Semiahmoo Secondary School
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| Motto | "Semiahmoo...We are the future" |
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| Established | 1940 |
| Type | Public School |
| Principal | Ms. Adele Clarke |
| Faculty | 96 |
| Students | Regular: 1382 IB Program: 99 |
| Grades | 8-12 |
| Location | 1785 148 St, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada |
| District | School District 36 Surrey |
| Colors | Royal blue and white, with red as an accent. |
| Newspaper | 'The Grapevine' |
| Affiliation | IB World School |
| Website | Semiahmoo Secondary |
Semiahmoo Secondary is a public high school in Surrey, British Columbia and is part of School District 36 Surrey. Founded in 1940 as the first senior secondary school in South Surrey, Semiahmoo spans from grades 8 to 12. The school currently has a student population of 1481, a faculty of 96, and is headed by Principal Adele M. Clarke. Semiahmoo is an IB World School, and offers a variety of courses ranging from sciences and humanities to drama and music. Semiahmoo consistently ranks within the top 30 secondary schools in British Columbia, according to the Fraser Institute annual ranking of schools[1].
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[edit] History
Semiahmoo Secondary was built in the city of White Rock in the late 1930s, becoming the area's first secondary school. The former building, now cleared, used to stand where the current White Rock Elementary School stands today. When White Rock Junior Secondary was built in 1961 on Oxford street, Semiahmoo was officially renamed Semiahmoo Senior Secondary. A severe classroom shortage in the 1980s, started by a fire in White rock Junior Secondary, prompted an effort by the provincial ministry of education to expand educational facilities in Southern Surrey. In 1990, Semiahmoo was officially transfered to the newly renovated and expanded White Rock Junior facilities, officially Becoming Semiahmoo High School.
[edit] Academics
Semiahmoo consistently maintains a reputation for academic excellence, and in 2008 was ranked 58th in the Fraser Institute annual ranking of schools[2]. It offers a wide variety of academic programs and courses, including experimental sciences (chemistry, biology, chemistry), social sciences (social studies, history, geography), languages (English, French, Spanish), mathematics, numerous trades courses, art, drama, and a highly regarded music program (concert and jazz band).
Semiahmoo Secondary School has been an IB World School since June 1980. It offers the IB Diploma Programme, and permits students to take both certificate courses or the full International Baccalaureate Diploma. Approximately 98 grade 11 and 12 full diploma candidates are currently enrolled.
[edit] Music
Semiahmoo Secondary School is known for its music program[citation needed], with a forte in jazz. Almost all of Semi's instrumental music ensembles are full courses in the school timetable. It travels to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival annually for the grades 11 - 12 jazz bands and soloists. Another jazz festival that Semiahmoo attends is the Envision Jazz Festival, located in Surrey, B.C. Award winners from the latest Envision Jazz Festival include:
Soloists:
- Taylor Tuepah (Best Surrey Junior Saxophone)
- Ania Zarzicki(Best Surrey Junior Trumpet)
- Kenn Goh(Best Junior Trombone, Best Junior Solo)
- Kyealim Kwon(Best Surrey Junior Bassist)
- Dave Ison(Best Senior Guitar)
- Kevin Hickey(Best Senior Trombone), Kenneth Goh(Best Surrey Junior Trombone)
- Dustin Kiselbach(Best Surrey Senior Solo)
- Cameron Milligan(Best Surrey Senior Trumpet),(Best Overall Trumpet)
- Ian Weiss(Best Surrey Senior Saxophone)
Ensembles:
- Grade 10 Jazz Band(Best Surrey Junior Band) - Directed by Dagan Lowe
- Grade 12 Jazz Band(Best Senior Band), (Best Surrey Senior Band) - Directed by Dave Fullerton
Also notable is Semi's recent success at MusicFest 2008 in Ottawa. Three of Semi's Jazz Band 12 members were included as part of the Canada-wide Yamaha Allstar Jazz Band (Ian Weiss, Cameron Milligan, and Kevin Hickey). Several individual scholarships were given out:
- Dustin Kiselbach (bass) - Humber College $2500 Yamaha Adjudicator's Award (Combo 12)
- Cameron Milligan (trumpet) - Humber College $2000, Malaspina College $1000
- Paul Hempstock (trumpet) - $500 Lead Trumpet Player Award
- Ian Wiess (Alto Sax) - Malaspina College $1500, Yamaha Adjudicator's Award (Jazz 12)
Semi brought two ensembles to Ottawa: Jazz Band 12 and Jazz Combo 12. They both received gold standing.
Semi's music program is now headed by Dave Fullerton. Fullerton directs the Jazz Bands 12 and 9, while his colleague Dagan Lowe takes jazz band 11, 10 and 8. Semi also has three concert bands, a concert choir, and several extracurricular jazz combos. Semiahmoo's music department has it's own website [at http://www.semiahmoomusic.com]
[edit] Athletics
Semiahmoo has competitive teams for the following sports:
- Volleyball Girls AAAA Champions 2005-06[3]
- Volleyball Boys AAA Champions 2005-06[4]
- Semiahmoo Boys Basketball
Won the 9th Grade Surrey Championship in 2006. MVP: David Park, 1st Team All-Star: Daniel Lee, Members: Jon Groenheyde, Daniel Lee, David Park, Sam Hagen, Matt Redekop, Elliot Spicer, Stephen Vukavic, Langshen Cui, Thomas Hoos, Kyle Banks
Semiahmoo Secondary School has a reputable rugby team. In the past eighteen seasons, the Totems have won the Fraser Valley High School Championship (Sparling Cup) eight times, qualified for the Provincial Championship twice in 1988 & 1995. The school holds an annual Sandcastle Cup, which is a match between the senior rugby teams of Semiahmoo and EMS.
[edit] Notable Alumni
Tal Bachman (singer/songwriter)
Jodi Proznick (jazz musician)
[edit] Notes
- ^ "Report Card on Secondary Schools in British Columbia and Yukon: 2006 Edition." Fraser Institute. April 2006.
- ^ "Report Card on Secondary Schools in British Columbia and Yukon: 2008 Edition." Fraser Institute. April 2007.
- ^ Girls Volleyball BC School Sports
- ^ Boys Volleyball BC School Sports
[edit] External links
[edit] School Reports - Ministry of Education
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