Headmaster's Weekly Newsletter -- Week 9

Sir Francis Bacon may have coined the phrase Scientia potential est (knowledge is power), but this week I have been subscribing to the philosophy of ‘ignorance is bliss’, just to preserve my sanity.  What is happening on campus is far more fun, and far less stressful (!) than what is happening out in the world.  

At about 10:15pm on Wednesday night after rugby club, I asked Ethan Hiscott (Class of 2021) what he listened to in the car as he drove home.  To my delight and surprise, he said Christmas carols. I love this! This week’s snowfall not only transformed the campus but transported us (albeit briefly) into a cozy Christmas mood.  In fact, it was an absolute joy to hear the shouts of delight as our Junior soccer teams took to snow covered pitches for their matches.  Toes and fingers may have been cold, but the positive attitude that one so hopes this young generation will have in the face of adversity was in full display.  

Wednesday may have been sub-zero, but today it is so warm that students are out studying on the picnic tables again.  Typically, Remembrance Day is bitterly cold but the forecast for next Wednesday is a balmy 18 degrees!  It wasn’t long ago when the 254 shivered at attention in minus 18 degree weather.  

Also, to my delight was watching the girls play volleyball this week. Their practices are intense and high energy affairs. Coaches Hardy and Sinclair bring tremendous enthusiasm and expertise to the court. The improvement of the entire team over the last month, from individual skills to teamwork, is hugely impressive. Their victory over Forrest Heights this week was awesome.  And their smiles! They do wonders for everyone.

 

One of the unexpected pleasures each morning is meeting day students for screening as they arrive on campus. Staff members Kim Walsh and Graham Chandler always form a dynamic team and are simply hilarious together. Who knew that taking a student’s temperature could be so much fun?  For me, I love the routine of greeting students when they arrive and genuinely asking how they are feeling. I also love how wearing masks force all of us to look at each other’s eyes. There really is such a thing as “smiling eyes” and so many students, like Grade 6 girls Ali MacLean and Laura Oulton, have them.  The morning screening always puts me in a good mood. When all this is over, somehow, we have to keep this morning greeting going. It is wonderful.