Community Report 2018-19

Our Vision

Our Vision is for all members of our community to excel as caring, confident, capable, and resilient lifelong learners who contribute to a democratic and sustainable world.

Our Mission

Our Mission is to provide a safe, inclusive and engaging environment, where personal and collective learning are valued, and each one of us reaches our full potential.

Our Guiding Principles

At Highbury School, we strive to implement these hopes and aspirations:

1. To create a culture of equity and inclusion
2. To create a culture of learning and well-being
3. To create a culture of inquiry and responsibility
4. To create a culture of caring and collaboration

Summary Statement

At Highbury School, we believe in life-long learning.  The teaching staff models their commitment to learning by meeting several times each week in grade level groups to explore the following question: 

"What is it that our students need us to learn in order to optimize the school experience for our kids?"

Our school team has invested significant time, resources, and effort to optimize conditions for learning by promoting a culture of caring, academic rigor, well-being, social awareness/responsibility, and inclusion. Our goals throughout the 2018/19 school year have been developed by considering many sources of data, including our yearly student surveys.  The results inform our school plan, shape our Professional Development, and determine our allocation of resources.  

We have provided students with rich learning opportunities in the Arts by augmenting our grade 7/8 music program to include band and guitar.  We have supported the physical well-being of our students by programming physical activity throughout the day and opportunities to participate in numerous extra-curricular activities.  A highlight of our year was providing our students with the opportunity to participate in the gala production of "The Lion King".   The generosity of our student population was exemplified through activities such as the Christmas Hamper Drive, Cancer Care Dance-a-thon, St. Amant Volunteer Program, and other events that helped us discover our personal and collective responsibility to each other and our greater community. 

At Highbury School, we are exploring innovative teaching and learning by delving into deep learning opportunities.  Students work on a project over an extended period – from a week up to a semester – that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by creating a public product or presentation for a real audience.

As a result, students develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills. Project Based Learning unleashes a contagious, creative energy among students and teachers.  Our grade 7/8 team designed a unit of study that focused on the betterment of the Highbury Community.  Students were given choice to explore their passions and answer "thick" questions that were geared toward their community, environment, and school.

We understand that optimal learning for students occurs when children's basic needs are met, they are regulated, alert,  challenged, and mentally stimulated with relevant learning opportunities.  At Highbury School, we have committed to guiding students through their school experience in Mastery, Belonging, Independence, and Generosity. 

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