Quote “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” - Maya Angelou
Principal's Update
Dear HWW Students, Families and Community members,
Our staff team enjoyed a wonderful day of learning on the land on Friday, as we travelled between seven sites from the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary to the Confluence. The day was titled Maatoomsii'Pookaiks. This name, gifted to the CBE by Piikani Elder Leonard Bastien, means Children First. Our focus for the day was to continue to build our foundational knowledge of Indigenous Education to support well-being and achievement of our self-identifying Indigenous students.
Application of this learning includes consideration of multiple entry points within our task design, and multiple ways for students to demonstrate their learning. We know that belonging and connection is critical to student well-being and ‘making relatives’ is a key element of this work. A guiding principle of our day was the Blackfoot word Iikakimat, which reflects the commitment to try hard, to work together to support the students we serve. A tremendous thank you to our HWW Truth and Reconciliation Committee and the CBE Indigenous Education Team for guiding the day.
Stopping by the High School Drama Festival yesterday afforded the opportunity to see our Drama students in action, as they performed in a studio production and took in workshops. A big thank you to Ms. Ykema and Mr. Simon for creating this learning experience.
We appreciated the excellent turnout for our School Council this past Monday. Please mark your calendars for the upcoming meeting on May 25 at 6:30pm.
Our IB exams are underway under the leadership of Mr. Finockio. Physics was first out of the gate, and exams will run until May 20. Our best to all the student writers.
Ms. Cheney, coaches and student athletes look forward to welcoming our spring sport fans on our outdoor fields. Wishing all our Warrior families the best of this Spring week!
With gratitude,
Aileen Smyth
Principal
Weekly Updates
LINK Leader Applications are Now Open
Bike to School Day - May 7, 2026
GATE Calgary will be having a Parent Education Session on Thursday, May 14, 2026 entitled "Tips for Consuming Research on Giftedness from Someone Who Helps Create it" presented by Dr. Matthew Makel, Professor and Chair in High Ability Studies (University of Calgary, Werklund School of Education), Child Health & Wellness Researcher (Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute).
Turning to research can be a helpful way to get safe answers to your questions about giftedness and gifted children. But knowing how to interpret the research and knowing if/how/when it applies to the question you have can be difficult. In this presentation, Dr. Makel will discuss with you what researchers themselves consider when they read research and how it can help you.
This virtual meeting is open to GATE and non-GATE parents.
This parent education session will be followed by a short general meeting for members of the GPA. If you have a student registered in GATE for this current school year, you are a member of the GPA.
Date & Time: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 7:00 pm
Venue: Virtual meeting (Google Meet)
Register here: https://gatecalgary.ca/meeting-registration/ by May 11, 2026.
Link Leader
As a LINK Leader, you'll serve as a role model and mentor to incoming Grade 10 students, helping them navigate the challenges of transitioning to high school and achieve their academic and personal goals. But that's not all: you'll also have the opportunity to connect with and inspire students in Grades 11 and 12, building a tight-knit community of Warriors who support and uplift each other. Join us and help shape the future of our school! If you are a current grade 10 or 11 student interested in being a LINK Leader next year, click here to apply! Applications are available now through May 1, 2026.
Bike to Work / School
May 7 is Bike to Work Day in Calgary. This initiative is meant to promote cycling as a viable, eco-friendly transportation option. Henry Wise Wood would like to encourage our Warriors to bike to school on that day. Note that most full-sized buses have racks for bikes, so students can bus AND bike to school. Furthermore, bikes are also allowed on C-trains even during peak hours (see regulations here.)
Is biking efficient? For instance, biking from Woodbine to HWW takes 35 minutes (the same as with transit, with added independence!)
If your youth is interested in participating, remind them to wear a helmet and bright clothing for visibility. Favour quiet streets and bike lanes rather than high-traffic roads, and always follow all traffic rules. Also, bring a sturdy lock for locking your bike up at school.
Any student who shows up to school on a bike on May 7 will be met at the bike racks by a staff member and receive a voucher for a free food item at the Warrior Shop!