January 31st, 2023

The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) Annual Report is a reflection of the shift in our organization and of the significant teamwork required to accomplish our goals. There are many faces on the frontlines and behind the scenes who work diligently each day on behalf of all the students we serve.

“As we find ourselves nearly a month into 2023, we believe that it is essential to take a moment and reflect on all that we learned, all the challenges we overcame, and all the growth we experienced in 2022,” said Student Trustees Vaishnave Raina and Kenzy Soror. “While we have not entirely recovered from the effect of the pandemic, we did see many reminders of life before COVID-19 return. From in-person graduation and commencement ceremonies, to our favorite clubs, teams and sports – there was a lot to be thankful for in 2022.”

Read more from Student Trustees Raina and Soror.

“As we embark upon 2023, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on all that we accomplished, all that we navigated and all that we learned in 2022,” said jeewan chanicka, director of education for the WRDSB. “Though we continued to face interruptions from the pandemic, we witnessed students, staff, parents, caregivers, families and community partners coming together to support all students in achieving their fullest potential.”

Read more from Director chanicka.

“It has been a landmark year at the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and also across our vibrant, diverse, and resilient community,” said Joanne Weston, chairperson of the Board of Trustees. “As we continue to rebound from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain focused and steadfast on our goals as a system and ensuring all students across the district receive quality public education in spaces where they are included and experience success and belonging.”

Read more from Chairperson Weston.

Strategic Plan

In 2022, we launched our new Strategic Plan to act as our guide as we create schools where all students are able to reach their full potential on their chosen pathway in learning and life.

Our plan defines our vision and mission as a school district. To help us achieve our mission and vision, we are guided by six strategic directions and seven skills and attributes as part of a learner profile. The entire strategic plan was built using what we heard from students, families, community members and staff.

Read about our progress in the strategic directions:

Our Stories

Sparking a Passion for Welding at Cameron Heights

Soveigh Brasseur’s passion for welding began with a spark in Shaun Chandler’s welding shop and classroom at Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute (CHCI) in Kitchener. Brasseur is now a student at Conestoga College and had the chance to return to her old classroom to give back in early 2022.

“It started here, at this school. I had a lot of experience in Chandler’s two welding classes that I took here,” said Brasseur. “This is something that I want to do for the rest of my life.”

Read more: Sparking a Passion for Welding at Cameron Heights

More WRDSB Students Supported in Reaching Graduation and Beyond

For the first time in two years, families and staff from Huron Height Secondary School (HHSS) were able to come together in-person to celebrate graduating students as they walked across a real stage to receive their diplomas and take the next step on their chosen post-secondary pathways.

This was just one of many commencement and graduation ceremonies taking place across the WRDSB, as the Ministry of Education reports notable increases in both four and five year graduation rates at the Board.

Read more: More WRDSB Students Supported in Reaching Graduation and Beyond

Students Get Charged Up For Electric Vehicle Challenge

The sounds of cheering nearly drowned out the low purr of electric motors during the Waterloo High School Electric Vehicle (EV) Challenge at the University of Waterloo in May of 2022. The endurance racing event invited secondary students from across Ontario, including Bluevale Collegiate Institute (BCI), Eastwood Collegiate Institute (ECI), Laurel Heights Secondary School (LHSS) and Preston High School (PHS), to compete in electric vehicles of their own design and construction.

Read more: Students Get Charged Up For Electric Vehicle Challenge

Read more in the WRDSB Annual Report