October 31 2025 • Issue #69

Celebrating the incredible achievements, inspiring moments

and everyday successes that make our district a wonderful

place for students, families and staff.

Seven Thames Valley Schools Receive Healthy Schools Certification 

Seven Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) schools have been recognized by the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA) for their efforts to promote health and well-being programming for students, staff and the school community. 

As part of Healthy School Certification, each school partnered with Southwestern Public Health to plan and implement initiatives guided by public health principles, from student-led wellness clubs and food literacy to mental health and anti-bullying programs. 

“Schools and public health have a shared vision of creating opportunities where students thrive,” says Erica Arnett, Manager of the Health Schools Team at Southwestern Public Health. “Research is clear that these initiatives provide youth with positive experiences and lifelong health and well-being benefits.”   

One of those schools was Eastdale Public School, which received a commemorative banner for their 2025 Healthy Schools Gold Certification from Southwestern Public Health at a special assembly on Oct. 8.  

The school was recognized for its Let’s Get Cooking, Wellness Club and Healthy Relationships Plus programs.  The school identified mental health, physical activity and healthy eating as priorities for school-wide initiatives to support students. 

“My favourite thing about the Healthy Schools program is it helps to narrow our focus but also broaden our opportunities,” said Eastdale Principal Steve Burroughs. “We’re a small school, but we’re small and mighty, so pursuing a Healthy Schools certification and being able to earn a gold certification in our first year certainly sets the benchmark high for us.” 

Recognized TVDSB schools in Elgin County and Oxford County for 2025 include: 

• Gold Certified: Arthur Voaden Secondary School for Wellness Day events, and a daily student nutrition program 
• Gold Certified: Eastdale Public School for its after-school cooking program, Wellness Club, and mental health initiatives 
• Silver Certified: Elgin Court Public School for launching an inclusive recess program with a focus on belonging 
• Silver Certified: Locke’s Public School for establishing a dedicated space for students to self-regulate and engage in positive activity 
• Gold Certified: Oliver Stephens Public School for a student leadership recess initiative, and a focused Mental Health Week 
• Gold Certified: Summers’ Corners Public School for respect initiatives and school-wide family engagement events 
• Gold Certified: Winchester Street Public School for its sensory-mindfulness room, food literacy program, and anti-bullying week focus 

“Congratulations to our students.  Learning about good health and how to take care of your body and mind are crucial skills that will last a lifetime,” said Bill Tucker, Director of Education. “Thank you to Southwestern Public Health and to OPHEA for making this recognition possible.” 

Montcalm Students & TVDSB Aviation team up to rebuild airplane

What do you get when you mix an old airplane, determined Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) students from Montcalm Secondary, and a lot of creativity? The answer is a stunning aircraft transformation that’s turning heads, while inspiring students.

On Friday, October 3, Montcalm Secondary School Technology Department students - teamed up with TVDSB Aviation Program - proudly unveiled their rebuilt Cessna 150 aircraft during a special assembly at the school. 

“It’s truly extraordinary what our students accomplished,” said Montcalm Principal Joshua Brown. “It just shows what you can achieve when you put your ideas into action. Their vision and determination turned a dream into reality.”

Acquired by a former teacher in 2020 and donated to Montcalm, the aircraft had been on display in the school’s main hallway ever since. Earlier this year, Montcalm's Transportation Technology instructor decided it was time to give the plane a makeover.

From May until September, students rebuilt the aircraft, using their creativity, ingenuity and know-how, as well as artistic, construction, and manufacturing skills to help the project take flight.



While the aircraft lacks wings and can’t fly, students reconstructed almost everything else outside and inside, including fully rebuilding the fuselage, adding interior seats with Montcalm’s logo, installing a propellor and tail fins, and painting and decorating the finished plane. 

The result exceeded expectations. 

“I’ve been involved in the Aviation Program a long time. And this is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen,” said Montcalm Guidance Counsellor John McNorgan. “It really showcases what students can do and what Montcalm's Technology and TVDSB Aviation program offers.” 

“These are the kinds of projects we can do here at Montcalm,” said Montcalm Technology instructor James Patrick.  

Saunders student wins Columbia Undergrad Law Review Essay Contest 

Special Olympics athletes kick off Ontario School Championship countdown 

Tuesday, October 7 marked the official countdown to the 2026 Special Olympics Ontario School Championships! Student athletes from Lord Dorchester SS, Huron Park SS, Ingersoll District CI and East Elgin SS were excited to kick things off with a soccer competition at Lord Dorchester Secondary School alongside coaches and volunteers.

Scheduled for May 26–28, 2026, the Championships will gather over 1,000 student athletes, their coaches and families from across the nation right here in London! We look forward to cheering on our athletes this May.

Learn more

Forge and Fabrics: Celebrating Rural Roots through Creative Learning 

On October 9, East Elgin Secondary School hosted Forge and Fabrics – a unique community celebration showcasing the school's Arts, Tech and Aspire programs. Visitors explored traditional craftsmanship through hands-on blacksmithing and quilting demonstrations, all while enjoying live music and Mennonite chicken noodle soup.



The celebration featured demonstrations by two renowned blacksmithing experts: Ryan Balenger, National Curriculum Instructor for ABANA (Artist Blacksmith's Association of North America), and Aimie Botelho, artist and instructor in Fleming College's Artist Blacksmith Program. The Mennonite Community Service’s Women's Arts and Crafts Quilting Group also demonstrated traditional quilting techniques passed down through generations, bridging traditional artistry with modern educational excellence.

Learning about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 

Tuesday, September 30 was the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as well as Orange Shirt Day. Here are just a few ways Thames Valley schools encouraged students to learn, reflect and recognize this important day:



• Caradoc Public School: A schoolwide project led by Ms. Tobias taught students the history of Orange Shirt Day and its founder, Phyllis Webstad. Grade 6 students also created a visual representation of Canada’s progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action. 
• Lambeth Public School: Indigenous Student Leaders are paving the way for Truth and Reconciliation by building the Bricks of Belonging: a school-wide project that encourages students to express what Orange Shirt Day means to them. 
• Trafalgar Public School: Grace and Ellarae, leaders in the school’s Indigenous Student Club, prepped school announcements to educate about Orange Shirt Day. On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Grace wore her regalia and performed a jingle dress dance for the school community. 
• Montcalm Secondary School: The school set up inclusive displays for Orange Shirt Day featuring a raised border and feather for people with low vision, an explanation of how to read the braille text, and "Every Child Matters" displayed in ASL. 

The TVDSB Indigenous Education Portfolio has developed age-appropriate resources and lesson plans to support learning about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Learn more 

Looking back at our

summer well-being partnerships  

Thames Valley was proud to partner with community organizations across the district to provide summer opportunities focused on student mental health and well-being.  

Students in rural communities benefitted from a variety of County-based programs to help them stay engaged over the summer:

• Fusion Youth Centre in Ingersoll offered the “Summer Unlocked!” program, where 110 students participated in day trips designed to support youth mental health, connection, and engagement. 
• Women’s Rural Resource Centre hosted a community engagement event in Strathroy and exciting summer camps for students in grades 4-6 and 9.  
• St Thomas-Elgin Youth and Employment Services & Ignite Youth Centre ran the Ready, Set, High School program, which empowers grade 8 and 9 students who need extra support transitioning to high school life by building confidence, managing stress and improving social skills. 

London students of all ages also had access to a variety of opportunities to support their mental health and well-being, including: 

• Boys and Girls Club of London ran the Camp Mental Health initiative, which helps youth manage emotions, build friendships and stay engaged over the summer. The Camp Mental Health Specialist has provided targeted support to campers for two years, reducing behaviour incidents by nearly 50%.  
• WeBridge Summer Camp 2025 combined education, art, music, movement and wellness practices to foster confidence, connection and joy among more than 115 Black children and youth.  
• Learning Disability Association of London Region hosted a number of mental health and well-being sessions in a summer camp environment.  
• Family Services Thames Valley offered helpful parent and caregiver workshops on a variety of topics, including kindergarten and high school anxiety. 

Thank you to these community partners for working with us to keep students mentally and physically healthy over the summer! 

Employee Recognition  

During the month of October, Thames Valley was pleased to recognize the following staff groups: 

• World Teacher Day 
• National Custodian Recognition Day 
• Child Care Worker & Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day 



Thank you to the incredible staff who make a difference in the lives of Thames Valley students every day. We appreciate your hard work and dedication. 

Hollywood comes to A.B. Lucas!   

On October 24, A.B. Lucas Secondary School proudly welcomed back alumnus and Emmy-winning creator David Shore, the mastermind behind hit series House M.D. and The Good Doctor.

During his visit, David shared his inspiring journey from law to Hollywood, encouraging students to “do the hard work” and make sure their voices are heard. 

He returned to London to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Forest City Film Festival—a true honor for our community and a reminder of the incredible talent that started right here at Lucas! 

Call for Submissions: Share Your Good News!

Thames Valley Highlights is looking for stories to feature in upcoming editions! We want to celebrate the incredible achievements, inspiring moments and everyday successes that make our district a wonderful place for students, families and staff. 

Do you have a story to share about: 

• A student’s academic achievement or personal growth 
• A teacher or staff member going above and beyond 
• Community partnerships making a difference 
• Exciting events, projects, or initiatives at your school 
• Acts of kindness, inclusion, and collaboration within the school community 

If you have a story that deserves to be spotlighted, we’d love to hear from you! 

How to Submit: 

• Visit www.tvdsb.ca/ShareYourStory and fill out the form
• Please include any relevant photos (with permissions) or quotes.

Let’s celebrate all the amazing things happening in our schools! We look forward to hearing from you and sharing your stories with the wider Thames Valley community.