Our School

Robert Hopkins Public School


We would like to acknowledge that our schools are on unceded Algonquin Territory, and thank the Algonquin Nation for hosting us on their land.

Our School

Robert Hopkins Public School is a well‐established and beautifully maintained school in Beacon Hill North, which opened on November 26th, 1971. The school is named after Robert Hopkins (1842‐1916), a Gloucester farmer, who served as School Trustee, Justice of the Peace, and Reeve of Gloucester. Robert Hopkins was professed to have “unselfish regard for the advance of the young.” Our stately grounds provide a beautiful learning environment set within our well established and beautiful community of Beacon Hill North. The majority of our students come to school on the school bus. However, we have many who walk to school with friends and family. Robert Hopkins School is an ‘open‐concept’ facility, partitioned into three learning areas. It is an accessible one‐story building with easy access to school yard and walkways. Within each of these ‘houses’, teachers work and teach as teams, sharing the responsibility for program and student success. A large Canadian Flag from the Peace Tower of the Parliament Buildings, awarded to the school in February 2000, is prominently displayed in the gym. Visitors to Robert Hopkins Public School quickly understand why we are considered the emerald in the necklace of fine schools in Beacon Hill North.

Our Students

Our school population has grown over the last two years. RHPS currently houses more than 370 Kindergarten to grade 5 students. Our students come from homes where a variety of languages are spoken. The most frequently spoken languages at our school are: English, French, Arabic, Cantonese or Mandarin, Urdu and Somali. Students with Special Education needs are integrated into classrooms and support teachers / educational assistants work with homeroom teachers to provide programming. One third of our students are under the age of 6 and attend our full‐day learning program. Our grade 5 students transfer to Henry Munro Middle School for grades 6 to 8.

Our Staff

RHPS has 27 teachers, 2.5 educational assistants, 6 early childhood educators, 1 .5 office staff, a 0.5 library technician, 2 care staff, 0.5 vice-principal and 1 principal. Several teachers have specialist qualifications in Special Education, French as a Second Language, English as a Second Language, Computers, Guidance and Physical Education.

Our Community

Parents and Community

RHPS is centered in the Beacon Hill North community of Gloucester. The area is richly endowed with community associations, recreation facilities, daycares, OC Transpo, and the Ottawa Public Library. Beacon Hill is characterized by mixed housing from single family houses, townhouses and garden homes to large apartment buildings. Parents and community members are welcomed volunteers. Many are members of our School Council and participate in various activities to assist students in developing reading, writing, and mathematics skills. As well, we have volunteers support our school on field trips and special event days. Our families represent over twenty six languages, including English and French. We are truly a multicultural community.

Mission Statement

At Robert Hopkins we recognize the worth of individuals and we respect their particular skills and characteristics, and their culture.  We strive to instill in our students the leadership skills, attitudes and knowledge required of them to become self‐directed and self‐motivated problem solvers, producing .

Facilities and Resources

  • Technology in each classroom
  • Superb yard, garden, and playground with three play structures, one replaced in the summer of 2012 and another in 2013.
  • Excellent gym with generous equipment resources.
  • Large well‐stocked bilingual Library, including a Dual Language selection of books.

Programs and Services

Academic Programs

  • English with Core French Gr. 1 – Grade 5
  • Early French Immersion Gr. 1– Grade 5
  • Full‐day 50/50 Kindergarten learning ‐ 50% English, 50% French
  • We also offer an extended day care program from 2:30 PM to 6 PM, Monday to Friday

Classroom Organization

Presently we have 6 English classes and 8 Early French Immersion classes, as well as, 3 Kindergarten classes.

Special Education and ESL Programs

English as a Second Language and Special Education support is offered within the classroom with withdrawal when necessary.

Clubs and Activities

  • Soccer, Cross Country/Track & Field, Basketball, Bordenball, Triple Ball
  • gardening, games, cooking, knitting)
  • Herds Community Building/Spirit Days
  • Remembrance Day Ceremony
  • Music Performances, Dance workshops
  • Grade 5 Leaving Ceremony
  • Food Days and Milk Program

Safe Schools Initiatives

  • Code of Conduct developed by students, parents, and staff is distributed annually to all
  • A Community of Character and Respect Posters throughout the school
  • Safe Arrival Program
  • Character Education 
  • Safe and Caring School initiatives implemented on an on‐going basis
  • Assemblies, presentations and special event days
  • Process for reporting issues of concern (students/parents)
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