2 minute read
There’s No Place Like Home
Portrait of an Aberdeen Hall Graduate
A few years ago our Principals and Curriculum Leaders assembled to carry out a long-term strategic planning exercise. We reviewed our school’s vision, mission, programming and unique features. We discussed our strengths, weaknesses and current trends in education. We also listed the attributes of an ideal Aberdeen Hall student after the completion of Grades 2, 7 and 12. We considered strategies on how we can provide our students with the required knowledge, skills, and attitudes to have success and become contributing citizens to their respective communities. An interesting discussion occurred about the tremendous impact the internet and social media has had on our definition of terms such as knowledge and skills. Has the proliferation of information diminished the importance of knowledge? What new skill sets are required to handle the changing landscape? What soft skills are required to flourish in the modern workplace? How can we best outfit our grads with the right balance of tenacity, grit, resilience, compassion and adaptability? Our world is changing at an accelerated rate, and that can be intimidating and challenging
Advertisement
at any age. I certainly get anxious at times! As we look back on the process, one thing was abundantly clear. In order to achieve optimal growth within each and every student, that child needs to feel connected, safe and secure. This includes being part of a special educational community where there are powerful partnerships and synergies. These are evolutionary factors that have developed over tens of thousands of years and aren’t about to change anytime soon. The challenge today is to leverage the current techniques and technology. Our new provincial curriculum is a good starting point and has excellent potential. In June we will celebrate our seventh Graduating Class, with most of those students being born in 2002. A number of those grads have now completed university and have begun their careers.
It is very satisfying watching these past students developing into fine young adults. We very much enjoy when they remain connected and visit. Due to the current Covid 19 environment , we will be celebrating this year’s cohort a little differently and we’re dedicated to making it very special. With warmest regards, Chris Grieve Head of School
There’s No Place Like Home
A Message for our Community
