When I first came to Pickering College, I was captivated by the strong sense of values and traditions that exist at the school. Through many activities such as Morning Meetings and family-style meals, I felt like I was connecting to all those who came before me and who grew and thrived within the walls of the College. As one of the oldest independent schools in Ontario, stretching back to its founding in 1842, many of our traditions and our school values have remained unchanged for generations. These ties bind us to our oldest alumni from the 1930s and 1940s, and to our newly minted graduates. They also provide us with a sense of grounding and an understanding that the arc of time is long and that our role of stewardship extends far beyond our lifespans. After completing my first year at Pickering College, I have found that not only do we have deep-seated roots and foundations, but there is also a tremendous appetite for innovation at the school. You might think that these two things—tradition and innovation—sit in opposition to each other, but in fact at Pickering College they fit together seamlessly. Here’s why: knowing who you are gives you the confidence to be innovative and to take risks that move us forward. Innovation also provides an avenue to seek new ways to enact the mission of our school—to instil in each individual the ability and responsibility to make the world greater, better and more beautiful than we discovered it. How amazing is it to have this mission that allows our students to explore and take action, through the lens of their passion. It is this kind of self-discovery that is setting them on the path to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life. The concept of innovation is quite broad and can mean so many things. For most, technology is the first thing that leaps to mind, but innovation also encompasses creativity, art, thinking outside the box, entrepreneurship and much more. As you leaf through the pages of the fall edition of The Pillars, you will see countless examples of innovation at work, through academic learning, connection with the community, experiential learning, and new partnerships that move our wonderful school forward—all while remaining deeply aligned to our raison d’être, to develop innovative, courageous and compassionate global citizens who take action, true to Quaker values. What an amazing place we are in—it is truly inspiring. There are so many opportunities to become involved with Pickering College. If something we are doing sparks your interest or you have ideas and connections you would like to share that will further enhance what we are working on, I invite you to reach out. It is you—our community—that is one of our greatest strengths. As we boldly move forward toward the future, I hope that you will join us in shaping a world of possibilities for our students and our school.
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