Chilliwack Central is considered to be the original school within the Chilliwack School District with the first school house opening in 1871. The school location was first moved to the Chilliwack River in 1874, then new buildings were erected in 1907 and 1911 where the Southgate Shopping Centre now exists. In 1929, the present Central School was erected on Young Street North with eighteen rooms. The first Principal of Central was Harold Manuel. (1929-1950)[2]
In 2007, Principal Clyde Dougans was named one of Canada's Outstanding Principals.[3]
Administration
Principals
Years
Principal
1929 – 1950
Mr. Harold Manuel
1950 - 1966
Mr. Carl Wilson
1966 - 1973
Mr. Peter Neumann
1973 - 1975
Mr. Don Few
1975 - 1980
Mr. Bob Hagkull
1980 - 1986
Mr. Bob Beckett
1986 - 1991
Mr. Lew Chater
1992 - 1996
Mr. Don Langford
1996 - 2007
Mr. Clyde Dougans
2007 - 2010
Mr. Scott Wallace
2011-2012
Mrs. Nadine Clattenburg
2012 - 2014
Mr. Jim Edgcombe
2014- 2022
Mrs. Leslie Waddington
2022- Current
Mrs. Donna Arnold
Vice Principals
Years
Vice Principal
1929 – 1932
Miss Mary Thompson
1932 – 1937
Mr. Murdo Maclachlan
1937 – 1945
No VP
1945 - 1950
Mr. Wally Ferguson
1950 – 1965
No VP
1965 – 1968
Mr. Bob Beckett
1968 – 1970
Mr. Terry Bodman
1970 – 1973
Mr. Len Braun
1973 – 1978
Mr. Bill Smith
1978 – 1979
Mr. Kieth Gardiner
1980 – 1983
Mr. Dave Henn
1983 – 1984
Mr. Jim Todd
1984 - 1989
No VP
1989 – 1993
Mrs. Margo Valer
1993 – 1998
Mr. Darchan Chand
1999 - 2001
Mr. Wade Gemmel
2001 - 2002
Mrs. Patti Lawn
2002 - 2007
Mr. Scott Wallace
2007 - 2009
Mr. David Wellingham
2010 – 2011
Mrs. Colleen Larsen
2011 - 2012
Mr. Jim Edgcombe
2012 - 2015
Mr. Noel Sharman
2015 - 2017
Mr. Shawn McLeod
2017 - 2019
Ms. Jaimee Charlie
2019 - 2020
Ms. Kim Parker
2020 - 2022
Mrs. Donna Arnold
2022 - 2024
Mrs. Tsandlia Van Ry
2024 - Present
Mrs. Monica Padgham
Bob Beckett, Scott Wallace, Jim Edgcombe and Donna Arnold are the only admin to serve as both VP and Principal. Noel Sharman is the only former student of Central who has served as an administrator. Nadine Clattenburg was the first female to serve as Principal in 2011-12.
Programs
Gateway For Families/Community School Coordinator
Central has a full-time Gateway For Families/Community School Coordinator. Work includes overseeing the day-to-day operations of programs and activities governed by the CCECSS. The coordinator recruits, promotes, and provides year around site supervision for contracted programs/user groups. Her focus is on developing a working relationship with public and private agencies to recruit and coordinate services that empower the Central community children and their families. Additionally, the Coordinator oversees all aspects of 2nd Day and Gateway for Families. The position is governed by the CCECSS, the coordinator works in consultation with the principal. The responsibilities of the coordinator are determined by the Society in consultation with the principal (or designate) and in accordance with the Joint Use Agreement between School District 33 and the City of Chilliwack.
The coordinator's major responsibilities include:
Program Development /Delivery/Facility Management
Staff and Volunteer Management
Community Liaison/Partnerships/Public Relations/Grantsmanship
Policy Development
Fundraising/Special Events Coordination
Budget Developing/Monitoring/Payroll
Second Day Development/Delivery/Management
Gateway for Families
Central has been identified as a community hub called "Gateway for Families" which hosts Community Partner programming that respectfully engages inner core community members from all age, ethnic, and socio-economic realms in opportunities that promote health and independence in their lives. These supports are delivered mainly during the school day through the collaboration of community agencies that provide services to children and their families within the Chilliwack Downtown Community.
Ministry of Children and Family Development continues to support the concept of neighborhood hubs by funding a family resource room & office space for the use of MCFD workers & community partners.
Licensed infant/toddler daycare and preschool available for parents attending ongoing programs. Central Gateway Preschool also available to general public 3 mornings and 5 afternoons a week.
Families First offers a support group to parents or caregivers of children ages 0–12 with the challenges of parenting.
Family Literacy provides UFV upgrading, virtues parenting program, goal setting and life skills support & learning opportunities.
Families In Motion view families as a learning unit, and provide support and learning opportunities for all family members.
Next Step provides intensive services to children with autism offered by Fraser Valley Child Development Centre.
Chilliwack Learning Community Society provides outreach workers to tutor one on one to improve adult literacy skills.
Sto:lo Nation and Aboriginal Child & Youth Mental Health provide culturally appropriate support services to children and their families.
Success by 6 works with parents and communities so children 0-6 can be healthy, safe, secure, socially engaged, responsible and successful learners.
References
^"For School Data, Source: BC Schools BookArchived July 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine." Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Education January 16, 2006.
