this successful.
Students prepare MYLUVPAKs
PWA Leadership students were invited by former PWA teacher, Kim Houlder, to help organize and prepare materials to pack in backpacks for MYLUVPAK. MYLUVPAK is a local non-profit that provides backpacks filled with personal belongings to children who are entering the foster care system, living on the streets, or experiencing poverty. This is a partnership the PWA Leadership group hopes to continue as it was a fun and rewarding experience.
Cross-country provincials
Congratulations to the 20 PWA athletes who qualified to participate in the cross-country provincials in Grande Prairie this past weekend!
SEPTEMBER
Bull Riding Champion
Congratulations to PWA's very own Kayden Budde for earning the provincial title of Bull Riding Champion! Kayden participated in the Alberta High School Rodeo Association's competition back in May, but just finally received his well-deserved banner.
Co-op donates to PWA's Snack Program
Thank you to the Grande Prairie Co-op for generously donating to the PWA snack program! The program provides lunch and snacks to students in need to support their learning.
Volleyball off to a strong start
Congratulations to the Junior Varsity Ladies Volleyball team for finishing third overall in the Fairview tournament. They played against a mix of senior and junior varsity teams.
Penson School
MAY
Penson students attend career fair
Our Grade 7/8 class enjoyed the Horse Lake Career Fair. They explored various job opportunities and services from around the Peace Country. Some of our students even won prizes!
Choir students bring home the gold
Congratulations to our Grade 5-8 Choir students for bringing home two golds from the Grande Prairie Music Festival! They worked extremely hard all year, and were treated to an ice cream treat after their performances.
Track and field
On May 12, our Grade 7/8 students competed in the annual PWPSD Dave Bleile track meet. Penson School had a great showing with six different students earning ribbons. A huge congratulations to Kolton Lambert who qualified for Zones in the 400m and 1500m events!
FEBRUARY
Volleyball team gets new jerseys
Thank you to the South Wapiti Rec Board and Laurie Bowen for helping sponsor our new volleyball jerseys! Our volleyball players also worked hard to fundraise through a spaghetti hot lunch, bake sale and bottle drive. Our Penson Panthers are ready to hit the court next season!
Penson School celebrates Literacy Week
Penson School celebrated Literacy Week with Indigenous storytelling from Bridgette Schur-Auger from the division's Indigenous Education Services team. Students also enjoyed board games with family and community members, and dressed as their favourite book characters!
Grade 7/8 students participate in winter sports
In January, the Grade 7/8 class took advantage of the warmer weather and headed outside for some cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
The students recently visited Wapiti Nordic Ski Trails for a fun field trip outside!
JANUARY
Shell Canada donates $20,000 to Penson School
We extend our sincere gratitude to Shell Canada for their generous support in advancing our educational initiatives. Their contribution of $20,000 will enable us to replace several Smartboards and enhance the implementation of our new Science curriculum. This investment will have a significant impact on our students' learning experiences, and we deeply appreciate Shell Canada's commitment to education.
M.D. of Greenview contributes to Penson PE program
We sincerely thank the Grovedale South Wapiti Recreation Board of the M.D. of Greenview for their generous grant in support of our school. This funding will allow us to replace existing physical education equipment and acquire new resources to further enhance our PE program. Your commitment to supporting our students' health and well-being is deeply appreciated.
Congratulations Parker!
Congratulations to Grade 8 student Parker Bodin who represented Penson School at the Northwestern Polytechnic Junior Volleyball All-Star game! Parker was one of 28 players selected from the Peace Region.
NOVEMBER
Students welcome MLA Wiebe
The Grade 6 students welcomed MLA Ron Wiebe to speak about the provincial government. They enjoyed learning about what it's like to represent the people of Grande Prairie-Wapiti in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
OCTOBER
Penson hosts annual Terry Fox Run
On September 19, Penson School held its annual Terry Fox Run. Students raised $2935 for the Terry Fox Foundation and, because of their dedication and hard work, earned an extra recess and popsicles for the whole school! Congratulations to Scarlett Simpson for being the school's top fundraiser!
Panthers cheer on GP Storm
On October 4, the Grade 5 students attended the Grande Prairie Storm game. They had an amazing time, and one of our students even won the Chuck a Duck contest!
Volleyball season coming to an end
Penson School's mixed and boys' volleyball teams have recently participated in the Phoenix and Mavericks Invitationals. Their seasons will wrap up before Halloween with a tournament in Beaverlodge this weekend, and two league games against Harry Balfour School and Helen E. Taylor School.
Ridgevalley School
MARCH
Macbeth
Students from Ridgevalley School and Savanna School visited the Grande Prairie Cineplex to take in the classic story of Macbeth. Alisabeth and Addi, in their finest sleepwear, were happy to be there!
FEBRUARY
Students present to Council for pizza party sponsorship
On January 28, the Grade 6 students attended the Greenview Council meeting to deliver a presentation, requesting sponsorship to fund a pizza party. The Greenview Council Highlights shared that Council engaged the students in a robust Q&A session, with the students answering questions confidently and thoughtfully. In the end, the students were successful in securing sponsorship, and Councillor Jennifer Scott even volunteered to pick up and deliver the pizzas. Read the full story on the Municipal District of Greenview's website.
JANUARY
Ridgevalley Family Fun Night a success
On December 18, Ridgevalley School hosted its Family Fun Night, and it was a whirlwind of activity! Despite the frosty weather, students, families, and community members came together to enjoy the night. We had horse and wagon rides, the arena was open for skating, and the DeBolt Fire & Rescue brought hot chocolate and hot dogs to roast over the fire pits. Santa's Workshop was available for students to construct small crafts, bird feeders, and waffle cone houses, and each class was given a tree to decorate for our own Festival of Trees. The trees were voted on, and the group that decorated the winning tree won a pizza party in January! Whoville was set up for some photo opportunities with most of the village created by Ridgevalley students and staff. There were carnival style games for everyone to enjoy, and the evening was filled with laughter as we all gathered for a wonderful holiday celebration.
The night wrapped up with a bang, literally, when the Crooked Creek Rec Board gave us a dazzling fireworks display! A big thank you to all the community sponsors who helped bring our ideas to life: M.D. of Greenview, DeBolt Fire & Rescue, East Smoky Rec Board, Crooked Creek Rec Board, Ridgevalley School Society, Crooked Creek Store, Suncrest Signs, and SOS Graphics.
Robert W. Zahara School
MAY
Booster Club at work
RWZ has amazing School Council and Booster Club members, who have been working hard to raise funds for a new accessible playground. They worked together to host a Purdy's fundraiser, which was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who ordered chocolates!
RWZ hosts open house for new families
RWZ welcomed new families during its Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten open house, where guests had the opportunity to meet staff, and tour different areas of the school like classrooms, the gym and library. It was great to be able to show how early literacy and numeracy skills are taught and practiced in fun ways.
Building forts
Canadian history is at the centre of Grade 5 Social Studies. Mr. Hovdebo's 5A class put their knowledge to work, and created forts to display around the school. Students from other grades enjoyed learning from these wonderful dioramas. Great job 5A, and thank you to the parents for their assistance and support during the builds!
MARCH
Winter Carnival
In February, RWZ hosted its annual Winter Carnival! In true Canadian style, students participated in "curling", hockey, and traditional Inuit games. They also enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies after a fun-filled day. Thank you to Ms. Kimble and Miss Wald for organizing the event, and to all the parent volunteers for helping make it happen!
FEBRUARY
Dinosaurs take over RWZ
Ealier this year, all the Kindergarten dinosaurs disappeared, and the students were tasked with writing letters, making posters, completing research, and building traps to get them back! Older students even helped out by writing their own letters and putting up posters around the school. Luckily, the traps were successful, and the dinosaurs were returned to their rightful place in the Kindergarten class.
NOVEMBER
RWZ goes skating
The winter weather means the start of skating season, and RWZ is fortunate to be right next door to the arena! Mr. Froehlick, the arena manager, kindly makes space in the schedule for local students to enjoy this sport. The community fully embraces the opportunity, and the students benefit from the help of so many parent and grandparent volunteers who donate skates and helmets, tie skate laces, and cheer loudly. The students are always excited for this extension of the gym program, and their skating improves tremendously each winter!
OCTOBER
RWZ honours Orange Shirt Day
Leading up to September 30, teachers and students took a look at a few of the 94 Calls to Action recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Each class chose one Call to Action to work on in their classroom this year. Discussions with teachers and classmates led to concrete action ideas that could be taken throughout the year to make these Calls to Action a reality at RWZ.
Each class took a turn sharing their plan at the school-wide Orange Shirt Day assembly, and the signed commitments are now posted in the hallways for everyone to see. We look forward to seeing how these ideas expand understanding and reconciliation throughout the rest of the year.
SEPTEMBER
Welcome Back BBQ
On September 9, students, staff and families gathered for the annual RWZ Back to School BBQ. Sponsored by Dynamic Energy Group Inc., families enjoyed dinner, met their new teachers and toured the school. Students were very excited to bring their parents and siblings to show off their new classrooms and learning spaces.
After dinner, everyone gathered in the gym for a formal introduction of the staff, and new principal Stacy Rorem welcomed returning and new families for another great year of fun and education at RWZ.
Rycroft School
Check back for Good News from Rycroft School.
Savanna School
Check back for Good News from Savanna School.
Sexsmith Secondary School
JUNE
SSS/PWA rugby team wins bronze
Rugby players from Sexsmith Secondary and Peace Wapiti Academy competed together at the recent Pronvincial Championships in Lethbridge, where they showed outstanding teamwork and dedication.
The team lost their first game by a slight margin, finishing 20-19 against WR Myers from Taber. They rallied back and won their second game 24-5 against Highwood High from High River. The Bronze Medal game was a nail-biter, finishing regulation in a 22-22 tie, but our team scored in the second overtime period to win the bronze medal with a final score of 27-22. Congratulations to the girls on a phenomenal finish to a great year!
MAY
Band trip to New Orleans
Senior high band students from Sexsmith Secondary School and Peace Wapiti Academy joined forces to head down to New Orleans where they performed on the international stage. They continued their success by achieving Gold Superior at the Grande Prairie Music Festival!
SSS band members
SSS participates in local car show
For the past few years, SSS students have entered the RamCharger into the Spring Spectacular Car Show. This year, they decided to up the ante and enter the Mustang as well!
Firefighters help out in Bio 20
Thank you to the Sexsmith Fire Department's Lieutenant Potter, firefighter Justin, and nurse Jodee Balisky for helping out in Biology 20! Students learned how to take manual blood pressure and designed experiments to attempt to manipulate it. Experiments included consuming sugar and caffeine, and exercising all in the name of science!
OED Adventures
Our Outdoor Education group made it to the top of Grande Mountain Trail via the Sulphur Gates Campground. We are so proud of these kids!
Dave Bleile Track Meet Success
On May 12, SSS ventured to Grande Prairie for the annual Dave Bleile track meet, and the Sabres delivered! When students place in an event they earn points that go toward their individual scores and their team score. With these accumulated scores, SSS students earned the Top Junior Team and Top Senior Team awards!
Congratulations to Logan Pfefferle, who walked away with the Top Senior Male award, five gold medals, and the new PWPSD javelin record!
APRIL
Poetry Success!
Grade 9 student Saedy Squires was recognized by the Canadian Forces for the poem she wrote for the Remembrance Day competition. Her poem focused on women in the military and wartime heroes who don't need saving because they can handle the challenges thrown at them. This poem is being shared with others in the military. Well done Saedy!
Boys bring home silver
Congratulations to both our senior boys and girls basketball teams for qualifying for provincials! Both teams represented our school with integrity and pride, and the boys made it all the way to the finals where they earned the silver medal. We are really proud of how everyone played, well done!
SSS celebrates St. Patrick's Day
Students and staff got into the spirit of St. Patrick's Day by showing off their green.
MARCH
Grease is the Word!
Our drama and band students had an amazing time at the musical Grease, held at Northwestern Polytechnic. It was extra special because our very own Colin Sandboe was part of the cast, and had his very own solo! Way to go Colin!
Mining Silver
Our Mixed Curling Team, who have played together for a few years, brought home silver from the Curling Provincial Competition! Their only loss of the tournament was in the finals, and we couldn't be more proud of these kids!
Wearing Pink to Support Anti-Bullying
Students and staff dressed in pink shirts to support the message that we are against all forms of bullying. Thank you to our librarian, Mrs. Sams, for creating and manning the photo wall in the library for the day!
SSS hits the Slopes
Mr. Goleniek took a group of students to Powder King Mountain Resort to experience some of the best skiing around. Great fun was had by everyone who participated!
FEBRUARY
Students host photography exhibit
Mr. Stewart's Photography 10/20 students hosted an exhibit of their work for the whole school to see. Many of the students were shy about having their work on display and having people talk to them about it. Despite their nerves, the students participated in meaningful conversations and left feeling pretty great. Most of them had very little, if any, experience in photography before this semester, so the exhibit was a big leap for them!
Snow forts
Our intrepid students from Mr. Goleniec's Outdoor Education class found time to carve out their very own snow forts.
Exploring cultures
The Grade 8 and 9 students spent their Exploring Cultures class learning about Indigenous history and culture, and even had the opportunity to visit a tipi!
Hometown history
Mrs. Ekin's Grade 9 Social Studies students researched their own hometown history, and then led their peers on a walking tour of historial sites around Sexsmith.
JANUARY
Wheelchair Basketball
Mr. Spence's PE 20/30 students had the opportunity to experience wheelchair basketball as one of their class activities.
Bands festive for the season
SSS Junior Band
SSS Senior Band
Congratulations to both SSS bands! The Junior and Senior Band students played for parents and students at the RWZ Christmas Concert, and they were both outstanding.
Science 24
To learn about velocity, our students put their paper and pencils away and spent some time seeing how fast the cars could go with fun hands-on activities.
Wrestlers visit Wetaskiwin
In December, our wrestling athletes had a great showing at the Wetaskiwin tournament. AJ Matlock (pictured above) placed second, Alex Printer placed third, and Jason Vandermaaten placed sixth. Well done, boys!
Christmas at SSS
Left to right: Cozy Cottage, Lactose Intolerant Santa
Rock Around the Tree
This year, we spread our festive cheer with candy grams, turkey dinner, and decorated doors! Congratulations to the winners of our door decorating contest: Mrs. Voth's Cozy Cottage (Sr. High Winner), Mrs. Hassall's Lactose Intolerant Santa (Jr. High winner), Mr. Stewart's Rock Around the Tree (Overall Winner).
DECEMBER
Pep rally brings students together
Twice a year, SSS hosts a pep rally to celebrate its student athletes. Football, volleyball, cross-country running, and golf athletes are introduced to the entire school, then take part in races against each other and a special group of volunteers. Thank you Mrs. Kotyk for introducing pep rallys to our school, and continuing to organize such fun and exciting events!
Breaking hearts
The Biology 20 students have been busy learning about, and dissecting, hearts.
NOVEMBER
Volleyball GOLD
Sabres Senior Men's volleyball team won their second gold medal at the Peace Classic tournament in Peace River.
Congratulations to the Senior Women's volleyball team for being named the 2A Girls Zone Champions! According to Coach Kotyk, "These young ladies are dedicated, talented, and the epitome of sportsmanlike athletes." The team earned their way to the provincial stage, where they earned the bronze medal.
Alumni and Seniors Night
SSS hosted an Alumni and Seniors Volleyball Night, where they hosted two amazing volleyball matches between current players and alumni. It was great to see some competition, light-hearted rivalries, and a chance for family and friends to get to spectate it all.
We have an amazing group of Grade 12 athletes, and it was very special to get to recognize and honour them on their home court one last time.
Exploring Cultures
Junior high students in our Exploring Cultures class have been busy creating their own Day of the Dead skulls, and studying Métis culture during Métis week.
OCTOBER
Teeing off
The PE 20/30 class has spent some time enjoying golf lessons out at Spruce Meadows Golf Club. Mr. Spence says their swings are definitely better than before!
Biology in real life
Local Aquatic Biologist, Morgan Ellis, presented to our Biology 20 students as part of their Ecology unit. It was a unique opportunity to see hands-on application of class content!
Water Bears
Water bear animation
Water bear under the microscope
The Grade 8 students have been working with microscopes and made a groundbreaking discovery! After watching a video about the tardigrade (water bear), students made it their goal to find one. They targeted the ideal water bear habitat (moss) and were actually able to find one! "In all honesty, this might be one of the most exciting moments of my teacher career," exclaims Science teacher Michelle Zarowny.
Outdoor Education
The weather wasn't great, but the hike was worth it! Members of our Outdoor Education class had a great time outside.
Building Construction
To honour truth and reconciliation, the high school construction class tried Inuit carvings in wood. It was a great experience!
SEPTEMBER
Senior Men's Golf takes silver at Zones
Congratulations to our Men's Golf team, Owen Siebert, Tim Siebert, Michael Fehr, and Cy Nelson, on competing in the 1A/2A Golf Zones in Fairview on September 16. It was a great day with some very strong golf being played.
Spirit River Regional Academy
MAY
Starting the day off right
Throughout the school year, SRRA students and staff come together to enjoy pancake breakfasts. These mornings bring the school community together, fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere as we launch into new learning adventures. Thank you to everyone who helped organize, cook, and serve these delicious breakfasts!
Rock-Paper-Scissors
Earlier this year, our staff brought some extra fun to the halls of SRRA with an all-in Rock-Paper-Scissors tournament! Students were enthusiastic spectators, cheering on their favourite teachers and celebrating the playful competition right up to the exciting final showdown.
NWP Fairview Campus Tour
Our Grade 10 and 11 students travelled to the NWP Fairview campus to explore a wide variety of post-secondary program options. From sitting in the hospital bed slings to hopping on motorcycles, students got a hands-on taste of potential career paths. It was an exciting, eye-opening experience that sparked many new ideas for the future.
Evergreen Theatre visits SRRA
Evergreen Theatre visited SRRA to deliver an energetic and educational musical performance for our Kindergarten to Grade 6 students. The production focused on Alberta's energy, blending science and environmental themes with fun songs and interactive storytelling. The students were engaged, entertained, and learned a lot along the way.
Renegade Round-Up Basketball Tournament
SRRA proudly hosted the Renegade Round-Up, an exciting basketball tournament for Grade 5 and 6 students. Four other teams from throughout our division joined us for a day of great competition and sportsmanship. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to build teamwork and school spirit on their home court.
APRIL
Students "board plane" to Iqaluit
As part of their study of diverse Canadian communities, the Grade 2 and 3 students "boarded a plane" to Iqaluit! Mr. Pullishy enthusiastically took on the role of airport security, helping students check in and prepare for their imaginative journey. This hands-on experience brought their learning to life and made exploring Canada even more exciting!
Spirit River Rangers visit SRRA
To celebrate Family Literacy Week, the Spirit River Rangers hockey team visited SRRA to read with students in Kindergarten through Grade 6! Students were thrilled to welcome players they look up to into their classrooms. The event promoted a love of reading, and strengthened connections between our school and the wider community.
High school ski trip to Worsley
Our high school students enjoyed an exciting day on the slopes at Worsley Ski Hill. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to enjoy outdoor activity, build camaraderie, and develop their skiing and snowboarding skills. The fresh air and fun atmosphere made it a memorable experience for all!
DECEMBER
Festival of Trees
In early December, students decorated a tree for the Spirit River Festival of Trees. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 6 engaged in multi-age learning time by choosing an ornament they wanted to make for the tree, and spent time creating their ornament with students of different ages.
Pow Wow Dance series
In November, students in Grades 2-6 participated in a six week Pow Wow Dance learning series, sponsored by Peace Wapiti Public School Division's Indigenous Education Services team. The students learned about dance regalia traditions, and the different types of dances. On December 5, during the culminating Pow Wow performance, Pow Wow dancers from across Alberta visited SRRA to perform for our students, staff, and families.
SRRA hosts annual Remembrance Day Ceremony
In November, SRRA held its annual Remembrance Day assembly with special guests and student performances.
OCTOBER
SRRA raises over $10K for cancer research
This year, SRRA students raised a remarkable $10,398 for the Terry Fox Foundation! On October 7, the top ten fundraisers participated in a fun pie in the face activity during a school-wide assembly.
Congratulations to our top fundraisers!
- Tied for 10th place, raising a total of $900: Vince Thomi, Lilly Coldwell, and Levi Day
- 9th place, raising $315: Ava Hickman
- 7th & 8th place, raising $350 each: Harlynn Yanishewski and Anita Thomi
- 6th place, raising $385: Alex Aiton
- 5th place, raising $437.15: Lincoln and Clarity Curtis
- 4th place, raising $500: Camron Paradis
- 3rd place, raising $577: Eli, Emma, and Grace Stone
- 2nd place, raising $603: Kendall and Donovan Viel
- 1st place, raising an amazing $950.20: Jace Stanich
Emma Stone won the bonus draw, which gave her the opportunity to pie principal Mr. Daren Pullishy in the face.
SRRA would like to thank all the families and community members for supporting this worthwhile cause. In addition, thank you to the school staff who bravely faced the tossing, or smooshing, of the pies!
Teepee Creek School
OCTOBER
Terry Fox Run
Teepee Creek students participated in their annual Terry Fox Run, and raised over $2000 to support the fight against cancer. Students ran through Sorkenville and would like to thank community members Orval and Betty Sorken for the privilege of running through such a beautiful setting!
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Our school's Kindness Club marked National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by bringing students together and making a sign to mark the importance of September 30. The Kindness Club was started by TCS Librarian Kim Green to help promote kindness within the school community. This was the first event of the new school year with many more to come!
Wembley Elementary School
JUNE
Kindergarten field trip
Our Kindergarten students were full of excitement as they set off on their very first field trip! Their day began at the pool, where they splashed, laughed, and enjoyed their time in the water with their friends. After swimming, they headed to the park for a BBQ lunch. With plenty of energy left, the kids played on the playground and splash park. It was a fun-filled day of adventure, laughter, and great memories!
Roccasins
Our Indigenous Education Services Provider, Bridgette, visited Wembley Elementary School to share her knowledge about moccasins and guide our Grade 1-3 students in creating their own roccasins. The students had a great time, and showed wonderful creativity throughout the activity.
Books and Bannock
In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, Bridgette and her team prepared bannock for our students. The students enjoyed the bannock while listening to Indigenous stories.
MAY
Parachutes for Peeps
Our Grade 3 students had a blast participating in a fun financial and science challenge. Each student received $200 in play money to build a parachute for a Peep, aiming to keep it safe during a drop while staying under budget. The parachute had to include a secure container, and students shopped at two classroom "stores" run by Mr. Beauvais, Mrs. Towle, and Mrs. Couturier.
The students practiced budgeting, compared materials, and made creative choices. Most had money left over, and some even built successful parachutes! Another hands-on challenge is coming soon, and teachers are excited to see their progress.
Volunteer Tea
On May 1, we were delighted to celebrate our wonderful volunteers at our Volunteer Tea. Grade 1-3 students performed songs to show their appreciation. A heart-felt thank you to all our volunteers for the incredible work you do!
WES hosts Math Festival
In collaboration with the PWPSD Numeracy Coordinators, WES hosted a Math Festival, featuring afternoon activities for students and an after-school event for families. We had a fantastic turnout, and both students and families had a great time! A big thank you to the Numeracy Coordinators and student volunteers from Helen E. Taylor School for their support!
APRIL
Australian Aboriginal Dot Art
The Grade 2 students had a great time creating their own Aboriginal Dot Art, learning about the style while making colourful, detailed designs. It was a fun way to build their fine motor skills, and also taught them patience and determination as they took their time with each tiny dot.
Ever Active Schools visits WES
Samantha Starr from Ever Active Schools visited Wembley Elementary School to introduce students to new Physical Education games and engaging activities designed to keep them active all day long. The students had a great time learning about staying active, and we're excited to keep using these fun games and activities!
MARCH
After-school karate program returns to WES
Wembley Elementary School's after-school karate program will return after Spring Break! Led by Ms. DeNara Levin, a black belt since 2015, the program teaches basic blocks, kicks, and punches, while focusing on safety, discipline, and teamwork. While learning technique and control, students use blockers and targets to further develop their strength, balance and accuracy.
Before joining WES, Ms. Levin taught at Western Karate Academy in Kamloops, BC, and her passion for martial arts inspired her to become an elementary school teacher. The program has helped students build confidence, coordination, and respect for one another. With its strong impact, many are excited for its return. Keep an eye out for more information on future class dates and times!
Float Your Boat
Ms. Tielle's Junior Kindergarten students made the most of the warmer weather by crafting tin foil boats to float in the small stream that formed beside the school due to the melting snow. The class regularly spends time outdoors to encourage physical health, improve social skills, and spark creativity, helping students develop vital cognitive and emotional skills in a fun, natural setting.
Students participate in swimming lessons
This month, the Grade 1-3 students have been enjoying swimming lessons in Beaverlodge! They are placed in lessons suited to their skill level and enjoy several benefits, such as better physical fitness, improved water safety skills, and greater confidence in the water.
FEBRUARY
WES goes green for Literacy Week
Literacy Week was a big success at Wembley Elementary School! Families were welcomed to join their children for some reading and a delicious treat, and were encouraged to share photos of themselves going green to celebrate this year's Literacy Week theme. Those who participated in the initiative were entered into a draw, and a big congratulations goes to Alexandria and Everett Short (pictured above) for taking home the "green"-themed prize!
Students also engaged in a book swap by bringing in pre-loved books to exchange for new-to-them stories. They then visited the Wembley Public Library to explore all it has to offer. We took the week as an opportunity to celebrate our school spirit by dressing up as our favourite book characters, and enjoyed reading time with our buddies at Helen E. Taylor School!
Art Auction
The Grade 3 students participated in an interesting Math activity called the Art Auction! Each student created two pieces of art at home, and on February 7, had the opportunity to view all the art pieces before participating in a live auction. Using an imaginary amount of $1000, each student could bid on the pieces they wanted and, if they won, got to take the artwork home.
The students showed off their number representation and subtraction skills, while learning how hard it can be to budget their money to get what they want.
WES goes skating
Thanks to the WES School Council, the Grade 2 and 3 students enjoyed skating throughout January and February! Our School Council's volunteer work with the Wembley & District Agricultural Society allowed our students to skate at no cost to the school.
JANUARY
Snowshoeing into 2025
The Grade 1 students started the new year by snowshoeing during their PE classes. Students enjoyed the opportunity to get outside and try new activities during the warmer winter weather.
WES enjoys a pancake breakfast
We want to thank our School Council for preparing a delicious pancake breakfast for the students to enjoy before the Christmas break.
WES donates more than 1,600 items to local food bank
The students at Wembley Elementary School competed to see who could donate the most food items for our annual food bank drive. The class with the highest number of donations would win a pizza party. Congratulations to Mr. Beauvais' Grade 3 class for bringing in the most items.
In total, our students gathered over 1,600 items! Although Mr. Beauvais' students won the pizza party, they requested that the entire school be rewarded, because everyone worked hard.
DECEMBER
Seniors & Friends Sleigh Bell Dinner
Mrs. Badger's Grade 2 students and their beautiful placemats
Students at Wembley Elementary School have been busy making placemats and Christmas cards for the Seniors & Friends Sleigh Bell Dinner.
Risky Play Parent Information Night
On Thursday, December 5, WES was thrilled to have Mrs. Lavallee, Junior Kindergarten Instructor from Harry Balfour School, visit the Wembley community to share the benefits of risky play. Mrs. Lavallee is incredibly knowledgeable, and we are very grateful to her for spending time with our school. Parents had the opportunity to engage in a meaningful discussion after her presentation, and left with a wealth of new information. All participants were entered into a draw for front-row seats at the WES Christmas concert!
Thank you to the Early Explorers Child Development Centre in Wembley for providing childcare for the evening.
NOVEMBER
WES gets spooky
Wembley Elementary School's SPOOKTACULAR event was a great success! Students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 3 arrived in creative costumes, ranging from friendly monsters to fairytale characters. The day was filled with fun activities, including a potion station, a spooky entrance, and a dance floor.
We'd like to thank the WES School Council, parents, and other sponsors who made this event a success. SPOOKTACULAR was a fantastic way for the school community to come together and enjoy Halloween!
R0B0 Warriors
On November 15, the Grade 3 students had the opportunity to spend time with the R0B0 Warriors. They arrived with all sorts of Lego and coding activities for the students to try. Students analyzed different wheel sizes to determine which would work best for their car; examined different axles to ensure there wasn't too much friction; and some students were able to build their cars while others helped code the directions for the cars on a large map. There were many obstacles for the students to dodge and, needless to say, everyone had fun. The students are excited about their learning, and hope the R0B0 Warriors return in the new year.
Granny Dolls
Lindsy from the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre visited Ms. Waldron's Grade 1 class to share the wonderful story of Indigenous Granny Dolls. These special dolls are not just fun to play with, but also help the kids feel safe and loved, and teach us about caring for others and being responsible.
OCTOBER
Veggie Share
Thank you to all the families who contributed cut and washed vegetables to the annual Wembley Elementary Veggie Share! Students enjoyed fresh veggies as a healthy snack, while classes engaged in discussions about the importance of community and giving, all in the context of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Stone Soup
Students enjoyed their Stone Soup as they learned about the importance of working together. Stone Soup is a story of a traveler who uses a stone and water to make soup, getting villagers to add what little food they have. It teaches us that when we all contribute, we can create something much better than we could alone. Students participated in lessons and activities focused on the story.
Learning about colours
Grade 1 students have been having a blast with coloured water and droppers! They're exploring the exciting world of colours by mixing and experimenting, all while having fun, and learning together. These creative activities spark their curiosity and imagination!
SEPTEMBER
Welcome back!
Staff were so pleased to see everyone at the Wembley Elementary School Welcome Back BBQ! A huge thank you to Teresa and the County of Grande Prairie for supplying the BBQ, Dusty Rowland for barbequing for everyone, and Trustee Wendy Kelm and Martina Brewer for serving hot dogs, chips, and juice boxes. It was a great way to start the new school year.
Hula Hoop Circus
Amanda Panda of Hula Hoop Circus visited WES and amazed students and staff with her talent! The entire school attended a presentation and then participated in a workshop with Amanda to learn new skills and play fun games!
Whispering Ridge Community School
JUNE
Safety City
Various classes have enjoyed time at Safety City, where they learned about bicycle safety. We love that this field trip is always tailored, and unique for each grade that attends.
4 Square Volleyball
Our Grade 8 students enjoyed a new 4 Square Volleyball game at recess. We love to see our older students being active and enjoying movement outside!
WRCS soccer teams bring home the trophy
The WRCS soccer teams played hard and were successful at their recent tournament. It was such a great opportunity for our athletes, and we'd like to send a big thank you to all our volunteer teacher coaches for taking the time to coach our students to first place!
WRCS Choir wins first place
Our Grade 4-6 Choir won first place at the Alberta Music Provincials, and we couldn't be prouder! This incredible achievement is a result of dedication, teamwork, and a shared love of music. A special thank you to Joe's Pizza Stone for generously donating pizza to our celebration!
MAY
Team North Blue
Congratulations to our very own Sawyer Howrish for earning a spot on Team North Blue for The Prospects Cup! This is quite an accomplishment for his age. We are so proud of Sawyer and excited to see him reach his hockey goals.
Dave Bleile track meet
Congratulations to all our junior high athletes who participated in the division's annual track meet!
Smile Cookies return to WRCS
The much anticipated Smile Cookie campaign has returned to WRCS thanks to the generosity of Sean Sargent! Grade 4 and 5 Student Council members graciously handed the cookies out to their fellow students.
Fine Arts Night
Our Grade 5-8 students hosted a successful Fine Arts Night. The artistic and creative talent showed by our students was exceptional!
Community Prides
Our last Community Prides activity of the school year focused on all things math! Students enjoyed thinking critically and problem solving through various tasks with our multi-graded pride teams. These activities are a great way to build community as students have the opportunity to work with different teachers and students from various grades.
Technical Search & Rescue visits WRCS
We were fortunate to have members of the Grande Prairie Technical Search & Rescue Association visit WRCS. Kindergarten students enjoyed listening to presentations and learning about the important work the Technical Search & Rescue team does for our community!
APRIL
Students hear from Registered Psychologist
As part of their Health and Life Skills classes, the Grade 8 students had the privilege of listening to Mr. Matthew Bain, a registered psychologist who specializes in sports and performance psychology. He spoke about self-respect, reaching potential, and persevering through adversity.
Staff participate in professional development
Teachers participated in a day of staff-led learning during our site-based professional development day. Mrs. Warr and Ms. Kaytor shared their takeaways from attending the Autism conference in Edmonton.
Purdy's fundraiser a big success!
Thank you to the students who helped bring in a mountain of Purdy's chocolate boxes from our chocolate fundraiser!
Fine Arts students learn to draw
Mr. Bailey spent time teaching the Grade 6 Fine Arts students how to draw and paint a parrot. Who knew Mr. Bailey was so artistic?!
Scholastics returns to WRCS
The much anticipated Scholastics Book Fair all set up and ready for students. A big thank you to Mrs. Ray, our librarian, and all our parent volunteers for helping make this event happen for our students.
Having fun in Kindergarten
Mrs. Hunt's Kindergarten students during their daily days of the week calendar practice.
MARCH
WRCS heads to the hill
The junior high students and staff volunteers travelled to Jasper for WRCS's annual Jasper ski trip.
The Grande 5 and 6 students visited Whispering Pines in Worsley for a day of skiing.
Grade 6s bake bannock
Ms. Sheila Payeur of the PWPSD Indigenous Education Services team visited the Grade 6 Foods class to help bake bannock! We are so fortunate to have her knowledge and experience to share with our students and staff.
Pink Shirt Day at WRCS
Students and staff came together for our annual Pink Shirt Day assembly where we talk about kindness, seeing varying perspectives, and bonding in our Community Prides groups.
Student Council
Our amazing Student Council organized and executed a very successful fundraiser for Bandaged Paws, raising more than $480!
FEBRUARY
Grade 8s participate in blind dates
The Grade 8 students participated in a Blind Date with a Book activity, which saw students engaging with books they would not normally choose for themselves. The blind dates created a sense of mystery and curiosity for the students while they picked their books. After choosing their stories, the students took part in meaningful discussions about the books they chose.
Students spend February creating art
Students share their beautiful creations with the school community.
Grade 2s build their own instruments
Mrs. Paquin's Grade 2 students had the opportunity to build their own instruments, which they played throughout the hallways for everyone to enjoy.
Building reading fluency
Ms. Brown's Grade 1 students have been working together during their paired reading sessions, and reading whole phonics books!
Junior high students learn archery
The junior high students participated in an archery unit during their Physical Education class with Mr. Mckechnie and Mrs. Herman. This is always a highlight of the year, and the students are so fortunate to be able to learn the sport.
JANUARY
Grade 4s go swimming
The Grade 4 students started the new year by heading to the NuVista Energy Centre in Beaverlodge for their swimming lessons. We love having the opportunity to provide swimming lessons as part of the student programming here at Whispering Ridge Community School!
Grade 5s excited for 2025
Mrs. Kunz's Grade 5 students enjoyed an engaging activity on their first day back after the Christmas break!
Fresh air brings fresh smiles
Some Grade 2 students enjoy the warmer winter weather during their daily physical activity break.
Kindne$$ Counts
Congratulations to Moston, our December Kindne$$ Counts winner.
Ready, Set, Go!
Grade 7 students learn a new game during PE with Mrs. Herman and Mr. McKechnie.
DECEMBER
Student Council organizes food and toy drive
The WRCS Student Council organized a very successful food and toy drive for families in Grande Prairie and its surrounding areas. It is always heart-warming to see students give back to our community!
Students visit Max RC
The Grade 4 STEM students had the opportunity to go on a field trip to Max RC. It was an enriching learning opportunity for them to experience!
Al Crawford visits WRCS
Tara Papirnick (right), WRCS's Indigenous Education Service Provider, invited Al Crawford (left) to share his Indigenous drumming skills with the junior high students. Al is always very engaging, and our students love hearing him play, sing, and tell stories.
WRCS celebrates the holidays
Despite the crazy weather on December 4, WRCS hosted its annual Christmas concert, and it was a fantastic success! We are so thankful we were able to host this event. Thank you to all our families, friends, and community members for joining us for such a special evening.
NOVEMBER
Cosmetology students visit Sephora
The junior high cosmetology students enjoyed a trip to Sephora where they learned about skincare and make up for different skin types. Students even got to take home some free samples! A big thank you to the staff at Sephora for making this such a memorable experience for our students.
Welcome to STEM
The Grade 4 STEM students got some hands-on engineering experience when they designed and built their own bridges!
Rock Your Mocs
Students and staff came together to show their support of Indigenous culture on Rock Your Mocs day!
Triple ball comes to WRCS
Grade 5 and 6 students have been enjoying triple ball! A big thank you to Ms. Murphy and the junior high volleyball team for volunteering their time to coach after school.
WRCS hosts annual Remembrance Day Ceremony
The WRCS choir performed during the school's annual Remembrance Day Ceremony. Students, staff, and family members loved hearing their beautiful singing voices! Thank you Mrs. Tomke and Mrs. Breitkreuz for providing students with this wonderful opportunity.
OCTOBER
Students honour Orange Shirt Day
For Orange Shirt Day, students participated in a school-wide Orange Hands activity.
WRCS raises nearly $10,000 for cancer research
Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year's Terry Fox Run. Your hard work paid off as our school raised close to $10,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation!
School Bus Safety
Our Kindergarten students spent some time learning the importance of school bus safety!
Motivational Magic
Students in Grades 1-6 enjoyed a Motivational Magic show, centered around kindness and gratitude, presented by Steve Harmer.
Finch Robots
Grade 5 STEM students had the opportunity to spend some time with Mrs. Montes, one of PWPSD's Educational Technologists, who taught them about the Finch Robots!
SEPTEMBER
Teachers participate in professional development
WRCS staff participated in a professional development day before welcoming students back to their classrooms. Teachers were surprised with welcome back gifts of fresh flowers from the Gypsy Blooms Flower Truck.
PJ Day
Ms. Brown's Grade 1 class enjoyed their first PJ Day of the year!
Grade 8s bond over fun activities
The Grade 8 students enjoyed some bonding time, and experienced the exciting activities that Bear Lake Bible Camp has to offer. Students conquered some challenges, while supporting one another, setting the stage for a great school year.
Science Explorations and Inquiry
Mrs. Miller's Grade 6 students have been enjoying their Science Explorations and Inquiry options class.
Quickdraw Math
Mrs. Green started the school year by engaging her Grade 4 students with a Quickdraw Math lesson.
Upcoming Events
-
PWPSD Board Meeting: Thursday, June 12
-
Happy Father's Day!: Sunday, June 15
-
Last Day for Students: Tuesday, June 24
-
Last Diploma Exam: Wednesday, June 25
-
Last Day for Staff: Wednesday, June 25
-
Central Office Summer Hours Begin: Monday, June 30
- First Day of 2025-2026 School Year: Thursday, August 28
Recent Announcements
-
June 09, 2025 Chief Medical Officer of Health Letter to Parents
-
May 30, 2025 Erika Walsh joins PWPSD Inclusive Education team
Recent Media Coverage
-
May 29, 2025 PWPSD welcomes Jennifer Bishop to literacy team, Education News Canada
Follow Us!
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from PWPSD, and local media coverage.
-
Check out our online media room.
-
Sign up to receive Board News, Division Updates, and other PWPSD publications at www.pwpsd.ca.