Our History
The Swan Valley Regional Secondary School (SVRSS) is centrally located in the Swan River Valley in the town of Swan River, Manitoba serving approximately 475 students Grades 9 through 12. Our school is the only high school in the Swan Valley where students are able to pursue their high school graduation from either the Regular English Program, the Technology Program or the French Immersion Program. Over 40% of the student population identify as having Indigenous or Metis heritage.
As a community school, we are a center for learning, providing educational opportunities for high school students and the community in general. We pursue the fulfillment of our purpose in an atmosphere of cooperation among students, staff, parents, business, industry, government and other educational institutions. Over the years we have developed partnerships with; University College of the North, Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre, Prairie Mountain Health (Teen Clinic), Wuskwi Siphk First Nation, Sapotweyak Cree Nation and Frontier School Division. Having such diverse partnerships strengthens the SVRSS programming.
The SVRSS is an inclusive educational environment with many opportunities. The school offers vibrant co-curricular programs in Sport, Drama, Music, Envirothon, Skills Manitoba, Business Challenges, Yearbook, Grad Committees, and Student Council. A teen parent program offers students with children onsite nursery care and parenting supports. In addition to the core requirements in English/Francais, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education and the Arts courses, programs of studies in the vocational areas include; Applied Commerce Education, Automotive Technology, Carpentry, Culinary Arts, Electrical Trades and Technology, Family Studies, Hairstyling, Heavy Duty Equipment Technology, Industry Applied Technology, Resources and Environmental Management, Visual Communication and Welding Technology.
The SVRSS enjoys strong support from parents and the community and has a reputation for excellence and meeting the needs of all students. The Swan Valley Regional Secondary School, built in 1972, had a vision towards developing an institution where academic and technical vocational programs blend into one setting and offered programming to our broader community. In 2018, as the SVSD celebrates their 50th anniversary, and the SVRSS being in operation for over forty-five years, one must note that our SVRSS School is no longer a solitary building. We are now a “campus” with the Heavy Duty shop and the Building Trades shop which are located west of the main building at 1483 3rd Street North, in Treaty 4 Territory.
The logo at our school is a flaming torch formed from the stylized acronym of our school name. As light from the flaming torch, learning illuminates the journey of life. Throughout our school journey, we nurture the flame and pass it on with pride to future generations. To date the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School has graduated 6,589 students, many who left the valley to pursue their studies and careers and returned as professionals to make the Swan River Valley their home. The motto at the SVRSS is “Make a Difference Today for Tomorrow” and this school has most definitely accomplished that. In another 50 years, it will be interesting to see what the future of the SVRSS will hold for us.
Jacquie Mydynski-Arp
