Head’s Blog: Mission for the Future!

As we journey through the spring together, Matthews Hall will be undertaking a review of the foundational beliefs and principles that define our school. Commonly understood as the mission, vision, and values underpinning an organization like ours, these statements that define an institution’s heart and soul drive the growth, development, and decision-making that characterize the experience of the most important people in our school – the students.

Mission and vision statements (and the core values that support them) can often be seen in a school’s culture – or in a school’s focus on certain approaches to teaching and learning. The mission statement of schools, therefore, lies is at the heart of student development and effective learning. Simply stated, it is essential to the fulfilment of everything a school does.

This spring, we will be completing a review of the priorities that drive our school’s decisions on behalf of the students we serve. With input from parents, teachers, governors, and administration, we will reflect on the roots of our school and the future possibilities that lie ahead in our post-pandemic world of teaching and learning. This important work will become the foundation of our next cycle of strategic planning that will commence in the fall of 2022. By taking the time to reflect on and plan for the future, each one of us who contributes to the discussion can have a lasting impact on the student experience at Matthews Hall.

Why is this crucial? Because school mission statements are the documents and beliefs that define where a school is going and drive decisions accordingly. They layout educational goals, community priorities and values, and the purpose of a school.

These values are imprinted on everything a school does and influence how every member of the school community treats one another. If a school gets these right, it is impossible not to recognize them influencing every decision and interaction from the classroom to the boardroom.

Beginning next week, Bob Snowden of Snowden Consulting will be assisting our school in reviewing and reframing the values and purpose that drive a Matthews Hall education for our children. Mr. Snowden is a long-serving CAIS Head of School (retired) who helps schools like ours across Canada implement strategy and goals enabling them to respond to the challenges facing education in an increasingly complex and technologically-driven world.

We look forward to beginning this process of renewal as we seek new and innovative ways to ignite curiosity, instill passion, and inspire courage in our Matthews Hall students of today and tomorrow!

We look forward to your input and welcome your perspective as we chart the course for our next generation of students.

Ric Anderson, Head of School