Surrey Schools celebrates office staff on Administrative Professionals Day!

SAIL principal Zahara Rawji (left) is one of the many principals and vice-principals recognizing their administrative staff for the outstanding work they do school-year-round to manage the day-to-day operations of our 130 schools.

Today is Administrative Professionals Day, and Surrey Schools wishes to celebrate all of the administrative staff who keep our district running smoothly every day of the year!

Recognized on the Wednesday of the last full week of April, Administrative Professionals Day highlights the work of school secretaries, clerks, administrative assistants and support staff who manage the day-to-day operations of our 130 elementary schools, secondary schools and learning centres, as well as our district offices and programs.

“Our administrative and office staff are essential to the smooth operation of our schools and the success of every student in the district.” said Gary Tymoschuk, Chair of the Surrey Board of Education. “On Administrative Professionals Day, we extend our sincere gratitude for their dedication, professionalism and the vital roles they play in supporting students, families and staff across Surrey and White Rock.”

The six administrative staff at the Surrey Academy of Innovative Learning (SAIL) have a unique position in the district, managing more than 7,000 students across in-classroom, online and hybrid learning programs.

“They’re the first face and voice from when families come in to register for SAIL or when kids are coming in in the mornings for STEAM and STEAMX,” said SAIL principal Zahara Rawji. “It’s a busy place, and they run everything from our attendance to communicating with families to ensuring students get put into appropriate courses.”

SAIL offers more than 75 courses for Surrey and White Rock students, as well as out-of-district and adult learners.

With such a large student population, Rawji said her staff are incredibly organized to manage the day-to-day work at SAIL with such consistency and work collaboratively to ensure all aspects of the school run smoothly.

“Even though they have their individual roles and responsibilities, they work as a collective to support each other,” she said. “Some of the staff who’ve been here longer have considerable history and knowledge and connection with SAIL, and I really look to them for that support.

“I seek their input on what their thoughts are on our processes and what we need to do to make things better for a better outcome for students and families and teachers.”

Rawji said her staff are the operational core of SAIL and are integral to the success of all students, whether remote or in the classroom.

“They truly are the backbone of school operations,” she said. “They do all this work behind the scenes and we just so greatly appreciate them for everything they do.”

SAIL is just one of many school and office sites in Surrey and White Rock with an amazing team behind it. Thank you to all of the administrative professionals who work tirelessly to keep our schools and offices running!