January Update for our Neighbours

Happy New Year Neighbours! We hope 2025 is treating you well so far. After wiping the winter sleep from our eyes, we are back in the classroom, and happy to share some updates and offerings with our community! We wish you all a happy, healthy year ahead! 

GNS introduces a new Community Engagement Specialist

It’s our pleasure to welcome Tamara Slobogean, our new Community Engagement Specialist who will take over updating neighbours on the Pemberton Woods Campus Renewal, and work to connect the school community with the greater community of Fairfield Gonzales and Victoria. 

Tamara moved to the neighbourhood from Vancouver in May 2023 where she worked as a journalist and morning show producer, before moving into a Senior Communications role with the Invasive Species Council of BC. She is passionate about the environment, community and giving back to make a meaningful difference. We are enjoying getting to know her, and we think you will too.

GNS: What interested you in this job? 

Tamara: This neighbourhood is a gem. In the year and a half we have been living here, we have felt welcome and included. And we have very much enjoyed the community events—especially the Fairfield Artists Studio Tour! Ever since I studied Urban Geography at UBC many years ago, I have always been interested in the history and liveability of cities—what makes them safe, vibrant, inclusive spaces that foster good human connection, especially as they change and grow. 

I really appreciate the opportunities for input GNS has offered in connection with the Pemberton Woods Campus Renewal project. I felt that way as a neighbour, and now as a member of the team. 

I took this job because it offers me the chance to find fascinating stories to tell and bring people together as neighbours all deeply committed to making their corner of the world the best place it can be to live. 

I look forward to learning from my new colleagues at GNS, and I look forward to listening, engaging and collaborating with you. Please reach out to me anytime at tslobogean@mygns.ca

Pemberton Woods Renewal Update

With a design shaped in partnership with our  community, we submitted our rezoning application to the City of Victoria last summer and have made significant progress in collaboration with City staff over the past few months. As we work through the technical requirements of the application, we are approaching a formal resubmission to the City.

This process has included numerous productive meetings and site visits with various departments, including Transportation, Parks, and Engineering. These interactions have enabled us to address the many components of our proposal while ensuring that the community feedback captured during our design process remains central to every aspect of the application.

We appreciate the ongoing support from the community and the efforts made by City staff as we navigate the municipal process. While this process naturally takes time and involves extensive coordination, we remain committed to keeping you informed and engaged. Your support and feedback are always welcomed as we continue moving forward on the Pemberton Woods Campus Renewal.

Lunar New Year: Welcome the Year of the Snake!

The 3rd annual GNS Lunar New Year Festival takes place Monday, January 27 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and you’re invited! Join us in the Gudewill Gym on the Pemberton Woods Campus as we usher in the Year of the Snake! Take part in some traditional crafts and sample some special Lunar New Year snacks. Drop by anytime from 3:30 to 6 p.m.!

Sign up for Spring Break Camp! 

A few spots are still available! Our Spring Break Camps are open to all kids aged 3 to 14 years in the Greater Victoria area. From Fairy Tale Forest Camp for 3 and 4 year olds to Floating Classroom sessions that introduce ocean life to the 7+ crowd, to volleyball and basketball sports camps for 11 to 14 year olds, registration is now open. Camps run Monday to Friday, March 17 to 21 and March 24 to 28. Click HERE for details.

Wanted: Judges for the Great Debate

Do you appreciate a well-crafted argument? Do you love making a case? On Saturday, January 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., GNS is hosting the Vancouver Island Regional Debate Tournament, bringing together talented students to engage in thoughtful discussions on issues of global significance. Interested in becoming a volunteer judge? We’d love to hear from you! No experience? No problem! We’ll provide the training. If you are interested, please connect with Tamara at tslobogean@mygns.ca 

**Friendly Neighbour Note: Guest vehicle traffic is expected on Saturday, January 25 as we welcome debaters from around the region!

A Community of Service

At GNS, service is in our DNA, and caring is one of our core values. We know demonstrating caring and kindness through service is good for our health and good for community. Thank you to our neighbours who helped make our Fall and Winter book and food drives a great success! Here are just a few of our Fall/Winter student community service highlights:

• GNS Junior School collected 657 books for 1000×5, whose mission is to improve early literacy development across the Capital Regional District. 
• GNS Senior School’s Winter Market raised $930 for the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness through the sale of student-made crafts, baked goods, and hot chocolate as well as a silent auction with items donated by local businesses. 
• Students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12 collected 857 pounds of food which they delivered to the Mustard Seed whose goal is to ensure anyone in need of groceries can access them without feeling shame, guilt or fear. 
• We kicked off the new year on the beach! GNS students and teachers took part in the first Surfrider Foundation beach cleanup of 2025 on January 12! 

Does your event need some volunteer muscle? Let us know! We’d be happy to spread the word!

Wishing you a wonderful year ahead!

Warmly,

Tamara