January 15, 2018
Dear Parents and Guardians in the Handsworth Family of Schools:
Re: Handsworth Secondary School Replacement Project Approval
I am thrilled to share with you today's Ministry announcement for a full replacement of Handsworth Secondary School.
Since 2013, when the Ministry first announced its commitment to fund the seismic upgrade of Handsworth, the North Vancouver Board of Education has made it a priority to have the Ministry consider instead a full replacement. As announced today by Education Minister Rob Fleming, $62.3 million has been approved for a fully funded, brand new expanded Handsworth Secondary School.
As with the current Argyle replacement project, this investment will see the complete transformation of Handsworth into a 21st century learning environment. It will be designed with a focus on creating collaborative workspaces for students and staff with flexible and adaptable spaces for teaching and learning. Spaces will be inclusive for all abilities and will incorporate First Peoples Principles of Learning. The new Handsworth will also be designed to meet the expectations from our community that we connect the building with our natural surroundings, be sustainable in its operation and maximize community use opportunities in areas such as gymnasiums, dance studios, multi-purpose spaces and 'black box theatres'. We look forward to this opportunity to create a prized community asset for the Handsworth community and the larger North Vancouver community.
You are invited to attend a Handsworth Parent Advisory Council Meeting on January 22, 2018 at 7:00 pm in the Handsworth Library for an update on the project by Assistant Superintendent Chris Atkinson and Director of Facilities Jim Mackenzie.
We look forward to sharing with you additional information on the project as it becomes available. Please continue to check
here for updates.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Pearmain
Superintendent of Schools
cc Board of Education
Executive Committee
Jim MacKenzie, Director, Facilities, Maintenance and Planning
Mark Thomson, Manager, Capital Projects
Rupi Samra-Gynane, Principal, Handsworth Secondary School
