Welcoming the Next Generation of Gryphons

At Glenlyon Norfolk School (GNS), we take immense pride in the lasting impact we have on our students, nurturing not just academic growth but also creating a profound sense of connection within our close-knit community. Many of our former students fondly recall the atmosphere of belonging and encouragement that shaped their lives during their time at GNS and spurred them to success within and beyond the classroom. When alumni return and enrol their children at GNS, we see their desire to extend this experience to their children as a testament to the enduring strength of our community. They return confident that our commitment to embrace each student as an individual, support their strengths, and foster an environment where they can grow academically and personally remains unwavering. GNS is more than just a school. It is a home away from home. A place where lifelong connections are forged. We are honoured to continue this legacy by embracing generations of families within our cherished community.

Nick Anderson ’01

What was your experience like at GNS?

I have so many fond memories of my time at GNS, it’s truly a challenge to do them justice in just a few sentences. Beach play by the boathouse, the $5 boat race, and windy days with my coat flipped over my head to catch the breeze, are just a few of my most memorable moments at the junior school. I made life long friends and had some great experiences both in day-to-day life and with ‘Outweeks’ and sporting events. The CIS soccer tournaments with Mr. Bowers will always be a highlight of my childhood.

Why did you want to send your child to GNS?

I had a great experience at GNS. Looking back now, I had no idea how lucky I was to be at such a great school. I recognize that my final year at GNS was very focused on preparing me for post-secondary education and it was evident to me, even then, that Grades 9 to 11 were very intentionally preparing me for that final year. When I look at the school curriculum now, I’m impressed to see that same intentional progressive preparation starting within the First Steps and Junior Kindergarten programs. GNS was a great school when I attended and it’s incredible that it has gotten even better; after walking through the initial school tour, my wife and I both felt that the best option for our children was to get our kids into this upgraded version of the GNS I experienced.

How has their experience at GNS been?

Our kids love the Junior School. Although we had our share of dropoff tears in the first few weeks, the genuine smiles and happy skip/ run/hugs at pickup time leave no doubt as to their comfort and happiness while they are at school. We love the Seesaw program that helps us ask pointed questions about their day. Reviewing the days pictures and videos turns the standard response of “nothing” or “I don’t know” to a chattering about a variety of exciting topics. We

Nick Anderson continued… get great support with helping our kids develop both scholastically and socially, and we are grateful to all the teachers and support staff for helping our kids work towards their full potential.

What are you looking forward to having your child experience while at GNS?

I really enjoy watching the boys play on the same grounds I remember playing on as a kid. It’s a priceless experience to watch your kids relive some of your best memories. I look forward to our boys exploring all of my GNS highlights and finding their own through the new and improved GNS curriculum and programs.

I am excited for the world of learning and experiences that lie

Susannah Wood ’89

What was your experience like at GNS?

One of the greatest experiences about attending GNS was the sense of family I felt while at school. Never did I feel alone or unsupported. The community that was composed of teachers, students, administrators and operations staff, all worked together and helped each other be successful. The community fostered a spirit of unfailing solidarity where we all knew the janitors’ names and they knew ours, we worked in a home away from home, and we were successful because of the spirit of positivity and the strength—it gave us in that anchor.

Why did you want to send your child to GNS?

For the very reason listed above. I wanted my children to have the feeling of unconditional support at home AND at school, and I wanted them to know that they could achieve anything they dreamed of. GNS helped me believe that.

How has their experience at GNS been?

Really good. My daughter has had the support she has needed during the highs and lows of being a teenager and through the ahead for our kids as they move into higher grades. While we appreciate the early development, we recognize that our boys are just scratching the surface of what GNS has to offer.

What makes GNS special to your family?

Every time our kids come home with a new skill or a newly developed insight and understanding of the world, GNS becomes more special to our family. GNS will always be special to me for my own reasons, but like most parents, the growth and happiness of my kids overshadows my personal connection. We enjoy the closeness of the GNS community, and I especially enjoy seeing familiar faces of other alumni bringing their children back and getting to watch our kids learn and grow together.

many transitions of life. She has met lifelong friends and is learning who she is in the most positive environment I could hope for.

What are you looking forward to having your child experience while at GNS?

My child has done what I hoped she would do at GNS. She has become a kind, good person who will be a constructive, contributing citizen of the world on her terms.

What makes GNS special to your family?

The ‘acknowledgment and respect of the individual’ is what I love about GNS. If you aren’t an academic, or a super jock or a super art lover—it’s OK! GNS looks at its students strengths and embraces them while encouraging them to work through and manage the challenges. There are no failures. The other part of what makes GNS special to our family is our history there. My mother, Sally Learoyd, attended Norfolk House in the 1950s, my sister, and I attended in the 70s and 80s as lifers and I met the father of my children (Alexander Roethel) at an alumni event in the 1990s! He was at Glenlyon in the 1970s and 1980s. As a family we truly drink the GNS Koolaid!! I have to add, many of my closest friendships to date are people I met at GNS 35 years ago.