As this new school year unfolds I am reminded how much I love the energy of new beginnings. Figuratively speaking, each of our students is now standing on the shores of possibility. Each girl and boy possesses so much potential for involvement, learning, growth and achievement. With help and guidance from teachers and parents, plus a healthy dose of personal initiative, great things can happen in the coming months. We all look forward to helping our students reach out and navigate both calm and stormy waters and meet their full potential.
A key factor influencing student achievement is helping young people to develop a special fascination with an academic discipline, a personal passion for a subject, or the development of a unique personal interest or skill.
Personally, I have a real passion for the sea—its power, the many interesting creatures that live in it, its mysteries, its sheer beauty. Whether under stormy or sunny conditions, the ocean is a fantastic massive classroom. Whenever I am at the seashore my curiosity is always piqued about the ocean and its complex patterns and many life forms.
Consider that late this summer scientists on Canada’s west coast were baffled as 30 million salmon suddenly appeared in the annual salmon run from the Pacific Ocean up the Fraser River. This comes after years of declining stocks—a mere 1.5 million salmon appeared last year on the Fraser at the same time. Until now, it looked like the west coast fishery might shut down like the cod fishery on the east coast. Somehow, this year on the Fraser there are actually more salmon than have been seen in almost a century. In recent years were the fish hiding in deeper ocean waters? Have they somehow adapted to water temperature changes brought on by global warming? Scientists don’t have clear answers. The salmon are back, but are they here to stay? This remains a mystery. There are so many questions that still need answering. I for one will be paying attention because I am genuinely fascinated by learning more about the cycles of the sea.
Whether it is this mystery, fundamental mathematics, science, English or history, I hope every student in our school will develop a deeper love of learning this year. This usually comes from the magic of dedicated teachers. What a difference they make in the lives of our students!
Our core mission is to help students develop a fascination with the world and help them understand that the more we learn, the more exciting the journey becomes. I look forward to accompanying all our students on this special trip together. –Chris Shannon, Headmaster