There’s a sad sort of clanging from the clock in the hall…
My final message to the Crofton House School community is simply one of deep gratitude.
It has truly been an honour and a privilege to be Head of Crofton House School for the past 19 years and to witness more than 1,500 graduates walk across the stage at Chan Centre – the confident, courageous, creative, citizens and women leaders we know the world needs more than ever. It seems impossible that this year’s graduating class was not born when I arrived at CHS – and now I leave as an honourary member of L19htning McQueen!
I feel equally fortunate to have also worked in close partnership with parents. Not a day has gone by that I have not seen them on the campus lending a helping hand. There is no question that our extraordinary parents have made Crofton House the school it is today by continuing to give so generously. Together we have been able to rebuild the campus to provide a place for our academic, arts, and athletics programs to flourish. The addition of the ECE Centre – a place of pure joy – has also allowed us to offer the best of all-girls’ education from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.
But we know at the very heart of great schools are not buildings, but rather great teachers. It has been a privilege to watch them each day - and often well into the evening and on weekends - helping girls to fulfill the School’s mission, “to discover and pursue their personal excellence”. They have championed a number of outstanding new programs, coached countless student athletes, and nurtured artists of every type. In the words of the students, “our teachers are supportive, caring, knowledgeable and simply amazing”.
I have also had the good fortune to work with an outstanding team of administrators and leaders. I know that Ena Harrop, the 9th Head of Crofton House School, will have the support of a team of the very best, including Barbara Schuetz, my assistant – who will work together with this entire community to continue the legacy of Crofton House School that Jessie Gordon and her sisters began 121 years ago.
I have every confidence the future of CHS is bright. I also believe it will be made even stronger because of our shared belief that cost should not be a barrier to a Crofton House School education for any extraordinary girl.
Thank you for your support of the Dr. Patricia Dawson Bursary Fund – I am truly humbled. As someone who personally benefited from both bursaries and scholarships to complete her own education, I am pleased to know that these funds will put a Crofton House education in reach for more extraordinary girls.
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye.
Pat Dawson (aka Patty D)
