School Message
Good Afternoon to our Western families,
As we head into the Thanksgiving weekend, we hope our students can take some time with families and friends to relax and decompress - even if just for a day. We know that things are amping up here, with tasks, assignments, tests, tournaments, etc., and we know that some students can start to feel overwhelmed with some of these pressures. As mentioned a few weeks ago, please reach out to a teacher, a counselor, or an assistant principal should your child be feeling this way, and we'll work together to come up with a plan.
On behalf of our Parent Council group, please take note of the following two messages:
Thanks to all those who have signed up to assist with the WCHS
Casino on October 28 and 29 at Cowboys Casino. We require approximately 12 more volunteers to make this event happen. In two days, the casino raises over $80,000 in funds for the school.
No experience is necessary. Please sign up HERE
We are also hosting our GM on November 19th at 6:30 pm. We have multiple positions available, including: vice chairperson; treasurer; casino volunteer coordinator; staff appreciation coordinator; digital communication manager; Celebrate Western fundraisers; etc. If you want to volunteer your time to support our school community, we have a place for you. Please note that a police clearance is not necessary for any parent council position or to volunteer at the casino. If you have any questions, please email me at wchsexecegmail.com.
Thanks.
Darrin Whitbread
Principal | Western Canada High School
Upcoming Dates
- Photo Retakes
Friday October 9th - Thanksgiving
Monday, October 12th - Parent-Teacher Interviews
October 19th, 2026 - 9:00 - 12:00 & 12:30 - 3:30
Updates
Parent Council
Welcome Back! Join the Western Canada High School Parent Council
Welcome back to a brand new school year! We are excited to invite parents to get involved and join the Western Canada High School Parent Council.
We are currently looking for parents to join our team, with a specific focus on filling key roles, including Treasurer, and volunteers for various events, including the Celebrate Western fundraisers. If you want to volunteer your time to support our school community, we have a place for you. No police clearance is required to join.
If you are interested in getting involved, please follow the link below and fill out our quick questionnaire:
Once submitted, a member of our team will contact you by email. Thank you for your continued support, dedication, and partnership in making this a fantastic year for our students!
Warm regards,
Western Canada High School Parent Council
Peer Tutoring
We are still looking for peer tutors - especially in classes offered in French. Please follow this link to request a tutor or sign up to become a volunteer tutor in the morning, at lunch, after school (or even virtually in the evenings). Peer tutors and tutees
Online CALM - Term 2
Students taking Term 2 online CALM through Western Canada should be asking their parents/guardians to fill in the human sexuality permission opt-in or opt-out form that was emailed to parents/guardian on October 5th. This form was sent to all parents/guardians of students taking term 2 online CALM through Western Canada High and was sent to parent emails on file at the school.
All students taking term 2 online CALM through Western Canada need to return this form whether opting in or opting out of the sexual health content. Please ask your parent/guardian to read the form, fill it out, sign, print off and return to the main office of the school or email back to mmvangeel@cbe.ab.ca
Student Services:
Classroom Visits
Grade 10 students can expect classroom visits from Student Services in early October.
🎓 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.
Concordia University (Montreal)
📅 October 13 | 📍 Main Foyer | 🕛 Lunch
Memorial University
📅 October 14 | 📍 Main Foyer | 🕛 Lunch
Acadia University
📅 October 26 | 📍 Main Foyer | 🕛 Lunch
Queens University
📅 October 26 | 📍 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 Opportunities – October 2026
University of Toronto – National Scholarship
Four years of tuition, residence, books and incidentals. For high-achieving students demonstrating leadership, creativity, intellectual curiosity, and community involvement. WCHS nomination required.
📅 Deadline: October 30, 2026
🔗 https://future.utoronto.ca/national-scholarship/about/
University of Toronto – Wolf Scholar Program
Full tuition and ancillary fees for four years, living stipend, travel opportunities, and access to internships. For Canadian citizens/PRs with a 90%+ average applying early to U of T Arts & Science (St. George) or Applied Science & Engineering. Three WCHS nominees.
📅 Submit a 300–500 word essay + résumé to Mme. Plante by October 22, 2026
📧 maplante@cbe.ab.ca
🔗 https://wolfscholars.awardsplatform.com/
University of Toronto – Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
For international students entering U of T in September 2027. WCHS nomination required.
📅 Submit a 300–500 word essay + résumé to Mme. Plante by October 1, 2026
📧 maplante@cbe.ab.ca
📅 U of T application deadline: October 16, 2026
Loran Award
A four-year leadership program including a tuition waiver, living stipend, mentorship, summer work experiences, and leadership opportunities. For Canadian citizens/PRs entering university in 2027 with an 88%+ average.
📅 Deadline: October 15, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
🔗 https://loranscholar.ca/becoming-a-scholar
Terry Fox Humanitarian Award – Up to $28,000
For graduating students with strong academic standing and significant unpaid humanitarian/community involvement who plan to attend a Canadian post-secondary institution.
📅 Deadline: December 1, 2026
🔗 https://terryfoxawards.ca/applicant-information/
Schulich Leader Scholarship – 100,000–120,000
For entrepreneurial-minded students pursuing undergraduate STEM programs who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and creativity. WCHS nomination required.
📅 Submit essay + résumé to Mme. Plante by January 20, 2027
📧 maplante@cbe.ab.ca
🔗 https://schulichleaders.com/
Education Matters – Stampede Toyota Award – $5,000
For Grade 12 students in NE Calgary who demonstrate community involvement and financial need. A two-minute video and reference letter are required.
📅 Deadline: December 4, 2026
🔗 https://applications.educationmatters.ca/
Breakthrough Opportunity Bursary for New Immigrants – $3,000
For Grade 12 CBE students who are new immigrants or refugees to Canada within the past five years and pursuing trades/vocational programs. Financial need is considered.
🔗 https://applications.educationmatters.ca/
For more scholarship opportunities: Students are encouraged to regularly check the scholarship information available through Student Services and EducationMatters.
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.
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
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 are comfortable assisting students with a class that they have already completed with at least an 80%+.