McCallion
Quest

Sandy Buckingham leaves Hazel

It is with sadness that we say…Mrs. Buckingham Has left The Building

When Hazel McCallion first opened its doors in 1991, Principal John Stone was appointed and was given the responsibility of building a school that would eventually become the envy of others. Mr. Stone had a clear vision back then of what Hazel was going to look like. He saw a school that was going to be community friendly, technologically advanced and one that possessed an academic program that focused on the talents and abilities of the whole child. To realize this vision, Mr. Stone set his sights on building a staff that could help him achieve it. The first person he hired to begin this quest was head secretary Sandy Buckingham.

Mrs. Buckingham had been Mr. Stone’s secretary at Settler’s Green, the school he was at before he was appointed Hazel’s first principal. It was this previous working partnership that convinced Mr. Stone that she had the credentials and the ability to supply the energy needed to get the school off to a smooth start. For those that have never been involved in opening a new school, it is a daunting and sometimes overwhelming task, which involves daily jobs that never seem to end. Through these first years, it was Mrs. Buckingham who kept the office together and even with disturbances due to last minute construction and working around electricians that were improving the wiring, she kept staff in supplies and made sure their orders for furniture, books and paper were always there. She did it all under duress…but never lost her sense of humour or purpose.

For 12 years, Mrs. Buckingham manned Hazel’s front desk, running the office with fervent efficiency, and a sense of purpose that kept both students and staff responsible and in line. Her compassion and love towards the school evolved and developed in the early days and despite the frequent setbacks and challenges she faced, to her credit, she never lost that respect and love during her tenure at the school.

On countless occasions you’d see her car, alone in the parking lot, well after school hours. On her own time, there she would be, at her desk, staying behind either to make sure the influx of new students, that were constantly moving into the school, were properly registered, to track down textbook and supply orders or to look after daily budget concerns. A dedication like this was fostered because of her love for the school, its staff and its students.

Once Mr. Stone retired in December of 2002, Mrs. Buckingham, due to her long affiliation with him, understandably felt the loss more than others. With the school approaching an enrolment of 1000 children, the retirement of some other staff members that she had become close to, and a change of house locations, Mrs. Buckingham, reluctantly went looking to see if there was a school closer to home that was less busy and required less of a commute. She found one in Lorne Park Public School, a small elementary school that has an enrolment of 350 students.

Before she left, Kathryn Stagg, a writer for the Quest, sat down to get some reflections from Mrs. Buckingham about her time at Hazel. Below is the interview they had.

On behalf of the Quest and all of the students and staff at McCallion, we wish Mrs. Buckingham every success in her new job at Lorne Park P.S. We will miss you, but we owe you thanks…for being one of the pioneers that helped to develop the spirit and pride of Hazel McCallion Snr. P.S

Quest Interview with Mrs. Buckingham

Quest asks- Have you always been a secretary Mrs. B?-

Mrs. Buckingham- Basically yes.  I’ve also been a bookkeeper for a Computer Co. but, I believe my most important job is being a Mother.  I started working 42 years ago on April Fool's Day! During this time I gave birth to twins and took a total of 3 and 1/2 years off work while they were pre-schoolers. My first job was as an accounting clerk with State Farm Life Insurance. I worked there for 4 and 1/2 years and then I worked for Wm. Collins Sons & Co. Canada Ltd. as Trade Office Manager with 7 staff under me. We published books in Britain and Europe and I brought them to Canada for sale to schools and bookstores. Some of these items are in use at HMC (i.e. dictionary, french dict. etc.). I have been with the Peel District School Board for 27 years and counting.

Quest- Why did you want to be a secretary?

Mrs. Buckingham- I hadn’t planned on it becoming my career but, I’ve had the pleasure of working with and for really good people.

Quest- How long have you been a secretary?

Mrs. Buckingham-40 years.

Quest- Before you came to HMC what school did you come from?

Mrs. Buckingham-Settler’s Green Public School in Meadowvale.

Quest- Why did you decide to come to HMC?

Mrs. Buckingham-Our former Principal, Mr. John Stone was the Principal at Settler’s Green when he was appointed the new Principal for Hazel McCallion Sr P S in March of 1991.  I had never work in a senior school before and thought he might be a nice change from the 5 to 10 year old students at Settler’s Green to the teenagers at Hazel Mc.

Quest- What was Hazel like when you first came?

Mrs. Buckingham-There was no Hazel McCallion .  Mr. Stone and I had absolutely nothing – not even a pencil.  He was hired at the beginning of March and I was hired at the end of March.  We had an empty day care room at the newly opened John Fraser Secondary School where we started to order supplies to run an office and having a phone installed along with a fax machine and purchase a typewriter.  In this area was 5 other Principal’s and 5 Secretaries who were newly hired like us and they were doing the exact same thing Mr. Stone and I were doing.  Soon after the end of winter a construction company dug a hole in the ground and Hazel McCallion was started.

Quest- How was your experience at HMC? Did you enjoy it?

Mrs. Buckingham-The student population for Sept. 1991 was supposed to be approximatley 450 students for the first year.  We were closer to 100 more students and to-date it is still above average the Board of Education predicts for student enrolment.

Quest- What’s your best memory of HMC?

Mrs. Buckingham-Right from the beginning it was electric.  Mr. Stone hired the best teachers and we all were part of something very special.  Opening the best school that the Peel District School Board ever had!  We all worked together and helped one another.  All for the students to benefit from.  So it’s very hard for me separate my feelings from year 1 to year 12.  I remember the very first Graduation Classes in June of 1992 – I felt the pride of the parents of our students who were graduating and cried right along with them.  They looked so different all dressed up and I mean dressed.  WOW!!

Quest- What made you decide to leave HMC after all the years you spent at the school?

Mrs. Buckingham-This was a very difficult decision.  When Mr. Stone retired at the end  of December 2002 I was really sad.  I had worked with him for approximately 17 years and I have never known a finer person in my entire life.  His integrity, honesty, humour and work ethic could never be touched by anyone made the office seem empty.  On top of all that he worked only for the better of Hazel McCallion students, parents and staff.  Then one morning I opened the courier mail and saw a posting for my new position at  Lorne Park P. S.  This happens to be only a 5 minute drive from where I live and it made me think about changing schools.  It was a hard decision because it meant leaving a school that I had intended to retire from.  At the last minute I filed a letter with the Board and an interview was set up.  I liked the Principal, Mrs. Joan Hamilton and obviously she liked me and hired me to replace the secretary that retired.  My record is still perfect.  I have always been hired for any position that I have every applied for.    

Quest- What are you going to take away from your time at HMC?

Mrs. Buckingham-I really miss the staff and secretaries and I hope to be able to maintain contact them. 

Quest- Now that you’re at your new school, do you miss HMC?

Mrs. Buckingham-Without a doubt.  Every day.

Quest- Looking back, do you have any regrets about leaving HMC?

Mrs. Buckingham-I’m trying real hard not to regret but, it’s difficult.  What a great school and staff and of course you students.