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Principal's Blog

Principal's Message
Topic:  Working Together to Keep Our School Safe, Inclusive, and Respectful 

Dear Garth Webb Families,

At GWSS, we are committed to fostering a learning environment where every student, staff member, and community member feels safe, respected, and included.

Last week, we were reminded of the importance of standing together as a school community to uphold the values of dignity, kindness, and equity. While we cannot share details of specific situations due to privacy considerations, we want to acknowledge that incidents can occur that challenge our shared commitment to safety and inclusion. When they do, we respond with care, intention, and accountability.

We want to emphasize that everyone has the right to feel safe and accepted at Garth Webb Secondary School. Hate-based actions or symbols have no place in our community and go against everything we stand for as a public school committed to equity and human rights.

As a staff, we have been engaging in intentional conversations with students to reinforce the importance of understanding the impact of our actions, the power of words and symbols, and the responsibility we each have in creating a positive school culture at GWSS. We continue to educate students about the expectations outlined in the HDSB Code of Conduct, which emphasizes respect, responsible citizenship, and safety for all.

We also know that our families are key members of this shared responsibility and that we need to continually work together! When students, staff, and parents/guardians work together, we create a powerful foundation so that our students can feel they belong and can accomplish their academic and personal goals. We also know that students and staff are affected in different ways, and that if your child ever needs support or would like to speak with someone, please encourage them to reach out to a caring adult at school whether it be a teacher, guidance counsellor, SERT, social worker, or administrator.

We are grateful for the ongoing support and care of our school community, and we will continue working together to ensure that Garth Webb Secondary School is a place where every individual feels seen, valued, and safe.

With appreciation,

Luisa Botelho

Principal

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Principal's Message
Topic:    Vaping Awareness and Prevention 

Dear Garth Webb Families,

This week, I’d like to revisit an important topic that continues to affect students in secondary schools, including here at Garth Webb — vaping.

Vaping remains a growing concern, particularly among youth who may not fully understand the serious health risks involved. We continue to see students experimenting with vapes, often unaware of their harmful effects on both physical and mental well-being. As a school community, it is our responsibility to provide education, support, and clear expectations to help students make safe and healthy choices.


At Garth Webb, we are taking a multi-faceted approach to address vaping:

  • Last Spring, we introduced pilot vape detectors on the first floor of the school as part of our prevention strategy. These detectors are a tool to help us better monitor usage and maintain a safe environment for all students.

  • In November, our teachers will be facilitating vaping education sessions as part of classroom conversations and curriculum connections, reinforcing key messages around health, decision-making, and peer influence.

  • We continue to share information through morning announcements and visual reminders (such as posters) throughout the building.

  • Our admin team regularly monitors shared spaces, including washrooms, and we are working closely with our Community Liaison Officer and Halton Public Health to better understand access points and trends.

We know that school-based education is just one piece of the puzzle. As parents and caregivers, your role in these conversations is vital. I encourage you to continue to speak openly with your child about vaping. Ask them what they’ve seen or heard, share your concerns, and discuss the very real health risks associated with vape use — including nicotine addiction, respiratory issues, and long-term impacts we are only beginning to understand.

Let’s continue working together to support our students in making informed, healthy choices. If you have ideas or suggestions to strengthen our approach, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Helpful Resources:

Thank you for your ongoing partnership.

Luisa Botelho

Principal

Topic:   Experiential Learning at Garth Webb Secondary School

Hello everyone,

I hope you’ve had a fantastic week and enjoyed the warm weather!

At Garth Webb Secondary School, we’re proud to be a vibrant and dynamic learning community, full of enriching opportunities for our students. One of the ways our dedicated teachers enhance student learning is by providing experiential learning opportunities: meaningful, hands-on experiences that often extend beyond the classroom.

Why Experiential Learning?

As part of Halton District School Board’s long-term focus on Creating Pathways to Success, experiential learning plays a vital role in engaging students and deepening their learning. It helps bridge classroom knowledge with real-world experiences and encourages students to better understand both themselves and their future possibilities.

What Is Experiential Learning?

Experiential learning is more than just learning by doing. It gives students the chance to:

  • Participate in authentic, hands-on experiences that connect to a broader community—locally, nationally, or globally;

  • Reflect on those experiences to derive meaning and insight;

  • Apply what they’ve learned to future decisions, actions, and goals in their academic, personal, or career pathways.

Whether it’s through trips like the recent visit to Crawford Lake and the Outdoor Ed Grand River Rafting Trip, involvement in community programs, or school-based initiatives, experiential learning supports deeper engagement and prepares students for the world beyond high school.

The Three Key Elements of Experiential Learning:

  • Participate – The What: Students actively engage in meaningful experiences that support their learning.

  • Reflect – The So What: Students think critically about the experience to draw out key insights and personal meaning.

  • Apply – The Now What: Students use their learning to inform future choices, set goals, and take action.

Warmly,

Luisa Botelho

Principal

Topic:  Carrying the Legacy: GWSS Terry Fox Week Recap & Fundraising Success

Hello everyone,

I hope you’ve had a fantastic week and enjoyed the warm weather!

We’re thrilled to share some highlights from an incredible week of fundraising and community spirit here at Garth Webb! Our Grade 12 PLF4M1 (Recreation and Healthy Active Living Leadership) class, led by Ms. Kinsella, did an outstanding job planning and promoting a variety of events in support of the Terry Fox Foundation. As part of their leadership initiative, they visited Grade 9 and 10 classrooms to raise awareness, encourage donations, and get students excited about participating.  On Tuesday, September 22 our bake sale was a sweet success! Thank you to everyone who baked, donated, and bought treats. The funds raised brought us even closer to our overall goal. On Friday, September 26, during Period 1 the Grade 9 classes kicked off the morning with enthusiasm; during Period 2 the Grade 10 students continued the energy; and then Period 4 the entire school came together for a powerful and inspiring walk/run.

🎯 Fundraising Goal Update
Our school community set a goal of raising $7,000, and thanks to your generosity and spirit, we are approaching the $5,000. We’re incredibly proud of this progress and donations are still being accepted if you'd like to help us reach the finish line!

You can continue to support the cause by donating here:
🔗 Donate to the GWSS Terry Fox Campaign

A huge thank you to Ms. Kinsella, our student leaders, and everyone who contributed time, energy, and resources. This event continues to inspire our school each year, and we’re so proud to carry on Terry’s legacy together.

The Board’s 2024–2028 Multi-Year Plan emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of kindness rooted in empathy, respect, and trust in our relationships with students. It highlights the need to support grassroots initiatives that actively shape and sustain compassionate and inclusive learning environments. Events like the Terry Fox Run promote key values such as accountability, relationship-building, and student engagement — all of which align closely with the priorities outlined in the Board’s Multi-Year Plan (HDSB, 2024).

I want to conclude by acknowledging the vital support from parents and guardians who believe in our students. Thank you to all community members for your contributions to this amazing cause. Our students play a significant role in continuing Terry’s dream that the future of cancer research is bright.

Check out Terry Fox’s video - Terry Fox, Anything's Possible

“Terry Fox, Anything’s Possible” (11 minutes)

A refreshing documentary that updates Terry Fox’s gripping story for today’s youth by featuring modern accounts of young cancer survivors, interviews with Fox family members and one of Canada’s leading Oncology specialists. Inspired by the animation stylings of the 1980’s, when Terry began his Run, the documentary intercuts never before seen archival footage with animation outlines, giving a unique, fresh look and style that are relatable to today’s youth.

Warmly,

Luisa Botelho

Principal

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