As STS’s Head of School, I am enthusiastic about creating meaningful opportunities and dwelling in possibility. Saying ‘yes to your best’ is a commitment that STS students, teachers, parents, alumni and staff illustrate each and every day. Rooted in our School's motto, Nil nisi optimum, or Nothing but our best, this commitment to becoming your best self develops a genuine empathy and care for others, combined with an insatiable curiosity, and the courage to say yes to new adventures, discovery, possibility, belonging and future-preparedness. This is what makes STS a great school.
Great schools exist with a strong, vibrant community, and a shared priority for the well-being and educational success of our students and alumni. I can think of no higher priority than the future of our children, and my vision is that as a team at STS, we contribute to moving our students forward in their journey towards their hopes, dreams, and goals. We do so in a respectful manner, honouring the individuality and diversity of our community, and are proud to welcome exceptional students from across the globe, with a wide array of backgrounds, interests, and talents.
The STS spirit and ethos are infectious and inspiring. We have a history of innovation and extensive collaboration with the community, and will continue to build on our roots, be unapologetic in our pursuit of academic excellence, embrace the global competencies our students need to be successful, dwell in unprecedented possibility. I fervently believe in the importance of creating impactful and personalized learning opportunities, both in the classroom and through a diverse co-curricular program, and I can assure you that our dedicated teachers and staff are focused on ensuring your children have access to all they need to succeed and flourish.
As we mark our 50th anniversary, STS is embracing a new strategic plan that honours a strong foundation of academic excellence, trailblazing innovation, and a vibrant and engaged community, while forging a courageous new path towards a flourishing school and community for years to come.
Flourish 2031 celebrates growth, renewal, and the beautiful natural environment we look to as our ‘third teacher’ at STS. Through this theme, we also embrace our mission statement: “A diverse community where students pursue lives of purpose, flourishing emotionally, physically, and intellectually.”
Flourish 2031 is a bold and ambitious ten-year plan. While future-focused, it also looks to our core and how we will continue STS’s legacy of developing good humans, thought-leaders, and global citizens above all else. The real-world learning experiences that have set the school apart will continue to be foundational and expanded in this strategic framework, embracing the opportunities that our campus, and the broader world, provide.
With Flourish 2031 as our guide, I have never been more optimistic about our ability to deliver a rigorous and relevant educational experience for current and prospective students, and I give you my word that I will continue to work tirelessly to provide the best environment for your children. It is an exciting time to be part of the Spartan family, and the future is bright.
There is something special about schools, particularly at STS: a heartbeat, a synergy created by passionate people connecting around a common purpose. As teachers and administrators, our passion and purpose lie in preparing young people for a lifetime of learning and success. The path we envision is a metaphor for the future, similar to the trails surrounding our campus.
As a school and a community, we have watched the protests and rallies in the U.S. and around the world as people have mobilized to stand up against anti-Black racism. We want to acknowledge the deep damage to humanity caused by racism, and our sincere belief as educators that every child has the right to be loved, respected, and supported to become the best version of themselves in our school.
I have long liked this saying as it has inspired me in my work to find solutions to challenging situations and to dwell in possibility. Albert Einstein wrote: “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”, and “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere”.
Fall is surely upon us and it is one of my favourite times of year. I have had an amazing welcome to the community and want to say thank you for the kindness, good wishes and advice. The leadership of our school is in very capable hands.
We are proud to welcome our new Head of School, Mrs. Carol Grant-Watt. Mrs. Grant-Watt brings her passion and vast experience as an educator and a leader to Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School. Get to know Mrs. Grant-Watt as she shares her vision and more about herself in this exclusive interview.
Dr. William Jones, Head of School, retired June 30, 2018. The STS community greatly appreciates Dr. Jones’ extraordinary efforts during his tenure at the School. In his 18-years at STS as Senior School Principal, then Head of School, he created an environment in which students, faculty, and staff, flourished. The STS community sincerely thanks Dr. Jones for his extraordinary service and wishes him well in his future endeavors.
Private school funding has gained some attention recently with criticism from a group called Progress Alberta and a motion by the Edmonton Public School Board to defund private schools. This seems to be an annual occurrence which coincides with the provincial government allocating their budget for the upcoming year. Thankfully the Minister of Education, Minister Eggen, has clearly stated to the media that, “We continue to support the critical role parents play in their children’s education, which includes their ability to choose the school they feel will best ensure their child’s success”.
A growing body of research in the area of character increasingly supports the notion that certain character traits are stronger predictors of success than academic achievement is in post-secondary education, career and life in general.