Swimmy the fish and Flopsy the bunny have come a long way in 25 years at Fern Hill School.

Swimmy is name of a storybook by Leo Lionni whose main character, Swimmy the fish, has overseen the two-year old preschool class at Fern Hill School from inside his fish bowl for 25 years. (Even if he has been replaced a few times!)

Flopsy, the bunny from the Beatrix Potter tales, became the namesake of the three-year old preschool class over the last quarter century.

These two classes have formed the cornerstone of an institution that has grown to include a full preschool up to senior kindergarten, and the gradual introduction of a grade school from grade one to grade six.

Maureen Brookson founded Fern Hill School in 1981.  An early childhood educator from England who was guided by a desire to provide children with an exceptional education, she started her own preschool with 8 children in her home. As enrolment grew she rented a room at Crichton Street Public School and then moved to 52 Maple Lane using space in the convent. In 1994 the school moved to 50 Vaughan Street where it is currently located.

At all of these locations, the underpinning philosophy of the school has always been to provide academic excellence in a caring and supportive environment.

Now, over 100 families send their children to Fern Hill each year. The school, which built its reputation on its preschool program, offers an equally impressive grade school program. Students attend fast-paced technology classes and an inquiry-based Science and Social studies program. Math and English language excellence is complemented by an Extended French program. Physical Education, Art and Music are all taught by teachers specialized in these subjects.

“Fern Hill is a small school with a big heart,” says Principal Elizabeth Milligan. “Children come to our school as young as two years old, and we help them grow and develop into the confident leaders of the grade five and six classes.”

The connection between the younger students and the older ones is encouraged through programs such as reading buddies where older students read to younger learners. And schoolyard games such as skipping, monkey bar swinging and a perpetual game of road hockey include children of all ages from the grade school, before and after school.

“The older ones and younger ones make powerful connections” says Jacki Sachrajda the Junior Kindergarten teacher. She has worked at Fern Hill for almost twenty years and has seen those strong connections extend also to teachers, and to other students.

“In a school where everybody knows each other, you are never ignored. Your work is noticed and you are noticed,” says Victoria Cate May-Burton. Reflecting on her nine years at Fern Hill, she says, “Fern Hill teachers have the most welcoming attitude towards students that I have ever seen. It wasn’t until grade three or four that I even realized that kids weren’t supposed to enjoy going to school.”

Natalie Sachrajda agrees. “For me Fern Hill was a home away from home.” Not only did her mother Jacki work there, but she also had a wide circle of friends, looked up to her teachers and enjoyed a wide range of activities.

Maya Bitar attended the school for eight years and characterizes her time at Fern Hill as “some of the best years of my life.”

But it hasn’t only been the students who have enjoyed the Fern Hill environment. Staff members sense the positive atmosphere too.

Deborah Gutierrez, Preschool Director, said she was originally attracted to her job because, “Everyone seemed so happy. I wanted to work in a happy place, where the children and the staff were content.”

Twenty-three years later she has spent almost her entire career at this institution where she feels lucky that she has enjoyed coming to work every day - as a Swimmy’s teacher, Preschool Director and after school dance program instructor.

Senior Kindergarten teacher Christie Bitar, a teacher for almost twenty-years at Fern Hill, reflects upon the fact that, “Music was always a strong focus at Fern Hill,” She has shared her own gift of music with students by teaching Swimmy’s, Flopsy’s and Senior Kindergarten and Music.

“Fern Hill School has grown a lot and has become a very polished operation over the years. And as it has grown, it has become more mindful of its place in the community,” says Prinicipal Elizabeth Milligan.

Community events are supported to teach the children they too can give back. “Fern Hill children are learning that through small actions they can make a difference.”

And now the community that has helped build this school is invited to celebrate its quarter century of achievement. On Saturday June 9, Fern Hill’s doors at 50 Vaughan Street will be open to welcome past and present students, families and staff, and all who would like to learn more about it.

The program will include guided tours of the school by current grade five and six students, a ceremony in the gymnasium with photo display, written testimonials, speeches by past students and staff, and the cutting and sharing of a 25^th anniversary cake.

Following the ceremonies the Annual Fern Hill Spring Fair and bar-b-que will take place in the schoolyard with games, prizes, a bake sale, raffle and lots of smiles.

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