About Us
Welcome to our school! Please explore our website to learn more about the many exciting programs and helpful supports we offer.
Need more information? Contact details for the school are available at the bottom of our website.
Kensal Park began as a French Immersion school in 1985 and was renovated and enlarged in 1992. Five additional classrooms were added in 2007. The school offers classes from Kindergarten through to Grade 8 and the students follow the same Curriculum Guidelines as English language schools except that a minimum of eighty percent of their instructional time is in French. Please note that Kindergarten is fully in English, and spaces are limited. There is a lottery process to apply for a Kindergarten spot at Kensal Park, and those who are not offered a spot are placed on a wait list. Please contact the office for further information.
The only entry point when children may begin French Immersion is Grade 1.
Free transportation is provided to students who reside more than two kilometers from the school and who live within the designated boundary area, which presently includes residents west of Wharncliffe and south of the Thames River.
Facility Highlights
- A fully equipped double gym with stage
- A spacious library and resource centre with multimedia computers
- A computer lab with Internet access and extensive French and English software
All classrooms in Grades 1 to 8 are equipped with interactive whiteboards (Smartboards). The London School Age Program offers an after-school program on site.
Co-instructional Activities
Kensal offers a wide variety of co-instructional activities both during and after school, including:
- Cross country
- Intramural sports
- Track and field
- Math challenge
- Choirs
- Grade 7 & 8 bands
- Student prefects
- Library club
- Competitive sports
Noteworthy Items
Each year, we try to incorporate as many authentic learning opportunities as possible to facilitate the learning of the French language and foster an appreciation for other cultures. Some of these experiences include:
- French musical groups
- Multicultural dancers and presenters
- Trips to the theatre
- London Art Gallery
- Guest speakers who share their experiences from around the world
The following highlights ways in which Kensal recognizes student achievement:
- J'aime parler français (monthly award for spoken French)
Volunteers at the School
We believe that schools and parents are partners in educating children. Open communication is important, and we encourage parental involvement in many ways, including:
- Organizing fundraising activities
- Participating in committees such as Fun Fair and school council
- Working one-on-one with students in English and/or French
- Helping teachers prepare materials
- Sharing expertise with classes
- Supervising during lunch
- Accompanying students on class trips
- Promoting and sharing diverse cultures and languages
Measures of Student Achievement and Success
At Thames Valley, assessment and evaluation are integral parts of the learning process. Information gathered helps teachers determine students’ strengths and areas for improvement, adapt instruction, and evaluate program effectiveness.
Methods used to assess student progress include teacher observation, classroom tests, projects, and other examples of student work.