News Stories

The Abbotsford School District is pleased to welcome another new appointment to its Senior Leadership Team. Bruce Cunnings will step into the Assistant Superintendent role on October 1, where he will lead the strategic direction of the instruction and curriculum portfolio.

The Abbotsford School District is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Assistant Superintendent to its Senior Leadership team. Jay Pankratz, who began the Assistant Superintendent role on August 1, will be primarily responsible for leading the strategic direction of the secondary school portfolio.

While school is out for many students across the school district, hundreds of others participated in the recently concluded Summer Explorers and Secondary Summer School programs, which offered a wide range of engaging activities for students from kindergarten to Grade 12. 

The Abbotsford School District is proud to announce the tremendous success of the Smile Cookie Campaign that took place this past spring. From May 1-7, 100% of the proceeds collected by purchasing a smile cookie at Tim Hortons locations across Abbotsford went directly to the Abbotsford School District's "Back to School" event. 

The Abbotsford School District is pleased to announce that Nathan Ngieng has accepted the position of Deputy Superintendent, effective July 4, 2023. Nathan has been with the district since August 2017, where he previously served as Assistant Superintendent and Director of Instruction, Learning Support Services.  

The Class of 2023 has collectively earned more than $1.5 million in scholarships and bursaries - and still counting! Recognizing outstanding academic achievements and commitment to excellence, the impressive total includes everything from full rides to small awards. Covering diverse academic fields and reflecting the broad spectrum of talents and aspirations within the school district, scholarships were generously provided through the Abbotsford Community Foundation, several community organizations, and educational institutions like:

Minister of Education and Child Care Rachna Singh has written a letter to students, parent and guardians.

“As we reach the end of 2023 school year and prepare for summer break, I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to you for your hard work and dedication. I hope you are able to take the time to reflect on your growth and accomplishments this past year, and that you are looking forward to the next cycle of life and learning to come.”

A Grade 12 student in Abbotsford has been named as one of 20 recipients of the RBC Future Launch Indigenous Youth Scholarship, valued at $10,000 per year for up to four years.

Clayton Ritchie, from Sumas First Nation, is graduating from Yale Secondary. He starts the sociology program at University of B.C. in the fall, with plans to become a lawyer and eventually open his own law firm.

Ritchie discovered a passion for law after he was selected as one of 12 students in the district to attended UBC’s Legal Boot Camp.

Chantelle Trainor-Matties, an Indigenous artist, has once again graced John Maclure Community School with her extraordinary talent. After completing the captivating thunderbird mural on the school’s exterior in 2022, Trainor-Matties has embarked on a new artistic endeavour to adorn the interior front entrance with a unique Indigenous-themed mural. This vibrant artwork aims to infuse the space with additional colour and warmly welcome all who enter John Maclure.

It’s a unique melding of experiences and it’s created several atypical pieces of art.

The Abbotsford Senior Secondary School Art Activism class has taken on a heavy topic for the final project for 2023 – the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the Canadian Criminal Justice System – and they’ve gone directly to the source for inspiration and a helping hand.

The class has collaborated with the University of British Columbia and Corrections Canada to showcase their work to the community, which is on display at The Reach Gallery Museum until June 25.