Head’s Blog: Our Story is Worth Sharing

We are proudly different, and our story is worth sharing. 

We are structurally, culturally and pedagogically different from other schools in our area.  

?Our focus on community and relational learning allows us to focus intentionally on both achievement, in its many, forms and wellbeing. We are mission driven, and at the core of that mission are the students we work with and grow with each day.? 

In support of our Mission we take the time to craft a strategic plan which then becomes our guide and measure for all that we do at the school. The focus of our plan is the growth of our people, program and place all in service to our students. Given that, I thought it appropriate to seek the wisdom and experience of our newly elected Student Parliament Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, to hear their thoughts on how they see and experience the outcome of this work and why our story is worth sharing.  

With no hesitation the very first thing mentioned was that the teachers care. They feel teachers do not teach here because it is a job. They teach at Matthews Hall because they really like teaching. They also commented how much they like the inclusion at our school and that Matthews Hall feels like a second home and a safe place to be. They both also spoke a great deal about the opportunities at Matthews Hall; clubs, athletics, and music, and the spaces in which they experience these opportunities.   

The one comment that struck me the most was the feeling that their ideas matter. They feel like a full participant in the learning process where they give and take throughout. In follow up to that conversation, they wanted to note that above all else we are a community where everyone can fit and matter.  

Student feedback is always valuable as their experiences are the core of our story. Hearing from them that they recognize the outcomes of our strategic efforts means a great deal to everyone who participates in making our school great. It puts a smile on everyone’s face to know that our students see, feel and experience that which we strive to provide.   

As we progress through the year, I look forward to hearing more from our community, and embracing opportunities to share the Matthews Hall story with those we have yet to meet. 

Christopher White, Head of School