Message from the Headmaster

THE VERITAS TREE

I hope this issue of Veritas finds you and your loved ones happy, healthy and in good spirits. We have had an outstanding year at Selwyn House. After a year of bubbles and lockdowns, we saw a return to athletic teams and school activities. Our students competed in debating and public speaking tournaments in person. They played a full slate of regular season and playoff games in all sports. They performed on the stage in front of live audiences. The boys were also back in uniforms and eating in Coristine Hall. In short, school felt and looked a lot more normal this year.

At the opening of the 2021 school year, the staff and I talked about the year's theme. Outside the school, behind the Veritas statue, sits the Veritas tree. We are using this tree as a symbol that represents us as a school. Why a tree? It has strong roots that reach deep into the ground for nutrients, a solid core that allows the tree to stand straight and tall, and branches that reach into the sky for sunlight for nourishment. The tree is continually growing, getting bigger and stronger as it reaches out in many directions.

Our school’s motto Veritas (Truth) is in the groundwork nourishing our tree, providing nutrients and deep roots for the school. It feeds our students, families, faculty and staff. Veritas is our foundation. Everything we do is linked to Veritas.

The trunk is the core strength of a tree. So what are our core strengths and values? We are a relational school. Boys’ learning should be based on relationships, responsibility, and purpose. We want our students to know they belong to a caring and relational community whose members understand each other and grow together.

We are an inclusive school community. Our students need to respect and work with everyone regardless of language, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or race. We need our graduates to be ready to go into the world prepared to bring people together to make each other and the community better.

We are an experiential school. We believe that all students, especially boys, need to play, build, and take things apart. They need to have the courage to try things without the fear of failure.

What part do the branches play?

The first branch represents academics. Academics are the core of what we do. We need to give the boys the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as they move through life. Outstanding academics are non-negotiable.

The second branch is our athletics program. Athletics are a huge part of who we are as a school. The students learn a lot about themselves and each other by playing on teams and participating in individual sports.

The third branch is the arts. Boys need to experience the arts as they help a young man grow in many aspects of life. The amount and quality of artwork displayed in our hallways is a testament to how creative the boys can be when encouraged to express themselves. Drama and music are also firmly ensconced in the arts program. Many of our alumni continue to enjoy music and some play in the Old Boys’ Blues Band.

The fourth branch is our activities. Debating, robotics, leadership, Model UN, outdoor education are but a few of our clubs and programs offered to encourage all manner of talents.

Academics, athletics, arts and activities all go hand in hand to help each young man develop into the best version of himself.

Finally, the leaves represent the students. Just as a tree sheds its leaves each fall and comes back to life in the spring, our students graduate and move on to other adventures. The leaves then nourish the ground as our students leave Selwyn House and live Veritas in the world beyond Selwyn House.