Our School Plan Progress 2018-2019

Improving Student Learning

The Abbotsford School District’s Strategic Plan reflects our public commitment to BC’s new curriculum by working together to continuously improve learning for each student.

School Goals

Under the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning, all Abbotsford School District schools are required to develop a long term plan to improve student achievement, one that maintains a balance on the intellectual, social and career development of students. Each year, every school will also set individual school goals to assist them in achieving progress. 

W.J. Mouat School Goals

WJ Mouat's School Plan for Success

We continue this year to focus on the implementation of the new curriculum as it rolls out for grade 10 this year.  Our focus is not just on the content of the new courses, but on the competencies of thinking, communication and social & personal responsibility.  We have eliminated streaming from the grade 9 level this year, using an approach called differentiation to adjust our teaching to meet the needs of all our students in a single stream.  The new curriculum calls for choice over streaming, making meaningful and robust learning experiences available to all students. 

For 2018/19 our strategies are:

  • Implement the new Grade 10 curriculum
  • Implement differentiated instruction starting with grade 9
  • Develop a WJ Mouat teacher mentorship program
  • Continue to incorporate Indigenous Studies into the curriculum

PDF Downloads: 

PDF icon 2018/19 School Plan Poster
PDF icon WJ Mouat School Plan 2018/19
PDF icon Curriculum Model Diagram
PDF icon Indigenous Studies Classroom Lessons

Intellectual

Our students will learn key academic skills - like reading, writing and math - to encompass the knowledge and processes associated with intellectual development. As learners and meaning-makers, students take subject-specific concepts and content and transform them into a new understanding. 

Our celebrations of learning

Social Studies

The social studies department replaced a traditional final exam with heritage projects and presentations. 

Geography Field Studies

Instead of a traditional final exam Mr. Perry brings his Geography class on a field study.  This hands on learning brings together the outcomes of the course in an authentic way.

Youth Philanthropy Initiative

Each year our Planning 10 teachers mentor groups of students through the Youth Philanthropy Initiative.  The winning groups earn a cheque on behalf of the charity they choose to represent.  It is a tremendous example of developing social responsibility in the classroom.

Student of the Month

Each month at WJ Mouat, we select a grade 12 student from a list of teacher nominations.  The criteria for this honour includes commitment to studies, contribution to school life and an example of the character traits we espouse at Mouat.  Aeysha was chosen at the end of last year and her story is compelling.

Aeysha arrived at Mouat in the fall of 2016 as a refugee from Syria.  In one year she earned enough credits to graduate, vastly improved her communication skills and earned entrance into UFV, where she is currently studying.  Aeysha was name Mouat’s student of the month for June, 2017.

Human & Social

Our students will study personal and human social skills and as they relate to students' identity in the world - both as individuals and as members of their community. We are learning that personal and human social skills encompass the abilities students needs to thrive as individuals, to understand and care about themselves and others, and to find and achieve their purposes in the world. 

Our celebrations of learning

Aboriginal Program Alumni Speak Out

Guest Speakers

Our Boys Club supports and mentors young men who are looking to find connections at school and in their lives.  Guest speaker Dr. Sukhi Mukhr visited our school last year to bring a message that change is possible and the importance of choosing the right path.

David VandGulik, former hockey professional, visited our school to speak at our Family of Schools day, sponsored and run by our Character Council.  The purpose of the day is to introduce our catchment grade 4s and 7s to the character traits we try to live by at Mouat.

Clubs & Student Participation

Each Fall we have a club fair to highlight and promote the many clubs we offer at Mouat.  Hundreds of our students stay connected to the school and their peers with their participation in teacher sponsored clubs.

Student Athletes

Each year hundreds of student athletes hit the court, field, pitch and track to compete for the Hawks and learn about sportsmanship, commitment, excellence and teamwork.  This year our senior boys track team brought home a Fraser Valley Championship.

Aboriginal Role Models

Mike Brake and River Ironeagle Mindel were named the Abbotsford Schools 2017 Aboriginal Role Models. Our Aboriginal program supports over 130 students.  Mike and River are two examples of the strength of our program and the leadership of Michelle Schroeder. 

Leadership & Mentoring

Each year our leadership teachers and senior leadership students mentor our grade 9s as a part of our transition program.  A variety of activities including monthly meetings during FLEX help acclimate our 9s to life at high school.

Careers

Our students will succeed in a much different future from the one we envisioned 10 or 15 years ago. It is our responsibility to prepare all children for success in whatever life path they choose, connecting learning opportunities with future career possibilities. We know that real-life experiences - like community involvement, gaining business knowledge, and hands-on-learning - build better students and life-long citizens. 

Our celebrations of learning

Work Experience

We run two cohorts of work experience students helping them acquire the skills and confidence they need to pursue employment.  Each of these students completes a work placement as a part of their training.

District Career Programs

Our students get involved in district programs.  These three 2017 grads recently completed the Health and Human Services program at UFV.

My Blueprint

We have set a goal of having all our students active on MYBLUEPRINT by the end of this school year.  Currently, our careers 9 and our Grad Transitions is using the program.