NLPS District News

For many high school students, graduation marks the start of their post-secondary journey.

However, for some Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools students, that journey is already underway.

Through the school district’s Career Technical Centre and its Dual Credit Enrichment Program, students can earn college and high school credits as they explore career options.

Through a partnership with Vancouver Island University, NLPS students can save on tuition costs and transition more smoothly into post-secondary education.

Avia Beaupre, a Grade 12 student at Nanaimo District Secondary School, is already taking steps toward her future career.

Beaupre plans to pursue a career in family law, beginning with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She is currently taking first-year English and Career in Youth Care courses at VIU. She said the Career in Youth Care course is a great introduction to the field she wants to enter, and the English course teaches how to think critically.

“At first, I was terrified walking into this big building. I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, maybe I shouldn’t have done this.’ But once the classes started, I realized it wasn’t that much harder than high school. It’s just the next step. Now, I love it,” she said.

The experience has not only boosted her confidence but also her readiness for the future.

Similarly, Austin Ball, a Grade 12 Nanaimo District Secondary student, found his path to welding through the CTC’s Trade Sampler Program. He then landed an apprenticeship at a local fabrication shop.

The Trade Sampler Program provides hands-on training in about eight trades, including electrical, welding, and mechanics, to help students identify their specific interests and strengths.

“For me, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I liked everything, especially mechanics, heavy-duty mechanics, and welding,” he said. “The sampler really helped me figure out what I wanted.”

Ball’s next goals include earning his Pressure Ticket and eventually achieving his Red Seal Certification.

“It’s a really great program, a good way to get started,” he said. “Do what you love to do. It’s enjoyable as long as you’re doing what you like.”

Grade 12 Ladysmith Secondary student Rylan Daniels also discovered his passion and purpose through the CTC, starting with the Trades Sampler Program in Grade 10.

Before joining the program, school hadn’t been easy for him, but the hands-on learning made all the difference.

“In Grade 8 and 9, I wasn’t even really at school much. I was skipping a lot and hanging out with the wrong people. I didn’t have any interest in what we were learning. But I finally grounded myself and got it together,” Daniels said. “Being part of this program totally shifted how I see school. Now I like it and I’m doing really well.”

Daniels also credits his family for their encouragement. “My family has been super supportive. They love what I chose.”

By bridging the gap between high school and post-secondary education, CTC supports student success and strengthens connections among district schools, industry, and higher education.

More information, including eligibility and application deadlines, can be found at www.ctc-careerpaths.ca.

Grade 12 student Hudson Palmer's vertical jump is measured during the RBC Training Ground event earlier this spring in Victoria. (Submitted photo)

Hudson Palmer from Nanaimo District Secondary School may be closer to his Olympic dream than he once thought.

The 16-year-old student-athlete was named one of the top 100 competitors in Canada by RBC Training Ground, a program that scouts and develops future Olympians.

Since February, the program has tested more than 2,500 athletes, ages 14 to 25, evaluating speed, strength, power, and endurance. By late September, Palmer was one of just 11 Vancouver Island competitors and the only one from Nanaimo to reach the finals.

“They measure your wingspan and your height. You do all your basic testing, like the jump, strength pull, the 40-metre dash, and the beep test,” Palmer said, recalling the qualifying event in Victoria last spring. “Then there’s sport-specific testing. And for me, that was rowing.”

Palmer is used to recognition, having competed provincially in swimming since the age of eight.

Rowing drew his interest through RBC Ground and UVic's rowing fundamentals program.

“With my swimming background, a lot of the movements felt similar,” he said. “And I was already used to early mornings. I’m not really a morning person, but after years of swim practice, it’s just a habit now.”

On Nov. 1, Palmer joined Canada’s top young athletes at RBC’s National Final in Vancouver, facing intense tests for sport funding, mentorship, and a chance with 15 national sport organizations.

Only about one-third of finalists will ultimately be chosen.

The latest round of testing brought a few new challenges. One, in particular, that pushed Palmer to his limits.

“Every minute, the resistance on the attack bike went up by four RPMs, and you would hold it … That one hurt a lot,” Palmer said with a laugh.

Finalists also did sprint cycling and broad jump tests. Palmer suspected that Rowing Canada focused on endurance-heavy attack-bike results.

Despite his enthusiasm, the young athlete faced a challenge before the event even began.

“I rolled my ankle — it looked a little purple, but I toughed it out with a brace,” he said. “Given that, I did well. Many competitors were 18 to 21, but I held my own.”

After a series of tough competitions, Palmer and 99 other hopefuls now wait for the results. Last year, RBC revealed its top 30 in December, so Palmer hopes to hear before the year’s end.

Regardless of the outcome, looking back on his experience, he’s glad he took on a new sport and encourages others to do the same.

“Put yourself out there. Try something new, even if you’re scared to. And if you like it, then great! And if you don’t, at least you tried something new.”

With fewer than five weeks to go until the official start of winter, here’s what you need to know about school closures due to snow, windstorms and other weather-related issues:

When deciding to close schools or cancel busing on days of inclement weather, decisions are always made with student and staff safety in mind.

The district recognizes school closures can be a hardship for many families, and we always make every effort to keep schools open when possible. Our schools are located across a wide geographic area and weather conditions can vary drastically from one school to another. This means one area may not receive much snowfall however, several inches of snow in other parts will mean it is not safe for buses, staff, or students to travel to school and closures are necessary.

School district staff monitor road conditions starting at 2 a.m. and consider local safety advisories, such as direction from RCMP to the public to avoid travel. A recommendation on whether to close schools is made to the Superintendent/CEO by 5:30 a.m.

If the decision to close schools is made, please note the following:

• Communications to parents, caregivers, and school district employees will be sent before 6:00 a.m.
• Parents/caregivers will receive an email, phone call, and text notification sent from the school district’s notification system.
• Employees will receive an email.
• Announcements will be made on local radio stations (WOLF 106.9 FM, WAVE 102.3 FM, and 91.7 COAST FM) on the day of the closure. Please do not call the radio station – tune in and listen for the announcements, which will be made on a regular basis.
• The district website will also have a notification on the district website if schools are closed.

This week, one of the classes at École North Oyster welcomed some guests who helped them learn about and make Three Sisters Soup and Bannock. Together, they learned about the significance and teachings behind these traditional foods.

The Three Sisters - corn, beans, and squash - represent a longstanding agricultural practice rooted in cooperation, balance, and respect for the land. Preparing and sharing these foods offers us a pathway to engage in meaningful reconciliation by celebrating the beauty, strength, and resiliency of Indigenous cultures.

Thank you to teacher, Nadine Smith for inviting Hayden Kenneth Taylor, Professor of Education at Vancouver Island University and Anna Gutiw, a 5th-year BEd pre-service teacher in VIU’s Education Program to share their knowledge with our students!

Curious about your next steps after graduation?

Whether you know what program you want to apply to or you’re still exploring your options, VIU's Info Week has something to offer. It’s your chance to meet faculty and ask questions about VIU programs.

Sign up for an online or in-person session to learn how VIU can help you build a future with more opportunity and earning potential.

Explore programs in arts, science, education, trades, health, tech and more. There’s something for everyone.

Sign up today to secure your spot!

hekw' - to remember 🤔💭

Professional Development Days (Pro-D), school breaks and statutory holidays can all be found on the 2025-2026 school calendar. School calendars are set three years in advance so you can view key dates all the way to the 2028-2029 school year here.

• District vice-principals Kim Darbyshire and Justin Green presented on the district’s rollout of a new literacy framework.
• Superintendent Robyn Gray presented on the district’s review of the Late French Immersion program.
• Secretary-Treasurer Mark Walsh presented on how school closures are determined when inclement weather requires that school need to be closed.
• Mark Walsh also presented on a new administrative procedure that will guide commencement/high school graduation ceremonies.
• The Strategic Directions Committee recommended that the Board of Education approve the priority areas in the Long Range Facilities Plan.

Are you looking for low to no-cost events and activities in Nanaimo and Ladysmith? Head over to our Community Connections webpage by clicking the button below. There you will find a variety of locally-based events, camps, and resources.

VIU's Indigenous Speakers Series, delivered in partnership with CBC Radio's Ideas program, began in 2015 to mark the release of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Date: Tuesday, November 18, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Where: Malaspina Theatre (Nanaimo Campus, Building 310)

Billy-Ray Belcourt is a writer and academic from the Driftpile Cree Nation in northwest Alberta.

His talk begins with his mother’s house – where the nuns who ran the local residential school once lived – to insist on new ways to make sense of the ongoing impacts of colonialism.

In this talk, he will share some of his community's history, bridging the historical and the personal in addressing the question of how to tell the story of the afterlife of the twentieth century.

Nahlah Ayed, host of Ideas, will emcee the event.

NLPS District News is produced by the NLPS communications team. We welcome your questions and feedback! You can reach us at communications@sd68.bc.ca