SELKIRK
june 2025
SECONDARY SCHOOL
~ BELONGING~ GENEROSITY~ MASTERY ~ INDEPENDENCE ~
On Monday May 26th Selkirk Secondary Schools Outdoor Education 10,11,12 and Outdoor Exploration 9 students hosted a Take Me Outside for Learning event for nearly 400 elementary students from Kimberley, Take Me Outside for Learning https://takemeoutside.ca/ is a national initiative to encourage education to happen outside of the classroom, in the community, and in nature. These secondary students picked activities, practiced, planned, and then facilitated the event. This is an authentic leadership opportunity where secondary students have the opportunity to test and improve their leadership skills throughout the planning and facilitation process. Selkirk Secondary School's Outdoor Education Program teacher Jenn Meens shares, "I was so impressed to see the mentorship from senior secondary students as they navigated the activities and then passed the leadership over to the grade 9 students as the day rolled on. I am very proud of the hard work, creativity, and flexibility demonstrated by all involved." Ms. Julie form the Kimberley Independent School summed up her thanks, “I just wanted to send a HUGE thank you to you and your students for the amazing day you put on yesterday! We were blown away by your organization of the day and by your students’ abilities to plan and run the stations so effectively. We had so much fun. All of the teachers gushed about how great the day was. We hope to be a part of this amazing day next year!”
Every student and staff member at Selkirk will benefit from being part of an open-minded and innovative learning community built upon the pillars of belonging, generosity, mastery and independence.
It’s hard to believe we are heading into the final month of the school year! May was another busy month with assemblies and field trips, including a busy schedule for our spring sports teams. As we enter the final month of the school year, I want to thank staff, students, coaches, volunteers, and parents/guardians for your support and efforts throughout the year. I remain proud to be part of such a strong and vibrant learning community that embraces our core values while supporting our school mission of cultivating a culture of belonging, generosity, mastery, and independence as we aim to build an empowered, growth-minded learning community. As we head into June, I encourage students to stay focused on a strong finish the year, to self-reflect on their year, and to begin to think of goals for next year. I wish you all a great June and hope to see you at our celebration of the year at our Recognition Evening on June 5th at the McKim Theatre and/or grad activities on June 13th and 14th. Here’s to a successful finish to the year!
Principal's Message
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Recognition Evening 7:00-8:30 pm McKim School
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National Indigenous Peoples Day
Platzl Parade @3:30 Prom
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
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8
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Thursday
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Saturday
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Year-End Music Concert- McKim Theatre 7pm
Grad ceremonies 3:00 pm at Civic Centre
C D A B 1
Kuq̓u Kupku Ripening of Strawberries
PAC Meeting 7:00 pm
B A D C 2
June
Last day of regular classes
A B C D 2
Jazz Night- Key City Theatre 7:30pm
Belonging
Selkirk kicked off May by welcoming members of the Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays, the local RCMP & BC Ambulance Service, the Kimberley Youth Action Network (KYAN), and the SPARK Youth Centre to present to all Grade 8’s. Presenters educated students about healthy relationships, youth mental health, online and substance use safety, and youth community engagement to reinforce their understanding of Grade 8 physical & health education learning standards. Students had a chance to connect with local services and discuss topics relevant to our community.
The Student Focus Group (Gr. 8-12) has been connecting regularly throughout the year to discuss our school values and goals and to promote those values and goals through initiatives and events. We will continue to meet next year on a regular basis to move this work forward. A big thanks to the student leaders involved and to Ms. Pichette, Ms. Millner, and Ms. Wardle for joining me for these important conversations.
Ms. Rokosh's English First Peoples 12 class had the opportunity to participate in a Tipi Raising with Elder Isaac Birdstone at St. Eugene. They had to work together to construct every aspect of the Tipi from bottom to top. They also learned about the history and significance of Tipis in Ktunaxa culture. It was a privilege to learn from Isaac and an amazing experience for the students!
Our Sr. Metals class visited Fab Rite Cranbrook, thanks Greg and the whole team at Fab Rite for the great opportunity and tour.
Generosity
At Selkirk, we follow a progressive discipline policy and use the following themes in conveying our expectations to students.
On May 26, Indigenous students were able to enjoy a field trip to the Steven’s ranch, near Invermere. Students were able to view a pit house, a sweat lodge, and do a botany walk. They also learned Indigenous games and got to view the Sun Dance ceremony grounds, where they learned all about what Sun Dance entails.
Mastery
Law Studies 12 vists the Provincial Courthouse in Cranbrook. Written by Madison Kelly Our day started off with sitting in the courtroom to view some of the cases. We sat in front of Judge Lynal Doerksen. It was a joy to see him again after his visit to our classroom in April. When the court session was on, it was fast paced, but we were able to see procedural law in action. After we went on break, we got to ask questions to the Crown and Defense lawyers, then two sheriffs took us down to the holding cells. We walked inside them and saw where offenders would be sitting. Outside of the holding cells, there is a place to get your mugshot taken, fingerprinted, and interviewed. That’s where the class got to ask questions of two of the sheriffs. They shared information, like why they wanted to be a sheriff, their schooling, and much more. After all the questions, the sheriffs took us back and let us tour the sheriff's cars. They let us sit in the seats, and they told us all about how they transport the incarcerated and where the breaks are on their trips from Kamloops. The vehicles are where we had the most fun. We went back inside and then got a tour of most of the courthouse; we went upstairs to the Supreme Court room. In that courtroom there was a jury stand, so we asked some sheriffs questions about the jury. After the break we went back inside court room 101 with Judge Doerksen. During this time, we got to see some of the people who were being tried on zoom because they were in jail in Kamloops. There were about 6 people on zoom call and the reason for the zoom call is that it would be too costly and time consuming for them to come for only one day for a trial that was just adjourned. Once the court was finished, we went back to school. Our Law Studies 12 class had the best day at the courthouse, and we thank the Cranbrook Law Courts.
On April 24th students participated in the Civix Student Vote Program. Thank you to Leadership who organized the voting process and Mrs. Pavan’s Social Studies class who created informative posters prior to the event.
Independence
The Selkirk Music program has had a busy spring. In early May we hosted the Tyler Hornby Quintet and vocalist Tina Hartt, all from Calgary, for a two-day intensive workshop in May. The workshop culminated with a performance featuring the Selkirk Vocal Jazz, Jazz Band, Tina Hartt, and Tyler’s Qunitet. The students all learned a lot and had a great time. The entire music program also took a trip to Calgary at the end of May to see the touring musical “Six,” a performance by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and visit the National Music Centre. Wednesday, June 4th is our year-end concert. The show is at 7 pm at McKim Theatre and admission is by donation. We are very excited to be presenting our first commissioned work this year: Lorna MacLachlan has written a piece of music for our Jazz Band called “Kimberley Connection.” Lorna is a Calgary-based jazz composer and pianist, and will be in attendance at the concert to introduce the piece. The Vocal Jazz also has a concert on Tuesday, June 10th at the Key City Theatre. They will be performing alongside the Mount Baker Vocal Jazz and local jazz quartet “The little jazz Orchestra.”
Storm Report
Rugby- Congratulations to our rugby team on a great season. The team competed at a high level all year and played some tough matches displaying excellent teamwork and sportsmanship. Big thanks to Chirs Labine and Haylie Farquhar for an amazing season of coaching and for Zak Campbell for stepping in again to support the team. Track & Field- Selkirk's Track and Field team had a great season. All athletes showed impressive development throughout the season in their individual events. Our team competed in Zones on May 21st at the College of the Rockies. We had some standout performances by Evan Moody and Genevieve Edwards, both will be competing in provincials on June 5-7 in Langley BC. Big thanks to Rob Ochiena and Randy Moody for all the time and effort they put into coaching the team this season.
Golf- On May 21st the golf team competed in Creston for the golf zones championship. The team of Finn Bohm, Carter Chown, Liam Duggan, Linden Keiver, and Jake Murdoch came in first place overall out of 14 teams in the Kootenay's with a convincing 4 stroke victory. Congratulations to the Selkirk team for an excellent season!
Mountain Biking- The Mountain Biking team had some fantastic group rides this year. On May 21st the team hosted the 1st annual Kootenay Crusher racing event. It was a cross country/enduro race at the Nordic ski center consisting of 5 teams from the Kootenays. Huge thanks to Jonas Hadiuk, Michael Ramsdale and Jaimee Pichette for all their help organizing the event, as well as all the parent and student volunteers, it was a great experience had by all.
Girls Soccer- The Selkirk Senior Girls team (composed of players representing grades 8-12) had an exciting tournament season. The team competed in three tournaments including the Kootenay Cup in Creston, Selkirk, and Laurie Middle School. Our season wrapped up with a strong showing at the Zones championship at Laurie Middle School. Special thanks to Ellaina Signorotto and Jen Driscoll for all their help coaching such a large group of players.
Rocky Mountain International Student Program
It has been an unforgettable year for our international students in Kimberley! They fully embraced their time at school and immersed themselves in our charming and vibrant community, gathering a wealth of amazing memories to take home. The grand finale of their Canadian adventure with RMISP was an epic visit to the Golden Skybridge, where students bravely faced impressive heights on the zipline and the rush of excitement on the mountain coaster while taking in the breath-taking views. We wish them all the best as they return home, carrying with them the spirit of Kimberley and lasting friendships. For more information on the Rocky Mountain International Student Program, please visit their website https://www.rminternational.ca/
Grad 2025 Timeline:
Grad Zone
Wednesday, June 11: Civic Centre Set-Up- 4-7pm- parents who have volunteered please be there at 3:50pm MANDATORY REHEARSAL for ALL GRADS - 7pm at the Civic Centre Thursday, June 12: Conference Centre Set-Up- 4-8pm- parents who have volunteered please be there at 3:50pm. Grad Exec too! Friday, June 13: 3:10pm Grads muster at the Kimberley Public Library for parade 3:25pm- 4pm Grad Parade through the platzl. Once parade is complete, make way to the ski hill right away! 4:15pm Grads ONLY enter into Conference Centre for snack and freshen up. By 4:30pm Parents and Guardians gather at the BIG TENT at the base of the ski hill. This is not for extended family. 4:35pm Grads walk out in a group to the base of the hill for speeches and presentation. 5pm Personal photos- family and friend photos- Nicole LeClair is not taking photos at this time 5:30pm Grads load chairlift for mountain top photos by Nicole LeClair. Goodbyes to parents and families 6:30-11:30pm Prom- Dinner/Dance/Games at the Kimberley Conference Centre Saturday, June 14: 10:00-11:30am- Civic Centre- MANDATORY final rehearsal for ALL GRADS- be on time!! 11:30- Gown pick up and return home to get ready 1:45pm SHARP!- All grads return to the civic centre dressed in gowns and stoles for group grad photo with Nicole LeClair then line up for 3pm entrance 3:00-5:00pm- Graduation Ceremony
Jade Armistead
Jaedon Beltran
Sofia Bohn
Joshua Brayman-Lawes
Liam Brenton
Zoe Belanger
Noah Andrews
Noah Bell
Kai Barron
Alexander Brunet
Nikola Buchar
Koby Clark
Gavin Chekay
Carter Chown
Dayten Carlson
Remy Brown
Lynden Chernoff
Nash Brine
Quinn Cooper
Piper Davis
Ethan Eskelin
Rylie Davis
Avery Drouin
Nia Dreher
Liam Duggan
Ella Corneliuson
Mackenzie Derosier
Evan Glass
Lucas Ford
Hay Tha Htoo
Sher Hae
Henry Heigh
William Hicks
George Garsonnin
Elijah Fergus
William Fletcher
Zachary Moss Knudsgaard
Castin Knudsen
Lisa Kilfoyle
Linden Keiver
Claire Koch
Jewel Kavanagh
Paige Johnston
Bodi Kirkby
Madison Hunt
Tucker Kostiuk
Joseph Lesage-Reid
Garren Lemay
Aiden Kostiuk
RIlla Leeb
Kael Lesage-Reid
Nick Kostiuk
Matthew L'Heureux
Nathen Korven
Nolan Meyer
Kerris Mervin
Katherine Marshall
Stella Menzul
Lucas Meller
Maya Loutit
Nathan Meinig
Finley McRae
Logan Marsh
Zackary Pollock
Caden Perrault
Livia Needham
Guy Olah
Jordynn Pearse
Ty Pollock
Jake Murdoch
Logan Murray
Dominique Palmer
Spencer Redding
Gracie Roberts
Phoenix Sparrow
Blake Smith
Sonja Rodermond
Travis Roberts
Mathias Radke Reynoso
Brayden Scott
Kyle Scott
Kaitlyn Taylor-Vallance
Sarah Thody
Finn Stanfield
Mischa Stevens
Ben Trussler
Eli Stevens
Maylyn Tarves
Seth Strauss
Tayler Thorpe
Spencer Turner
Colten Yaciw
Quinn Unger
Eli Volp