Semiahmoo Secondary School

Infobox Secondary school
name = Semiahmoo Secondary School
native_name =

motto = "Semiahmoo...We are the future"
established = 1940
city = Surrey
state =
province = British Columbia
country = Canada
campus =
type = Public School
affiliation =
affiliations =
president =
headmaster =
principal = Ms. Bea Hadikin
rector =
dean =
founder =
chaplain =
chairman =
head_label =
head =
faculty = 96
students = 1481
enrollment = Regular: 1382
IB Program: 99
enrolment =
grades = 8-12
address = 1785 148 St
district = School District 36 Surrey
oversight =
accreditation =
team_name = Totems
mascot =
colors = Royal blue and white, with red as an accent.
colours =
newspaper = "The Grapevine"
yearbook =
free_label_2 = Affiliation
free_2 = IB World School
free_label_3 =
free_3 =
website = [http://www.semi.sd36.bc.ca/ Semiahmoo Secondary]
footnotes =
picture =

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 Bea Hadikin. 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" [http://www.fraserinstitute.ca/admin/books/chapterfiles/70BCESC06RANK.pdf Report Card on Secondary Schools in British Columbia and Yukon: 2006 Edition] ." "Fraser Institute". April 2006.] .

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 transferred to the newly renovated and expanded White Rock Junior facilities, officially Becoming Semiahmoo High School.

On September 29, 2008 the school was evacuated on the advice of the RCMP. The RCMP had received a vague threat to the school and, as a precaution, they wanted to search the building. [http://www.semi.sd36.bc.ca/]

Academics

Semiahmoo consistently maintains a reputation for academic excellence, and in 2008 was ranked 58th in the Fraser Institute annual ranking of schools" [http://www.fraserinstitute.org/Commerce.Web/product_files/51BCESC08RANK.pdf Report Card on Secondary Schools in British Columbia and Yukon: 2008 Edition] ." "Fraser Institute". April 2007.] . 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 diploma candidates are currently enrolled. Programme Graduates have been admitted to such top-tier foreign universities as Cambridge, Johns Hopkins, Oxford, UCBerkeley, UCLA and Yale.

Theatre

Semiahmoo boasts a theatre that can hold approximately 150 people. Despite its small size, the program has produced two well-received musicals, including Grease in 2004 and Fame in 2006. The department has flourished under leadership from Evelyn Strand - a longtime drama and English teacher at the school. In addition, the senior grades perform various one-acts, Shakespearean works, and improv sessions throughout the year.

Music

Semiahmoo Secondary School is known for its music program, 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 Zarzycki (Best Surrey Junior Trumpet)
*Kenn Goh (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 its own website [at http://www.semiahmoomusic.com]

Visual Art

Semiahmoo has one of the most proficient visual art programs in the province. More students are accepted into the Emily Carr University of Art and Design from Semiahmoo each year than from any other secondary schools within the province.Starting 2007, the IB Visual Art program was introduced, and is by far the largest in the province.

Athletics

Semiahmoo has competitive teams for the following sports:

* Rugby
* Basketball
* Volleyball
* Field Hockey
* Tennis

* Badminton
* Ultimate Frisbee
* Soccer
* Swimming
* Track and Field

* Volleyball Girls AAAA Champions 2005-06 [ [http://www.bcschoolsports.ca/pages/sports/volleyball_girls.php Girls Volleyball] BC School Sports]
* Volleyball Boys AAA Champions 2005-06 [ [http://www.bcschoolsports.ca/pages/sports/volleyball_boys.php Boys Volleyball] BC School Sports]
* Semiahmoo Boys BasketballWon 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.

Semiahmoo Secondary's Badminton team also has gained reputation over the 07/08 season. The team placed 4th overall in the province and has claimed the Fraser Valley High School Championships 3 years in a row (along with Lower Fraser Valley High School Championships and Surrey High School Championships).

Notable Alumni

*Tal Bachman (singer/songwriter)
*Jodi Proznick (jazz musician)
*Amanda Tosoff (jazz musician)

Notes

External links

chool Reports - Ministry of Education

* [http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reports/pdfs/class_size/03636049.pdf Class Size]
* [http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reports/pdfs/sat_survey/2005/03636049.pdf Satisfaction Survey]
* [http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reports/pdfs/school_perf/03636049.pdf School Performance]
* [http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reports/pdfs/fsa/03636049.pdf Skills Assessment]