BY DUCK PATERSON
The man they call ‘Travs’ is moving on, much to the disappointment of the majority of students at Ladysmith Secondary School. Dave Travers, school principal, has taken on a new position at Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools, as he will head the district’s career technical centre.
He isn’t leaving LSS without some regret, but “a move is not just something to do, I need to be a life-long learner,” he said. “I know how to run a school so this will be different. I am excited but I’m also nervous with mixed emotions.”
Travers came to LSS at the start of the 2018-19 school year, after being vice-principal at Gabriola Elementary and at John Barsby Secondary.
SD68’s career technical centre program gives students in their senior years of high school an opportunity to look into and partake in actual hands-on learning that can give them credits toward various trades careers.
“For every two trades folks that are retiring today, there is only one qualified trades person to take their place,” Travers said. “So the program is hugely beneficial to the students and is very strong for the economy as it can help to get young people with qualifications into the work force faster.”
Travers has worked to make Indigenous culture and studies a cornerstone of Ladysmith Secondary School, and said First Nations involvement in everyday life of the school is important. A towering five-metre eagle carving by master Coast Salish carver John Marston in the LSS foyer is the first thing visitors to LSS see, and behind that are cedar weave pieces along with symbolic First Nations longhouse poles.
“We are proud to now have a full-time elder working with students in LSS and the Land and Language program is always full, so I am pleased to have been a part of that and embracing Coast Salish culture is part of who we are,” Travers said. “The approach gives the message to all about decolonization.”
LSS has an active Students Against Racism group and the principal said current and former students have told him that racism isn’t prevalent at the school.
“Unfortunately there still is some, but we’re not where we used to be,” said Travers.
When discussing progress at LSS, he said he’s proud of the 2SLGTBQIA-plus community and the gender and sexuality alliance at the school.
“Those students put on the first GSA conference in the district, and did it well,” he said. “I really try and help all students find their voice, as that will help them learn and grow and understand.”
Travers feels that he’s been an ambassador for what students need to have the best shot at being successful.
“I believe high school is one of the most complex phases for youths. There is such diverse ways of thinking, weight on a persons mental health, just people in general,” he said. “It takes a variety of skills to make it through this period.”
Travers will leave LSS with a message to students to be kind to others.
“There needs to be a culture of kindness and caring in an atmosphere of learning,” he said. “I am proud of the students that are here, and who have gone through here; these are good people. They are good, mature and caring people.”
Taking over the helm of LSS will be current vice-principal Stephen Epp, who has been a vice-principal in the district for six years.
editor@nanaimobulletin.com
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Ladysmith Secondary School's principal moving on to SD68's career technical centre - Nanaimo News Bulletin - Nanaimo Bulletin
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