Personal Message to Chartwell Families from Mme Trudeau

Dear Chartwell parents,

It is my pleasure and privilege to welcome you to a new school year! I am thrilled to be part of this wonderful school community as your new Principal. As a resident of West Vancouver, and a parent of two grown sons who attended our West Vancouver Schools in the past, I already feel very connected to this school and community.

Chartwell has a rich history, full of successes and growth. It has a supportive parent group, and a dedicated staff to ensure that our students are offered the best education there is. We all want to ensure that our students have many opportunities to grow in all domains: academic, physical, artistic, and social and emotional. Chartwell students thrive and achieve great results. They do so because of their excellent work ethic and of the support that they receive from their parents, their teachers, their coaches, and their peers. Cultures and traditions are valued here, and will continue to be embraced.

This is an exciting time! We are inspired by a new curriculum that focuses on the Big Ideas, personalized learning, inquiry learning and core competencies. Students can deepen their learning in all academic areas in projects like the Capstone, while developing competencies in communication, creative and critical thinking, and social and emotional areas, all key to success in a competitive global world.

A UNICEF Rights Respecting School is a special place to learn. It is a place where we value who we are, not just what we do, and a place of inclusion where diversity is celebrated. Human rights, respect and responsibility to others as well as one’s self are crucial components of the Chartwell culture, where character education plays an important role, and sets the tone for students to feel happy, appreciated, accepted; therefore, able and excited to focus on their learning in a climate of care and safety.

The 2016-17 school year will see changes in our curriculum and there will surely be other changes along the way. For example, changes are in the works to transform our school library into a refreshed collaborative space, which we call a Learning Commons. However, the core values that make Chartwell a much loved school will not change. We will continue on our journey of excellence whilst exploring innovative practices to ensure that our students succeed!

Enjoy the long Labour Day week-end, and get ready for a great school year at Chartwell Elementary!

Warm Regards,

Mme Chantal Trudeau
Principal