Wishart Elementary | Sooke School District

What's on this page

School Overview
Focus and Planning
Reflect, Adjust, Celebrate

School Overview

School Identity and Context

Wishart Elementary is built on the traditional lands of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. We currently serve families residing in the Colwood, Langford and Metchosin municipalities of Greater Victoria in School District #62 Sooke. Our student population is about 477 students this year, and we enrol students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. Many families have long-standing ties to the school, having previously attended Wishart Elementary and now have the pleasure of sending their children to Wishart. We are fortunate to have the support of an incredible parent community along with a supportive Parent Advisory Council. At Wishart we welcome and appreciate the involvement of all parents.

Our Learners

What do we know about our learners?

At Wishart, we encourage students to participate in all aspects of school life. Our staff are exceptional and help create a positive culture where learning flourishes. Wishart students are engaged, enthusiastic, kind and caring.

Our Equity Team met throughout the 2021/2022 school year and noted that an increased awareness around Indigenous Ways of Knowing would support our learners. Further, infusing these teachings into class learning environments will support all learners at Wishart. As our enrolment at has increased, so have the number of learners identifying as Indigenous. We see the importance of all learners feeling welcome and part of our learning environment here at the school.

Additionally, over the last two years, we have discovered that K-3 students have lagging needs in the areas of literacy and numeracy. School data collected over the past two years (2020/21 and 2021/22) from the three reporting periods, School Based Team meetings, conversations with teachers indicate that more students in grades 4 and 5 are likely to meet grade level expectations in the areas of literacy and numeracy than students in K-3.

Therefore, one of the two school goals over the next three years is going to focus on early literacy and numeracy skills, starting with literacy first.

What evidence supports what we know about our learners?

Our Student Voice

Feedback and anecdotal information from students and parents indicate that the majority of our students feel supported at school. Students and parents feel that Wishart Elementary is a welcoming place where all students are supported. Data from Student Learning Survey indicates that most students feel safe, they are connected to an adult at school, and that staff care about their well-being.

Focus and Planning

What focus(es) emerge as goals to pursue?

Critical and Creative Thinking

Indigenous Education

School Goal 1

Indigenous Education - Equity in Action
Educate and increase comfort for both staff and students around the Territorial Acknowledgement

Strategic Plan Goal

Engagement

Strategic Plan Engagement Objectives

Further the goals of the Na'tsa'maht agreement following the objectives of 'One Mind' and 'One Spirit'.

Action Plan

School Goal 2

Literacy Goal - focus on building literacy (reading and writing) skills for K-3 learners
so that most students are reading and writing at grade level by the end of the school year.

Strategic Plan Goal

Learning

Strategic Plan Learning Objectives

Provide opportunites for learners to develop critical and creative thinking skills.

Action Plan

Staff

Use an inquiry approach to create year long goals
Use a collaborative approach with staff (teachers and EAs) to create goals
In September, share 2021/22 data with K-3 teachers
Use Class Profile Meetings to gather more current data on those subjects
Use district funding if available to help with the Inquiry process to create goals and objectives
Support students using the K-3 Literacy Intervention teaching positions for ongoing support for students who require more focused support in those areas
Pre- and post-assessment of learning for K-3; continue to monitor students

Students

Ensure that they are active participants in their learning; are aware of the school goals; ensure that they are partners in this journey

Parents

Inform and engage with parents of K-3 student; ensure they are aware of the school goals; encourage parents to be part of their child's educational journey; keep parents updated through newsletters, parent teacher conferences and celebration of learning opportunities
Inform PAC of the school goals

Share, celebrate successes with students, staff and parent

How can the district support your goals?

Curriculum

ELL

Inclusive Education

Na’tsa’maht Indigenous Education

Professional Development and Training

Reflect, Adjust, Celebrate

Indicators of progress

Indicators of progress connected to Goal 1

Indicators of progress connected to Goal 2

How will we communicate and celebrate our progress?