It was a fun day at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School on Saturday, May 14 as the STS community gathered for the 50th Anniversary Kite Making and Kite Flying event. There were 50 STS children, with their parents and grandparents creating and decorating kites in the beautiful gathering stairs space in the Rose Elementary School wing.

Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School hosted its first Innovation Fair on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Roughly 200 people were in attendance to support, celebrate, and learn more about our Design, Technology, and Innovation programming which is truly second to none. Guests were struck by the degree of expertise of our students with design thinking, the design cycle and technological skills; the breadth and depth of the program, and the degree to which we involve and leverage industry partners in our projects.

On Friday February 11th, STS held a virtual craft party, part of STS's 50th Anniversary celebrations. With February being a month of kindness, friendship, and love, students and families had the opportunity to attend this fun and interactive evening hosted by Ms. Forgay, STS teacher, and Mr. Uzick, Community Engagement Coordinator for the 50th Anniversary of STS.

When we got to the game, the kids were beyond excited to see a number of their STS friends in our section. We were greeted by Brian Uzick, Community Engagement Coordinator for 50th Anniversary of STS and Brenda Thompson, Director Community Engagement, as well as a few other STS staff and faculty. When the game started the kids were screaming, dancing, and anxiously awaiting the time to start tossing.

On a crisp November morning, my yoga mat tucked under my arm, I headed to Aspen Lodge after completing school drop-off. When I opened the door to the cozy lodge I was warmed by the fireplace and welcomed into the room by Brian Uzick, Community Engagement Coordinator for the 50th Anniversary celebrations. Several parents had already unrolled their mats and were chatting and settling in for a peaceful hour of movement and mindfulness.

It all started with a phone call from our daughter Randi Hardy (Thorbjornsen) ’13 “Hey mom, we are coming up to see you in a couple of weeks”. We were excited to see our out of town family, but in reality they were not making the drive from Lethbridge to see us, but to partake in the STS Alumni Association Beer Tasting & Unveiling of the STS Anniversary Beer event.

Among the many engaging experiences which have been planned in honour of Strathcona-Tweedsmuir’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, on Friday, September 24th, 2021, Willow Park Wine and Spirits hosted a Virtual Wine Tasting. Over 50 people, including families, alumni and faculty, joined us on Zoom and spent an entertaining and informative hour together.

As I approached the path towards the observatory, I could smell the beautiful fall night with crisp leaves crunching under my feet and see soft lit candles (fake) leading everyone towards the fun evening ahead. As I walked down the path, I was greeted by Mrs. Grant-Watt, Head of School, saying hello to all of those arriving.

What better way to catch up with both old and new friends alike than the excuse of a birthday party? On October 2, 48 STS community members attended the STS 50th anniversary event at McMahon Stadium. Fifty years is a good reason to sit front and center at a football home game on the Telus Patio.

50 years ago, it all began with an idea. In 1971, a group of forward-thinking, courageous leaders and educators broke ground on a new campus in a remote, rural area just south of Calgary, Alberta. Little did they know that this tiny school with big ideas would go on to become the gold standard of independent private education in Canada − and around the world. The STS of today is the result of five decades of vision, hard work, commitment, and love.

Extraordinary is a word that inspires. While countless other words may accurately reflect STS students, faculty, alumni, parents, and staff, extraordinary stands alone in capturing the spirit and soul of our school.

It’s not every day that one is granted the opportunity to help plan a party five decades in the making.

You have accepted the challenge of your world, just as the parents and friends of this school accepted a challenge. They built a school. You are going to build a world.