You Can Make a Difference!

April 14, 2022

Academics

GNS

What is the Annual Appeal? It is GNS’ yearly outreach to the entire GNS community: current and former parents, alumni, faculty, staff and friends who all participate to support teaching and learning enhancements across the school.

As a not-for-profit school, 100% of the tuition that parents pay go towards salaries and general operations. The funding for all of our facilities, facility refurbishments, major equipment, bursaries, scholarships and other enhancements come from our donors.

“Every donation matters and makes a difference to the teaching, learning and extra co-curricular school life that your child benefits from at GNS,” said Ms. Mary Anne Marchildon, Annual Fund Manager. “We don’t sell chocolates, we don’t sell wrapping paper—this is our fundraising.”

Ms. Marchildon and her family have been part of the GNS community since 2003, when her daughter Maddy started Kindergarten. Maddy graduated in 2016, and has now finished her commerce degree at the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria.

“Our history here is long, and we have always loved the school and all it has done for our family,” said Ms. Marchildon, who started taking a role in the GNS community as a grade representative and was then on the Parents’ Auxiliary Council for many years before becoming the president.

“I loved being part of the community so much that when a job came open in 2012 I begged them to hire me, and here I am 10 years later,” explained Ms. Marchildon. “I encourage everyone to get involved with the school like we did when we came. Reach out to people in your grade and become a part of this community. That will make your experience at the school the best it can be. We still meet with friends that started with us in Kindergarten!”

The Annual Appeal parent participation rate has grown from 10% in 2012 to 54% in 2022, and from 61% to 95% for staff. Every gift is important and makes a difference.

“I equate every donation to a brick that helps build and shape GNS,” said Ms. Marchildon. “Some families give one brick, some give a wheelbarrow full and they are all needed and all appreciated. Every one of them makes a difference to our teachers and our students.”

As part of the Annual Appeal you can give to any aspect of the school you are passionate about whether that be facilities, equipment, bursaries, scholarships, or one of the many programs.

“Every family, every year. That’s our goal—to have all of our current families participate in the Annual Fund,” said Ms. Marchildon. “Why is that so important? Because we are in a partnership and we all need to do our part to accomplish the end goal, which is to have the best teaching and learning opportunities for all of our children. That is what being part of the GNS community is all about.”

Find out more about the Annual Appeal here.