Remember the excitement of Spring Break in high school? We admit, we’re becoming nostalgic for that feeling of breaking free from homework, teachers, and packed lunches for two weeks of relaxation in March. Spring Break has almost arrived for Vancouver public schools, but first we wanted to place Vancouver’s Eric Hamber Secondary in the spotlight.

Situated in the Oakridge area between VanDusen Gardens and Queen Elizabeth Park, Eric Hamber Secondary shows that it’s a force to be reckoned with in terms of academics, athletics, and unique elective programs. This Oak Street high school demonstrates a love for the community and taking sustainable action, a great undertaking to see from Vancouver’s young students.

Challenging Students to Think Outside the Box

A public school that truly excels in academics, Eric Hamber Secondary’s unique Challenge Program is open to all students from across BC School District 39. Directed towards students who are extremely motivated and gifted learners, the Challenge Program provides an opportunity to develop outside of the box, with an increased pace of learning and moving beyond the traditional curriculum.

Noted as the only Vancouver public high school that provides a Mandarin Bilingual program, Eric Hamber Secondary offers a strong edge for students once they enter the working world. Designed to give students valuable education to become fluent in a second language, the program provides a rich cultural experience and learning environment. This program is a continuation of the elementary school Mandarin Bilingual program, unique to Dr. Annie B Jamieson Elementary.

Bringing Hamber’s School Spirit Online

Go Griffins! Hamber has the only AA Varsity football team in the Vancouver public school system and their school spirit runs wild. With other strong teams in basketball, volleyball, soccer, and more, Hamber’s athletic director has taken to Twitter @HamberAthletics to tweet about #GriffinsNation. We love to see a school taking a social media approach and engaging with Hamberites to enact team pride.

Speaking of social media, @HamberFashion keeps the Twitter community up to speed with Hamber’s Fashion Department on Twitter. A top secondary level program, Hamber’s Fashion Program provides students a hands-on approach to Textiles and Design courses. With comprehensive training on industry-standard equipment, students have gone on to prestigious international schools and acquired jobs in the fashion industry. Hamber Fashion also hosts the VSB Fashion District Program, putting on an annual fashion show to showcase all of the amazing talent from the Vancouver school district.

Starting an Eco-Friendly Conversation

As hosts of the 2014 VSB Sustainability Conference, the local community joins the Oak Street high school to celebrate green initiatives on April 28. With attendees from all 18 Vancouver district schools, influential keynote speakers, and workshops for students, Eric Hamber Secondary will be directly involved in creating conversation around sustainability goals.

With advanced academic programs, eco-friendly initiatives, and unique elective opportunities, it is exciting for us in the Oakridge community to have a neighbouring school like Eric Hamber Secondary. For more information visit Hamber’s VSB website and be sure to follow @HamberAthletics and @HamberFashion on Twitter.