Dear GNS Families,
I trust you are safe and well and that you’ve had a chance to begin enjoying a much-deserved summer break.
June 30 marked the close of a school year that was unlike any other in the history of GNS. The last three months have brought challenges to bear that were impossible to predict, let alone plan for. COVID-19 has changed so much about the way we interact, the way we live, and the way we learn. But what it hasn’t changed is the soul of our school. I’ve been so heartened and inspired by the ways this community has risen to meet every challenge, by how our staff remained committed to our students and our families, and by how our families supported the abrupt but necessary switch to distance learning. For that, I offer both my admiration and my gratitude.
As I step into my role as Head of School, I wanted to share some important information as we look to the start of the 2020/2021 school year.
Beach Drive Campus
There continues to be a high level of optimism that our new main building at the Junior School will be ready to occupy this September. Once we know more details we will share them with you, but our teachers are packed up and ready to move in anticipation of this possibility.
Relocation of the Learning Pavilions and the Tent Gym
As our new building at our Beach Drive campus is expected to open in September 2020, the modular learning pavilions and the tent gym that our Junior School students have been using during the construction will need to be relocated. We are planning to move the gym and five of the classrooms to our Pemberton Woods campus for the coming school year, to the lawn adjacent to Denford Hall.
It is our desire to have all of our students return to in-person on-campus learning in September. Like all schools, we will need to adhere to the provincial government’s health and safety guidelines with regard to physical distancing and the addition of these facilities will assist in the transition back to in-class learning. I must stress that this extra classroom space is not intended to result in an expansion of our student population. We are in the process of applying for a permit to proceed with this project with the City of Victoria and would hope to begin the installation of the structures in late July. We will let you know further details as soon as we can.
Upgrades to Our Middle School Learning Commons
Beginning in early-July, we will begin upgrades to our Middle School Learning Commons. This project involves seismic improvements as well as the installation of two large bay windows and that will help create a more warm and welcoming space for our students. The proposed rejuvenation will create a space for the whole Middle School community to come together—a Learning Commons that will be the heart of our Middle School.
Through the incredible ongoing philanthropic support of our community, I am thrilled to share that we will be naming this area the “David Graham Learning Commons.” While I never got a chance to meet David, I have heard from many what a wonderful person he was and it is a privilege to tell you all that we are now able to honour his great legacy. David was the beloved first principal of our Middle School from 2005 to 2009. Under his leadership, our Middle School became a caring, values-based community that supports a remarkable environment for learning. If you would like to learn more about how to support this project please reach out to Mary Anne Marchildon at mmarchildon@mygns.ca.
Restart Plans for SeptemberWe will be ready to return to in-person learning in September for all grades on both campuses. We are expecting to be instructed by the Ministry of Education in late August what stage of the
BC’s Education Restart Plan we will be operating in for the Fall Term. We hope that this will be Stage 1 which means 100% of our students at school 100% of the time with physical distancing and some restrictions on large gatherings like assemblies. However, we are also planning for the possibility of some form of hybrid instruction (Stage 2 to 4) as well as ensuring we have the ability to pivot back to distance learning should it be required (Stage 5) at any point during the school year. Incorporating the feedback solicited during the Spring Term and utilizing the recent training and knowledge gained by our teachers, I am confident that GO 2.0 (Gryphons Online version 2) will be outstanding, should it be required.
As in previous years, each principal will reach out to their respective school families throughout the summer to provide more detailed information pertaining to any changes in staffing and programs. We know there will be some limitations on what programs and co-curriculars we will be able to offer, but we will provide the first-rate education we have all come to expect from GNS.
We have created two task forces, one focussed on the Return to School and one on the Student Experience. These groups will meet weekly throughout the summer to plan for various scenarios. In addition to the guidance provided by our Leadership Team, we are also grateful for the ongoing support of the GNS Society and Foundation board members.
Task Force Memberships
Return to School Task Force: Focus on Operations (logistics, policies and procedures), Health & Safety, and Business Continuity | Student Experience Task Force: Focus on the Student Experience: academic model, schedules, timetable, space planning, events, athletics and student life. |
- Chad Holtum, Head of School
- Duncan Brice, PW Chair & PW Safety Coordinator
- Dr. Deepa Singal, MSc. (Epidemiology), PhD (Public Health)
- Chrissy Raniseth, CFO
- Kim Holmes, Human Resources Director
- Robin Bennett, Facilities and Maintenance
- Sarah McKerlich, Director of Risk Management
- Jean Bigelow, Junior School Principal & JS Chair
- Gavin Bowers, Junior School Vice-Principal & JS Safety Coordinator
- Damon Henry, Middle School Principal
- Doug Palm, Senior School Principal & PW Chair
- Cheryl Alexander, Director, Marketing & Communications
| - Chad Holtum, Head of School
- Cole Carlson, Deputy Head, Academics
- Duncan Brice, PW Chair and PW Safety Coordinator
- Doug Palm, Senior School Principal & PW Chair
- Damon Henry, Middle School Principal
- Kate Pagett, Middle School Vice-Principal
- Jean Bigelow, Junior School Principal & JS Chair
- Leanne Giommi, IB PYP Coordinator
- Angie Girard, IB Diploma Coordinator
- Samantha Goddard, Curriculum Coordinator, PW Campus
- Julian Daniel, Director of IT
- Harvey Thorau, Senior School Vice-Principal
- Gina Simpson, IB MYP Coordinator
- Trevor Mannion, Director of Enrolment
- Cheryl Alexander, Director, Marketing & Communications
|
We expect to communicate our complete September Restart Plan to families in late-August as soon as we have confirmation from the Ministry of Education and the provincial health officer regarding at what stage schools will open in September 2020. Rest assured that we will be ready for whatever comes our way and are looking forward to welcoming your children back to GNS.
Our International Students
To facilitate their safe return to our school community, all Family Boarding students who are exempt from travel restrictions will participate in a supervised quarantine organized by GNS which will follow all the requirements set by the government. The students will stay in boarding facilities with strict procedures in place. Once the quarantine is completed, Family Boarding students will move in with their host families. Any alternative quarantine arrangements made for Family Boarding students must be approved by the school.
Moments to Celebrate
This has been a year of learning and challenge, but also of achievement, and it was wonderful to help celebrate that during the recent Junior, Middle and Senior School closing events as well as our live-streamed Graduation Ceremony. It was especially rewarding to see many of our students with their families during the Junior School parade, the Grade 8 Goose Chase, and the Grad Photo Event where our Grade 12 students walked across a stage to receive their certificates.
And last, but certainly not least, congratulations to the Class of 2020! This remarkable group of young people has accomplished so much during their time at GNS. Despite the challenges they faced due to the pandemic with significant changes in their learning and the cancellation of the traditional grad events, they persevered and finished their year in a manner that exemplified our core values of truth, courage, caring, individuality and community. These 70 Gryphons have earned 257 offers of acceptance from post-secondary institutions across Canada and around the world, an average of 3.6 per grad. They have chosen to attend schools as nearby as the University of Victoria, and as far away as Spain. And, collectively, they have earned offers of over $1,388,500 in scholarships. We are so proud of all of you and look forward to hearing about all of your upcoming adventures.
Although we face a challenging year ahead, I know that, together, our strong community can weather the storm. Our international student numbers will rebound in time and our new local enrolment looks very promising. Although it is only early July, we have already registered more than 100 new local students for this September which is higher than what we had enrolled when we opened last September. We have been here for 107 years and we will be here for 107 more!
I wish you all a wonderful summer.
Chad Holtum
Head of School