Year End Message

Greenwood staff members are deeply immersed in professional development this week, as well as preparation for the upcoming school year. Next week, we host the Summer Institute; Staff members apply to be a part of this opportunity, and successful candidates work to move Greenwood forward on strategic plan imperatives and priorities identified for the 2022-23 school year. 

At Celebration Day, we honoured a long-standing Greenwood teacher, Colleen Petch. Colleen has been a talented and dedicated Art teacher at Greenwood for the past 19 years. In years past, she has worked as a Guidance Counsellor and a staff supervisor for our Hockey HEROS program; she has also been a valuable contributor to many theatre productions. After contributing significantly to our school, Colleen and her family have decided to seek a slower pace of life in Ancaster, Ontario. Colleen has secured a position as a Guidance Counsellor at Hillfield Strathallan College in Hamilton. We wish her and her family the very best with this exciting move.

Two additional long-time Greenwood employees are departing at the end of this school year. Heather Wright is moving on to a teaching position in the TDSB after 14 years at Greenwood. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Heather served as Subject Team Leader for the English department and also contributed to Greenwood’s co-curricular program through her roles as Writing Centre Coordinator, school musical producer and Outdoor Education Leader. Jennifer Lillie has accepted the position of Director of Guidance at Kingsway College School. During her 13 years at Greenwood, Jen has served the school as Director of Student Success. She has led the Success Centre and Guidance Teams, advised students in Grades 9 through 12 and provided postsecondary counselling to Grade 11 and 12 students. We thank both Heather and Jen for their time and dedication to Greenwood and our students.

Nicole Amatruda, Allie Biglieri, Trevor Findlay, Bethany Glick and Crawford Heisz are also moving on to new opportunities. Collectively, I think about how much they have impacted our students and our school. Support for Outdoor Education and progressing our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work, as well as providing outstanding teaching and support for students, stand out as ways that they have contributed. I wish them all exciting next chapters and new adventures.  

Erin Klassen will be on maternity leave and Charles Jennings is on a self-funded/4 over 5 leave for the 2022-2023 school year. We wish them both a wonderful year and look forward to their return in September 2023. 

 

It is time for Greenwood students to have a change of pace. I hope that you all have ample time to enjoy our Canadian summer, moments of joy, and maybe a chance for your family to venture further together! 

As I write my last message of the 2021-22 school year, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Board of Directors, for entrusting me to lead Greenwood; to staff members and parents, for making it such a pleasure to work with you throughout the year; and to our students, for going on this journey together and allowing me to support you however I can. It’s a privilege to be your Principal.

Have a GREAT summer!