It was the first day back to school; that day that looms in our heads weeks before it actually arrives. Now I don’t know about you, but I love September. A fresh start, new goals…it’s the fall version of New Year’s. After a restful and enjoyable summer, I was ready to take on the busyness [...]
It was an ordinary Friday morning, or so I thought, and I was getting started on the day when I heard sounds drifting up the stairs and into my office. New in my role as Director of Learning Support Services, I was still learning the rhythm of elementary school life. It took me a few [...]
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of watching my son, Aiden, play in his last high school volleyball game. It was a fun weekend away in Victoria, cheering him on. Even though it wasn’t the finish his team was hoping for, I thought it was an unbelievable way to finish off his years [...]
The Junior Residency was formed as a way to utilize the Shaping God’s World Fund to support student-led initiatives that meet a real need. We are in year two of our Junior Residency. We have students who are now deeply engaged in the Jr. Residency and are busy putting together action steps to fulfil their [...]
Every Friday morning, a dedicated group of parents gathers to pray for our students, staff, and school community (8:15 - 9:15 am in room 228 at the secondary campus). I have had the privilege of praying alongside them a few times. Recently we talked a lot about the many challenges faced by students, families, and [...]
In all the excitement of sending my oldest, Luke, off to his new part-time kindergarten class this fall, I failed to realize that I, too, am starting school in a whole new capacity this year. Granted, I also joined the ACS staff as a part-time graphic designer, but that’s not what I’m talking about. What [...]
I’m often accused of overusing the word “opportunity.” Every challenge, problem, or complication can just as easily be an “opportunity.” You can see the eyerolls from staff, students, and even my wife when I correct people when they use the word problem. It’s an “opportunity,” I say! It’s as much self-talk as it is a [...]
You walk through the middle school hallways and hear a “thump, thump, thump.” As you turn the corner towards the grade 5 wing, the sound starts to crescendo. You begin to follow this strange noise. Thump, clack, thumpity thump. “Where is this sound coming from?” you wonder. Is it a jack hammer? No, too rhythmic. Is [...]
In August, as I was cleaning up my office in anticipation of a new year, I came across a book called “Advice for a New Principal” that was given to me by my last class as a teacher at ACS. It was written by the students from 2A in 2020. Although it’s my third year as [...]
From July 20-29, I had the privilege and the opportunity to visit the region off BC's Northern Coast known as Haida Gwaii (Islands of the Haida and for a while known as the Queen Charlotte Islands). With two fabulous hosts and seven other educators, including my sister, Evangeline, and Koenraad Beugelink, Faith Formation Director, [...]
