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 As we start the new school year, let me welcome first our new students, parents and teachers to the Mulgrave community. The teachers have been with us for a number of days to prepare for their new assignments and I am most impressed by their varied experience and desire to become fully engaged in our school. I hope you will take the opportunities provided by our schedule to join us at the school early in the term to make these connections. As always, I ask you to direct your attention to our web site http://www.mulgrave.com for our Calendar and extensive information about our programmes.
Returning to school each September presents us all with a dual perspective: the glories of summer are sadly fading into the past and the challenges and demands of the future are just around the corner! Yes, the reality of a new school year is upon us and at Mulgrave there is much to be excited about.
Already there is bustle through the halls and in classrooms: new faces are mixed with familiar friends and there are fresh levels of energy and passion in the air as new administrators and teachers prepare for the new school year. It is clear that expectations are high.
The implementation of technology in teaching and learning is ever-developing at the school and this year, every student in Grade 6 will be working with a designated laptop. In addition, technology in the Middle School has a new look with an enhanced programme taught by Mr. Graham Gilley. As the school moves forward with the introduction of all three IB Programmes, our teachers are striving to expand their experience and to work closely with the IB Learner Profile to provide continuity, challenge and excellence in all that we do.
New challenges are always presenting themselves. You will see from the bill board at the foot of the school drive that the District of West Vancouver has approved a plan for developing the land immediately around and above the school. How we respond to this development in the next few months will be critical in determining opportunities for our school as we seek to establish and to secure our future in this location. Under the ambitious and talented direction of the Board, and more specifically, through the establishment of the Mulgrave School Foundation, we are moving to establish an endowment fund to support, among other things, financial aid and scholarships. At the same time we recognise that any future capital development will require substantial endorsement from our ever-supportive community.
This development also turns a new spotlight on the importance of our Annual Fund which this year will be known by the catchy title of “Fly the Flag”. This Campaign is being managed by our new Assistant in the Advancement Office, Claire Lynch, who is busy planning to launch the programme earlier than usual this year on 30th September. Managing a school like Mulgrave on a day-to-day basis, where the benchmark of quality in the education we offer to your children demands from us nothing short of “Excellence”, also requires apparently endless resources which are not always fulfilled by school fees. The Annual Fund is growing in its importance as a vital source of unrestricted funds with which to respond - dynamically - to needs within the school as they arise: classroom facilities, equipment and materials, extra programmes, financial assistance (now) and professional development. For the first time this year, there will also be the option to apply your contribution to scholarships and endowment. Please support our school and help us to reach and to exceed the target of $305K in the “Fly the Flag” Annual Fund Campaign for 2008/09.
We look forward to welcoming everyone next week as we start Mulgrave’s 15th year of operation.
Sincerely,
Tony Macoun
Head of School
tmacoun@mulgrave.com
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