Mission/Vision/Values

During the 2011-2012 school year input was gathered from students, staff and parents and the following mission and vision drafted. We recognize that this work has to be a "living document" and will change from time to time as it is revisited, however, key beliefs about why we exist and what we hope to become can be seen below.

OUR Mission Statement

Inspiring hearts and minds: a caring, collaborative learning community that engages students and challenges them to pursue personal excellence in an ever-changing world.

OUR Vision Statement

To become a dynamic centre of personalized learning, driven by engaged, creative learners through:

• inspiring and innovative practice
• providing inclusive and collaborative learning opportunities
• encouraging critical thinking and inquiry
• designing activities that create meaningful community connections
• infusing technology into learning and teaching
• embracing meaningful change
• respecting individual differences
• fostering resiliency
• making connections to the global community
• nurturing a lifelong attitude of excellence

OUR Values

Our values at Briar Hill School are the same as those of the Calgary Board of Education, namely:

• students come first
• learning is our central purpose
• public education serves the common good

Caring Circle

The ‘Briar Hill School Caring Circle’ program is the bases of our citizenship, character-building and discipline polices. The Caring Circle also incorporates the following two Calgary Board of Education’s Ends statements:

E – 3 Citizenship: Each student will be a responsible citizen by being an informed and involved member of his or her local, national and global communities.

E – 5 Character: Each student will possess the character to do what is right, act morally with wisdom, and balance individual concerns with the rights and needs of others.

As portrayed, the key components at Briar Hill School are – “We Care for Ourselves, Others, and for the World”. We use the seven virtues in the outer circle as teaching tools to implement the ‘We Care’ program. Belonging, independence, courage, enjoyment, respect, responsibility, and kindness are the foundational virtues, which assist students in understanding how to work together at Briar Hill School. This caring philosophy is also the base of the school’s discipline policy.

Students will be dealing with these concepts throughout the school year and the components and the virtues are integrated into various subject areas. This program is a partnership among everyone in the school community as we all work together to build a positive school climate.