Welcome to 2025: A Year of New Possibilities

I hope you and your families had a wonderful break, filled with celebration, rest and rejuvenation, and are ready to take on 2025! The first week of the new year is always an inspiring time at school. Students are so excited to see each other again, and the possibilities feel boundless. 

Before classes began, our dedicated staff engaged in thorough preparations for the year ahead, including professional development activities. A highlight was an entire day devoted to exploring artificial intelligence (AI).

We were thrilled to welcome Susan McCahan (pictured in the above photo) from the University of Toronto, who is pioneering ways to use AI in education in her roles as associate vice-president and vice-provost, digital strategies, and vice-provost, innovations in undergraduate education. Her presentation deepened our understanding of how these technologies can be harnessed to enhance educational experiences. Additionally, we had the privilege of hearing from one of our students, S5 Emma, who shared her award-winning speech on the significant environmental impact of AI. Emma's perspective added a vital dimension to our discussions about the ethical implications of technology in education.

During the afternoon, our staff explored AI emerging practices and productivity strategies, ethical implications, took part in a hackathon and more, embracing new ideas and technologies with curiosity and open minds.

As we step into 2025, it feels as though we are racing into the future. Advancements in AI present exciting opportunities and complex considerations for us as educators, and reinforce our commitment to prepare our students to become ethical and responsible citizens. Wishing you and your families an incredible year of learning and new possibilities!