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Carol Manning retires Carol sees Middle School as an a position of administration, I had important transition period in the taught various grades, I had coached, continuum from “child-centred” I had directed plays, I had done a Elementary to Senior School. It trains variety of things, so I don’t think students to establish work habits and it was questioned that I would take be-come independent leaners, and Geoff’s place.” also to experience things Carol says the most important When Carol first came to Selwyn lesson boys learn at Selwyn House House, the Elementary already had a has to do with the school’s motto: little bit of the “Known and Loved” VERITAS. “I think Hal’s legacy is ethic we see today, she says. “It wasn’t VERITAS. Every child in the school, expressed as that, but when I had my from Kindergarten through Grade 11, first Grade 1 class, I had 16 little boys, knows what you mean when you say, and they were like my second family. “Is that VERITAS?” In the Elementary School, there was “They know. It’s a touchstone for a lot more care and encadrement, but everybody.” when I got into Grade 7, I really felt Another bonus for students at like it was sink or swim.” Selwyn House is the fact that they all She describes the atmosphere as get the opportunity to play a sport. being more competitive and edgy “There are kids who come here who than soft and caring. “It’s a much wouldn’t call themselves athletic. And better place now,” she says. “Hal’s they get the opportunity to play. I 11 years have really iced what was a think that’s hugely important.” trend, but we were kind of ready for Also, in other schools, she says, “I Carol receives The Sovereign’s Medal for that to happen, to have somebody don’t think a lot of boys keep their Volunteers from Gov. Gen.. David Johnston change it up like that.” friends from high school, whereas a lot in March 2017. Over the years, Carol says, middleof Selwyn House boys do, because it’s school-aged boys have changed. such a concentrated experi-ence.” “They’re not readers in the way the boys used to be. So many And, by the time the students leave school, what have they boys used to have a book in the pocket of their blazer. That taught the teachers? “In many cases, they teach us humility. wasn’t the exception—there were many of those.” By forcing us to think outside the box. They teach you joy, She blames digital technology for the decline in literacy. “I the simple pleasure they get out of doing the stupidest things.” guess not having grown up in the age of gaming, I just don’t “It’s such a raw energy. You can learn new things.” get it. But, boys today have access to things that they shouldn’t Carol’s daughter, Anna, lives in London, where she is an executive producer for an adver-tising agency. Carol’s son, Ivan 2004, is a Every child in the school, from Kindergarten CFA, working for a US-based firm. Her husband, Patrick, is retired from through Grade 11, knows what you mean when McGill, where he was an English professor. you say, ‘Is that VERITAS?’ Carol says she originally intended to spend September at the family cottage in Tadoussac, Quebec, and visit her have access to. There is a loss of innocence.” mother in Plattsburg, New York, but the pandemic is making When Carol signed on as Head of Middle School, the travel to the US more difficult. She has tennis, knitting, sewing administration was still almost exclusively male, the athletic and volunteering on her to-do list, but otherwise, no big plans. staff even more so. “I have no plans to substitute,” she says. “I want to be free of “As far as I know, I was the first woman to coach at Selwyn responsibility.” House,” she says of her stints coaching basketball, tennis “I don’t know why leaving makes me so emotional, because and rowing. “I think there should be some women in the ad- I really want to go.” ministration at most levels,” she says. “By the time I was in Veritas, page 19
