From the Chairperson

Okay so this is it. It is now real! This is my last submission for the GGLPS newsletter. I’m not sure if it has fully sunk in yet. After joining the school council team in 2010 and serving as chair for the last 8 years my time has come to step aside and say goodbye. It is with mixed emotions that I have made this decision. I’m still passionate about the school and excited about the opportunities that lay ahead but my capacity to give 100% is no longer viable and that is not a fair situation for the school community.

As I reflect on my time, there have been obstacles to overcome, challenges to face, robust discussions, hard decisions to make, tears (quite a few, both happy & sad), and times when I have felt a huge load on my shoulders. But those moments have been worth it because they have helped me to learn and grow as an individual. I am very proud of the projects we have completed over the years and the improvements we have achieved together as a community to benefit the children.  Some of these include the transition of year 7’s to Endeavour College, purchase and introduction of school buses, several building constructions, and refurbishments, courtyard shelter, updating of school constitution and candidacy, and final approval as an IB PYP school.

All these things would not have been possible without the input, assistance, and support of the whole Golden Grove school and church community so I say thanks and express my gratitude to all of you. I would like to sincerely thank the 3 principals I have worked with (Daryl, Shane, and Will), all past and present council members for your skills, knowledge, and servant hearts, and John Proeve, Executive Director of LESNW and the team at LESNW for the countless times I have reached out to them for guidance.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ruth Zimmerman who is also retiring from the school board. Ruth has had many years of involvement with the school in several different capacities. Your wisdom and discernment were invaluable, and I wish you all the best for the future.

Lastly, I would like to thank my family, Peter, Jacob & Lucas for your support and understanding as I have undertaken this role. Lucas thinks my hobbies are meetings and reading reports because that is apparently all I do outside of work. Yes, it is time for a change! 

It has been an honour and a privilege and a rewarding experience to serve this community. 

Blessings

Genevieve Freund

School Chairperson