The NWSS grad ceremony and dinner and dance
Details about the graduation ceremony, including dates, the dinner and dance, venues, and participation guidelines, are shared with our grads as the school year progresses. Information will be posted here near the end of each year to help students and families prepare for this important milestone.
For all things graduation-related, please visit the NWSS grad info website.
Student transcripts and letters of reference
Please note the school office will not be open for transcript help during July and August.
Current students
The Student Transcripts Service (STS) is an online platform that allows students to view their marks, order and access transcripts, and electronically send transcripts to post-secondary institutions. It also provides the option to order secondary school certificates from British Columbia.
Current students receive the following services at no cost:
- Up to 25 transcripts sent electronically to post-secondary institutions
- One printed and mailed transcript sent to a third party (such as the student or an employer)
- One graduation certificate from the school upon meeting graduation requirements
Creating an STS account requires a Personal Education Number (PEN), which can be found on report cards, in the Student or Parent MyED portal, or on the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s website. PEN numbers should be kept secure for any transcript-related inquiries.
Please note the following:
- Marks for courses in progress will not appear on transcripts until the courses are completed.
- NWSS does not send transcripts to post-secondary institutions listed on the Student Transcripts Service (STS) website. Transcripts are only sent by NWSS to schools outside the province or country that are not listed on the STS site.
- Students meeting this criterion should visit the school office with the correct mailing or email address of the institution, along with a contact name, to arrange transcript delivery.
Former SD40 students
Transcripts and certificates are ordered directly from the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s Student Transcripts Service (STS) for individuals who meet one of the following criteria:
- Former students who graduated or withdrew from NWSS prior to the current school year.
- Graduated in British Columbia after 1985.
- Attended Grade 12 between 1986 and the present.
- Completed a Grade 12 course after 1985.
For graduates from 1985 or earlier, transcripts are provided by the district. Requests can be made by emailing nwss@sd40.bc.ca with the following information:
- Full name at time of graduation.
- Date of birth.
- Year of graduation.
The cost for a paper transcript is $10 for the first copy (mailed or available for pickup) and $5 for each additional copy. Please note that transcripts are not emailed. Please refer to the school office for payment methods.
Personal Education Numbers (PENs) can be found on old report cards or by visiting the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s website, which offers multiple ways to locate a PEN, including through a BC Services Card.
Please note that the school office is closed during holiday breaks and summer.
Letters of reference
If you require a letter of reference, please complete the Reference Letter Request form and hand a printed copy or email it to the intended staff member.
Scholarships and bursaries
The New Westminster community generously supports graduating Grade 12 students from New Westminster Schools by providing financial assistance for post-secondary education through a variety of scholarships, bursaries, and awards.
In addition, Ministry Scholarships are available to eligible students. For information on entrance scholarships and bursaries offered by post-secondary institutions, please consult the individual institution websites.
Independent scholarships
For post-secondary entrance scholarships and bursaries, please check the post-secondary institution websites for details.
If you require a letter of reference, please complete the Reference Letter Request form and hand a printed copy or email it to the intended staff member.
- Information about independent scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year will be posted here when available.
Local scholarships and bursaries
If you require a letter of reference, please complete the Reference Letter Request form and hand a printed copy or email it to the intended staff member.
- Information about local scholarships and bursaries for the 2025-2026 school year will be posted here when available.
District Authority Scholarships
If you require a letter of reference, please complete the Reference Letter Request form and hand a printed copy or email it to the intended staff member.
- Information about District Authority Scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year will be posted here when available.
Valedictorian
The valedictorian delivers a final farewell address to graduating students, families, and community members as a representative of the graduating class.
A valedictorian is a well-rounded student who demonstrates positive leadership, maintains good standing, and embodies community values. Students who meet these criteria are encouraged to apply.
Applications for valedictorian will be accepted around May. The application will be available in the school office.