School Message
Hello to our Western families,
As we come to the end of September, things are certainly feeling busier – for students and for staff - but these are all good things that make up the rhythm of our school. Thank you for your own efforts from home to help your child(ren) as they participate in the various daily classes/activities that are taking place. While there is still some uncertainty to come, even with today’s announcement, we continue to carry on as we normally would.
With next Tuesday being the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we have begun formally recognizing this at the school this week. While September 29th is a non-instructional day, and the 30th is the associated day off, we certainly encourage students/families to remember to keep the spirit of the day in mind even while being away from school.
Western had two girls qualify for golf provincials in Lethbridge this past Monday/Tuesday. Rayeon Kang had a great tournament and represented our school very well. We also had Western’s first-ever Individual Provincial Golf Champion - Sela Ogada – who led the field from start to finish. Congratulations, Sela!
We welcome parent/alumni contributions to our school, whether as volunteers or via being directly connected to our School Council, our Friends of Western society, or our Alumni Association. While we ask that you pay particular attention to the notice below, please reach out if you might be interested in participating in any of these groups. Thank you.
The Friends of Western Canada High School Society is currently seeking volunteers to serve on its Board of Directors. Friends of Western is a registered charitable organization; its primary objective is to facilitate and improve the extra-curricular activities of Western students by overseeing the money raised through fundraising initiatives and donations. We are seeking volunteers - particularly those with legal, financial, accounting, and fundraising knowledge - who are interested in ensuring the continued success of Fine Arts, athletics, and club programming at WCHS. If you might be interested, please make contact at friendsofwestern2@gmail.com .
Take care.
Thank you,
Darrin Whitbread
Principal | Western Canada High School
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, September 26th
- Orange Shirt Day
- Monday, September 29th
- Non-Instructional Day (No School for Students)
- Tuesday, September 30th
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Updates
Online Workshops – Career and Academic Skills
Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria is excited to once again offer an online workshop series for high school students (Grades 10–12), designed to help them build career and academic skills for a smooth transition into university and adult life.
- AI 101: Using Artificial Intelligence in University and Your Career
Hosted by Dr. Andrew Park
📅 Thursday, October 9 at 6:00 PM (PST) - Entrepreneurship 101: What Makes a Good Side-Hustle?
Hosted by Dr. Brock Smith and Dr. Claudia Smith
📅 Wednesday, October 15 at 6:00 PM (PST) - Finance 101: Personal Finance for Students Preparing for College & University
Hosted by Dr. Michael King
📅 Thursday, November 20 at 6:00 PM (PST)
School Council Meeting!
Thursday, September 25, 2024 @ 6:30 pm - Virtual
Please join the WCHS Parent Council Executive this evening for our first General Council meeting being held on Google Meet.
We have a special guest speaker this evening. Guidance Counsellor Ms. Tamara McEachern will present on Pathways to Post-Secondary Education.
The agenda can be found here: Meeting Agenda 26_09_2025
Meeting minutes from our last General Council meeting held on April 10, 2025, for your review: Meeting Minutes 10_04_2025
Please join the meeting by clicking on the Google Meet link below prior to our 6:30pm start. See you soon!
The WCHS School Council Executive
Call for Volunteers
As we look to the 2025–26 school year, we invite you to play a more active role in shaping the experience of our students and school community.
WCHS thrives because of dedicated parent volunteers — and we need your support. Whether you’re interested in a leadership position on the School Council executive or would like to help out at school events throughout the year, your involvement makes a meaningful difference.
Many of the programs and activities our students enjoy simply wouldn’t be possible without volunteers like you.
To learn more about the various opportunities available — both on the executive team and within the broader school community — please visit our website (link below). There, you’ll also find a brief survey to let us know how you’d like to contribute.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to get involved and help strengthen our school community.
Thank you!
The WCHS Exec Committee
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.
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!
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.
School Website
To keep up to date with all things Western, please check out the school’s website.
Western Canada High School website
Fabric Art & Sewing Materials
The Visual Art classes are looking for any unwanted sewing or fabric art materials or tools for student projects. If you have a collection of thread, needles, fabric, or yarn hiding away in a box that could use a new home, please deliver to WCHS front office or email Ms. Affleck: meaffleck@cbe.ab.ca
Student Services
Semester Two Course Changes
Student Services is still accepting course change requests for semester 2. Please drop in to the Student Services Office to speak to your Guidance Counsellor.
Western Dance Programme
If you love to dance or would like to learn, Dance 15, in the second semester, is where it’s at! Ms. Price creates a welcoming community where all skill levels are welcome and seen. The Dance Programme offers a variety of opportunities to grow as an artist or leader and to develop skills and techniques from a variety of dance genres. Speak with Ms. Price in the Dance Studio or your Guidance Counsellor for more information!
Grade 12 Graduation Requirements, Scholarship and Post-Secondary Information:
Please follow the link below to view the presentation that was presented to our Grade 12 students, which includes information on graduation requirements, important scholarship information, and post-secondary applications.
TIES Healthy Minds:
TIES Healthy Minds is a Calgary-based program that provides free, low-barrier clinical counselling and psychoeducational workshops for all Calgarians, regardless of their immigration status. Services are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and available in multiple languages, with interpretation when needed. Please click the link below to visit the comprehensive website.
2024-2025 – Rideau Park Yearbook Pickup
Students currently in grade 10 at Western, who attended Rideau Park School last year for grade 9, and who ordered a 2024-2025 yearbook, they are available for pickup in the main office at Rideau Park School.
French and International Languages Course Challenge Exams:
Interested in challenging a language at the 30 level? Please visit the link below to learn more about challenging one of the following languages for high school credits:
- Arabic 35
- French 30
- Cantonese 35
- German 30
- Japanese 30
- Mandarin 30
- Punjabi 30
- Spanish 30
- Ukrainian 30
- Filipino 30
- Italian 30
If your child wishes to take a language course challenge exam, please complete the consent form included in the link below and return to Mrs. Irwin in Guidance by Wednesday, October 1st.
**FRENCH LANGUAGE COURSE CHALLENGES**
This year, grade 10, 11 (no longer enrolled in French Immersion) & 12 students may challenge FR30-3Y or FR30-9Y.
However, priority will be given to grade 12 students.
French 30 - 9Y
- for French Immersion students in Grade 12 taking FLA30 during semester 1
- for students who have been in French Immersion K to 9 and are no longer enrolled in the French Immersion program)
FLA10 and FLA20 students will be given the information for their FR10-9Y and FR20-9Y challenges by their FLA teachers this semester and next semester.
French 30 - 3Y
- for students with the equivalent of three years of high school French as a Second Language)
- for former French Immersion students currently in grade 10 or 11 who left the program at the end of grade 9.
- Some universities do not allow this level’s mark to be used for university entrance.
Please use the link in the previous announcement to gain access to the information booklet, the application (p. 15), and the checklist (including dates, time, and place – p. 16).
Last Chance to sign up for November Diplomas!
This is the last week to sign up to write a diploma in November. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 1st, and students need to make an appointment with Mr. Wiebe in order to register. Students can email Mr. Wiebe for more information. Shwiebe@cbe.ab.ca
