With between 300 to 400 new students expected for September, it will be a little more crowded in the already bursting classrooms in the Sooke School District (SD62).
“Our student population is growing much faster than the processes in place to build new schools,” said SD62’s superintendent Paul Block, looking ahead to the new school year. “And this is a key area where our board of education is focusing its advocacy efforts.”
On Aug. 26, the school district said it was expecting a standard enrolment of 13,065 students, from kindergarten to Grade 12.
The influx of new students each year is an ongoing concern for SD62, which has seen a growth rate of between five and six per cent over the last five years.
By 2030, SD62 projects a deficit of 2,750 school seats.
“With limited capital funding available for new school construction across the province, many districts, including ours, are facing urgent infrastructure needs,” said Block, adding that purchasing portables as a short-term solution to accommodate student growth, is putting significant financial pressure on school districts.
"However, we’re encouraged by the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s proposal to address rapid growth by funding pre-fabricated additions at two of our elementary schools,” he continued, referencing the work at David Cameron Elementary and Ruth King Elementary that will accommodate 380 students. “This approach represents a shift in how we think about building schools, and it’s a positive step forward.”
To also combat the shortage in the long-term, new schools have been built, including Pexsisen Elementary School and Centre Mountain Lellum Middle School, which both opened in 2022.
And more are on the way.
“This fall, we’re breaking ground on the replacement of Port Renfrew Elementary, and we’ll see Scianew Stelitkel Elementary School start to take shape in the coming months,” Block said.
In May this year it was announced planning was underway for a new secondary school in Langford, for around 2,000 students.
And in what Block describes as a “significant step”, a 7.2-acre parcel of land in Langford has been purchased by the province and SD62, earmarked for the development of a middle school.
“We will continue advocating to the provincial government for new schools to alleviate the pressure on overburdened facilities,” said Block.
But whilst the primary challenge for the school district is managing the growing student population, Block said he hopes in the new academic year, SD62 can keep its focus firmly on what matters most – their students.
“Together with district staff, community partners, and families, I’m committed to prioritizing both the well-being and academic success of our students.” said Block, who moved into the role of superintendent in January this year.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the dedication of our staff over the summer,” he continued. “Whether it’s been moving portables, shining gym floors, engaging in internal and external audits or installing new equipment, the school district is a 365, 24/7 organization and our staff are an integral piece of achieving student success in the classroom and beyond.”
With everything in place for the new school calendar, Block says he is eager to witness the growth and achievements of this year's student body.
“Every day, countless wonderful moments unfold in our schools,” he said, “and they remind me that everything we do is in service of our students' intellectual, social and personal development.”
In the upcoming academic year, students in B.C. will face new restrictions regarding the use of personal digital devices in the classroom. The new guidelines, introduced by the province to promote online safety and create more focused learning environments, only allows the use of personal digital devices in a classroom when directed by a teacher.
However, schools in the Sooke School District have for “many years” instructed students to put away personal digital devices during instructional time, said Block.
“Teachers and administrative staff will continue to work with students and their families to support their educational needs by developing healthy boundaries and understanding digital literacies with their personal digital devices during instructional time,” he said.
Whilst September always brings a mix of anticipation, nerves, and excitement for students, Block reminds us that teachers have feelings too.
"While we often focus on welcoming ‘new’ students, it’s important to remember that there are also ‘new’ teachers and school staff who share those same feelings,” he said. “This is also a reality for our seasoned and experienced staff because they care deeply about their students and want to deliver on our commitments to families and community. For those returning to our schools, there’s a special joy in reconnecting with familiar faces and welcoming new students into their classrooms.”
