The Indigenous Education Program at New Westminster Schools helps Indigenous students grow culturally, spiritually, academically, and emotionally. The Indigenous communities were serve at New Westminster Schools include First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people from different parts of North America.

Academic support

Our Indigenous Support Workers play crucial roles in classrooms where they provide much-needed help to teaching staff and students.

Some of their responsibilities include:

  • Assisting teachers with lessons.
  • Helping students with assignments.
  • Working with teachers to identity areas where students need extra help.
  • Provide Indigenous perspectives on lessons, where necessary (e.g. discussing how Indigenous cultures understand and celebrate the Winter Solstice).

Cultural, emotional, and social support

In addition to academic assistance, New Westminster Schools staff also work to support the overall well-being of our Indigenous students and their families.

Examples of what we do include:

  • Teaching students about Indigenous culture, history, and traditions and organizing cultural activities and experiences.
  • Taking part in school Reconciliation Committees and help guide cultural practices and protocols.
  • Creating safe spaces that help students feel like they belong and speaking up for Indigenous students and their families.
  • Sharing mental health resources with students and families and offering outreach services, including home visits, when needed.
  • Working with school teams to support students facing challenges that affect learning and providing one-on-one and family support for Indigenous students.
  • Helping students grow in behaviour, emotions, social skills, and academics.

Transitions

Indigenous Transition staff help Indigenous students stay on track for graduation by building strong, supportive relationships that keep them connected and engaged at school.

Their work includes developing action plans, monitoring attendance, tracking progress and providing academic support at both Sigma and New Westminster Secondary. Indigenous Transition staff also collaborate closely with school staff and Learning Support Teachers to ensure students have the right supports in place, while also helping students set goals, plan for graduation and navigate post-secondary options.

Key areas of support include:

  • Creating individualized action plans and tracking each student’s path to graduation.
  • Providing direct academic support and staying connected with students’ teachers.
  • Helping students explore and apply for post-secondary programs, scholarships and bursaries.
  • Communicating regularly with parents and caregivers.