55115_SHS_AR_2009:MSHS_AR_2006 11-26-2009 9:39 PM Page a The Sterling Hall School ANNUAL REPORT 2008-2009 55115_SHS_AR_2009:MSHS_AR_2006 11-26-2009 9:39 PM Page b THE MISSION AND VISION OF THE STERLING HALL SCHOOL The Mission of The Sterling Hall School is to offer a secure environment for the education of boys in mind, body, and spirit. Our supportive community and small classes nurture and challenge our students to become critical thinkers, self-directed learners, and successful contributors. We are committed to doing everything possible to ensure that SHS graduates excel academically and are recognized for their personal qualities, ability to lead, and determination to make a contribution to their communities in the 21st Century. We are also committed to becoming the destination of choice for families seeking a school that is a leader and innovator in elementary education and in the character development of young boys. As we look to the future, we are exploring the option of expanding our school to the secondary level. A task force has been put in place to study the need for, and impact of, such an expansion. The Sterling Hall School Registered Charitable # 11925 7657 RR0001. The Sterling Hall School Foundation Registered Charitable # 82344 7271 RR0001. b THE STERLING HALL SCHOOL 55115_SHS_AR_2009:MSHS_AR_2006 11-26-2009 9:39 PM Page 1 Board Chair’s Message As I reflect back on my four years as Board Chair, I am both proud and amazed at all that we have been able to accomplish as a Board and as a community. The 2008 / 09 school year had a particularly busy agenda as we continued to execute on a number of important initiatives with an eye on the future of the school. As you know, all businesses and enterprises were rocked by the worldwide financial crisis over the last year. The measure of each institution is how well it has been able to weather this challenging time. I am pleased to report that The Sterling Hall School not only made it through the storm intact, but has emerged stronger than ever. A financially sound school Both the Finance and Advancement Committees developed risk management plans that accounted for an anticipated decline in enrolment as a result of the economic crisis. Fortunately for us, these downward projections did not materialize. With astute financial planning by our Finance Committee, headed by John Stevens, the school was able to marshal resources and deliver a budget surplus, despite the downturn. Our growing reputation also helped us through the crisis, and our enrolment is currently at 98% capacity – 305 boys. The Sterling Hall School Foundation made its first investments in the equity markets in early March and, SHS has made it through the thanks to a prudent investment strategy, we realized a 3.3% economic storm intact, and rate of return. This is a remarkable achievement given this is setting its course towards year’s climate. an even brighter future. The members of the Property Committee have been working to secure the land on which SHS currently sits. They have been in discussion with the Toronto Land Corporation and the Toronto District School Board and are continuing negotiations for the purchase of this land. While we are on a very long-term lease with the TDSB, ownership of our current site, together with our previous purchase of land situated just west of SHS, will further strengthen and protect our future. The Technology Committee’s decision to invest substantial time in enhancing our school website resulted in up-to-date information for parents and allowed us to better portray SHS to both our current and potential families. The Committee also continues to investigate and implement best practices in technology for the education of our boys. An evolving school The Strategic Planning Committee has established a Task Force that will continue to work toward a decision on whether a secondary school should be a part of SHS’s future. They also hosted a retreat last spring that brought together thought leaders in our community to provide input on the future of our school. The valuable information they collected formed the basis for Board approval to move this project forward, while continuing to focus on preserving the culture and strength of our elementary school. It is interesting to note that over 90% of CAIS schools have a secondary component today, with many having begun as elementary-only institutions. Of the eight elementary- only CAIS schools, six are in Ontario. Of these six, four are seriously considering a similar evolution. We will continue to assess our competition in all aspects of the services they provide in order to ensure we remain competitive. All the accomplishments of the past year can be viewed in the broader context of what the school has achieved over the last decade. The growth in enrolment, the physical expansion of the WWW.STERLINGHALL.COM 1 55115_SHS_AR_2009:MSHS_AR_2006 11-26-2009 9:39 PM Page 2 school, the addition of outstanding facilities like the Music Centre, the Art Studio, the Science Lab, and the Discovery Centre – all have been completed in the context of a well-conceived growth strategy designed to preserve and strengthen the school and its unique culture. I have marveled over the years at the dedication and commitment of the SHS community to support and foster these initiatives. A strong Board I would like to recognize and thank the following retiring Board members for their contribution to SHS: Alison Noble, Robbie Pryde, and Jeff Moody. I would also like to congratulate John Stevens, your new Board Chair, and thank the Governance Committee who seamlessly handled this transition. I have been privileged to work with a strong and dedicated group of people who make up the SHS Board of Governors. Each of them brings individual strengths and as a Board they work together tirelessly to make The Sterling Hall School the best that it can be, for our boys today and for others tomorrow. As I step down as your Chair, I am confident that I am leaving the school in a stronger position than when I first joined the Board. I am also confident that your next Chair, John Stevens, is ready and able to lead our great school into the next exciting chapter in our history. SHS has always been blessed with a talented pool of potential Board members and leaders. My decision to step down was made significantly easier knowing that Board leadership has been entrusted to John’s very capable hands. It has truly been my honour and pleasure to serve The Sterling Hall School these last eight years and to work closely with Principal Ian Robinson and his talented team of Faculty and Staff. You are at the right place, we are on the right track – spread the word. All the best, Kevin Sullivan SHS Board Chair BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2009-2010 Front Row: (left to right) Perry-Anne Lupyrypa, Eric Lo, Neri Slan, Jane Reucassel, Michael Boland. Second Row: (left to right) Alison McDonald, Sally Hannon, Denise MacDonald, Roberto Drassinower, John Stevens (Chairman), Bill Wilder, Marc Boyman. Third Row: (left to right) Steven Tuchner, Arnold Temple, Greg Watson, Kris Isberg, Robert Poile. 2 THE STERLING HALL SCHOOL 55115_SHS_AR_2009:MSHS_AR_2006 11-26-2009 9:39 PM Page 3 Principal’s Report I have had to replace my copy of the SHS Strategic Plan a number of times. It’s not because I am hard on publications or books – I love them, as our library at home attests – but my constant referral to the pages of this vital document eventually defeats its spine. With its four directional pillars, this really is a document that deserves frequent attention. Concentrating on the “Excellence in Program” section, I read over again the nine strategies listed there in order to determine how our score card reads one year on. On all nine counts, SHS has certainly progressed. I’d like to take it one step further, however, and consider whether there are additional achievements in the academic realm that we have attained. As is the nature of progressive schools where best practices are the goal and change is the norm rather than the exception, much growth has occurred at SHS. Let me give you some initiatives that are not specifically mentioned in our Strategic Plan, but are now in place: > The Sterling Institute brushed itself off and became a living, vibrant entity and a tribute to the diligence and inspiration of those at SHS, now and previously, who contributed so much to its creation and its scope. Espousing the merits of “best practices in boys’ education” is our number one goal and is on our lips every day. > SMART Boards (including one in SK) and LCD projectors have become a far more integral part of our classrooms. Often this is thanks to the generosity of our families. > The SHS Professional Development program continues apace – four of us were at the International Boys’ Schools Coalition conference in New Zealand in July, where three of us ran workshops. Our primary aim remains > With parental permission, we have formed an ensuring that the academic academic research team to track the performance of experience offered to our our graduates at their secondary schools. students continues to stretch > We have our first dedicated Drama room. and challenge and, at the same > I have appointed new specialist teachers in French time, support and enable. and Social Studies at the Intermediate Division level – Grade 6 to 8. > The five-day timetable has been revamped and improved, and now includes an afternoon recess for Primary students.