A. R. MacNeill Secondary School

The central goals of education are intellectual, social, and career development. We at A. R. MacNeill Secondary School believe that this development is more a journey than a destination. MacNeill has been founded on the guiding principles of effective practice, flexibility, and choice. As part of a community of learners, we believe in extending learning outside the walls of the school building. Students learn to set goals and formulate plans for healthy intellectual, physical, emotional and social development.

Teachers at MacNeill Secondary are engaged in the process of integrating BC's new curriculum. This involves a focus on the Core Competencies. The core competencies, along with literacy and numeracy foundations and essential content and concepts, are at the centre of the redesign of curriculum and assessment. Technology is also a vital component of 21st century learning. Students have access to wireless computer technology to enhance learning in their classrooms. This creates a natural relationship between the curriculum and technology. Where possible and appropriate, curriculum is integrated through theme-based studies, special projects, scheduling flexibility, and regular teacher collaboration and co-planning.

Students have the opportunity to develop and sustain meaningful relationships with staff and peers through our advisory program. Research shows that students who have strong connections to their school community and have strong relationships, both with their peers and with the adults in the building, are more likely to be successful. The Advisory model supports social, emotional and academic success. The advisory class meets for 25 minutes, four times a week, and 35 minutes on Wednesday.

This program allows each student to be part of a small group with an ongoing connection to an individual teacher. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday the time is used for silent reading. On Wednesday the main focus of the Advisory program is to assist students in the awareness and development of the MacNeill POWER focus, and their social responsibility. In addition, the staff supports students in the area of academic goal setting and planning. During the year, the Advisory teacher helps the students select their work to be part of their portfolio presentations in June.

At MacNeill Secondary, we value student connectedness and engagement. We believe that high levels of engagement and a sense of belonging in schools is essential for success. This philosophy extends to our International Students. We are thrilled to welcome students from China, Ecuador, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Nigeria, Qatar, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Venezuela, and Vietnam to MacNeill. As a school that values diversity, inclusion, and intercultural experiences, our International students help to enrich our community.

The central goals of education are intellectual, social, and career development. We at A. R. MacNeill Secondary School believe that this development is more a journey than a destination. MacNeill has been founded on the guiding principles of effective practice, flexibility, and choice. As part of a community of learners, we believe in extending learning outside the walls of the school building. Students learn to set goals and formulate plans for healthy intellectual, physical, emotional and social development. At A.R. MacNeill Secondary, we believe that high levels of engagement and a sense of belonging in schools is an essential element for student success. This philosophy extends to our International Students. We are thrilled to welcome students from China, Ecuador, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Nigeria, Qatar, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Venezuela, and Vietnam to MacNeill. As a school that values diversity, inclusion, and intercultural experiences, our International students help to enrich our community!

The MacNeill POWER matrix continues to form the foundation of our school community and stems from a Positive Behaviour Intervention and Support (PBIS) approach. POWER is an acronym that MacNeill staff, students and parents chose to define the school-wide expectations for student behavior in various settings. It helps staff and students be clear about what is expected. It provides a framework for instruction of positive, responsible, caring, cooperative, and respectful students who strive to do their best within the school and the community.

Over the course of the year, we will continue to engage parents, students and staff in focussed conversations around enhancing student learning. Our goal is to increase students' sense of connectedness and engagement, both in the classroom and through extra-curricular involvement. As well, our Advisory models allows teachers to build meaningful and trusting relationships with students, providing a strong foundation for success. Students have the opportunity to develop and sustain meaningful relationships with staff and peers through our Advisory. Research shows that students who have strong connections to their school community and have strong relationships, both with their peers and with the adults in the building, are more likely to be successful. The Advisory model supports social, emotional and academic success, allowing each student to be part of a small group with an ongoing connection to an individual teacher. The main focus of the Advisory program is to assist students in the awareness and development of the MacNeill POWER focus, and their social responsibility. In addition, the staff supports students in the area of academic goal setting, planning and career education. During the year, the Advisory teacher helps students select their work to be part of their portfolio presentations in June.