Farewell to Dr. Jones
When asked what words immediately come to mind about our former Head of School, Dr. William (Bill) Jones, responses include: ethical, visionary, focused, student-centered, excellence, and a wicked sense of humour. On June 30, 2018, Dr. Jones retired from Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS) after 11 years of dedicated service as Head of School. He also served for seven years as our Senior School Principal from 1992 to 1999. His leadership leaves behind a far-reaching legacy that will reverberate through the halls of STS for years to come.
As Head of School, Dr. Jones led STS to receiving new accreditations, including becoming a full IB World School, and being recognized by the Association of Experiential Education (AEE) for our second-to-none Outdoor Education (OE) Program. Simultaneously, he worked tirelessly on behalf of STS to ensure the successful completion of the Inspiring Possibilities campaign.
Having our students realize the impact they make on others is a lesson that Dr. Jones taught by example. He always demonstrated a great enthusiasm for the well roundedness of our school programs. From leading the pack at the Terry Fox Run, to his love for his favorite event of the year, Speech Day, to the importance of experiential and outdoor learning, to making our school the forerunner on safety protocol, and even reducing the carbon footprint of our campus, STS has been indelibly shaped by his hands.
As an effective and inspiring leader, his vision and thoughtfulness, his calm and compassionate humanity, and his broad academic knowledge and intuitive sense of knowing what is right for students, staff, and parents not only guided us but has inspired us to be better leaders in our own right.
Going forward into his retirement, there is no doubt that Dr. Jones will continue to inspire and help others to be leaders in their fields. It is with his broad vision and sound philosophical underpinnings, combined with the ability to harness our willingness and focus our resources that Dr. Jones has created a community that we are all privileged to be a part of.
Dr. Jones has represented and enhanced the reputation of STS not only across Canada, but worldwide. We are so thankful to Dr. Jones for inspiring us to stride confidently forward as 21st Century learners and thinkers, and for fashioning Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School into a true Centre for Excellence. The STS community sincerely thanks Dr. Jones for his extraordinary service and wishes him well in his future endeavours.
We also look forward to welcoming our new Head of School, Mrs. Carol Grant-Watt, who will undoubtedly build on Dr. Jones’ legacy of excellence and innovation, while bringing new ideas and a vision for a new era at STS.
Nil Nisi Optimum