Spotlight on Schools

For Jessica Clement, the journey from growing up in Aldershot to building a career in film, television and arts education has been anything but linear, and that’s exactly how she knows she’s on the right path.

More than 250 students in Grades 5–8 from 35 Halton District School Board schools gathered alongside approximately 60 educators for a day of learning, collaboration and action focused on climate change and sustainability. The Climate Innovators Youth Forum hosted in partnership with Learning for a Sustainable Future brought together student leaders and educators to explore real-world environmental challenges and develop practical solutions they can take back to their school communities.

HDSB students are getting a head start on their futures! We recently visited Oakville Trafalgar High School for the Ontario Career Lab and Career Conversations, an initiative that connects Grade 10 students with volunteer Career Coaches for real-world insights into different career pathways.

In this video, staff and students share how these small-group discussions help students build confidence and discover new possibilities for life after graduation.

Thank you to HIEC for their partnership in bringing this valuable program to our schools!

P.L. Robertson Public School was filled with curiosity, imagination and thoughtful conversation on Feb. 5, as students and families gathered for the For the Love of Reading: Family Literacy Night. The event offered students and families a meaningful opportunity to engage with award-winning Canadian author Lawrence Hill in a moderated conversation that explored the power of stories, belonging and self-discovery.

As the Olympic flame is lit on opening day of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, a group of Halton District School Board alumni prepare to represent Canada on the world stage at the Olympic and Paralympic games. These athletes have earned their place among the world’s best through years of dedication and resilience.

More than 150 students from 20 schools participated in the 7th Annual Generation Green Youth-led Forum, hosted in partnership with Halton Environmental Network (HEN). Students in Grades 7-12 engaged in hands-on workshops led by community partners, exploring this year's theme: Living Sustainably through Climate Action, aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). 

“Winning the Grey Cup means everything to me,” said AJ Allen, describing the moment as the realization of a dream shaped by years of dedication, sacrifice and perseverance. A graduate of M.M. Robinson High School, AJ Allen’s success at the professional level builds on a foundation of excellence established during his time as a student athlete. Recognized as both an HDSB Student of Excellence and Athlete of the Year, AJ distinguished himself early through his commitment and drive. 

Educators and community organizations from across Halton gathered prior to the winter break for the Illuminate: Shining a Light on Mental Health Community Partnerships Symposium, a one-day event focused on shared learning in support of student well-being.

Emmy Nah, Amrutha Kosuri and Veera Kalsi created Bye-Catch, a fishing net designed with recycled materials that uses electromagnets and blue LEDs to deter sharks without affecting fish. What began as a Grade 9 innovation assignment has evolved into a fully developed entrepreneurial project that has attracted investor funding, pitch opportunities and strong interest from business and community leaders across Ontario.

Two White Oaks SS alumni, Raashid Azeem Ahamed and Aarush Behal recently took to the global stage as members of Team Canada for the 21st International Geography Olympiad (iGEO 2025) in Bangkok, Thailand. Competing against 179 students from 47 countries, the team delivered an outstanding performance, with Raashid securing a bronze medal.