The 2024-2025 school year promises to be a memorable one. Especially for students and staff of the Henry Hudson Elementary and Eric Hamber Secondary school communities, as they settle in their new, seismically safe schools! 

Back to School with Hudson Elementary 

This back-to-school was a particularly exciting one for Hudson students as they entered their new school building for the first time. 

The old Hudson Elementary was a 110-year-old building and at high risk in the event of an earthquake. Funding for the project was approved in 2020 as part of the provincial government’s Seismic Mitigation Program. In September 2022, the school had a blessing ceremony with the Host Nations and construction began shortly after. 

Now ready to welcome students, those in kindergarten to Grade 7 waited eagerly, peeking in windows and catching up with friends well before the school’s 9:00 a.m. start. As students filed into their classrooms, their eyes widened, taking in their new learning spaces. 

As part of the first day, each class toured their new school. Students got to see the large and bright school gym, the shared learning spaces and new bathrooms. The biggest hit of the day with younger students, was the new water fountains and bottle fillers. In addition to regular classes for K-7, the school will also have preschool and before and after school care. The third floor is still in the progress of getting ready and will host daycare for infants and toddlers in partnership with the City of Vancouver.

 In addition to the new school building, an extension is underway, to add 145 more spots, bringing the enrolment capacity to 535 students. The District will also begin taking down the old building to create a school field, parking and play spaces. 

Keep an eye on the Hudson Elementary website for future updates about the ongoing excitement at the school. 

First day of classes at Hamber Secondary

 Eric Hamber Secondary students also had more to look forward to this September than new course schedules and seeing old friends. On September 3, they walked through the doors of their brand-new school for the very first time. 

The new secondary school is also a part of the provincial government’s Seismic Mitigation Program. Located right next door to the original building, the new Hamber Secondary is equipped with exciting features, including multiple gymnasiums, an atrium, a music room with sound-proof practice pods, an auditorium, a drama room, speciality classrooms, beautiful outdoor spaces and more. 

Students were eager to explore their new learning environment, and patiently gathered in front of the building before being welcomed inside by school and District staff. Once the doors opened, it was time to discover the new home of the Griffins! 

Students scoped out their new building before heading off to their homerooms. Excitement radiated through the hallways, as students and staff buzzed with enthusiasm. While the new Hamber is officially open to students, the old building will remain as a swing site for other school communities with a seismic work. 

For future updates and events at Hamber, keep an eye on their website. 

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