Successful and vibrant
“Do not turn out the lights on our community, our children, and our future”
As a child, I had the privilege of attending Belfast Consolidated School. During my time at Belfast, I was exposed to many opportunities that enhanced my learning and allowed me to excel academically. As a student, I was president of the student council, an athlete on several sports teams, and consistently held a spot on the honour roll. I graduated from Grade 9 with academic standing in the top three for our school, and continued my involvement in numerous extracurricular activities as a senior high student. I graduated from Montague Regional High School, placing in the top five academically, receiving a number of awards and bursaries and was awarded a full tuition scholarship
Following high school, I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Prince Edward Island, where I remained on the Dean’s List for the duration of my four-year degree. Upon graduating, I secured employment as a registered nurse within Health P.E.I. In many ways, I attribute my success academically and professionally to the years I spent as a student at Belfast Consolidated and the exceptional educational foundation I received there.
Not only did my experiences at Belfast shape my academic career, they also presented me the opportunity to encounter many wonderful people. There has always been a sense of family at Belfast School. Countless friendships are established, many of which are maintained into adulthood. The teachers and support staff take a personal interest in their students, ensuring the students feel safe and cared for during their days at Belfast Consolidated. This is evident through the teachers’ pride in their students’ accomplishments and their continued support of their students, long after they have graduated from the school.
During my time at Belfast, I was both inspired and challenged by each educator I encountered. To name only one would be an injustice to the many who influenced and shaped my academic career. I would, however; be remiss not to highlight my experience with Mr. John VanDyke. His perpetual insistence as the devil’s advocate in our recurrent debates taught me the importance of remaining steadfast in my convictions in the face of adversity, while also maintaining a receptive position. He instilled a confidence in me that has frequently propelled me beyond my comfort zone, undoubtedly contributing a great deal to my academic accomplishments.
Based on the excellent experiences and outstanding education we received at Belfast Consolidated, my husband and I made the decision to raise our three children in the Belfast community. Our desire is that they will also be afforded the chance to enjoy all of the benefits Belfast Consolidated School and the surrounding community has to offer.
In the fall of 2016, our oldest child started kindergarten at Belfast Consolidated. We felt confident that he would experience the same warm and nurturing environment that allowed his parents to thrive academically and socially. To the credit of his teachers and his peers; our son’s experience has been as fulfilling as we had anticipated.
Belfast Consolidated School is not simply an educational institution. It is the heart of our beautiful community. Belfast Consolidated is composed of far more than bricks and mortar, is boasts a history of academic excellence, and brilliant educators. It promotes an atmosphere of kindness, community spirit and pride in one’s self. All of which allow for improved learning and the development of strong interpersonal relationships.
I have attended several meetings surrounding the recommendations to close Belfast Consolidated and four other Island schools.
These meetings have left me with a sense of unease. There is a very unclear plan for the supposed increased access to more programs, and a lack of clarity on how these closures will ensure the promised, better learning for all. There is an established history of academic excellence from Belfast students, with above average scoring on provincial testing and numerous scholarship and award winners, including a Rhodes Scholar. I fail to see how removing students from a school, that has demonstrated its ability to produce such aptitude, will ensure their access to better learning.
I urge the board of directors and the premier to consider the ultimate demise of this community if they chose to close the school.
As said by the premier himself, Wade MacLauchlan, “Our communities help define who we are and contribute in an immeasurable way to the richness of our Island and way of life. Successful and vibrant communities understand the requirement for… the fundamental importance of education.”
By closing Belfast School, they would effectively terminate the opportunity for growth or sustainability for our community. How then, can we contribute in an immeasurable way if our community has been dismantled?
I implore the board of directors and the premier to follow the most logical direction in these matters. That they make the only right decision there is to be made. Allow Belfast to remain a successful and vibrant community. Do not close our school. Do not turn out the light on our community, our children, and our future.