joint-use school sep9

After years of planning and construction, a new joint-use K-8 school opened to students in Swift Current this fall.

Ecole Centennial School and All Saints Catholic School, which are on the same site near Cypress Regional Hospital, are very unique learning spaces even though they share the same space.

All Saints Principal Lenni Zanidean said her school features wider "learning street" hallways, natural lights and colours, and a special mural in the piazza which was painted by the students.

"Each student, pre-K to Grade 8, was given a small square to paint, so they all had a hand in making it," Zanidean said. "The students had a lot of fun doing it, it was a community-building project, and when the kids came in on that first day, they were wowed."

Bryan Braun, Principal at Centennial, said the challenge for them this year was to develop the culture of their school.

"We have a significant, new student body that hasn't been together, so working some of the kinks out and working together is going to be part of our process, but I think everybody's up for the challenge," he said.

A grand opening was held in October, and the school was also honoured with a visit from His Royal Highness, Prince Edward in September.