School Message
Good Afternoon to our Western families,
As we head into the warm/sunny long weekend, we hope that there's an opportunity for students and families to decompress a bit before we head into the final weeks of classes and exams.
On that note, we want to take a moment to recognize that many of our IB students have already begun some of their IB-specific exams and/or are submitting final assessments.
We know this comes with some extra pressures, and we encourage those students and the rest of our students in the upcoming weeks to make sure they're expressing any concerns/anxiety/frustration with parents as courses wrap up.
If you're driving by Western on Tuesday, you may end up seeing part of the process of a tipi raising on our front grass along 17th Avenue. Our school is working with Indigenous Education and a guest knowledge keeper to bring this rather unique learning experience to our students. We are hoping that the weather cooperates for the day, as this has been booked months ago, and we can't just do it another day.
Finally, in terms of registration for next year, Western does have some unexpected space in our regular and French Immersion programming - especially in grade 10. While we won't be adding from any other CBE high schools, we are happy to have conversations with families who might currently be registered with another educational setting.
Thank you,
Darrin Whitbread, Principal | Western Canada High School
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, May 18th
- Victoria Day | No School for Students
Updates
Mandatory Grade 12 Grad Rehearsal
May 20th @ 2 pm in the main gym
All Grade 12 graduating students are required to attend the graduation rehearsal in the main gym on Wednesday, May 20th. At this time, they will be receiving specific details regarding the ceremony, details about the banquet, picking up their graduation gowns, caps, tassels, and v-stole, and group captains will be able to get the banquet tickets for their group.
Photo ID required for gown pick up and banquet ticket pick up.
Honour Society Celebration
The honour society celebration is taking place on Tuesday, May 26th, from 6:30 – 7:30 in the main gym. Students who have qualified should see their student number listed on the display case by the main office / student services. Students and families are welcome to attend the certificate presentation (doors open at 6 pm). There is an optional $20 Lifetime Medallion for Grade 12 students who qualified for all three years (example visible in the same display case). Students must follow the link to register their attendance if they expect their certificate to be ready that evening. Any late registrants or students who cannot attend on May 26th will be able to pick up the certificate after May 26th in the front foyer (schedule to be posted). https://forms.gle/5nNYGhtu9FbcdLMy5
Choral Year-End End Concert
The Choral Program's Year-End Concert is coming up on Wednesday, May 27th, at Knox United at 7 pm, and you’re invited!
From classics like one of Haydn’s Glorias to music from the musical For Good, and classics by The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel, there’s something for everyone! Tickets are on sale from Ms. Reinhardt in the choir room for $15/adults, $5/students with a student ID by bringing cash or a cheque made payable to Western Canada High School. Get your tickets today and support the WCHS Choral Program!
Fall Drama Auditions
Any students interested in auditioning for the fall drama production, Into The Woods,a please sign up in the Drama/Band Hallway, and pick up an audition package. No experience necessary, auditions will be held in June
Summer Learning Opportunities
New I CTS Summer School Programs
- Introduction to Welding (Forest Lawn HS)
- Introduction to Cosmetology (Centennial HS)
- Introduction to Engineering (Sir Winston Churchill HS)
- Introduction to Broadcasting and Podcasting (Sir Winston Churchill HS)
- Introduction to Networking and Cybersecurity (Sir Winston Churchill HS)
- Deadline: May 22, 2026
Students may also be interested in earning credits through:
Summer Off-Campus Opportunities
Summer Off-Campus allows students to earn high school credits through paid or volunteer work in Calgary. Students must secure a job placement and have HCS3000
One Credit Safety Courses via SafeGen
Students – did you register to complete the one-credit online courses in SafeGen? If so, certificates of completion should be sent to Mr. Smith prior to June 10th. Email him at bgsmith@cbe.ab.ca
A reminder to complete HCS3000 is the pre-requisiste and should be completed prior to HCS3010 or AGR3000.
Any student considering work experience, RAP or a career in the trades should consider signing up for these courses.
French Immersion Certificates
The distribution of the French Immersion certificates will take place on Tuesday, May 26th in the gymnasium at WCHS.
Doors will open at 7:30 and the ceremony will begin at 7:45.
Parents/Guardians/family members are welcome.
International Languages Certificate
Students who are graduating and have obtained credits for the 30 level or higher in two or more subjects should submit their name and a copy of their DAR to Mme/Sra. Bergerman by Thursday, May 21st.
French Immersion students have already submitted their information.
Student Services
2026/2027 Course Requests:
As we are fast approaching the end of the school year, we encourage grade 10 and 11 students to review their course selection for the 2026-2027 school year in PowerSchool. If they need any changes to their course selection, students should connect with their counsellor in person (through drop-ins) before June 9th. This is for course selection only. The schedule will be available by the 3rd week of August, at which point students can fill out an online form for adjustments. This will be directly communicated to families in August.
Summer School Confirmation:
Students who registered for summer school classes can expect to receive confirmation emails from CBE-Learn the first week of June.
Upcoming University Visits:
May Scholarships and Bursaries:
Western Canada Alumni Bursary ($3,500)
Awarded to 5 students demonstrating leadership and financial need.
Apply via the Guidance Office or the WCHS website.
Deadline: May 1, 2026, at 12:00 pm (submit to Guidance or email Mme Plante).
Bill Gibson Bursary ($7,500)
For Grade 12 students entering a full-time undergraduate program at a Calgary post-secondary institution. Requires leadership, financial need, and one reference. Renewable up to 4 years.
Deadline: May 15, 2026
Apply: calgaryfoundation.org/student-awards
Owen Hart Foundation Awards ($4,000)
Multiple awards for graduating students attending post-secondary. Minimum 70%, leadership, and financial need required.
Deadline: May 30, 2026
Apply: https://calgaryfoundation.org/awards/scholarships-awards-bursaries/
EducationMatters Awards (Various)
Many scholarships and bursaries are available through one general application.
Note: Do not use your CBE email.
Apply: educationmatters.ca
Calgary Italian Sportswomen’s Association Scholarship ($5,000)
For female students of Italian descent with strong academics (75%+), athletics, and community involvement.
Deadline: May 20, 2026
Apply: calgaryitaliansportswomen.ca
CANstruction
Canstruction is a tradition at Western, dating back 20+ years. Western students demonstrate their quality by giving to community causes and taking time to build and celebrate together.
Students form teams, sign up, bring in food donations, and spend an afternoon building creative sculptures with their donations before passing them on to the Calgary Food Bank.
You can also contribute by bringing in canned food donations for the Food Bank (lobby drop-off).
Let's help the broader community while tapping into some school spirit and having fun! Yes, you CAN!
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.
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!
Independent Student Form
Age 18 is the legal age of majority in Alberta, which affects the rights of parents/guardians of students who reach the majority to receive certain information from The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and CBE schools concerning that student.
When a student reaches the majority, he/she/they become an “Independent Student” under the School Act. Alberta's Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) prevents the CBE from disclosing personal information concerning an Independent Student to any persons (other than that individual), including to the parent/guardian, unless the individual consents in writing. Without such written consent being received by the CBE from the Independent Student, CBE is not able to share personal information with the parent/guardian concerning the Independent Student. Such information includes, but is not limited to, attendance records, parent/teacher conferences, field trips, suspensions, report cards, and similar matters.
The required consent form is emailed to students in advance of them turning 18. Students may also obtain a copy of the form from the main office.
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.