Testimonials
"We were initially attracted to Fern Hill by the small class sizes,
solid
academic curriculum, and cozy atmosphere. Over the years, Fern
Hill's
professional and dedicated staff has continuously exceeded our
expectations.
Our two children, Derek and Kyle, are thriving in the unique
learning
environment. We have also had the privilege of developing a
personal
relationship with many of the staff, students, and parents. They
have become
part of our extended family!"
Jean and Janice
Champagne
Ottawa, Ontario - November 2006
"Fern Hill School has been an
integral part of our son’s life since age two. Seven years
later, he continues to delight in the school’s warm but challenging
environment. Fern Hill provides a solid academic
education supplemented with fabulous art, music and PhysEd
specialties. Its small size gives children the comfort and
special attention they need to soar. We are so lucky we found
Fern Hill".
Katie Macmillan
Ottawa, Ontario - November 2006
“Fern Hill plays an important role in the education of
children from the British High Commission. Seven of our families now
send their children there. As the person responsible for our High
Commission's education
policy I need to be sure that our children will receive a proper
academic
education as well as benefiting from integration with Canadian and
other
diplomatic children and being able to participate in worthwhile
extra-curricular
activities. I am, which is why my two children attend Fern
Hill.”
Julian Evans
British Deputy High Commissioner to Canada Ottawa,
Ontario - February 2006
“Arriving to a new posting is never easy. Finding a house, a
school and new friends. But Ottawa has been an easy one due to many
different factors, among them - deciding the right school for our
children aged 3 and 6.
When we first visited Fern Hill we knew right away that this was the
school we were looking for. Especially, due to it’s highly
qualified staff
who, not only, take very good care of our children but also help them
grow
in knowledge, values and self-esteem.
We highly recommend this school, hoping that our wonderful experience
will be that of others to come.”
Antonio Torres-Dulce;
Deputy Head of Mission- Embassy of Spain
Ottawa, Ontario - February 2006
“My wife and I enrolled our daughter Isabel at Fern Hill in
2003 when she was two. It didn’t take long to realize how
right we were in our choice. The facilities are child-friendly, the
atmosphere welcoming, and the teachers as mindful, as patient, and as
stimulating as one can possibly expect.
We’ve been able to follow the development of her intellectual
and social skills all along and cannot but be full of praise for Fern
Hill’s methods.
Our daughter leaves home every morning with a big smile on her face.
She has made many little friends since her first weeks at school and
still
keeps them today. Incidentally, we have made very good friends at Fern
Hill too!”
Valdemar Carneiro Leão
Ambassador of Brazil
Ottawa, Ontario - February 2006
One week after moving to Canada and starting Fern Hill School, my
children got up at 6.00 am and could not wait for school to begin.
We breathed a sigh of relief: the move from Germany had gone extremely
well for Hannah (6) and Toby (4).
That was three years ago. Since then, we all have become part of the
Fern Hill family.
Our children have thrived in this warmhearted and nurturing
international school that makes learning enjoyable and teaches children
values and respect for others.It is hard to imagine a better start
point for a child recently arrived in Canada than Fern Hill.“
Sabine Sparwasser
Chargé d'Affaires a.i.
German Embassy
Ottawa, Ontario – February 2006
“Our son Patrick (6) and daughter Lara (3) have thrived in
the warm and caring atmosphere of Fern Hill. We like the high academic
standards but also the emphasis on community and respect for others. We
found Fern Hill by word of mouth and are keen to spread the word to
other expatriates.“
Clive and Gamze Newell
British High Commission
Ottawa, Ontario – February 2006
“My boss has a great expression when he is expected to do,
learn
and absorb just too many things at once: “It’s like
drinking out of a fire hose,” he says with an exasperated
smile.
When my husband and I moved our family from South Carolina to Ottawa
last summer following a very sudden and never-expected diplomatic
assignment, we found ourselves drinking out of that fire hose. We were
overwhelmed! It was only the three “F’s”
–
Faith, Friends and Fern Hill – that kept us from drowning
that
August!
For any parent who has ever tried to find a new school – let
alone a new school in a foreign country – you know what I
mean.
It is excruciatingly stressful. But faith and the advice of wonderful
new friends led us right to Fern Hill’s doors and as the
saying
goes; the assistant principal had us at “hello.”
Even in
the depths of summer in the echo of silent hallways, love and warmth
poured out from this place. The staff was eager to help us in our
transition north, reassuring us as we worked out a payment schedule,
answering our mundane questions on everything from uniforms to our
concerns about differing language styles.
Fern Hill is a small school with a huge heart. Our children have
thrived under the dynamic instruction of the staff. One of the first
things our 9-year-old said about his teacher was,
“She’s
tough, but fair.” That is exactly what we want for our kids
– teachers who challenge but encourage them every step of the
way.
We are especially delighted by the international flair at Fern Hill.
It’s a place where diplomatic families feel welcome. I was
touched when our son learned first hand about the tearing down of the
Berlin Wall from a classmate’s mom. What an incredible life
lesson that he’d never glean in the same way from a text
book.
Our 4-year-old comes home enthusiastic and excited about school every
single day. That’s a gift she’s receiving today
that will
have life-long positive implications.
Fern Hill is a precious gem in the heart of our community and I feel so
fortunate that for a time in their lives our children get to experience
it.”
Christy Cox
Mom to William – age 9; Reagan – age 4
Chief of Staff to U.S. Ambassador David H. Wilkins
Ottawa, Ontario – February 2006
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