School Message
Hello to our Western families,
We are settling into our second week, and are starting to see (slightly) less congestion in our halls as students are finding alternative ways to get to their classes. We also had many hundreds of students in the gym during lunch today, checking out and signing up for clubs/associations. As our school offers so many extra-curricular opportunities, we certainly encourage our students to find something that appeals to them to get the most out of their time at Western.
As you’ll see later in the newsletter, our Meet the Teacher evening is happening next week. As part of that, our School Council is also hosting a session (primarily for grade 12’s) related to the post-secondary application process. We look forward to welcoming parents into the building for both of these opportunities.
With yesterday’s announcement from the ATA, we have already had some families reaching out directly to the school to ask for more clarity around what potential strike action might look like for their children. While it is understandable that there is much wondering about this, I would refer people back to the Chief Superintendent’s message from yesterday and the associated labour action link found via the CBE website.
Thank you,
Darrin Whitbread
Principal | Western Canada High School
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, September 12th
- Photo Catch-Up Day
- for students who have not yet had their photo taken
- Thursday, September 18th
- Meet the Teacher Night 6PM-8PM
- Friday, September 26th
- Orange Shirt Day
Student Spotlight
Over the summer break, grade 12 students Daniella L, and Eden X, participated in the University of Calgary’s Alberta Innovates High School Youth Research Summer Program (HYRS) where they had the opportunity to work with lead researchers in scientific fields. Daniella supported research on gene identification for specific diseases through coding, and Eden supported research around muskoxen populations through analysis of root length of their teeth.
Updates
Japanese Student Exchange
Western is once involved in the Yamate Student Exchange program with Japan. We host students in the last 2 weeks of April and Calgary students go to Japan in the last 2 weeks of July. Spots are limited and priority is given to Japanese language learners. Interested students should attend a lunch meeting in room 153 Thursday the 18th at lunch.
Join the WCHS Choral Program!
It's not too late to get involved in your school community and make new friends in Western’s award-winning choral program. No experience is required, and you’ll earn extra credits! See Ms. Reinhardt in the choir room or email sjreinhardt@cbe.ab.ca for more info about trying out a class to see if it’s right for you!
Fall Fancy Social – Fine Arts Students
The Drama Exec, along with our fellow student artists in Choir, Dance, Visual Art, and Band invite all Fine Arts students to our annual Fall Fancy Social on Friday September 19th from 6:30-8pm. Wear your favorite fancy fall outfit and join your creative community for dancing, food, and autumnal celebrations! Entry 2$ at the door
Student Parking Passes
There are a limited number available, with most of them reserved for grade 12 students. A student parking pass application form is available on Western’s Website, please read this through carefully with your child. A valid driver’s license (not learner’s) is required, and ALL school fees must be paid for ahead of time. Grade 12 students can apply for the parking pass starting on Wednesday, Sept. 17th at 8:00 AM at the business office; grade 11 students can do so on Thursday, Sept 18th at 8:00 AM at the business office. Parking passes are given on a first come first served basis and must be done in person. Students need to present their driver’s license and vehicle registration in person, along with a completed parking application form.
Student Associations
The first meeting of student associations is after school on Tuesday September 16 from 3:40 – 5:00pm. Please see Ms. Wesolowsky, in room 208, during tutorials for room allocations!
November Diplomas
November diplomas are available for any student who has missed a diploma or wants to re-write a diploma. Alberta Education charges a fee of $26.25 for each re-write. The registration deadline is Oct. 1st, and students need to make an appointment with Mr. Wiebe in order to register. Students can email Mr. Wiebe for more information, or to set up an appointment.
Swim and Dive
Looking to join the swim and dive team? We’re having a meeting next Wednesday, September 17, at lunch, in room 074. Come pick up the tryout forms and get some information about the upcoming season. If you can’t attend, please come find one of the teachers involved (Ms. Tammy Adams, Mr. Phillips, Ms. Rochefort).
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!
School Website
To keep up to date with all things Western, please check out the school’s website.
Western Canada High School website
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.
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.
Terry Fox School Run - Fri. Sep. 19th
- Raise money for cancer research & raise awareness of community causes.
- It feels good to contribute to helping others and to take action in support of community need.
- Build resilience among students by celebrating Canadians who face challenges and act to overcome them.
What & Where
There are many ways to contribute:
- Donations will be accepted online (our fundraising page) or in person on Fri. September 19th (cash please).
- Students and staff are invited to become runners/fundraisers – contact Mr. Fuhr
- ( jgfuhr@cbe.ab.ca ).
- Period 3 classes are invited to raise funds together - The Period 3 class that raises the most cash for cancer research will win a tasty prize.
- Freezies will be available for purchase – proceeds go to the Terry Fox Foundation.
- Our event is on the back field at Western on Friday, September 19th
Yearbook
Do you have clear, high-quality photos that you have taken of your students at school events? Upload them to this QR code to help out with the culmination of our yearbook this year! All photos will be reviewed and potentially used as part of our yearbook.
Purchase the 2025-26 Yearbook online
Yearbook sales have begun, and NOW is the BEST time to purchase your yearbook for the 2025-26 school year! If you order BEFORE October 24th, 2025, you will get the BEST price of the school year at $50.00! Use the link below or the QR code to order your yearbook NOW!
Student Services
If students require assistance or support from their Guidance Counsellors, they do not need to book an appointment and can drop in to the Student Services Office when convenient for them to do so, during our daily office hours. Students will be seen on a first come, first served basis.
Office Hours for Ms. McEachern (A-G), Mme. Plante (H-O), Mr. Chieng (P-Z)
- Monday through Thursday
- 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- 1:15pm – 3:45 pm
- Friday
- 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
- 12:30 pm – 1:40 pm
Office Hours for Mrs. Irwin
- Monday
- 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- 1:15 pm – 3:45 pm
- Tuesday
- 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Wednesday
- 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Thursday
- 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- 1:15 pm – 2:00 pm
- Friday
- 10:15 am – 12:00 pm
- 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Post -Secondary Visits
- University of Victoria – Monday, September 15th at lunch in the library and Tuesday, September 23rd at 3:25 pm to 4:15 pm in the cafeteria
- McMaster University – Tuesday, September 16th at lunch in the library
- Bow Valley College - Monday, September 22nd at lunch in the main foyer
- UBC – Tuesday, September 23rd 8:15 am – 9:30 am in the main foyer
- Vancouver Island University – Tuesday, September 23rd at lunch in the main foyer