Good afternoon Simon’s Valley School Community 

I have the distinct pleasure of welcoming your new “Principal Designate” Christopher Hooper to the Simon’s Valley community who will officially start at SVS in August 2024. Please see Chris’s letter of introduction (attached) to learn more about his background and experience. I have spoken with Chris personally and he is very excited and pleased with his new appointment to SVS. 

I know all of our students, their families and staff look forward to meeting Chris in person and helping him to transition to our school next fall. As May and June are busy times in schools and Chris has to close his school …he has committed to spending some time with us to get a better understanding of SVS! More on this to follow. 

Welcome to our school Chris this is a great school community!!

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s), Staff, and Students 

I am excited to join the dynamic Simons Valley School (SVS) community as Principal. I would like to thank and acknowledge the strong leadership of Mr. Fred Bulloch, who is currently supporting my transition to principal in addition to all the work Mr. Christopher Snow accomplished in his tenure as principal. I am excited to work with Mr. Bulloch, Ms. Shari-Lyn Pierce, and the staff to learn more about SVS. In the coming months, I plan to connect with staff as we conclude the current school year and transition to the 2024-25 school year.

I have a strong commitment to student and staff well-being and resilience development. Over the past decade I have been involved in leading schools in health and well-being initiatives and value the importance of key school traditions while being open to new possibilities that will enhance student learning and achievement. I believe that health is a prerequisite for a thriving student who experiences success and achievement. Therefore, my efforts will always support the well-being of students and families.

As a new member of Simons Valley School, I’d like to share with you my own personal and professional experiences which may give a better sense of who I am as a person. First, my wife and I are proud parents of three boys. I have been a community hockey coach for over a decade for players 4-17 years old. I am passionate about sports and the outdoors. I have enjoyed both xc ski racing and competing in track cycling and now have turned my efforts towards mountain biking. My boys and I love going to West Bragg Creek, the Canmore Nordic Centre, or anywhere in the mountains that has a decent single track.

My past experiences in educational leadership have focused upon gifted and high ability learners, outdoor education, inquiry based learning, and students with learning challenges. I have had the unique experience of walking alongside students from kindergarten to grade 12 graduation within the same school. Having witnessed the ebbs and flow of student progression, I have a perspective of what matters the most. This brought me to appreciate the many benefits of an inclusive learning environment, so I will be in the corner of any student who needs support. Furthermore, I approach challenges with

strength-based and problem-solving based approaches. In my experience, both of these approaches help give students a sense of optimism while building skills, which are necessary ingredients to creating robust learners that do not give up and can persevere in the face of adverse conditions.

Currently, I am the principal of Dr. E. W. Coffin School. I have had a wonderful experience with this community. I acknowledge the excellent educators, parent community and of course the amazing students over my three years at Dr. E. W. Coffin School. I feel very fortunate to have been their principal and experienced how high standards are set for excellent student learning.

As an educational leader, I am excited to support the developmental experiences of our elementary students so that they are well prepared for the demands of junior high school. This holistic approach will include fostering student growth as our team promotes a culture of thinking through strong student-teacher relationships. I look forward to meeting everyone and learning more about SVS. 

Sincerely, 

Chris Hooper EdD, MSc (Kin)