École South Pointe School officially opens

École South Pointe School officially opens

The doors to our newest innovative learning space, École South Pointe School, are now open.

To celebrate the milestone, community, students, parents and staff gathered to officially open Pembina Trails' 34^th school.

January 9, 2017 marked the first official day of the new Early Learning to Grade 8 school at 615 Kirkbridge Drive. Our Chair of the Board, Julie Fisher and Senior Administration team was at the school welcoming students, staff and families walking into South Pointe for the first time.

"I feel tremendous gratitude to be part of the journey that has brought us together in this modern, eco-friendly and innovative space," said Fisher. "Our board believes in creating a school not only for today, but for the future. Thank you to the province, the Minister of Education and Training, our councillors and MLAs, the Public Schools Finance Board and everyone who has played a significant role in making École South Pointe School a reality."

The project was first announced in 2013. The development marks growth and investment in learning for the entire community.The $30 million school will have room for 800 students and truly is an innovative and beautiful learning space.The design reflects and promotes a philosophy based on four pillars: one school, one community; environmental stewardship; connections and connectedness; and learning/discovery. These pillars align with Pembina Trails' vision, mission and values, as well as our belief in 21^st century teaching and learning practices.

The school is working towards achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification. Outdoor design features on the energy efficient, eco-friendly building work to bring learning outside and nature is reflected inside the school's walls. The look and feel of the building and its grounds are inspired by Manitoba's landscape and geology and a floor to ceiling living wall at the heart of the school brings the outdoors in.

"The incredibly opportunity and sense of gratitude of opening a brand new innovative school is reflected in the smiles and shining eyes of our students and staff," said principal Ruthanne Dyck. "The feeling of having everyone under one roof has filled the building and our hearts with an unbelievable warmth."

The project was a few years in the making, but now that the school's doors are open, so are many more opportunities for students."It feels like only yesterday that our trustees and staff were sitting in a room looking at building drawings," recollects Fisher. "This investment in our community is already beginning to show its value."