Good Evening Cole Harbour District High School Families,
This was another busy week at CHDHS as fall sports and school clubs continue to provide many of our students with opportunities to get involved in extracurricular activities. It is great to see so many students taking advantage of the activities and experiences available to them outside the classroom. These opportunities help build school spirit, encourage teamwork, and strengthen our school community.
Congratulations to our Cavs Boys Baseball Team, who captured the Regional Division 2 Championship last weekend! The team has now earned the right to compete in the School Sport Nova Scotia Provincial Championships next weekend. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishment and wish them the best of luck as they take on the province’s top teams. We are also excited to welcome back Cavs hockey, as our team will play its first game in eight years on October 13 in Bedford against West Bedford High School. If you are a fan of high school hockey, please visit our school website to view the team’s schedule and come out to support the Cavs!
Our school lunch program continues to grow, with more and more students taking advantage of the great food available each day. We would like to thank our cafeteria staff for their continued hard work and dedication in providing meals for our students throughout the week. This was especially appreciated on Thursday, when an electrical issue left the oven and stove out of service. Despite the challenge, our cafeteria staff ensured that meals were still available for students. Their flexibility and commitment to our school community are greatly appreciated.
Finally, a reminder to all Grade 12 students to complete their graduation gown forms if they have not already done so. Graduates can once again purchase their graduation gown set, which includes a cap and tassel, online through our SchoolCash system. The cost is $10, and students will be able to keep their gown set.
Message from our Indigenous Support Worker Kayla Lambert-MacDonald
On Sunday, the Skyview Eagles had the honour of sharing their traditional drumming and singing alongside Arlea Walsh, who opened the Halifax Lancers Musical Ride with a prayer in recognition of the healing of Indigenous Peoples, Mi'kmaq History Month, and a call to action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Following the opening prayer, our Skyview Eagles shared their songs as the horses danced alongside them. It was a beautiful experience and a meaningful opportunity for our youth to share their culture with the community.
We are incredibly grateful for our continued collaboration with the Halifax Lancers, a local organization that is truly putting action behind reconciliation.
Seeing our students welcomed into these spaces, with their culture and traditions respected and celebrated, is something we are very proud of.
A huge wela’lin to the Halifax Lancers and everyone who helped make this day possible!
A big thank you to Kayla and the students involved in the group for all that great work they are doing. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
Mr. Reddick
Friday, October 2, 2026
Hello Cole Harbour Families,
We had a very successful week at Cole Harbour High School. Our National Day for Truth and Reconciliation assembly took place on Thursday morning and all students and staff learned from the student leaders who presented from our community. It was great having indigenous and allied students from Sir Robert Borden and Cole Harbour High present to our student body. We are very proud of our indigenous students and were honored by their bravery and courage in sharing their culture and experiences with all of us. Welalin! Those students also represented the Cole Harbour community at the Dalhousie Powwow on Tuesday sharing their drumming and singing skills in the event.
Important dates to remember in October
- October is Mi'kmaq History Month
- October is Canadian Library Month
- Thursday, Oct. 1: Treaty Day
- Mon., Oct. 12: Thanksgiving - No classes PP-12
- Fri., Oct. 23: NSTU Conference Day - No classes PP-12
- October 19-23: School Bus Safety Week
- Thursday, October 29th CHDHS School Dance FREE
October 1 is Treaty Day
Treaty Day is an opportunity to learn, reflect and deepen our understanding of the historic and ongoing relationships between Mi’kmaq and non-Mi’kmaq people in Nova Scotia.
Treaties are not simply part of our past. They are living agreements that continue to shape our shared responsibilities today. In schools, Treaty Day provides an important opportunity to help students understand Mi’kmaq history, culture, rights and perspectives, while exploring what it means to live together in a spirit of respect, partnership and reciprocity.
By continuing to learn about the Treaties and our responsibilities within them, we help build stronger relationships and contribute to the ongoing work of reconciliation.
October is Mi'kmaq History Month
Each October, Mi'kmaq History Month provides an opportunity to deepen our understanding of Mi'kmaq culture, history, language and traditions, while recognizing the important contributions of Mi'kmaq people past and present.
Across our schools, students and staff may mark the month through learning, storytelling, art, community connections and cultural experiences that bring Mi'kmaq perspectives into the classroom and school community.
As we learn together, Mi'kmaq History Month reminds us of the importance of listening, building relationships and continuing our shared commitment to truth and reconciliation.
Learn more about Mi'kmaq History Month here.
Fire Prevention Week: October 4-10
Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency is inviting families to take part in Fire Prevention Week, October 4–10. Visit halifax.ca/fpw to complete an online fire safety quiz. Want to win a Nintendo Switch, Apple products or LEGO sets? Participants who score 100% will be entered into a draw for a prize in their age category.
This year’s theme, “Safe Charging is a Superpower,” focuses on the safe use and charging of rechargeable devices powered by lithium-ion batteries. These batteries power many everyday devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, e-bikes and power tools. If damaged or charged improperly, they can overheat and cause fires.
Visit halifax.ca/fpw for contest details, videos and fire safety resources, and take a few minutes to test your smoke alarms and review your home fire escape plan.
October 19-23 is School Bus Safety Week
Every school day, thousands of HRCE students rely on the bus to get to and from school safely.
School Bus Safety Week is a chance to highlight the simple habits that help keep everyone safe — from waiting well back from the road, to following the driver’s instructions, to staying alert around stopped school buses.
With more than 33,000 HRCE students travelling on more than 400 buses each day, safety depends on all of us: students, families, drivers, schools and motorists.
This week is a good opportunity to review a few everyday reminders and help reinforce safe routines on the bus, at the stop and on the road.
Bus Stop Safety
- Be on time for the bus and please don’t run to/from the bus.
- Stand back off the road and don't push or shove when waiting at a stop.
- Always cross in front of the bus. Walk three metres (10 feet) in front of the bus to a point where you can see the driver and wait for the driver's signal to cross. Proceed to the centre of the road, STOP, LOOK & LISTEN and cross the road when it is safe.
- Never crawl under a school bus or cross the road behind the bus.
- Know the danger zones around the bus.
School Bus Safety
- Please respect and listen to the driver and avoid distracting them.
- Please keep noise levels to a minimum.
- Do not stand or move seats while the bus is in motion.
- Never put your hands, arms, feet or head out of the bus window.
- Ask the driver for permission before you open the bus windows.
- Do not throw anything inside the bus or out of the windows.
- Keep the aisle clear at all times when the bus is in motion.
Remember: In Nova Scotia, it's illegal to pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.
You can find out more information about riding the school bus in HRCE here.
October is Canadian Library Month
October is a chance to celebrate the important role libraries play in our schools — and the Library Support Specialists who bring those spaces to life.
Every day, our school libraries help students discover new interests, build literacy skills, find reliable information and, sometimes, simply find a welcoming place to spend some time. Our Library Support Specialists are an important part of making that happen.
Canadian Library Workers Day is recognized on the third Friday of October, followed by Canadian School Library Day on the fourth Monday. These are great opportunities to recognize the people who help make our libraries engaging, inclusive and supportive spaces for students.
Please join us in thanking our Library Support Specialists for all they do to support students, staff and school communities.
Consider adding a personal note about your LSS and the difference they make in your school.
Do you know how to raise a concern?
Did you know that there’s a protocol in place to help families contact schools or the HRCE office when you have concerns about your student’s education or well-being?
- All concerns should first be shared with your child’s teacher.
- If your concern is not resolved, you should then contact the principal.
- If your concern remains unresolved, you can reach out to HRCE’s Family Navigators who can provide information about a wide range of supports and resources.
- If your matter continues to be unresolved, you can then initiate a formal review process in which the matter will be investigated by the appropriate HRCE Directors.
- The final step is for your concern to be passed on to the Regional Executive Director.
Click here to learn more.
Power Outage Information for Families
As we move into the winter months, we want to share how decisions are made when a school experiences a power outage.
Our priority is always to keep schools open safely when possible. A power outage does not automatically mean classes are cancelled – even if it happens during the school day. The decision depends on when power is expected to be restored.
Here’s what happens
When a school loses power, HRCE's Operations Team contacts Nova Scotia Power to gather available details on the cause and an estimated restoration time.
Once we have this information, we consider:
- Before school starts: Have buses begun their routes? If so, we wait until students arrive before making a decision. If classes are cancelled, elementary families will be contacted before dismissal.
- During the school day: How close is dismissal? What is the temperature in the building? Does the school rely on power for water or septic systems? These factors, among others, help us decide whether to stay open or close. Often, power returns faster than we could safely send students home.
If classes are cancelled:
- HRCE will notify families by email and text.
- Families of elementary students will also receive a phone call before dismissal.
- Deciding to close schools during a power outage is never simple, but safety is always our top priority. We understand that cancellations can be inconvenient, and our goal is to keep students learning in class whenever possible.
More information about school cancellations for any reason can be found here.
Have a great weekend.
Mr. Zinck
Friday Message, September 25th, 2026
Hello Cavalier Families,
We are very proud of our students and Student Council for a great end to our week. We had a very successful Terry Fox Run/Walk event that saw all classes participate in a meaningful in-class activity and then walk the track on the Cole Harbour Commons on a beautiful day. Donations were collected and Freezies were sold (sponsored by EZ Freezie vending) as a fundraising activity for Cancer research. The student council set a fundraising goal of $500 and we are proud to see they met that goal this week. Thanks to all Cavaliers and staff for a great day.
Curriculum night was this week as well and many families with their students came to meet teachers and review curriculum. We had a win for Boys Soccer, and some very competitive results for our Girl’s soccer program. Our Cross Country athletes competed on Thursday at Point Pleasant as well. We wish our Girl’s baseball team good luck in their 3 games this weekend as well as good luck to our Boy's baseball players. We look forward to the start of Girl's volleyball season next week. Go Cavs!
School Advisory Council
Our first School Advisory Council meeting is Monday, September 28th from 6-8 p.m. in the conference room in our main office.
Grade 12 Immunization Catch Up Program, Tuesday, September 29th 9:15 a.m.
Public Health will be in to present to our grade 12 students on Tuesday morning. After a short presentation, Public Health will provide a sign-up form for students who wish to identify to Public Health that they would like their immunization records reviewed and a one-on-one session set up to review which vaccines they are eligible for. Youth who missed some of their childhood and school vaccinations can “catch-up” for free until they turn 19. The actual immunizations will happen at a later date.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On September 30th, we honor the children who never returned home from residential schools, as well as survivors, families, and communities who continue to live with their lasting impacts.
Orange Shirt Day is an indigenous-led movement that reminds us that Every Child Matters and encourages all of us to learn, reflect, and support truth and reconciliation.
As there are no classes on Wednesday, September 30th, we invite students and staff to wear orange on Tuesday, September 29th if they are able to do so.
At Cole Harbour High, our school wide assembly for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will happen on Thursday, October 1st at 9:15 in the morning
CHDHS Musical
It’s happening! Due to the generous offering of staff interest and talents, this year we are making it possible for students to be involved in a musical theatre program and performance. Interested students who would like to be involved onstage or backstage or as a musician should come to a meeting Tuesday at lunch in Mr. Christensen’s room, room 103. Should there be enough commitment from our students, we should all have something to come see on our stage in the coming months. More info TBA.
Have a safe and enjoyable weekend.
Mr. Zinck & Mr. Reddick
Friday, September 18, 2026
Hello Cole Harbour Families,
We would like to thank our students and staff for a great full week of school!
A few important upcoming dates:
Tuesday, September 22nd is Picture Day
Thursday, September 24th Terry Fox Walk and Thursday evening from 6:00pm - 7:00pm we will host our Curriculum Night. You will be following your student's Monday schedule. There will be 4 ten minute periods with a few minutes in between each period to allow for movement from one class to another.
Friday, September 25th No School for students, PD Day
Wednesday, September 30th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, No School
We have our upcoming Terry Fox walk on Thursday, September 24th last period for all teachers who are interested in including their classes. Students will participate in an in class "Who are you walking for?" activity and a presentation will be made over the announcements about who Terry was and his legacy. Then classes, (weather providing, our rain date is Monday, September 28th) will walk to the track behind CHDHS and do a loop and watch students race for the prize of this year's Terry Fox Shirt. Twoonies for Terry will be collected and freezies will be sold with all profits going to the Terry Fox Foundation.
Have a great weekend,
Mr. Zinck & Mr. Reddick
Friday Message, September 11th, 2026
Hello Cole Harbour Families, we would like to thank all students and staff for a great week. Our grade 10’s seem to be enjoying the high school environment and our returning grade 11’s and 12’s have settled back into the school routine well. We had a very successful fire drill this week. There will be 5 more this year and we hope they all go as smoothly as this one did.
Several of our sports teams are up and running and we would look forward to a great season on the pitch, court, and field for our soccer, volleyball and baseball programs. We are currently looking for a coach for boys volleyball. Please contact the school if you are interested. This Friday, September 11th, marks the first time we’ve had hockey tryouts in a long time and we look forward to community support for a great season on the ice. Thanks to all volunteers and coaches this year.
As well, we would like to thank our new Cafeteria staff, Chris and Maryann for a very successful role out of the NSLunch program. The meals were well appreciated by our students. The next deadline to sign up for the lunch program is September 18th. All lunches must be ordered through the online ordering system. To get started, visit www.NSLunch.ca and click “Order Now.” Returning users can sign in using their existing account.
Cole Harbour High has been chosen this year as one of 4 High Schools in the region to receive the “Grade 12 Catch up Program” (formally known as the UPHN – Urban Public Health Network). This program will involve a presentation to all Grade 12 students and an opportunity for them to update their immunization records and receive up to date immunizations at a later date. It will be the second period on Sept 29th in the morning.
Club Day
Tuesday afternoons are club day at Cole Harbour High School. Students interested in organizing a club or activity at school should speak to Mr. Zinck to secure a space for their club. This Tuesday our Gaming club meets for the first time to play board games and Table Top role playing games from 2-3:30 p.m.. All students are welcome. Hip Hop Dance club will start shortly as well in the upcoming weeks.
All students interested in participating in our Theatre Improv club and team should come to the first session this Wednesday, September 16th from 2-3:30 p.m in the music room.
Lockdown Drill Reminder
A reminder that next week as part of our Emergency Measures Planning we will be practicing a lockdown drill. An email was sent to all community members earlier this week with details. Please take the time to speak with your student about this procedure and reinforce its importance. We practice these drills to ensure our school remains a safe place for teaching and learning.
School Supplies
Students should have paper, pens, pencils and a binder for their classes. Individual teachers will communicate any additional materials that students may require. Please let us know if this is an issue for your student and we will reach out to support them.
Helpful Links
School Transportation links and contact information
Homework Hub -Free online tutoring for Math and Science
Daily Announcements and other information
September Dates
Curriculum night, Sept 24th 6 p.m.
Professional Learning Day, no school for students Sept 25th
Orange Shirt Day, September 29th
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation No School, Sept 30th
School Assembly for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, October 1st
Have a safe and wonderful weekend.
Mr. Reddick & Mr. Zinck
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The safety and security of our students and staff is a top priority for Cole Harbour District High School and the Halifax Regional Centre for Education. We have been implementing a number of measures as part of a comprehensive plan aimed at ensuring our school remains a safe place for our students to learn.
One of the procedures our school will be practicing is a lockdown drill the week of September 14 - 18. During a lockdown drill, classroom doors are secured and the students remain inside the room until instructed by the teacher to resume their activities. All exterior doors are locked and no one is permitted to enter or leave the building.
Students are kept inside the school and classrooms when circumstances make it safer to stay in the classroom rather than evacuate. Just as we prepare our students to properly respond to a fire drill, they also need to be aware of the proper response during a lockdown drill. These drills should be treated with the same level of importance as fire drills.
Please be assured that staff at our school will spend time discussing the importance of this procedure with students prior to running a drill. We will also take time after the drill to remind them that it was only a practice and there was no danger. When possible, our School Liaison Officer may assist us in conducting the lockdown drills just as the Fire Department assists with evacuation drills.
Please take the time to speak with your son/daughter about this procedure and reinforce its importance. We practice these drills to ensure our school remains a safe place for teaching and learning.
Please contact me if you have any questions about lockdown drills.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Regards,
Mr. Reddick
Friday Message, September 4th 2027
Hello Cole Harbour Families,
It’s been a great two days meeting our new students and greeting our returning students. We are very impressed with how our grade level assemblies went today for all students. The student expectation matrix was reviewed with all students at the assemblies. The emphasis is on student safety and success.
The community can view the powerpoint shared with students here: 2027 Cole Harbour District High School Grade level Assembly Presentation
Next week it is important to note for the students that we are starting on a Tuesday which means they will follow their Tuesday schedule. Many of us will bring our Monday brains that morning. It is a Tuesday start next week!
Students who need to access their gnspes google accounts can talk to their classroom teachers. Students and parents who need access to Powerschool should contact the main office by email or phone.
School lunches are targeted to start next Tuesday September 8th. Students and families should have logged into www.NSLunch.ca to create an account and place an order before Sept 2nd. Please be patient with us while we start this new program that means a great deal to student food security and learning.
All Cole Harbour Sports information can be found here at our new sports webpage:
https://sites.google.com/view/cavsathletics/home All of the tryouts for our fall sports have been posted.
School picture day is September 22nd.
For those interested in some Cavs gear provide by PMG SpiritWear use the attached link. Cole Harbour District High School
Welcome back everyone and we are looking forward to a great year,
Mr. Zinck and Mr. Reddick
Mr. Reddick and Mr. Zinck
Principal and Vice Principal