CDS Pays Tribute to its Founders
Earlier this month, we welcomed our Founding families back for a tour and dinner to pay tribute to them for helping to imagine a private school in King for their children 50 years ago, and successfully turning that dream into reality.
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As the second Headmaster, Robert Ross, so eloquently shared in his “telegrammed” remarks, “As we all know, CDS started as an idea of a few individuals …. They were able to look beyond the horizon and imagine a school that would be dedicated to knowing each family and each child personally and offering a balanced education of the highest quality. The vision of establishing a symbiosis between relationships and learning became a reality, and later a hallmark of the CDS experience due to the pioneering spirit of the students, families and teachers.”
One of the many treats at this event was a sneak peek at the construction of the new Junior School expansion. Many were so very pleased to see, for the first time, how the original 1883 school house, that is now the Junior School Library, is now completely enclosed by the new extension. At the very heart of The Country Day School, and from its very inception, the Junior School holds a special place. To see the most fragile part of it now protected from the elements gave us all a chance to breathe a sigh of relief that it will forever more be well cared for, just like those who use it.
It was a time to retell stories of how the school used to be, what it is now, and what it will become. All who were present for the school’s initial opening were very pleased with the advances made to the facilities and the growth of the student body and personnel. All also agreed that the future was bright. The newest buildings are designed using elements taken from the original buildings. For example, the size and shape of some of the new Junior School classrooms are the same as the first three classrooms we had back in 1972. This was a factoid that brought a few tears to one of our founder’s eyes.
As time marches on it is incumbent upon us to continue to honour our Founders. The mere dreams of the founding families have become a reality well beyond their initial expectations. We hold them in honour, indeed.
Attached to a wall in the entrance to the Junior School is a plaque. Current Head of School, John Liggett, read the names on this plaque and acknowledged that only four of those are still with us today, including our two Co-Founders Mr. Moffat Dunlap and Mr. Ed Eberts, and our first Head of Housekeeping, Diane Hawksworth, who were all able to attend the event, and one of our original teachers, Christine De Witt, who was not present.
One of the many treats at this event was a sneak peek at the construction of the new Junior School expansion. Many were so very pleased to see, for the first time, how the original 1883 school house, that is now the Junior School Library, is now completely enclosed by the new extension. At the very heart of The Country Day School, and from its very inception, the Junior School holds a special place. To see the most fragile part of it now protected from the elements gave us all a chance to breathe a sigh of relief that it will forever more be well cared for, just like those who use it.
It was a time to retell stories of how the school used to be, what it is now, and what it will become. All who were present for the school’s initial opening were very pleased with the advances made to the facilities and the growth of the student body and personnel. All also agreed that the future was bright. The newest buildings are designed using elements taken from the original buildings. For example, the size and shape of some of the new Junior School classrooms are the same as the first three classrooms we had back in 1972. This was a factoid that brought a few tears to one of our founder’s eyes.
As time marches on it is incumbent upon us to continue to honour our Founders. The mere dreams of the founding families have become a reality well beyond their initial expectations. We hold them in honour, indeed.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
