Myles Sauer

B次元官网网址 Staff

ItB次元官网网址檚 a question on every studentB次元官网网址檚 mind as they approach high school graduation: B次元官网网址淲hat are you going to do after school?B次元官网网址� And as anyone who has gone through it can likely attest, answering that question can be a real challenge.

But Claremont secondary principal Peter Westhaver says itB次元官网网址檚 his job B次元官网网址� and the job of staff and faculty at high schools across the Saanich School District B次元官网网址� to ensure those students are prepared as they launch into the next phase of their lives.

B次元官网网址淚 find these four years are the most important B次元官网网址� for the student,B次元官网网址� says Westhaver. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 these four years where kids are going to determine a trajectory, which way theyB次元官网网址檙e going to go.B次元官网网址�

Compared to what he describes as the B次元官网网址済oofy energyB次元官网网址� of middle school, Westhaver says that the high school environment is much more focused. ItB次元官网网址檚 the time for students to buckle down and figure out what comes next, whether itB次元官网网址檚 taking a year off following graduation, or jumping right into post-secondary here in B.C. or elsewhere.

B次元官网网址淲e remind the kids, you know, you have four more years. TheyB次元官网网址檙e going to go by like this,B次元官网网址� Westhaver says, snapping his fingers. But he stresses that students shouldnB次元官网网址檛 be afraid of seeking guidance, whether itB次元官网网址檚 from school counsellors or a teacher that they trust. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important for kids to have that go-to adult.B次元官网网址�

With all that said, Westhaver reminds both new and current high school students that this is the time to try new things, whether it be a student club or an interesting course.

B次元官网网址淔or gosh sakes, get involved,B次元官网网址� he says with a laugh. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just about the percentage or letter grade of that course B次元官网网址� try something different. High schools have all kinds of electives that kids can try for the first time.B次元官网网址�

But above all, Westhaver encourages students to reach out and just talk to one another. In an era where everyone has a smartphone close by, that can be a lot easier said than done. B次元官网网址淔ind a time to put [the phone] aside, and just engage with your peers in class through conversation.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲hat I enjoy is going into classes and listening to conversations that teachers and kids are having about a subject,B次元官网网址� Westhaver says. B次元官网网址淭hat art of conversation so important.B次元官网网址�