Tuesday November 25, 2025 | LANGFORD, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The Governor General’s Academic Award is a longstanding tradition in Canada to recognize outstanding academic achievement of students in Canada.
At the November 25 Sooke School District 62 (SD62) public board meeting three students were recognized for having received this award for their academic work in the 2024-2025 school year — their Grade 12 year in which they graduated in June 2025.
- Edward Milne Community School (Sooke) – Maddison Ridell
- Belmont Secondary School (Langford)- Robbi Iuvalé
- Ecole Royal Bay Secondary School (Colwood) – Matteo Snider
The awards were announced by the principal or vice-principal for each of those schools: EMCS Vice Principal Tanya Phillips (regrets from Principal Mike Bobbitt); Belmont Principal Laura Fulton; and Ecole Royal Bay Principal Melissa Horner.
Importance of academic learning:
Parents send their kids to school to get a good education, so this was a striking comment to hear at the board level as a way of justifying the interest in academics: “Academic achievement sometimes gets lost with many other things going on.”
Over the past couple of decades there has been a significant shift in the education system to the dynamics of social-emotional learning, which can often override the discipline of academics. There are also added responsibilities like child care as directed by the provincial education ministry.
In SD62 there is a strong emphasis on a range of activities in addition to academic excellence including sports and the arts which both get ample attention.
SD62 Superintendent Paul Block said that as a long-time educator and as Superintendent that the Governor General’s Academic Medal is one of his favourites as it recognizes academic achievement which aligns with the primary responsibility of schools to provide education.
Family and community support:
Superintendent Block highlighted the importance of the contributions of parents and community members who support students in their pursuit of academic excellence.
Background:
The Governor General’s Academic Medal started in 1873. It has been given for over 150 years and has become one of the most prestigious awards that a student in a Canadian educational institution can receive
The Bronze Level medal is awarded to the student graduating with the highest average from high school.
The other levels are Collegiate Bronze (college post-secondary diploma level), Silver (university undergraduate level), and Gold (graduate level).
The medals are awarded for academic marks only, regardless of the more intangible qualities of students’ life, such as good citizenship, moral behaviour or popularity.
Medals are presented on behalf of the Governor General by participating educational institutions.
Recipients also receive a personalized certificate signed by the Governor General. There is no monetary prize associated with the award.
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NEWS SECTIONS: SCHOOL DISTRICT 62 | K-12 EDUCATION