Education Committee Report
by Heather McCrimmon, Education Coordinator
There is a new Education Committee and what shoes we have to fill! This year, I, Heather McCrimmon, and my partner in this venture Antonia Weetman have all sorts of ideas we plan to work on. One of our main objectives is to get more people involved or more people’s input…interested?
The Education Committee’s main focus is to support the members of the FSCA by bringing issues to the appropriate people within DFAIT, and remain present until the issues are resolved. We are both a watchdog and advocate body, if you will. As Antonia and I are new to the FSCA and this committee, we are still in the process of ironing out what the Education Committee’s objectives will be for the year, and what is needed of us today. Our personal motivation comes from being concerned mothers, not yet having experienced a posting, gathering information and trying to get a handle on this new rotational lifestyle and the potential effects (both good and bad) on our, and your, children.
I would like to give a much deserved thank you to the very dedicated & hard working Jennifer Davidson, who spent countless hours over the years working with the Education Committee. Jennifer – your efforts and passion have been very much appreciated, and an inspiration!
What have we been up to so far? Antonia and I have had the pleasure of coordinating our annual bursary draw for this year’s two University students, each winning $300! The draw is based on applications submitted by the students. This bursary is a little thank you & acknowledgement of our Dip Kids. This year’s winners are Coralie Charland, and Tara Molloy. Congratulations girls! Please look for their essays on what life is like as a Diplomat’s child in this issue.
Antonia and I have also met with Danielle Simard, the Education Counselor in SERV. Danielle is a wealth of knowledge on all aspects of education and the rotational lifestyle.
If you have any concerns or questions about your children’s education and moving internationally, or back to Canada, please do not hesitate to contact Danielle. She is a full time resource there for you (613- 995-8910 or danielle.simard@dfait-maeci.gc.ca.)
I look forward to meeting more of you through this next year. If you have any ideas for the Education Committee or would like to volunteer to help us with the tasks at hand, please email me at hmccrimmon@rogers.com.
Best wishes for a great year,
Heather McCrimmon