FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK : TIM PETERS A Remarkable Education in a Small School Setting n “Small Beginnings - A Personal Memoir of The Priory School”, co-founder Frances Ballantyne stated that her goal in I1947 was to create a small school that could give children the special attention that the “behemoth of public education passes over”. Mrs. Ballantyne and her co-founder Alphonsine Howlett had what they called “a larger vision” for the education and person- al development children could achieve in school, however they felt only a small school could make this larger vision come true. In short, they had big dreams for a small school. “Small School, Big Dreams” was our theme this year, and as we close out The Priory’s 68th year, we are certain that our founders would be proud of the school’s ability to deliver a remarkable education in a small school setting. Looking forward to next year, the success of the 2014- 2015 Annual Campaign will bring the dream of a new science lab The collective dreams of many cannot come true without to life. In September 2015, the children will be returning to a cam- confidence, community and hard work. Whether it be the dreams of pus with a gleaming new science lab to conduct hands-on experi- a group of teachers, staff and students to hold the first Priory the- ments. Furthermore, in January 2016, Priory students from every atrical production in decades, the dreams of our girls’ and boys’ grade will conduct intensive science based “expeditions” with Ms. soccer teams to reach the finals at the LCC tournament, the dreams Sherriffs as part of their enhanced science curriculum. of our boys’ basketball team to capture the Selwyn House Tournament Championship or the dreams of our girls’ basketball The above mentioned success of the 2014-2015 Annual team to go undefeated and capture the first Greater Montreal title in Campaign comes on the heels of the previous year’s annual cam- the school’s history, it was the confidence that is achieved in our paign to “Restore the Outdoors”. Last September, funds were used remarkable small school community that incubated these dreams from this campaign to resurface the east and west fields as well as and saw them burst to life. create an outdoor classroom and student gardens. This year, funds held in reserve from this campaign will be used for a new basket- At The Priory, we also know our students have the confi- ball court. dence to achieve big individual dreams because the skills they need to achieve their dreams are acquired in a supportive, encouraging While new science labs, science curriculum, classrooms, and profoundly positive environment. This year saw many individ- gymnasium, art room, music room, playing fields, gardens, basket- ual student dreams come true at the Heritage Fair, Grade 6 Shark ball courts and more accessible tuition rates are important aspects Tank Presentations, The Priory Chess Tournament, Halo Running of The New Priory School, it is the family atmosphere and happy Race, Public Speaking Presentations, Jazz Concert and during a children who walk our halls that connect us to who we have always myriad of wonderful in-class projects. been. Without happy children, The Priory is not The Priory. No matter what the collective or individual big dreams of Priory stu- Another big dream that came true this year was the sur- dents may be, our small school can bring them into reach. What passing of the Spreading Our Wings Campaign goal of 2 Million remains at our core today is the same as what Mrs. Ballantyne Dollars. Began in 2010 to enhance our campus with a new gymna- believed to be the core of a happy Priory student in 1947 – “ a warm sium, classrooms, music room and art room, the Spreading Our human being of moral integrity.” Wings Campaign is the largest and most successful campaign in the 68 year history of the school. The success of this campaign gives The Priory the financial foundation to continue to deliver excep- tional learning and growing experiences on a beautifully enhanced campus while keeping tuition increases to a minimum. 2 The Priory Journal Grade 3 student Karla Uranga- Jimenez shares her hopes and dreams with her classmates. Small School, Big Dreams... by Mark Gentile t the very beginning of every school year at The Priory, the and encompassed our “Small School, Big Dreams” theme. Each and staff sits down to brainstorm and choose a school-wide every accomplishment helped our entire school community come Atheme. This year’s ideas included setting goals, persever- together with pride. The success of our athletics programs this past ance and doing one’s best and at some point the word “dreaming” year inspired all of our students to dream big and do their best in all came to the forefront. As I sat there listening to all of the fantastic aspects of school life. This made our school a vibrant and joyous ideas and feeling the energy and excitement from my fellow teach- place to live and learn. ers, I thought of my own perception of our amazing school. The Priory Panthers compete in both interscholastic soccer The Priory is so often described by its many stakeholders and basketball. Because of the small nature of our school, students in glowing terms, whether it be the staff and principal, the education can try out and often play for our sports teams starting in grade 4, and extra-curricular activities, or even the spirit that flows through rather than the typical grade 5 and 6 exclusive teams. This dynam- the building. More often than not, these compliments are punctuat- ic not only provides an early learning curve for our players, but also ed by the idea that this success in all aspects of the school is even provides for goal setting and even dreaming of the chance to play on more incredible given the small size of the school itself. As my mind the Panthers starting in the earliest grades. Everyone in our small circled around that idea, I thought to myself: “Small School, Big school is on board with Panther Pride, and the results this year were Dreams”. As soon as I spoke those words to the group, we were in equal parts impressive and astonishing. agreement. That’s our school. Every Priory Panther team this year went to at least a The ethos of The Priory School could be just as easily championship final and most won a tournament or championship defined as “Small School, Big Heart” , “Small School, Big Spirit” or along the way. Both the Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer Teams were final- “Small School, Big Success”. In fact all of these descriptions apply ists at the LCC Soccer Playoff Tournament. The Boys’ Basketball to our school. What began as two mothers’ shared dream of creating Team was the Selwyn House Basketball Tournament Champions and a child-centered elementary school in 1947 has stood the test of time the UCC Basketball Tournament Consolation Champions. The and is flourishing today as The Priory School. Our founders’ Girls’ Basketball Team enjoyed an undefeated season, was the LCC Frances Ballantyne and Alphonsine Paré-Howlett’s vision of a co- Basketball Tournament Champions as well as Girls’ Basketball educational English private school based on Catholic traditions League Champions. The Tournament Team was the LCC Basketball remains as true to its mission today as it did 68 years ago. It is a Tournament Champions. place where children are encouraged to be children, where childhood is to be enjoyed, and where innovative learning takes place in a nur- The fact that it takes a full paragraph to simply list the suc- turing and caring environment. In other words, happy children learn cesses of Priory Panther teams this year is enough to demonstrate the best. amazing year we all enjoyed in sports. But more than that; the pride, happiness and spirit with which the entire school embraced big It also appears that happy children develop the confidence dreams helped our teams and our students find success on and off the to not only dream big in a small school, but achieve and win big as fields of play. “Small School, Big Dreams”. That’s our school. well. I was asked to write the feature article for The Journal this year because the editors felt that this year’s sports teams truly embraced The Priory Journal 3 REACHING OUT TO OTHERS Caring for ot he rs Kindergarten students enjoyed jumping rope with Jump Rope for Heart mascot, Cardio! n Friday, April 24th, Priory students put on their “skipping shoes” and joined parents, teachers and Jump Rope for Heart mascot, Cardio, to raise funds for the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation. Jump Rope for OHeart is a school-based program aimed at educating students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 about healthy eat- ing and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Thank you to everyone who participated and gave generously. The Priory raised an astounding $5,480.36 thanks to our supportive families. nspired by a dream, Priory students from Kindergarten to Grade 6, Ialong with their supportive parents and teachers, once again took up the challenge to run for cancer research in The Priory's Annual Terry Fox Run. For every lap the students ran, the chil- dren felt empowered to continue to celebrate Terry's legacy and help keep his dream of finding a cure for cancer alive. The children raised $4,932.00 in Terry’s memory. 4 The Priory Journal HELPING HANDS t The Priory, Halloween isn't only about receiving treats and dressing up in costume.