West Sechelt Elementary

About

West Sechelt Elementary is located at 5609 Mason Road, Sechelt, BC V7Z 0N4. The school describes itself as a vibrant learning community and the centre for learning within the West Sechelt community, located on the unceded territory of the shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation. West Sechelt highlights unique learning opportunities including an Indigenous Education Program, a Community Garden Program, and nature learning spaces that support place-based learning.

At a Glance

School type: Public School (Sunshine Coast)

Education language: English

Religious affiliation: None / Secular

Grades: K-7

Phone: 604 885-2825

Email: wseinfo@sd46.bc.ca

Principal: Olwen Cowan

Programs and Services

Indigenous Education Program West Sechelt says it is committed to the First People’s Principles of Learning. Students receive instruction from an Indigenous Education teacher twice per week, connecting language, culture, and history in collaboration with classroom teachers. Community Garden Program The school has access to a school garden on Mason Road (donated land), where classes learn about gardening and growing food; some harvest has been donated to the local food bank. Nature learning / place-based learning West Sechelt emphasizes outdoor and place-based learning, including a nature playground, access to Wakefield Creek and nearby forest areas, proximity to municipal parks, and walking distance to the ocean shoreline. Food support The PAC and Community School Association provide food for students who require breakfast or extra food. Health and safety supports West Sechelt is a nut-aware school due to life-threatening peanut allergies. The school also outlines procedures for medication storage/administration (including requirements for forms, and an example of EpiPen planning for anaphylaxis).

School Culture and Expectations

The school’s stated community values are to be Safe, Kind, Responsible, and Respectful. West Sechelt also notes it is located on the unceded territory of the shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation and emphasizes place-based learning and respect for the natural environment. The school has a published Student Code of Conduct (linked from the website).

Transportation, Parking, and Getting Here

Parking and traffic: The school notes that space is tight and the driveway/parking area can be congested at drop-off and pick-up. Drivers may not leave vehicles unattended in the pick-up/drop-off lanes; families who want to escort children inside are asked to park and walk in, and staff parking is reserved inside the fence; the property is a no-idle zone. Walking/biking: Bicycles, scooters, rollerblades, and skateboards may not be ridden on school property between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., and families are reminded that helmets are required by law. Busing (district): SD46 requires families to register each school year for school bus transportation. Eligibility is based on living outside the walk limit (2 km for elementary), and cross-boundary students are not provided busing.

Enrollment

For SD46 cross-boundary requests (attending a school other than the designated catchment school), families are directed to submit a Cross-Boundary Transfer Application to the child’s current school or, if new to the school system, the neighbourhood school. The district notes that busing is not provided for cross-boundary transfer students.