Values That Shaped Our Community
(Dr. Collett reading to elementary students)
In 1985, Dr. Collett and Dr. R.C. Conklin established Rundle College Society in response to growing concerns about Alberta’s education system. They recognized that many students were struggling to thrive in traditional settings and they risked “falling through the cracks.” In response, they built a school grounded in kindness, curiosity, and wellness and provided students with the individualized attention that was key to guiding them to success.
Dr. Collett believed that a school’s impact should never be measured by enrolment numbers, but by how well its students are supported and understood, a belief that has remained integral to the Rundle identity. Small class sizes, strong relationships, and a focus on individual growth were not strategies, but values that have endured ever since. Even during the early periods of uncertainty and rapid growth for Rundle, Dr. Collett always remained confident that if the school was rooted in care, it would succeed.
A Legacy Carried Across Generations
(Emily Collett ’23, Charlotte Collett [Former Rundle board member], and Olivia Collett ’25)
Dr. Collett’s legacy at our school expands far, through not only his original ideas for our school culture and educational program, but the deep family legacy that is embedded throughout the Rundle community.
Recently, Dr. Collett’s great-granddaughters Emily ’23 and Olivia ’25 graduated from Rundle College, experiencing firsthand the community and educational philosophy he helped create. Their mom, Charlotte Collett, served on Rundle’s Board of Directors for many years throughout the 2010s, providing thoughtful leadership and governance in support of the school’s long-term success. Furthermore, this guidance continues today through his granddaughter, Jillian Hamilton, who serves as co-chair of the Building Futures Campaign to expand Rundle Academy. Jillian’s son, and Dr. Collett’s great-grandson, is a student at the Academy.
(Jillian Hamilton [middle] with her son, and her husband, Jay Jay)
Honoured across Rundle
Today, Dr. Collett is honoured across Rundle for the innovation and meticulous guidance he provided while building the school from the ground up. Most notably, our K-6 building, the Collett Building, was proudly named after him. He is also honoured with a Rundle House team: Collett House.
(Students in Collett House wearing their Collett shirts while playing games)
Dr. Collett believed that an education grounded in care creates a powerful and lasting impact for students and the communities around them. His legacy continues today through both his family’s ties to our school and across Rundle, where each student reaches their full potential.