Mowat Park – Cry the beloved school [LETTER]

EDITOR – As a past learner and teacher at Mowat Park High School, I was most distressed to hear that learners were being abused by certain male staff members.
During my years at the school, young women were taught that they were valuable members of society who have a voice and an opinion. They were encouraged to speak out freely about anything that they felt strongly about. It was a safe environment, free from the dangers of patriarchy that many experienced at home and in the broader society in which they lived. They were nurtured and taught that women could stand up for their rights, assume positions of power and substance, stand against the wrongs committed by ‘the world’ if need be. The literature that they read, encouraged them to be bold and assertive at all times.
I was heartened by the fact that some of the learners affected by this dreadful situation were brave enough to speak out. Well done to you! You have learnt the skills that will empower you in the future. If you can stand up to this sort of abuse, you are going to be a winner in this world as an adult.
To the many teachers and learners, who over the years, have striven to build the excellent reputation that Mowat Park has, I applaud you. This incident will dent it somewhat, but those of us who have been involved with the school over many years, know that you can rise above this. Mowat Park has produced many resilient people of high calibre – both learners and staff. It will continue to do so, since the core of the school is strong, moral and resourceful.
BEVERLEY CHADWICK (nee Grandin, formerly Atkinson)

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