School Message
Good Afternoon to our Western families,
We want to take a moment to recognize the efforts/performances of many of our Fine Arts students over the past two weeks, with a wonderful Centre Stage dance production last week, the spring art show on display in the cafeteria, and the Jazz band concert two nights ago. We very much enjoy seeing the talents and creativity of our students on display, and look forward to some similar upcoming events from our choral and band groups.
After last week's messaging, I want to deliberately offer a 'thank you' to our grade 12's (especially) regarding their responsiveness connected to the senior assassin game and their overall behavior in the cafeteria.
One reminder about our student parking lot, please. We have a lot car/foot traffic back there and, while we aren't asking to restrict parent pick-ups at this time, we do want to point out the obvious that much care needs to be given to pedestrians and other drivers. We have had a number of accidents, bumps, and near-misses over the last few weeks, in particular, and want to encourage extra caution and awareness when in that parking lot. Thank you,
Darrin Whitbread, Principal | Western Canada High School
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, May 15th
- Non-Instructional Day | No School for Students
- Monday, May 18th
- Victoria Day | No School for Students
Updates
Trades Summer Job Opportunity – Deadline May 15
Looking for a paid summer job in the trades? Careers Next Generation (CNG) is now accepting applications—but the deadline is May 15.
CNG connects students with real employers for hands-on, paid internships that can kickstart your career and even lead into apprenticeships and future work. [careersnextgen.ca]
Opportunities exist across a wide range of trades, including:
- Automotive Service Technician
- HVAC
- Roofing
- Plumbing / Pipe trades
To be a strong candidate:
- Students interested in automotive trades should be 16+ with a driver’s licence
- Grade 12 students are preferred, especially those able to work the full summer and possibly continue into the fall
Important Requirement
- Workplace Safety courses (HCS3000 & HCS3010) are REQUIRED for participation as is CTS2020 (Construction safety course)
- These courses are completed online and registration is with Mr. Smith the Tech Centre.
Get Started by
- Applying to CNG by May 15
- Registering for HCS3000 & HCS3010
Don’t miss this chance to earn money, build experience, and start your pathway into the trades.
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.
Exchanges to Spain and Mexico
Students studying Spanish wishing to submit an application to participate in an exchange are reminded that they are to have spoken to their respective Spanish teacher by Friday, May 8th and must submit the application form to their teacher by Thursday, May 14th.
Further information, including application materials and program details, is available on this website:
https://www.alberta.ca/student-and-educator-exchange-programs
Western Badminton
Congratulations to the Western Canada Badminton Team who are the 2026
Division 1 Badminton City Champions and Provincial Silver Medalists!
In addition, congratulations to the individual City and Provincial medalists
- Cities - Singles
- Anna W - Silver
- Nathan Z - Gold
- Ivy S - Silver
- Jimmy L - Silver
- Cities - Doubles
- Xunday Y and Lauren O - Gold
- Erica S and Elaine Z - Gold
- Jay T and Edward X Silver
- Jocelyn G and Rayeon K - Bronze
- Andrew H and Justin L - Silver
- Cities - Mixed
- Emily P and Justin W - Silver
- Megan C and Richard C - Silver
- Kristen P and Weiqi W - Bronze
- Provincials
- Nathan Z - Gold - singles
- Anna W - Silver - singles
- Ivy S - Silver - singles
- Erica S and Elaine Z - Bronze - doubles
Student Services
Chinook Learning at Western:
Chinook Learning Services is coming to Western Thursday May 14 in the library (area 4) at lunch. There will be a presentation and time for questions.
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 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 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
Fall Drama Auditions!
Fall drama production auditions! Any student who would like to audition for the Fall drama production Into The Woods,, please sign up in the Drama/Band hallway and don’t forget your audition package. No experience necessary
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.