A HAMILTON DISTRICT CHRISTIAN HIGH PUBLICATION
FALL 2022
Vol. 16 Issue 1
Learning at HD ~ Restorative Justice in Education At HDCH, we seek to resolve conflicts and problems through a Restorative Justice in Education process, which involves setting high expectations and providing high support to live into those expectations. Staff and students cocreate these expectations and then work together to hold each other accountable.
PHOTO : HANK RINTJEMA
We pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us in this work. We pray for the Holy Spirit and the fruit that is manifested when a community lives by the Spirit (Galatians 5) to be present in our daily lives as we work and learn together at HDCH. h
h HD’s mission is Cultivating character through learning for a life of service to God. HD’s staff engage daily in the shared work of witnessing students as they take on Christlike character. We start this work on the first day of school, and carry it through classroom work, sports, clubs and events right through to the end of June.
Social Discipline The Social Discipline Window is a framework that guides the way we create culture at HD. We strive to set high expections for our learning and character and pair that with high levels of support and care. High support with low expectations is doing things “for” people high and is permissive. High expectations without support is doing things “to” people, and is harsh and punitive. Co-creating high expectations and working to support each other is “with” people and it is restorative. This approach takes care and reflection to ensure we do our best to stay in the “with” quadrant. This is a culture of care that can serve as an incubator for the Spirt to work in us, low Support, Nurture high to align our character more and more to that of Christ Social Discipline Window Jesus. Costello, Wachtel and Wachtel, 2009
Expectations & Challenges
Cultivating Christlike Character
TO
WITH
NOT
FOR
HD’s Dean of Students: All About Relationships. The Dean of Students (DoS) implements school culture initiatives, building and strengthening the many ways our work as co-labourers intersect and support one another. The DoS is also HD’s staff lead on Restorative Justice in Education. hhh
A restorative circle is a technique that builds and restores relationships through equal opportunity sharing and listening. These circles proactively build the skills needed when conflicts arise by giving each student frequent opportunities both to speak and to hear from others. hhh
PHOTO : HANK RINTJEMA
Proactive Restorative Justice At HD, we start proactive Restorative Justice as classes meet for the first time, when educators and students co-create classroom expectations. Students, teachers and learning support workers create a set of mutual guidelines to which all classroom participants adhere. For example, if the students expect the teacher to use a respectful tone in the classroom, Restorative Justice says that the teacher would likewise expect the same from students.
What Happens when Brokenness Occurs? We invest time and care into working restoratively with all the people who are impacted by brokenness in our school. When brokenness occurs, we ask one another questions like these: • What happened? • What were you thinking at the time? • What have you thought about since? • Who has been affected by what you have done? In what way? • What do you think you need to do to make things right?
The opportunity to seek a
life of service to God is one of the most powerful ways for students to become more Christlike. Nate VanKampen, Dean of Students
Restorative Justice in Education makes space for the Holy Spirit to work so that we may live together in a Christlike way. hhh
How is Restorative Justice in Education different from punishment? Those who’ve been hurt by brokenness, whether an entire class, or through a one-to-one encounter, sometimes demand that the person causing the hurt be “punished”. While it is tempting to send that student home for several days, punishment does not restore broken relationships. It simply relies upon the use of shame and disconnection in hopes of changing behavior. Without restoration, the brokenness continues.
PHOTO : HANK RINTJEMA
Through Restorative Justice, those who’ve caused the hurt have the opportunity to learn that they are loved, and needed, both at school and in the classroom. We ask them “What can we do to return you to your classroom well?” They are also involved in working out what they can do to mend any harm they have done. We ask them, “What can you do to make things right?”
Who is our Dean of Students? Nate VanKampen has been on the HD team since 2011. During his tenure, he has taught classes in English, led the International Student program and was the department head for the Languages department during the 2021-22 school year. Nate also has experience as a youth worker with The Good Shepherd in Hamilton and Young Life, a para-church youth ministry. Nate brings his lived experience as father, church member, son, husband, all his academic background and lived experience to his interactions with HD students and staff. h
HDCHapel
Upcoming Events
HD students worship together at HDCHapel every Wednesday at 9am. HD students play lead roles in song, prayer and devotional readings, supported by members of staff. You are welcome to join us on livestream or in the gym alternate weeks! Refer to the calendar on our website, for the schedule.
Nov 7, 10am - Legacy Planning Reception Nov 26 & Jan 14 - Check Us Out Open Houses - for prospective and new students Dec 5 - Exceler8 Day Dec 8 - Christmas Concert Dec 5 & Jan 14 - Parent Forums - zoom info session for prospective & new families
Connecting With Us Duncan Todd Principal dtodd@hdch.org 905.746.7961
Sandra Baker Director, Advancement & Admissions sbaker@hdch.org 905.466.0237
www.hdch.org | 905.648.6655
Nate VanKampen Dean of Students nvankampen@hdch.org 905-648-6655 x 109
HDCH:info
whyHDCH