Nurturing Relationships and Connections

Relationships are at the heart of Greenwood. Our teachers get to know their students as individuals, and that knowledge allows them to deliver the right level of challenge and support for each student. 

The connection between parents/guardians and teachers is another critical one. Our teachers are your partners in educating and supporting your child, and forging a strong relationship strengthens that shared responsibility. I was delighted to see our virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences last week so well attended; this speaks to our parent community’s engagement with their children’s learning and continued growth. I was grateful for the parent meetings and conversations that I had on both Thursday and Friday, all of which focussed on support for Greenwood and our students, including discussions around our Strategic Plan 2021-26 Venture Further Together. 

Parents and guardians also play a significant role at Greenwood in a great many other ways. The Greenwood Roundtable, our parent/guardian organization, builds community connections through events like parent socials and WinterGreen and raises funds for school initiatives; they also brainstorm new events, such as this year’s Used Uniform Sale. Parents and guardians enhance the Greenwood experience through gifts to the Annual Appeal and give back to our local community through the Holiday Hamper program. They generously give of their time and expertise by sitting on our Board of Directors, sharing their thoughts in focus groups and providing day-to-day feedback and support. The Greenwood we know today would simply not be possible without strong support from parents and guardians.

Greenwood parent Dr. Robert Sargeant went above and beyond in his contributions to the school over the last 10 years, and it is with great sadness that we share that he passed away on November 28, one year after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. The former head of the General Internal Medicine Unit (GIM) at St. Michael’s Hospital, Dr. Sargeant was also instrumental in the hospital’s COVID-19 response. His presentations and support for Greenwood over the years, from speaking about his work at Careers Morning to holding a COVID-19 info session for staff early in the pandemic, have meant so much to our community. 

The Globe and Mail published a wonderful tribute to Dr. Sargeant in their November 27 edition that we wanted to share. You may also be interested in his recent conversation with Dr. Jillian Horton, the author of that tribute, in which he reflected on his career and his glioblastoma diagnosis.

Dr. Sargeant will be deeply missed, and our hearts and thoughts are with David (Class of 2022), Matthew (Class of 2017), Karen and the Sargeant family at this difficult time.