Surrey Schools recognizes 221 retirees

Surrey Schools held its annual retirement dinner on Oct. 6 for 221 employees who retired during the 2025-26 school year. The district says the annual event, hosted by the Surrey Board of Education, pays tribute to people who spent their careers supporting students and school communities. Board chair Gary Tymoschuk thanked the retirees for their years of hard work and care for the district.

The retirees represented nearly every role in the district, including principals, teachers, clerks, education assistants, custodians and facilities staff. The dinner took place at the Resource Education Centre and began with a territorial acknowledgment by Deputy Supt. Andrew Holland. Grade 10 Enver Creek Secondary student Diva Manchada spoke for the district’s Student Voice group about the difference each retiree made in students’ lives. She was followed by CUPE 728 president Tammy Murphy, Surrey Teacher’s Association president Amrit Sanghe, and Surrey Principals’s and Vice-Principal’s Association president Zahara Rawji. Surrey Schools said all three reflected on the retirees’ impact in their schools and workplaces.

Guests heard classical favourites performed by SAXXY D, a jazz combo made up of senior students from Kwantlen Park Secondary. Surrey Schools said each retiree received a thank-you gift: either a bentwood box designed by Shisháḷh First Nation artist Shain Niniwum Selápem Jackson of Spirit Works, or a gift card to a local restaurant. The district congratulated this year’s retirees and thanked them for everything they had done for Surrey Schools.