Our School
Westdale, founded in 1931, provides a culture of courtesy, care and co-operation where students are given the opportunity to become responsible citizens and lifelong learners as they prepare to pursue career pathways in a challenging and changing multi-cultural, multi-lingual world. The school culture mixes a rigorous, fascinating and exhilarating academic environment fostered by a highly motivated and enthusiastic staff with a strong sense of togetherness, community, and a wonderful spirit of mutual support and benefit. Westdale students are known to be highly successful in continuing their secondary school excellence into their chosen post-secondary pursuits in academics, research, business, career paths, and life in general. An extensive Immersion programme in French and second language programmes in French. Westdale is HWDSB’s first International World School offering an International Baccalaureate Diploma. We currently offer two Specialist High Skills Major programmes in Construction and Arts and Culture. Our alliterative Latin school motto “Alius Alia Via Ad Astra Ascendit” means “Everyone finds his or her own way to the stars.” This motto recognizes both the ambitious nature of our students and the individual care and attention afforded them by our excellent teaching staff.
School History
Upon opening in 1931, Westdale was deemed the largest composite school in the British Empire, consisting of 11.7 acres of building, grounds and athletic fields. The original building was referred to as “Westdale Composite School”, and “Westdale Tripartite School”, reflecting its collegiate, technical and commercial components. An initial enrollment of 1,301 reached 2,264 in 1965 as a record maximum. Presently, we hold 1,700 students.
Designed by architects Prack and Prack, the “school gothic” architectural style claimed arched doorways and pseudo-buttresses. Constructed at an initial cost of $1,306,521.00(including land) by J.M. Piggott Construction Company, the building has undergone three major renovations in 1959, 1974/75 and just recently new doors, lockers and windows have been added.
The decades since Westdale first opened have coincided with historical and social changes. The Depression era meant incomes were low and material goods at a minimum.
During the 1940’s, Westdale operated as a school from 9a.m. to 4p.m. and as a training facility for ground and air troops from 5p.m. until dawn. Of the 800 students who served in the war, only 650 returned. The names of those who gave their lives for Canada and its allies are engraved on the cenotaph at the front of the school.
The 1950’s boomed with events that made history. Among graduates at the mid-point of the century were several well-known Canadian figures, including John Munro, remembered as a federal cabinet minister, and Russ Jackson, a CFL quarterback.
The 1960’s brought ideological changes marked by the Vietnam War and events like Woodstock. The school would reflect these changing values and ideals. Canada had its own flag by the end of this decade. The 1970’s were an era of individualism with graduates who made significant achievement in entertainment, athletics and academics. The school motto, “Each of us will find our own way to the stars”, held true for many students, including Martin Short. The most major renovation of the building took place during this decade.
The 1980’s have seen Westdale stand out as a school of excellence and a wealth of graduates entering competitive university and college programs have made it a school that is recognised province wide. This has continued into the 1990’s. School teams have earned OFSSA championships. Academic excellence has brought individual and school rewards as students and staff continue to achieve under profound changes to the educational system, financial restraints and competition, to ensure prosperity for the next generation.
Westdale is an exciting, dynamic school community – a community comprised of individuals working for the betterment of everyone and the enhancement of the quality of life in our school. Working together, we can achieve the goals set before us and in the process discover the extraordinary power and energy of friendship and creativity. At Westdale we all search for the stars.
Visit our Westdale Yearbook Facebook page to see more photos from past yearbooks. Share your memories with us on this page.
Programs and Services
• Westdale offers congregated classes for enriched programming in English, Mathematics and Science for grade 9 and 10 students. Material is presented at a more rapid pace thereby providing time for students to pursue their interests and course topics in more depth. • French Immersion Program • Music Strings Program: Westdale’s unique Music Strings Program is offered in each of grades 9 to 12. This course is a continuation of the string music program taught in the elementary school system. Students will participate in the study of music through performance, creation, and analysis of Baroque music to 21st century music. • Specialized Course Packages include: Apprentice-Carpentry, Industrial Woodworking Technology Healthy Active Living Physical Education Focus courses: Outdoor Education • Personal Fitness • Rhythm and Movement • Court Sports Visual Arts Focus courses: • Ceramics • Interior Design • Photography • Art History • Illustration • Applied Design Multimedia Courses: • Media Art • Multimedia: Developing a Digital Voice Forensic Accounting
Clubs
Triune, WAC Council, Grad Council, Environmental Club, Drama Club, Korean Club, Latin Club, Senior Math Club, Students for Political Action SPA, Westdale Science Club, Tea Club, History Club, Improv Club, Dangerous Minds Poetry Club, Debating Club, SPCA Club, Sci-Fi Club, WWSP Film Club.
Before/After School Program or Activities
Westdale offers many programs before and after school. The Music Department offers courses before school: Jr. Band, Sr. Band, Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Jazz. The department also includes opportunities to perform at various festivals and competitions including Kiwanis Music Festival, Canada’s Wonderland Kingswood Theatre, Hamilton Place and New York City.
Various sports clubs have games and practices before and after school.
The Drama Department produces a major school-wide production and a Sears Play; dance clubs and a theatre club.
The English Department visits Stratford Festival Theatre, and various other venues to see numerous productions.
Student Services offer extra courses for specific needs after school when necessary.
Our School Plan
Curriculum Focus
Westdale’s Value and Commitment Statement
As a staff we will strive to support our shared vision by:
recognizing that student success is influenced by all members of the educational team and working collaboratively to reach consensus and arrive at productive solutions;
treating each other with respect and equity, encouraging students, and building positive relationships;
collaborating with each other to develop and support curricular and environmental initiatives, school policies, procedures, and related responsibilities and duties;
monitoring and revising our Learning Team Action plans to maximize student success;
working with system and community resource personnel to assist and support our students as required;
being role models of school rules and responsibilities; and
engaging in continuous growth and development.
Environment Focus
In an Innovative Environment
Fostering an environment that encourages creativity and inspires people to make a difference.
Celebrating excellence, effort and innovation in pursuit of our vision.
Encouraging thoughtful experimentation and challenging routine ways of doing things, while adhering to the Education Act, Board Policies, and the Collective Agreement.
Adapting best practices in enhancing our mission effectiveness.
Parent & Community Involvement
Community
Westdale is an exciting, dynamic school community comprised of individuals working towards enriching the quality of life in our school. Working together, we can achieve the goals set before us and, in the process, discover the extraordinary power and energy of friendship and creativity. At Westdale, we all reach for the stars.
We believe in the development of a safe, supportive, nurturing and mutually respectful environment for staff, students and parents.
We believe in the development of the whole student, by fostering the pursuit of excellence in academics, athletics, co-curricular activities, the arts, and community involvement
We believe in nurturing the positive self-esteem that results from being a valued individual within a caring community.
We believe in the development of a sense of responsibility and accountability in each student. We promote life-long learning, responible behaviour, and the willingness to live within a community where we learn from each other.