Today we have a very exciting episode that includes a host takeover by Make My Logo Bigger’s James Ingram. James is the owner of JIVE Photographic Productions, a full service production company in Halifax, who also produces the Armbrae Academy Podcast. With James as our host, Meagan Jackson (Armbrae’s Advancement Officer) and Suzanne Morrison (Armbrae’s Admissions and Marketing Director) sit to discuss the challenges and opportunities of marketing an independent school. From the pros and cons of wearing many hats, to the importance of knowing customer expectations, this power house team of marketers outline what’s most important when marketing a not-for-profit, and how to engage your audience in a meaningful way (on a small budget at that!). With insight into how our school plans to continue growing, it’s one alum, current families and prospective families won’t want to miss!
Today, it’s Armbrae’s honour to welcome the Founder and CEO of Future Design School, and our friend, Sarah Prevette. Sarah has developed transformational strategy for some of the country's biggest business leaders and renowned brands. Globally recognized for her work in human centred design and entrepreneurship, she’s proud to work alongside an incredible team of educators to drive innovation inside schools. Her organization, Future Design School, provides world-class strategy development, professional training programs, and resources that empower effective leadership and personalized learning. Armbrae has recently teamed up with Sarah and Future Design School to create their current Strategic Plan, and today we dig into the “what”,”how” and “why” of it all. With insightful conversations about where education is going, how to prepare students for the world today and how the promises Armbrae has made will support them, it’s an episode you don’t want to miss!
On this episode of Armbrae Academy’s podcast, we have an inspiring conversation with Saviour Joseph about his role as the Chair of Armbrae’s basketball program and the ripple effect his belief in our student body is having. Savior is a connector in our community, dedicated parent advocate and the Ospreys number one fan. This is made obvious by his commitment to uplift, and champion not only his student athletes, but the school as a whole. As we continue to collectively build a strong basketball program, Savior shares his vision for the future, his ideas for creating a lasting legacy, and of course, his“why”. Sit back and enjoy a moving chat about bringing kids together through sport, dreaming big, showing up, and unleashing your potential!
In today’s episode, we sit down with Jessica Barry (Drama teacher & CAS coordinator at Armbrae) & Ashley Matthews-Duffett (Auxillary Program Director at Armbrae) to discuss the diversity of programs offered at Armbrae Academy. Join us as we explore the many ways Armbrae is creating opportunities for its students to thrive. From our CAS program, to summer camps, The Amazing Shake to sports ball, Armbrae faculty is always looking to enhance our student's overall experience while honouring our new strategic plan. Sit back and learn what we’re doing outside of the academic day to encourage students to unleash their potential!
Dr. Michael Ungar is the founder and director of the Resilience Research Centre at Dalhousie University and his groundbreaking work as a family therapist, and resilience researcher is recognized around the world. In this episode of Armbrae Academy’s podcast, we discuss how Michael’s research team brought the science, our educators brought the pedagogy, and together we developed a curriculum now being used at Armbrae and schools throughout Canada. Sit back and open your mind to the science of resilience, ruggedness, and resourcefulness as Dr Michael Ungar educates us on the power of routine, why working through anxiety is paramount, and how to support our children in the process. Interested in how to foster resilience in your children and/or students? This episode is a must-listen!
On this week’s episode of Armbrae Academy’s podcast, we sit down with our good friend, and colleague, Augy Jones. Augy is the founder of Empathize Others Consulting, and has been working with Armbrae to enhance school culture (especially as it pertains to embracing inclusivity) and also supports teachers and students in developing curriculum that focuses on social literacy and wellness. A child of civil rights activists, Rocky and Joan Jones, Augy is no stranger to difficult conversations, which he demonstrates by taking on big subjects and making them digestible for not only students, but staff and parents.
With thoughtful conversations about inclusivity, privilege, and how to meet students where they’re at, Augy shares a unique perspective on how to fully integrate an inclusive mindset and how to expand your circle and mind with intention. As Armbrae moves forward in its commitments to diversity and inclusion, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in our community, and beyond. Enjoy!
This week we speak with Head of School, Steve Clarke, to discuss the exciting launch of Armbrae’s new strategic plan! Sit back as we deep dive into the plan's theme, “Unleash Your Potential,” what our commitments are moving forward, and why we chose Future Design School to help us with the process. Learn about the strategic priorities and promises we are making to our students, faculty, and community moving forward. You don’t want to miss it!
Our priority at Armbrae is to ensure that every student feels a sense of belonging. The Student Success Centre team provides a range of academic and personal support services to Lower, Middle and Upper School students. The Student Success team provides support for students through social-emotional and academic counselling, as well as supporting students with a range of learning styles and individual education plans.
Today’s guest is Megan Sernyk, Director of Student Success. In this episode we chat about her role at the Student Success Centre, the services offered, the importance of having a designated space to meet specific needs and how the centre will benefit students. We also talk about the future of creating enriched environments to set students up for success, eliminating the stigma around needing support, the link between belonging and academic success and creating a collaborative community for learning strategists.
For more information:
https://armbrae.ns.ca/
Armbrae Academy is an independant, coeducational day school with more than 320 students from diverse backgrounds. Academic excellence is at the core of our programming, with an intentional focus on character education, community service, athletics, and encouraging children to consider their role in the wider world. School belongingness is a hallmark of the Armbrae experience, and our updated motto - Be Kind, Work Hard - underpins everything we do.
In this episode, we are talking to Suzanne Morrison, Admissions and Marketing Director at Armbrae. We discuss her own family's journey with Armbrae, the school's philosophy and the benefits of an independent school education.
Suzanne Morrison is a graduate of St. F.X. University with her Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science, she has spent most of her career in communications. She has worked for Tourism Nova Scotia and several advertising agencies in Halifax, and spent years partnering with her sister in an event management company - Offspring Productions. Suzanne has also been a partner with her husband photographer James Ingram in their production company Jive Photographic Productions for over 20 years. Suzanne has three sons, Hogan, Redford, and North, the eldest who graduated from Armbrae in 2016. Her strong passion for the school - developed during Hogan's time at Armbrae - combined with her sales and marketing experience, make her a great fit for the role of Admissions and Marketing Director at Armbrae. Her motto is "Do what you love, love what you do."
For more information:
https://armbrae.ns.ca/
The O'Connor family has generously gifted Armbrae Academy a half-million dollars to fund “The O’Connor Family Centre for Performance”. The O’Connors are passionate about giving future generations of Armbrae students the kind of support that their children received over many years at Armbrae. Toward that end, the O'Connor Family CFP will focus on providing students with Learning support & diagnostics, Mental Health support & education, Mental Performance Coaching, and practical advice for Healthy Living.
In this episode we are joined by friends of the school, Jennifer and Wayne O'Connor to talk about their donation to Armbrae and the plans for the gift, why it is so important to give and how the school has impacted their lives.
For more information visit:
https://www.armbrae.ns.ca/