Greater Victoria School District

A former SD61 woodshop teacher has been disciplined after a 2020 incident where a student’s hair got ripped out of their head after it got stuck in a wood planer. Other student injuries on the former teacher’s watch also led to discipline. (Black Press Media file photo)

Former Greater Victoria woodshop teacher disciplined for injuries in his class

Christian Michel failed to provide a safe classroom despite repeated reminders, injuries

 

Willows Grade 5 students in the Greater Victoria School District strings program rally in spring 2021 against cuts to program funding for the next school year. The board of education accepted a donation to save the program for next year. (Ian Sharpe photo)

Donation saves orchestral strings program in Greater Victoria schools

Funds allow for specific program available across all 28 elementary schools

 

Students explore the outdoors and learn how to lead in the Greater Victoria School District’s Tourism and Leadership Exploration program. (Photo by Sean Thompson)

Greater Victoria teens explore outdoors, hone leadership skills with tourism program

Businesses partner in SD61 program that trains students as tour guides

 

Over 100 students lined the sidewalks of Boleskine Road in April, protesting cuts to Greater Victoria School District music programs. An online fundraising campaign aims to raise enough funds to revive SD61’s elementary strings program, which was cut from the district’s 2022-23 budget. (Black Press Media file photo)

Parents group fundraising to save Greater Victoria elementary strings program

Online campaign goal $85K, foundation offers to chip in if community support found

Over 100 students lined the sidewalks of Boleskine Road in April, protesting cuts to Greater Victoria School District music programs. An online fundraising campaign aims to raise enough funds to revive SD61’s elementary strings program, which was cut from the district’s 2022-23 budget. (Black Press Media file photo)
Oak Bay High students Kaelyn Bonner and Katherine Lee do preflight checks at the Victoria Flying Club, ahead of their discovery flight as part of the aviation and design program offered through the Greater Victoria School District. (Tom Aerts/Twitter)

Oak Bay student among those high on aviation possibilities

Greater Victoria School District helps kids fly with aviation and design program

Oak Bay High students Kaelyn Bonner and Katherine Lee do preflight checks at the Victoria Flying Club, ahead of their discovery flight as part of the aviation and design program offered through the Greater Victoria School District. (Tom Aerts/Twitter)
The proposed Greater Victoria School District budget for 2022-23 calls for signficant cuts, and as such has drawn criticism from local teachers association and parent advisory council reps. (Black Press Media file photo)

Here we go again: cuts to counselling, music possible for Greater Victoria schools

Teachers, parents group concerned with how SD61 may address $7.2-million deficit

The proposed Greater Victoria School District budget for 2022-23 calls for signficant cuts, and as such has drawn criticism from local teachers association and parent advisory council reps. (Black Press Media file photo)
Western red cedar trees at Frank Hobbs Elementary are being stripped of their bark. Saanich police are aiming to determine whether this is traditional Indigenous practice or vandalism. (Photo courtesy Saanich Police Department)

Cedar bark stripping at Saanich school could be Indigenous practice

Saanich police investigating; looking to rule out vandalism, keep students safe

Western red cedar trees at Frank Hobbs Elementary are being stripped of their bark. Saanich police are aiming to determine whether this is traditional Indigenous practice or vandalism. (Photo courtesy Saanich Police Department)
The Greater Victoria School District board of trustees invotes the public to attend their March 10 budget meeting, happening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the district’s Uplands campus on Henderson Road. (Courtesy of Greater Victoria School District)

Greater Victoria School District invites input on budget options at March 10 meeting

Board must tackle $7-million deficit, inflation pressures for 2022-23 school year

The Greater Victoria School District board of trustees invotes the public to attend their March 10 budget meeting, happening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the district’s Uplands campus on Henderson Road. (Courtesy of Greater Victoria School District)
The updated plan for Victoria Hospice Society work on Bowker Creek should the School District 61 Lansdowne land sale be approved. (Victoria Hospice Society). (Courtesy of Victoria Hospice Society)

Greater Victoria School District defers land sale discussion two weeks

Victoria Hospice presentation, potential third reading of bylaw set for March 14 meeting

The updated plan for Victoria Hospice Society work on Bowker Creek should the School District 61 Lansdowne land sale be approved. (Victoria Hospice Society). (Courtesy of Victoria Hospice Society)
The cast of the Wizard of Oz is set to perform in early March at Claremont Secondary School in Saanich. (Photo courtesy of Chelsea Giordano)

Claremont musical theatre students bring Wizard of Oz to Saanich theatre

Performances occur from March 2 to 5 and March 9 to 12, two matinees available

The cast of the Wizard of Oz is set to perform in early March at Claremont Secondary School in Saanich. (Photo courtesy of Chelsea Giordano)
Cedar Hill Middle School in Saanich has been approved for a seismically sound replacement. (Black Press Media file photo)

Open house March 3 to collect public input for Cedar Hill middle school in Saanich

Event runs 6 to 8 p.m., topics include site plans, traffic circulation, bike access and more

Cedar Hill Middle School in Saanich has been approved for a seismically sound replacement. (Black Press Media file photo)
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have been censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria trustees’ suspensions result of disparaging Twitter comments, board chair says

Some details of decision revealed in public letter, following community concern

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have been censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photo)
Kevin Harter, CEO of the Victoria Hospice Society, says the 1.9 acres they hope to purchase from the Greater Victoria School District is ideal for their purposes. In advance of a decision by SD61, the society has begun developing a conservation plan for the adjacent section of Bowker Creek. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria school district invites final public input ahead of potential $2.5M land sale

Public can speak at Feb. 23 virtual meeting, decision on selling to Hospice expected Feb. 28

Kevin Harter, CEO of the Victoria Hospice Society, says the 1.9 acres they hope to purchase from the Greater Victoria School District is ideal for their purposes. In advance of a decision by SD61, the society has begun developing a conservation plan for the adjacent section of Bowker Creek. (Black Press Media file photo)
Kevin Harter CEO Victoria Hospice Society, says the 1.9 acre property they hope to purchase from the Greater Victoria School District is ideal for the group to build. The society has begun developing a plan to incorporate the adjacent Bowker Creek into its development proposal. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Victoria Hospice targets creek remediation plan ahead of potential land purchase

Greater Victoria School District proposing sale of 1.9 acres to hospice society for new building

Kevin Harter CEO Victoria Hospice Society, says the 1.9 acre property they hope to purchase from the Greater Victoria School District is ideal for the group to build. The society has begun developing a plan to incorporate the adjacent Bowker Creek into its development proposal. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
The Victoria Hospice Society hopes to build a new space for grief support, education and end-of-life programs on 1.9 acres off Richmond Road. (Courtesy SD61)

School board land sale for Victoria Hospice clears first hurdles

Voices of opposition cite Bowker Creek health concerns

The Victoria Hospice Society hopes to build a new space for grief support, education and end-of-life programs on 1.9 acres off Richmond Road. (Courtesy SD61)
The waters of Bowker Creek ran high in the Haultain Street area during the massive rain event in November 2021. (Photo by Peter Haddon)

Neighbours oppose land sale near daylighted Saanich leg of Bowker Creek

Greater Victoria School District proposes to sell 1.9 acres at Lansdowne to Victoria Hospice

The waters of Bowker Creek ran high in the Haultain Street area during the massive rain event in November 2021. (Photo by Peter Haddon)
The Ministry of Education said it will continue to prioritize the safety of students and staff in school districts around B.C. this fall. (Black Press Media file photo)

Ministry of Education, SD61 schools prepare for fall return

Province plans to support school districts through funding, improved air quality

The Ministry of Education said it will continue to prioritize the safety of students and staff in school districts around B.C. this fall. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ann Whiteaker was voted in as new Greater Victoria School District board chair on Aug. 9, after former chair Jordan Watters resigned at the urging of four local Indigenous communities. (Ann Whiteaker/Facebook)

New Greater Victoria School District board chair promises better Indigenous engagement

Ann Whiteaker takes over as chair, Rob Paynter as vice-chair

Ann Whiteaker was voted in as new Greater Victoria School District board chair on Aug. 9, after former chair Jordan Watters resigned at the urging of four local Indigenous communities. (Ann Whiteaker/Facebook)
The government of B.C. has committed $42.9 million to replacing Cedar Hill Middle School with a new, more environmentally-friendly building by January 2025. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. commits $43 million to replace Saanich school

New Cedar Hill Middle School expected to be complete by January 2025

The government of B.C. has committed $42.9 million to replacing Cedar Hill Middle School with a new, more environmentally-friendly building by January 2025. (Black Press Media file photo)
Seismic upgrading and expansion work at Victoria High School is about a year behind due to pandemic-related factors, the Greater Victoria School District announced. (Photo by Cole Descoteau)

Victoria High School seismic work, expansion a year behind schedule

Greater Victoria School District now targeting September 2023 for reopening of historic school

Seismic upgrading and expansion work at Victoria High School is about a year behind due to pandemic-related factors, the Greater Victoria School District announced. (Photo by Cole Descoteau)