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 11 cohorts which currently is 67% of the school population (1038 students) for this 2024-2025 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 belonging and 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 belonging and 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 around We deepening our knowledge of each student to better support their unique needs and learning styles.. 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

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. 

Over the past few years, we have prioritized enhancing the sense of belonging and school connectedness among our students and staff, creating an environment that promotes optimal learning and growth. We have received feedback from students and the community in the form of surveys and focus groups. Last school year, as a part of this journey, we revisited Palmer Pride.

As we look ahead to the 2024-2025 school year, we will continue on this journey of belonging and connectedness and will take a closer look on the following critical areas that are essential to student development:

1. Promoting Mental Health: We are dedicated to implementing strategies that foster a supportive environment where mental health is a priority.
2. Analyzing Learning Data: We will specifically focus on literacy and numeracy to ensure every student has the tools and supports necessary for success.
3. Enhancing Assessment Practices: Our goal is to refine our assessment methods to better support student learning.
4. Improving Equity for All Learners: We are committed to advancing equity among all learners in our community.

Together, as a collective staff, we will work across various departments to enhance our school journey of belonging and connectedness by focusing on these key areas.

We look forward to a productive year ahead as we aim to deepen our knowledge of each student to better support their unique needs and learning styles.