A Surrey fire department truck led the way as students, parents and teachers marched with parade banners to their new school   École Woodward Hill Elementary School at 6082 142 Street on Monday March 29.

The marchers began their celebratory parade about four blocks away on the same street at their old school École McLeod Road Elementary. McLeod Road is being renovated and will reopen in September 2010 as McLeod Road Traditional School.

Woodward Hill is the first school in Surrey built to LEED Gold Certification for environmental standards. Features include geothermal heating, rubber flooring and skylights in every classroom. A new environmental curriculum was created by teachers to help students increase their environmental awareness. A feature computer screen will soon be installed in the lobby for students to monitor the school’s environmental footprint.

A student leadership team provided tours of Woodward Hill which opened with playground equipment in place and smart boards installed in intermediate classrooms.

École Woodward Hill is a dual track French Immersion and English school which was named for the area in which it is located.  The hill on King George Highway, west of McLeod Road is Woodward’s Hill – its historical marker is located on King George Highway, north of the Colebrook Road overpass.  The name was also given in honour of the Harry Woodward family.  The original Woodward’s Hill school was open from 1924 to 1951 at Highway #10 and 146 Street, and was built on land donated to the school district by Harry Woodward.

A Surrey fire department truck led the march	Students, parents and teachers marched with parade banners to their new school

Last Updated: March 30, 2010