News Stories

BC Logo with NEWS written underneath and abstract blue background BC Gov - News
June 23, 2023

End of Year Message from Minister Singh

Minister of Education and Child Care Rachna Singh has written a letter to students, parent and guardians.

“As we reach the end of 2023 school year and prepare for summer break, I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to you for your hard work and dedication. I hope you are able to take the time to reflect on your growth and accomplishments this past year, and that you are looking forward to the next cycle of life and learning to come.”

BC Logo with NEWS written underneath and abstract blue background BC Gov - News
June 23, 2023

Abbotsford teen earns Indigenous youth scholarship

A Grade 12 student in Abbotsford has been named as one of 20 recipients of the RBC Future Launch Indigenous Youth Scholarship, valued at $10,000 per year for up to four years.

Clayton Ritchie, from Sumas First Nation, is graduating from Yale Secondary. He starts the sociology program at University of B.C. in the fall, with plans to become a lawyer and eventually open his own law firm.

Ritchie discovered a passion for law after he was selected as one of 12 students in the district to attended UBC’s Legal Boot Camp.

Painted mural of Indigenous art of a salmon 2023 - John Maclure Mural
June 21, 2023

John Maclure welcomes back Indigenous Artist

Chantelle Trainor-Matties, an Indigenous artist, has once again graced John Maclure Community School with her extraordinary talent. After completing the captivating thunderbird mural on the school’s exterior in 2022, Trainor-Matties has embarked on a new artistic endeavour to adorn the interior front entrance with a unique Indigenous-themed mural. This vibrant artwork aims to infuse the space with additional colour and warmly welcome all who enter John Maclure.

Painted mural of Indigenous art of a salmon 2023 - John Maclure Mural
Two students work on their final project for the Abby Senior Art Activism. June 2023 - Art Activism at Abby Senior
June 20, 2023

Abbotsford Senior Art Activism class explores Indigenous incarceration issues

It’s a unique melding of experiences and it’s created several atypical pieces of art.

The Abbotsford Senior Secondary School Art Activism class has taken on a heavy topic for the final project for 2023 – the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the Canadian Criminal Justice System – and they’ve gone directly to the source for inspiration and a helping hand.

The class has collaborated with the University of British Columbia and Corrections Canada to showcase their work to the community, which is on display at The Reach Gallery Museum until June 25.

Two students work on their final project for the Abby Senior Art Activism. June 2023 - Art Activism at Abby Senior
two female elementary students sitting at desk looking at books made for them 2023 King + ASIA Storytelling project
June 20, 2023

Connecting Schools Through Story

In a heartwarming collaboration that brought together the love of reading and creativity, King Traditional Elementary and Abbotsford School of Integrated Arts (ASIA) - Sumas Mountain joined forces to promote literacy-focused goals, spark creativity and foster a passion for books among young students. This initiative showcased the power of collaboration and sparked the imaginations of grade one and secondary students in a remarkable way.

two female elementary students sitting at desk looking at books made for them 2023 King + ASIA Storytelling project
Logo for ARJAA centered with white and light grey background ARJAA Logo Banner Image
June 16, 2023

Two Abbotsford School District Staff Receive ARJAA Awards

Christine Abbot, Principal of Colleen and Gordie Howe Middle and Julie Wilms, a teacher at Abbotsford Traditional School, were honoured with the Restorative Peaceful Schools Award at the May Annual General Meeting organized by the Abbotsford Restorative Justice and Advocacy Association. The event recognized Abbot and Wilms’ exceptional commitment to creating respectful and safe educational environments.

Logo for ARJAA centered with white and light grey background ARJAA Logo Banner Image
June 15, 2023

Tanya Coghill receives 2023 Community Matters Award

Tanya Coghill has been selected as the 2023 recipient for the Abbotsford Board of Education’s annual Community Matters Award. Coghill has been an active volunteer within Abbotsford schools for nearly two decades, first becoming involved in the public education system when her eldest child began kindergarten. Since then, she has been instrumental in supporting several parent advisory council (PAC) groups and offering volunteer support across elementary, middle and secondary schools.

Illustration with voice boxes and graphics in them 2023 Strat Plan+Budget Banner
June 15, 2023

School district passes $269M budget for 2023-2024 school year

A $269 million-dollar balanced budget for the 2023-2024 school year was unanimously passed by the Abbotsford Board of Education on Tuesday evening, at their last public Board meeting for the current school year.

Illustration with voice boxes and graphics in them 2023 Strat Plan+Budget Banner
Two students carrying a box full of cereal boxes Clearbrook Cereal Drive 2023
June 15, 2023

Kids helping kids: Clearbrook students help Abbotsford’s Cyrus Centre...

The entire student population of Clearbrook elementary poured into the hallways recently to watch an amazing feat of community service — and physics.

The Grade 5 students had gathered more than 600 boxes of breakfast cereal from the community, and meticulously lined them up like dominoes. The line stretched from one end of the school, down a small set of stairs, around a corner, where it branched off to travel down two more hallways.

Two students carrying a box full of cereal boxes Clearbrook Cereal Drive 2023
Group photo of all 2023 Retirees 2023 Retirement - Group Photo
June 14, 2023

Abbotsford School District 2023 Retirees Celebrated

The Abbotsford School District celebrated the 2023 retirees with a retirement dinner held on June 7, 2023, at the Clarion Hotel. The event marked an opportunity to recognize the significant contributions and unwavering dedication of the retiring Superintendent, Operations Management, Administrators, Teachers, and Support staff who have devoted their careers to shaping young minds.

Group photo of all 2023 Retirees 2023 Retirement - Group Photo