​August 27, 2025

Dear Handsworth Families,

Welcome to the 2025-26 school year! On behalf of the staff at Handsworth it is my pleasure to welcome everyone back. I would like to extend a special welcome to the incoming Grade 8 students, their families, and all other new members of the Handsworth community.

With a projected enrolment of 1600 students and with over 125 staff, Handsworth continues to be one of the largest school communities on the North Shore. We are pleased to be welcoming a number of new members to our staff including, Matteo Botteselle (Business Ed), Lexi Butler (English), Audrey Coquery (French Immersion), Chance Daldy (Learning Support), Brenda Devine (Supervision Aide), Angello Moric (Supervision Aide), Ras Mulinta (Math/Business), Bhashey Pather (Counselling), and Ermie Siganay (EA).

We are especially looking forward to welcoming our 330 new grade 8 students as they embark on this exciting next chapter of their lives with us. A key facet of the transition into Grade 8 is our Grade 8 Retreat, which takes place on September 25^th and 26^th with activities for a day each at the Cheakamus Centre and Handsworth School. Incoming grade 8 families will be receiving an additional e-mail containing the information package regarding this event as well as information about the Grade 8 Parent Information Night. Please contact Grade 8 Administrator, Dave Cadman (dcadman@sd44.ca) if you have any unanswered questions.

We are looking forward to welcoming students into the school on Tuesday, September 2^nd. In addition to a Grade Assembly and Homeroom, the first day of school will also serve as Photo Day.  Artona Studios will be taking photos of all students to be used for yearbook and GoCards, these photos will also be available for order through Artona.

Grade 8 students will meet their student leaders in the Grand Commons, all others report directly to the Theatre.

 (dismissal times approximate)

In their homeroom, students will be given their course timetable and student verification forms.  Please review the information on the verification form and return it to the main office by September 12^th.

Students with incomplete timetables or those missing courses should contact their grade counsellor immediately. Counsellors will look at any requests to change courses previously verified in the spring only after incomplete and new student timetables have been completed, the deadline for course changes is Friday, September 12^th. Please note that space in most elective courses is extremely tight and many students have been assigned their alternate selections. Students are required to attend their scheduled classes until any requests for changes have been approved. On Wednesday, September 3^rd, regular classes will begin at 9:10am with a Week 1 rotation of Periods 2-3-1-4.

To support student success, we encourage ongoing communication with teachers, counsellors, and administrators throughout the year. Please connect with your child's teachers through e-mail if there are any academic or social/emotional concerns affecting your child. Additionally, the chart below shows the Counsellor and Grade Administrator assignments for each grade:

I would also like to extend a special acknowledgement to our grade 12 students: the class of 2026. I am extremely excited to be working with our graduating class as the grade administrator, along with Robyn Renwick as grade counsellor and scholarship coordinator. In the coming weeks please watch for important forthcoming information with respect to Graduation 2026.

Handsworth is very lucky to have an involved and supportive parent and school community. The first HPAC meeting of the year will take place on Monday, September 22^nd at 7pm in the school library learning commons. Please use their link below to sign-up to receive the HPAC newsletter and updates by e-mail.  👉 Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/iYmOTY

Additionally, please watch your e-mail and the school website for the school newsletter, The Handsworth Royal News, which is published monthly and includes important school information, upcoming dates and stories about Handsworth events.

Alongside Vice Principals Jeff Aw-Yong and Dave Cadman, and on behalf of the entire staff, we look forward to welcoming everyone back next week and embarking together upon our new school year ahead.

Sincerely,

Cary Hungle

Principal

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