Victoria High School’s Seismic Upgrade Project is Complete as Students Return to Classes After Spring Break
Victoria High School, photo taken from west side of building on the new turf field. The school’s new seismically upgraded stairwell tower can be seen on the left side of the photo.
During spring break, administrators and staff of Victoria High School made the complex transition from their SJ Willis site to the original Fernwood location of Vic High. Students and staff have toured the building, and many are continuing to explore the space as classes restarted on April 8.
The Greater Victoria School District would like to thank the many individuals and groups for their dedication, creativity, collective teamwork, and support throughout the project. Thank you to Indigenous communities, facilities teams, school staff, contractors and architects, the City of Victoria, funding partners, and many community groups who all made this project possible.
Our gratitude continues as we’d like to extend our thanks to Principal Aaron Parker and Vice Principals Danielle Mercer and Sara Reside. They have shown great leadership to ensure the project and transition for students and families and staff has been as smooth as possible.
A Continuing Celebration
The Greater Victoria School District and its Indigenous Education Department is proud to work closely with Indigenous communities. We thank the Songhees Nation, Esquimalt Nation, Metis Nation of Greater Victoria, and the Urban Peoples House Indigenous Advisory for their valuable input and consultation throughout the seismic upgrade project at Victoria High School. Their input involved honouring local protocols to coordinate with Indigenous artists and Knowledge Keepers for the design elements that are woven into all areas of the school.
Thank you to all of the Elders and community members involved in bringing authentic voice and story to the project. We look forward to participating in an Indigenous cultural event later this month where the district will celebrate the school’s history and relationship to the Indigenous communities that it serves.
Watch the Final Seismic Upgrade Video
Just before spring break, Gordon Wallace, Project Manager for the seismic upgrade, walked us through some key highlights of the new addition to the school as well as parts of the original school that have been upgraded. We invite you to watch the video and gain insight to the scope and complexity of this project, one that has ended with a beautiful and safe school. Thank you to Gord and all his staff and facilities teams for effort, hard work, and care to both preserve the heritage of the school while making it a new and modern learning environment for all.
Ministry of Education Announces Seismic Upgrade Project Complete
On April 10, 2024 the Ministry of Education and Child Care held a media event to announce the completion of the seismic upgrade project and expansion at Victoria High School. The event was welcomed by Elder Frank George to begin the event in a good way.
In the photo above you can see the new addition to the school at the centre (Learning Commons) and to the right. For more information, please read the Ministry’s media release.
Greater Victoria School District No. 61
Communications
community@sd61.bc.ca