Tribute: Catherine Kirkland
Catherine Kirkland is leaving RSGC after an incredible 20 years. Based on these messages from the community, it’s obvious that she will be missed. On behalf of the entire RSGC community, we wish you all the best in your next adventure, Ms. Kirkland!
End of an era! I hope the next chapter is as great as the last 20 years. Wishing you nothing but the best on your next adventure. Your kind nature, love for students and leadership will be missed. —Anthony Mariano ’12 A huge thank you to Ms. Kirkland, who helped shape me and all of the boys into the gentlemen we are today. Wishing her the best in her future endeavours! —Oliver Sabiston ’18 Thank you for being a wonderful teacher, Ms. Kirkland. All the very best for your next phase. —Jane Lloyd, RSGC Parent Catherine cares deeply about all of the students at RSGC. She has an amazing capacity to really know the boys, as well as their families. Her legacy of teaching us to be kind and to take care of each other and the world around us will always be remembered. —Janet Stephenson, Junior School Teacher Catherine always has time for humour. Whether I was between classes or reporting back from a field trip, one of us would crack a joke and then we’d milk it until we were laughing out loud and doubled over. —Jay Kearsey, Junior School Teacher
I was lucky enough to spend 10 years starting off my day with a conversation with Ms. Kirkland on the layby. From her warm greeting and her endless support for initiatives and ideas, to the lifelong gift of music that she has given me, I am so grateful to have had such a kind and caring person as one of the most influential teachers in my RSGC career. —Joey Lisser ’21
Thank you for welcoming me into the school in Grade 3, and helping me out every step of the way. You absolutely made my school experience, and I’m very grateful to have learned from you. Enjoy wherever you go next, and I wish you all the best. —Ben Furnish, Class of 2023 Catherine leads with heart and integrity, the impact of which is so evident when you walk into the Junior School. There is a tangible sense of love, community and connection. We have all been so fortunate to learn and grow with her. —Margaret Nozuka, Junior School Teacher I’ve never worked with someone who was so genuinely interested in how my family was. It wasn’t just about work with Catherine; she always took the time with her teachers to understand and appreciate what a balanced life was all about. —Brian Robinson, Junior School Teacher So sad to think of all the boys who won’t get a chance to meet you! We have such good memories of you greeting us each morning with a smile and a lovely greeting. All the best for your next chapter. —Joanne Deshpande, RSGC Alumni Parent I simply can't imagine RSGC without Catherine, yet her legacy will live on forever in the Junior School. We will always remember to "Be kind." Wishing Catherine joy and happiness in the next exciting chapter in her life. We will miss her. —Mardi Michels, Junior School Teacher I will forever be grateful to Ms. Kirkland for instilling in me a respect for authority. I never wanted to let her down, and I always trusted that she had the best interest of the boys at heart. I thank her for her years of dedication to educating young Georgians, and wish her love and joy in the next chapter. —Otis Moore ’15
As long as I’ve known Catherine, her commitment to the success of every boy who entered the Junior School has been unwavering. I am grateful for her wisdom and friendship these past 20 years and wish her success on her next adventure. —Paul O’Leary, Head of Senior School Catherine is a wonderful friend and like a sister to me. She is a visionary, always sees what is at the heart of any situation and is full of wisdom. Learning from and with Catherine has been a great gift, and I have been stretched, supported and loved under her leadership. —Anna Magor, Director of Teaching and Learning, Junior School I am so appreciative of Ms. Kirkland and everything she did for me during my time at RSGC. At a time when I needed help, she treated me with so much empathy and understanding. It is difficult to find someone who better exemplifies the phrase “known and loved.” —AJ Mills ’16 So sad that our paths crossed for only a short time, but I am forever grateful for all of the kindness and support you’ve shown me and my family. Wishing you so much joy on your next adventure. —Lesley Stoyan, RSGC Parent
Catherine has been an incredible friend, teacher and mentor to me over the past 15 years. I cannot express how much I have learned from her. The quality that I admire the most is her staunch and unwavering love of each individual child. It is this love that guides everything she does every day. She will be greatly missed. —Nadya Habib, Junior School Teacher Words cannot describe what Ms. Kirkland has meant to me over the many years of attending RSGC. I will never forget her warmth and the way she made my family feel that we belonged —right from the day we arrived. Who can forget her big smile every morning, waving and greeting the parents as they dropped off boys? I’ll never forget when I was feeling anxious and worried in Grade 4 and Ms. Kirkland sat me down, comforted me and explained what it was that I was experiencing. She always showed me, Zachary and Harrison endless support and guidance, and encouraged us to use our talents and strengths! On behalf of the Crooks boys, we send our love and wish you all the best in the years to come. —Thaddeus Crooks ’14 Throughout her time leading the Junior School at RSGC, Catherine has been a progressive educator and a champion for all, especially the misunderstood. She has always been a great source of knowledge and comfort to parents, teachers and students. She has led the Junior School with her heart and soul, and at the core of all her decisions was always her love of children. I’ll continue to admire her courage, honesty, grace and respect for all, and I’ll miss our belly laughs and morning layby conversations. She was and will continue to be a most cherished friend, and I wish her the very best in this next chapter of life. —Jennifer Bonetta, Dean of Middle School Activities Catherine has been the Head of the Junior School for 20 years, but she has always remained a teacher at heart. She has taught us about the importance of lifelong learning, taking risks, building community, loving our students and the power of kindness. Catherine’s impact on the school runs deep, and she has ensured that RSGC stands on a strong foundation of love, laughter, learning and joy. I am grateful for the impact Catherine continues to have on me as an educator and friend. —Stefanie Turner, Junior School Teacher We love you, Ms. Kirkland! You will be missed dearly. —Belinda Zissopoulos, RSGC Parent