What Others Would Say...

Graduate from the Class of 2010

Thank you for all of your support over the past 3 years.  The Calgary Girls School was such an amazing experience for B.  She has grown, matured and blossomed under your guidance.  We have appreciated that she has learned to be a thinker, loves, loves, loves school, and has established some great friendships.  None of this would have been possible without the rich opportunities and experiences that she has had in each of her grades.   Thank you to her teachers, Mrs. Eskerod, Ms.  Sirup, Mr. Fisher, Ms. O’Sullivan and Ms. Jackson, who not only inspired her to learn but taught her to love learning.  For this, she has become a very inquisitive young lady who asks lots and lots of questions (sometimes toooooooo many!!!!!).  It is very comforting and rewarding to observe her make connections across the disciplines during our supper table conversations.  A recent conversation regarding the oil spill, with her father, had her reveal her understanding about the difference between a “market economy” and “mixed economy” and the impact that this has for the USA in this particular situation.  Most importantly, the girl’s school has taught her the connections to the real world with all its controversial issues through her academics and the modeling that takes place in “Go Girls.”  Grandma and Grandpa were equally impressed with B's evolving confidence and enjoyed the tour of the school as B shared the school’s many accomplishments and why it is so important for girls to attend the Girls school.  

To her option teachers, Mr. Remenda, Mr. Ramirez, and Mrs. Burns, thank you for recognizing her many passions and allowing her to excel in her own comfortable ways.  We are confident that these will serve her well in the next piece of her learning journey.  Mrs. Cole, thank you for understanding her learning challenges and drawing out her intelligence and confidence with her newly developed learning strategies.  Mrs. Brown she will miss your dog stories, but most of all, your sense of humour and the importance to laugh, laugh and laugh everyday.  Lastly, to the admin team, I understand the daily challenges that confront you regularly however, keep doing what you are doing because you are doing it well.  You have created such an amazing school.  As a family, we are very proud of it and speak highly about it wherever we go.  We have appreciated that you are progressive about your pedagogy and are tireless in understanding the research about good learning and teaching, in particular, what is important for girls’ learning, achievement, personal success and the nurturing of humanitarian causes.  We have also appreciated the compassion that the school brings forth by inspiring leadership opportunities to make a difference in the world for very important causes.

B came home the other day and shared that she cried after having teachers and friends sign her yearbook.  I smiled and was happy for her.  This means that she has “attached” --- a very important milestone in her life and unfamiliar to her being.  She moves on in her new journey.  And, despite whatever new challenges that we can anticipate as a family, we believe that CGS has laid a very solid foundation for her future.  She brings with her new skills that are now intrinsic and will serve her well on her new venture for life-long learning.  Each of you is to be commended for your very fine efforts over the past 3 years.  Although, you might not be acknowledged, often, for your outstanding work, commitment and dedication, our family would like to extend our appreciation for your stellar work.  Each day you make a difference in the lives of our young women, instilling within each, confidence that allows them to succeed at whatever they aspire to do.  Although you will be missed, you have captured a piece of our hearts and we will forever remember this experience as a time that began the rest of B’s life.  Thank you and congratulations!

Grade 4 Voices

Click play below for a video message from our grade 4 students.

Voices from Grade 4

password: burgundy

Alumni Living Abroad

I just thought you would like to know how K. is doing. K. graduated from St Margaret's School (a girl's school) in December 2008. In March 2009 she will be studying Math, Physics and Engineering at Monash University in Melbourne. K. plans to become a Civil Engineer. Of course John and I are very proud of her. We believe Calgary Girls School played a pivot role in K’s love of Math and Science.

T. is now in year eleven at St Margaret's. She is currently planning to become nurse and eventually work with Doctors Without Borders.

Both K. and T. talk fondly of their time at Calgary Girls School.

PS. It is not an official statistic, but it appears that in the Engineering Faculty at Monash all the female students attended all girl schools. However the ratio of males to females is 4.5 to 1.

CBC Radio about CGS

A Grade 10 Teacher About One of Our Graduates...

I was marking some social 10 papers and I came across something I wanted to pass on to you. The students did a reading about a Chinese orphan who was brought up Jewish and she had to give a speech at her bat mitzvah. The theme of the speech was how I became me. I had my students write their own speeches to help them explore issues of identity and collectivity. This is a direct quote from a paper I just marked:

"One of the biggest experiences that changed my identity completely was the movement to the girls school for my junior high years. No, this wasn't a typical junior high, there were uniforms, your own desk instead of a locker, and an actual lunch recess in which we were forced to actually go outside. But is was also the content of the curriculum and the way they taught us. We were taught that as girls we can do anything and we should let no one stop us. I gained a great many values during those three years more than I ever have. I'm sure that each and every graduate of the girls school was set up for a brilliant future."

Meg Tilley’s Website Blog After Visiting CGS

Oh my god. My heart is full to overflowing! I just came back from Calgary Girls school and...oh my. These girls. This school. Caroline Parker. The teachers. What a beautiful gift they gave me. I arrived this morning still carrying my midnight worries in my pocket. Sarah driving me in her husband’s (very clean and classy) car. There was something about Sarah that radiated kindness and helped ease my insecurities a bit. We arrived at a rather nondescript school, but when we walked inside… it felt like home. It felt safe and embracive. And the staff that I met, their eyes weren’t tired. Disillusioned. It’s like this group of educators decided to create a new way, a new mold within to teach, and from the amazing intelligent, curious, insightful questions the girls asked and the enthusiasm with which they participated, this group of dedicated professionals are obviously succeeding.
And get this...I walk into the school, insecure, questioning, doubting and Caroline greets us with shining eyes and a warm smile and she tells me that ALL OF THE FIFTH GRADE GIRLS HAVE READ OR ARE READING MY BOOK!!! They’ve read it! Not only that...THEY LOVE IT! (I’m smiling now at my computer screen) And that they are very, very excited to meet me and that the fourth grade is asking to read Porcupine as well, and then on a tour of the school I met the librarian and she said that she thinks the 6th and 7th grades at their other school would enjoy it too! We’d peek into classrooms and I’ve spent half my children’s childhoods teacher’s aiding and working in the libraries and art studios, baking cookies and I have to say, this school is something really special. How wonderful it was to be able to talk with these girls, hear what they thought, see their affection for Jack, her life. A zillion hands flying up. Me wanting to answer all of them. It was scheduled to be an hour and 15 minutes but I read and we talked and we talked and we talked and we went over the allotted time and none of us cared and finally two and a half hours later, we exited the school. I have to say, I could have stayed there all day. That’s how much fun I was having.
Much love to Calgary Girl’s School. Thank you for taking me and Jack into your hearts.
Posted by Meg Tilly on Thursday, October 11, 2007
Oscar and Emmy Award Winning Actress and Author

Retrospective by a Current Grade 10 Student

I can’t even begin to express my appreciation and gratitude for what the Calgary Girls’ School has done for me these past four years. I found myself here and discovered my true character. This school is where I built my confidence and how I learnt to feel comfortable with who I am both on the inside and the outside. Not only did my confidence and self-esteem grow and develop, but also so did my body image through effective Go Grrrls classes. Experiencing a boy free environment gave me the time and privacy to alter how I thought of myself on the outside. Eliminating boys from the school population was tough at first but eventually got easier and I began to feel content with how I looked everyday, not always worrying about my clothes, hair or makeup.

When I first came to the Girls’ School, there was a sense of welcome and no judgment. I felt like I could be myself and not be criticized. It was and still is a safe and structured atmosphere where I can be me without having to worry. Ultimately, it has become my home away from home. My second family - if you will, and has proved to be a stable support system. The teachers are patient, understanding, sympathetic, helpful, involved, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and energetic about what they’re teaching. They make learning fun and enjoyable. Leaving the Calgary Girls’ School at the end of this year will be very challenging. I believe it has provided me with a secure and safe setting and I feel protected here, accepted here, and loved here.

The transition from who I was at my old school, to who I am now at the Calgary Girls’ School is quite remarkable. I evolved from an immature, insecure, and emotionally damaged girl into a youn women who is responsible, bright, bold, developed, and prepared for whatever life throws at me. Ever since I entered in grade six, my grades, love of learning and overall education has increased dramatically. When I was attending my elementary, prior to coming to the Girls’ School, I used to try to avoid school or school work, now I look forward to getting up in the morning and learning something new.

For me, learning is something that never stops. I have learned to not be afraid to ask questions of others and myself. Learning continually strikes people with impact all the time, changing their lives in some way. I discover new ideas, opinions, cultures, techniques, concepts, and ways of living everyday. Each time I come across a different philosophy, it contributes to my knowledge, and knowledge is power.

It’s a unique school to others in that the staff actually cares about the students, unlike other schools where the teachers aren’t as engaged. The three pillars of care is an example of how respect is expected here, from everybody. At the Calgary Girls’ School, the educator doesn’t just give you a textbook and expect you to regurgitate the contents; it’s not that concrete. They involve you in a group conversation, and are open to any suggestions/views/outlooks. The staff members help you understand why you’re learning what you’re learning, the reasoning and depth behind a topic. Making connections with a subject to the outer world is what makes this school exclusive. Another unique trait is how well the workforce is involved with students’ education, social life, and home life. For example, Ms. M. (my grade seven homeroom teacher) was the one who initially implemented my IPP. She observed that something was different in how I processed information and took initiative. This has no doubt positively affected my education since then. If it weren’t for Ms. M., I would still be handing in quiz’s incomplete and not fully finishing assignments and projects to the best of my ability.

Overall, the Calgary Girls’ School has been an amazing and eye opening experience for me, and I will never forget how it’s impacted my life. It has given me the opportunity to open up and discover my true qualities. I don’t think I would have accomplished as much as I have academically and socially if it weren’t for this school. My strong and reliable friendships developed during my time here will stay with me forever and be cherished. Thank you for four memorable years of friendship, family, and education.

Aldermanic Candidate Dave Matthews, Fall 2007

Now that the dust is settling on the 2007 Municipal Election, I want to congratulate you and your staff at the Calgary Girls' School for putting on a "Forum" exerciese that, for me at least, was the highlight of the campaign.

As one of the candidates in Ward 11, Miss Monteith's class drew me as "their" candidate and I was most impressed by the class of 20+ well-mannered, well-dressed but very lively and bright young ladies who gave me my "Baptism of Fire" in terms of questions ranging from one end of the spectrum to the other. Certainly after coming under the scrutiny of this impressive class of 10/11 year olds, the later public forums were easy.

Again, congratulations on the idea for the forum and on having developed a remarkable school in such a short time.

CGS Student Now in Grade 11 Doing Amazing Community Service

Hope you're all well!!! I am very busy at the moment organizing the 30 hour famine at my school. I have included in the message a 'sample email' which explains about the famine and where the money goes. This cause is very dear to my heart as it targets childrenwho need our help. These children go without eating for many hours on end (and when they do find something to eat is has little or no nutritional value). They drink dirty water, don't have the opportunity to go to school, and often end up in armies. Thanks in advance for your support in this matter (I understand completely if you don't feel comfortable supporting this cause but I would be grateful if you would!)

Thanks so much, lots and lots of love and good health to you all.

Mom of a Current Grade 10 Student

I had to share this proud moment with you. And thank the school and staff for helping my daughter to develop the skills she needs to succeed. I know my choice in sending my daughters to this school was the right one and I appreciate the opportunities you have given them.