School Message
Hello to our Western families,
After spring break, we're happy to be back and getting ready for midterm report cards, registration for next year, spring sports, Fine Arts performances, graduation, and all the things that make up the last third of the school year. As always, if you have any concerns about your child, please reach out to teachers directly via our school website.
Congratulations to our Sr Girls' basketball team, who finished second at Provincials just before the break. While there was some understandable disappointment at the time, we want to commend our players and coaches for a great run and thank them for representing Western so well during the 2025/26 season.
We have six athletes taking part in Cross-Country provincials on April 25th (postponed from the fall). Though still a few weeks away, we wish them well as they travel to Camrose to compete on behalf of the school.
While the snowy weather hasn't allowed a great start to our spring sports, we obviously know that things will change sooner than later.
We look forward to girls' and boys' rugby, boys' soccer, field hockey, and track & field starting as soon as next week (fingers crossed).
Badminton is already going well, and will be wrapping up shortly.
We want to thank those parent volunteers who showed up on the morning of Thursday, March 19th, to help distribute healthy breakfast snacks to several hundred students (thanks to some funds connected to the National School Food Program). This was greatly appreciated by the many students who may have been a little less hungry to start the day.
Finally, on behalf of our School Council, we invite our grade 12 parents to our "All About Grad" information night on Thursday, April 9th. This online meeting will start at 6:30, with access found via the following
Stay safe on the roads during this hopefully last burst of winter weather.
Thanks
Darrin Whitbread
Principal | Western Canada High School
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, April 3rd
- Good Friday | No School for Students
- Friday, April 24th
- Non-Instructional Day | No School for Student
Updates
Summer School 2026
We recognize that many students are interested in registering for CBE summer school courses. At this time, a registration date has not yet been announced. As soon as this information becomes available, we will promptly notify our school community and provide clear instructions on the registration process.
Scholarships & Bursary Updates: April 2026:
- Western Canada Alumni Bursary – $3,500
- Awarded to 5 students who demonstrate community leadership at Western Canada High School and financial need for post-secondary studies.
- Apply via the Guidance Office or WCHS website (Scholarships section)
- Submit to Guidance or email Mme. Plante (maplante@cbe.ab.ca)
- Deadline: May 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM
- Bill Gibson Bursary – $7,500 (Renewable)
- For Grade 12 students from CBE or CCSD entering a full-time undergraduate program at a Calgary post-secondary institution.
- Must demonstrate leadership, financial need, and provide one reference
- Renewable for up to 4 years with satisfactory academic standing
- Deadline: May 15, 2026 (midnight)
- Apply: https://calgaryfoundation.org/student-awards/
- Owen Hart Foundation Awards – $4,000
- Multiple awards available to graduating students from select Calgary high schools (including Western Canada).
- Minimum 70% average, financial need, and community involvement required
- One reference letter required
- Deadline: May 30, 2026 (midnight)
- Apply: https://calgaryfoundation.org/awards/scholarships-awards-bursaries/
- Education Matters Awards (2025/2026)
- A wide range of scholarships, bursaries, and awards available.
- Apply through one general application (not individual forms)
- Do not use your CBE email
- Apply: https://applications.educationmatters.ca
- More info: www.educationmatters.ca
- Calgary Italian Sportswomen’s Dinner Association Scholarship – $5,000
- For female students of Italian descent entering post-secondary in Fall 2026.
- Minimum 75% average and strong involvement in athletics, academics, and community
- Must be able to attend the October 23, 2026 celebration dinner
- Deadline: May 20, 2026 (midnight)
- Apply: https://calgaryitaliansportswomen.ca/home
University Visits April 2026:
CTS 2026 Summer School Programs
Career and Technology Studies (CTS) Summer School provides students with access to high-quality, career-connected learning and CTS credit opportunities during the summer. Summary below with more details and application on Summer School website: https://tinyurl.com/5n952esn
Program Dates: July 2–28, 2026
19 instructional days | 80 instructional hours
Student Eligibility
- CBE students seeking CTS credits toward graduation
- Students whose home schools do not offer specialized CTS programs
- Students exploring career pathways prior to Unique Pathways participation
- No prerequisites required
Program Offerings
- Broadcasting & Podcasting (Fee: $15 + $100 deposit)
- Cosmetology (Fee: $75)
- Welding (Fee: $120)
- Intro. to Networking & Cybersecurity (Fee: $15)
- Intro. to Engineering (Fee: $15)
- Applications Open: March 2, 2026
Applications Close: April 10, 2026
Application Form can be filled out digitally, printed, signed and returned to Off-Campus Coordinator (Mr. Smith).
Dual Credit & Exploratory Application
Deadline of Friday, 10 April
Explore exciting high‑school opportunities that connect you to post‑secondary learning, industry partners, and hands‑on career experiences—all while earning high‑school credits your way.
All program details available at: https://tinyurl.com/387u6sv7
SELECTED PROGRAM AREAS INCLUDE
Academic & Career Pathways
- (NEW) Introduction to Indigenous Studies
- Business Management
- Calculus
- Computer Science
- Solving Tech Problems
- Healthcare Career Essentials
- Psychology
- Kinesiology
- Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Sports Management
- Applied Ecology
- Green Certificate
Veterinary & Medical Pathways
- Introduction to the Veterinary Profession
- Veterinary Technical Assistant Certificate (In-person)
- Veterinary Technical Assistant Certificate (Blended online)
- Pharmacy Assistant Certificate
Trades & Technical Pathways
- (NEW) Civil Engineering Technology
- Boilermaker
- Building Trades
- Carpentry
- Electrical Trades
- Finishing Trades
- Ironworkers
- Pipe Trades
- Sheet Metal Trades
- ICT Interactive Design
Culinary & Hairstyling
- Culinary Trades (SAIT)
- Hairstylist
READY TO APPLY?
See Mr. Smith in the Tech Centre. Book online: https://tinyurl.com/4ychvz39
Online All About Grad Information Session
Western Canada High School’s Parent Council would like to invite all parents to an online meeting, for an "All About Grad" Information session, on Thursday, April 9, 2026. The meeting will start at 6:30pm with an introduction from Darrin, and then move onto our Grad info night. The Google Meet link is below. Please note, it was previously shared in error that this would also be an in-person meeting; the meeting will be online only.
CALM Online – Term 4
Students enrolled in CALM Online at Western in Term 4 should be aware that the course begins next Thursday, April 9th. A mandatory information meeting will be held in Area 4 of the library on Tuesday, April 14, and all enrolled students are expected to attend. Questions? Email Ms. van Geel at mmvangeel@cbe.ab.ca or Ms. Reinhardt at sjreinhardt@cbe.ab.ca
WCHS Choirs in Concert with Collective Singers of Namibia!
For the first time ever, Namibia’s internationally renowned Collective Singers bring their powerful, passionate music to Calgary on Thursday, April 16, 7:00 p.m. at McDougall United Church (8516 Athabasca St. SE).
The April 16 concert also features Western Canada High School Choir, Joane Cardinal-Schubert High School Choir, Sonica Treble Choir, along with massed choir pieces that will raise the roof at McDougall. Audience members can expect a breathtaking, unforgettable evening of musical artistry, movement, and collaboration. Tickets are $25 and are available through Showpass.
Japanese Culture Night
Western's Annual Culture Day is Almost Here!
Taking Place Wednesday, April 8th
Celebrating cultural diversity at Western
· Staff & Students are encouraged to wear cultural attire of their family/heritage and join us in celebrating our community's multicultural splendor.
· Student Performances in the Theatre Periods 2 & 3.
· Foods of the World at Lunch
· Samples of multicultural snacks made by students and shared by students.
· While supplies last!
June Exam Schedule
June’s exam schedule has been finalized and is available on Western’s website. It can be found under the tab Teaching & Learning, then Exam Schedule.
Diploma Exams
If your student is looking to rewrite a diploma exam in June or write one that they have missed in a past writing session, they need to make an appointment with Mr. Wiebe BEFORE April 8th. They can contact him at Shwiebe@cbe.ab.ca to make an appointment.
Extended Absences
It is the school’s responsibility to ensure parent(s)/legal guardian(s) understand the impact that extended absences may have on their child’s education. When parents/guardians wish to remove their student from school for an extended period of time (longer than 3 days) for reasons other than illness or bereavement, we ask that an Extended Absence form, available in the main office, be completed and submitted.
Attendance
To report your child’s absence, please call 403-228-5363, option 1, or email westerncanada@cbe.ab.ca. When providing an update, please include: The student’s full name (spell the last name slowly and clearly if leaving a voicemail). The reason for the absence. The timeframe of the absence. Please note: Attendance updates may take longer during transit delays, winter weather, or other events affecting attendance, as the school manages records for approximately 2,250 students. Updates may take up to one school day. To avoid delays, please do not leave multiple messages unless correcting a previous one. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Subscribe to Stay Informed
Due to Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), you need to subscribe online if you want to receive email or text messages on “commercial” school topics such as the Weekly Update or IPP communication.
MyCBE Accounts
Parents, legal guardians, and independent students will need to create a MyCBE account to complete required forms, pay fees, etc. To create an account, please see the MyCBE Support page HERE. If you are experiencing difficulties in creating your account, please see Ms. Hanley in the main office.
Grad Fees – Now Due
Grad fees this year are $85, including GST. This fee has been added to your graduating student’s account and is now payable via your MyCBE account or in person at the Business Office.
A reminder that we ask ALL outstanding fees, from current and previous years, be paid in full prior to the end of the year. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please see below how to apply for a central fee waiver. This waiver must be completed for a student to be considered for a school-based waiver of fees.
Centralized Fee Waiver
No child is ever denied access to an education in the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) because of an inability to pay. If you can't afford the fees, there are several ways to qualify for a central fee waiver.
Waiver applications for the current school year are found online through your MyCBE account and are available from the start of the school year until June 30. Please check out more information here.