Royal Bay Secondary School

Royal Bay Secondary School (RBSS) is a secondary school located in Colwood, a western suburb of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It is one of four secondary schools in School District 62 Sooke.[1] and serves the suburban West Shore area of Colwood, Langford and Metchosin.

Royal Bay Secondary School
Address
3500 Ryder Hesjedal Way

Colwood
,
British Columbia
,
V9C 0J6

Canada
Coordinates48.4091°N 123.4941°W / 48.4091; -123.4941
Information
School typePublic Secondary
Founded2015
School boardSooke School District 62
PrincipalMike Huck
Grades9-12
Enrollment1,300 (1,400 Capacity) (2020)
LanguageEnglish
Colour(s)Purple, White, Black
     
MascotRaven
Team nameRavens
Websiteroyalbay.sd62.bc.ca

History and facilities
Royal Bay Secondary School, main entry, 2015

RBSS was established in 2015 as one of two new facilities to replace the former Belmont Secondary School on Jacklin Road in Langford.

In September 2013 construction commenced on the new $40.8-million RBSS.[2][3][4][5] Shortly after construction started for the new RBSS building, local media noted that the school is located in the former gravel pit where the remains of a wooly mammoth were discovered in the 1960s. Part of the remains are now in the collection of the Royal British Columbia Museum.[6]

In March 2018, a major building expansion was announced.[7] Construction commenced January 2019 on the new $34-million 600 seat addition made up of 19 additional class rooms including 4 science labs and 2 state-of-the-art computer animation rooms, a third gymnasia featuring indoor artificial-turf, 2 additional athletic change rooms and office, two new parking lots, and a bus lane out front of the School property. Construction was completed October 2020 making RBSS the biggest Secondary School on Vancouver Island.

Following the competition of the expansion, it was announced that the School District 62 French Immersion Program, currently at Belmont Secondary School, would be transitioned and permanently moved to Royal Bay Secondary School. The transition is set to start in September of the 2021-2022 school year, and be completed in September of 2024.

The facilities are intended to support a wide range of programs, including expanded students' skills and trades training. The athletic facilities include three gymnasia, an Olympic size rubberized track, one artificial-turf play field, one grass play field, as well as a roof-top basketball court. The school incorporates the Teechamitsa Theatre, a 350-seat performing arts theatre which supports the drama and orchestra program. Career and Technical Education spaces included shop work areas for construction, auto/marine, and mechanical/marine courses. The school incorporates a Neighbourhood Learning Centre to support both the school and community needs.

Academies and special programs

RBSS offers academies and special programs in several areas:[8]

  • Soccer Academy
  • Dance Academy
  • Lacrosse Academy
  • Girl's Lacrosse Academy
  • French Immersion (starting September 2021)
  • Culinary Arts
  • Equine Studies
  • Dual Credit – in partnership with Camosun College, it is a dedicated trades program focusing on construction, plumbing, electrical, sheet metal, and pipe fitting where students can earn both high school and college credits.

References
  1. School District website Archived 2011-03-18 at the Wayback Machine
  2. BC Ministry of Education news release, Dec. 18, 2012. Retrieved 2015-09-23
  3. BC Ministry of Education news release, June 27, 2013. Retrieved 2015-09-23
  4. New Schools - SD62, October 9, 2013. Retrieved 2015-09-23
  5. Goldstream News Gazette, 2011-10-31, retrieved online 2015-09-23
  6. Victoria News, November 26, 2013. Retrieved 2015-09-23
  7. "CTV News Vancouver Island, March 10 2020". Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  8. This Week in the Ravens Nest newsletter, August 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-23
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