On October 7th, we welcomed many of this year’s new parents and new teachers to our school community.
The New Parents’ Dinner was held in the gym, preceded by a reception in the Senior School atrium. A quartet of trumpeters (Senior Students: Emily, Marissa, Fiona and Lauren) gave a rousing fanfare to open the announcement that it was time to move from the atrium to the gym, and also played until guests were seated.
Once the guests were settled at their tables, New Parents’ Committee Chair, Catherine Lanyon, welcomed them warmly before introducing our Head of School, Chantal Gionet — noting that she shares a bond with Ms. Gionet as it’s her first year at York House as well.
Lisa Tsai, President of the Parents’ Association, welcomed the new parents as members of the Association and encouraged them to become involved in school events — such as the Bid Night on November 20th — as an excellent way to meet new friends.
Head Girl, Ally, and Junior School Head and Vice-Head Girls, Jacqueline and Lauren, also addressed the guests, displaying their remarkable poise and public speaking abilities.
New students and student ambassadors served the food at the event, which wrapped up with the ‘New Parents’ Movie’, comprised of clips of each of the new students.
Guests were sent home with a DVD of the film, a colourful York House cookie, and the knowledge that they had been truly welcomed to their daughters’ new school.
A huge thank you goes out to the New Parents’ Committee, which organized the event, and to the many volunteers who helped set up on the 7th.
The volunteers that morning were remarkable, both in the numbers in which they responded to an emailed request for help, and in their efficiency. The gym was transformed in less than an hour and a half! Thank you, all.
