Transformational Partnerships

It takes a village to raise a child.

It takes a community of villages to raise up a generation...

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. - African Proverb

3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (3PPCLI) PARTNERSHIP

TEAM DAWE / MENTORS / TEAM KARIGIANNIS

15 year reflection of our partnership 3 PPCLI.

3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Our partnership with 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is unique in North America that started in 2008. Other schools have now taken steps to adopt regiments and battalions within their school communities.

Our partnership began when students led our school community in a memorial service for a graduate who died in Afghanistan. We planted a tree in front of Laval Senior Academy (Laval Liberty High School at the time) in memory of one our alumni, Sgt. Chris Karigiannis, who was killed while serving Canada on June 20, 2007.

Students asked us an important question when we planted the Karigiannis Maple Tree on November 11, 2008; "Why do we wait until people die to notice them or to honour them?"

We stopped to listen to our students and to consider what they were saying. Through the discourse that followed, we made conscious efforts to recognize people in our community who are making meaningful contributions. We started to establish partnerships so that our lives could interconnect in more meaningful ways. It was in this spirit that we reached out to Sgt Karigiannis' battalion.

Students and staff wrote a letter to BGen Gollner (ret.), who was Colonel of the Regiment at the time, requesting a partnership. We made a promise to care for Sgt Karigiannis' family and friends.

"This initiative is not a project for the school. It is an extension of our school community to include the soldiers of 3PPCLI in our day to day life. Our intention is to provide a link between soldier and student for generations."

In 2009, we adopted 3PPCLI and since then we have been working together to remember our fallen and to be active participants in our community. We became a school community of emerging leaders seeking to build a better world in partnership with and changed by our relationship with our soldiers.

This video is the first visit of 3PPCLI with Sgt Filis.

PARTNERS

Even though our school is in Quebec and the Battalion is located in Alberta, soldiers from 3PPCLI came to our school annually. We created a leadership camp. We exchanged flags. Soldiers spoke to in our History and Social Studies classes. Soldiers ran workshops and workouts with our football, soccer, and hockey teams. We hosted a Hockey Day where soldiers and community members could play together. We sent Valentines Day cards, holiday cards and care packages.

We traveled to Alberta for a Rocky Mountain backpacking trip and to live for a while next to our Battalion and walk its' halls.

We formed a relationship with the PPCLI Association and started connecting to members in different areas of Canada.

We then took on the responsibility and mantle of leadership in our community and world.

LEADERSHIP

Through our partnership with 3PPCLI, our soldiers help us to develop essential leadership skills and work to build effective teams. We learn how to develop healthy and dynamic leaders seeking to serve and to do the work to build better communities, cities, provinces, country and world. Our soldiers help us to contemplate our world and own our role in it.

Our partnership links are centred through our Secondary Student Leadership Certificate program which combines 6 secondary schools in strategic leadership development. It is a volunteer program that meets weekly at lunch in each school and after school online.

Student Leaders are divided on two teams named after our fallen soldiers; Team Karigiannis and Team Dawe. We maintain connections to both families.

A BETTER WORLD

Students recorded over 150 000 hours of active citizenship and volunteer work from 2008 - 2013. We have developed relationships with some of Canada's top leaders who invest in our youth as they learn to use their voices and move in positive directions to establish a more compassionate and better world.

You will find videos and projects that students have taken on as result of our partnership in our Model The Way section on this website.

On this link you will find stories in the news in Quebec, Canada, and Japan about the work the students have and are doing, our partnership, and the effect that it has had on all of us.

MOTTO: LEAD FROM THE FRONT

"Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

TEAM KARIGIANNIS: The Path to Perfection Leads to Excellence

TEAM DAWE: 1-2-CAN-DO

MORE SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

Souvenir Elementary: Skyhawks

Jules Verne Elementary: 4th Battalion Royal 22nd Regiment

NATIONAL POST Article (2013)

NATIONAL POST Article (2024)

YOUNG PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE THE LEAD...

Young people will need to take the lead.mp4

FOOTPRINTS

Over the course of the first 15 years of our partnership, students have given nicknames to soldiers, teachers and community members who have made an impact on them as they grow as leaders.

The Footprints are a way that students can pass on the story of the soldiers and partners to each generation of student leaders.

In addition to soldiers, there is a former Governor General, business leaders, politicians, community leaders, and teachers who have contributed to our story and to the legacy of our partnership.

New Footprints are added by students every year.

Desjardins Caisse de Chomedey is an incredible partner who is helping us to make diverse leadership opportunities available to young people. Students are involved in training, participate in camps, attend workshops and summits. Our student leaders have mentors, and grow through meaningful community involvement.

Student leaders can participate in a Director for A Day opportunity at Caisse de Chomedey where they participate in hands on leadership learning.