Principal Message

Welcome to the 2025–26 school year!

 

We are humbled that you and your family will call West End Secondary School (WESS) your academic home. Whether this is your first year at WESS or you are returning, we are confident that your experience within the community will be a meaningful and rewarding one.

 

At West End Secondary School, we believe school should be a place that sparks wonder, builds compassion, encourages creativity, and strengthens resilience in every class, each day of the school year.

 

These values are the heartbeat of the community. You will see them in the questions young people ask, the way the brilliant staff members connect with them, and how we show up for one another as a community. We are not just here to prepare young people for the next test; we are here to help them grow into thoughtful, curious, and courageous young adults.

 

A big part of what makes WESS special is our Crew structure. Every young person is part of a small group that meets regularly with a dedicated teacher. Crew is where we build relationships, reflect, set goals, and support one another. It is our way of making sure that every young person is celebrated for the strengths they bring to our community.

 

We also believe that strong academics and strong character go hand in hand. Our young people take on rigorous coursework, engage in meaningful discussions, and explore real world challenges through grade wide expeditions. This year, we are especially focused on ensuring:

 

• Young people experience cognitively engaging and appropriately challenging tasks that meet their individual strengths and needs, leading to a deeper understanding of the concepts and skills that matter most.
• Young people feel a stronger sense of purpose, belonging, and agency in their learning because their work connects to real world issues and contributes to their communities.
• Young people feel an increased sense of connection to the school community and to each other.
• Our entire community — young people, staff, and families — experiences a shared sense of direction and purpose, with the confidence that we are rowing together in Crew toward the common goal of achievement and growth.

 

There is so much joy at WESS, from classroom celebrations to community events to the everyday moments of connection that make our school feel like family. Here is to a great school year!

 

In Crew
Dr. Andrew Wintner
Principal West End Secondary School