Royal Bay Secondary School Explained

École Secondaire Royal Bay Secondary School
City:Colwood
Country:Canada
Coordinates:48.4091°N -123.4941°W
Motto:Together We Are More
Founded:2015
Principal:Mr. Mike Huck
Principal Label1:Vice Principal(s)
Principal1:Mrs. Tanya Phillips
Mr. Martin Lait
Mr. Ryan Dube
Grades:9-12
Team Name:Ravens
Address:3500 Ryder Hesjedal Way
Enrollment:1,471
Enrollment As Of:2023
Capacity:1,400
Language:English, French
Feeder Schools:École John Stubbs Memorial SchoolDunsmuir Middle School
Free:2
Free Label:Portable Classrooms on-site

École Secondaire Royal Bay Secondary School (RBSS) is a secondary school located in Colwood, a western suburb of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It is one of three secondary schools in School District 62 Sooke right now[1] and serves the suburban Westshore area of Colwood, Langford and Metchosin. The school ranks as the second largest Secondary School by student population on Vancouver Island, behind Belmont Secondary School.

History and facilities

RBSS was established in 2015 as one of two new facilities to replace the former Belmont Secondary School on Jacklin Road in Langford.

In September 2013 construction commenced on the new $40.8-million RBSS.[2] [3] [4] [5] Shortly after construction started for the new RBSS building, local media noted that the school is located in the former gravel pit where the remains of a wooly mammoth were discovered in the 1960s. Part of the remains are now in the collection of the Royal British Columbia Museum.[6]

In March 2018, a major building expansion was announced.[7] Construction commenced January 2019 on the new $34-million 600 seat addition made up of 19 additional class rooms including 4 science labs and 2 state-of-the-art computer animation rooms, a third gymnasia featuring indoor artificial-turf, 2 additional athletic change rooms and office, two new parking lots, and a bus lane out front of the School property. Construction was completed October 2020 making RBSS the biggest Secondary School on Vancouver Island.

Following the completion of the expansion, it was announced that the School District 62 French Immersion Program, formerly at Belmont Secondary School, would be transitioned and permanently moved to Royal Bay Secondary School. The transition started in September of 2021, and is set to complete in September of 2024.

The facilities are intended to support a wide range of programs, including expanded students' skills and trades training. The athletic facilities include three gymnasia, an Olympic size rubberized track, one artificial-turf play field, one grass play field, as well as a rooftop basketball court. The school incorporates the Teechamitsa Theatre, a 350-seat performing arts theatre which supports the drama and orchestra program.Career and Technical Education spaces included shop work areas for construction, auto/marine, and mechanical/marine courses.The school incorporates a Neighbourhood Learning Centre (NLC) to support both the school and community needs.

Academies and special programs

RBSS offers academies and special programs in several areas:[8]

Black Wing Theatre Company

Every year, Royal Bay Secondary School's "Black Wing Theatre Company" presents a new performance at the Teechamitsa Theatre:

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.sd62.bc.ca/Schools/Secondary.aspx School District website
  2. http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2012EDUC0112-002049.htm BC Ministry of Education news release, Dec. 18, 2012
  3. http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2013-2017/2013EDUC0056-001014.htm BC Ministry of Education news release, June 27, 2013
  4. http://newschools.sd62.bc.ca New Schools - SD62, October 9, 2013
  5. http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/132940833.html Goldstream News Gazette, 2011-10-31
  6. http://www.vicnews.com/neighbourhoods/west_shore/233383711.html?mobile=true Victoria News, November 26, 2013
  7. Web site: CTV News Vancouver Island, March 10 2020. 2020-10-19. en.
  8. http://royalbay.sd62.bc.ca/about/this-week-in-the-ravens-nest/ This Week in the Ravens Nest newsletter, August 2015