Frances Kelsey Secondary School
Encyclopedia
Frances Kelsey Secondary School (FKSS) is a high school located in Mill Bay
, British Columbia
, Canada
, named after Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey
. The school, under founding Principal Allan MacLeod, adopted a self-directed learning system. FKSS is one of School District 79 Cowichan Valley
's four main-stream secondary schools, and the only one not using the standard teaching approach. FKSS is a member of the Canadian Coalition of Self-Directed Learners (CCSDL).
Board had put together a committee consisting of senior district administration, teachers, school administrators and south-end parent representatives to develop plans for the new school. In 1990, the Summary Report of the South Cowichan Consultative Committee was published. This document represented a distillation of the ideas gained by the committee during fact finding tours to other districts and schools in BC and Alberta, professional reading and research, numerous parent and community meetings and the advice and recommendations sought from parents, students, educators and other professionals for the design of the new south-end secondary school.
The document reflected the need to construct a school that incorporated local community desires for unique features, that would support programs geared for the hospitality tourism industry such as a teaching kitchen and an auditorium, that would lend support to a performing arts program, and that would serve as a large group teaching area. In addition, there was a strong desire to seek the most effective ways to incorporate the new “principles of learning” emerging from the Ministry of Education that stated:
* learning requires the active participation of the student
* people learn in a variety of ways and at different rates
* learning is both an individual and group process
In carefully examining how these principles might be addressed, the committee recommended that the “self-paced, continuous progress” model similar to Calgary’s Bishop Carroll Secondary School
could be successfully implemented at the new south end high school.
By 1991, the site had been purchased and the firm of Dalla-Lana/Griffin - architects had been hired to begin the task of designing a building that would later become known as Frances Kelsey Secondary School. Construction began in 1994 and the building was substantially completed by February 1995. The school's math, English, socials, and science areas were enlarged, and another, smaller gym added, along with several hundred more lockers in the fall of 2004.
1995 - 2009 - Roger Carr /
2009 - 2009 - Tyler Bate /
2009 - 2010 - Anna Trustham (née Roberts) /
2010 - - Kris Vopnfjord
Mill Bay, British Columbia
Mill Bay is a commuter town of about 3,200 people located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada about north of Victoria, the capital.Mill Bay was founded in the 1860s with lumber and milling as its primary industries, done at the mill on the bay...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, named after Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey
Frances Oldham Kelsey
Frances Kathleen Oldham Kelsey, Ph.D., M.D., is a pharmacologist, most famous as the reviewer for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration who refused to authorize thalidomide for market because she had concerns about the drug's safety. Her concerns proved to be justified when it was proven that...
. The school, under founding Principal Allan MacLeod, adopted a self-directed learning system. FKSS is one of School District 79 Cowichan Valley
School District 79 Cowichan Valley
School District 79, is located in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It consists of numerous elementary , middle , Secondary schools, and alternative schools for programs like adult education.The current Superintendent of SD 79 is Dan Boudreault.-History:The current...
's four main-stream secondary schools, and the only one not using the standard teaching approach. FKSS is a member of the Canadian Coalition of Self-Directed Learners (CCSDL).
Philosophy and Design
By 1990, the SD 79School District 79 Cowichan Valley
School District 79, is located in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It consists of numerous elementary , middle , Secondary schools, and alternative schools for programs like adult education.The current Superintendent of SD 79 is Dan Boudreault.-History:The current...
Board had put together a committee consisting of senior district administration, teachers, school administrators and south-end parent representatives to develop plans for the new school. In 1990, the Summary Report of the South Cowichan Consultative Committee was published. This document represented a distillation of the ideas gained by the committee during fact finding tours to other districts and schools in BC and Alberta, professional reading and research, numerous parent and community meetings and the advice and recommendations sought from parents, students, educators and other professionals for the design of the new south-end secondary school.
The document reflected the need to construct a school that incorporated local community desires for unique features, that would support programs geared for the hospitality tourism industry such as a teaching kitchen and an auditorium, that would lend support to a performing arts program, and that would serve as a large group teaching area. In addition, there was a strong desire to seek the most effective ways to incorporate the new “principles of learning” emerging from the Ministry of Education that stated:
* learning requires the active participation of the student
* people learn in a variety of ways and at different rates
* learning is both an individual and group process
In carefully examining how these principles might be addressed, the committee recommended that the “self-paced, continuous progress” model similar to Calgary’s Bishop Carroll Secondary School
Bishop Carroll High School (Alberta)
Bishop Carroll High School is part of the Calgary Catholic School District in Alberta, Canada and offers a unique program that allows students to work at their own pace in an individual environment. This 'freedom to succeed' is part of the constructivist model of student-centred learning advocated...
could be successfully implemented at the new south end high school.
By 1991, the site had been purchased and the firm of Dalla-Lana/Griffin - architects had been hired to begin the task of designing a building that would later become known as Frances Kelsey Secondary School. Construction began in 1994 and the building was substantially completed by February 1995. The school's math, English, socials, and science areas were enlarged, and another, smaller gym added, along with several hundred more lockers in the fall of 2004.
Science
FKSS' self paced programs adopts a powerful role in the science lab by giving the students the ability to schedule labs to their schedule no student is held back by class. Constant supervision by teaching staff assures that the lab remains a safe environment.Mathematics
Completed in 2005, Frances Kelsey's Math wing holds five classrooms specializing in the study of Mathematics. Students focus on the ministry program, but often the self paced program allows students to deviate depending on their ability. Three levels of each math grade are offered, as well as calculus in grade 12.English
An extensive English program thrives in FKSS; students find themselves able to quickly exceed with the self paced program, and those with some difficulty never find an English teacher too far. The Frances Kelsey English program aligns itself with the fine arts departments, as the English teachers recognize the power of creativity within language. Various contests are available to students throughout the year. As well as the basic English courses required by the Ministry, literature is offered.Social Studies/History/Comparative Civilizations
Below the second floor English quadrant lies its sister subject. A large History "Conference room" allows for large seminars, or for large groups of independent student study. Student keep up to date on current events through the similarly named program. Senior students have the option of History or 'Comp Civ.'Languages
At Kelsey, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, German and French are offered. It also has an exchange program many students from Japan, China, Germany and other countries come to FKSS to learn English and graduate under the BC education program.Computer Sciences
One of Kelsey's many computer labs is dedicated to courses such as Drafting, Computer Graphics, Film, and Programming.Technology
Kelsey features a "high tech arts & crafts" course, which explores ideas of modern industrial design, as well as a course in Electronics.Theater
Frances Kelsey's Theater program, formerly led by Roger Carr, is tied closely with the movement and vocal arts. Each year, FKSS's Performing arts class may put on one to two major plays. The theater 'company' also hosts a fluctuating number of plays directed by students. Most of the theater maintenance and props are completed by students enrolled in Stagecraft courses.1995 - 2009 - Roger Carr /
2009 - 2009 - Tyler Bate /
2009 - 2010 - Anna Trustham (née Roberts) /
2010 - - Kris Vopnfjord
Band
Frances Kelsey Secondary offers an extensive band program for all levels. Specialized classes for stringed instruments are also offered.Visual Arts
The schools art program occupies one of the largest rooms in the school, hosting students in both two, and three dimensional art programs.University of Vancouver Island partnership
FKSS plays host to Vancouver Island University's cookery students, who operate a publicly-accessible lunch room and the Kelsey Café, a cafeteria-style service for Kelsey students serving main courses, soup, and sandwiches. Senior culinary arts students work in the kitchen alongside the university students.Rugby
Frances Kelsey has always had an excellent rugby program, in the past coached by genius mathematician, Wayne Loutet. Both the Junior and Senior teams have a strong history of good players, including international level players Kyle LeClerc, Jordie Roy and Dan James. In 2006, the Senior team made Kelsey Rugby history by going to the provincial playoffs for the first time ever, unfortunately, three starters were injured early on, preventing Kelsey (of which more than half were Juniors) from securing a high finishing standing.Volleyball
FKSS has always held a respectable standing in the Girls Volleyball school league. Kelsey has spawned dozens of select, and provincial level players. The girls won a national championship in 2003International exchange
FKSS has played host to students on exchange from Germany, Spain, Japan, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Korea, Brazil, etc.Noteworthy Alumni
- Dante DeCaroDante DeCaroDante DeCaro of Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, is the former guitarist/songwriter of the Canadian band Hot Hot Heat. His inventive guitar parts were considered a crucial part of Hot Hot Heat's success with their first major label album Make Up The Breakdown...
(1999) was a member of the band Hot Hot HeatHot Hot HeatHot Hot Heat is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1999 from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.-Career:Dustin Hawthorne and Steve Bays had been in many different bands together since 1995 and met Hawley in 1998. In 1999, Hawley bought a Juno 6 keyboard and asked Bays to try playing it, as no one...
during their rise to stardom. He now fronts Johnny and the MoonJohnny and the MoonJohnny and the Moon is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2006 based in Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada. The band is fronted by Dante DeCaro of Hot Hot Heat and Wolf Parade and includes Lindy Gerrard, Mark Devoe, and Jeff "Big Juicy Papa" Phillips...
and plays bass guitar in Wolf ParadeWolf ParadeWolf Parade is an indie rock band formed in 2003 from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The band is currently on an indefinite hiatus as of May 31, 2011.-History:...
. - Ali Liebert (1999) of the CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television show Harper's Island and ABC's Kyle XYKyle XYKyle XY is an American television series with a science fiction premise and mystery-drama style. The central character is a teenage boy who awakens naked in a forest outside Seattle, Washington, with no more knowledge or abilities than a newborn. He is taken in by a family and given the name Kyle...
. - Anna Mae Routledge of the CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television show Harper's Island and commercials for Rogers Communications. - Joey Yeates (2004) of the CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television show kitchen staff Harper's Island.