A Community Approach to the Award in BC

A Shared Commitment to Student Growth 

At Rockridge Secondary School and West Vancouver Secondary School, the Award is helping students set goals, reflect on their growth, and be recognized for their efforts. Led by Bianca Ferrajohn at Rockridge and Sofia Frith and Nicola Colhoun at West Vancouver, both schools are creating opportunities that support student development and strengthen connections across the district. 

Together, they are showing how a district-connected approach can help students recognize the value of what they are already doing, build confidence, and feel part of a wider community of support. 

How the Award is Taking Shape 

Each school is delivering the Award in a way that fits its own context. At both schools, it builds on students’ existing commitments and connects those experiences to reflection, leadership, and Human Skills that support growth within and beyond the classroom. 

At Rockridge Secondary School, the Award is offered to students who are eager to expand their skills and leadership capabilities and are already engaged in school life. It celebrates what they are doing while encouraging them to challenge themselves, reflect on their journey, and broaden their sense of what they can do. 

As Bianca, Rockridge’s Award Coordinator, shared, documenting progress helps students see themselves more fully. Over the year, they begin to recognize how much they are doing across leadership, service, and personal growth. That reflection builds confidence, strengthens their sense of achievement, and helps them understand the value of their contributions. 

At West Vancouver Secondary School, the Award is making the opportunity more accessible to students in the public school system. Sofia and Nicola are piloting Bronze with Grade 11 students and connecting the Award to learning within and beyond the classroom. Nicola’s experience as a Silver Award Achiever adds a meaningful peer-informed perspective, giving students guidance from someone who understands the journey firsthand. Through goal-setting, reflection, and recognition, students connect their in-school and out-of-school commitments to personal growth, community, and shared values such as service, leadership, and care for others. 

Building Momentum Across Schools 

While Rockridge Secondary School and West Vancouver Secondary School are each delivering the Award in a way that fits their own community, their connection is strengthening Award delivery across the district. Rockridge has shared early learning and practical support as West Vancouver established its Award Centre, while WVSS has brought new energy and perspective through its Bronze pilot with Grade 11 students. 

At Rockridge, student leaders also build momentum by supporting monthly club meetings, helping peers with brainstorming and goal-setting, and encouraging one another throughout the Award experience. Together, these efforts are helping students feel part of something larger while creating a stronger foundation for continued growth across West Vancouver schools, including Sentinel Secondary School as it starts exploring delivery for the 2026/2027 school year. 

Recognizing the Bigger Impact 

What stands out in this West Vancouver District story is how the Award helps students recognize the value of their experiences, contributions, and growth. Through thoughtful leadership and ongoing collaboration, Rockridge Secondary School and West Vancouver Secondary School are showing how the Award can deepen student learning while strengthening meaningful connections within and across school communities. 

As the Award continues to grow across BC and Canada, West Vancouver offers an encouraging example of what is possible when educators work together to create opportunities for students to reflect, lead, contribute, and be recognized for the ways they are already making a difference. 

Interested in creating more opportunities for students to grow within and beyond the classroom? Connect with us to learn how the Award can support co-curricular learning, leadership development, and career exploration. 

Partner with Us

Share this...