Dear Parents of Sibylla Kiddle School,
For students around the globe, the 2020-21 school year has been like no other. We have learned how to learn in the middle of a global pandemic. We have learned how to make friends in small classroom cohorts, while not interacting with other students at school. We have learned how to recognize others and read their emotions, simply by looking at their eyes while the rest of their face stays hidden behind a mask. We have learned how healthy our bodies stay when we are constantly washing and sanitizing our hands. We have learned how to work from our kitchen tables, bedrooms and living rooms.
Perhaps the biggest thing we learned this year is something we already knew. In a year where we had to keep our distance from others, where we couldn’t always hang out with extended family and friends, we discovered how important it is that learning is a team sport. We learn better when we are together. Learning with others inspires us, creates new questions in our minds and encourages us to do our best. I hope if we remember anything from learning in the 2020-21 school year, it would be that we learn best when we do it together.
At Sibylla Kiddle School, not only did we learn in the midst of a pandemic, we also learned while opening a brand new school. There was no one to tell us how things are normally done at our school. We had to figure it out, together. We took time to share our learning through virtual assemblies. We turned the trees in the forest area into celebrations of art and learning. We talked as an entire school about what it means to be in the green zone and what strategies we could use when we are feeling blue. We collectively gathered toys at Christmas for children in our city who may not have the same privileges that we do.  We thoughtfully gathered the ideas of all of our students in designing a school logo and brainstormed possibilities for our playground. Without even realizing it, we formed a foundation for our school anchored in learning, caring, celebrating and connecting. We did this together. It was never about one person, it was always about everyone who proudly calls Sibylla Kiddle home.
It has been an absolute honour to learn alongside everyone who is associated with the Sibylla Kiddle School community, over the past year. I look forward to where our learning will take us in 2021-2022. Until then, I want to wish all of our families a safe, relaxing and enjoyable summer full of new memories and adventures.
Sincerely,
Brad Emery Principal
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