www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 8, 2008 - 23 Blakelock will miss principal Stuart Miller By Emily Mayers GRADE 12, STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT, T. A. BLAKELOCK G oodbye Mr. Miller, we're sorry to see you go! That was the reaction of students at T.A. Blakelock High School when they heard that their popular principal for the past five years was leaving to take up a new job at Georgetown District High School. "I feel as though my left arm has been cut off," one student commented. "Mr. Miller has been an amazing influence. He helped staff and students, and he really got to know everyone. He made coming to school a pleasure." Throughout Mr. Miller's five-year term, we all gained a better understanding of the man behind the suit. The native of Glasgow, Scotland, is a soccer fanatic, Glasgow Rangers or Liverpool; I'm not quite sure. One thing that is for sure is he will always be remembered as a leader, a friend, an icon and the school's biggest class clown. "He has integrity," one and Mr. Ross for their dedication to Blakelock, and offer our best wishes for the future. On the plus side, we've gained Mr. Kevin Caughlin, our new principal, who we'd like to welcome to TAB from Lester B. Pearson in Burlington. We look forward to getting to know him, because rumour has it, he is just as friendly and has as much of a sense of humour as Mr. Miller. High school is one of the many stages in life where transitions are frequent. For students it is transferring from elementary to high school then on to college or university. For teachers, it is a place to help students get to the next stage. Now our school says goodbye to Mr. Miller, Mr. Plach, and Mr. Ross as they begin their journey to their next stage, and we welcome Mr. Caughlin to become a part of ours. Stuart Miller teacher said. "He works to help others reach their potential so they look good rather than making himself look good." The pride he took in his students, teachers and his school ultimately rubbed off on all of us. Mr. Miller gave support and had confidence in each student and staff member in the school. In turn, students and staff saw Mr. Miller as role model. His charisma made him approachable and his speeches were one of a kind. We could always trust Mr. Miller to crack a good joke and funny or not, he always had us laughing. But it's not just Mr. Miller that we have lost. Mr. George Plach and Mr. Ken Ross are retiring this semester. Mr. Plach has been teaching in Oakville for more than 31 years, between Blakelock and Perdue (now St. Thomas Aquinas). He has taught math and exposed more than 6,000 students to the mysteries of the Pythagoras theorem and the Quadratic Formula. Mr. Ross, another native of Scotland, has been teaching for more than 20 years. He has been involved in teaching physics, special education and has kept us healthy and fit in phys. ed. We'd like to thank Mr. Plach A FREE public education seminar presented by Halton Healthcare Services HYPERTENSION & KIDNEY DISEASE with Dr. Daniel Sapir, M.B., ChB., FRCP (C) Nephrologist, Halton Healthcare Services Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:30 pm Displays and Refreshments 7:00 pm Seminar LeDome Banquet Hall 1173 North Service Road East, Oakville East of Trafalgar Road Lots of free parking TO RESERVE A SEAT please call 905-338-4379 This seminar is presented in partnership with The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Halton Diabetes Program and the Canadian Diabetes Association. Made possible through an unrestricted grant from: www.haltonhealthcare.com GEORGETOWN · MILTON · OAKVILLE HOSPITALS Kid's Stuff with Previous ExperienceTM We're We' stocking up for GRAB Spring and Summer! Sell Us Your Gently Used Kids' Stuff. We buy and sell new and gently used children's items and pay you on the spot! BAG EVENT! New FEB. 9TH SATproducts available include Robeez, Avent, Graco and Nursery Furniture January Upon a Child Once Furniture Event! Fill a reusable Java Convertible bag with shoppingCrib + 5 Dresser $ clearance .00 + Matching Bed Rails JUST clothing and save OR Java Combo Dresser + Della Convertible Crib with Matching Toddler Bed Rail JUST 2 PACKAGE DEALS *ALL SALES FINAL* *NO EXCHANGES/REFUNDS* HURRY LIMITED QUANTITY REMAINING! 799 $ 75% OFF! 699 .00 Valid Only at Oakville Available at these locations & Mississauga Locations 2423 Trafalgar Road (South of Dundas) 801 Matheson Blvd. W. (West of Mavis) 905-257-5775 905-270-4679 www.ouaccanada.com