On June 12, a unique student support program which has been offered after school twice a week at Queen Elizabeth (QE) Secondary School will come to an end after almost two decades.
The program, dubbed The Free After School Tutor Program, was designed and facilitated by Donna Bond, a teacher for 35 years.
With the goal of providing free tutoring for students who cannot afford to pay for private tutoring, the concept was initially supported by Bob Coventry (a vice-principal at Guildford Park Secondary) and simultaneously at QE by former principal, Richard Manary. The collaboration with Guildford Park ended in 2005.
Under Bond’s supervision, it has continued uninterrupted at QE.
Using volunteer tutors, the program has helped thousands of QE students over the years, and provided hundreds of Grade 11/12, SFU, UBC, Trinity Western, Douglas College and Kwantlen Polytechnic University volunteers with supervision and support.
Volunteers gained references when applying for scholarships, bursaries and employment.