The Island Pacific School Blog
Bridge to the Future
Among the many great things about Island Pacific School, one constant thread in its near quarter-century history is the incredible generosity of stakeholders — parents, staff, alumni, board and great community members — to support the school’s mission. Now in its...
Gr 6 & 7 Excursion to Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre
Last Wednesday the Grade 6/7 class went to Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre. We were introduced to our guides who would give us a tour throughout the forest. We were split into two groups to learn all about the forest. My group went across the suspension bridge to a trail...
Creativity as a teaching tool
What do a bike factory, a ford truck, a farm, a classroom, the IPS staff, Winterfell Castle, an alien spaceship, a bee hive, a veggie garden, a hockey rink and a vitamix smoothie maker have in common? You guessed it - they are all easy to compare to a Eukaryotic cell....
Be the Change We Want to See
History is a funny thing. It happens around us all the time. One moment slipping into the past becomes our history. Events that pass become the shared story of how we got to where we are now. Most often, history is made silently or at least with little notice. At...
What could the future of education look like? IPS founder Ted Spear has some ideas
Ted Spear holds the recently released Education Reimagined. Photo by BRONWYN BEAIRSTO/BOWEN ISLAND UNDERCURRENT The founder of Island Pacific School (IPS) released his book, Education Reimagined: The Schools our Children Need, back in July. It’s a lofty ambition,...
A Parent’s Perspective
Volunteering at IPS has given me a window into my sons’ lives that I otherwise would not have been privileged to experience. Simply learning the names of all of the students was once a challenge, but through consistent volunteering—in and out of the classroom—I was...
Chris Wilson Goodbye
On My Time With Island Pacific School (With my apologies to Lin‐Manuel Miranda) How does an idea, a design, a little school, become an institution, On an island, A rock dropped in the middle of a forgotten Spot in Howe Sound near Vancouver....
Masterworks June 10 – 13, 2019
Can a 14-year-old be expected to conduct a public presentation similar to a TED talk? Island Pacific School students have been doing so for over 20 years through a program called Masterworks. Our middle school curriculum recognizes the importance of independent study....
Frustrated? Find the Right School: Expert Educator Panel & Discussion, June 6, 2019
What school is the right fit for my child? What are we going to do next year? What do YOU think a quality education would look like for your child? Join our expert panel and discussion around these and other big questions parents need to ask when making...
IPS Open House: Walk Through Time Showcases Arts, Individuals & Societies Wed., May 29th
Do you have a twin somewhere in art and history? What would it be like to walk through a gallery where the subject of the painting might appear and speak to you about their moment in time? If you could invent your own nation, what would you create? How did ancient...
IPS Students Qualify for the Global Round of World Scholar’s Cup
Meet Jerry. He’s that yellow alpaca in the middle. Meet the other Jerry, the pink alpaca on the end. The green alpaca is also named Jerry. They are all Jerry. Why? To be honest, I’m not entirely sure, but the World Scholar’s Cup, the organization who distributes the...
Equip & Inspire Student Conference
The IPS Equip and Inspire Conference has now come and gone and I am so pleased with the way it all came together as a vehicle to not only meet our BC Education Career Education Curriculum core competencies and big ideas, but also provide meaningful connections between...
Founding IPS Head Keynote: Cultivating Ethics, Values & Humanity May 1, 2019
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 9 - 10:30 am You are invited to join the Keynote by Island Pacific School's Founding Head, Dr. Ted Spear as he kicks off Island Pacific School's inaugural Equip and Inspire Student Conference. Dr. Spear's keynote on cultivating ethics, values...
IPS Assistant Head & Teacher Awarded the 2019 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence
Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence Island Pacific School is thrilled to announce that Jennifer Henrichsen, IPS assistant head and teacher, has recently won The Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence. Since 1993, this award has recognized...
Student Public Speaking Competition: Persuasive, Greek Mythology, World Events & After Dinner Speeches
Public Speaking Competition Students in all grades were challenged to a public speaking competition. They learned how to create and present a speech. Focus was given to learning about effective non-verbal communication techniques as well as literary device use to...
Experience IPS Open House Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Wednesday, April 24th New families joining IPS in 2019 and interested families are invited to join IPS for some fun Earth Day activities and connect with other new middle school students who are starting at IPS in September 2019. This very un-serious day will be a fun...
Pollinator Garden Comes to IPS
Island Pacific School is a beautiful place of learning. The building itself is open and bright and when you walk in the door, you can feel the positive energy and enthusiasm of the students and staff. We are also lucky to be surrounded by trees and plants that create...
Students Win at Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair
In mid April, 8 IPS middle school students attended the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair at UBC. Over the course of the 3 days they presented their projects to the judges, fellow participants, visiting students and the public. They met with other students to...