Orientation Resource Page
Welcome to Abbotsford!! Here are some resources that will help you make the best of your time here.
Things to do in Schools
Abbotsford schools and the community offer many different activities throughout the year.
In your Schools...
Sport Teams: Keep your eyes and ears open for notices and announcements about upcoming sport opportunities. Some teams will have signups and tryouts in the first week. Ask your ISL or at the main office at the school if you are not sure.
First semester: Boys soccer / American Football / volleyball / basketball / wrestling / cross country running
Second semester: Girls soccer / rugby / track and field
There are competitive teams as well as "just for fun" lunchtime (intramural) teams. Grab some friends, choose a great team name and sign up. There are opportunities to play volleyball, basketball, indoor soccer, dodgeball, badminton, sometimes European Handball...
There are also community teams and sports available. Keep in mind that you will be responsible for getting to and from games and practices, so consider where and when the team practices and plays...
More info on community sports here Sports | International
Theme Days / Celebrations
All through the year there are MANY activities and events in our schools!
- Theme days. Often they involve dressing up: Twin day, Sports Jersey Day, WhiteLies Day, Pajama Day, Ugly Christmas Sweater, grade colours...
- Celebrations: There are big celebrations at Valentines Day, Halloween, Christmas... Cultural Celebrations of Vaisakhi, Lunar New Year...
- And we can't forget PEP RALLIES! These high energy events bring the school together while providing competition between the different grades. Music, games, awards... Part performance, part competition, part celebration, and lots of fun.
- Towards the end of the year schools have year end festivals. Bateman Bash, Mouat Mudder, Canada Day in May, Storm the Wall... Students compete in obstacle courses and carnival games on the sports fields while enjoying bbq, sweet treats, and summer music.
- The final celebrations are the Grad festivities. These are available for Grade 12 students only. The year starts with a Grad cruise (sign up early or you'll miss the boat!), followed by Grad movie nights and events, of course the prom dinner and dance, and finally the actual graduation ceremony (for officially graduating students only!).
Clubs
Usually in the second week of school there will be a Clubs Day. Al the different clubs in your school will have a table and club members who can explain what they do, when they meet, and why you should join.
Why should you join? Because it is a great way to meet people! Even if you may not be super interested in the club activity, it is another way to get connected with local and other international students.
Volunteering
All schools have volunteer groups who give their time to help around the school, or in the community. If you are looking for good people doing good things, this is where you will find them!
School Trips
Each year there are opportunities to travel with your school. Sport teams and music classes often compete and perform in other cities. Our Outdoor Education Classes (more info here Outdoor Education | International) provide opportunities to explore the great outdoors around Abbotsford, and farther afield. If you really want to go farther and see more, check out the tour options for highschool students provided by DC Tours DC Tours Travel Options
Things to do in the community
Abbotsford is not a large city, but we have many of the same things that you can find in a big city, and some things you can't!
There are several Instagram Sites that will keep you up to date with what is happening in the community, follow them so you don't miss out on events and activities
https://www.instagram.com/abbotsford_international/
Looking for shops, escape rooms, virtual reality game centres, movie theatre...? Click here
Click here for nearby Outdoor Activities
Need some really good food? Restaurants | International
Do you want to work out, join a Yoga class, swim or try ice skating? Community Sport info can be found here Sports | International
I think I'm getting sick!
That's not good! There are a number of things to consider if you are not feeling well.
If it is an EMERGENCY, then of course go to the 24 hour emergency room at the Abbotsford Regional Hospital.
Click here for information on the Emergency Room