Schools

Former B.C. private school counsellor Luke Lawson will never be allowed to teach in the province again, following a child pornography conviction and investigation by the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation. (Credit: Pixabay)

B.C. private school counsellor banned for life following child porn sentence

Nude images of young girls found inside Luke Lawson’s home during 2020 police search

 

Kasari Govender, British Columbia’s Human Rights Commissioner, is seen in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-B.C. Human Rights Commission. *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Human Rights Commissioner calls for an end to police officer program in B.C. schools

Marginalized students, as well as their parents and communities, have raised significant concerns

 

Victoria High is British Columbia’s oldest high school. (Photo by Cole Descoteau)

Victoria High School seismic project extended four months

Students are now scheduled to go back to Victoria High School in January 2024

 

Pearson College has announced it has raised nearly $40 million for its Renew and Re-found Campaign. Pictured, Deborah Saucier, president of Vancouver Island University, Craig Davis, president and head of college for Pearson College, and Philip Steenkamp, president and vice-chancellor of Royal Roads University, stand with Hatley Castle in the background following the April signing of a pair of MOUs to create a new climate action leadership diploma program, which is one of the programs funded through the campaign. (Photo courtesy of Royal Roads University)

Pearson College nears $40M goal for Renew and Re-found Campaign

The funds are to be used for reconciliation, climate leadership, and more initiatives

Pearson College has announced it has raised nearly $40 million for its Renew and Re-found Campaign. Pictured, Deborah Saucier, president of Vancouver Island University, Craig Davis, president and head of college for Pearson College, and Philip Steenkamp, president and vice-chancellor of Royal Roads University, stand with Hatley Castle in the background following the April signing of a pair of MOUs to create a new climate action leadership diploma program, which is one of the programs funded through the campaign. (Photo courtesy of Royal Roads University)
Two B.C. teachers disciplined for angry interactions with students. (Pixabay)

2 B.C. teachers disciplined over angry, intimidating behaviour

One school teacher yelled at elementary school student, held their shoulders

Two B.C. teachers disciplined for angry interactions with students. (Pixabay)
British Columbia’s provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. The organization that represents the British Columbia government in negotiations with the province’s teachers says it has reached a tentative contract with educators. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

B.C. teachers union says new contract puts teachers in ‘top tier’ in Canada

Annual salaries set to increase by $6,000 to $8,500 by 3rd year

British Columbia’s provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. The organization that represents the British Columbia government in negotiations with the province’s teachers says it has reached a tentative contract with educators. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Both Sicamous and Salmon Arm RCMP are requesting the public’s help locating the suspect in two separate incidents in Sicamous and Salmon Arm on Oct. 21 that they think may have been committed by the same person. The first image from left was taken in Sicamous, the second in Salmon Arm. (RCMP images)

Same man suspected in Sicamous sexual assault, Salmon Arm indecent exposure

RCMP would like public’s help in locating suspect, also seeking more witnesses

Both Sicamous and Salmon Arm RCMP are requesting the public’s help locating the suspect in two separate incidents in Sicamous and Salmon Arm on Oct. 21 that they think may have been committed by the same person. The first image from left was taken in Sicamous, the second in Salmon Arm. (RCMP images)
Oliver Blair Finlayson, an 11-year-old Grade 4 student at Lake Cowichan School who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, sits in his wheelchair in front of the playground equipment at Lake Cowichan School, which is not accessible to many students with physical challenges. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Mother wants accessible playground equipment installed at Lake Cowichan School

Her son has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair

Oliver Blair Finlayson, an 11-year-old Grade 4 student at Lake Cowichan School who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, sits in his wheelchair in front of the playground equipment at Lake Cowichan School, which is not accessible to many students with physical challenges. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Sicamous RCMP are seeking a suspect involved in a sexual assault that occurred near Parkview Elementary School on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. (File photo)

Sicamous RCMP seek suspect after youth sexually assaulted near school

Incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21

Sicamous RCMP are seeking a suspect involved in a sexual assault that occurred near Parkview Elementary School on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. (File photo)
A B.C. high school teacher is suspended for two months after an investigation found he had inappropriate relationships with numerous students. (Credit: Pixabay)

B.C. teacher who held inappropriate one-on-ones with students suspended for 2 months

Teacher touched students’ hands, knees, thighs on several occasions, commissioner found

A B.C. high school teacher is suspended for two months after an investigation found he had inappropriate relationships with numerous students. (Credit: Pixabay)
English Language Learners teacher, Harjit Chauhan (centre) has been actively involved with educating students and the community about cultural celebrations like Diwali and Ramadan. (The News)

B.C. teacher wins national We Love Teachers contest

Harjit Chauhan was one of eight finalists in the inaugural Staples Canada program

English Language Learners teacher, Harjit Chauhan (centre) has been actively involved with educating students and the community about cultural celebrations like Diwali and Ramadan. (The News)
This graphic was used to warn voters about upcoming school board elections in B.C. and other provinces this month. (Ben & Jerry’s Canada)

Ben & Jerry’s Canada urging B.C. to ‘vote for schools that are safe for all kids’

‘The far-right is trying to stack school boards,’ the ice cream moguls warned Oct. 12

This graphic was used to warn voters about upcoming school board elections in B.C. and other provinces this month. (Ben & Jerry’s Canada)
From left: Isabel Tipton, great-granddaughter of Hans Helgesen, the first chairman of the school board; Ann Stewart, great-great-granddaughter of John Witty who donated the land for the school to be built on; and Diane Cowden, great-granddaughter of Emily Fisher, the school’s first teacher. The trio received the honour of cutting the ribbon on the newly renovated and reopened Metchosin Schoolhouse Museum. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Metchosin Schoolhouse Museum reopens after renovations

Descendants of key people in the school’s history were on hand to cut the ribbon Saturday

From left: Isabel Tipton, great-granddaughter of Hans Helgesen, the first chairman of the school board; Ann Stewart, great-great-granddaughter of John Witty who donated the land for the school to be built on; and Diane Cowden, great-granddaughter of Emily Fisher, the school’s first teacher. The trio received the honour of cutting the ribbon on the newly renovated and reopened Metchosin Schoolhouse Museum. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Don’t blame schools for high COVID rates among B.C. youth: provincial health officer

Bonnie Henry study’s findings similar to those in other jurisdictions

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Sooke School District trustees Margot Swinburnson and Bob Phillips, who have almost 50 years of service, have decided not to seek re-election. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)

Seven-term trustees bid adieu in Sooke

Bob Phillips and Margot Swinburnson stepping down as trustees

Sooke School District trustees Margot Swinburnson and Bob Phillips, who have almost 50 years of service, have decided not to seek re-election. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)
SD61 is set to open a new welcome centre to help newcomers settle into school in a new country. (Black Press Media file photo)

SD61 opens newcomer welcome centre for students

The centre officially opens Sept. 12

SD61 is set to open a new welcome centre to help newcomers settle into school in a new country. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Village Initiative is a rebrand of the Healthy Schools, Healthy People partnership and is focused on providing more spaces for community groups. (Black Press Media file photo)

SD62 partnership aims to find creative options for community service providers

Village Initiative says there’s work to be done to keep up with West Shore growth

The Village Initiative is a rebrand of the Healthy Schools, Healthy People partnership and is focused on providing more spaces for community groups. (Black Press Media file photo)
Const. Tim Cosgrove, community policing officer with Sidney/North Saanich RCMP, stands near Deep Cove Elementary School in North Saanich. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Greater Victoria police step up school zone enforcement

On Vancouver Island, crashes kill two children while walking or cycling while injuring 52 each year

Const. Tim Cosgrove, community policing officer with Sidney/North Saanich RCMP, stands near Deep Cove Elementary School in North Saanich. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Jason, Naviana and Karla Point stand in front of Na’tsa’maht on Camosun’s Lansdowne campus. Camosun College is celebrating the impact Karla Point’s enrolment at the school 25 years ago has had on her family and other Indigenous students. (Courtesy of Camosun College)

Camosun College celebrates three generations of Indigenous students

Karla Point’s enrolment 25 years ago paved a path for others to follow

Jason, Naviana and Karla Point stand in front of Na’tsa’maht on Camosun’s Lansdowne campus. Camosun College is celebrating the impact Karla Point’s enrolment at the school 25 years ago has had on her family and other Indigenous students. (Courtesy of Camosun College)
The Cowichan Valley school district has made a video to explain the "Washrooms for Everybody" concept at the new Cowichan Secondary School. (Screen shot)

Cowichan Secondary going gender neutral with “Washrooms for Everybody” at new school

District says new washrooms will provide safety, privacy and dignity for every student

The Cowichan Valley school district has made a video to explain the "Washrooms for Everybody" concept at the new Cowichan Secondary School. (Screen shot)