I have a new energy and a new motivation this school year. Seeing staff every day and having students back in the building reminds me why we do what we do. We engage minds, nurture hearts, and shape God’s world. We do this by educating through relationship. The best way to foster these relationships, and [...]
My final blog of the year, and the end of my first year as principal…what do I want to share? One simple word. Thanks! Everyone I talk to seem to pity me to some degree: “Wow! This is an intense first year!” “I bet you didn’t anticipate being a principal during COVID-19!” “How are you [...]
BY NAOMI STEWART, SECONDARY FRENCH TEACHER Remember way back…seven weeks ago…when we moved into Connected Learning? I think I cried at least once a day during the week after spring break. It was full of rapid preparation and baptism by fire. Instructions and expectations changed minute to minute. Admin worked hard to stay up to [...]
“Be gentle with yourself and generous with others” is a phrase that Ed Noot, Executive Director of the Society of Christian Schools in BC, shared with us school leaders during one of our many virtual meetings over spring break. It’s a phrase that has stuck with me over these last few weeks and something I’m trying to [...]
I’ve been thinking a lot about value lately. Part of that has to do with our family’s decision to sell our house and move out to Abbotsford this year. You never really think about the value of something until you want to sell it…. We have put in a lot of time and energy into [...]
BY: JENNIFER WITTRUP, STUDENT LIFE CENTRE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT When I was offered the position of administrative assistant to the secondary Student Life Centre (SLC) and realized that my position would be the first face students would see upon entering, I knew that I wanted to do something special for the first week of school. Naturally, [...]
There are plenty of jobs I’ve had to do this year as a principal that seem a little outside the “norm.” We often refer to these things as “other duties as required.” It’s a joking reference to a line in our contracts that doesn’t really exist…but it should! My “other duty as required,” along with [...]
“Mom! Hurry up! I’m going to be late!” yells my daughter from the bottom of the stairs. Do I really have to? I sigh. It’s dark, rainy, and well before 7:00 am. I haven’t even eaten breakfast yet! This is so painfully hard for me! Yet, I pull on a pair of shoes, grab the [...]
BY MONICA DEREGT, ACADEMIC COUNSELLOR I have an eclectic gathering of gadgets on my desk. Some might think of them as toys; others may think I have a unique decorating style. Among my collection is a playable rainbow art ball, a squishy silicone cat, a fake bonsai tree, a magnetic hourglass, lavender-scented stress balls, and [...]
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Ah, the age-old question that begins as a fun activity to do with your kids. One of my daughters wanted to be a mermaid when she grew up…. At some point along the way, usually in high school, the question remains but changes ever [...]
