Last June, based on the evidence shared by students earlier that Spring, our School Learning Story focus shifted to the importance of teaching students about Growth Mindset. 

As a staff, we remain committed to seeing growth continue in our previous areas of focus: Woodward Connects and Truth and Reconciliation.  Developing a 'Growth Mindset' served students well this school year as we continued our 'Woodward Connects' pledge: our commitment that all students should have a feeling of belonging at Woodward.  This Spring's student scan revealed growth in this area.  We also remained committed to continued learning and growth in Indigenous ways of being, started last school year by our Truth and Reconciliation inquiry team of teachers. 

This end-of-year action post shares student learning and growth on our second annual 'Outdoor Learning Day' which took place on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.  The vision of the day started last year with a desire to honour National Indigenous Heritage Month and to prepare students for National Indigenous Peoples day on June 21st. 

Students started the day by reporting to their classroom teacher outside at the back of the field.  They remained outside throughout the rest of the school day with the intention to learn more about Indigenous Ways of Being.  The day also extended into a celebration of Music as Band and guitar students featured their growth and learning at our annual 'Concert in the Park'.  With so many family members in attendance, activities culminated in our 'Parent and Caregivers' Appreciation.  It was truly a day of celebration in learning - noting all the growth that learners experienced throughout the school year and capping it with a thank you to our families for all the support...our partners in every child's learning journey!

 During the morning, our focus was to learn more about the Metis ways of being.  Our day started with an acknowledgement of this land and that we are guests on these lands once only inhabited by the hǝn̓q̓ǝmin̓ǝm̓ language speaking groups.  We were very pleased with our presenters: Metis Nation, Metis Elder Ray Mckeown, and Richmond Christian Secondary students.  Students rotated through three stations throughout the morning.  Stories and artefacts were shared, Indigenous games were taught, and RCS students passed on their learning about Indigenous plants native to the surrounding areas in our very own neighbourhood and ways in which the Metis use these plants for nurture and healing.  At the end of the day, each student received a small vial of dandelion salve made by our RCS friends! 

We are so grateful to our presenters for helping us learn so much on Outdoor Learning Day.  A particular mention must go to our student friends from RCS - just up the road!  One of the greatest things to be celebrated in education is when learners gain new knowledge and, in turn, extend their learning by passing along what they have gained, now as teachers, to other learners.