A downtown French Immersion elementary school is ditching its problematic name in favour of a new one that pays homage to the neighbourhood where it is located.
Thames Valley District School Board Trustees granted approval Tuesday night to change the name of Lord Roberts French Immersion Public School to Woodfield French Immersion Public School.
The Princess Avenue school was one of 12 flagged by the board for renaming in 2021. That's when a review committee was tasked with identifying schools with names that don’t reflect the board’s commitment to promoting human rights, equity, and inclusive learning environments for all students. Lord Roberts was a British general in the Boer War who was celebrated for his leadership at the beginning of the 20th century, but in the present day is heavily criticized for his use of concentration camps in South Africa.
Members of the school community submitted new name suggestions for Lord Roberts Public earlier this spring. A naming selection committee, composed of school administration, trustees, and staff from the Indigenous Education team and Human Rights and Equity portfolio, then selected a short list of three potential new names to be voted on.
Woodfield French Immersion Public School was the undisputed favourite of the school community, receiving 55 per cent of the vote.
"Selecting a new name for the school reflects Thames Valley’s commitment to creating safe and welcoming learning environments for all students and staff," said Board Chair Beth Mai. "This new name was selected after careful consideration of all suggestions received and following consultation with stakeholders. Thank you to the selection committee and school community for their thoughtful participation in the renaming process."
Work to update the school's signage and logo is expected to get underway shortly.
In March 2023, the board renamed F.D. Roosevelt Public in northeast London Forest City Public as part of the same school name review. Other Thames Valley schools flagged for renaming include Lord Elgin P.S., Lord Nelson P.S., Prince Charles P.S., Princess Anne French Immersion P.S., St. George's P.S., McGillivray Central P.S., Victoria P.S., Sir George Etienne Cartier P.S., Lord Dorchester S.S, Montcalm S.S., and Sir Wilfrid Laurier S.S.