Headmaster's Weekly Newsletter -- Week 18

It seems odd to say so, but it is positive news that we are all negative! Last week I mentioned how we were doing asymptomatic COVID-19 testing of students and staff, and I am happy to report that we have no cases (touch wood!).  It has been a fabulous week as our students from across Canada and the world finished their isolation. Being able to welcome new Canadian day and boarding students as well as young women and men from such places as Kazakhstan, Germany, Mexico, Japan and Taiwan is especially fun. Such a great start to the New Year!

Given that our government stopped issuing study permits and travel visas to international students last March, the School’s international student population is lower than in previous years. However, now that the word is out that Nova Scotia is a safe place to study, and the government has opened its overseas offices again, we are receiving applications from some of the world’s most wonderful teenagers.  This week I have interviewed students from Barbados, Finland, Germany, Mexico, China, and Afghanistan (!).  The boy from Afghanistan has a unique story and perspective on life. He has never left his home country, and I could not help but be amazed that his first choice of country to study is Canada, and King’s-Edgehill is his first choice of schools to attend. It will be fascinating to see our government’s response to his application to study here (fingers crossed he can come).

Vlad Kirillov is a Grade 11 student from Odessa, Ukraine.  A bright and energetic young man who has joined our high-performance swim team, he is a delight to spend time with.  A typical morning at KES would find me greeting students as they come for Chapel. Yesterday when Vlad arrived, I wished him good morning and asked how he was doing. He replied, “I am doing really well.” Then he added, “As always.” 

I love this reply! Winter mornings in Canada are cold and dark. It is easy to be silent and grumpy and yearn for the warm comfort of our beds. How wonderful it is when the people we meet lift our spirits with their positive energy and attitude. 

A big shout out to Tait Adamson (Grade 11 from California). Seeing him ride his bike back and forth from Buckle House to the Dining Hall for breakfast is an absolute treat. I think his goal is to cycle all the way without using his hands! Normally this kind of joyous activity would be reserved for a unicycle in summertime, but Tait has mastered it in mid-January.  I was able to capture some images of him on my phone this week. See below.