Catherine Nichols Gunn School at a Glance
- The school is currently partnered with the following agencies: Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers and Sisters, YMCA- Chickadee Clan, Calgary Public Library and Crime Not to Read, Inn From the Cold, Aspen Family and Community Network Society, Metis Calgary Family Services, Calgary Police Service (S4), Wellness Empowerment through Renfrew Society,
- Fuel For School and Breakfast Clubs of Canada
Who was Catherine Nichols Gunn?
Miss Catherine Nichols Gunn (1900 – 1979), a Calgary nurse, spent her professional life with the City Health Department for 30 years. She was born in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, and after graduating as a nurse in Seattle, she moved to Calgary. A member of the nursing staff of a hospital in France during the latter part of the First World War, Miss Gunn joined the City Health Department in 1922 and retired in 1952.
School Motto
Find Joy. Cultivate Connection. Inspire Growth.
Our Logo 
Catherine Nichols Gunn School officially announced a new logo for the school on Thursday, June 21, 2018. After consultation and brainstorming with students, staff, parents and guardians, the buffalo from our school mural “Children of the Buffalo” was chosen. This logo for Catherine Nichols Gunn School was created with permission from a Blackfoot artist, Ryan Willert, who designed the buffalo during a residency at the school.
When people see the buffalo they think of strength and bravery. It is an important and symbolic image for both Indigenous culture and Catherine Nichols Gunn School. The buffalo represents our commitment to facing challenges head on, both in school and throughout our lives. The buffalo is the only animal that does not run away from the storm but instead runs directly into the wind, rain and snow embracing its challenges, searching for the sun on the other side.
Who Was Catherine Nichols Gunn?
The school is named after Catherine Nichols Gunn, who spent her 30 year professional career serving as a Public Health Nurse with Calgary Health Department. She was born in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, and after graduating as a nurse in Seattle, she moved to Calgary. Miss Gunn served as a member of the nursing staff of a hospital in France during the latter part of the First World War then joined the Calgary Health Department in 1922. She did most of her work with the children and their families in the north central area of Calgary. She retired in 1952.
Our Vision for Teaching and Learning
We are a strong learning community at Catherine Nichols Gunn School and promote a student-centered atmosphere. Through implementation of thoughtful and effective teaching practices, our students learn and are successful. We believe students do well if they can and celebrate their unique learning strengths and develop their areas of learning needs. Each student has equitable access to resources in interactive classrooms where their individual learning needs are met.
For Our Students
Students at Catherine Nichols Gunn School develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to be self-motivated, active, independent, risk-taking, reflective problem solvers and lifelong learners. They take pride and ownership for their own learning and their role in our school and community.
For Our Staff Members
Our staff members support and mentor each other. We seek opportunities to celebrate and value the unique talents, contributions and individuality of each staff member. We continue to work together in a collaborative environment where we share beliefs about teaching and learning and where everyone has opportunities to lead. We are committed to professional development on an ongoing basis so that we may learn about and implement effective practices.
For Our Partners (Parents, Guardians, Community)
Parents, guardians and staff at Catherine Nichols Gunn support student’s learning by understanding the importance of partnership between home and school that create a safe and caring community and that prepares students to be successful now and in the future. Many community members support, promote and run programs at the school.
Our School's Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
We are committed to acknowledging and supporting the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 94 Calls to Action specific to education. Our school, along with all CBE schools, made a Truth and Reconciliation Commitment to Action, on June 21, we renewed our commitment.
View Our Truth and Reconciliation Commitment | 2025-2026
School Development Plan
Each year, our school prepares a development plan with input from teachers, school staff, students and parents. We review many sources of data, including report cards, provincial achievement test results and school surveys. Based on this information, we create our plan identifying targeted areas for growth. Our school development plan is not meant to represent all of the work that takes place in our school, but rather it focuses on specific areas for improvement.
View Our School Development Plan | 2024-2025
School Improvement Results Report
Our school also prepares a results plan, which looks at our previous school year. It shows our students’ achievement and progress in meeting the goals and outcomes as set out by the CBE and Alberta Education, outlines some of the highlights of our school development plan and gives an overview of our school. You can look on the CBE website for system-wide results.