Dear Parents and Guardians,
After a hectically busy four months stretching back to August, we have delighted in reconnecting through many events, some for the first time in several years. The positive energy generated by the return to traditional routines has provided fuel for students, faculty, and staff.
I congratulate our students on the depth of their learning and the breadth of their achievement this school year. We have raised provincial banners, heard beautiful performances, acknowledged national prizes for creativity, built friendships, and shared many meaningful experiences together.
At the Junior School last week, I enjoyed experiencing firsthand the joy of learning as Elizabeth and I completed the tradition of handing out individual gingerbread persons. At the same time, the visit allowed an opportunity to observe the growing definition on the silhouette of the Junior School Annex. This coming year will see rising anticipation, as this wonderful new building heads toward completion and we welcome the first of our Junior Kindergarten students.
The end of term and calendar year is traditionally ‘school report card’ time. This year, SMUS had its own report in the form of a quinquennial (once every five years) Ministry of Education inspection. My highlight of the term was listening to the effusive feedback from our inspectors, identifying inspiring teaching, collaborative learning, and impressive outcomes as the defining comments about our school. We joked about how the school’s grading would read, “outstending” – a mixture of the adjectives outstanding and extending. This strong endorsement of our school is a tribute to all those who have contributed in many ways over the last few years.
Two key contributors who are moving on at the end of term are Cheryl Major, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Sodexo General Manager Geoff Tintinger. We thank them both for their valued contributions and wish them continued success.
At the magnificent Carol Service at Christ Church Cathedral last week, attended by over 1000, we sang carols together. Many carols talk about the main themes of the Christmas message: joy, peace, and hope. We hope that whatever your own tradition, this holiday period will provide the opportunity for you to experience peace together as a family.
I look forward to an opportunity early in January to brief you on developments within our Floreat strategic plan, the deliberate next steps we are taking as we continue to prioritize equity, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability, and how we’re moving the Campus Master Plan vision forward.
Until then, best wishes and joy for the holidays with hope for 2023.
Mark Turner
Head of School
