We often speak in school about the importance of the traditional 3 R’s, Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic—core elements of every student’s curriculum. Last year I spoke to our students about a fourth “R,” Respect. This reflects the need for people to live core values that are inclusive and welcoming to all, especially in a multilingual, multicultural world. Although these four R’s are all important, as we progress well into the 21st century, I believe we now need to add a fifth “R,” Resilience.
What is resilience? The Webster dictionary defines it as the capacity to “spring back or to rebound.” I openly ask students to consider how they react to disappointment, hardship, and frustrating situations. Difficult days are an inevitable part of life. We simply never always get what we want.
Why is resilience crucial? Because life is tough, challenging and, at times, boldly unfair. As educators we must be encouraging and optimistic. But we also need to be realistic and remind students that they need to be able to adapt to all situations— both good and bad—and always find a way to emerge from tough situations with self-respect and their heads held high.
Consider a couple of situations: Last Thursday we hosted close to 300 girls from 16 schools across Canada for the national independent School U-15 Soccer tournament. Unfortunately, the rain was falling so hard it could peal paint. But our team, coached by Ms. Horobjowsky, played many games for three days under difficult conditions and persisted, despite the tough conditions. They emerged as impressive semi-finalists on Saturday. Congratulations, girls!
At the season-opener for our Senior Boys Football team, I noted that a lineman for the opposing school was a virtual giant—about 6’6” and over 250 pounds. Several of our players lined up opposite this formidable opponent and found a way to handle the physical challenge. That’s resilience!
In the classroom, there isn’t a student who hasn’t had a difficult course where they have had to use adaptive skills, persistence and patience to get through and understand the material. Again, resilience in action.
On a more personal level, whether it is a friendship lost, a romantic disappointment, or God-forbid, the loss of a family member or close family friend, we are all tested in this life in one way or another. So beyond Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic, and Respect, one of the most important attributes for success for young people to develop today is Resilience—the “capacity to spring back or rebound.”
My advice to students is keep working at becoming more flexible and adaptive. Resilience is hard to master, but it’s one of the most important qualities in coping with the curriculum of life. —Chris Shannon, Headmaster
Mon séjour est à moitié terminé. C’est maintenant que je réalise que le temps passe trop vite. Hier, nous sommes allés au Louvre, à Paris. On a commencé avec les statues italiennes, incluant L’Ésclave, par Michel-Ange. J’ai particulièrement aimé une statue qui s’appelle « La dame voilée » (je ne connais pas son vrai nom). Le talent artistique est incroyable. Nous avons aussi vu la célèbre Mona Lisa et des portraits par Johannes Vermeer. L’après-midi, nous sommes allés voir des peintures flamandes, telles que celles de l’artiste Georges de La Tour. Son utilisation de la lumière est unique et surprenante pour le Moyen Age. 
