School Message
Hello to our Western families,
A shout-out today to the cast and crew of Chicago, which ran last week for multiple shows over three days/nights. With our production dates ‘locked in’, our students had an abbreviated opportunity to prepare but they did a fantastic job in making the show feel as if they’d been rehearsing for months and months. As always, well done – but with just a bit more emphasis on that under this year’s circumstances.
We continue to be so grateful for the tremendous response in supporting some of our Western families. The Amazon link will be active until next Wednesday. As an example of the impact this has, I want to pass on one of the messages we received. “I would like to sincerely thank you for all the help and support you provide to students who are struggling and cannot afford basic necessities and have to rely on these programs to survive. I am eternally grateful and I am looking forward to a time where I can be that adult that gives back to the community that helped raised them. Once again, thank you and I wish you a merry Christmas.”
Finally, as our winter season hits, we may not be looking forward to the snow/roads, but we are looking forward to basketball, wrestling, swim/dive, and our upcoming choral and band concerts, art show exhibitions, and our dance @noon show after the break. Please check out our Instagram page for more information about these various activities. We appreciate all the efforts of our students as they represent Western to such a high standard.
Thanks.
Darrin Whitbread
Principal | Western Canada High School
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, December 19th: Last Day of Classes Before the Winter Break
- Monday, December 22nd - Friday, January 2nd: Winter Break
- No School for Students
Updates
Agriculture Career Exploration Challenge
Your opportunity to explore careers and win money!
The agriculture and food systems sector is at the forefront of innovation, sustainability, and community development.
This challenge invites students to explore the diverse career pathways in agriculture, from traditional farming practices to modern food technology and environmental stewardship.
For details on how to enter and the financial rewards available – see https://industryimmersionseries.myblueprint.ca/december
Lifetouch – Fall Photo Ordering
Thank you for allowing us to capture your child’s school photo this year!
It's not too late to order your fall photos at mylifetouch.ca using your child’s Student ID number
(found in your student’s online profile, e.g. PowerSchool)
How to Order Online
1️⃣ Go to mylifetouch.ca
2️⃣ Log in to your account or continue as a guest
3️⃣ Select “Student ID”
4️⃣ Enter your school’s name, province, and postal code
5️⃣ Click the blue “Continue” button
6️⃣ Enter your child’s: Full name, Student ID number, Your relationship to the student
7️⃣ Click “Find Student”
8️⃣ When the photo appears, click “Yes, this is my student”
9️⃣ Choose from available photo package options
🔟 Complete your order online
Need Help?
Lifetouch Customer Care Line: 1-866-457-8212
Quick, easy, and secure ordering – your child’s school memories, delivered to you!
Grade 12 Grad Photo Bookings – Lifetouch Studio
Grade 12 students who are graduating this year, who would like to book a grad photo session at the Lifetouch studio, may do so by making a booking HERE.
For assistance, they can call 403-255-5440
2024-2025 Rideau Park Yearbooks
Students who were in grade 9 at Rideau Park, and who ordered a yearbook, they are now available for pick up in the main office at Rideau Park School, during their office hours.
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!
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.
STUDENT SERVICES
CBe-Learn Second Semester Online Course Requests:
Students, please come to student services and register in- person with your guidance counselor
Grade 12’s Only: December 9-11, 2025
All students (Grade 10, 11 and Grade 12’s that missed the December deadline): Jan 13-15, 2026
Semester 2 Timetable Changes:
All timetable changes for Semester 2 need to be completed with your guidance counselor by Friday, January 9th.
Grade 10 Lunchtime Presentations:
All grade 10 students are invited to attend a Lunchtime session on December 8 or 9 in the Main Gym. These sessions will provide Grade 10 students with important information regarding high school completion, useful resources, and how they can access their guidance counselors.
December Scholarship Information:
The National Scholarship Program – Western University Candidates
- National Scholarships are designed to recognize all-round excellence. For: outstanding academic performance, creative and innovative thought and a passion for the pursuit of learning. A special emphasis is placed on a candidate's commitment to community service through ongoing contributions to school and community life.
- National Scholarship Registration
- If you want to be one of 4 Western Canada High School nominees, please have one page essay describing your ability for creative and innovative thought and your passion for the pursuit of learning and a copy of your résumé by Feb. 2nd, 2026, to Mme Plante (maplante@cbe.ab.ca)
ScholarTree Holiday Break Scholarship List (over 1200 awards)
Go to WCHS website to access the list HERE.
Upcoming Post-Secondary Visits
- Dec 11: Bocconi University (from Italy) at lunch in the main foyer
- Dec 15: University of Lethbridge at lunch in the main foyer
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.
Reminder
Student Associations are cancelled for the week of December 8-12. They will resume at their regular time the following week (December 15-19)
Choral Winter Concert
The Choral Program's Winter Concert is on Monday, December 8th, at Knox United at 7pm and you’re invited! From classics like Carol of the Bells, Enya’s May It Be, and a chance to sing-along, there’s something everyone will love. Tickets are available at the door for just $20 or from Ms. Reinhardt in the choir room for $20 by bringing cash or cheque made payable to Western Canada High School. We hope you’ll join us for a night of beautiful music that will lift your spirits and get you ready for the holiday season!
WCHS Giving Tree
The annual WCHS Giving Tree Fundraiser has begun. Students Council is raising funds and food donations for the Brenda Strafford Foundation (Heart Home Network) between Monday, December 1 ~ Monday, December 15. This Foundation/Network supports families who are recovering from domestic violence. 75 families at the Heart Home Network will be beneficiaries of our donations.
Last year our staff and students donated meal hampers for all 75 families to support the Brenda Strafford Foundation. Staff and students are invited to help families in need once again.
How to Get Involved:
- Clubs, Associations, Student Teams [Student Sign Up Here]
- Register with Students’ Council and/or bring non-perishable food donations to place with/under the Tree in the Main Lobby from Monday December 2nd through Tuesday, December 16th
Dear WCHS families
Our annual Staff Appreciation week is coming up the week of December15th and it’s our chance to thank our amazing teachers and staff for all they do.
A warm thank-you to those who have already contributed. We are still looking for monetary contributions.
No amount is too small and every contribution truly makes a difference. If you would like to make an e-transfer in support of our
Staff Appreciation week, please send it to wchsexec@gmail.com
We've also created a signup link for anyone who would like to donate their favourite dish, treats, drinks or volunteer their time. Here is the link to Sign-up Genius. If you are bringing food we ask you to please list the ingredients on the food container as some staff have dietary restrictions:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0545A5AB22A2F9CF8-59332556-staff
We appreciate your support in celebrating our wonderful staff!
Kind Regards
WCHS Staff Appreciation Committee
University Admissions Interviews
Are you in Grade 11 or 12 and applying to universities that require interviews? Dr. Kaplan: a Western parent, Dartmouth alumnus and professor at the University of Calgary will share advice based on his experiences interviewing candidates for Dartmouth University. This session is on Tuesday, December 9 at 12:00 pm in room 179. Bring your lunch.
IB Exam Fees
Fees should now be updated on PowerSchool for everyone writing official IB exams in May. Please ensure these fees are paid before the Jan. 12 exam drop deadline.
IB Exam Confirmation emails for students who registered after October 5th should be sent over the next week. IB exams can still be registered for a small late fee until January 12th. After that, the cost to write IB exams doubles.
Any questions please email Ms. Rivers serivers@cbe.ab.ca
Visual Arts
Art 30 will be showcasing illustrations at the Winter Fantasia Concert on Sunday December 7th. The artwork is inspired by the poetry that will be read during the concert.
- The Mount Royal Conservatory presents Winter Fantasia
- Sunday, December 7, 2025
- 3:00PM-5:00PM
- Bella Concert Hall Calgary, AB
Hope to see you there!
2025-2026 Yearbook: Call for Photos
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 December 31st, 2025, you will have the opportunity to pay BEFORE the price rises; currently set at $55.00, you don’t want to miss out on this deal! Use the link below or the QR code to order your yearbook NOW!
Jostens - 2025-26 Yearbook
