August 27, 2024
Dear Handsworth Families,
Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! On behalf of the staff at Handsworth it is my pleasure to welcome everyone back. I would like to extend a special welcome to the incoming Grade 8 students, their families, and all other new members of the Handsworth community.
With a projected enrolment of just over 1500 students, including 260 new grade 8 Royals and over 120 staff, Handsworth continues to be one of the largest school communities on the North Shore. We are pleased to be welcoming a number of new members to our staff including, Dominic Fritz (Math/Careers), Natalie Frost (Learning Support), Natalie Hope (Science/French Immersion), and our new Vice Principal, Jeff Aw-Yong. We are also pleased to be welcoming back to Handsworth, Jaimie Clay (Counselling), Matt Cooke (Foods), Raluca Frederic (French), Crystal Primrose (English/Drama), and Catherine Pan (Work Experience).
An additional staffing change that has occurred over the summer has been the promotion of Vice Principal Meghan Downie to the position of Principal of Seycove Secondary. We are extremely pleased to have Handsworth teacher, Erica Toombs, stepping into the role of Vice Principal this year.
We are especially looking forward to having our grade 8 students embark on this exciting next chapter of their lives with us. A key facet of the transition into Grade 8 is our Grade 8 Retreat, which takes place on September 25th and 26th with activities for a day each at the Cheakamus Centre and Handsworth School. Incoming grade 8 families will be receiving the information package regarding this event alongside this e-mail, but in case they do not, all grade 8 information (including forms) have been posted to the school website. Please contact Grade 8 Administrator, Jeff Aw-Yong (jawyong@sd44.ca) if you have any unanswered questions.
We are looking forward to welcoming students into the school on Tuesday, September 3rd. In addition to a Grade Assembly and Homeroom, the first day of school will also serve as Photo Day. Artona Studios will be taking photos of all students to be used for yearbook and GoCards, and are available for order through Artona.
| Schedule for Tuesday September 3rd |
| Grade 8 | 8:45–10:30 |
| Grade 9 | 10:00–11:00 |
Grade 10
| 11:00–12:00 |
| Grade 11 | 12:00–1:00
|
| Grade 12 | 1:00–2:00 |
Grade 8 students will meet their student leaders in the Grand Commons, all others report directly to the Theatre.
(dismissal times approximate)
In their homeroom, students will be given their course timetable and student verification forms. Please review the information on the verification form and return to the main office by September 13th. Students with incomplete or incorrect timetables or those missing courses should contact their grade counsellor immediately. Counsellors will look at any requests to change courses previously verified in the spring only after incomplete and new student timetables have been completed, the deadline for course changes is Friday, September 13th. Students are required to attend their scheduled classes until any requests for changes have been approved. On Wednesday, September 4th, regular classes will begin at 9:10am with a Wednesday rotation of Periods 2,3,1,4.
To support student success, we encourage ongoing communication with teachers, counsellors, and administrators throughout the year. Please connect with your child's teachers through e-mail if there are any academic or social/emotional concerns affecting your child. Additionally, the chart below shows the Counsellor and Grade Administrator Assignments for each grade:
I would also like to extend a special acknowledgement to our grade 12 students: the class of 2025. I am extremely excited to be working with our graduating class as the grade administrator, along with Marianne Macario as grade counsellor and Robyn Renwick as scholarship coordinator. In the coming weeks please watch for important forthcoming information with respect to Graduation 2025.
As I enter my second year as Principal at Handsworth, and continue to feel the great privilege that it is to lead this wonderful school community. Along with Vice Principals Jeff Aw-Yong and Erica Toombs, and on behalf of the entire staff, we look forward to welcoming everyone back next week and to beginning a great school year ahead.
Sincerely,
Cary Hungle
Principal
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