LÁU,WELNEW Tribal School

LÁU,WELNEW Tribal School is located on the Saanich Peninsula near the small community of Brentwood Bay, fifteen kilometres north of Victoria, British Columbia. Nestled in a forest setting on TSARTLIP Reserve, the school serves the Saanich People on four reserves and surrounding communities:

First opened in 1989, LÁU,WELNEW Tribal School is supported by the four bands. 185 students, Nursery (Preschool) to Grade 9 are bused to school each day and for special events.

The school's name is derived from the name of the Saanich People's sacred mountain, LÁU,WELNEW. It is a spiritual place where the Saanich people found refuge after the great flood. Today it is a place that offers respite and wisdom. The school is a haven, a place for SaanIch children to know their history and find a clear vision of their future.

Guarding the school entrance is a totem depicting the Saanich People’s history and a large protective thunderbird which guards the school’s entrance. School buildings include Little Raven Nursery School, gymnasium, Cultural Building, High School, Language Development Centre, Heritage Society building and Administration building which also houses adult education, a day care and infants’ and toddlers’ nursery.

The walls of the school and gymnasium are proudly decorated with Saanich Art. The beautiful grounds include three well equipped playgrounds, a garden, lacrosse box, a soccer field/baseball diamond and a professional track. The school facilities are widely used by the community for out-of-school activities.

A large multipurpose room is the focal point of the main building. This great room contains fridges, stoves, washer and dryer and is used as a classroom and for large group activities and assemblies. Other specialized areas include a fully equipped computer lab, library, a learning support room and medical room.

LÁU,WELNEW Tribal School promotes the values of the Saanich People by offering a quality education guided by B.C. Ministry of Education IRP’s and locally developed SENCOTEN language and Culture curriculum.