Awards and Celebrations

Congratulations to all of our Award Recipients for 2023-2224!

We hope you were able to attend our Awards Evening this last Wednesday, May 29. 

The staff at John G Diefenbaker are so proud of our many outstanding scholars and excellent citizens!

Kudos also go out to all of our Grade 12 Honour Roll students. 52% of the Grade 12 population received Honour Roll status! Grade 12 Honour Roll certificates were distributed during TA Wednesday May 29.

Library Learning Commons

All library books are now due. Please return your books to the Library Learning Commons.

Grad Weekly Update 

Graduation Week is upon us! A reminder that once Grads have received their Grad supplies they are responsible for them, so don't lose tassels, vee stoles, caps - tape the storage bags shut. Please don't personalize/bedazzle caps or gowns until after the ceremony. If your student was absent on Wed. May 29 when classes were called to sign for and receive their package of Grad regalia, your student will need to pick it up after the rehearsal on Thursday June 6.

Next week, Wednesday June 5 is Grad Festival Day. Fun activities and treats are planned with food trucks, students dressing as their “future selves,” and some light-hearted awards from TA. These will take place throughout the day; all students are still expected to attend their classes.

Grad Rehearsal 

On Thursday afternoon in Periods 3 and 4, all graduates will attend a mandatory ceremony rehearsal. This takes place in our Dief gym, so no travel needed. Students are still expected to attend their morning classes, then report to their class after lunch where they will be called down to the practice session. Do NOT bring your grad gown, or regalia from home for this activity. This is a student only activity, so parents will not be in attendance. Students will hear lots of information to share with parents when they get home.

Graduation Day - Friday June 7

The day begins with the Formal Ceremony at Centre Street Campus, 3900 2nd St NE. Grads arrive before 8:15.  Doors to the auditorium will open for guests with tickets at 8:15. Ceremony begins promptly at 9:00. 

The Formal Reception and Dance begins at 2:30 at WinSport 88 Canada Olympic Rd. SW. Put on your fancy clothing and dancing shoes!  The dance is hosted by Westrax DJs. Tickets are required for entrance. 

Yearbook Distribution

We are excited to announce that the 2023/24 yearbooks have arrived! Grade 12 Students can pick up their yearbooks on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, before school, after school, or during lunch NOT during class time. Grade 10 and 11 Students will be able to collect their yearbooks on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the same times.

There are a very limited number of yearbooks still available for purchase. If you or your student have not yet purchased one, orders can be made at Jostens JGD Yearbook.

Night of the Chiefs Annual Athletic Awards Banquet

Diefenbaker’s Annual Athletic Awards Banquet, Night of the Chiefs, will be hosted on the evening of Wednesday, June 5, 2024. All attendees will need a ticket. Athletes, who have played for a Diefenbaker sports team this year, will need to insure they have paid for their ticket on PowerSchool. Tickets will be distributed the last week of May. Any other students, parents, or guests who want to attend can purchase a ticket by contacting the Diefenbaker business office. Tickets are $48 and include dinner and the awards evening.

Artist Spotlight

Sonia A is a Grade 12, full IB student and drummer at Diefenbaker, who spends most of her time playing music and dancing the night away.  She is someone who has put her all into making Diefenbaker a better place.  In the Arts, Sonia has played for almost 10 years in school concert bands as a percussionist. In 2023, she helped start Diefenbaker’s first ever Percussion Ensemble. 

Having only joined Jazz 2 in her senior year, Sonia has been able to adapt to each situation and succeed with a limited amount of time. She aided in leading her Jazz Band to receiving a high grade at the Alberta International Band Festival (AIBF) in Edmonton and multiple successful concert performances. Sonia was recently invited to play with the AIBF Calgary Honour Band, which is a band composed of some of the top high school musicians in the city. Additionally, she has also completed over a decade of dance, learning and teaching in numerous styles ranging from ballet to hip-hop. 

Sonia uses the art she creates as a medium to express her emotions and show the world who she is. Through the audience, the lights, and the stage she puts herself and her art on display for everyone to see.  Sonia aspires to create a positive impact and bring joy to others - this is what drives her art.  While balancing being on Student Council, a full IB workload, taking part in a majority of Diefenbaker's music programs, and choreographing the school drama production, Sonia has managed to accomplish amazing feats and excel in the Arts.  She has won numerous dance scholarships and has been invited to perform on big stages in places such as Disneyland, California.  Sonia’s commitment to the Arts and her craft is unmatched. Regardless of other factors in her life, she has managed to always bring her best attitude, energy, and efforts. 

When Sonia is playing music or dancing, she’s able to forget about the other stresses in her life and embrace the beauty of the art she creates.  he uses her emotions to propel her work forward and create the best image of herself for the world to see. At University, Sonia plans to continue to pursue the Fine Arts as a member of her university's bands and choirs, and continue to inspire others through her passion for teaching dance. She finds purpose in being able to help not only the youth, but everyone, to achieve success and become better - not only as artists, but as people. Sonia is a role model to many and the epitome of what makes her an amazing artist. She inspires everyone around her to make a positive difference and show the world who they are.

Summer Fair

School Events

Summer Activities NOT appropriate for school 

Around this time of year students forget that school is neither the time nor place for games and activities associated with summer and outside of school.  While the activities are fun and appear to be harmless, many activities such as water fights, beach clothing, rough housing and stunting in cars are not appropriate for school at any time.  Any student engaging in these activities will be asked to stop immediately, may have their items confiscated for parental pick up and could be subject to discipline up to and including suspension or expulsion.  Please don’t risk a great year for something that can wait until you are at home or summer holidays begin.

Calgary Community Resources for Mental Health Counselling and Supports 

Dial "911" for immediate help if you or others are in danger or at risk 

Dial 403-266-1234 for non-emergency Calgary Police or EMS concerns 
Kids Help Phone

Text, phone, live chat or find resources: kidshelpphone.ca or 1-800-668-6868 

ConnecTeen

ConnecTeen.com or 403-264-8336 (call) or 587-333-2724 (text) 

Access Mental Health for Adolescents

Free, short term mental health supports and resources or 403-943-1500 

Distress Centre

Visit the Distress Centre for 24 hour crisis support, free crisis counselling, peer support, community resources or 403-266-4357 (HELP) 

Indigenous Mental Health Program - Sheldon Chumir Health Centre

Culturally appropriate mental health care and support for Indigenous clients or 403-955-6645 

Eastside Family Centre

Phone, e-therapy and walk in counselling available at Woods Homes or 403-299-9699 

Mental Health support through Alberta Health Services

Helplines, services and counselling supports Visit their website or 1-877-303-2642 

Calgary Counselling Centre

Affordable and subsidized counselling supports from the Calgary Counselling Centreor 833-827-4229 

The Alex Health Centre

Physical, emotional and sexual health care available for vulnerable Calgarians. Mature minors are supported. Visit the Alex Centre's website.

The Summit: Marian & Jim Sinneave Centre for Youth Resilience

Physical, emotional and sexual health care available for vulnerable Calgarians. Designed for children and youth. Emailthesummit@ahs.ca or 587-534-7200

Exam Schedule

Explore more information about our exam schedule.