Inaugural Headmaster's Tributes

Over 100 guests attended the Headmaster’s Tribute cocktail on June 2 in Coristine Hall to honour longstanding staff members who embody Veritas values and are retiring or leaving at the end of this school year. Combined, Kathy Funamoto (44 years), Brenda Montgomery (34 years), Rob Moore (33 years), Jean Pruneau (31 years), Chantal Simard (27 years) and Evi Pachis (23 years) have given 192 years of service to Selwyn House. 

 

In attendance were many current and former staff, current and past parents and Old Boys, a total of six Speirs Medalists, including former Headmaster Will Mitchell who hired five of the six honourees and hired Kathy Funamoto for the role of Head of the Elementary School. 

 

Headmaster Mike Downey gave highlights on each of the honourees thanking them for the impact they have had on so many students, families and colleagues.

 

During the formal presentation, Mr. Downey made a couple of announcements, the first which honoured Carol Manning who retired in 2020 after 38 years of service. He said, “Ms. Manning was instrumental in establishing our Middle School and shared her passion for giving back to the community. She instilled this in her students and in our families. The Carol Manning “True to Others” Award has been created and will be awarded at the upcoming Grade 11 graduation to a student of the graduating class who exemplifies selflessness, humility, and a giving spirit through his initiative to serve others in both the Selwyn House School and greater Montreal communities.”

 

Mr. Downey’s second announcement was that the school will honour Kathy Funamoto’s 44-year legacy by creating “a dedicated gathering space that invites people in to listen, to learn, and to be with each other to build community; all things that Kathy values and demonstrates each and every day….a "Kathy Funamoto & Friends Corner,” if you will.” The headmaster went on to say that he is donating a book to the Junior Library in her name for a new Multicultural Book Collection.

 

"Thank you Mike, for this gift. I am humbled. Reading to children has been an absolute joy throughout my career, and to imagine that there will be a special spot to gather and to read–in my name–is a great honour. But many of the greatest gifts that I’ve (we’ve) received these past few weeks have been the stories …. there is nothing more rewarding than hearing a memory, a story, a moment, that parents and students remember that changed them because of what we said or did. Being a difference-maker in the life of a child is why we have stayed in our profession. We love to teach but we stay for the people and the relationships we build. I know by the end of the evening our hearts will be filled with memories–from parents, from former students and from colleagues (new and old)!  And phew, just counting the years, we have a total of 192 year-ends. That’s a lot of stories!

 

What a privilege to work alongside those who are honoured here tonight and also to gaze out to see so many former and present-day colleagues who have gathered with us. A community of life-long friends, who along with a passion for teaching, build relationships, laugh and love. Not a bad day job! 192 years seems like a big hole to fill but it’s not. Look around, the next generation of dedicated, passionate, Veritas teachers are right next to you, ready to encourage, celebrate and create new memories. And we could not do it without the students and parents who trust us on their Selwyn journey. This is Selwyn. You are Selwyn-an extraordinary community. Let the stories begin! Thank you."

 

Anyone who wishes to send a personal message to any of our honourees, may do so here.

 

Please click here to donate to the “Kathy Funamoto & Friends Fund” to contribute to “The Kathy Funamoto & Friends Corner” and/or the "Multicultural Book Collection" in the library (see below).

 

In honour of Kathy Funamoto’s retirement the Junior Library is creating a multilingual collection of books that feature children of diverse backgrounds. Kathy explained that many parents whose mother tongue isn't English or French ask her how they can support their children learning those languages at home. She always tells them not to worry, that school will take care of that. Their role is to preserve their mother tongue at home, something her husband Glenn wasn't encouraged to do, resulting in his not learning Japanese. 

 

Financial donations and book title suggestions are welcome to help build this collection of books in languages other than English or French that would benefit our students (e.g., a children's book in Mandarin, Vietnamese, Italian, etc.). Should you have the name of a book to suggest to the library, please contact librarian Alisa Soukhodolskaia.