A+ for St. Helen's
Catholic schools earn top marks in annual academic review

By Jeff Graham

The commitment teachers have to their students often goes unnoticed, and so it’s nice to see them recognized for a job well done. St. Helen’s elementary school teachers were recently rewarded with the Garfield Weston Award for Excellence in Education, which recognizes schools that have made the largest academic improvement.

The award means that the efforts of St. Helen’s staff, including all of the late night marking and planning, are making a substantial difference in the lives of the students who attend the Burnaby elementary school.

“The award we received is for improvement in academics, and it recognizes the school which has been most effective in improving the results of the students they teach,” said Principal Waldemar Sambor. “This award is for the school whose overall academic ratings have experienced the fastest, most consistent improvement over the last five years, and so this means that out of 984 elementary schools in B.C., St. Helen’s is first.”

Sambor said the award is a result of innovation and dedication on the part of teachers and parents.

“The staff at St. Helen’s have implemented a number of new programs over the past five years,

Always reaching higher

such as the Read Well program and accelerated math and reading, as well as the Star Reader program,” he continued. “The parents of the students of St. Helen’s have supported their children’s progress by reading with them and to them, using our improved library.”

Despite the award, Sambor explained, his school is always reaching for greater heights. “We still continue to add new resources and to look for ways to continue our endeavours for academic excellence,” he said.

The awards for the schools are based on an analysis of the historical data of each school included in The Fraser Institute’s annual report card on B.C.’s elementary and secondary schools.

“The teachers, support staff, and administrators from these schools are path-finders and have shown us what is possible,” said Peter Cowley, the director of school performance studies at The Fraser Institute. “We are delighted to honour their hard work and achievement. Not only does celebrating the accomplishments of these educators enable them to share their success with others, it also serves to inspire those seeking such success.”

St. Paul’s Elementary School of Richmond, the runner up for the most-improved award, found itself amongst numerous local Catholic schools recognized for strong academic performances.

Corpus Christi Elementary School of Vancouver won the award for academic achievement in excess of expectations for elementary schools, while St. Patrick’s Regional Secondary of Vancouver won the award for academic achievement in excess of expectations for secondary schools. Corpus Christi and St. Patrick’s both received $3,000 prizes.

Our Lady of Mercy, Our Lady of Good Counsel, St. Francis Xavier, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Jude’s, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help were among the elementary schools recognized as schools of distinction, while Notre Dame Regional Secondary, Little Flower Academy, and Vancouver College were among the secondary schools receiving the distinction.

“Teachers and support staff at these schools are finding effective and innovative ways rapidly and consistently to improve school and student performance,” Cowley said. “What more can we ask of our schools than that they strive to improve?”