Welcome to a place where everyone tries to make an “I.M.P.A.C.T.”
With seeing the light at the end of our pandemic, but darkness from our residential school past, we move forward into a new year. Our students, staff and families are working together to make our Vanguard name truly reflect who we are as a community. Our students are thoughtful, creative, courageous and have inspiring stories of personal resiliency, strength and achievement. Each Vanguard student’s unique voice is heard, and becomes the foundation of our school’s model and staff’s practice.
Our students and staff created a slogan together that is on our wall, we are “Inclusive Mindful People Acting Cool Together – making an I.M.P.A.C.T..” It doesn’t mean that everyday is full of mindfulness or that we are inclusive everyday, it means that we are a community who perseveres through the challenges of life to help each other reach our goals… whether its family goals, student goals or our staff’s goals. We reflect upon our histories, and allow our diversity to strengthen each other along our personal journeys. We become a place where appreciation and support replaces drama and negativity. Integrity, courage, community and excellence breaks down barriers and becomes the building blocks of something greater, something truly “cool.”
With this intention, every student who enrolls at Vanguard enrolls in our leadership program. This unique school wide leadership program is intended for all youth, regardless of their history or self-perception. Unlike some schools who screen for those that are “potential leaders,” we have realized that all youth are going to lead at some point in their lives. We want to inspire all types of youth leaders and not a leadership stereotype. Inclusion and resiliency is our school’s leadership culture.
Welcome to our school and come to our open houses or training seminars to learn more. Please check out the article in the BC Principals and Vice Principals Association Magazine or check out the documentary below.
Striving to be better everyday, please tell us what you think by emailing us at pthomas@sd35.bc.ca. Thank-you for taking the time to checkout our community.
Patrick
Patrick Thomas
Principal of Vanguard Secondary