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Oak Bay High says goodbye to two ‘gems’ who changed lives

Lorna Maximick and Sally Murphy have big plans for their retirement years
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Lorna Maximick and Sally Murphy say goodbye to Oak Bay High as they move into their retirement years. (Photo courtesy Melanie Paas) ‏

Oak Bay High says goodbye to “two gems whose hearts are very much in the school” as Lorna Maximick and Sally Murphy move into their retirement years.

“It has been such an honour to work with these two professionals,” said Principal Randi Falls.

Lorna Maximick

Lorna Maximick was at Oak Bay High for 15 years, providing students with invaluable counselling services.

“Lorna helped guide so many students, not just in their academic journey but also in social, emotional and behaviour growth. She’s helped change students lives,” said Falls. “I don’t say that lightly. Every teacher hopes that they do that but the role of a school counsellor has that many more layers. Her role is so vital and so important.”

Having taught for 33 years – 16 years in Burnaby School District and two years at Reynolds High School before coming to Oak Bay – Maximick is not quite ready to fully walk away. She intends to apply for the TOC list for counselling in order to be available in a limited manner to support her active counselling colleagues in this district.

“I know from asking a TOC to step in for me that having an experienced person who knows the system and can step in almost seamlessly is such a relief; for myself, students and staff,” said Maximick. She will also be pursuing private practice in a limited manner after some well-deserved time off.

The down time is already filling up quickly with plans of an acting workshop in August, a painting workshop next Spring, Mexico in December, a European river cruise in 2019, spending time in her Japanese garden, and cycling all the trails she can find around Victoria.

Through all her adventures, she will take with her one of her most memorable treasures – the rich appreciation from youth as she helped them navigate their journeys.

“As a counsellor, having a person trust me, confide in me, be willing to be in relationship with me as I support them toward change and counsel them has been a privilege,” said Maximick.

It wasn’t just students who were changed by Maximick’s presence.

“Lorna helped us all become better educators through her stories,” said Falls.

Sally Murphy

Sally Murphy moved into education later on in her career, said Falls, coming to Oak Bay High to teach choir, music, and French as a second language.

“She’s just one of those fabulous teachers where regardless of where she was in her career, she was always learning,” said Falls.

Murphy started the men’s choir – which has since grown and flourished, and the chamber choir which offers a high-level musical challenge for Grade 11 and 12 students. She watched many timid, uncertain Grade 9 students blossom into confident, strong singers by Grade 12.

Concerts were a highlight of Murphy’s time at Oak Bay High as they represented the culmination of many hours of hard work in rehearsals. Two of her favourite concert moments are when “Night of Silence” is sung at the end of the winter concert when students surround the audience with candles, and the “deeply moving” final concert in June where current students and grads came together for the final mass number.

Murphy says she will deeply miss the wonderful students and all of the glorious music that they made together over the years.

“They have continually challenged me to be the best teacher and person that I can be,” said Murphy. “I have also been fortunate to work with a wonderful staff, including my dynamic teaching partner, Tina Horwood.”

“When it comes to love of music, it comes through loud and clear through Sally. The community that she and Tina have built for our students with regards to music is outstanding. I have never seen anything more powerful,” said Falls.

Speaking of powerful, Murphy’s retirement plans include spending more time training as a competitive olympic weightlifter. She is hoping to qualify for the world championships in August 2019.

Her training will be scheduled around visiting her 93-year-old parents in Virginia, her 7-month-old grandson in Montreal and pampering her “amazing husband”.


 
keri.coles@oakbaynews.com

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Lorna Maximick and Sally Murphy say goodbye to Oak Bay High as they move into their retirement years. (Photo courtesy Melanie Paas) ‏
12389116_web1_copy_obhretire
Lorna Maximick and Sally Murphy say goodbye to Oak Bay High as they move into their retirement years. (Photo courtesy Melanie Paas) ‏