Robert Thirsk High School Graduation 2026
Graduation ceremonies will be held at
9:30 AM on Wednesday May 27, 2026 at University of Calgary, Jack Simpson Gym.
The Banquet will follow in the evening at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino .
Please contact Shelley Barber (sjbarber@cbe.ab.ca), Amanda Huddleston (abhuddleston@cbe.ab.ca), or
Reneeta Lakhani (relakhani@cbe.ab.ca) if you have any questions about the ceremony or banquet.
Communication from your Grad Committee:
● Please check the Success Center D2L page and school instagram to receive information or join the
student grad committee Tuesdays at lunch in room 209.
● Check out the Class of 2026 grad hoodies available for purchase online from the school store. A
portion of the proceeds will be donated to the grad charity.
● The Student Grad Committee would like to continue the tradition of each graduate donating a
toonie as they cross the stage at the ceremony. The charity decided by the RTHS Class of 2026 is
Freshwater Conservation Canada.
Graduation Fees: You may have noticed that two graduation fees are already added to your CBE Powerschool
account. The first fee of $52.50 pays for students’ certificate, rental of the venue, audio visual, and security
costs. The second fee is also a mandatory $26.25 fee for the cap, gown and tassel students keep. Students can
also come into the business office to pay debit, credit or cash. If the student’s fees are unpaid, please speak to
the Business Manager or discuss alternate arrangements with the office. Grad fees are due April 30th.
Banquet Costs:
● The graduation banquet is an optional activity involving extra costs. If you are considering
attending the banquet, discuss anticipated costs and expenses now to avoid stress in May.
● The exact cost of tickets TBD and will be sold in March online. All attendees need a ticket, including
the graduate.
Ceremony Audience:
● There is plenty of seating at the Jack Simpson gym; therefore, there will not be tickets or a
maximum number of guests allowed.
The GRADitude Project
● Need a grad dress or suit for graduation and short on funds? The Gratitude Project (formerly the
Cinderella Project) provides free dresses, suits, and personal care items for the big day. Registration is
open to book your spot to shop. Please see Ms. Lefebvre or https://youthcentral.com/graditude/ for
more information and to save your spot.
Call for Parent Volunteers:
We will need parent volunteers for various activities before the day of graduation. There are many roles; stay
tuned for more information closer to the date:
● Safe Grad activities during lunch May 11-14.
● There will be an afternoon in late April or early May (exact date TBD): gown and folder organization.
UPCOMING EVENTS and TIMELINE
February
Valedictorian Speak Off:
● Selected applicants will participate in a speak-off in the Theatre after school in front of students and
staff. Valedictorian, MC and toasting candidates will speak on Feb 17. Respectful audience welcome.
Graduation Photos:
● Lifetouch will be at RTHS February 9-26 in the Upper Learning Commons.
● Appointments are to be booked online. For more information, please see email communication.
● There is a $40 sitting fee which is in addition to any costs for photos you may wish to purchase. The fee
can be paid online or at the photo session. All students should have had a grad photo taken (even
when not doing a full sitting) with Lifetouch, even if they are not planning on making a purchase or
doing a full sitting, in order to be in the Class of 2026 composite which is hung in our school hallways.
March/April
Charity Fundraiser Events:
● Listen to announcements and the school instagram for more information.
Mini Me Photos for Display at the evening Banquet (optional) :
● Submit a mini me photo to D2L assignment dropbox by spring break MARCH 20! You can also do a
current recreate of this mini me photo if you would like.
Banquet Ticket Purchase:
● Non-refundable banquet tickets will be available for sale online in March
● Graduates will also need a ticket to attend. Information will come out on D2L and the weekly email
from the school.
Grad Information:
● More specific grad information will be given out in Connect April 17.
May
Safe Grad Week:
● Many activities will be planned during lunchtime May 11-14.
Graduation Rehearsal:
● ALL GRADS MUST ATTEND mandatory Connect grad ceremony information session in Connect April 17
and the rehearsal in the gym on May 22.
Gown Pick-Up:
● Gowns, caps, and tassels will be picked up May 22 during grad rehearsal in the main gym.
● Please be careful not to lose or damage parts if you choose to take pictures in your gowns, caps and
tassels before the ceremony.