Message from John Wray (he/him) Head of School, 2010-2023

As an international, multicultural, IB school, Mulgrave has always focussed on global citizenship and the development of students’ interpersonal and intercultural skills. It is critical that they understand and connect with those with different identities, life experiences, and perspectives.

The last few years have brought sharper focus and we have a new urgency as the world grapples with increasing injustices and inequities: further revelations about unmarked graves at Canadian residential schools, the death of George Floyd and the subsequent Black Lives Matter and antiracism movement, incidents of anti-Asian hate, and increasing examples of transphobia and homophobia. Coupled with alumni feedback about the inadequacy of their Mulgrave education in this area and an inability to always feel safe in being their true selves, we renewed our emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. At the core is the need to include and support students as they develop a deep sense of their own identity and the understanding of the identities of others, including challenges and privileges. An emphasis on student wellbeing throughout the pandemic further spurred the need for our students to understand their emerging identities and connections to social and emotional wellness.

We are all on a learning journey to understand the many facets of our identities.

I have dug into the many privileges afforded by my identity, my internal biases, and the history and struggles of people with different identities in Canada and elsewhere. It has been cathartic. It has motivated me not only to be a real ally and advocate but also to ensure that our students are educated at all ages, appropriately, so they may ultimately be wellinformed leaders of this work. They have the opportunity to live out our school’s values and ensure that everyone in our community and beyond can feel safe, seen, and have a sense of belonging, regardless of who they are.

As I near my time of departure from Mulgrave, I am pleased and excited that my successor, Craig Davis, shares a passion for this work and recognises the centrality of it in high-quality education. I look forward to following Mulgrave as the journey continues.