Daily News - Friday October 16, 2026
THE CHRONICLE
Friday October 16, 2026
It’s a great day to be a Spartan!
¬ GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
***ScreamFest: October 27-29
ScreamFest 2026 is on October 27, 28, & 29. This is the biggest Halloween party in town, where Claremont is transformed into an amazing Halloween event!
Featuring 4 haunted walks (including a family-friendly Halloween walk), new midway games, food and prizes. If you have been to ScreamFest before, you KNOW this is amazing!!!
Tickets are on sale in the Accounting office. $15 per person (includes 6 coupons per ticket). Coupons are required for games, haunted walks and concession. Extra coupons are available for purchase at the event. ScreamFest sells out every year. There are limited tickets available, so buy your ticket early!
*Note: Tickets are date-specific and are not transferrable to other nights.
NEW - ScreamFest Haunter Opportunity
If you are interested in being a ‘Haunter’ at ScreamFest, please come to a brief meeting THIS MONDAY at lunch in the theatre onstage. Mr. Plant will discuss opportunities for being a Haunter on Oct 27,28,29. Note: Haunters who can do all three days will be given priority. See Mr. Plant for more details.
NEW - Cadets
All Cadets who want to be part of the Remembrance Day presentation, please come to a meeting THIS TUESDAY at lunch in room 215.
Spartan Wear
Spartan Wear is on sale, and order forms are available at the Accounts Office. Orders and payments are due to Ms. Waller at the Accounts Office by MONDAY October 26th. Clothing will arrive at school by December.
Photo Packages Ready for Pick-up
If you ordered school photo packages, please come to the office to pick yours up.
School Photo Retakes: Oct. 20
Any students who missed having a photo taken last month can have photos taken on TUESDAY October 20 in block 3 in the choir room.
If students want RETAKES, they must bring their original student ID card (there is a QR code on the back of the card that Artona will need to scan).
All students need a photo taken for current School Identification and the yearbook. ID cards are free; buying photos packages is optional.
Student ID Cards
Student ID cards and photo proofs were handed out this past week. If you haven’t received yours yet, please pick it up in the office.
Student Bus Passes
There are still many bus passes in the office waiting to be picked up, especially for International students.
¬ ATHLETICS
NEW – Cross Country
Congratulations to the Claremont cross-country runners who competed at UVic yesterday afternoon. Your Spartans showed grit and determination in putting on a dominating performance in both the Junior and Senior races. Congratulations!
Sr Boys Basketball
The Sr Boys Basketball team are having tryouts TODAY @ 3:15pm, and TOMORROW (SATURDAY) @ 12-2pm . Everyone welcome. More information can be found on the Claremont Sr Boys Instagram @boysclaremontbasketball. For any questions, please email Mr. Cannon at pcannon@saanichschools.ca or find Mr. Dunlop in the building.
Sr Girls Basketball
The Sr Girls Basketball team tryouts continue on TUESDAY Oct 20 after school. Everyone welcome. More information can be found on the Claremont Sr Girls instagram @claremont_srgirls. For any questions, please find or email Ms. Dheensaw!
¬ CLUBS
NEW – GSA CLUB
GSA Club meets TODAY and each FRIDAY at lunch in the Textiles room (276). LGBTQ+ and allies are welcome. Bring a friend!
NEW – Math Club
Congratulations to Eda TANAS, who finished 2nd in BC for all grade 11s in the recent CLMC contest. Also, Arthur WANG and Phelan ZHANG finished in the top 10 for grade 12 and grade 10 in BC respectively. Well done!
Math Club meets TODAY at lunch in room 130. Sign-ups for the COMC and CSIMC close next week, so see Mr. Skanks if you are interested.
Homework Club
Homework Club is up and running, with learning support from Education Assistants in Room 235. This is open to all students on a drop-in basis. The schedule is posted outside of room 235.
MONDAY: After school 3:15-4:20 All subjects
TUESDAY: After school 3:15-4:20 All subjects; Math focus available.
WEDNESDAY: Before school 8:00-8:45 All subjects; Math focus available.
After school: 3:15-4:20 All subjects
THURSDAY: After school 3:15-4:20 All subjects; Math focus available.
FRIDAY: Before school 8:00-8:45 All subjects; Math focus available.
¬ FINE ARTS
NEW – Broadway Show “Beauty and the Beast”: Nov.29
If you're interested in a day-trip to Vancouver to see a Broadway production of "Beauty & the Beast", please come to a meeting THIS WEDNESDAY at lunch in the Choir Room. This day trip will take place on SUNDAY November 29. Please see Ms Giordano for more info if you can't attend the meeting.
¬ INDIGENOUS NEWS
ÍY, SȻÁĆEL HÁLE – Good Day
¬ INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
No news today.
¬ GRAD 2027
NEW - Grad Wear
Grad Wear is on sale, and order forms are available at the Accounts Office. Clothing selections include grad pinnies, shirts, hoodies, sweat pants, and lanyards. Orders and payments are due to Ms. Waller at the Accounts Office by MONDAY November 2nd. Clothing will arrive at school in December.
NEW - Grad Photos at Claremont: November 4-13
Artona will be on site at Claremont from November 4-13 to take grad photos. Please book an appointment at: Artona.com/bookings. These appointments are for students whose families anticipate buying photos or photo packages, and will include a variety of poses to choose from. For these appointments, there is a $60 deposit required.
We need a photo of every grad. If you wish to have a photo taken ONLY for the yearbook and grad ceremony, those photos can be booked later, for an appointment on February 19th. These appointments are free of charge.
¬ FUNDRAISING
Bottle Drive: Oct.17
The Claremont Robotics Teams are hosting a bottle drive TOMORROW (SATURDAY) October 17th, 9:00-12:00 noon. Please drop off empties in the Claremont bus loop. Thank you for supporting the Robotics program.
NEW – Pizza Sale
The Leadership class is having a pizza fundraiser TODAY at lunch. Money raised will go towards numerous initiatives that our crew has planned for this year (like Valentine's Day Candy Grams, Kindness Campaign, Beach Clean Up - just to name a few). Come buy a slice and help our program do great things for Claremont. Thank you for supporting the Leadership class.
Popcorn and Candy Bag Sales
Popcorn bags and candy bags will be for sale every WEDNESDAY in the Student Lounge. $2.50 for popcorn, and $1.50 for candy bags. Cash sales only. All sales will support our Learning Services programs.
¬ CAREER CENTRE
Women in Orthopaedics (WORTH) - VIRTUAL Workshop – Oct 17
UBC Department of Orthopaedics and BC Children’s Hospital are hosting a virtual workshop that will provide insights on careers in healthcare and engineering, specifically in orthopaedics. The workshop is geared toward female students in grades 10-12.
SATURDAY October 17 @ 9:00am-12:30pm
Deadline for registration: Wednesday, October 14.
For more information and to register, see Mrs. Watson in the Career Centre (Room 217), or email her: cwatson@saanichschools.ca
Gustavson School of Business Info Session: Oct.19
Come learn about UVic’s Bachelor of Commerce program on MONDAY Oct.19 @ lunch in the Career Centre (room 217). If you want to make a difference, develop a global mindset, and gain work experience in a vibrant learning culture, BCom might be the degree for you!
Police Camp Info Session: Oct.19
Police Camp is a unique youth leadership program for students in Grades 10-12 who have an interest in exploring policing and public safety. Students will spend one week experiencing classroom lectures, physical activity, group discussions, and simulations supervised by dozens of police staff. If you are interested in attending Police Camp during Spring Break 2027, YOU MUST ATTEND this information meeting on MONDAY Oct.19 at 12:00 noon in the Learning Commons. Then, come see Mr. Bussoli in the Career Centre (room 217) to apply.
University of Victoria General Info Session: Oct.20
Come learn about UVic on TUESDAY October 20 @ lunch in the Career Centre (room 217). Information like admissions, co-ops/exchange, student life, and more, will be covered. There will be time at the end of the presentation for a Q&A if you have questions.
NEW - UVic Humanities and Arts Faire: Oct.22
The UVic Humanities and Arts Faire is visiting Claremont on THURSDAY, October 22. 1:00pm - 2:30pm in the Learning Commons. Students can visit on their own - with teacher permission - for 15/20 minutes.
Eight groups have confirmed attendance:
The Medieval Studies Course Union
The Greek and Roman Studies Student Association
The English Student Association
The Media Studies Course Union
The Music Student Association
The Campus Community Garden
ÉquipeUvic (French Undergrads)
The History Undergradate Body
Play Bingo (cards will be available upon entry), and you may be the winner of a UVic t-shirt, along with some merch from the Fine Arts and Humanities faculties!
Sailor for a Day: Oct. 23
Experience what it is like to be part the Royal Canadian Navy:
Meet sailors, participate in hands-on activities, and watch live demonstrations.
FRIDAY Oct 23 (Non-instructional day) – this is a FREE event, for Canadian students only. Only 40 spots are available, so sign up soon!
For more information and to sign up, see Mrs. Watson in the Career Centre (Room 217), or email her: cwatson@saanichschools.ca
Volunteer Opportunity: Hoot ‘n Howl
Cordova Bay Elementary is looking for Volunteers for their annual Hoot n' Howl. The Halloween event is on FRIDAY October 30th from 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Volunteers will help set up, run games & contests, help out at different stations and then help take down decorations at the end of the night. Volunteers will get a letter confirming their hours, and pizza, as well. To sign up, please send a note to Cordova Bay PAC: cordovabaypac@gmail.com
¬ CLAREMONT PAC
Claremont PAC Website
Welcome to our CPAC community! Please visit our website for monthly meeting dates, other school or COPAC events. Visit the site to sign up for ad hoc communications. CPAC LINK www.claremontsecondarypac.com
CPAC Monthly Meetings:
Thank you to parents who attended our 1st CPAC meeting. Our next meeting in October will be a review of the funding requests for alignment and approvals. Parents can attend in the Learning Commons or online (7pm-8pm).
October 20th MS Teams LINK
November 17th MS Teams LINK
January 19th MS Teams LINK
CPAC Fundraiser: Country Grocer Receipts
Here is an easy way to support your PAC year-round. Save your Country Grocer receipts and bring them to the school front office. We appreciate your participation in this fundraiser, which will benefit our school community with up to $2000 in grocery gift cards.
¬ ONGOING REMINDERS
If a Student is Absent or Late
Parents are asked to please email the Attendance Line AND your student’s teacher if your student will be absent or late for class. The Link for the Claremont Attendance Line is always quick to find on the Quick Links on the Claremont website’s home page: claremont_attendance@saanichschools.ca
Student Pickup and Drop Off
For the safe flow of parent vehicle traffic in the mornings and after school, this is a reminder that the bus loop, the staff parking lot, and Strangcrest Place are NOT a drop-off or pick-up location for students, before or after school.
Morning drop offs: please use the student parking lot or drop off along the ample areas along Claremont Road or Wesley Road. If you are using the student parking lot, please pull further down the lot, as to not block up the parent cars behind you. Please do NOT drive into the staff parking lot.
After school pick ups: please use the student parking lot or pickup along the ample areas along Claremont Road or Wesley Road. Please do NOT park on Strangcrest Place across the road from Claremont. This small cul-de-sac cannot support cars parking and interfering with their driveways.
**A short fresh air walk is a wonderful way for students to start and end their school day.
Student Drivers
Reminder to all students who are parking their vehicles in the student parking lot: you are required to be registered with the school. Permission forms and parking passes ($2 each) are available with Mrs. Waller in the Accounting office; students will be required to show their drivers licence, their insurance papers, and their ICBC Driver’s Abstract.
Instagram Account
Claremont has an Instagram account: @claremontsd63 . This is great way to keep in the loop on school-wide information.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Peninsula Youth Clinic at Shoreline Medical
At this Youth Clinic, services are 100% free, confidential, and explicitly inclusive of all genders and sexualities! This clinic operates on THURSDAYS, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, for Mental and Sexual Health education (there is no physician scheduled). Appointments with a physician are offered on FRIDAYS from 10:00 am – 12:00pm. Both telehealth and in-person appointments are offered for our physicians and counselors.
Youth Clinic: 2A – 2379 Bevan Avenue, Sidney, BC
To book an appointment: Call 250-656-4143, then press 7, then press 1.
A copy of the announcements is posted on the wall outside of the main office door.