With inspiration from Saint John High School’s alumni association, Fredericton High School (FHS) is creating its first known alumni association to support students and the school’s community.
The future association is in its “infancy stages,” according to vice-principal Fred Conners, who has begun collecting interested alumni through Facebook and school communications.
“I don’t want people to think that this is just a fundraising initiative. We want to look at how to support the school in all different ways,” he said.
Conners has received a “decent amount” of interest and has nine committed alumni thus far. He hopes interest will continue to grow.
FHS is the oldest English high school in Canada and has graduated approximately 400 students yearly over the past decade. With 488 graduates in last spring’s class and 2,224 students enrolled this year, the school has potential for a large alumni association.
“If we’re the biggest school in Atlantic Canada, we must have the biggest alumni association … But are we working together as one big, large group?” said Conners.
There are already ideas on how alumni would be able to enrich previously established programs such as Kats’ Kitchen. The school’s breakfast and lunch food program would be a start for support, said Conners.
TP the Town and Socktober are other annual FHS causes that need as much community support as possible.
“I think there’s a lot of initiatives that happen here that are incredible … In terms of Kats’ Kitchen and the donation of food, there are so many ways that we’re trying to bring more food in for students that are dealing with food security issues.”
Conners hopes that the alumni association will be able to work alongside the school’s Student Representative Council and faculty. He used the skilled trades department as an example.
The school has a wing for students from FHS and Leo Hayes High School that are interested in skilled trades courses such as woodworking and engine repair.
“Maybe there’s alumni out there that want to donate their time to help with engine repair. Maybe they have a business where they’re going to donate parts to our skilled trades area … We have to find something that’s going to be helping our students in their learning opportunities.”
What the association decides to support will be determined in the second semester. Conners said the process should be collaborative and based on the strengths of the alumni.
The projected size of the association is unknown, but it is a great opportunity for alumni to reconnect to the school and support current students.
“How do we bring [alumni] all together into one association where they’re … trying to reconnect with their experience here. How do they either recreate the positive experience they had or create a better experience for the kids that are here?”
