School Message
Hello to our Western families,
As we come to the last week of the 2024/25 school year, we want to acknowledge the ongoing and varied efforts of our students, parents, volunteers, and staff over these past 10 months. For any school, of course, but perhaps even more apparent at Western, it does take a collective approach to manage the many (many) events and opportunities that take place over the course of a school year. Our community steps up so often, so well, and with much enthusiasm, and our school benefits so much from all of the support.
As the most recent example of that, we want to extend much appreciation to our parent group, led by Katrina and Brigitte, who set up the Grab & Go breakfast initiative for the first/busiest week of June exams this year. This was such a hit with our students and helped get them off to a good start to their morning exams.
For this, and so much more, let me pass along a "thank you" on behalf of the staff and students from Western Canada High School.
Darrin Whitbread
Principal | Western Canada High School
Upcoming Dates
- Report Cards Visible to Families
- Wednesday, June 25th
- Mark Appeals Day
- Thursday, June 26th
Student Spotlight
Congrats to the wonderful students in our QSA, Spectrum for organizing a wonderful week of Pride celebrations!
Updates
Yearbook
Yearbook is looking for photos from the 2025 Graduation ceremony and banquet. If you have photos that you would like to see in the 2025 yearbook, please send them to us!
Students can submit photos here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-jOVel8ctHoomnMtLjtQnHXHYuMdpmPD2cbD8aLjw4XIgGA/viewform). They will need to use their CBE gmail accounts to submit.
Parents, if you have photos to submit, please contact Mr. Ellis: rmellis@cbe.ab.ca
Honour Society
Grade 11’s and 12’s should pick up honour society certificates in the main office. Medallions are still available for purchase in the business office for lifetime honour society recipients. Any Grade 10 – 12 students who need a “recalculation” after final marks are available, please email serivers@cbe.ab.ca
IB exam registration
May 2026 – For next year’s Grade 11 and 12 students who are finishing a sequence of IB classes next school year: please go to this form https://forms.gle/2Ei7KU6GBf6T7jR97 to pre-register for the May 2026 IB exams. The exams cover both first and second semester classes and the schedule can be found here: May-2026-IB-Exam-Schedule.pdf
Japanese Exchange Program
Keep your ears open in September for information regarding the 2026 Japanese Exchange program. Western students host 2 Japanese students in April and we travel and stay in a Japanese family home in July. More information in the fall.....
Course Registration Review for the 2025-2026 School Year
We encourage grade 10 and 11 students to review their course selection for the 2025-2026 schoolyear in PowerSchool. If they need any changes to their course selection, students should connect with their counsellor in-person (through drop-ins) or by email before June 20th.
Guidance Hours Update
Starting June 12th until June 26th, we will have drop-in from 8:30-12:30 and 1:15-3:30. Fridays from 8:30-12:00 and 12:30-1:30. No appointments necessary
Scholarship Update
Scholarships are available until the end of August through ScholarTree. There are over 1,100 awards totaling over $3,900,000. Summer 2025 Scholarship List
The Loran Award applications will open Thursday September 4th, 2025, and close October 16th, 2025. https://loranscholar.ca/becoming-a-scholar
For more information on scholarships, you can also access our school website: https://westerncanada.cbe.ab.ca/scholarships
Schedules Update
Student schedules will be available on PowerSchool for review around the third week of August
International Languages Certificates:
Thirty-four students received this certificate this week for having completed the 30, 31 or 35 level in French, Spanish and/or Japanese – at least two modern languages.
This certificate was established at WCHS in 2008 when the United Nations proclaimed that year the year of international languages and has been offered ever since. Congratulations! May you become true citizens of the world!
French Immersion Grade 12 students:
This week we received information regarding scholarships for students who have studied in French Immersion from the Société franco-canadienne de Calgary. The information document and the application form are available on the school’s French Immersion D2L site. Applications must have been received by the agency by July 31, 2025.
Attention current grade 11 French Immersion students!
Next January 2026, we will be offering a dual credit French Immersion course through Campus Saint-Jean. Students who register in the online course will receive 5 high school credits and 3 transferable University credits with the U of A (Campus Saint-Jean). Further details will be made available in the fall. If this opportunity is something that interests you, please email Ms. Scharf at mrscharf@cbe.ab.ca and connect with your guidance counsellor in the fall.
Summer School Withdrawal Requests
Withdrawal & refund (International Students) deadline is July 11, 2025.
Students wishing to withdraw from their summer school course prior to end of day June 26th will have their parent/guardian contact their Guidance Counsellor to make the request.
Students withdrawing from a summer school course between June 27th and July 11th:
Chinook Learning for In-person courses:
Student contacts the Administrator at the summer school location where they are registered to attend.
CBe-learn for Online courses:
Student contacts their summer school teacher.
After the withdrawal deadline, students will remain on the class list and the mark they have earned will appear on their transcript.
If you still have not received a confirmation email for your summer school course, please contact CBE Learn (online) cbelearn@cbe.ab.ca or Chinook Learning (in-person) chinooklearning@cbe.ab.ca
Post Secondary
EducationUSA Essay Writing Boot Camp (three-session intensive)
It is only recommended that you join the Essay Writing Boot Camp if you plan to apply to U.S. universities during this application cycle (fall 2025) to enroll next fall (2026). This is typically Grade 12 or CEGEP 2 students. The goal of these sessions is to engage in activities that will help you write a first draft by the end of the sessions.
August 7th, 12th, and 14th from 2:00-3:30 pm ET / 11:00 am-12:30 pm PT
The EducationUSA Essay Writing Boot Camp is a 3-session intensive that will help you conceptualize and begin writing your Common App essay for U.S. admissions. It is recommended that you attend all three 1.5-hour-long sessions. By signing up for this "Series," you will be registered for all sessions.
1. Thursday, August 7, 2-3:30 pm ET / 11 am - 12:30 pm PT: Admissions overview and brainstorming your Common App essay topic
2. Tuesday, August 12, 2-3:30 pm ET / 11 am - 12:30 pm PT: From brainstorm to outline
3. Thursday, August 14, 2-3:30 pm ET / 11 am - 12:30 pm PT: Writing your first draft and tackling supplemental essays
Each Boot Camp session will be recorded and made available to all registered participants.
EducationUSA Advising
EducationUSA is a free, U.S. State Department-funded organization that offers 1:1 advising to any student interested in learning more about U.S. study. Summer is a great time to start planning ahead! If you plan to apply to U.S. universities or colleges, consider booking an appointment with your adviser!
· Rachel Liu, Western Adviser (British Columbia, Alberta, Prairies, Yukon) - Book an advising session here.
Do you need support in finding low or no cost food?
Use the Calgary community food map and/or view a list of food resources across Calgary.
https://www.calgary.ca/social-services/low-income/access-to-food.html
Lunch Program Feedback
Ms. Meier is looking for feedback from students who have used the BB4CK lunch program this year, as well as feedback from their families. Filling out this form will help us improve the program for next year!
https://forms.gle/dcQ9PnpsrXFbmwbb6
French 31 IB/Honours
Grade 11 and 12 students who have left French Immersion but who wish to take one more course in French to maintain or enhance their skills prior to leaving high school may enroll in FR31 IB/Honours as there are still spots available. Contact your guidance counsellor to add this course to your timetable. The course is offered in the first semester only.