In January, Premier David Eby announced the implementation of cell phone restrictions in all BC schools at the beginning of the 2024–2025 school year. The policy states that school boards must adopt multiple regulations restricting the use of personal digital devices in their codes of conduct. But after nearly two months under the ban, has anything actually changed? 

As Hamber left the old building, grade 12s left behind the infamous grad hall. However, with a new school comes new traditions, and grads are hoping to make their final year at Hamber (and their first in the new building) the best one yet.

While every school year brings its own set of challenges, this year posed one of the biggest ones yet for Hamber students and staff: the transition into a completely brand new school. As the weeks progressed, Hamberites became more accustomed to the reality of the new building and students and staff alike started noticing both the benefits and drawbacks of the new school. 

Ever since 2022, when the Canadian government officiated the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, overnight field trips have slowly been on the rise.

Hamber’s new Library Learning Commons (LLC) opened on Oct. 15, following much anticipation. While some students were confused as to if they could enter the space or not, the grand opening was ultimately a successful and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. 

Eric Hamber currently owes over $180,000 in repayments, due to the costs of installing more than 40 LCD projectors throughout the school and televisions in select classrooms.

Note-taking is one of the many skills every student needs in order to survive and excel high school. Here are some tips and tricks shared by your fellow Hamberites!

As grade 12 students begin to navigate the new world of university applications, it’s easy to get lost and overwhelmed by the entire process. However, Hamber’s experienced teachers and counselors have great advice for struggling seniors to help calm their jitters and reach their application deadlines.

Last season, Rick Tocchet joined the Canucks as their 21st head coach. At the time, the Canucks were ranked 22nd in the National Hockey League (NHL) and had been consistently losing games. Tocchet was seemingly able to turn the team around, with them coming close to the Stanley Cup last year.

On Sep. 24, pharmaceutical companies such as Moderna and Pfizer were approved by Health Canada to distribute their updated COVID-19 vaccines, which have been altered to target new FLiRT variants. 

BC Premier David Eby announced on Sept. 12 that he will end the BC consumer carbon tax if the federal government scraps the legislation that requires provinces collect the tax. 

A coalition of British Columbia’s Mayors and other public figures got together to call attention to the increasingly problematic dual crises of mental health and public safety in the Metro Vancouver area. Attention was drawn to this issue after a violent incident on Sept. 4, when man was attacked and killed on the streets of Vancouver by a 34-year-old White Rock resident with a history of mental health issues and over 60 documented contacts with police.

Amidst concerns about student space, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced on Sept. 17 a $6.7 billion increase in funding for new and improved schools. While Smith says the projects will secure funding from recent surpluses, critics say the plans are long overdue and could create additional issues.

On Oct. 28, the BC NDP won the 2024 BC provincial election. The party, led by incumbent premier David Eby, won by 44.9 per cent of the popular vote, winning 47 seats overall. The voter turnout was 57.5 per cent. Judicial recounts were announced for the Surrey-Guildford and Kelowna Centre ridings—if the winner of these ridings are unchanged after the judicial recounts, the BC NDP will be able to form a majority government with 47 seats.

On Sept. 4, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh terminated their Supply-and-Confidence agreement with Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government, which could potentially lead to an early federal election. This agreement was signed with the Liberals in 2022, and was set to last until June 2025.

In December of 2023, mayor Ken Sim proposed the idea of dissolving the Vancouver Parks Board midterm and transferring its responsibilities to the city council. The Parks Board was opposed to this idea and pushed back with legal action.

With the never-ending flow of cars, trucks, and noise behind him, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced his government’s plans to construct a vehicle tunnel under Highway 401. He committed to building what may become the world’s longest vehicular tunnel, whether or not the experts approve. Now that’s tunnel vision.

Beginning on Oct. 19, BC’s South Coast was drenched by an atmospheric river for three days straight, with torrential rains breaking countless rainfall records. The extreme weather caused damaging flash floods and left four people dead. October’s atmospheric river rivaled the unprecedented rainfall of November 2021, which flooded parts of the Pacific Northwest. 

BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau announced an election policy that promises free public transit across the province. The party’s proposal also calls for hourly services on key regional routes, a doubling of bus fleets within four years and a tripling within eight years.

Canada’s Foreign Interference Commission began phase two of its investigation on Sept. 16, revealing controversy around MP Michael Chong, and furthering tensions with India following the 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh leader.

Oasis, one of the world’s most popular British rock bands, is getting back together and going on tour 15 years after breaking up.

On Sept. 17, Meta Platforms announced the creation of new Teen Accounts. They will introduce time limit reminders, bad language filters, sleep mode, and restrictions on the Instagram content viewed by teens under the age of 16.

Astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams have been stranded in  space for months due to technical issues with their original spacecraft, and won’t be back on Earth until February 2025.

After what The Economist described as a “disastrous debate performance” by President Joe Biden on June 27, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the 2024 Democratic nominee. Within just 24 hours, all 50 state Democratic party chairs gave their endorsement. 

During the past few months, there have been two separate assassination attempts on former US President Donald Trump. These attempts raised concerns for Trump’s safety and security. 

A timeline of everything that’s happened in the 2024 US Presidential Election since the last issue.

With the launch of the iPhone 16, Apple introduced its new AI model, dubbed Apple Intelligence. It features a lineup of AI tools designed to make everyday digital life easier. While many questions and doubts remain about the Apple AI, the product is another way for Apple to edge out its competition.

Sean “Diddy” Combs was one of the biggest names in hip-hop, a media mogul who threw lavish parties and was affiliated with some of the most notable names in pop-culture. This all changed on Sept. 16 when Combs, 54, was arrested on alleged charges of racketeering and sex trafficking in a New York hotel. 

On May 28, Spain, Ireland, and Norway officially recognized a Palestinian state. Norway, the first to make an announcement, coordinated the move with its fellow European partners. The statement brings the total of recognizing nations to 146 of the United Nations’ 193 member states.