Another school on the land now called Surrey is on the receiving end of a new name, gifted by the Semiahmoo First Nation.
Currently known as Hall's Prairie Elementary, the Hazelmere neighbourhood school will be reopening as Xw'epiteng Elementary, pronounced woh-pee-ten. Semiahmoo First Nation Chief Harley Chappell presented the name to the district on behalf of the nation.
Approved unanimously at the Wednesday (June 12) school board meeting, Xw'epiteng Elementary will officially open in the fall for the 2024-25 school year.
Meaning "place of many rabbits," the renaming of Hall's Prairie also follows the school's outdoor land-based learning program newly introduced at the site.
"The school's proximity to the Ta’talu watershed, Semiahmoo Bay and Campbell Valley park offers opportunities for students to learn and grow in nature, with a focus on holistic development and personal, social and environmental awareness," explains the school renaming announcement on the school district's website.
Hall's Prairie stopped its operations in December 2020 but is reopening as a designated outdoor, land-based school stemming from Indigenous culture and traditions for students in kindergarten to Grade 7, with 120 students currently enrolled. Registration for next year is open.
Trustee Laurae McNally said the school has a history in collaborating with the SFN, sharing that in 2009, the school mascot became the hawk, which was decided after consultation with the Semiahmoo.
To commemorate the change, Surrey Schools will host a ceremony in the fall, with a date to be announced later.