School District 72 Hosts Vancouver Island Trustees for Key Conference

School District 72 (SD72) is preparing to welcome around 50 trustees from various school boards across Vancouver Island for a significant conference on October 3 and 4, 2023. The event will take place at the Robron Centre in Campbell River, providing a platform for collaboration and discussion on key issues affecting education across the region.

Craig Gillis, vice-chair of SD72, expressed the district’s pride in hosting the event. “We meet twice a year in various locations, and we are honoured, as Campbell River, to be hosting all of the trustees from Vancouver Island school districts,” he stated. The gathering aims to foster sharing and learning among attendees, who will discuss strategies and best practices relevant to their respective school boards.

The conference, themed “Journeys to Success,” will spotlight student achievement, the integration of Indigenous worldviews, and the creation of student-centered learning environments. Gillis noted that the event will showcase successful initiatives from within SD72, allowing educators, support staff, and Indigenous representatives to present their innovative practices.

On the first day, the agenda is packed with seminars starting at 13:00. While specific speakers have yet to be announced, Gillis highlighted that one will address the importance of neurodiversity in education, while another will focus on land-based learning approaches. Following the seminars, trustees will have the opportunity to network over dinner, encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiences among participants.

The second day will delve into branch-specific topics. Gordon Li from the BC School Trustees’ Association will contribute to discussions on board evaluation processes, providing insights into effective evaluation methods.

Kat Eddy, chair of SD72 and also the chair of VISTA, is enthusiastic about the conference’s potential to elevate the district’s profile within the broader educational community. “It’s wonderful to see our district emerging and taking some kind of leadership profile within our other bodies,” she commented.

As the conference approaches, the anticipation grows for impactful discussions and meaningful connections that will shape the future of education on Vancouver Island. The event not only highlights the collaborative spirit among the trustees but also underscores the commitment to enhancing educational outcomes for all students in the region.