About Us
WAES
Our Story
The roots of Windsor Seventh-day Adventist School go back to Detroit, USA, as first Adventists in Windsor, the Leatherdales, attended the First Detroit Mission on Turnbull Avenue, which also housed the first Seventh-day Adventist church school since 1910. When believers organized the church in Windsor in 1916 their first order of business was to form a school, which opened in 1917 by David Geauvreau.
Philosophy
The Windsor Seventh-day Adventist Church operates a school to ensure that youth receive a balanced mental, physical, social, and spiritual education. This school offers an education to young people who desire to develop Christ-like characters and uphold Christian standards of behaviour. The curriculum and programs are designed to harmonize with standards and ideals, which identify God as the source of all moral value and truth.
““Excellence in Service”
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Mission Statement:
“Preparing students to achieve their highest potential as servant leaders“.
Our Name
The name Seventh-day Adventist reflects our passionate conviction in the nearness of the soon return (‘advent’) of Jesus. ‘Seventh-day’ refers to the Biblical Sabbath which from Creation has always been the seventh day of the week, or Saturday.
Our Vision
In harmony with the prophecies of the Scriptures, we see as the climax of God’s plan, the restoration of all His creation to full harmony with His perfect will and righteousness.
Historical Information
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America operates a system of elementary, secondary, and tertiary education that began in 1872. At the time of this publication this system of education is statistically stated to be the largest Protestant education system globally, of which Windsor Adventist Elementary School (WAES) is a part. In 1917, Miss Abbie Cuthbert, a pioneer in Adventist education, began a small school here in Windsor. Since that time, the Windsor Seventh-day Adventist Church has maintained a commitment to Christian education and over the years has operated a school on various sites in this community. WAES was established to provide Christian education for the children of members of its church community. Admission is open to all students, providing they agree to comply with the standards set by the school.
The School moved to meet in the basement of the newly built church on Rivard in 1970 under leadership of Douglas Hosking (1970-72), followed by Pamela Samms (1972-73). Under leadership of Robert Crux as Principal (1973-77) the church purchased an old two-room school near Essex. It was renovated, adding a large gymnasium, library and home economics room and in 1975 this large facility, accommodating many children of families started operating for families living around Essex county for two decades, until 1995.
The school gained significant community awareness under leadership of Loida Doukmetzian as Principal (1983-88) with teachers Abel Pangen (1983-84), Murray Cooper (1984-86), Ken Down (1986-88). IN 1984 the Windsor Adventist Elementary School was featured in the Windsor Star as the “School run by faith, hope and a great deal of charity”.
With arrival of Pastor Gordon L. Houston in 1991 “Project 95” was organized to expand the church facility and to bring the school back to the church location. His wife, Frances Houston taught at school from 1991 to 1997, followed by Jason Perkins (1997-98) under Principal John Adeogun (1991-98). Three classrooms, offices, new kitchen and a large gymnasium were added to the building on Rivard in Windsor, where the school remains until present time.
Next pastoral team also offered school leadership with Joan Swamidass serving as a Principal from 1998 to 2002 with teachers Kara Self (1998-2000), Robert Empey (2000-02). With arrival of Claude Bastien, former alumni of Windsor Adventist Elementary School the legacy was coming home, developing a music band. Claude Bastien served as a Principal from 2002 to 2012with his wife Linda Bastien teaching Primaries from 2003 to 2013.
Leidamae Solijon led the school as a Principal from 2012 to 2017, growing the enrolment of the school to over 50 students. A celebrated football star Arjei Franklin taught the school from 2013 to 2017 together with his wife, Afia Franklin (2014-17). The school staff changed in 2017 with Kurt Lindo leading as Principal until 2020, with Ambra Greaves, recent Burman University Graduate teaching kindergarten from 2017 to 2020. During Mr. Lindo tenure the church upgraded School wing with Air-conditioning system and video surveillance system.
Sylvia Clarke arrived to teach Primary Classes in 2017 and led the school as an interim principal from 2020 until the end of 2021, currently serving as a dedicated teacher. Claudine Mukarugwiza came from the public school teaching to lead Kindergarten in 2020 and is providing care for an increasing number of students. 2022 started with the arrival of the new Principal, Janelle Jeffers. Plans are made to install a new playground for the kindergarten, create learning centers, and continue Band and Choir and technology integration.
School Founded
When believers organized the church in Windsor in 1916 their first order of business was to form a school, which opened in 1917 by David Geauvreau.
Moved to 1141 Howard Ave
The School moved to the new mission house at 1141 Howard Avenue in Windsor. However, the school in Windsor folded in 1923.
Reopened
The School would reopen again in 1939 with Juanita Clemenson as a teacher. Next year Jeanette Soloniuk led the school, but during the wartime, 1941-1943, the school closed again.