Inside King's-Edgehill School
Dear KES Family:
You have to love the hugs! The exodus for the March break yesterday produced the best goodbye hugfest ever. It has not been an easy winter, and it seems that the emotional challenges of COVID-19, the weather, and world events have brought us closer together. From the start of school in January, the students and staff have had to cope with constant change. The disappointments have come in waves as one thing after another had to be changed or cancelled. Some sports practiced daily but never faced another school in competition.
And yet, there is a sense of victory and accomplishment in the air that has infused the spirit of every student in our School.
And so the basketball girls are off to a tournament in Toronto. The baseball team is off to Florida to play and train. A large and keen group of skiers and snowboarders are headed to Whistler for a fabulous holiday, and I have an excited crew of hikers joining Belinda and me on a leadership expedition to the Grand Canyon and Death Valley. Whether on a trip or heading home or joining our March break camp on campus, the hugs between friends are simply marvelous to behold.
In a time when people are hesitant to shake hands, seeing a full embrace between friends is good for the soul.
Despite the challenges, there have been victories, too. Last weekend we hosted the provincial wrestling championship. We also hosted the world and had a huge number of students competing in and volunteering for the International Independent Schools Public Speaking Competition (IISPSC). Mr. Kershaw and Mr. DeCoste’s robotics teams had a competition last weekend, and our skiers and snowboarders experienced the thrill of racing on the slopes of Martock.
The end of the March break may signal the end of COVID-19 restrictions, but really it signals the beginning of life the way we need it to be. Flights have been booked for a rugby tournament in Florida over the Easter weekend. The cadet ball and mess dinner have been scheduled. The huge tent for closing day and graduation has been ordered. We will have a Junior School Musical (The Lion King JR) and a Senior School play (Clue). We will have an arts gala, a dance recital and a spring fling. The track will be rubberized this spring, and we will be the first to run on it! So many happy, happy events are on the horizon that my heart literally sings for the students and staff of the School.
On top of it all is an immense sense of gratitude. The staff have been amazingly dedicated and strong. Our students’ parents have been hugely supportive and helpful. The students have shown both grit and positivity. Despite all the frustrations and emotional issues, people have been kind and gentle.
As I set off on my own March break adventure with students from Finland, Germany, Mexico and Canada, I am filled with a unique kind of joy. It makes me want to give everyone a huge hug too.
Sincerely,
Joe Seagram
