R.B. (Bob) Russell was born 1889 in Scotland and arrived in Canada in 1911. Like so many new comers, past and present, he came with hopes & dreams to Canada’s West and Winnipeg. In his native Scotland, Mr. Russell was a machinist apprentice and he soon found work in Winnipeg’s Canadian Pacific Railway Shops. Mr. Russell became the main leader in Winnipeg’s historic General Strike of 1919 fighting for the rights of Winnipeg workers. For his actions, Mr. Russell was put on trial and sentenced to two years in Manitoba’s Stony Mountain Penitentiary. Mr. Russell continued to serve his community as the leader of the General Secretary of the One Big Union, and later, as the Executive Secretary of the Winnipeg and District Labour Council C.L.C. In 1967, the Province of Manitoba recognized his contributions and in his honour named a vocational high school after him, R.B. Russell Vocational High School. The school continues to serve the students of Winnipeg as a school of choice allowing students to pursue vocational, academic and apprenticeship opportunities. R.B. Russell Vocational High School continues to provide a learning environment that encourages students to recognize their potential for education and employment.
The school’s mantra is - R.B.R.–Respect, Belonging and Responsibility.
The school offers 10 Vocational Programs: Level One Apprenticeship Standing - Culinary Arts, Building Construction, Hairstyling Sr. Years Technology High School Diploma Mature Student Diploma Pre-Industry Training Program Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Construction Program Active Parent/Community Council World Of Work Centre
The School’s Priorities and Successes:
Curriculum & Assessment - Cross curricular unit and lesson plan development/ delivery between academic and vocational programs is a priority. Students develop electronic online academic & vocational learning portfolios for self assessment and ongoing learning.
Employability - Students learn about and plan for the future in regards to work and post-secondary opportunities, including the High School Apprenticeship Program.
Aboriginal Academic Achievement - Aboriginal perspectives are integrated into academic and vocational curricula to strengthen student learning outcomes.
Respect/Belonging/Responsibility are the foundation words on which we build our school community. We have an active student voice (council) to build leadership capacity within the student body.
Technology - Technology is a resource embedded in current curriculum and assessment practices. New technology supports instructional strategies.
