sd61

A former SD61 elementary school teacher has been given a lifetime teaching ban after being convicted of child pornography possession. (Black Press Media file photo)

Former Greater Victoria teacher given lifetime ban after child pornography conviction

Former elementary school teacher Travis Curry Mitchell sentenced in 2021

 

A former SD61 woodshop teacher has been disciplined after a 2020 incident where a student’s hair got ripped out of their head after it got stuck in a wood planer. Other student injuries on the former teacher’s watch also led to discipline. (Black Press Media file photo)

Former Victoria teacher disciplined after student’s hair ripped out by wood shop machine

Christian Michel failed to provide a safe classroom despite repeated reminders, injuries

 

Willows Grade 5 students in the Greater Victoria School District strings program rally in spring 2021 against cuts to program funding for the next school year. The board of education accepted a donation to save the program for next year. (Ian Sharpe photo)

$200,000 donation keeps music in Greater Victoria schools — with strings attached

Funds allow for specific orchestral strings program available across all 28 elementary schools

 

The zones in purple outline areas the Greater Victoria School District said its international students can’t attend on Friday and Saturday nights after 5 p.m. (Courtesy of the Greater Victoria School District)

International students initially barred from downtown Victoria amid crime spike

SD61 cites safety concerns connected to a recent spate of youth-related incidents

The zones in purple outline areas the Greater Victoria School District said its international students can’t attend on Friday and Saturday nights after 5 p.m. (Courtesy of the Greater Victoria School District)
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have taken legal action after being suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. Their case got underway on Wednesday. (Black Press Media file photos)

Two B.C. school trustees suing for reinstatement after suspensions for bullying

Trustees argue suspensions over statements about staff disproportionate, beyond school board powers

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have taken legal action after being suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. Their case got underway on Wednesday. (Black Press Media file photos)
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter were censured by the board in early February and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. Both filed civil suits against the board on Feb. 28. (Black Press Media file photos)

Suspended Victoria school trustees take court action to get action overturned

Diane McNally and Rob Paynter’s punishments related to bullying, harassment complaints

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter were censured by the board in early February and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. Both filed civil suits against the board on Feb. 28. (Black Press Media file photos)
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have been censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photo)

Disparaging Twitter comments sparked Greater Victoria school trustee suspensions

Some details of decision revealed in public letter, following community concern

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have been censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association membership voted during its Feb. 15 general meeting to boycott all meetings of the board until they are satisfied the process was appropriate or the suspension is rescinded. (Black Press Media file photo)

Teachers question legality of suspending 2 Victoria school trustees

GVTA votes no confidence in SD61 board, will boycott future meetings

The Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association membership voted during its Feb. 15 general meeting to boycott all meetings of the board until they are satisfied the process was appropriate or the suspension is rescinded. (Black Press Media file photo)
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have been censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photos)

B.C. school district suspends 2 trustees after bullying complaints

Greater Victoria’s Diane McNally, Rob Paynter suspended until October after investigation

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have been censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photos)
An average of 370 children are injured in crashes while walking or cycling in B.C. every year (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. drivers reminded school zones back in effect, police are watching

Keep an eye out for 30 km/hr signage from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days

An average of 370 children are injured in crashes while walking or cycling in B.C. every year (Black Press Media file photo)
With no word from the province on how schools will handle COVID-19 health protocols this year in the midst of increasing case numbers, some Greater Victoria teachers and parents are feeling anxious about the return. (Black Press Media file photo)

Back to school: Vancouver Island parents, teachers concerned with lack of COVID-19 plan

No cohorts, masks not mandatory; existing scenario making people nervous

With no word from the province on how schools will handle COVID-19 health protocols this year in the midst of increasing case numbers, some Greater Victoria teachers and parents are feeling anxious about the return. (Black Press Media file photo)
Jordan Watters resigned as chairwoman of the Greater Victoria School District Aug. 3 after four Indigenous communities asked her to step down. She will continue on as a trustee. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria school board chair resigns over ‘hard truths’ of failing Indigenous learners

Citing more work ahead, Jordan Watters says she is honouring wishes of Indigenous communities

Jordan Watters resigned as chairwoman of the Greater Victoria School District Aug. 3 after four Indigenous communities asked her to step down. She will continue on as a trustee. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Greater Victoria School District continues to face backlash over its wording and approach to Indigenous learners in its 2021-2022 budget talks. (Black Press Media file photo)

School district’s approach to Indigenous learners leaves Victoria teachers ‘disgusted’

Backlash grows over ‘pattern of colonial thinking permeating the leadership’

The Greater Victoria School District continues to face backlash over its wording and approach to Indigenous learners in its 2021-2022 budget talks. (Black Press Media file photo)
Carolyn Howe, a kindergarten teacher and vice president of the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association, says educators are feeling the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic and the influx of pressure that comes with it. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Stress leave, tears and insomnia: B.C. teachers feel the strain of COVID-19

Teachers still adjusting to mask and cleaning rules, pressures from outside and within

Carolyn Howe, a kindergarten teacher and vice president of the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association, says educators are feeling the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic and the influx of pressure that comes with it. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
Spectrum Community School is evacuating staff and students as a precaution against a potential bomb threat, as of Tuesday morning. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Greater Victoria high school cancels classes Tuesday after bomb threat

Greater Victoria School District says school is safe and will be open on Wednesday

Spectrum Community School is evacuating staff and students as a precaution against a potential bomb threat, as of Tuesday morning. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
GNS senior and primary schools are closed early for March break due to as a member of the school is awaiting results of a COVID-19 test. (Oak Bay News file photo)

Greater Victoria school closes campuses due to potential COVID-19 case

As of Tuesday, both campuses are closed early for spring break

GNS senior and primary schools are closed early for March break due to as a member of the school is awaiting results of a COVID-19 test. (Oak Bay News file photo)
Vancouver Island schools to see more than $15 million in upgrades

Vancouver Island schools to see more than $15 million in upgrades

Province announces $206 million for B.C. school upgrades

Vancouver Island schools to see more than $15 million in upgrades
Students at Shoreline Community Middle School in Great Victoria participate in the kick off tour on child and youth rights by the Representative for Children and Youth. (Lindsey Horsting/News Gazette staff)

Provincewide tour for child and youth rights kicks off today

Representative for Children and Youth uses the hashtag #Rep4Rights to reach out to communities

Students at Shoreline Community Middle School in Great Victoria participate in the kick off tour on child and youth rights by the Representative for Children and Youth. (Lindsey Horsting/News Gazette staff)
Premier John Horgan displays his best playground “tricks” with students at Quadra elementary, Tuesday May 8. Horgan joined Minister of Education, Rob Fleming, to announce $5 million in annual funding for safer and more accessible playground equipment for schoolchildren across B.C. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS

B.C. invests $5M for new school playground equipment

Fifty-one schools across the province to benefit from new program

Premier John Horgan displays his best playground “tricks” with students at Quadra elementary, Tuesday May 8. Horgan joined Minister of Education, Rob Fleming, to announce $5 million in annual funding for safer and more accessible playground equipment for schoolchildren across B.C. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS