Sun West School Division adopts new mission, vision and core values

The Sun West School Division has adopted a new mission statement, vision statement and set of core values following a months-long consultation process.

The division’s board of education approved the new guiding statements at its regular meeting on Feb. 24.

Board Chair Michele Whitfield said the work began in November, when trustees and senior administration met in a workshop to draft updated mission, vision and values as the foundation for the division’s long-term strategy.

Michele Whitfield

“We started the process of developing our long-term strategy by creating the new mission, vision and values because they will become the foundation of decision-making in our division going forward,” Whitfield said in a release. “Before we decide what we should do, it is crucial to consider why we are doing it.”

Draft statements were shared in December with students, parents, staff and community members, who were invited to provide feedback through a survey.

According to the division, more than 500 people responded, with 93 per cent indicating support for the proposed mission, vision and values.

The new mission reads: “To cultivate a learning community that empowers, innovates, and inspires all learners to thrive in a changing world.”

The vision statement is: “Spark curiosity, ignite possibility.”

The division also adopted 10 core values: accountability, collaboration, courage, creativity, curiosity, empathy, integrity, leadership, respect and responsibility.

Whitfield said the statements will guide not only the development of the division’s long-term strategy, but day-to-day decision-making.

“They will not sit on a shelf and be forgotten,” she said. “We are going to all staff, students and parents and asking them how these statements can live and be a part of the daily operations of our schools and all our activities.”