Chronicle 2020

YEAR IN REVIEW

Balance: verb bal·ance | ˈba-lən(t)s to bring into harmony or proportion

By Catherine Misson

Over the past months, I have taken the time to listen and reflect on the magnitude of many voices. Society as a whole is grappling for better understanding in this incredibly difficult time. As a newcomer to Canada, I have found that listening to our student leaders, parents, Old Girls, faculty and staff has educated me on the very real issue of systemic racism in Canada. We have all seen what is happening in the U.S., but it is being experienced across the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) community here, too. Havergal College has a responsibility to enact change to ensure we improve diversity, equity and

inclusion. That includes looking very closely at our own culture within the College and our practices. I called together a strategic group to set in motion the demonstrative action that I firmly believe is necessary for progress. This group comprises key senior leaders, faculty members and staff. This team will work in partnership with students, parents and our alumnae. We have commenced a thoughtful process to begin building bridges of understanding. Our efforts are focused on accelerating our actions to be a community that authentically responds to issues of racialization and marginalization.

Our commitment forward is to make meaningful strides in the areas such as:

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion education for all employees and students; • Dedicated time for students to share their personal stories and advance student agency through supported leadership and participation in community time, such as Prayers and assemblies and extended use of experts to supplement and enrich these opportunities; • Review of the Social Sciences, English and Religious Education curricula to identify opportunities to provide students with robust engagement with Black history, diverse text selections and comparative religious instruction; • Increased representation of BIPOC in our student community and across the employee demographic of the College.

These initial steps are simply the beginning. Together with the strategic team, we will review our progress and how to improve. I deeply understand that real cultural change will take time and consultation to get it right. In our process, we will be ready to explore whatever opportunities and needs we identify. We welcome and

encourage your ongoing feedback. Community is the glue that binds us and makes us better members of society. I am confident that the Havergal community will sustain the momentum to make the shifts we need for the greater good.

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