SOLID Foundations
ENA HARROP HEAD OF SCHOOL
Last year saw us wrap up the School ’ s 125th anniversary celebrations . Significant milestones such as these connect us to history and tradition , and create the opportunity for gathering and reminiscing about the people and events that shaped the School . We are fortunate to have grown from a solid foundation — an invested community , and a shared belief in the power of a girl-centred education — and we look forward to our future with confidence and excitement .
In the past year , we also launched our strategic plan , Thriving in Possibility , with significant progress across all five strategies . We spent time learning about and implementing deliberate actions aimed at fostering agency among students and staff . At the same time , we completed a sustainability audit of the School ’ s campus and operations and we mapped our ecological literacy curriculum . In this edition , you ’ ll find articles dedicated to Purposeful
Learning and Active Stewardship , highlighting the significance of these two strategies in reaffirming the School ’ s commitment to agility and responsibility .
Throughout the fall of 2023 and into the spring of 2024 , our Mandarinspeaking parents / guardians attended six sessions developed by Ms Lily Crowe , Associate Director , Chinese Language & Culture . These sessions were aimed at removing barriers to accessing information integral to full participation in the life of the School . Nurturing and welcoming visible and non-visible diversity to foster positive understanding , deep appreciation and respectful engagement with all individuals , cultures and viewpoints is the goal of the Embracing Diversity strategy , and this particular initiative is critical to realizing this strategic priority . As ever , we welcome your involvement as we continue to engage and connect our community in meaningful and inclusive ways .
Through the Foundational Well- Being strategy , the School introduced the Graydin approach to coaching .
Early feedback shows that staff endorse the benefits that coaching and the tools provided through Graydin bring to their professional practice . Graydin coaching fosters a student-centred approach , encouraging educators to listen actively , ask powerful questions , and facilitate students ’ critical thinking and problem-solving abilities . Further , it emphasizes empathy , active listening and collaboration , which are vital to building trust and to our commitment to belonging . We are excited about the impact we are already beginning to see in our staff and students as these coaching tools are put to use .
The Meaningful Partnership strategy aims to build relationships in the community based on shared goals and values , and on rolemodelling for students on the importance of collaboration and civic engagement . Through 2023 – 2024 , work was started to guide the School in how to best establish sustained and reciprocal partnerships . We are thrilled to have Kara McDonald join the School as the Deputy Head , Community Engagement and Partnership . Her experience is key to continuing the development of this strategic priority . In connection with this work , we will continue to extend our efforts to support Truth and Reconciliation and build partnerships with First Nations . In 2023 – 2024 , we had the honour of hosting Monique Gray Smith , one of our Whole Girl , Whole World speakers . Monique ’ s message significantly enhanced our understanding of the interconnected nature of partnership and reconciliation .
Finally , I want to note the investment in CHS employees . Strengthening the professional learning communities
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