School Message
Hello to our Western families,
We want to recognize all of our fall sports teams, who navigated an interrupted season this year. While there were unusual challenges due to the strike, we thank our athletes/trainers/coaches for their daily efforts to represent our school so well. Just before we head into our winter seasons, our Football team is playing for a city championship on Friday at 445 (Hellard Field at Shouldice). Our Sr Girls’ Volleyball team is also playing for cities on Saturday at 230 (St. Francis), while our Sr Boys’ Volleyball team is playing for bronze that same day/place at 12:00. We wish them all well in these final games. As this is playoffs, a reminder that there is an entrance fee (cash or credit only) to come watch/cheer: $2 for students/seniors; $5 for adults.
Following up on the request for community supports from a few weeks ago, which was supported so tremendously, we want to determine what needs might be prevalent for some of our families for the Christmas season. We recognize that the winter holiday season can be difficult, especially for families that are already struggling to provide basic necessities. Where possible, we want to help ensure that all Western Canada students and their families enjoy the holidays. If you need some assistance with providing holiday essentials and smaller gifts, please submit a request for a Redhawk Holiday Hamper by filling out this form. The deadline for requests is December 1st and you will be contacted with additional details later that week.
Please note – you must be signed in to a student EDUCBE account to access this form.
Thanks.
Darrin Whitbread
Principal | Western Canada High School
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, November 28th: Non-Instructional Day (no school for students)
- Parent-Teacher Conferences 9AM-1:30PM (online)
- Friday, November 21st: Last Day of Term 1
- Wednesday, December 3rd: Report Cards Visible to Parents/Guardians
Updates
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.
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.
School Conferences
School conferences will be online on November 28th from 9AM to 1:30PM. Parents/guardians are able to book conferences with teachers through PowerSchool on Monday, November 24th at 9AM. Bookings will close on Thursday, November 27th at 9AM.
Technical support for booking a conference may be found HERE.
To create a MyCBE account, please see HERE.
IPP Update
Individual Program Plans are always visible to teachers throughout the year. Currently, IPPs are being completed and teachers are adding comments on the selected learning targets. IPPs will be available for your student to bring home on November 27th.
Fall Drama Production
FUN NEWS! Tickets for our fall Drama Production Chicago! are on sale every day at lunch in the theatre foyer for $20 each or at the door night of, cash only. Show runs Wednesday Nov 26th, Thursday November 27th and Friday November 28th at 7pm in the theatre at WCHS.
FRIDAY IS SOLD OUT
Tickets are still available for Wednesday and Thursday.
Choral Winter Concert
The Choral Program's Winter Concert is coming up on Monday, December 8th, at Knox United at 7pm and you’re invited! From classics like Carol of the Bells to pop favourites, there’s something everyone will love. Tickets are on sale from Ms. Reinhardt in the choir room for $20 by bringing cash or cheque made payable to Western Canada High School. Get your tickets today and support the WCHS Choral Program!
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
10 and 20 Level French Language Challenge Exams
Due to changes that have been made to accommodate major assessments due to the strike, FR10-9Y and FR20-9Y challenge exams for students enrolled in FLA 10 and 20 THIS semester will take place on Wednesday, December 3rd for FR10-9Y and on Tuesday, December 4th for FR20-9Y. FLA teachers will be providing their students with the pertinent information during class early next week.
Since this will take place on the same day as the choir rehearsal and concert, Grade 10 students who are in choir will be given the opportunity to take the exam at a time that is convenient for the teacher and the students concerned.
Explore Program
The Official Language Programs – an agency of the Government of Canada – offers students the opportunity to spend three weeks during the summer studying/perfecting their French by living in a community where French is the main language.
This is ideal for students who are currently in grades 10 or 11.
A representative from the Explore program will be at our school on Tuesday, December 2, and will host a meeting in room 257 after school from 3:30 to 4:00. She will also be speaking to a few classes during the afternoon.
Check out their website and/or download their app.
https://englishfrench.ca/programs/
https://englishfrench.ca/explore/
STUDENT SERVICES
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 about important information regarding high school completion, useful resources, and how they can access their guidance counselors .
Extension of Course Withdraw Date:
Students now have until November 27 to drop a course from semester 1.
IB Exam Registration and Fee Payments:
May 2026 IB exam registrations for the official IB exams are open until Nov. 8 on this Google Form: May 2026 IB Exam Registration. Don’t forget about Chinese IB 30 or Spanish 31, 35, Math 35, Physics 35, Bio 35, Math 35 that only occur in second semester! The IB fees for the registrations completed before October 6th are still being updated, so please check PowerSchool next week if you’ve already received an IB exam confirmation. Questions or concerns or late registrations can be directed to Ms. Rivers serivers@cbe.ab.ca .
Language Challenge Exams
The Language Course Challenge Exam, scheduled for this Saturday, has been postponed. November 29th will now be the new date for Part 1 and December 13th is the date for Part 2. Students that registered for the Fall sitting of the Language Challenge Exam can expect to receive communication from the CBE languages team in the coming days via email, regarding dates and times for the Fall exam sitting. For any further questions please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Irwin in guidance at jairwin@cbe.ab.ca
Western Dance Programme
If you love to dance or would like to learn, Dance 15, in second semester is where it’s at! Ms. Price creates a welcoming community where all skill levels are welcome and seen. The Dance Programme offers a variety of opportunities to grow as an artist or leader and to develop skills and techniques from a variety of dance genres. Speak with Ms. Price in the Dance Studio or your Guidance Counsellor for more information!