Current Health Guidance & Provincial Restrictions
We thank you for your patience and understanding while our Graduation Committee solidifies all the logistics including the dates, times, and relevant instructions for grads and their families. We will ensure that you receive all the necessary information in a timely manner so that you can also plan for this very important day.
Update on Friday, June 4:
It is hard to believe that we are only days away from the graduation of our Class of 2021. We met with our Grad Class parents this week to update, discuss and coordinate the most recent plans and we’d like to share an update with all of our grad parents.
It is hard to believe that we are only days away from the graduation of our Class of 2021. We met with our Grad Class parents this week to update, discuss and coordinate the most recent plans and we’d like to share an update with all of our grad parents.
In light of last week’s announcement by Dr. Bonnie Henry regarding BC’s Restart Plan, we are all looking forward to a gradual return to normal. However, while this is great news, we have been advised by the Ministry of Education that all schools must continue to abide by the current COVID-19 operational and Health & Safety Guidelines for K-12 settings until June 30th which restricts gatherings and includes the need for students to continue to cohort. Unfortunately, this means that in accordance with the current K-12 Health & Safety Guidelines we are unable to host a special event at the school on Saturday, June 19.
The good news is that the Class of 2021, will all be able to be together for their ceremony and have their teachers present. This was not something that was possible for last year’s grads. I want to thank the amazing group of faculty and staff who are working tirelessly behind the scenes, adapting creatively around numerous health and safety guidelines to ensure that our amazing grads are honoured and celebrated and that they enjoy a truly memorable graduation.
This past Monday, the grads gathered together in the theatre to rehearse the school song with the traditional graduation verse. Led by Music Teacher Ms. Benila Ninan, it was beautiful to hear the girls sing together, even while wearing masks. Following the rehearsal, I was able to address the grads and thank them for their resilience at this challenging time. I acknowledged that while this past year has had many disappointments, we are all going to come together to celebrate in the best way possible, with their health and safety in mind.
The good news is that the Class of 2021, will all be able to be together for their ceremony and have their teachers present. This was not something that was possible for last year’s grads. I want to thank the amazing group of faculty and staff who are working tirelessly behind the scenes, adapting creatively around numerous health and safety guidelines to ensure that our amazing grads are honoured and celebrated and that they enjoy a truly memorable graduation.
This past Monday, the grads gathered together in the theatre to rehearse the school song with the traditional graduation verse. Led by Music Teacher Ms. Benila Ninan, it was beautiful to hear the girls sing together, even while wearing masks. Following the rehearsal, I was able to address the grads and thank them for their resilience at this challenging time. I acknowledged that while this past year has had many disappointments, we are all going to come together to celebrate in the best way possible, with their health and safety in mind.
Update on May 5, 2021:
We have received guidance from the Independent School Association of BC (ISABC), who has been liaising with Vancouver Coastal Health to gain clarity on what is permissible for graduation. Following discussions with the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry; the Ministry of Education, the BCCDC, and Medical Health Officers from other regional authorities the following restrictions apply:
- Graduation ceremonies are considered to be a “learning activity”. Therefore, cohorts of students and staff may hold graduation ceremonies. Dances, dinners, etc. will fall under the gathering orders and are not permitted at this time.
- Attendees who are not students or staff will only be able to attend or be on-site if the gathering order is modified. We will likely not know this information until after May 25th.
In an effort to be nimble and pivot quickly should these restrictions change, we currently have an internal Graduation Planning committee consisting of administration, faculty, and staff that is meeting weekly to coordinate plans for our Grads.
Administrators are also meeting regularly with our Grade 12 Class Presidents and our Grade 12 Class Parents. We are prepared to shift plans should the restrictions imposed change and provide us with more flexibility. There is no doubt that our graduation events are very important, but the health and safety of our students and school community must be a priority and as such, we must adhere to the Provincial Health restrictions.
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