As 2025 comes to a close, we would like to take a moment to wish all SRT students and families a positive, restful, and well-deserved winter break. We are also pleased to share a few important updates and reminders as we head into the new year.
December was an especially busy and exciting month at SRT. Our community came together for several successful fundraising initiatives in support of SRT families and the Coins for Kids campaign. Thank you for your generosity and support. Students also enjoyed many festive and enriching activities, including cookie decorating, cake walks, gingerbread decorating, and a pumpkin pie-eating contest. There was plenty of basketball action across all grades, auditions for our upcoming school drama production, and memorable field trips to the Holocaust Education Centre and the VanDusen Festival of Lights. Our Grade 12 students capped off the month with a fantastic Senior Sail cruise through Vancouver Harbour. Ms. Adams also took a large group of students to Whistler in December, and will be leading additional ski trips to Grouse Mountain in January.
School will resume on Monday, January 5, 2026. We hope our Grade 12 students return focused and energized, as graduation is now only months away. They can kick off the new year by purchasing $20 Winter Formal. Ticket sales start Tuesday, January 6, with Grade 11 ticket sales opening on Wednesday, January 7. Grade 12 students are given first access to ensure all grads have the opportunity to attend.
The second full week of January (12th-16th) will mark the start of the Grade 10 Literacy Assessment. Then, from the 19th to the 23rd some of the grade 12 students will write the Grade 12 Literacy Assessment. Students will receive a schedule outlining their writing times. These assessments are a graduation requirement and will appear on student transcripts. Students who are not satisfied with their results will have an opportunity to rewrite.
Many more events and opportunities are planned for the new year. We encourage families to regularly visit our school website and calendar, which we strive to keep updated daily.
While the holiday season can be a time of celebration, it can also be a challenging time for some. Feelings of loneliness, stress, or being triggered are not uncommon. Crisis supports and mental health and substance-use resources are available online, by phone, and in person for both youth and adults. Families can learn more about available supports on the erase mental health and substance use webpage.
We wish you all a wonderful and restful winter break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year.
Ken Elphick, Andrea Clayton, Karl Lindgren-Streicher