CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH CELEBRATES ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY
CPF Nova Scotia announces 2017 French Second Language Champion at 40th Anniversary
Halifax, Nova Scotia (October 4, 2017) – On September 30, CPF Nova Scotia celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a “French Toast”. CPF Nova Scotia recognized the outstanding achievement of Greta Murtagh with the 2017 Nova Scotia Champion award.
In 2017, Canadian Parents for French celebrates its Fortieth Anniversary. CPF Nova Scotia held a French second language awareness breakfast to celebrate their fortieth year at The Weston Hotel. CPF Nova Scotia was joined by distinguished guests and partners from Canadian Heritage, Office of the Commission of Official Languages, Acadian Affairs and Francophone, Université Sainte-Anne, NSSBA, and NSFHSA.
The event began with opening remarks from Andy Fillmore MP Halifax and Councilor Lorelei Nicoll. Andy Fillmore delivered his greetings of congratulations in French and English. He has worked on his French since his election as a Minister but felt that learning language was a benefit for all Canadians. Councilor Lorelei Nicoll, herself an Acadian from Isle Madame, discussed the changes in attitudes towards French and French second language education since she was at school.
Areta Boone, a young Sociology student at Acadia University presented the “Where are they now?” project. Areta was chosen as one of the four representatives from Nova Scotia. The project was a collaboration between CPF PEI, CPF New Brunswick, CPF Newfoundland and CPF Nova Scotia. Representatives from each province told their stories in video clips produced by Radio-Canada. The “Where are they now?” representatives are featured on posters and resources are available for teachers to use in the classroom.
The French Second Language Champion Award was established in 2016, and the first recipient was Patricia Holland, founding Director of CPF Nova Scotia. Greta Murtagh was honored as the 2017 recipient. Born in Croatia, Greta Murtagh immigrated to Canada as a young adult. Her passion and support for French second language education began in the mid-1960`s, with her first job as a French teacher in Sydney, Nova Scotia. After a move to Halifax, Greta taught high-school French for 14 years at St. Patrick`s High School.
Mme Murtagh then helped build the French Immersion program as Supervisor of the French Immersion Program with the Halifax District School Board from 1984 to 1992. In the two years before her `first retirement` in 1995, Mme Murtagh enjoyed being back in a school setting as Principal of École Beaufort elementary school, a single track immersion school in Halifax.
Mme Murtagh had numerous professional involvements, including two years as President of the Canadian Association of Immersion Teachers. She was a member of the Canada-Québec team at the “Fédération Internationale des Professeurs de Français” Conference in Tokyo in 1996. Post retirement, Mme Murtagh spent eight years in various part-time capacities as a Lecturer and Student Teacher Supervisor in the Education faculties at both the Université Saint Anne and Mount St. Vincent University. She continued to promote the French language as a member of the Board of Governors of Université Sainte Anne from 2010 to 2015, including a period as Vice-chair. Mme Murtagh joined CPF in 1988 and continues to volunteer as a judge at the Concours d’art oratoire.
Mme Murtagh was presented her award by CPF Nova Scotia President Tony Orlando. In a touching coincidence, Mme Murtagh was Minister Lena Diab’s French teacher at St Patrick High School. Minister Diab wearing both hats as Minister of Immigration and Minister for Acadian Affairs closed the morning with a heartfelt speech on how languages opens the world for immigrants and Nova Scotians alike. As a small child returning to Canada from Lebanon, French was her second language after Lebanese. Already knowing how to speak French aided her transition to English school in Canada. As a young parent, she attended many CPF events and meetings. The Minister even lined up overnight to register one of her children in the early immersion program.
The 40th Anniversary celebration wrapped up with photos and much networking amongst past Presidents, members, and guests. The CPF Fortieth Anniversary celebrations have taken place in 2017 across the country with branches and chapters celebration this important milestone.
Felicitations to Greta Murtagh!