North Saanich Middle School

North Saanich Middle School says Farewell to the Grade 8 Students!

North Saanich Middle School Indigenous Peoples Atlas and the Salish Weave Collection 

North Saanich Middle School Versus Bayside  - Bone Game

NSMS Students and Bayside Students took turns visiting each other schools to play friendly games of Bone Game.  

UVIC Vikings Basketball and Soccer Camp

 November 29 - Frybread Day at North Saanich Middle School!

This year, 2 Indigenous students from Parkland Secondary, to assisted and mentored with the activity.  The NSMS students were great!  The students were open and willing to do the work involved  with making frybread for minimum 300 students/staff.  Team effort made for an easier process 😊 

BCI Financial Literacy Day Field Trip Nov 2023 

Thanks to Junior Achievement of British Columbia (JABC) for organizing this Field Trip. The students, along with teachers and Indigenous Support Liaisons, visited the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation office downtown Victoria. This program had guest speakers and hosts that focused on teaching students about personal budgeting, savings and investing, managing credit & more.

North Saanich Middle School says Farewell to the Grade 8 Students!

North Saanich Middle School 2023

North Saanich Middle School - Frybread Day December 2022 

North Saanich Middle School says Farewell to the Grade 8 Students!

June 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day at North Saanich Middle School 

North Saanich Middle School 2021-22 Highlights!

Bannock Making

On March 10th our Indigenous students gathered in the home economics classroom at lunchtime. We shared lots of laughs and saw plenty of unique bannock creations.

Greenhouse and Gardening

Some Indigenous students at North Saanich Middle School have been busy in the greenhouse planting, watering and tending to a variety of plants. Strawberries, green beans and sunflowers were the top choices for planting in the hopes that our students will have something to take home and plant in their yards for the summer!

Parks Canada Science and Culture Camp at SMONEĆTEN Campground

On April 20th, our W̱SÁNEĆ students joined the ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School and Parkland for an on the land educational field trip. Parks Canada hosted the event in partnership with local Elders, Doug and Kathy Lafortune. Together, we learnt about the intersection between traditional and scientific knowledge of the ecosystems around us. Snacks, hot chocolate, and tasty clam chowder soup with bannock were enjoyed by all!

Presentations

Indigenous Education Assistant, Emily, gave presentations about her Métis culture to students at North Saanich Middle School. They learn about who the Métis are, their leader Louis Riel, and their language, culture and traditions that make the Métis a distinct Indigenous group in Canada. 

Reconciliation Board

Our front display at NSMS now features our new Reconciliation Board. We currently have student artwork, SENCOTEN vocabulary, and photos of events happening around the school up for viewing. This board will be changed throughout the year. We are grateful for the use of Jeremiah Peter’s ECM artwork. It is a welcome and important addition to our front entrance for students, families and community members.

The IEA, Emily, also recorded a video on “What Reconciliation Means to Me” that was released at a Monday morning assembly. 

Introduction of New Staff Members

SENĆOŦEN Feather Display

ÍY SȻÁĆEL - Good Day!

A few years ago, this bulletin board was created to 'dress-up' the end of the grade 6/7 hallway at North Saanich Middle School. Since the pandemic, it has become the first visual display the students see as they enter the building. To honour the reconciliation process and create a more inclusive school environment, students coloured feathers and incorporated SENĆOŦEN. This piece of art not only helps to welcome students into our school each day but sparks meaningful conversation about language and our community.

- Leah Mazzocchi, Grade 6/7 Teacher at NSMS

Orange Shirt Day September 2021  

September 30th has been declared 'National Day for Truth and Reconciliation', in recognition of the harm the residential school system did to children's sense of self-esteem and wellbeing, and to honour those who were lost and the survivors, families and communities who continue to grieve, and as an affirmation of our commitment to ensure that every child matters. Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for Indigenous peoples, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. Here at NSMS, we came together on September 29th to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. After sharing the song “Remember Me” by Fawn Wood over the announcements alongside Tina Savea’s video titled “To My Children. Every Child Matters. Even You.” individual classes had discussions and activities that followed. Additionally, each classroom received a package of orange wooden hearts and fine liners. Students were asked to write/draw words, phrases, or pictures on the orange hearts based on the learning they gained or feelings that came up. Those hearts were then added to a display that has now been moved into our showcase at the front of the school, so that when people walk in the front door, we can all be reminded of how to move forward together with a good heart and a good mind.

Reading Group

For five weeks this fall a small group of readers from grades 6 and 7 met twice a week in the Culture Room. We drank tea together, we shared stories, we practised our reading and we got to know each other. We don’t know how our book, Gerbilitis, will end but we are going to keep reading and find out. Stay Tuned!

- Kristi Timmermans, Indigenous Support Teacher

Showcasing Creative Artists

We have a number of incredibly talented Indigenous students here at NSMS. We wanted to take this newsletter as an opportunity to showcase some of their work. There are photos of a keychain made by Lillian U, a cedar bracelet made by Kayleigh H-W, and drawings done by multiple students within the school. Our hope is that these students continue to foster their creativity and connect with culture through artistic expression.

Grade 8 Farewells

The time has come for us to say goodbye to our incredible group of grade eight students here at North Saanich Middle School. Over the past few years, we have had the distinct privilege of watching this group of students grow into established leaders. Despite the interesting year we have had due to Covid-19, they have persevered and shown great resilience, strength, and optimism through these trying times. Each and every one of these students has exhibited hard work, dedication, and exemplary leadership skills throughout their time at NSMS. We have full confidence that these students will continue excelling throughout their high school years. We will miss these students walking our halls, but know that they are ready for the next step in their journey as young adults. We wish you nothing but the best of luck at Parkland, Reynolds, and ILC! 

North Saanich Middle School Events

Drum Workshop

At the beginning of February, the staff at North Saanich Middle School had the privilege of working alongside Curtis Henry (Pauquachin), Bruce Underwood (Tsawout), and Simone Underwood (Tsawout) in a drum workshop. This workshop took place during a Professional Development day and numerous teachers, EA’s, and support staff attended. The workshop was an important time for staff within the building to gain sacred teachings regarding cultural awareness and appreciation. The staff that participated are eternally grateful for the opportunity to participate in this workshop, and cannot thank these community members enough for their generosity and good medicine.

Language Revitalization 

Marnie Chamber’s class has worked on a project called “Genius Hour” the past few years. Genius Hour allows students to take the time to research a topic they are interested in learning more about that they may have not otherwise had time to. A grade 7 student from Pauquachin, Cynthia H., decided she wanted to learn SENĆOŦEN. Cynthia took it upon herself to research through district webpages, speak with family and community members, as well as create a poster board presentation that showcased her learning. Cynthia learned how to say the days of the week, colours, and numbers in SENĆOŦEN, and then presented it to her class. The presentation was so well received that Cynthia’s teacher believed it would be beneficial for her to continue with her learning. Cynthia and a friend, Leanna H., decided they wanted to learn more about the Saanich Moons and create a presentation for their class. Cynthia has showcased great leadership skills and confidence as she has embarked on this journey of revitalizing language.

Medicine Wheel Lesson

Kristi went to all grade six/seven classes to give a lesson on the Medicine Wheel. This lesson focused on the importance of all being connected in Indigenous culture, and highlighted some aspects of significance such as medicines, seasons, animals, etc. This lesson posed as a great introduction to some Indigenous cultures and showed students, as well as their teachers, ways of health and healing within an Indigenous framework.

Transitions

With the help of Shannon Poon, the Indigenous Support Teacher at Parkland, we have begun the process of grade 8 transitions. Shannon came to NSMS one afternoon to meet our students and gave a PowerPoint presentation orienting them to the staff at Parkland they would be working alongside. The students in attendance were excited to see what Parkland has to offer - especially their gym and sports programs!

The grade 7 and 8 students were invited to go to Parkland on May 26th and 27th to enjoy the Indian tacos and hotdogs made by the Indigenous Leadership Club. This was a great opportunity for them to visit the school, meet other students, share food, and interact with staff at Parkland.

Introductions

Indigenous EA

Tansi! My name is Kennedy Williams, and this is my second year working part time as the Indigenous Education Assistant at North Saanich Middle School. I am Métis from the Red River Valley Settlement on my maternal side, and mixed European ancestry on my paternal side. I am currently completing my fourth and final year of school at the University of Victoria as a Child and Youth Care student with an Indigenous specialization. From January to April of 2021, I will be working at the Pauquachin band office to satisfy my final practicum requirements. These past two years have been filled with so much love, laughter, and learning as I have been getting to know our students. Working alongside Kristi in the NSMS Indigenous Education Department is something I feel very passionate about, and I cannot wait to continue further building the relationships I have with the students, staff, families, and community. Marsee! (Thank you).

Indigenous Support Teacher 

 Hi! My name is Kristi Timmermans and I am a settler living and working on the territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. My family is of mixed European ancestry. I have been working at North Saanich for 15 years and this year I added the role of Indigenous Support Teacher to my day. I am passionate about building relationships with students and with families and I am enjoying this new role. I am constantly learning and looking for ways to create teaching and learning environments that reflect First Peoples Principles of Learning for myself and my colleagues. This is going to be a great year. 

Locating Ourselves

 At the beginning of the year, Kennedy went to a number of classes to introduce them to self-locations and how to do so in a respectful manner. Classes discussed how to properly introduce themselves while recognizing and acknowledging the land in which we live, learn, and play. Meaningful discussions and interactions were had regarding who we are, where we come from, and how to honour those that came before us.

Land-Based Learning

 Karen Coppen’s class, division 10, has been partaking in Land-Based learning once a week since the beginning of the year. The class has been learning about the Saanich Moons, and each week they go visit the same spot at Lillian Hoffar park to observe any changes throughout the seasons in order to connect it back to what they have been learning. We have attached some pictures of students either working in the forest or creating art with nature, which they call fart (forest art). They also link science activities to land-based learning while discussing concepts of evolution.

The time has come to say goodbye to our wonderful grade eight students here at North Saanich Middle School. Despite the interesting year we have had, they have persevered and shown great resilience and strength through these trying times. We have had the privilege of watching these students grow into established leaders, and have full confidence that each and every one of them will continue showcasing dedication and hard work throughout their educational journey. We will miss these students walking our halls, but know that they are ready for the next step in their journey as young adults. We wish you the best of luck at Parkland, Claremont, Mount Douglas and ILC!

Over the past few years we have had the distinct privilege of watching this group of students go from nervous newcomers to established leaders. Each of these students has exhibited the hard work and dedication that it takes to embrace the challenge of high school. Despite obstacles and challenges, each of these students has proven themselves and their ability to overcome whatever comes their way. Over time they have grown in strength, in confidence, and in impact. Our school won't be the same without these talented students and we wish them the best in the next step of their journey to high school, best of luck at Parkland, Stelly’s and ILC! 

Hello, my name is Brooklyn Egan. This is my third year here at North Saanich Middle School as the Indigenous Education Assistant. I am from a English/Norwegian and a Coast Salish family, belonging to the Tla’amin Nation in Powell River B.C. I am excited for another year working with our great students!  

Hello, my name is Marco Caffiero. I am of mixed ancestry, part Chilean on my father's side and Anishinaabe on my mothers. I was born and raised here in Victoria and I am proud to call the W̱SÁNEĆ territory my home. Over the past 2 months I have had the privilege of working with the students of NSMS as one of the Indigenous Education Assistants.  I’m truly grateful to be working alongside the staff and students of NSMS and I look forward to the rest of 2019 school year.

Orange Shirt Day 

Each September 30th Canada remembers the survivors of the Residential School system and its ongoing commitment to reconciliation in Canada. This year, the grade 6/7 classes were visited by the Indigenous Education team to talk about what Orange Shirt day and share family stories. With the grade 8 classes, we had the opportunity to facilitate The Blanket activity for the students and teachers to participate in. 

Our Hawk

Near the end of last year, we had the privilege of asking May Sam, an elder and famous Coast Salish knitter, who currently resides in W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) to knit our school logo to hang in our Cultural Room. May shared her family story, how she learned to knit, the process of knitting our Hawk, and her thoughts on the importance of education which resulted in a short documentary that was then presented to our school. May and her husband Skip came to a special assembly where they presented the wall hanging to our school community. If you are ever visiting the school, come check it out in our Cultural Room. 

Hawk Awards

Awards: Makyla H, Gillian D, Danielle H, Julia L, Montana C, Talia H, Cameron G, Skye-Leagh B, Payton B, Johnny S and Paige J

These proud students are the recipients of North Saanich’s Hawk Awards. This award acknowledges students who have either achieved all Good (G) or all Excellent (E) work habit marks in their report cards or who have made improvements in their perseverance, effort, and/or engagement in their school work. 

Congratulations!