Captain Nichola Goddard School is a middle school in the northwest Calgary community of Panorama Hills. Our learning community is committed to providing quality learning opportunities that are responsive to the unique attributes of all students. Our dedicated team of educators, knowledgeable in teaching middle years learners, challenge students to inquire, reflect and collaborate. Learning experiences are designed to reinforce high expectations for excellence, promote intellectual engagement and deepen students’ understandings of curricular concepts. Emphasis is placed on empowering students to reach their potential by ensuring that they are afforded authentic opportunities to engage in creative expression, decision making and problem solving. All students are expected to actively participate in ongoing formative assessment practices by setting learning goals and reflecting on personal growth.
Citizenship is central to our work as a school community. Our school engages in ongoing local and global initiatives that enhance and support the lives of others. Our learning environment provides students with a broad perspective on the nature of technology, how to use and apply a variety of technological tools, and the impact of technology on self and society. A variety of before and after school experiences provides opportunities for students to become involved in all aspects of their school community. Students are encouraged to participate and lead in the areas of community service, athletics, fine and performing arts, technology, academics and environmental initiatives. Students and staff at Captain Nichola Goddard School are committed to an inclusive learning environment that embraces diversity, builds community, and encourages excellence.
Our School Name
The school was named to honour the life, service and sacrifice of Captain Nichola Kathleen Sarah Goddard, a devoted Canadian soldier, wife, daughter and friend. Captain Goddard was killed on May 17, 2006, in Afghanistan while leading a platoon under Operation Peacemaker and serving with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry; her parent unit was the 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.
She was the first Canadian female combat soldier to perish in Afghanistan. Captain Goddard believed that her service would create opportunities for others to build a better life, specifically through education. Goddard's love of life, learning and service lives on through several significant honours including "The Captain Nichola Goddard Foundation"; "The Nichola Goddard Light Up Papua New Guinea"; the "Captain Nichola K.S. Goddard Memorial Graduate Scholarship" at the University of Calgary; and the "Captain Nichola K.S. Goddard Scholarship" at the University of Prince Edward Island. On October 27, 2006, Goddard was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. This medal is intended to recognize individuals who have carried out meritorious acts bringing benefit and honour in either military or civilian life. She was also posthumously awarded the Sacrifice Medal on November 9, 2009. In recognition of Goddard's heroic service to our country, in 2011 the Government of Canada named a new Canadian Coast Guard vessel in her memory.
At the Board meeting on January 31, 2012, the Board of Trustees unanimously passed the resolution to name our site Captain Nichola Goddard School. The school name was selected based on the recommendation made by the School Naming Committee, comprised of CBE Trustees, parent and community representatives and members of CBE administration. In fact, a student from the school’s community can be credited for originally suggesting the idea. We are honoured and humbled to have Captain Nichola Goddard's name attached to our school and proud to have her legacy live on in our community. Nichola’s parents, Tim and Sally Goddard, continue to be a great source of support and inspiration for our school. We appreciate and deeply value our ongoing collaborative relationship with the Goddard family.
