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In a school like ours with a robust curriculum and equally fulsome co-curricular program, much can be asked of many at this time of the year. Spring brings a full calendar that places weightier demands on our students, families, staff and faculty.
In any given week, we can jump from one activity to the next and time seems to speed up as we fully participate in the life of the school. It is in these moments, and the spaces between the moments, that we can find a great deal of growth, shifting perspective, new heights of success and an appreciation for the opportunities we have to extend ourselves.
I thought it would be interesting to ask some of our graduating students who have recently been moving between Kiwanis, CISMF and Basketball playoffs, what this time of year feels like to them. Before I dive into those outcomes, however, a word of thanks.
My deepest thanks to the staff and faculty of Matthews Hall for your time, energy, care and joyfulness as you work with our students. Your time outside of the classroom teaching, coaching, chaperoning and caring for our students is noticed and appreciated. You make our school a remarkable learning environment and we all appreciate you.
Back to the students. I asked them to comment on their learning outside of the classroom during these busy months. There were indeed some themes they agreed upon and one that I was not expecting. They agreed that their involvement in co-curriculars has further developed their ability to cooperate, manage their time, grow their independence and agency, help them recognize and internalize that change is coming with high school on the horizon, and the one that I was not expecting, the development of better eating habits.
This growth is not something that was directly taught but was learned as a function of participation in our co-curricular program. It was wonderful to hear them explain how, with a moment of reflection, they were able to notice growth in these areas.
It is worth pausing to note that meaningful learning can happen quietly. These experiences remind us that growth is not always measured by outcomes or accolades, but by the habits formed, the confidence gained, and the awareness developed along the way.
Christopher White, Head of School