Ms. Holmes leaves her WS

Ms. Cathy Holmes left Woodstock in December 2009 after 36 years of service. Here are some extracts from a a student article first published in The Tiger (November/December 2009).

Miss Holmes joined as an Elementary School teacher, went on to teach grade 6, and became the Elementary School Coordinator. She started helping out with Admissions while continuing to teach, before finally taking over as the Director of Admissions. She was also instrumental in beginning the various student exchange programs like Carey in Australia, PAX in the US and now, SMUS in Canada.

"She has really defined the role of the admissions director, and she has put in place the procedures that are used to get the best possible group of students for Woodstock," said Mr. Jim Lehman, Guidance Counselor. As a teacher, Ms. Holmes is fondly remembered by Vinay Mehra, Class of 1980. "She was great," Mehra says, "Very caring and sweet!"

Following much deliberation, Ms. Holmes finally decided to leave her home of almost four decades. "We've been through ups and downs," she said, "And now it's time to move on." After working at the American Baptist Organization for a year, she said that she will "retire and see what happens."

For most of the students, when they came to Woodstock, Ms. Holmes was the first person they met. Anah Iqbal (Class of 2011), joined the school in Grade 4. She remembered that one of her first memories of Woodstock was of "Ms. Holmes welcoming me into the school."

"It will be a challenge to pick up what she's done," said Mr. Dana Crider; "I have always found a very dear friend in her, with whom I share a passion for the school."

Adnan Bhattacharjea (Class of 2011)