SCHOOL GROWTH PLAN
James Thomson School is honoured to be located on the unceded traditional and treaty lands of the ɬaʔamɩn (Tla’amin) people. The area known today as Wildwood is traditionally called θičəm (Thichum), meaning “on the edge of the forest.” This land has been home to the ɬaʔamɩn people since time immemorial, and their deep connection to the land, waters, and culture continues to shape our community.
Our school recognizes that education is a powerful tool for reconciliation. We are committed to learning from and with the ɬaʔamɩn Nation, and to honouring the stories, language, and knowledge systems that have existed here long before colonial settlement.
While the first formal school in Wildwood opened in 1923, we acknowledge that learning and teaching have always been integral to ɬaʔamɩn life—through oral traditions, land-based knowledge, and intergenerational teachings.
In 1986, with the guidance and support of the ɬaʔamɩn Nation, an afternoon language enrichment program was introduced for kindergarten students. This marked the beginning of a renewed commitment to Indigenous language revitalization. Today, ayajuthem language instruction is integrated into all classrooms, helping students connect with the land and culture of the territory they learn on.
In 2010, James Thomson expanded to include French Immersion, offering students the opportunity to graduate with a dual-language diploma. We celebrate linguistic diversity.
Our school community is enriched by strong parent and community involvement, including in our school garden, Farm to School feasts, and breakfast program. These initiatives reflect traditional values of sharing, sustainability, and community care.
Our school mascot is the raven, a figure of transformation and knowledge. Our motto reflects our shared journey:
You Have to Believe to Achieve!
klahsum kwath kwy yehgon ooksum kwol ee!
Vous devez croire pour atteindre!
Read the full School Growth Plan:
James Thomson Elementary School Growth Plan 2025/2026
School Year-in-Review Videos: