For all Rockridge families, I hope you have a wonderful summer break and I wish to thank you for your ongoing support. I am already looking forward to the new school year with a sense of positivity and hope, knowing that in these times of change we will work together to make our students’ school experience meaningful, productive and joyous.<\/p>\n
Below is my Graduation Commencement Speech in which I provided some words of advice for our grads as they venture forward into unpredictable territory.\u00a0 I also challenged them to be agents of change in a time when society is at a juncture. And of course, I reminded them that each of them will always be a Rockridge Raven.<\/p>\n
For the Rockridge Graduates of 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n I understand you were likely hoping for a graduation commencement ceremony surrounded by your friends and loved ones – in person. Yet this virtual format is a great compromise which still honours the significance of such a momentous occasion.<\/p>\n Your graduating year has been one you will certainly never forget for several reasons.\u00a0 Two consecutive snow days in one school year is highly unusual, and then of course, an abrupt suspension of in-school classes following spring break.\u00a0 This had a significant impact on post-secondary decisions, spring sports and many other special year-end traditions. I can imagine that one of the hardest things to deal with was not knowing what\u2019s next.\u00a0 This can be very disconcerting. \u00a0We have been finding our way these last few months without the help of GPS to guide us. We have had to be flexible in our thinking so thank you for being understanding.\u00a0 I\u2019m so proud of how you have handled these times of uncertainty with such resiliency and maturity.<\/p>\n I encourage you to recall the positive<\/em> memories from your last school year as a Rockridge Raven. Our girls\u2019 volleyball team, what a powerhouse. And how about our boys\u2019 basketball team? North Shore Champions. That is impressive. Theatre Company\u2019s production of the \u201c25th<\/sup> Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee\u201d at the Kay Meek Theatre was an impressive display of acting and singing talent, and the audience laughed throughout the entire performance. Each of you will have unique memories \u2013 perhaps of a special field trip, a written piece that you completed with pride, a concert in which you performed, something you created in film or photography, in woodworking, in textiles, foods or art class that brought you joy and a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.\u00a0 And don\u2019t forget the Boat Cruise and your Semi-Formal – both fun-filled memories with your friends during your final year at Rockridge. So when you are looking in the rear view mirror and reflecting on your Grade 12 year, yes, you graduated during a global pandemic (which hey – makes you special), yet try not to forget the bright spots that are well deserving of being wonderful memories.\u00a0 Hold onto those.<\/p>\n Perhaps we will all reflect on these times and consider how we\u2019ve grown and changed.\u00a0 Maybe we have become more patient, open-minded, and less reactive.\u00a0 What might have annoyed us before may not be as bothersome now.\u00a0 The seriousness of the struggles humankind is facing serve as reminders for us all to recognize what things should really matter.\u00a0 Maybe we have all learned to be more aware and appreciative of what we do have, especially the support of the loved ones in our lives. Your parents and caregivers have been your cheerleaders, sharing in your celebrations as well as shouldering disappointments right alongside you. They will continue to be there for you every step of the way.\u00a0 Thank you parents for entrusting your precious children to us. We hope you realize that we took this responsibility seriously and we have provided an education that has prepared them well for their next steps.<\/p>\n We have a wonderful staff at Rockridge who understands the importance of educating both the heart and the mind.\u00a0 Thank you to the staff for their dedication and hard work in providing relevant, engaging learning experiences. Thank you for being so attuned to students\u2019 emotional needs and for bestowing care and kindness upon each of our learners.\u00a0 When I asked students to describe their teachers, it was no surprise when they identified these qualities most often – helpful, kind, caring and supportive.<\/p>\n School has been your anchor for 130 months \u2013 a place where you have congregated to laugh and to learn.\u00a0 West Vancouver School District\u2019s logo is a lighthouse, symbolizing educational excellence and stellar leadership. With the knowledge and skills you have acquired and developed throughout your years at school combined with your wealth of experiences and the family values instilled in you, each of you in a way is a lighthouse with all that learning housed within you.\u00a0 You are well prepared to tackle with fervor the opportunities and challenges ahead on the horizon. Your beam of light will help you navigate unsettled waters with skill to be the confident, capable leaders I know you can be. But as you venture forward graduates, I do have 3 pieces of advice which I hope may resonate with you and help you transition from the structure and predictability of school to the unpredictability of life.<\/p>\n And given that unpredictability, my first piece of advice is to be adaptable<\/em><\/strong>. \u00a0Things don\u2019t always go our way, and disappointment is certainly no stranger. \u00a0Rockridge has taught you how to be problem-solvers, ones whose broad array of skills can be utilized for a new use or purpose. Remember that.\u00a0 Shifting gears like many companies of late have done in order to manufacture products in demand is an example of adaptability. Each of you has the ability to pivot when needed and adjust your course with dexterity and skill to maneuver around obstacles. So when you are faced with unexpected situations that weren\u2019t exactly what you had hoped for or wanted, your ability to adapt will help you push forward, perhaps on a different path, yet one that may lead to success and fulfillment.<\/p>\n My second piece of advice is to be innovative<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 I encourage you to be curious, consider new, original ideas and to think outside the box.\u00a0 We know that robot automation can create jobs, but it will also eliminate jobs. Robots have difficulty being naturally creative so you will be well positioned for a variety of jobs if you possess an innovative mindset. As Steve Jobs said, \u201cThe most important thing is a person. A person who incites and feeds your curiosity; and machines cannot do that in the same way that people can.\u201d<\/em> Have the confidence to be one of those individuals, one who brings awe-inspiring ideas to the table and stimulates others.\u00a0 I have witnessed your innovative minds at work.<\/p>\n And finally, be humble and kind<\/em>.\u00a0 <\/strong>Consider ways you can make a difference in the lives of others and in our world. \u00a0<\/strong>To quote author Harold Kushner, \u201cDo things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.\u201d <\/em>I have seen, heard and felt your kindness. There can never be a surplus of kindness in our world, especially now, so continue to be humble and kind. \u00a0Make those<\/em> the qualities that define you as a person and you will earn the respect of others.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve advised you to be adaptable, innovative, humble and kind.\u00a0 That\u2019s a lot isn\u2019t it?\u00a0 Not really. You are already all those things. \u00a0You just need to recognize and be aware of your strengths and continue to be \u2018you\u2019 and nurture those qualities at every opportunity.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/westvancouverschools.ca\/rockridge-secondary\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/Snow-brushing.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> The school came together in a level of energy, enthusiasm and school spirit that I had not yet witnessed. Even some guy named Reggie made an appearance at a home game cheering you on? Many won\u2019t forget that.\u00a0 I certainly won\u2019t.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n