New Westminster Secondary School
Encyclopedia
New Westminster Secondary School is a high school
in New Westminster, British Columbia
, Canada
. It is one of the largest high schools in BC. Students of grade 8 to 12 are enrolled. The school offers various advanced programs such as the International Baccalaureate program, Advanced Placement courses, and facilities such as the Automotive shop. The school mascot is a fireman
and the spirit mascot is the Yak
. During 2007, the Fraser Institute
ranked the school in the top 50 secondary schools in British Columbia out of the 279 public and private secondary schools in the province.. This roughly translates to number 18 out of approximately 75 ranks given.
in the lower mainland. The school is located over a two block wide campus area, and has many public facilities in close proximity to the school.
where most of the prominent citizens of New Westminster were buried. Afterwards, the remains were transferred to the Fraser Cemetery in the 1870s. During 1940, the corner of 10th Avenue and 8th was leased to the Federal Government
. It served as soldiers' barracks to train soldiers during World War II
. After World War II, the barracks were moved to the University of British Columbia
(UBC) and the rest of the cemetery was demolished. Finally, in 1948 The Public Works Yard was moved and the site was transferred to the New Westminster School Board for the construction of offices and high schools. The site was checked for burial remains before construction, but many areas were missed.
In September 1949, Vincent Massey Junior High was unofficially opened by Premier Bryan I. Johnson. On December 16, 1949, the school was officially opened. The school was named after the Right Honourable Vincent Massey
, the eighteenth Governor General of Canada.
in April 2007. Others include competitions in Capilano College
and performances in malls and schools. This year(2010), Grade 10 Concert band and Jazz band, Grade 9 Concert band and Jazz band will attend a festival in Whistler from May 7 to May 10.
Every year a winner is determined for the N-Dub idol event, an imitation of American Idol
and Canadian Idol
where a student will have a chance to win a prize and gain recognition for their singing talent.
on the same campus.
As well as these programs, NWSS offers other unique courses, such as Social Justice, Law, Ceramics and Sculpture, Comparative Civilizations, as well as hundreds of other electives and exploratory programs. These accompany the regular academic programs that the school offers.
In order to sustain enough funds, there has been a proposal to sell parts of the NWSS land to commercial development and housing. In 2005, the school board of NWSS requested for an additional $20 million dollar increase in spending money (in addition to the original $52 million dollars that was approved) for the new school, due to rising construction costs. However, the ministry has rejected the request. As a result, the construction of the new school is now delayed.
was found to be in the floor of room 138, the room being demolished. Because of this incident, the school district was fined by WorkSafeBC
, who claimed that the school district did not provide enough information to the workers about the asbestos. While the workers themselves claimed that they were not aware of the asbestos, former principal Joey Sahli stated in a school assembly that the workers had this responsibility to find out. The cause of the incident still remains debatable and unclear.
Within a month, the part with asbestos was blocked off in an attempt to prevent it from spreading. While the area was closed, there was a potential of students who were exposed to asbestos, having studied in that area. Drama students and teachers were potentially affected due to the location of the asbestos directly in the Fine Arts section of the school. As a response to this, the school district has conducted many surveys and health checks to assure the safety of the students and staff.
found in fecal
matter. The school has conducted tests on May 3, 2007 after the water was seen to be murky in the second floor of Massey Wing, but at that time the problem was not evident. More tests were conducted in October, but only until November were the results informative. According to a Ministry of Environment report, the presence of coliform bacteria
indicates contamination of water with fecal waste that may contain bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Drinking water contaminated with coliform can cause stomach and intestinal illness including diarrhea
and nausea
, the report states. The school responded to this by flushing out the water in both ends of the school and provided bottled water for two days, while warning students about the unsafe water in the announcements. Notices were sent home on November 20, 2007 explaining the situation.
On November 21, 2007, the water in the school was reported to be safe to drink. Second tests shown that the school's drinking water did not contain coliform. According to Michael Ewen, school board chair, the A.C.M. Environmental Corporation, which tested that water and prepared the district's asbestos management plan, has made a mistake when it uncovered unacceptable levels of coliform in the water from samples taken on October 26. He states that "A second company tested the water and found that the water is fine and safe and always was" and that the coliform was found in taps from chemistry labs.
(TB). While the identity of the 9th grade student could not be released, over 200 peers and teachers who came into contact with the individual were notified, and voluntary testing was carried out in room 149 starting on December 11. Responding to the incident, superintendent John Woudzia stated: "It's a significant issue, (but) I'm convinced we have a good plan in place." Most forms of TB are currently treatable with antibiotics, but drug-resistant strains are becoming more common. As a follow-up procedure, the school tested these students and teachers once again on February 13, 2008.
on Thursday April 10, 2008 by police as officers tried to confirm reports of a handgun being seen there. Police were looking for a 14-year-old male teenager after a report of a handgun at New Westminster secondary school Thursday afternoon.
Police said the teen, a refugee from Rwanda, was spotted with a gun by another student, a Grade 9 girl. The teen did not seem to attend NWSS. She reported the gun to the school's police liaison officer who then ordered a lockdown. At approximately 1:40 p.m., a school wide lockdown was announced by the principal, stating that the incident was "not a rehearsal". Prior to this incident, the school has conducted several lockdown drills in the beginning of the year, especially after the Virginia Tech massacre
.
New Westminster Police responded to the incident with full force and called in the Integrated Municipal Emergency Response Team and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Emergency Response Team
(ERT), Burnaby RCMP, the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service and Delta Police Department
to assist. There were several helicopters spotted circulating the school. Concerned parents were told to gather at Century House in Moody Park, where they are being briefed about the situation at the school. Victim Services was also on location while police used Moody Park Arena as the command centre.
The school conducted a controlled evacuation
at approximately 4:00 p.m. in which classes were evacuated one by one while being escorted by heavily armed police officers. ERT officers were standing and patrolling in NWSS's hallways along the way. Students and staff were instructed by the principal to follow ERT officers' directions to leave the school in the quickest way possible. The top floor of Pearson wing was evacuated first, followed by the top floor in Massey wing, and then the bottom floors of Pearson wing, and Massey wing.
All classes on that day and the day after were canceled.
The 14 year old teenager was arrested on April 11, 2008, but released because there was not enough evidence to charge him.
The new school will be built on the site of the existing school and will accommodate up to 2,400 students – 375 more than the current enrollment. Enrollment at the New Westminster Secondary school is increasing, and this trend is expected to continue through to 2013. The replacement school was expected to open in September 2007, but due to funding issues, it is currently delayed.
As of April 29, 2007, it was believed that the government had promised either the new High School or Middle School would be built by the year 2009. It is currently being decided whether the school would accept students of grades 10-12 and have a middle school with grades 7-9, or to have the secondary school with grades 9-12 and the middle school as grades 6-8.
49°12′56.37"N 122°55′44.40"W
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in New Westminster, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is one of the largest high schools in BC. Students of grade 8 to 12 are enrolled. The school offers various advanced programs such as the International Baccalaureate program, Advanced Placement courses, and facilities such as the Automotive shop. The school mascot is a fireman
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
and the spirit mascot is the Yak
Yak
The yak, Bos grunniens or Bos mutus, is a long-haired bovine found throughout the Himalayan region of south Central Asia, the Tibetan Plateau and as far north as Mongolia and Russia. In addition to a large domestic population, there is a small, vulnerable wild yak population...
. During 2007, the Fraser Institute
Fraser Institute
The Fraser Institute is a Canadian think tank. It has been described as politically conservative and right-wing libertarian and espouses free market principles...
ranked the school in the top 50 secondary schools in British Columbia out of the 279 public and private secondary schools in the province.. This roughly translates to number 18 out of approximately 75 ranks given.
Location
New Westminster Secondary School is located in Greater VancouverGreater Vancouver
Greater Vancouver is the metropolitan area centred on the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, roughly coterminous with the Greater Vancouver Regional District, which is governed by a body known as Metro Vancouver...
in the lower mainland. The school is located over a two block wide campus area, and has many public facilities in close proximity to the school.
History
During the period of 1860, the site of the school was a public cemeteryCemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
where most of the prominent citizens of New Westminster were buried. Afterwards, the remains were transferred to the Fraser Cemetery in the 1870s. During 1940, the corner of 10th Avenue and 8th was leased to the Federal Government
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
. It served as soldiers' barracks to train soldiers during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After World War II, the barracks were moved to the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
(UBC) and the rest of the cemetery was demolished. Finally, in 1948 The Public Works Yard was moved and the site was transferred to the New Westminster School Board for the construction of offices and high schools. The site was checked for burial remains before construction, but many areas were missed.
In September 1949, Vincent Massey Junior High was unofficially opened by Premier Bryan I. Johnson. On December 16, 1949, the school was officially opened. The school was named after the Right Honourable Vincent Massey
Vincent Massey
Charles Vincent Massey was a Canadian lawyer and diplomat who served as Governor General of Canada, the 18th since Canadian Confederation....
, the eighteenth Governor General of Canada.
Music
NWSS has a large music department with many bands. Some of the bands include the grade 8 concert band, grade 9 jazz and concert band, grade 10 jazz and concert band, grade 10 jazz choir, grade 10 girls choir, chamber choir, senior 2 (grade 11) jazz and concert band, senior 1 (grade 12) jazz and concert band, and the Viola/violin orchestra. The school has 2 concerts each year in its own theatre, a winter concert in December and a concert in May/June. The students go on various trips and competitions. For example, the senior bands went to New YorkNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in April 2007. Others include competitions in Capilano College
Capilano College
Capilano University is an undergraduate-focused, public, coeducational, teaching-intensive university located in the District of North Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. It is enabled by the University Act...
and performances in malls and schools. This year(2010), Grade 10 Concert band and Jazz band, Grade 9 Concert band and Jazz band will attend a festival in Whistler from May 7 to May 10.
Every year a winner is determined for the N-Dub idol event, an imitation of American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
and Canadian Idol
Canadian Idol
Canadian Idol is a Canadian reality television competition show which aired on CTV, based on the British show Pop Idol. The show was a competition to find the most talented young singer in Canada, and was hosted by Ben Mulroney. Jon Dore was the "roving reporter" for the first three seasons...
where a student will have a chance to win a prize and gain recognition for their singing talent.
School maps
The school is composed of two wings, Massey and Pearson. The school is two stories high. The new school is currently being constructed, and is planned to be built three stories high on a smaller area, freeing room for a Middle SchoolMiddle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
on the same campus.
Programs
NWSS has many programs for students who want to study specific categories of interest or are aiming for a specific area of study. These include:- NWSS Student Leadership Council - The NWSS LeadershipLeadershipLeadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged.-Theories:...
is an individualized program for students who are interested in becoming active citizens in the school community. Students will receive training and mentoring in organization, communication and team-building skills. In this course the students will begin to take on leadership roles in the NWSS Student Leadership Council. Due to the nature of this "z" block course, students must be able to meet and to commit to 60 service hours at lunch and after school.More information on Student Leadership can be obtained from their website: www.nwssleadership.ca. - NWSS Fine Arts Mini School - The NWSS Fine Arts Mini School is for people who are interested in studying areas involving fine arts, such as designDesignDesign as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
, and movie authoring. Due to the construction of the new school, it is currently not being offered. - NWSS School of Tourism - The tourismTourismTourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
program allows students to study tourism promotion and related topics. Tourism students can attain certification at various levels of achievement that supports them in entry-level positions and provides transferable skills for use in Tourism Training Programs. This program is approved by the Canadian Academy of Travel and Tourism (CATT) - Pre-Apprenticeship Automotive Program - As part of a joint initiative between BCIT and NWSS, this program is for students who meet the BCIT entrance requirements and wants to become an automotive mechanic, to take the first year of BCIT’s Entry Level Trades Training Certificate Program at the same time as completing graduation requirements. This program is offered to grade 10, 11 and 12 students.
- Plumbing Apprenticeship Course - This new program starts from Sept. 2007 and is offered between NWSS and a post-secondary partner. Details of course include: plan design, install, and service of various types of piping systems; work with water heating systems, water supply & drainage; blueprint reading, drafting & sketching. Students will receive credit for Level 1 Technical training from the Industry Training AuthorityIndustry Training AuthorityThe Industry Training Authority is a provincial government agency in the province of British Columbia, Canada.Established in 2004, to replace the Industry, Training and Apprenticeship Commission , its mandate is to facilitate training in the trades and industry occupations in the province....
. - Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA) - This course is offered to students who are willing to dedicate time to work as an apprentice with an employer on a part-time basis, while attending regular school classes. Students will complete 480 hours of apprenticeship while in secondary school.
- Advanced Placement Programs - This program offers students an opportunity to study university level courses in Grade 12 or Grade 11 in some circumstances (with permission from instructor). These courses are offered out of class time, usually after school. The school offers the following courses:
- Literature and Composition
- Art History
- European History
- Human Geography
- International Baccalaureate Programme - The NWSS International Baccalaureate (IB) program is a rigorous pre-university course of studies, offered at NWSS since the year of 2000. The school offers the Diploma Program (DP) and an unofficial Pre-IB Programme. The Pre-IB Programme contains a course called RIM, or Research in Motion. This course is meant to give students a basis in discussion of ethics and technology useful in the diploma programme. It includes a research paper known as the Long Term Project (LTP), imitable of the 3000 word Extended Essay completed by Diploma candidates. All students must take a qualifications test to enter the Pre-IB program, and may be asked for teacher recommendations for the diploma programme. Currently the highest diploma mark received by candidates at NWSS is 45 (out of 45). The school offers the following IB subjects (as of 2007):
- Group 1: English A1 Higher Level (HL), English A1 Standard Level (SL)
- Group 2: French B SL, French B HL
- Group 3: History HL, ITGS SL and HL, Psychology SL and HL.
- Group 4: Chemistry HL, Chemistry SL, Biology SL, Biology HL, Physics SL, Physics HL
- Group 5: Mathematics SL, Math Studies SL
- Group 6: Music SL, Theatre Arts SL
- ESLESLESL is a common abbreviation for English as a Second Language, see English language learning and teaching.ESL may also refer to:-Companies:...
Program - The English Second Language (ESL) Program at NWSS is for students whose second language is English. This program is offered to many International Students. - French Immersion Program - The French ImmersionFrench immersionFrench immersion is a form of bilingual education in which a child who does not speak French as his or her first language receives instruction in school in French...
program at NWSS is designed to let students enhance their French skills by attending classes purely taught in French. This is the continuation of the Glenbrook Middle SchoolGlenbrook Middle SchoolGlenbrook Middle School is a middle school located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, United States. It serves grades 6-8....
late French immersion program. In this program, students are expected to speak French in most classes and upon finishing it, have almost native fluency. Students frequently go on exchange trips, such as FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
exchange 2007.
As well as these programs, NWSS offers other unique courses, such as Social Justice, Law, Ceramics and Sculpture, Comparative Civilizations, as well as hundreds of other electives and exploratory programs. These accompany the regular academic programs that the school offers.
Athletic facilities
New Westminster Secondary school currently has the following athletic facilities:- Three indoor gyms: a gym located in the Pearson Wing, and two gyms in the Massey Wing.
- An outdoor bubble gym: an outdoor bubble gym located next to Pearson Cafeteria.
- An outdoor football field: a football field with artificial grass, a track and field course, four natural lighting systems, an electronic scoreboard and a stand for audience. Beneath the stand lie public washrooms and two large locker rooms.
- Two soccer/multipurpose fields: two fields with goal posts and grass and baseball corner.
- A skating rink: Moody Park Skating Arena is located on campus adjacent to Massey Theatre.
- A fitness/weight room: room with many workout facilities.
- A skateboard park: a concrete park with various obstacles and inversions.
Sports Teams
New Westminster Secondary School has more than 13 sports teams including:- Football Team (Grade 9,10,11,12)
- Soccer Team (Junior, Senior)
- Badminton (Everyone)
- Volleyball (Grade 8, Grade 9, Junior, Senior)
- Basketball (Grade 8, Grade 9, Junior, Senior)
- Cosom Hockey (Everyone)
- Field Hockey Team (Girls)
- X-Country Running (Everyone)
- Track and Field (Everyone)
- Cheer and Stunt Team (Everyone)
- Boys Field Lacrosse (Grades 8-12)
- Olympic Wrestling (Everyone)
- Car Racing (Grade 12)
Technology and exploratory facilities
New Westminster Secondary School currently has the following technology facilities:- Several Computer rooms
- An industrial education shop
- A woodworking shop
- An electronics shop
- A metal working shop
- A drafting room
- Two home economics rooms
- An automotive shop
- A media centre
Academic resources
New Westminster secondary school currently provides the following academic resources:- A tablet PC and LCD projector for each math classroom
- Eight science laboratories
- An overhead projector per classroom
- Internet connection (wired) per classroom (on request of teachers).
Fine arts facilities
New Westminster Secondary School currently has the following fine arts facilities- An auditorium theatre (1260 seat)
- Two band rooms
- Four fine arts classrooms (Fine arts section of school)
- A dance studio
- A yearbook room
Other facilities
- Two cafeterias: a cafeteria in the Pearson Wing (vends food) and a cafeteria in the Massey Wing (does not vend food).
Postponed future development
The current high school is structurally unstable and also prone to frequent breakdowns. Because of this, the British Columbia Ministry of Education has allowed the construction of a new high school and middle school that will replace the old building. The high school will no longer accept grade eight students after the new construction of the Middle School. Work on the new building was expected to begin in summer of 2005 and be completed in 2007.In order to sustain enough funds, there has been a proposal to sell parts of the NWSS land to commercial development and housing. In 2005, the school board of NWSS requested for an additional $20 million dollar increase in spending money (in addition to the original $52 million dollars that was approved) for the new school, due to rising construction costs. However, the ministry has rejected the request. As a result, the construction of the new school is now delayed.
Asbestos incident
On April 26, 2005, part of the school was demolished in the anticipation of building a new school. However, due to the age of the school, asbestosAsbestos
Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals used commercially for their desirable physical properties. They all have in common their eponymous, asbestiform habit: long, thin fibrous crystals...
was found to be in the floor of room 138, the room being demolished. Because of this incident, the school district was fined by WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC is the operating name of the Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia, a statutory agency created by an act of the provincial legislature in 1917. WorkSafeBC is the exclusive workers' compensation insurer in British Columbia, Canada, covering more than 200,000 registered...
, who claimed that the school district did not provide enough information to the workers about the asbestos. While the workers themselves claimed that they were not aware of the asbestos, former principal Joey Sahli stated in a school assembly that the workers had this responsibility to find out. The cause of the incident still remains debatable and unclear.
Within a month, the part with asbestos was blocked off in an attempt to prevent it from spreading. While the area was closed, there was a potential of students who were exposed to asbestos, having studied in that area. Drama students and teachers were potentially affected due to the location of the asbestos directly in the Fine Arts section of the school. As a response to this, the school district has conducted many surveys and health checks to assure the safety of the students and staff.
Drinking water incident
Drinking fountains were bagged and the cafeteria was shut down on November 17, 2007 after a test determined that the water at New Westminster Secondary School could have contained a bacteriumBacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
found in fecal
Feces
Feces, faeces, or fæces is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the anus or cloaca during defecation.-Etymology:...
matter. The school has conducted tests on May 3, 2007 after the water was seen to be murky in the second floor of Massey Wing, but at that time the problem was not evident. More tests were conducted in October, but only until November were the results informative. According to a Ministry of Environment report, the presence of coliform bacteria
Coliform bacteria
Coliform bacteria are a commonly used bacterial indicator of sanitary quality of foods and water. They are defined as rod-shaped Gram-negative non-spore forming bacteria which can ferment lactose with the production of acid and gas when incubated at 35-37°C...
indicates contamination of water with fecal waste that may contain bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Drinking water contaminated with coliform can cause stomach and intestinal illness including diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
and nausea
Nausea
Nausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It often, but not always, precedes vomiting...
, the report states. The school responded to this by flushing out the water in both ends of the school and provided bottled water for two days, while warning students about the unsafe water in the announcements. Notices were sent home on November 20, 2007 explaining the situation.
On November 21, 2007, the water in the school was reported to be safe to drink. Second tests shown that the school's drinking water did not contain coliform. According to Michael Ewen, school board chair, the A.C.M. Environmental Corporation, which tested that water and prepared the district's asbestos management plan, has made a mistake when it uncovered unacceptable levels of coliform in the water from samples taken on October 26. He states that "A second company tested the water and found that the water is fine and safe and always was" and that the coliform was found in taps from chemistry labs.
Tuberculosis incident
On December 4, 2007, school administrators were informed that an NWSS student had been diagnosed with infectious tuberculosisTuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
(TB). While the identity of the 9th grade student could not be released, over 200 peers and teachers who came into contact with the individual were notified, and voluntary testing was carried out in room 149 starting on December 11. Responding to the incident, superintendent John Woudzia stated: "It's a significant issue, (but) I'm convinced we have a good plan in place." Most forms of TB are currently treatable with antibiotics, but drug-resistant strains are becoming more common. As a follow-up procedure, the school tested these students and teachers once again on February 13, 2008.
School lockdown incident
New Westminster Secondary School was locked downLockdown
There are several definitions for the term lockdown, the most common of which pertains to a state of containment or a restriction of progression....
on Thursday April 10, 2008 by police as officers tried to confirm reports of a handgun being seen there. Police were looking for a 14-year-old male teenager after a report of a handgun at New Westminster secondary school Thursday afternoon.
Police said the teen, a refugee from Rwanda, was spotted with a gun by another student, a Grade 9 girl. The teen did not seem to attend NWSS. She reported the gun to the school's police liaison officer who then ordered a lockdown. At approximately 1:40 p.m., a school wide lockdown was announced by the principal, stating that the incident was "not a rehearsal". Prior to this incident, the school has conducted several lockdown drills in the beginning of the year, especially after the Virginia Tech massacre
Virginia Tech massacre
The Virginia Tech massacre was a school shooting that took place on April 16, 2007, on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States. In two separate attacks, approximately two hours apart, the perpetrator, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 people...
.
New Westminster Police responded to the incident with full force and called in the Integrated Municipal Emergency Response Team and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Emergency Response Team
Emergency Response Team
The Emergency Response Team is the paramilitary tactical police arm of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.- Purpose and history of the ERT :...
(ERT), Burnaby RCMP, the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service and Delta Police Department
Delta Police Department
The Delta Police Department is the police force for the district municipality of Delta, British Columbia, a suburban community in Metro Vancouver with a population of 102,661...
to assist. There were several helicopters spotted circulating the school. Concerned parents were told to gather at Century House in Moody Park, where they are being briefed about the situation at the school. Victim Services was also on location while police used Moody Park Arena as the command centre.
The school conducted a controlled evacuation
Emergency evacuation
Emergency evacuation is the immediate and rapid movement of people away from the threat or actual occurrence of a hazard. Examples range from the small scale evacuation of a building due to a bomb threat or fire to the large scale evacuation of a district because of a flood, bombardment or...
at approximately 4:00 p.m. in which classes were evacuated one by one while being escorted by heavily armed police officers. ERT officers were standing and patrolling in NWSS's hallways along the way. Students and staff were instructed by the principal to follow ERT officers' directions to leave the school in the quickest way possible. The top floor of Pearson wing was evacuated first, followed by the top floor in Massey wing, and then the bottom floors of Pearson wing, and Massey wing.
All classes on that day and the day after were canceled.
The 14 year old teenager was arrested on April 11, 2008, but released because there was not enough evidence to charge him.
Lightning strike
The school was hit by lightning on September 18, 2007 at approximately 4:00pm during a thunder storm. The school was evacuated and no one was hurt. The lighting caused a failure in a school's heating system, leaving the entire school unheated the next day.Future development
The New Westminster School District is has announced the plans for the replacement of the New Westminster Secondary School (NWSS). NWSS will continue to be the biggest school in the Province of British Columbia with this largest and most complex construction project in the history of the province. As the only high school in New Westminster, NWSS also serves as a hub of the community, which means the high school students will enjoy the benefits of facilities not normally found in high schools. The new school will incorporate a community facilities development including improvements to the existing Massey Theatre (1260 seat auditorium), a new Fine Arts Centre which will also include a 300 seat theatre, expanded athletic fields, and a sports field house which will have a capacity for 6 basketball courts. Modern architectural designs will maximize space and light in the new school buildings, and incorporate state of the art heating and ventilation cooling systems.The new school will be built on the site of the existing school and will accommodate up to 2,400 students – 375 more than the current enrollment. Enrollment at the New Westminster Secondary school is increasing, and this trend is expected to continue through to 2013. The replacement school was expected to open in September 2007, but due to funding issues, it is currently delayed.
As of April 29, 2007, it was believed that the government had promised either the new High School or Middle School would be built by the year 2009. It is currently being decided whether the school would accept students of grades 10-12 and have a middle school with grades 7-9, or to have the secondary school with grades 9-12 and the middle school as grades 6-8.
Notable alumni
- Justin MorneauJustin MorneauJustin Ernest George Morneau is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Minnesota Twins. At 6 feet 4 inches and 225 lbs, Morneau was originally drafted as a catcher by the Twins in 1999. He converted to first base in the minor leagues and made his MLB debut in 2003...
- Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player of the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, and MVP winner. - Bill RanfordBill RanfordWilliam Edward Ranford is a former professional ice hockey goaltender and current goaltending coach for the Los Angeles Kings. He graduated from New Westminster Secondary School in 1985. He was selected in the third round of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft, 52nd overall, by the Boston Bruins...
- Professional National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
player. - Todd EwenTodd EwenTodd Gordon Ewen is a retired professional ice hockey player who played for several teams in the NHL. He played right wing and was primarily known as an enforcer. He played for the St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and San Jose Sharks. Todd retired with 1911 penalty min...
- Professional National Hockey League player. - Peter JulianPeter JulianPeter S. Julian is a Canadian Member of Parliament for the New Democratic Party, representing the riding of Burnaby—New Westminster.-Personal life:...
- Canadian Member of Parliament for the New Democratic PartyNew Democratic PartyThe New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
Filming location
- New Westminster Secondary School was the main filming location for the five-season television series 21 Jump Street21 Jump Street21 Jump Street is an American police procedural crime drama television series that aired on the Fox Network from April 12, 1987, to April 27, 1991, with a total of 103 episodes. The series focused on a squad of youthful-looking undercover police officers investigating crimes in high schools,...
- New Westminster Secondary School is the main filming location for the videos used in the Premier Go Program
Official school websites
- New Westminster Secondary School Website
- International Students Website
- NWSS's Massey Theatre
- School District #40 Website
- NWSS Music Department
- NWSS IB Programme
- NWSS Hyack Football Team
- WorkSafeBC
News reports
- CBC News - "NWSS Lockdown CBC Footage"
- CTV News - "NWSS Lockdown CTV News at 6 Live Report
- NewsLeader - "NWSS Lockdown Raw Footage"
- Global News - "NWSS Lockdown 11:00am News"
- Global News - "NWSS Lockdown Morning Update"
Other
49°12′56.37"N 122°55′44.40"W