As I pen this farewell message, my heart is filled with a profound sense of gratitude. Over the past 26 years, it has been my great honour to serve as your Principal, guiding and growing with this remarkable community. Together, we have built a legacy of excellence, resilience and unwavering support that I will cherish forever.
The relationships I have established within our school community—with students, faculty and staff, parents (past and present) and alums—have been the cornerstone of my journey. You have touched my life in ways that words cannot fully express, and you have been my inspiration and my driving force. Watching thousands of Branksome Hall students grow, overcome challenges and achieve their dreams has been the most rewarding experience. To our dedicated faculty and staff, your passion and commitment to nurturing young minds have been the bedrock of our school’s success. Your partnership and camaraderie have made every challenge surmountable and every achievement sweeter.
To the thousands of alums who carry a piece of this school with you in your hearts, I am humbled by the impact we have made together. Your memories, successes and stories are a living testament to the enduring spirit of our school. Your achievements in the wider world are a source of immense pride for us all.
“Although I may be stepping away from my role, my heart will always remain here, within this wonderful community.”
I am deeply honoured to share this photo of me and my son, Michael, who painted a portrait of me that will hang in the school for decades to come. This portrait is not just a likeness of me, but also a reflection of my pride in and contentment with 26 years of accomplishments and memories made within the halls of Branksome. For me, the composition hints at the grandeur of 4 Elm Avenue and our beautiful campus, grounding my identity in a place where I have been fully embraced and where I have raised my son, who was only six years old when we first moved onto campus. We called Branksome Hall home. For me, this portrait conveys my personal connection to the enduring spirit of Branksome Hall, which has shaped our school for 121 years and will continue to do so, long into the future. I hope it serves as a reminder of our strong foundation and that it inspires future generations to continue our mission to “inspire girls to love learning and to shape a better world.”
As I step into the next chapter of my life, I do so with personal courage and with confidence in the future of our school. I know that the foundation we have built together is strong and will continue to thrive. While I will dearly miss the daily interactions and the vibrant life of our school, I am excited about the new journeys ahead, both for me and for our beloved Branksome Hall.
Thank you for the incredible journey, the shared successes and the deep bonds we have formed. It has been the privilege of my life to lead, learn and grow with you. Although I may be stepping away from my role, my heart will always remain here, within this wonderful community.
