News Releases and Articles

2023

1 Sept - Front Page Feature: Pearson Student Wins Gold Recap

Our second-year student Nathaniel (YR49/2024, Canada-BC) was the gold-medal winner in the men’s U19 400-metre race at the recent North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) held in Halifax, Nova Scotia in July. He made the front page of the Metchosin Muse!

See the front page here.

30 Aug - Back to (climate action) school

Read the latest op-ed written by our new Head of College, Jason McBride, where he shares his thoughts on the ongoing climate crisis and how our Climate Action Leadership Diploma students will drive positive change through climate action. Read the full article here.

23 Aug - New School Year, New Leadership Feature

“I look forward to welcoming a first-year cohort of amazing young people representing dozens of countries,” said Jason McBride, who this month assumed the role of President and Head at Canada’s only United World College. “During their two-year residency on our campus, they will be with us to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary throughout 2024-25 and I’m looking forward to being part of that cohort!”

Read all about it here. 

17 July - Pearson College UWC student featured on CBC Radio

One of our students, Nathaniel Stuit will be representing the DĂ©nĂ© Nation with Team BC as part of the 2023 North American Indigenous Games. He spoke with Jason D’Souza about what the experience has been like so far. Listen here. 

3 Aug - Making an Impact Here & Across the Globe

Our 2022-2023 Impact Report is out, showcasing our influence locally and globally!

See how our current and former students make a difference by reading the latest release, which includes the link to the report here.

18 July - CBC Radio St. John's features high school student who won prestigious scholarship to attend Pearson

Incoming first-year Gabriel Moyse-Vaandering won the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship and will be attending our school next month. Read the article and hear the interview here, which features alum Alice Ferguson O’Brien.

21 July - Pearson College UWC Student Secures Gold & Shines with Teammates at 2023 North American Indigenous Games

In a remarkable display of athletic prowess, incoming second-year student Nathaniel Stuit achieved unprecedented success at the North American Indigenous Games by securing a gold medal in the men’s U-19 400m dash final with a score of 51.89.

Read all about it in our release here.

01 July - Pearsonites Perform in Prague | Metchosin Muse

A group of our theatre students made the front page of the summer edition of the Metchosin Muse! See how their trip to Prague to participate in the Prague Quadrennial went down here.

07 July - Pearson College UWC Student to Represent BC at the North American Indigenous Games

We are thrilled to announce that one of our students has been selected to represent our province at the prestigious North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Read more.

08 June - International Students Take Centre Stage at Prague Quadrennial

Six Canadian and international students from Pearson College UWC, together with supporting adults, are performing this month at the renowned Prague Quadrennial in the capital city of the Czech Republic.

What’s going to happen during those ten days? Read the release here. 

15 May - Vancouver Island students complete ocean swim challenge | CTV Vancouver Island

Seven students from a private college on Vancouver Island have completed a six-kilometre ocean swim to raise money for those affected by recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Read all about it here.

14 May - Pearson students complete Race Rocks Challenge | CHEK TV

Recently, CHEK News showcased our 2023 Race Rocks Challenge as part of their 5 pm newscast, including an interview with the winner and our event organizer.

See the clip here.

14 May - Pearson College UWC students complete grueling Race Rocks Swim Challenge

Seven Pearson College UWC students recently completed a challenging six-kilometer swim from Race Rocks Ecological Reserve to the college’s waterfront dock. The swimmers hailed from Canada, Ireland, Costa Rica, the United States, and Turkey.

Read the press release here.

12 May - Pearson College UWC swimmer featured on CFAX1070's "Morning's With Al Ferraby"

As part of CFAX1070’s flagship morning show, host Al Ferraby spoke with Grace Goudie, one of our first-year students and a participant in the 2023 Race Rocks Challenge to talk about the swim and how she and her peers are feeling heading into the weekend.

Listen here. 

4 May - Pearson College UWC to Host Race Rocks Swim Challenge

We are proud to be hosting the Race Rocks Challenge on Sunday, May 14 — Mother’s Day — that will see up to seven students swim 6.5 km in open water from the Race Rocks Island jetty to the main College dock on Pedder Bay. 

Read the press release here. 

15 Apr - Victoria’s Ukrainian Culture Centre hosts first Ukrainian Arts and Culture Celebration

VICTORIA NEWS –

Pearson College and Victoria’s Ukrainian Cultural Centre hosted the first Celebration of Ukrainian Arts and Culture, with traditional performances by locals with close ties to Ukraine.

The event Saturday (April 15) featured dance, music and art that celebrated Ukrainian resiliency and culture. Read more. 

11 Apr - A Celebration of Ukrainian Arts & Culture

Pearson College UWC, and Victoria’s Ukrainian Cultural Centre are proud to present the first-ever “Celebration of Ukrainian Arts & Culture” on Saturday, April 15, from 1-4:30pm.

Guests and members of the media will be treated to an afternoon full of dance, music, visual arts, and storytelling to celebrate the passion and resilience of Ukrainian culture by over thirty of our international students, including first-year Ukrainian student Diana and local Vaselka dancers and Bandurists. Read more.

April - Join Us In April Feature

Our Arts Open House and Celebration of Ukrainian Arts & Culture were recently featured in the April edition of the Metchosin Mews. Read more.

9 Mar - Vancouver Island Students Hit the Slopes and the Comox Valley for Project Week

With spring break just around the corner, a select group of international students from nine countries across the globe will take to the slopes to learn the art of snowboarding, skiing and snowshoeing and the significance of the land upon which they will be learning.

Click here for more info.

1 Mar - Pearson College UWC Invites You to the Climate Action & Sustainability Symposium

Canada’s most international school and the home of the first Climate Action Leadership Diploma program for high school-aged youth welcomes you to our campus for our Climate Action & Sustainability Symposium. Click here for more info.

16 Feb - First ISABC Youth Environmental Conference to Attract 250+ Students

 The first-ever Independent Schools Association of British Columbia (ISABC) Youth Environmental Conference Friday, Feb. 24 provides Lower Mainland media with an unprecedented opportunity to hear from and speak with some of the province’s brightest young changemakers focused on the environment, climate action and sustainability. 

Students from across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island will take part, including those from Pearson College UWC’s leading-edge Climate Action Leadership Diploma program. Read more about it here. 

17 Jan - Ecoguardian Shoots Incredible Video of Elephant Seal Giving Birth on Race Rocks Island

Our Race Rocks Ecological Reserve Ecoguardian recently recorded and shared an incredible video of a Northern elephant seal recently giving birth on Great Race Rock Island.

View the release, which includes a link to the video here. 

2022

Dec - Pearson College UWC urgently seeks short-stay volunteer host families

Pearson College UWC urgently seeks more Host Family volunteers for students during the upcoming Winter Break.

Students aged 16 to 19 are from 94 countries this year, most on scholarship or financial assistance, and many are not able to go home for the December 16 to January 7 Winter Break.

Click here for more info.

29 Nov - Pearson Alumna recipient of Canada’s Volunteer Awards

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA – Each year, Canada’s Volunteer Awards present twenty regional awards and one national award. The national ThĂ©rĂšse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a dedication to volunteering for at least 20 years. The twenty regional awards are awarded to five regional recipients in each of the following four categories: Emerging Leader, Business Leader, Community Leader and Social Innovator.

Our very own Rebeccah Raphael (YR 45/2020, Canada-NS) was featured as an emerging leader! Read all about it here.

21 Nov - Victoria & Global Connections Highlight Experience of New Pearson College UWC Board Members

Two innovators with strong Victoria connections – one with a lengthy and varied educational experience both locally and internationally and another who is a Royal Roads University Associate Faculty Member and a social entrepreneur working at what he has articulated as the intersection of people, policy, pedagogy and parity – this week joined the Board of Directors of Canada’s most international school, Pearson College UWC.

Read the release here.

17 Nov - Victoria's International College Announces New Head of School On International Students' Day

On International Students’ Day, Pearson College UWC, Canada’s most global
school with students from 94 countries and territories this year, is proud to
announce the appointment of international educator Jason McBride as President
and Head of College, effective August 2023.

Read the release here.

16 Nov - Pearson College UWC alumnae named Rhodes Scholar

Pearson College UWC graduate and Yukon resident Tess Casher were recently named one of 11 Canadians to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship, Class of 2019!

Read all about it here.

10 Nov - Head of College Announcement

Pearson College UWC, Canada’s School for the World, located on the unceded territory of the Sc’ianew First Nation near Victoria, this week appointed Jason McBride as President and Head of College, effective August 2023.

Read the full media release.

07 Nov - Environmental Sustainability - Victoria Vital Signs

The most critical global threat facing humanity today is the climate crisis, and Pearson College UWC has developed an innovative program to help students, aged 16-19, build skills to successfully engage in climate leadership. With over 600 hours of instruction across two years, students learn from Indigenous Elders, external speakers, and guest lecturers in facilitated online sessions and in-person activities.

View it here.

02 Nov - R&R Campaign Victoria Kickoff

Pearson College UWC last night welcomed nearly 100 guests to an event that officially launched what will be the home stretch in a multi-year Renew and Re-found Campaign to raise $40 million to support student scholarship and modernize the learning and living environment of our campus along Pedder Bay on the traditional territory of the Sc’ianew First Nation.

Read the media release.

09 Sept - Welcome to the 2022-23 School Year!

Welcome everyone and particularly to our new Year 49s — for some of you this has been quite a challenge just to get here. It’s great to see you all – returning Years 48 and new Years 49. How inspiring to see everyone gathering outdoors together with our staff, faculty, volunteers, Houseparents and campus residents.

Read the full media release.

Sept 2022 - Mary Hill IPA Project featured in PULSE Magazine

In their latest edition of the PULSE Magazine, Victoria Foundation recently featured the partnerships between the District of Metchosin, Pearson College UWC and the Sc’ianew First Nation to protect the lands under the Mary Hill Indigenous Protected Area.

Read more on Page 4 here. 

24 Aug - Relationship-Driven Learning: Q&A with Rebecca Beauchamp

DOUGLAS MAGAZINE – Rebecca Beauchamp is Pearson College’s director of Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement, a new role developed to guide the implementation of the college’s reconciliation action plan. Beauchamp is Māori from Aotearoa, New Zealand, and moves to Pearson from the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, where she ran the childcare centre for six years.

Read more here.

21 Apr - New Program prepares Next Generation of Climate Solution Global Leaders

VICTORIA – A new partnership between three prominent island educational institutions marks Earth Day by investing in future climate action leaders to find solutions for the complex challenge of climate change. 

Two recently signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between pre-university school Pearson College UWC, Vancouver Island University (VIU) and Royal Roads University (RRU) formalized the collective work done to develop Pearson’s new Climate Action Leadership Diploma program (CALD) intended for Canadian and global students aged 16 to 19. 

Read the full Press Release.

12 Apr - Pearson College UWC Welcomes New Director, Indigenous Initiatives & Engagement

Traditional territory of the Sc’ianew First Nation/Metchosin – Victoria resident Rebecca Beauchamp brings her Māori Indigenous knowledge and experience to her new role as Pearson College UWC’s first Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement.

“I have had the honour and privilege to work alongside Indigenous communities here on Vancouver Island and in Aotearoa,” said Beauchamp who most recently was Manager and Team Lead for the XaXe STELITKEL Early Years Center at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre and previously lived and worked in New Zealand.

“Today, I live, work and raise my children on Lekwungen territory and I tread respectfully as a visitor upon these lands.” Beauchamp identifies as Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa/New Zealand, on her father’s side and English/Scottish ancestry from her mother who is second-generation, Victoria-born.

Since 1974, Pearson College UWC has annually welcomed up to 200 students from across Canada and from 160 countries around the world. The College, located along Pedder Bay in Metchosin, was the first in Canada to offer a pre-university International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and this fall, will introduce a new IB-based Climate Action Leadership Diploma program with both educational streams emphasizing a place-based approach to teaching and learning.

“We are privileged to live and learn on a magnificent campus overlooking the bay and integrated into the surrounding rainforest,” said Head of College Craig Davis. “We recognize and understand these are gifts that have been stewarded by our friends within the Sc’ianew First Nation community and by the many Coast Salish peoples who visited this area since time immemorial.”

As Director, Indigenous Initiatives, and Engagement, Beauchamp will guide implementation of the College’s Indigenous Vision and Reconciliation Action Plan with responsibility to lead and strengthen Indigenous education support and the College’s engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations. She will also help develop, support and implement Indigenous educational programming, such as language, culture, and land-based initiatives, including working with faculty to incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and seeing into their curricula.

“I believe our responsibility as educators is to support the teaching to and the learning of children and young people as well as to nurture and care for their wellbeing in a holistic way,” added Beauchamp. “At Pearson, I want to develop and support culturally responsive and culturally safe educational and community-driven programming which in turn helps support Indigenous students learning and living at the College.”

Davis added that Beauchamp’s role was identified in the College’s Indigenous Vision and Reconciliation Action Plan and complements steps including new SENĆOƩEN language names and artwork for student residence houses and the recent announcement that the College would contribute 14 hectares of Pearson-owned lands as part of a proposed Indigenous Protected Area, to preserve ecologically and culturally important lands.

Beauchamp officially assumed her new role on 1 April.

05 Apr - Second Annual Summer Outdoor Leadership Day Camps at Pearson

This summer, the campus of Pearson College UWC in Metchosin will again take on a younger vibe with Pearson Experiences Summer Outdoor Leadership Day Camps for 6 to 14-year-olds.

Located on the traditional territory of the Sc’ianew First Nation along Pedder Bay, the Pearson campus provides acres of green space, adjacent forests and safe water access and all the amenities for an awesome childhood experience this summer. Registration Opens April 6, 2022!>

Read the full media release.

24 Feb - In history-making friendship, SC’IA⁄NEW First Nation forges ahead with Standstill Agreement for proposed Indigenous Protected Area
Traditional Territory of the SC’IA⁄NEW First Nation – An unprecedented friendship has formed with the goal of creating an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) in an area known as Mary Hill. An agreement was signed today by SC’IA⁄NEW First Nation, alongside project supporters: District of Metchosin, Habitat Acquisition Trust and Pearson College UWC.

Read the full news release on the Te’mexw Treaty Association page

11 Feb - Teaching Climate Action Leadership

The climate emergency is such that we need to start educating young people from all nations earlier on how they can most effectively take action through a variety of education pathways and their subsequent professions.

Read the full news release that was submitted to The International Educator and other media outlets.

02 Feb - A local Nobel Possibility?

Pearson College UWC has been nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize! To be completely accurate, the United World College movement, of which Metchosin-based Pearson was the second school to join back in 1974, was recently nominated for the prestigious award.

Read the story submission to the Metchosin Muse and/or the media release to local media outlets.

11 Jan - Returning to Campus with Caveats

Mid January we are gradually welcoming Pearson students back to campus for the spring term after their well-earned respite during the annual Winter Break!

A gradual return allows us to set up a limited rapid test regime for returning students (and staff and faculty) on campus and ensure that all students comply with applicable federal regulations regarding testing and self-isolation for travellers, which vary depending upon their individual situations. For instance, while all Pearson students were fully vaccinated before they left in December to see family and friends, those returning from international destinations (except the U.S.) are required to isolate until they receive a negative test result upon their return.

Read the full news release.