Torch - Fall/Winter 2018-19

Not surprisingly, faculty and staff also find it rewarding to be part of the Havergal community. Antonietta Mirabelli, Havergal’s Executive Director of Communications and Marketing, says there’s something unique about working in a community like Havergal. “It’s a marvel every day to see the care and love for our students that faculty and staff exude in everything they do. Not everybody gets the chance to wake up every day and come to a place where they are integral to not only the community, but also to the delivery of the experience,” she says. Havergal is also the kind of place where employees have long-standing careers, with more than 55 per cent of its workforce dedicating more than 10 years of service and several who have even been here for more than 30 years! As her tenure at Havergal grows, Caven Ortved sees why so many stay for as long as they do. “As a 15-year employee, I think the opportunity to contribute to the life of the school, to work with people who are committed to excellence and to be part of this caring and compassionate community are why we see long-term service for so many.”

it connected to a unit she’d taken in her Grade 5 social studies class, DeLuca told Ms. Lockington about the book, who then used it in her class. DeLuca was grateful for the chance to contribute. “It was really great how she took me seriously and listened to my ideas,” she says. While faculty may be top of mind when thinking about a school, Catherine Caven Ortved, Havergal’s Executive Director of People and Culture, says that she’s also grateful for the staff who make up half of the school’s 235 employees. “Working diligently behind the scenes, this is the group that helps define our community. They are especially important to our students, particularly our Boarders, as this is the group that makes the school their home away from home,” she says. From Facilities to Security to Food Services to Housekeeping, the familiarity of their faces and their genuine interest make the girls feel a part of the Havergal community beyond the classroom. “They contribute tremendously to the heart and soul of this building and they keep it ticking 24-7.”

DeLuca remembers the photo of them wearing similar dresses. Years later, when Garland retired, DeLuca spoke at her Retirement Prayers. Arriving at Havergal last year, Xintong Lu is in Grade 8, loves art and math and participates in figure skating. She appreciates the fact that teachers always make time for her. “They always pull time from their own busy lives before school, during lunch or after school to work with me on subjects that I need extra help with. When I leave the room, I feel more confident about my learning,” she says. Maya Gupta is also in Grade 8 and likes art and English and participates in badminton. She also likes that the teachers are willing to give extra help, especially with math. “Miss Coleman really helped me understand math,” says Gupta. “She had some good learning strategies that I still think about today.” DeLuca recalls another time when she heard a radio program about a kids’ book on residential schools. Realizing how well

India Tory (middle left) and friends.

18  HAVERGAL COLLEGE