Our School Story

The purpose of R.C. Palmer Secondary School is to provide opportunities which will enable all learners to develop their individual potential and to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become educated citizens.

Palmer offers a range of learning opportunities to meet the needs and interests of the school population.  Palmer has an Incentive Program, which includes enrichment and/or acceleration of the academic curricula.  We also have a vibrant Visual and Performing Arts program, Home Economics and Fashion Design, and Advanced Placement classes.  Palmer also offers a variety of computer related courses and technology education courses.  The district’s ACE-IT Plumbing program is run through Palmer school.

Palmer also has a well-established extra-curricular and athletic program offering many opportunities for our students.  Our Global Networks club and Student Council are two of the many clubs that allow students to develop their leadership skills.  At Palmer we continue to foster social responsibility and connectedness in our students through teaching and events centered on PALMER PRIDE (Positive Attitude, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence).   

Our Focus

Palmer’s student population was once the smallest in the Richmond School District.  However, over the past three years, we have seen an increase in enrolment with significantly larger numbers of students in the Grade 8 to Grade 10 cohorts which currently is 67% of the school population (989 students) for this 2023-2024 school year. We anticipate this growth to continue for our school community as the City of Richmond is projecting continued population growth and neighbourhood densification.

Despite the rapid student growth, it’s the people who have defined and, over time, have contributed to the “Palmer PRIDE” (see  acronym explanation below) and the wonderful culture of this school.

As Palmer Griffins, we share what it means to be a part of the Palmer community through PALMER P.R.I.D.E.

P - Positive Attitude: We approach challenges believing we can succeed.

R - Respect:  We value each other, our learning, our environment and ourselves.

I - Integrity: We take responsibility for our actions

D - Diversity: We are proud of the difference in who we are, where we have come from and where we are going.

E - Excellence: We do our best to achieve our goals.

Palmer P.R.I.D.E represents our values that we want to see reflected in our students. These expectations enhance connectedness among our students, staff, and community, creating an overall climate and culture in the school that is welcoming and safe.

In recent years, our school has been focused on school connectedness, creating a positive and inclusive learning environment. As we continue our school journey, our primary objective this school year will be to particularly focus in on our school culture and values and in particular to refocus on Palmer Pride. This shift aims to further enhance the sense of belonging and connectedness among our students and staff, fostering an environment that is conducive to optimal learning and personal growth

 

Our Learning

One of our goals at Palmer Secondary is to increase student engagement, both social and academic.

We know that when students are connected to their school community, are actively engaged and take ownership of their learning, they are more likely to experience success. 

Throughout the school year, we have also embarked on a process of actively seeking feedback from students through surveys and student focus groups.

As adults, we may believe that we are doing our best for students, but their perceptions of that "best" may be very different. As such, we facilitated our school focus around, "What does it mean to belong?".

We had nearly 90% of students complete various surveys - MDI (grade 8s) and BC Student Learning Surveys (grade 10s and grade 12s) relating to student connectedness- questions like:

  • How many staff do you feel closely connected to ( 3 or more) 
  • What are some ways that staff could help you feel more connected 
  • How many peers do you feel connected with?
  • What activities do you do to help you feel connected to your school?  

As a school and as adults, we may believe that we are doing our best for students, but their  perceptions of that "best" may be very different. The students were consistent with their experiences throughout the surveys and focus groups

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As a staff, we decided to prioritize their actions. There was school wide consensus that we as a staff needed to improve. Some common themes that emerged were:

  • More opportunities for student leadership opportunities within the school
  • More opportunities for connection - ex. incoming Grade 8s 
  • Building stronger connections and re-emphasizing the importance of PRIDE

For the 2023-24 school year, we will continue our school journey, our primary objective this school year will be to particularly focus in on our school culture and values – Palmer Pride. This focus aims to further enhance the sense of belonging and connectedness among our students and staff, fostering an environment that is conducive to optimal learning and personal growth.

While we will continue to build a stronger sense of belonging and connection among students and staff, we recognize that there is room for growth and an opportunity for us a school community to revisit and refocus around Palmer Pride.

In the upcoming school year, we are placing a heightened emphasis on the development and review of our school culture and our school’s Palmer Pride. This transition involves the following key components:

Values and Expectations: We will work collaboratively to articulate and reinforce the core values and expectations that define our school culture. This will provide a clear framework for our community to follow.

Identity and Belonging: We aim to further solidify our school's identity, ensuring that every member of our community feels a strong sense of belonging and pride in being part of our school.

Inclusivity and Diversity: We will continue to embrace and celebrate the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students and staff, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued.

Communication and Feedback: Open and effective communication will be a cornerstone of our evolving culture, enabling all stakeholders to have a voice in shaping our school's ethos -Palmer Pride.

Celebrations and Recognition: Acknowledging and celebrating achievements and milestones within our school community will become integral to reinforcing our culture.

As our school continues to focus around school connectedness, we look ahead to the 2023-24 school year, our commitment to fostering school culture will be the driving force behind our continuous improvement. By refining Palmer Pride -our values, identity, and expectations, we aim to create an environment where students and staff can flourish, ensuring that everyone feels a profound sense of connection and belonging within our school community. This school journey aligns with our goal to provide an exceptional educational experience and prepare our students for a successful future.