Farewell to 2023-2024

Dear Greenwood Community,

Can you believe it’s June, and another school year is over? It’s certainly hard to believe; the year flew by.

As we reflect on the past year, I invite you to take a moment to consider something that makes you proud. Maybe you pushed yourself academically this year, or you took to the stage at Greenwood Mic, or you joined or started a club or committee that interests you. It was a privilege to watch so many of you challenge yourselves and evolve this year.

To our Grade 8s: Congratulations! You are now heading into high school. You have come so far in your two short years in middle school. I wish you all the best as you transition into high schoolers. I know you will look out for the new students joining you in the Fall, as well as the Grade 7s as they embark on their middle school journey.

Last week, our Grade 12 students completed their Greenwood journey and are now off to embrace a new challenge. Class of 2024, I hope Greenwood helped you discover who you are and you can take this knowledge with you to your post-secondary pursuits, where you feel confident to be who you are but also stay flexible and willing to change and grow. Remember - we are continually becoming who we are.

To the students leaving Greenwood, your presence here will be missed. We wish you all the best on your journey.

To the Greenwood staff who are moving on — thank you for everything you’ve done for our school community. Please know that whether you have been here for a year or a decade, you have made a tremendous impact on the lives of our students, and your colleagues. 

We sincerely wish you all the best as you embark on your new adventures:

Heather Maxted is taking on an exciting new journey at The York School to teach the IB curriculum. Ms. Joannou is also heading to the York School to teach math in the IB program. Stephanie Martino and Winnie Quach are both pursuing the opportunity to further their careers closer to home at St. Anne's School. Rachael Brownell-Swain is taking on the role of Manager of Professional Learning at CAIS. Linda Hu is heading to St Clement’s School as a science teacher and the Student Leadership Coordinator. Connor McFarlane is pursuing an opportunity at Crescent School. Natalie Piper is pursuing an opportunity with MLSE.

Adam Turcotte will be teaching at Upper Canada College and David Merrithew took on a role at Sterling Hall School to teach Physical Education. 

We wish Emily Borden well as she heads on sabbatical. 

And, we will welcome back Michael Schmidt and Liz Wong in September as we wish Lucas Tompkins well on his parental leave.

Remember: once a Grizzly, always a Grizzly! So please do keep in touch, visit and I hope that you will hold Greenwood in your heart, as I do!

It has truly been an honour to be Principal of this most wonderful place for the past six years. To the entire Greenwood community: thank you for supporting your children and our mission. 

As we reflect on the year and where we’ve come from and we look ahead to where we are going, remember to stay true to yourself as you evolve and grow. Keep writing your own story.  

Take care,
Sarah Bruce