Semiahmoo First Nation gifts the name Xw’epiteng to rename Hall’s Prairie Elementary

Hall’s Prairie Elementary will reopen this September as Xw’epiteng (pronounced “woh-pee-ten”) Elementary, a name gifted to the district by Chief Harley Chappell on behalf of the Semiahmoo First Nation.

On Wednesday, the Surrey Board of Education voted unanimously to rename the South Surrey school to Xw’epiteng ahead of the 2024-25 school year. The name means “place of many rabbits” and the renaming was coordinated by the school naming committee chaired by Trustees Shawn Wilson.

The name change corresponds with the establishment of a new outdoor land-based learning program at the school, rooted in Coast Salish culture, tradition and history. The kindergarten to Grade 7 program follows the B.C. Curriculum and features a rich blend of indoor and outdoor educational experiences, designed to provide students with a comprehensive learning environment that balances an inquiry land-based classroom experience with engaging outdoor activities.

The school's proximity to the Ta’talu watershed, Semiahmoo Bay and Campbell Valley park offers opportunities for students to learn and grow in nature, with a focus on holistic development and personal, social and environmental awareness.

An official renaming and school opening ceremony will be planned for the fall.