Winnipeg School Division accepting submissions for school renaming

Wolseley School (image source: Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg)

The Winnipeg School Division is asking for input from the public for a new school name for Wolseley School.

The school division has been in the process of changing the school’s name since 2024, according to division documents. It was named after General Garnet Joseph Wolseley, who was sent in to suppress the Red River Rebellion in 1870.

According to the division, they applied historical thinking concepts to guide the process of renaming, including a Metis learning series with one of their teachers.

The division is now accepting submissions from the community online until April 7.

The name ideas should represent the neighbourhood and the community, connect to learning for the students and avoid the names of people, the submission form notes.

All languages are being considered.

The renaming committee will decide on three final names and then hold a consultation for feedback from the community to narrow it down to two names, which will be submitted to WSD Trustees for final approval.

The division had previously changed the name of Cecil Rhodes School to Keewatin Prairie Community School in 2022 in the wake of protests over buildings named after colonial figures.