Cate Jones, VHS 1976   Innovator, Community Builder

Cathy Jones, as she was known at Vic High, didn’t live in the Vic High catchment. But her increasing appreciation for the educational benefits of diversity motivated her to enrol at Central Junior High and then Vic High. After 40 years living in East Vancouver, she moved home to Victoria in 2023 with partner Shane Simpson, partly because daughter Shayla had moved to Victoria in 2019. And she is now the newest Director on the Alumni Association Board.

Cate worked as a Constituency Assistant in the non-partisan Constituency Offices of five different MLAs over 26 years, developing a passion for outreach and building connections. She was on the Board of the Burrardview Community Association and the Hastings Community Association, and was a key member of the Stop Lafarge Coalition and Neighbours for Mental Health organizations.

But her proudest volunteer moments were as the founder and lead organizer of the Trinity Street Christmas Light Competition.  https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/courier-archive/news/tragedy-inspires-neighbourhood-to-come-together-3023346. After two elderly women were murdered in their homes within two weeks in 1999, Cate decided something needed to be done to build community. The Trinity Street Light Competition was the perfect vehicle to get neighbours out of their homes and connecting with each other. It ran for 15 years, and had a huge positive impact on the Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood.

Since moving home to Victoria Cate has been serving as Secretary to a large Strata Corporation in James Bay.

“Vic High has a special place in my heart,” says Cate. “I think my skills and experience will be of benefit to the Vic High community – past, present and future – and I’m eager to serve.”

Cate is also part of the Celebrations Team working on events for Vic High’s 150^th anniversary in 2026, and is determined to make sure her 1976 classmates are out in full force to be part of the planning and the celebrations.

Welcome to the team, Cate!