Semiahmoo Secondary School
Semiahmoo Secondary School (/ˌsɛmiˈɑːmoʊ/ SEM-ee-AH-moh) is a public high school in South Surrey, British Columbia, and is part of School District 36 Surrey. Founded in 1940 as the first senior secondary school in South Surrey, Semiahmoo spans grades eight through twelve. The school currently has a student population of around 1700 and a faculty of 96, and is headed by Bal Ranu.[2]
Semiahmoo Secondary School | |
---|---|
Address | |
1785 148th Street , | |
Coordinates | 49.0349°N 122.81364°W |
Information | |
Type | Public School |
Motto | "Semiahmoo...We are the future" |
Established | 1940 |
School district | School District 36 Surrey |
Principal | Bal Ranu[1] |
Faculty | 96 |
Enrollment | Regular: 1700 IB Program: 200 Full Diploma, 150 partial |
Colour(s) | royal blue, white, and red |
Team name | Totems |
Affiliation | IB World School |
Website | www |
Semiahmoo is one of three public high schools on the peninsula, along with Earl Marriott Secondary School towards the border crossing, and Elgin Park Secondary School towards Ocean Park.
History
Semiahmoo Secondary was built in the city of White Rock in the late 1930s, becoming the area's first secondary school. The former building, now cleared, stood where White Rock Elementary School stands today. When White Rock Junior Secondary was built in 1961 on Oxford Street, Semiahmoo was officially renamed Semiahmoo Senior Secondary. A severe classroom shortage in the 1980s, started by a fire in White Rock Junior Secondary, prompted an effort by the provincial ministry of education to expand educational facilities in South Surrey. In 1989, Semiahmoo was transferred to the newly renovated and expanded White Rock Junior facilities, officially becoming Semiahmoo Secondary School.
Academics
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Semiahmoo Secondary School has been an IB World School since June 1980. Surrey students are permitted to cross school boundaries to enter the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Approximately 300 students in Grades 11 & 12 are enrolled in the IB Program at Semiahmoo. There is also the option of students enrolling in the Partial IB Program. Students apply to the program in the Grade 10 year by sending in the completed application package which can be found on the school website.
Extracurricular activities
Music
Almost all of Semiahmoo's instrumental music ensembles are full courses in the school timetable. The program consists of 3 concert bands: grade 8, grade 9, and Senior Wind Ensemble (grade 10-12); 6 jazz bands: grade 8, two grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, and grade 12; and varying amounts of jazz combos per year. The current head of the department is Dagan Lowe along with two other directors Sarah Kennedy (s. 2016) and Jeff Williams (s. 2019).
Theatre
Semiahmoo houses a theatre that can hold approximately 200 people. In addition, the senior grades perform various one-act plays, Shakespearean works, and improvisation sessions throughout the year.
Athletics
Semiahmoo has received multiple Provincial banners in recent years. Semiahmoo has a track, baseball field, all weather soccer fields and a rugby field. There is also a beach volleyball court.[3]
Notable alumni
- Paul Campbell, actor, Battlestar Galactica[4]
- Colton Gillies, left winger for the Columbus Blue Jackets[5]
- Ardo Hansson, World Bank economist and Governor of the Bank of Estonia[6]
- Gordie Hogg, politician[7]
- Robert Langlands, mathematician, founder of the Langlands program
- Grant Lawrence, CBC Radio 3 host
- Gabrielle Miller, actress, Corner Gas and Robson Arms
- Nardwuar the Human Serviette, journalist
- A.C. Newman, songwriter, leader of The New Pornographers
- Hannah Simone, former fashion model, actress, "New Girl", MuchMusic VJ
- Richard Weinberger, Olympic swimmer, bronze medalist
- Sean Whyte, CFL player, Edmonton Eskimos, and Lew Hayman Trophy winner
- Neil McEvoy, CFL General Manager, BC Lions
Covid-19
As of November 28, 2020 The-19 in the school [8]
Gallery
- Semiahmoo Secondary noticeboard (replaced with an electronic version circa 2009)
- Another view of Semiahmoo Secondary
References
- "Semiahmoo Secondary School - Administration". www.surreyschools.ca.
- https://www.surreyschools.ca/schools/semi/About/Administration/Pages/default.aspx
- "Siblings hit the sand in search of gold". Peace Arch News. 2015-08-04. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
- Glen Schaefer (June 19, 2011). "The Hero who would have been carpenter". The Province. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
As a [...] White Rock teen who spent his time in the woodworking and auto mechanics shops at Semiahmoo secondary, actor Paul Campbell wasn't marked for stardom.
- "Hockey Canada Skills Academy - Semiahmoo" (PDF). Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- CV Ardo Hansson Archived 2013-02-18 at Archive.today
- Kane, Laura; December 2, The Canadian Press Updated; 2017 (2017-12-02). "Trudeau campaigning for Surrey Liberal candidate ahead of byelection | Vancouver Sun". Retrieved 2019-06-15.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
- "Secure Document Delivery from Surrey School District 36 - Powered by SchoolMessenger". msg.schoolmessenger.ca. Retrieved 2020-11-28.