Dear Families

Below is the update for the week of May 20, 2025.

School Council

I want to personally thank all those who came out to support the School Council and Parent Association casino which was held on May 11 and 12.   The time you gave will pay dividends for students at Higgins for the next couple of years.  From the bottom of my heart I thank you.  

Grade 7 Zoo Trip

Last week, on May 12 and 13 the grade 7s went to the zoo.  Thank you to Ms. Frederick and the grade 7 team for organizing.   They had a great time even though the Monday trip had to put up with some crazy spring weather.   School Council, once again you made this trip possible.   You have gone out of your way to ensure that our students do not miss out on learning opportunities outside of school.  Thank you for paying for the entry fee, as well as the buses. 

Badminton

Congratulations to our grade 7,8 and 9 Badminton teams who competed last week at the Sunridge Badminton Centre.  You did us proud.  Thanks to the teachers who gave their time to support teachers.  The amount of extra time teachers put in to support kids is noticed and appreciated.  

Important Upcoming Dates from now until the end of the school year

Tuesday, May 20:

  • Law Day.  A group of grade 9 students will be heading downtown as the guests of Norton Rose Fulbright, a law firm that has generously supported our school for close to 30 years.   Students will spend time with lawyers and a judge, and get a birds eye view on our justice system.  For those students who are thinking about a career in law, this is a fantastic experience.  

May 21 - June 5

  • Track and Field Practices:  TBA

Wednesday, May 21:

  • Drama Field Trip to James Fowler High School.  James Fowler, one of the High Schools Higgins students feed to has invited grade 8 and 9 students to watch their spring production.   These trips are very welcome, and gives students an informal chance to see the High School they may be attending in the future. 

Thursday, May 22, 26 and 28:

  • The Grade 7s and 8s will be participating in a cyber bullying presentation put on by the Calgary Police Service.  As students seem to spend much of their free time in the digital world, this presentation is essential for their safety and mental health.  

Thursday, May 29: 

  • Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Test:  English Language Arts Part A

Monday, June 2 - Thursday June 11

  • Grade 8 Field Trip to Weaselhead Flats Environmental Area
    June 2:  8-1 and 8-2
    June 4:  8-3 and 8-4
    June 9:  8-5 and 8-6
    June 11:  8-7 and 8-8

Thursday, June 5: 

  • Spring Concert: Starting Time TBA

Monday, June 9:

  • Track and Field Meet at Foothills Athletic Park.  This event will go ahead unless weather conditions make it unsafe.  If weather impacts the day, sadly it will not be rescheduled. 

Tuesday, June 10:

  • School Council beginning at 6:30p;m in the Learning Commons

Friday, June 13:

  • Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Test:  Mathematics Part A

Monday, June 16:

  • Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Test:  English Language Arts Part B

Tuesday, June 17: 

  • Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Test:  Mathematics Part B

Wednesday, June 18:

  • Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Test:  Social Studies

Thursday, June 19: 

  • Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Test:  Science

Tuesday, June 24:  

  • Grade 9 Farewell in the afternoon

Wednesday, June 25

  • Report Cards Viewable in MyCBE for Parents

Thursday, June 26:

  • Last Day of School - Dismissal at Noon

Friday, June 27

  • Appeals Day (8am-Noon)

Celebrating the Northeast

It's been busy at Higigns, and we have two stories to share with you. 

Marjok Okado

This week at Dr. Gordon Higgins School, we had the pleasure of Marjok Okado (Carleton University—men’s Basketball team) joining us. As a proud former Higgins Student, he also gave the final culminating speech at our Basketball Court Grand opening last year.

Marjok spoke about his journey moving to Calgary at the age of three and finding his passion for Basketball. Marjok talked to the students about how Higgins was a catalyst in his Basketball and personal journey, especially with the great friendships he developed in his three years at the school. For High School, he would attend Father Lacombe High School, St. Louis Christian Academy, and Edge Prep School. The students loved hearing his St. Louis Christian Academy stories of playing against future NBA players Jalen Green and Daishen Nix. The students were impressed that the hard work he put into his basketball skills inside the Higgins gym would be displayed against some of the best talent in the world!

At the end of his high school career, he chose Carleton University as his new basketball home after receiving numerous university offers to play basketball in the NCAA (USA) and CIS (Canada). The Carleton Ravens – Men’s Basketball Program is regarded as the premier basketball program in all of Canada, having won 17 National Championships, with our very own Marjok being part of two Championship teams. As an individual with the Ravens, he has succeeded by being awarded to the OUA All-Rookie Team (2022-2023) and winning the Ravens Most Valuable Player trophy (2024).

Outside of all his successes in Basketball, he mentioned to the students the value of education by using his favourite class, Business 4117, as an example. For his final class project, he worked with the “Buckets and Borders” Organization on a project to create a basketball court in Haida Gwaii, BC, improve youth engagement, and address other social issues. Marjok and his classmates travelled to Haida Gwaii in April to unveil the new court while putting on a 3-on-3 Basketball tournament for the community members. He told the students that he was only granted the opportunity for such a memorable life experience through his commitment to education and learning.

During his visit, Marjok announced he would be hosting his first annual basketball camp exclusively for our Higgins students at the end of June. With such a deep connection to the Rundle community and Dr. Gordon Higgins School, this will be a memorable event for everyone. More details will be provided in the coming weeks!

Student Feedback

“If there is anyone I look up to, it's MJ! He grew up in the same community, same school, and with the same teachers as me. I have all the resources I need to become a successful person like him one day. I realized Higgins is a key building block in my life, as it was for him at the start of his journey when he started to pursue his dreams.”

“I love how he works so hard balancing being one of the best basketball players in the country and staying on top of his grades. He’s not just a NE inspiration but a national inspiration after hearing his life story.”

“He inspired me by telling us not to let the past bother us, but to think about our future. If you work hard, you will reach your goals and be successful.”

“At his core, he’s a hardworking guy who always puts in work for what he wants, and that’s really inspiring for me.”

Moose Haymour

This week at Dr. Gordon Higgins School, we enjoyed Moose Haymour (Family Hoops Basketball & Stavros Pizza) joining us. As a proud former Higgins Student (Class of 2017), Moose was featured on CBC News for the opening of our new basketball court this past summer.

Moose spoke to the students about always wanting to attend Dr. Gordon Higgins School as a child because his Cousin Moustafa was a student-athlete in our building. Moose mentioned the two most important positive role models in his life are his Cousin Moustafa and his Dad; he made a point to the students to identify someone in their life that they can use as inspiration on life’s journey, as he did with his Cousin and father. Moose mentioned how fortunate he was to meet incredible friends from multicultural backgrounds at his time at Higgins and how each other’s different cultural backgrounds helped shape his worldviews beyond basketball and the classroom.

After graduating from Lester B. Pearson High School, he had the opportunity to continue his basketball career at the college level. Still, with the COVID-19 global pandemic and the uncertainty, he put his energy into other endeavours. One of those opportunities came forward with his former High School Coach, Dean Haidar, establishing their basketball program, Family Hoops. Coaching was a natural progression for him, with the game of basketball giving him so much in life; he felt it was only right to give back to the next generation of basketball players.  

With the continued success of Family Hoops, he would embark on a new journey at West Island College (Calgary) and take on the role of Head Coach for their Sr. Boy’s Varsity Basketball Program. At West Island College, his team would reach the apex of basketball by winning the 2024 Sr. Varsity Boys – Tier 1 League Championship in his first year as coach. Moose mentioned to the class that his success in life is a by-product of the strong work ethic and focus he learned at Dr. Gordon Higgins School. Currently, Moose is part of the Calgary Surge coaching staff for this season.

In a very thoughtful gesture, Moose treated the 50 students in attendance for the Speakers Series to a Pizza Lunch provided by his family restaurant, Stavros Pizza. Moose wanted the students to connect with each other and him over food before his talk with the entire class because he values creating a family atmosphere in basketball and life.  

Student Feedback

“He is a very resilient and genuine person, and I’m grateful to listen to him speak in front of us all. He went from a normal Higgins student to becoming an accomplished basketball coach. Wow!”

“It was so special to realize he sat as a student in the same room as me, and now he’s standing at the front of the class talking to our generation. Moose, you are an inspiration!”

“He inspired me because he spoke about how he went to the same school and grew up similarly to me. That showed me that, despite where anyone in this classroom is, we all have the same potential. He opened my eyes to being a good leader and to following my dreams!”

“He mentioned the only thing different from us and every guest speaker we have listened to his year is just the work ethic! Focus on the work and the results will follow!”

Grade 6 Transition to Grade 7

In the next couple of weeks Ms. Pfeifer our Resources Learning Leader, and Ms. Dann Assistant Principal will be meeting with our feeder schools to get specific information that will help with student learning and transition to jr. high.  These meetings are a very important part of the transition process.  

Also, coming home to you in the next couple of weeks will be a Band Preference form, as well as an Athletic Tryout form.  


Sincerely,

Colin McCracken, Principal