PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME
Welcome to ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School. We look forward to working with children from the four Saanich Nations as well as other students who are registered from other First Nation communities.
MISSION
Our mission is to work in a life-long partnership with the Saanich People to assure the continuing use of the SENĆOŦEN Language and the maintenance of the cultural identity of our Nation while giving students the knowledge, skills and attitudes as citizens to enable them to successfully meet the social economic and political challenges of life.
Our Daily Schedule
* Times are subject to change due to weather and unforeseen circumstances.
LTS Principal
SI,OLTENOT
Madeline Bartleman
INTRODUCING SENĆOŦEN SURVIVAL SCHOOL
ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School is pleased to offer a SENĆOŦEN language immersion program for our students SENĆOŦEN LE,NOṈET SCUL,ÁUTW̱ – SENĆOŦEN Survival School. If you or your child are interested in more information, please contact SX̱EDŦELISIYE (Renee Sampson), Language Revitalization Coordinator.
MISSION STATEMENT
ĆSE LÁ,E TŦE XAXE TŦE SḰÁL ȽTE. U,DOT OL TŦE SENĆOŦEN ÁȽE E TIÁ W̱SÁNEĆ. W̱UĆIST TŦE SKÁLs I, TŦE Ś,X̱ENAṈs ĆSE LÁ,E TŦE ÁLEṈENEȻ TŦE W̱SÁNEĆ. ṮI TŦE S,YESES SU ŚTEṈIST ȻENTOL E TIÁ ÁNEȻ I, ȻE,ȻÁĆELES E TŦE ŚW̱,ḰÁLEȻEN E TIÁ W̱SÁNEĆ. SNINU SE TŦE I,TOTELṈEW̱ I, SIÁM,SET SE TŦE EȽTÁLṈEW̱. SIÁM ŚW̱ELO₭E SU NIȽ.
Our language comes from the sacred one. SENĆOŦEN is the original language of this emerging land. Teach from the ways and beliefs of our W̱SÁNEĆ homeland. Continue to value our history and will move forward with contemporary education rooted in our W̱SÁNEĆ worldview. Our program will model W̱SÁNEĆ disciplines and values to foster respected families.
OUR PROGRAMS
This program is a SENĆOŦEN immersion experience ( EWENE W̱ENITEM ḴEN SḰÁL – no English Language is spoken). Children ages 3-5 will learn the beginning understandings of SENĆOŦEN language through circle time, outdoor play in playgrounds and in the forest. We encourage parents to begin their child’s SENĆOŦEN immersion education at this level.
*We strongly recommend parents who choose to enroll their child in this stream to take Adult SENĆOŦEN language classes*
For children in the Grade 4-6 program level, our program teachers meet the Ministry Prescribed Learning Outcomes of the Grade 4-6 Provincial Curriculum through a SENĆOŦEN and English medium. For 2.5 hours per day, children will also learn through engagement with nature in the playgrounds and forests around our school and at beaches and other culturally significant places.
Registration Flyer
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
We believe:
- That SENĆOŦEN language must be maintained, perpetuated, and protected.
- That teachings about W̱SÁNEĆ culture must be honoured and woven as appropriate into learning experiences.
- That the people of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation, working with the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board, are leaders in the education of W̱SÁNEĆ learners, whether in the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation schools or elsewhere.
- That our children must be given every opportunity to attain the academic skills and the spiritual and cultural values that will allow them to live successfully as proud Indigenous people in their homelands and in a multi-cultural society.
- That the Non-Indigenous society should be given opportunities within reciprocal relationships to learn about the W̱SÁNEĆ history, culture and language.
- That students should be provided with a broad holistic education that includes academic, social-emotional, spiritual, physical, arts and cultural learning.
- That learners have both rights and responsibilities within the education program. These include:
- The right to access a SENĆOŦEN Immersion learning environment.
- The right to an equal, high quality, culturally relevant and responsive education.
- The responsibility to attend school and work to the best of their ability.
- That a learning environment must be provided for W̱SÁNEĆ W̱ILNEW̱ that is safe, inclusive, welcoming, responsive, and suitable for learning.
- That professional growth is a priority for all staff within a collaborative learning community.
- That supports for overall well-being, in the areas of mental health and social emotional strength, are priorities for all learners.
W̱SÁNEĆ VALUES
As part of the educational experience, W̱SÁNEĆ W̱ILNEW̱ will be supported holistically through exposure to the following W̱SÁNEĆ values:
