As we take time this holiday season to reflect on the blessings of the current school year thus far, school leadership is encouraged by the generosity of our school community and the loving service of our students. We are grateful for opportunities to partner with community organizations that believe in the mission of GCS and who strive to help us fulfill our mission to develop students who are spiritually, academically, emotionally, physically, and socially mature to the glory of God.
Our school year began with unique opportunities for our high school students. The introduction of our High Performance Training Program has allowed many of our student-athletes to increase their speed, power, strength, and flexibility while professionally training on-site at Andrews Sports Institute. This has significantly benefited our growing GCS athletic programs, which have provided more than 75 student-athletes with opportunities to learn many life lessons and develop qualities through participation in various sports. We even celebrated a provincial championship win for our intermediate “A” boys volleyball team! Additionally, the launch of our high school jazz band has allowed our students to refine their God-given musical talents. We look forward to extending similar opportunities into the elementary hallway in the new year.
The generosity of GCS stakeholders is yet another reason to celebrate our school community. Over the past four months, GCS has been gifted over $40,000 towards our Knight’s Legacy Fund. On top of this, over $2000 worth of gifts have been purchased from our Amazon Wishlist, which will greatly benefit our staff and students. The investment in our future allows us to continue strengthening our current programs and develop new programs and services to support our growing student body of leaders, thinkers, and innovators. It also allows us to continue expanding our facilities, and even more importantly, helps stabilize our bursary fund to ensure that every student meeting our entrance requirements has access to an exceptional 21st- century, Christ-centred education.
Learning through service allows our students to move their focus from themselves to the needs of others. Throughout the past months, GCS students have demonstrated how Christ can use anyone to make a difference, regardless of their age. Collaboratively, elementary students planted seeds of kindness throughout the community, re-stocking the shelves of the Island Pregnancy Centre, sponsoring coffee breaks for various units at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, hosting a STEM camp for a class at West Royalty Elementary School during Science & Technology Week, and preparing virtual Christmas wishes for residents at Geneva Villa. GCS students also volunteered to support The Great Canadian Soap Company by packaging soap products to be donated to the local Food Banks. On Giving Tuesday, GCS celebrated the generosity of our students who gave to the residents living at Prince Edward Home by purchasing $2500 worth of gifts for them to open on Christmas morning.
The joy of being part of the GCS fabric is just one of the many blessings we can count this holiday season. As we celebrate the greatest gift – the birth of Jesus Christ – may we all give thanks to the Lord and eagerly wait on His guidance and direction in 2022.
