Kitsilano Secondary School

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Kitsilano Secondary School
Fiat Lux (Let There Be Light)
Address
2550 West 10th Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6K 2J6, Canada
Information
School number 03939006
School board School District 39 Vancouver and #93 (French)
Area trustee Shirley M. Wong
Principal Thomas Grant
Vice principal Rick Mesich
Crystal Tanfara
School type Secondary school
Grades 8-12
Language English, French immersion, French
Mascot Demons
Team name Blue Demons
Colours royal blue and gold
Founded 1918, 1927
Enrollment 1353 [1] (March 2008)
Homepage http://kitsilano.vsb.bc.ca/
Kitsilano Secondary School.
Kitsilano Secondary School.

Kitsilano Secondary School is a high school in the Kitsilano neighbourhood of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The school has several district programs including French immersion, on-site pre-employment, the Francophone Education Authority. Advanced Placement courses are also offered.


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The students selected royal blue and gold as the school colors, based in those at Aberdeen University (the Alma Mater of one of their teachers); the first Latin classes chose "Fiat Lux" (Let there be light) as the school motto. The original school crest was designed by Mr. S. P. Judge, the first art teacher at Kitsilano, and although the crest has undergone some slight changes over the decades, it still proudly displays the colors and motto.

Many movies have been filmed at Kitsilano, such as "Santa Claus 2" and the upcoming "Personal Effects" with Ashton Butcher and Michelle Pfeiffer. Other famous people that have come to Kitsilano are Brad Pitt, who joined the Canadians Fan Club, sponsored by Mr. Vulgaris.

The school song "Hail Kitsilano" was composed in 1936.

The main foyer is home to a portrait of Chief August Jack Khahtsahlano, the school's namesake. The auditorium houses a Tanu totem pole carved by Don Yeomans in 1986 in honour of Vancouver's centennial.

[edit] School song

Hail Kitsilano,
Hail gold and blue!
Rah! Rah! Rah!
Sing we thy praises,
All thy sons to thee are true!
Rah!
Hail Kitsilano,
We shout to the sky!
Honour and glory then
To Kitsilano High
[Repeat]

The school song is traditionally sung at assemblies and the end of the commencement ceremony. It is always sung loudly, proudly and together.

[edit] Kits Sports

Kitsilano won the HSBC basketball tournment in Vancouver B.C. in 2008, winning over St. Georges Privite School. They also won the city high school hockey championship, the Grade 8 boys rugby, Grade 8 girls basketball and Grade 8 girls volleyball.

[edit] Notable Alumni

  • Ryan Cadman, class of 1984, aka Mr. Kitsilano, Holds the VSB single regular season record for Penalty kicks saved in 1982 (7 saves) . Also Co MVP Lower mainland with John Knight(multiple MVP winner 1981,82,83).
  • Tony Buzan, class of 1960, is the originator of mind mapping and coined the term mental literacy.
  • Mary Stewart (swimmer), class of 1963, World Record holder of 100m Butterfly 1:07.3 on 28 July 1962, member (inducted 1966) of BC Sports Hall of Fame
  • Fred Latremouille, class of 1963, well known Vancouver Broadcaster. Co-host of the Latremornings show on CKCL-FM with his wife Cathy
  • Roy Peterson, editorial cartoonist
  • Ryan Reynolds, television/movie actor
  • Joshua Jackson, television/movie actor
  • "Jimmy" James Henry Whalen, WWII ace
  • Kathleen Heddle, Olympic rower, 3-time Gold medallist
  • Severn Cullis-Suzuki, environmental activist, daughter of David Suzuki
  • Chase Larsson, drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 18th round of the MLB in the 2006 entry draft
  • The building itself appeared regularly during the first three seasons of the Canadian television drama Madison, also the school was the filming site for the television show 21 Jump Street before the show relocated to the US.
  • The school was also used for filmings of Air Bud, and the science related movie: Electro-Juice

[edit] Special Programs

Kitsilano has recently developed a pilot project which is a complete failure, the Multi-Age Cluster Class (MACC), which allows students to accelerate through high school. These students may graduate from three to five years, instead of the standard five.

Kitsilano also has a history of including both physically and mentally challenged students into their mainstream programs. Students with Down's syndrome and other mental challenges are involved in all aspects of student life, take the same courses as other students and are provided special assistance (aides and resources) as well as the opportunity to take their courses over extra years to ensure achievement. In 1999, an elevator was constructed on the northwest corner of the building to allow wheelchair access throughout the building.

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