Our Story
Our History: From Grief Point to Westview
Westview Elementary’s story begins with the land, the shoreline, and the neighbourhood that came before it.
For thousands of years, the area now known as Grief Point was part of the traditional territory of the Tla’amin Nation. The point is known in ʔayʔajuθəm as χakʷum (Xákwuhem), a name connected to the cow parsnip and other plants that once grew abundantly there. Sheltered from southeast winds, the area was an important camping, gathering, and gardening site for generations of Tla’amin people. (knowbc.com)
The area now known as Grief Point has a much longer history than the school itself. The name “Grief Point” appears on Admiralty charts from the 1880s, though the exact origin of the name is uncertain. Local history suggests several possibilities, including difficult weather conditions for mariners or hardship experienced by Indigenous communities in the area.
As Powell River and the Westview neighbourhood grew in the years after the Second World War, more families settled in the area and the need for a neighbourhood school increased. Grief Point School officially opened in September 1955 with 95 students. The first principal was John Philip.
For nearly sixty years, Grief Point Elementary served as a true neighbourhood school. Generations of children walked through its doors, and many families returned over time as former students became parents and grandparents of new students. The school was a gathering place for concerts, sports days, classroom celebrations, friendships, and community memories.
In 2013, students and staff moved into a new school building on Selkirk Avenue and the school became Westview Elementary. While the name and building changed, the school continued the legacy of Grief Point: a place rooted in community, belonging, care, and learning.
Today, Westview Elementary honours the history of Grief Point School while continuing to grow with the neighbourhood it serves.
The Westview Elementary Story
Westview Elementary opened in September 2013, welcoming students, staff, and families from Grief Point School into a modern learning environment designed to serve the community for generations to come. Built to accommodate a growing and evolving student population, the school was designed as a LEED-certified facility that emphasizes natural light, flexible learning spaces, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.
The name “Westview” reflects the neighbourhood that surrounds the school and the broader community it serves. While the building itself is new, the values that define the school are deeply rooted in the traditions established by Grief Point School and the generations of families who called the Westview area home.
Since opening, Westview Elementary has grown into a vibrant learning community serving approximately 360 students in Kindergarten through Grade 7. Students come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, contributing to a school culture that is welcoming, inclusive, and increasingly diverse. More than eight languages are spoken in the homes of Westview families, enriching the learning environment and strengthening our connection to the broader world.
At the heart of Westview is a commitment to belonging. Through the Westview Way—Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible—students learn that academic success and strong character go hand in hand. Athletics, leadership opportunities, outdoor learning, fine arts, and community involvement continue to play an important role in school life, helping students discover their strengths and contribute positively to their school community.
As a school located on the traditional and treaty territory of the Tla’amin Nation, Westview Elementary is committed to ongoing learning, relationship-building, and reconciliation. We recognize that education is not only about preparing students for the future, but also about understanding the history, cultures, and stories that shape the place we call home.
Today, Westview Elementary continues to build on the foundation laid by Grief Point School while creating its own story—one centred on learning, belonging, leadership, and community. Every child who walks through our doors becomes part of that story, helping shape the future of Westview for generations to come.