Blog Posts

Two months into our new school year, we are well underway in intentionally making Yale a more equitable, culturally inclusive, and responsive school through the lens of equity, anti-bias, and anti-racism. As we listen to our students, one thing that they keep telling us is that they value positive relationships with Yale staff. Our students want to belong to a school community where staff know their students, and where every person’s individuality is acknowledged and respected.

When asked to reflect on a classroom, most of us will envision rows of desks facing a blackboard where a teacher stands. For decades, this image represents the learning space for millions of students and yet excludes how we learn naturally and daily in non-school environments. True knowing and understanding mean being able to transfer knowledge from one setting to another.

In May this year, six Grade 11 WJ Mouat students participated in a Mental Health Forum hosted by the Abbotsford School District. They were tasked with reviewing the YDI (Youth Development Index) survey results for WJ Mouat and to come up with an actionable plan to help improve student well-being and mental health at their school.

This October, a brave group of BCL students completed the Intro to Automotive Training through SASET, at UFV, with support from our School and District Careers Program. Seth has always been interested in mechanics; Elizabeth wanted to add more life skills to her repertoire; and all the students were drawn to the program for the certifications they would receive. Upon completion they earned: Emergency First Aid, WHIMS, Confined Spaces & Respiratory Protection and WCB Awareness & Heat Stress.