Friday, May 8, 2026
Good Evening Cole Harbour District High School Families,
It’s hard to believe that we have already completed our first full week of May, which means we are now only six weeks away from the start of final exams. As the countdown to the end of the school year continues, students and staff remain focused and engaged in both academics and extracurricular activities. The energy around the school this week reflected the busy and exciting pace that often comes with the spring season.
Our athletics teams continued to represent the school with pride this week. Both the boys’ and girls’ rugby teams competed in hard-fought and competitive games, showing determination, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout their matches. It has been great to see our student-athletes continuing to grow and improve as their seasons progress, while also balancing their academic responsibilities.
Students also had valuable opportunities to explore post-secondary pathways through two educational field trips this week. Groups visited Dalhousie University and University of King’s College, where they learned more about the wide variety of academic programs, campus life, and future opportunities available at each institution. These experiences gave students helpful insight as they begin considering plans for life after high school.
To cap off another successful week, the girls’ flag football team competed in a tournament today at the Cole Harbour Place Turf. The team played with great effort throughout the day and finished the tournament on a high note by winning their final game. Congratulations to all of our athletes, students, and staff for another productive and memorable week at our school.
Plant Sale Fundraiser Message from Kayla Lambert-MacDonald
Today was our first student-run plant sale fundraiser, and our students absolutely blew us away. Big shout out to Sarah Maclean for all of her hard work leading this project.
Our original goal was $250 for the Learning Centre. We reached that goal within the first hour and finished the day raising $426.10. We officially sold out before 3pm.
Thank you to everyone who came out to support our youth, our Learning Centre, and the work our students are doing in the community. Your support means more than you know.
A huge thank you also goes to our incredible student volunteers. From planting and caring for seedlings, to planning the fundraiser and running the entire event, these students put in weeks of hard work to make today possible. We are so proud of everything they accomplished today.
Our next sale will be May 28th 1230-4pm. Our flowers and flower baskets will be ready for this sale.
Save the date!
June 6th 11am-2pm is Robert Kemp Turner's plant sale done by CHDHS in support of raising funds to go towards School Supplies for their 2026/2027 school year.
Thank you again.
Prom Fundraiser Message from Mr. Zinck
CHDHS Families, I'm pleased that our 50/50 online rafflebox is live. Here are the details:
Please help us support Cole Harbour's Graduating class of 2026 with their Prom.
CHDHS prides itself on a free and accessible prom for all students and this year we need your help with one final push to meet that goal.
Our online 50/50 is selling tickets at 3 for $10, 10 for $20, and 100 for $100. The link is here and thank you for helping us make memories that last a lifetime for our students: https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/chdhsprom2026
All ticket sales end on May 21st and the draw is May 22nd. Go Cavs!
David Zinck
Once again, thanks for letting CHDHS staff be part of your student's educational journey. I hope everyone has a great weekend.
Mr. Reddick
Friday, May 1, 2026
Good Evening Cole Harbour District High School Families,
We have officially entered the second last month of our school year. With approximately seven weeks left before we start final exams it is important that students stay focused and make sure that assignments are completed on time.
Lacrosse & Rugby
The lacrosse season is quickly coming to an end with the team having just one more exhibition game left. The team has been improving during the season and gaining confidence in their ability to play at a high level. Last week they played Cobequid Educational Centre High School in an entertaining game. Our Cavs demonstrated how far they have come as a team by defeating CEC 12 - 3. Great Job Cavs!
In Rugby our girls’ team continued their winning ways by defeating Woodlawn High School in another entertaining game. This was the team’s second win of the year as they continue to improve and demonstrate a high level of dedication. Keep up the good play Cavs!
Parent Teacher Conferences
This week we held our semester two Parent Teacher conferences which provides parents and guardians an opportunity to meet with teachers and discuss student progress. If you were not able to attend but would like to discuss your student’s progress please contact your student’s teachers to arrange a time for a conversation.
Prom Message for Grade 12 Families
Dear Students and Families,
We’re excited that our kick off to our Gift Card Raffle in support of this year’s Cole Harbour High Prom has started but still needs your help.
To help make prom a memorable and affordable experience for all students, we’re asking each student and their family to support this fundraiser by selling raffle tickets to friends, family, and community members. Every ticket sold goes directly toward creating a special and inclusive event for our graduating class.
Ticket Details:
- See below attachments Tickets.pdf
- Draw Date: May 15 tickets in by May 12th
- Amazing gift card prizes to be won! Ticket Picture.pdf
Selling even a small number of tickets makes a big difference. Your support helps reduce overall costs and allows us to create a truly magical evening for our students.
Thank you for being part of making prom special!
If you have any questions or need additional tickets, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Warm regards,
Cole Harbour High Prom Committee
Italy 2027
Hello families,
We wanted to share that there is an upcoming enrollment meeting for the Italy Spring 2027 tour at Cole Harbour District HS being organized in partnership with EF Educational Tours.
There are currently only 20 spots left on this trip, so if your child is interested, this is an important meeting to attend.
At the meeting, families will learn more about:
· how this trip will benefit students
· what students will see, do, and experience
· how EF Tours prioritizes student safety
· how to secure a spot on the trip
Meeting details
Date: Wednesday, May 6th, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: Cole Harbour High School - Library
Please note that RSVP is required.
Families can RSVP here: https://rsvp.eftours.ca/ebffwtj
If you are unable to attend, please still use the link and select "No, but send info" so you can receive the trip information.
We hope to see you there.
Peter Milne
Biology/ Science Teacher
Cole Harbour District High School
Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable weekend.
Mr. Reddick
Friday, April 24, 2026
Good Evening Cole Harbour District High School Families,
Hard to believe that this was our last full week of April. That means we have about 8 weeks left before we start exams. Time is flying by and the weather is getting a little warmer so before we know it summer will be here.
Report Cards
Report cards were sent out yesterday so if you did not receive your student’s report card please contact the main office. Parent Teacher conferences will take place Tuesday, April 28 in the evening from 6pm - 8pm and Wednesday, April 29 in the afternoon from 1pm - 3pm.
If you are not able to attend please contact your student’s teachers to arrange a time for a conversation.
IB
Congratulations to our graduating IB Diploma students as they have completed their classes for the program. They will start their exams next week.
Rugby
Both our Cavs girls and boys rugby teams won their games this week. Playing at the Cole Harbour turf our girls defeated Sackville High 26-22 in an exciting game with the girls making a big stop on the last play of the game to secure the win. Our boys played Halifax West High at the Burnside turf in another exciting game. With the teams tied at 22-22 in the second half our Cavs scored 4 straight tries and converted each one to pull ahead and eventually won 50-29. Both our girls and guys played hard and demonstrated a high level of sportsmanship. Great Job Cavs!
Student Council
Last night our student council held their last dance of the year. All those that attended enjoyed themselves and the great music. All dances hosted this year were free to our students and that is because we have an exceptional student council who decorate the cafetorium and DJ their own dances. These events have done a lot to increase the positive spirit of our CHDHS school community. A Big Thank You and Great Job Cavs!
Indigenous Student Leadership Group
Six students from Cole Harbour District High School spent the day at Albro Lake working alongside HRM Parks and Recreation, the Naturalization Coordinator, other volunteers, and Helping Nature Heal Inc.
This initiative focuses on improving local water quality, adding shade for beach users, enhancing the freshwater ecosystem, and helping prevent erosion along the lake. Over the course of the day, approximately 1,300 plants were planted. Students played an active role in laying mulch and wood chips, watering the new plants to support root establishment, and clearing broken trees and branches. They also assisted in building a natural barrier to help prevent further erosion.
Their efforts directly contribute to creating a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable lake environment for future generations.
These students continue to demonstrate strong commitment through their involvement in multiple lake-based projects. Upcoming work includes the creation of pollinator cards for HRM, as well as wood-burned signage featuring Mi’kmaw language. Students are also developing QR codes that will allow visitors to hear and learn the pronunciation of the Mi’kmaw words displayed.
We are proud of the leadership and dedication these students are showing in protecting our local waterways and strengthening community connections.
Big Shout Out to Kayla Lambert-MacDonald for supporting the group and providing this message about their activity this week. Awesome Job Cavs!
Hockey Sweaters
Vintage used CHDHS Cavs Hockey Team jerseys are now available for just $30!These classic jerseys are a perfect way to celebrate Cavs Hockey history with pride while supporting our school community, but act fast because quantities are limited. If you're interested in purchasing one, please contact the main office and be sure to leave your contact information when you call so we can get back to you promptly.
It is a pleasure to be part of the CHDHS community and I want to thank you for letting us be part of your student’s educational journey.
Have a wonderful week.
Mr. Reddick
Friday, March 13, 2026
Good Evening Cole Harbour District High School Families,
Hard to believe that we are in the middle of March and that after Spring Break there will be approximately 14 weeks left in the school year. As we head into the final stretch of the year, it is exciting to think about all the things that students have accomplished and what is still left to be accomplished. The weeks ahead will be filled with many more learning opportunities for students to build on the progress they have already made. With that in mind and the warmer weather approaching, it is an important time for everyone to stay focused, keep working hard, and make the most of the remainder of the 2025 - 2026 school year.
Weekly Summary
We had a busy and eventful week at CHDHS. Last Friday night our improv team placed a very close second in the Nova Scotia Regional Improv Games. Grats to the cavprov team and best wishes to our 5 graduating players.
We hosted an end of the year basketball tournament for our Boys Junior Varsity and Girls Varsity teams last weekend. It was very well received by all teams and players.
On Tuesday, former Halifax Poet Laureate and university professor El Jones spoke to our students as part of our African Heritage Month celebrations. She performed several poems including one about Africville and the 3 founding African Nova Scotian historical migrations. Students were blown away by El’s poise and memorization. She also encouraged students to find their own voice and advocate for themselves in the future.
Also, on Tuesday we had a hockey meeting for those that are interested in high school hockey. We are excited and happy to say that we will be moving forward with Cavalier Hockey for the 2025 - 2026 school year. If you are interested and were not able to attend the meeting and have not filled out our previous surveys please contact us to let know that you are interested.
On Wednesday, we had our grade 10 and 11 course registration assemblies. Our student services team met with all students present and assisted with course registrations. It is our hope that all returning students will have their courses selected by the end of March. Contact us if you have any questions.
Thursday night we had a departure meeting for our Greece trip students who leave on April 3rd.
We capped our week off with an amazing pep rally organized by our student council where the rugby teams competed against the teachers in a variety of games including a tug of war that was so fierce the rope broke! A good time was had by all last period before the break. Our provincial championship volleyball girls team was surprised with a permanent banner for the gym. Thanks again to the student council.
Grade 12
Reminder to graduating students that they can still purchase grad gown sets if they have not already done so. The cost is $10 and they can pay online using SchoolCash or at the main office.
Grade 10 & 11 Students Course Selection 2026.pdf
The PowerSchool portal for course selection will remain open for students and parents/guardians until Monday March 23. Students MUST select courses through the portal before this date if they have not already done so.
Grade 10 Students Interested in IBCP
We wanted to let you know that the IB Career-related Programme course options have now been updated in PowerSchool scheduler.
If you are interested in the IB Career-related Business & Project Management pathway, please select:
- Personal and Professional Skills 11
- Business Technology 11 - (This is the IB CRS class for Business)
- IB Business Management (as your IB course)
- One additional IB certificate course that best aligns with your future goals
If you are interested in the IB Career-related Marine Systems & Sustainability pathway, please select:
- Personal and Professional Skills 11
- Industry 11 - (This is the IB CRS class for Marine)
- IB Environmental Systems and Societies (as your IB course)
- One additional IB course that best aligns with your career goals
Beyond these courses, the rest of your schedule must still meet Nova Scotia graduation requirements. If you are unsure whether your schedule includes all of the required courses for your Grade 11 year, please see Ms. Barry for support.
Wishing everyone a great and restful break.
Mr. Reddick & Mr. Zinck
Course Registration
DETAILS FOR GRADE 10 AND 11 COURSE REGISTRATION 2026-27
Hello CHDHS Parents and Guardians, it's time for grade 10 and 11 students to pick courses for next year. Registration is now open and live on the Parent and Student Portal and can be completed anytime before March 13th. Our plan is to meet with all Grade 10 and 11 students on Wednesday, March 11th in the morning and help them complete their course registration if they haven’t already done it at home with you after you read this email.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS AT HOME TO REGISTER FOR NEXT YEARS COURSES
Students and guardians can access the course selection through the Student or Parent portal in Powerschool and register for next year’s courses.
Once logged in, go to the Course Registration section. An array of course groups will be displayed.
The courses with the Red ! (exclamation point) require a selection to be made. Students must choose the English and Math Courses that fit their graduation requirements and post graduation plans. Please consider your plans for University, Community College, the workforce or other opportunities.
The courses with the Green Checkmark are the optional courses, students must choose electives and a minimum of 4 alternates from the optional courses. Students will see a variety of offerings and if there is enough interest, we will offer those courses next year.
Students going into grade 11 must select at least 7 credit hours of courses and 6 courses for those going into grade 12. Once it is completed, please select the submit button. This information will allow us to build our schedule and plan for courses for next year.
A common missed piece of information is the next page button on the elective and sciences menu offerings if you don't see the course you are looking for (Physics in Science is in the page 2 button for example)
Forget your powerschool login or have questions? Please email us
We look forward to working with your CHDHS students next year!
Mr. Zinck
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Cole Harbour District High School Hockey Interest
Good Evening CHDHS,
We are excited to say that our initial survey indicated that there is lots of interest in bringing back high school hockey to CHDHS. We are moving forward with the next step in the process. Thus, on Wednesday, March 11 we will host a meeting in our Library at 6:00pm for everyone who is interested. Before the meeting we would like all those interested to fill out our second survey regarding positions and grade levels for the upcoming 2026 - 2027 school year. Below is the link.
https://forms.gle/zsB2n7P9n1yovuR5A
If you are interested but are unable to come to the meeting please email me directly. rreddick@hrce.ca
Mr. Reddick
Friday, February 27, 2026
Good Evening Cole Harbour District High School Families,
On Monday morning, February 23rd we hosted Dr. Henry Bishop and Ms. Cindy Cain in our first of two African Heritage Month assemblies. Students had a chance to try African drumming with Dr. Bishop and try Stepping with Ms. Cindy, a dance and body percussion movement style that was fun and challenging. We are very proud of all of the students with how they treated our guests with respect and did their best trying out new art forms.
On Thursday, Health Canada visited our school with their Know More Opioids Program to teach students about the risks of opioid misuse, how to recognize the signs of an overdose, and ways to stay safe. The presentation helped students understand the importance of making informed choices and seeking help if they or someone they know is struggling with opioid use.
Thanks to our Students Council we had another successful dance this past Thursday, February 26th. Students from all grades came together to dance under the black lights, showing off their neon face paints and bright colors. This free event showcased our student council's energy and organizational ability. Glowsticks were handed out and a good time was had by all.
Our Cole Harbour District High School Cavsprov Team is very excited to host the Canadian Improv Games Regional Tournament this upcoming Tuesday, March 3rd and Thursday March 5th in our Cafetorium. The Cole Harbour High Constellations, our own improv team competes on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. to try and win a spot on the national stage in Ottawa in April. Tickets 5$/10$ at the door and both nights promise lots of laughs. All ages are welcome.
Reminder to graduating students that grad gown sets are $10 and you can pay at the main office or using the SchoolCash online system.
This Monday, March 2nd at Lunch in our media room. We are having a meeting for Grade 12 students who are interested in helping us with our onsite graduation celebration on June 4th. More information to follow.
On March 7th , SchoolPlus is hosting a Tare Fair in partnership with the Cole Harbour Community Fridge. A Tare Fair is a free bulk food event, where community members are invited to bring containers to fill with all sorts of ingredients such as baking supplies, rice and dried goods, cleaning products, and more. They will also have fresh veggies, dairy products, and pantry items to give away, along with recipe ideas to try with your ingredients. Everyone is welcome and there will be limited containers available on site as well. Join them from 11:00 AM -1:00 PM in the cafetorium at Cole Harbour District High School. Tare Fair March 7.pdf
Have a wonderful weekend.
Mr. Reddick
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Cole Harbour District High School Hockey Interest
Good Evening CHDHS,
We are excited to announce that we are exploring the possibility of a CHDHS hockey team for the 2026-2027 school year! This initiative not only provides an exciting athletic opportunity, but it will also have a positive impact on our school spirit and sense of community. A hockey team will create a new platform for students to come together, foster school pride, and build lasting friendships across grade levels. The energy and enthusiasm that come with team sports can help unite our student body, creating more opportunities for school events, fan support, and collaboration. To gauge interest, we are conducting a survey—please use the following link to let us know if you'd like to be part of this exciting venture!
https://forms.gle/UK1QimjXk83JHJG86
Mr. Reddick
Friday, February 20, 2026
Good Evening Cole Harbour District High School Families,
It is hard to believe that we are about a month away from the start of spring. However, with that being said it looks like winter is not quite done with us yet as we may see another snowfall on Monday evening. I like the snow but am hoping we do not get much of it on Monday.
This was a busy week with our IB presentation on Tuesday night, Curriculum Night yesterday evening, and an Improv event tonight in our cafetorium. These events plus some field trips have made for an active week for our students and staff. A big thank you to all those involved as such activities have a positive impact on our school community.
Next week, we will be celebrating African Heritage Month with an exciting event on Monday. The assembly will offer students the chance to explore the rich cultural traditions of Africa through hands-on activities, including African drumming and dance. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn about the history, music, and rhythm that play such a vital role in African cultures, while also fostering a greater appreciation for diversity and artistic expression.
Our Indigenous Youth Leadership group has started a Little Bear program with RKT Elementary. This week they visited RKT and provided the little ones with an opportunity to snowshoe. The group is also starting a gardening project and will be working closely with other student groups to make our school community a more inviting place.
Students from our Youth Health Centre along with our Indigenous Youth Leaders, in co-operation with our Skills Trades Program, will be building benches for each garden space they develop. These benches are meant to create a welcoming area that supports mental wellness — a place to sit, enjoy the garden, connect with others, and provide a comfortable space for our Elders to gather. This is a large project, and we hope it will have a meaningful and lasting impact on our school community. A big thank you to all the students involved.
A reminder that on Thursday, February 26, Health Canada will be visiting our school as part of their awareness program about the dangers of opioid use. Please see the attached parent/guardian letter which has a link included in it to their program website. Know More Opioids Parent Letter.pdf
Finally, a reminder that graduating students can still pay for gowns, caps, and tassels using SchoolCash Online or at the main office. The cost is $10 for the set.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Mr. Reddick
Friday, February 13, 2026
Good Evening Cole Harbour District High School Families,
Tuesday, February 17, we will be hosting our IB Diploma and Career-Related Programs information session from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in our cafetorium.
Thursday, February 19, we will have our second semester Curriculum Night from 6:00pm to 7:15pm. We will be following our Monday schedule and periods will be 10 minutes with 5 minutes between each session to allow for transitions.
I want to give a big shout out to our varsity boys basketball team who were defeated by JL Ilsley today in a heart breaker of a game. Both teams played hard and the excitement they created on the court was very entertaining to watch and enjoyed by all in attendance. This was our first season in 10 years competing in Division 1 and the guys did an excellent job all season representing our Cavalier School Community. I look forward to seeing our graduating students playing at the next level as well as watching our returning players competing in Division 1 next year. Big thank you to coaches Jace, Jarvis, Riley, and Landon for supporting our student-athletes. Great Job Cavs!
On February 26, Health Canada will be visiting our school as part of their awareness program about the dangers of opioid use. Please see the attached parent/guardian letter which has a link included in it to their program website. Know More Opioids Parent Letter.pdf
Have a great long weekend.
Mr. Reddick
Friday, February 6, 2026
Good Evening Cole Harbour District High School Families,
Semester two officially began yesterday, Thursday, which means we are entering the last semester of the school year and there is about 6 weeks before spring starts. Hopefully, between now and the start of spring we will not have to deal with any more severe weather events. It was a relatively quiet week as we finished exams and prepared report cards.
First Semester report cards will be going out early this upcoming week. Thus, please let us know if you do not receive report cards by Friday, February 13.
A reminder that next week as part of our Emergency Measures Planning we will be practicing a lockdown drill. A message regarding the drill was sent out earlier this week.
This week we had our Senior Night for graduating members of our girls and boys basketball teams. A big shout out and thank you to Glenntia Roberts, Mayah Giddings, Amman Mian, Hope Babin, Sophia Rushton, Chelsea Redman, Landen Cain, Dougie Ley, Evan Davis, Cian Fennessey, and Isiah Collins for representing our school community. We appreciate everything that they have done to contribute to the overall spirit of our school. Great Job Cavs!
Both the boys and girls have important playoff games on Monday. The boys will be travelling to Lockview and the girls to Bedford. I want to wish them all the best in their upcoming games.
Next week on Wednesday evening in our cafetorium we will be hosting another information session on our IB Diploma and Career-Related Programs for the community.
Have a great weekend and for those who follow football enjoy the Super Bowl.
Mr. Reddick
Monday, February 2, 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 February 9 - 13. 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