From the Principal…

I feel very privileged to take on the role of principal at Samuel W Shaw School, which has such a fine reputation as a learning community. 

I would first like to thank Mrs. Mary-Ann Mitchell-Pellett for her fine work as Acting Principal since the end of June until now.  This community has been indeed fortunate to have someone, who knows the history of the school, to lead the heavy workload that comes with beginning a new school year.  Her commitment to learning at Samuel W Shaw is palpable and I greatly look forward to our work together in leading the work here.  As a school staff, we would also like to thank Sharon Rogerson for her fine contributions in leadership and support for staff, students and parents during the opening weeks of school as Acting Assistant Principal.  Her efforts have been invaluable.

My experiences at SW Shaw during my opening and transition days, along with my many conversations with staff, students and parents, have caused me to be very hopeful for the upcoming year and beyond.  The work of the first two years SW Shaw has given this school the reputation of being a dynamic, caring and respectful community, filled with passionate and committed professionals who care deeply about student learning and who draw upon best research and on the strengths of one another, of our community and of our students to design engaging and personalized learning experiences in the context of the 21st century landscape. 

As I continue to work within our learning community, it is my hope that you will find that you can trust me as the educational leader in our building and that you will discover and grow to know that I will act in ways that are respectful of the dignity and safety of students, of their parents and of every member of our staff.  I am committed to listen, to reflect and to seek to understand before I act, to inform and seek input when it is appropriate, to make changes resulting from decisions based on data from many sources and on current best knowledge about student learning.  I am committed to getting things accomplished, to being honest with staff, students and parents and to working diligently to correct mistakes when they are made.  I will keep the promises I make and I will challenge all members of our learning community, including myself, to be risk takers, tenacious and continuous learners, and to be caring, respectful and contributing local and global citizens.

Please be sure to introduce yourself to me the next time you are in the school.  I look forward to meeting you at our upcoming Council Meeting and at events throughout the school year.

Mavis Wheatcroft