​Hello West Ridge families and welcome to the 2023-24 school year! 
Although I introduced myself last spring as the incoming principal of West Ridge, I wanted to take the opportunity to again do so, and more importantly, share some observations gleaned from the first couple of weeks.
I have had the privilege of working in CBE for 25 years – 17 of those years in school-based administration. My most recent role prior to joining the West Ridge community was System Principal for Area 7. In that role I supported the two Education Directors for Area 7 in their leadership of the Area's 36 schools, one of which is West Ridge. Prior to that experience, as principal, I opened McKenzie Highlands School, a grades 4-9 middle school, which opened the same year as West Ridge. Previous to that, I also served as principal of Sunalta School and Vincent Massey School respectively. 
I see many exciting opportunities ahead for our school community.  My vision is for staff and families to work in tandem to establish a very clear vision and direction, so, together, we can create the most fulfilling school experience for every student. That begins with a solid commitment to building school culture.
My vision is for a school community to be built upon the pillars of academics, citizenship, extra-curricular opportunity, and respect for each unique learner.  Together, these blend to create a holistic learning experience. To achieve this, it is my expectation that staff members are attending to students across five developmental domains – intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and character. 
Over the last couple of weeks, I have been so inspired by and proud of staff as they set upon with such commitment, desire, and effort to forge amazing learning environments and foster a rich array of developmental opportunities for students. Over these past two weeks, I have been so impressed by our students. They have consistently shown tremendous respect to one another and responsibility as students and citizens inside and outside of the school.  Staff and students consistently leave me feeling very honoured and proud to say that I am principal of West Ridge!  I am most appreciative of the opportunities I have gotten in these last two weeks to meet parents, both collectively and individually. Your commitment and generosity towards this school community has been manifested considerably in only two weeks when I reflect upon the number of parents who volunteered with our recent pancake breakfast and through my meeting with members of our School Council and Parent Society.
I am hopeful that many of you will join us next Thursday, September 21 at 6 p.m. for our “Meet the Teacher" evening, where we will share some information around what makes West Ridge such a dynamic and caring learning community. I personally look forward to meeting many of you that evening. I appreciate that there will be those of you who will not be able join us for that occasion, so please know, in advance, that I value and depend upon regular communication between school and home in order to build a strong school community. I am always open to dialogue, whether that be by email, phone call, or visits to the school.
Looking forward to working with each of you, as together, we build a positive, rewarding, and most memorable school experience!
 
Warm regards,
Kel Connelly ​