December 15, 2023Winter Newsletter from Head of School, Chris Grieve

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Dear Aberdeen Hall Community Members,

It’s hard to believe it’s already December! This time of year is always a fun one with many exciting activities to look forward to, including fun dress-up days for the students, community initiatives such as Stockings for Seniors and the Salvation Army Toy Drive, and lots and lots of holiday baking and goodies.

As we approach the winter break, I am thrilled to share with you the incredible achievements and milestones that our school community has accomplished together. It has been a remarkable few months, filled with growth, collaboration, and success.

November Donations & Giving Tuesday:

A $50,000 Boost for Our Athletics and Wellness Centre!

I am delighted to announce the outstanding success of our Giving Tuesday campaign, where the generosity of our school community shone brightly. Thanks to your support and commitment, we raised over $50,000 towards the development of our new Athletics and Wellness Centre. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the strong sense of community we share and our collective dedication to providing top-notch facilities for the holistic development of our students.

Elevating Excellence: Attaining CAIS Member Status:

Earlier this month our Board Chair Monica Penner, shared the wonderful news that we had achieved our official membership status from Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS).

This achievement is an important milestone in our continuous journey of educational excellence.

Accreditation by CAIS is a rigorous and comprehensive process that involves a detailed evaluation of our school's programs, practices, and overall educational quality. It is not just a certificate; it is a symbol of our unwavering commitment to providing the best possible education for our students. 

Over the past couple of years, we’ve worked diligently toward our goal of becoming a CAIS accredited school. In the last year and a half we completed two important components of the accreditation process. An in-depth Self Study, where we examined all aspects of our educational programming and school operations, and a Peer Review Visit, where we hosted educational leaders from across the country who closely reviewed and evaluated this report and provided both commendations and recommendations for improvement. 

We were pleased to receive a lot of positive feedback and just as pleased to receive our recommendations for improvement. In response to these recommendations, Aberdeen Hall is now charged with creating a School Improvement Action Plan (SIAP), the next important step in the five-year accreditation cycle.

We would like to thank the entire CAIS community for your helpful support during this process as well as the members of our Peer Review Team who were all knowledgeable and articulate leaders in their field.

We would also like to acknowledge all of our faculty, staff, board members and school families past and present who engaged in this process. Your commitment and hard work have been essential in demonstrating our dedication to providing a top-quality education.

Upcoming Events & Activities:

We have an exciting lineup of events and activities planned for the remainder of the academic year. From holiday concerts to community outreach initiatives, there will be ample opportunities for our students to engage, learn, and create lasting memories. Keep an eye on our communications for updates and details about these upcoming events.

In closing, I want to express my gratitude for your continued support and dedication to the success of Aberdeen Hall. Together, we have achieved great things, and I am confident that the coming year will bring even more accomplishments and moments of pride.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a restful break.

With Warm Regards, 

Chris Grieve, 
Head of School