School Message

Good Afternoon to our Western families,

In amongst the constant noise that can invade our daily lives all too often, I am thankful for the simple message associated with the annual Terry Fox Run, this year marking 46 years since the original Marathon of Hope took place to support cancer research.  Class groups from Western will be joining in this opportunity tomorrow, and we welcome the participation from our students to honour this legacy.  If families can assist their children in making a small contribution to this worthy cause, that is appreciated.

A reminder of our Meet the Teacher event next Thursday night, with more details later on in the newsletter.  As always, around Western, parking is limited.  While this opportunity is certainly open to parents from all grades, we want to encourage our new parents, in particular, to come out to see the school and meet some of our staff.    

And, finally, we are already starting to have a growing number of students show up just a few minutes late after lunch.  As it can be disruptive to learning for a teacher to be dealing with late students, especially those who might be repeat offenders, we will be suggesting to teachers that they can close their doors just after the bell over the next two weeks to help students be mindful of their time.

Thanks.

Darrin Whitbread

Principal | Western Canada High School

Upcoming Dates

• Meet the Teacher Evening | Thursday, September 24th
• Non-Instructional Day (No School for Students) | Friday, September 25th
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (No School) | Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Updates

You are invited to join us for Meet the Teacher on Thursday, September 24^th at WCHS. The evening will follow a Monday mini timetable for your student (timetables can be found on the PowerSchool App or the PowerSchool website – we encourage you to have a screenshot or a printed timetable prepared to navigate your student’s classes).

Meet the Teacher is intended to allow families opportunities to meet their students’ teachers and get an overview of their courses. This evening is not intended to discuss individual concerns; parent-teacher interviews will occur in October for this purpose.

Reminder that parking is limited around the school. 

**There will be an optional IPP informational session from 5:30 – 6:00; this is for families of students with an IPP who would like to learn more about supports at WCHS.

Physical Education Class locations:

• Sports performance – fitness center
• Sports medicine – room 101
• PE 10 – Main gym west side
• PE20/30 – Main gym east side

The Guidance team will be in the cafeteria to answer any questions. The Administration team will be circulating in the main office and front foyer to assist in any way.

Brown Bagging For Calgary Kids

TIRE TECHNICIANS & MORE

Tire season is a great opportunity for students interested in the automotive trades to gain hands-on work experience and get their foot in the door with an employer.

If you are interested in automotive service, tire technician, lube technician, detailing, or other vehicle-related careers, please encourage them to get their CAREERS application completed as soon as possible. Employers will be hiring for seasonal positions, and having an up-to-date CAREERS application helps us connect students with these opportunities when they become available.

Interested students should:

• Complete HCS3000 course online
• Complete their CAREERS application.
• Upload an updated resume.
• Be ready to work during tire season.
• Keep an eye out for CAREERS opportunities and respond quickly when contacted.

See Mr. Smith in the Tech CEntre for support with Careers Next Gen website. 

Join Choir!

Make new friends, get involved in your school community and be part of Western’s award-winning choirs. With classes running in the AM block on Mondays and Thursdays, it’ll easily fit into your timetable. All singing levels welcome, with no experience needed, and you’ll earn extra credits!

Curious? Try a class before committing by joining us on Monday, September 21st at 7:10 am in the choir room (beside the Tech Centre in the art hallway.)

Questions? Email Ms. Reinhardt at sjreinhardt@cbe.ab.ca. We can’t wait to see you there!

 Terry Fox Run

Get your running shoes ready — our Terry Fox Run is happening on Friday, September 18th, and we'd love every family to be part of it! Students will run, walk, and cheer their way around the course in honour of Terry's Marathon of Hope, with every dollar going straight to cancer research. Toss in a toonie for Terry by donating to our school’s fundraising page — no amount is too small to make a difference! 

Outdoor Education

Thanks to all those who reached out with donations! 

We are still looking for more, so if you have some camping gear taking up space in your house, we would love to have it. Currently, we are looking for fire-making and cooking supplies (flint and steel, camping stoves, etc.) To make some delicious and nutritious camping grub! Also, any compasses and paper topographic maps (of any place!) would help our students learn navigation skills. 

Contact Mr Diprose at bmdiprose@cbe.ab.ca for donations

Job Shadow Day

 Register at: https://registration.versafi.ca/calgary-job-shadow-fall-2026

Student Services: 

🎓 Grade 12 Post-Secondary Presentations

Grade 12 students can expect to attend post-secondary presentations in the gym on September 22 and 23 at lunch.

These sessions will provide important information about:

• Post-secondary options
• University and college applications
• Admission requirements
• Scholarships and financial opportunities

Students are encouraged to attend these presentations to learn more about planning for life after high school.

Classroom Visits

Grade 10 students can expect classroom visits from Student Services on in early October. 

We will introduce students to the Student Services team and provide information about how to access our resources, supports, and Guidance Counsellors throughout their high school experience. 

🎓 University Visits

We are excited to welcome representatives from universities and colleges throughout September. Students are welcome to drop in, ask questions, and learn more about their post-secondary options.

King's University College (Western University)
📅 September 21 | 📍 Library – Area 4 | 🕗 Before School

University of Victoria
📅 September 22 | 📍 Main Foyer | 🕛 After School

Saint Mary's University Calgary
📅 September 24 | 📍 Main Foyer | 🕛 Lunch

Students are welcome to drop in and speak with university representatives to learn more about programs, admission requirements, applications, scholarships, and campus life.

Scholarship Information: 

Grade 12 students are encouraged to explore these prestigious scholarship opportunities for students entering university in Fall 2027.

 University of Toronto National Book Award

Western Canada High School may nominate one outstanding student who demonstrates:

A 90%+ academic average

• Original and creative thinking
• Intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for learning
• Strong involvement in school and the broader community

To be considered: Submit a 300–500 word essay and résumé to Mme Plante at maplante@cbe.ab.ca by October 1, 2026.

Students must also apply to the University of Toronto by October 16, 2026.

Students nominated for the Book Award are encouraged to consider applying for the U of T National Scholarship, which provides four years of tuition, residence, books, and incidental costs.

 University of Toronto Wolf Scholar Program

The Wolf Scholar Program provides exceptional students with four years of tuition and ancillary fees, a living stipend, funded Canadian and international travel, and access to top internships.

WCHS can nominate three students.

To be considered: Submit a 300–500 word essay and résumé to Mme Plante at maplante@cbe.ab.ca by October 22, 2026.

Eligibility: Canadian citizen or permanent resident, 90%+ average, and applying early to U of T's Faculty of Arts & Science at the St. George campus.

 University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship

This prestigious scholarship is for international students who demonstrate academic excellence, creativity, leadership, and community involvement.

To be considered for a WCHS nomination: Submit a 300–500 word essay and résumé to Mme Plante at maplante@cbe.ab.ca by October 1, 2026.

Students must apply to U of T by October 16, 2026.

 Loran Award

The Loran Award is a four-year leadership program that includes a tuition waiver at one of 25 partner universities, an annual living stipend, mentorship, summer work experiences, and leadership opportunities.

Eligibility includes:

• Entering university for the first time in September 2027
• Minimum 88% cumulative average
• Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Meeting the program's age requirements

Application deadline: October 15, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Students will need a referee (such as a teacher or coach). Mme. Plante will assist with forwarding transcripts.

Learn more about the Loran Award

💡 Interested in applying for any of these opportunities? Start preparing your résumé and personal statement early, and see Mme. Plante in Student Services for more information.

Language Course Challenge Exams: 

🌎 Language Challenge Exams

Are you fluent in a language other than English? You may be eligible to challenge a language course and receive 15 language credits toward your Alberta High School Diploma!

Students should be comfortable with speaking, writing, reading, and listening in the language they wish to challenge.

Languages available include : 

Arabic, Cantonese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Persian, Punjabi, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Filipino.

📅 Exam Dates: October 24 & November 21, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.
 📌 Deadline to see Ms. Irwin in Student Services: September 28

See Ms. Irwin in Student Services for more information and to enroll!

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 2,150 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!

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.

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MyCBE Accounts 

MyCBE provides parents, students and staff seamless access to information and transactions using a modern and effective technology platform.

Parents have online access to ​view their children’s academic information (schedule, grades and attendance), view their children’s learning activities using Brightspace by D2L, register for transportation and noon supervision, pay fees and request fee waivers, and book school conferences. For information on how to set up your account, please see HERE.

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. 

Peer tutoring program

If you wish to volunteer to be a peer tutor in the first semester or if you require a peer tutor this semester, please follow the link to fill out the request form.  Peer tutors are student volunteers who would be comfortable assisting students with a class that they have already completed with at least an 80%+.

https://forms.gle/iwXC2LwwNS6NZTu4A