Given the size of our school and its structure in three divisions, it is a rare event when we all come together at one place and time. This past Tuesday on a beautiful fall morning we almost achieved total unity. A congregation of almost 1,000 Middle and Senior School students, faculty, staff, and invited guests, gathered in our quad to witness the ceremonial unveiling of our Welcome Pole. Junior School staff and students, who witnessed their own unveiling at the opening of the Trottier-Morgan Annex last September, joined us remotely.
Months of expectation as our “Honesty and Respect” Pole was veiled had led to a sense of rising expectation. The pole was carved by Indigenous Scholar, Dylan Thomas, Qwul'thilum, of the Lyackson Nation, who, at long last, was able to awaken the pole at a ceremony that had been planned with the advice and guidance of Indigenous Elders.
Thanks are due to David Lynch, our Indigenous Liaison, for organizing an event that will be long remembered by all who attended to witness the sacred proceedings.
At the unveiling one of our respected Elders, Ogwi’low’gwa Kim Recalma-Clutesi of the Qualicum Nation, spoke about the importance of identifying the thin, fragile, threads that bind us all together. At this event there was a palpable feeling of thin threads becoming stronger. Not only did we learn a great deal about our Indigenous neighbours, who have deep connections over thousands of years with the land on which our school sits, but we recommitted ourselves to our journey of Reconciliation.
I hope that all of our visitors to the Richmond Road campus will take a moment to admire the artistry of our Welcome Pole, and meditate on the symbols that are portrayed including the Raven (honesty), the Thunderbird (service) and the wool dogs (respect).
Thin threads also link us with many other communities around the world. When global events erupt, it often generates an outpouring of concern, frustration, and even anger by members of our extended communities. Our Senior Leadership Team has been giving thought as to how and if we should respond to these events. After a developing trend over several years when more institutions have felt inclined to make a definitive statement on behalf of all members of their community, we have decided that our school could not and should not speak on behalf of all. Diversity of opinion should be encouraged. We believe it is our mission to educate our students to evaluate evidence and form opinions for themselves. The important point is that they should be prepared to engage with those of different views, even seek them out, disagree respectfully, but learn to live together.
Consequently, we will not automatically chime into the chorus of statements when events occur. Rest assured, we will always be prepared to respond if events impact our core mission of education. Please take time to read our school’s approach to global events available here.
Over the next few weeks, I will be strengthening the threads that connect us to the SMUS diaspora in Hong Kong and Shanghai. We are most grateful for the generous support we continue to receive from Asia and beyond. Be reassured, out of sight is not out of mind.
On return, we will be renewing the threads that connect us with the past. Our Remembrance Day Service on Friday, November 8 is a moving event when we honour the sacrifice of previous generations for the freedoms we often take for granted today. Tune in live to watch here.
For now, very best wishes. Wherever you are, I trust that you will feel bonded to our community by the shared threads that bind us all together.
Mark Turner
