COUNSELLING

Counselling Services

Students are assigned a specific counsellor for the purpose of support and academic guidance but may choose to work with whichever counsellor they prefer. Counsellors will check each student’s records as they progress towards graduation and advise individuals accordingly.

Counselling services include the following:

Program Planning

Program planning for the fall begins in the previous spring. Counsellors will work with Grade 8-11 students at Palmer to help students plan programs that suit their needs and interests, as well as their post-secondary plans.

Educational Support

• Course planning leading to graduation, post-secondary education and employment.
• Arranging assistance for students experiencing academic difficulties.
• Connecting with other staff in the school to support students together.
• Making referrals to district education programs as needed.
• Providing general post-secondary information.

Career Planning

• Assisting students in their search for prerequisite courses and requirements for various occupations.

Personal Support

• Counselling involving personal, home, or school problems, and referrals to appropriate agencies.
• Resolution of problems arising from difficulties related to class or school routines and policies.

CAREER RESOURCE CENTRE

Career, scholarship, post-secondary and apprenticeship information is available in the Career Resource Centre. Some of the services that are provided to students and parents/guardians include access to:

• Interactive Career and Post-Secondary computer exploration programs. ie. myBlueprint and Education planner
  • Admission guides and information for post-secondary institutions from B.C. and other Canadian provinces
  • Post-Secondary entrance exam information. i.e TOEFL, SAT, PSAT, ACT, Duolingo
  • Information on Scholarship programs and applications
  • Accessing volunteer and leadership experience opportunities.
  • Future job and labour market trends
  • Student Loan information

Visit the Palmer Career Centre Information website at: https://palmer.sd38.bc.ca/student-information/career-centre-information and pay particular attention to the Calendar of Events on the homepage for further information on current post-secondary, scholarship and career information. Also take note of the New Information side tab which contains the most recent updates for students post-secondary planning. Also Ms. Mayer Career Centre: https://www.facebook.com/people/Ms-Mayer-Career-Centre/100043469723148/

The Career Information Advisor and Counsellors work closely in providing up to date information to students, teaching staff, and parents. Students may access this service through their counsellor or the Career Information Advisor.

LEARNING STRATEGIES

Learning strategies is a class that provides students the space to explore, identify, and develop individualized strategies with the purpose of increasing academic abilities, organization, self-regulation skills and independence. Students with learning strategies blocks are guided on how to become strong self-advocates and ask for support in their learning. Students require special recommendation to be registered in this course. 

Creating Opportunities for Reflection and Enrichment Level 1 (CORE)

In CORE Level 1, students prepare for success in high school by developing their self-regulation, social-emotional, communication, and self-advocacy skills. Students are also supported in their individualized goals in the areas of literacy and numeracy. Students require special recommendation to be registered in this course.

Creating Opportunities for Reflection and Enrichment Level 2 (CORE)

In CORE Level 2, students prepare for life after high school by exploring post-secondary options, self-identity, mental and physical health, and social communication skills. Students are also supported in their individualized goals in the areas of literacy and numeracy. Students require special recommendation to be registered in this course.

ACCESS PROGRAM

The ACCESS program is a learning program where students focus on the development of their independence in the high school context and are working towards an Evergreen Diploma. This is an individualized program, with goals centered around literacy, numeracy, communication, and social

RCMP SCHOOL LIAISON PROGRAM

Palmer Secondary participates in the RCMP School Liaison Program. The purpose of the program is to enhance the working relationship between the police force, school and community. The School Liaison Officer is available as a resource person for staff, students, and parents/guardians and can provide general information regarding police related matters. Contact with the RCMP Liaison Officer can be made through the main office.

FOOD SERVICES

The Palmer School cafeteria, “The Griffery”, is under the direction of Canuel Caterers. Excellent food at reasonable prices is offered to the students.

HEALTH SERVICES

A public health nurse from the Richmond Health Department provides health promotion services. The nurse acts as a resource person to counsellors, staff, parents, and students around all different health issues. To contact the school nurse, a message may be left at the front office.

LIBRARY SERVICES

The Palmer Library Learning Commons (LLC), located just off the main lounge, is the “the heart of the school.” We have a fully automated catalogue, desktop and laptop computers for students to use to access the Internet, create presentations, and word-process their documents. Classroom teachers regularly book their classes into the facility for general orientations, research projects, reading advisory, and various lessons essential to good research practice. Individual students may visit the library during class time, with a library pass from their subject teachers; students with study blocks often use the LLC for study or leisure. The facility has tables for group work, study carrels, and a comfortable reading lounge. Our growing maker space provides students with access to materials such as a 3D printer and Cricut Maker for creating projects. Laser printers (regular and colour) are available at a minimal cost.

Our holdings include a wide variety of non-fiction and fiction materials. We strive to include books by and about the diverse cultures and communities we serve at Palmer. Fiction choices include easy, light reads for the beginner, right through to challenging, adult prize winners. We have an expanding collection of graphic novels and manga. The LLC is also developing a virtual presence to support research, reading, learning and digital citizenship.

Think about becoming a library monitor, too. We run a healthy program with about 30 monitors earning service hours and valuable work experience. The Library staff is happy to help with your research or leisure reading needs: we welcome you to the Palmer Library Learning Commons – “the heart of the school.”

ATHLETICS

The athletic program at Palmer has a strong and proud tradition. We do our best to offer teams at all levels in as many different sports as possible. We believe that our athletic program does an exceptional job of teaching students about the value of sportsmanship, leadership, discipline and commitment. Possible offerings for 2026-2027 school year may include:

CLUBS

We anticipate a broad range of club opportunities for students in the 2026-2027 school-year. These activities provide students with knowledge, skills and attitudes in a variety of outside-the-classroom opportunities. Example of clubs include: