The Message in Malala

Posted on October 31, 2013 by admin

Let’s simply refer to it as the Malala effect. It’s what happens when a young teenage girl is victim of brutal violence by radicals, and through some extraordinary personal will, rises up strong and brave – willing to stare evil directly in the face. In so doing she has shared a very powerful message with the world. So what exactly is the Malala Effect?

The name Malala now has global recognition. Malala Yousafzai is a 16-year-old Pakistani girl living in Birmingham, England. Two years ago, she lived in Pakistan’s Swat Valley and attended school. Since the age of 11 she blogged for the BBC’s Urdu-language service, sharing routine details of her life and described the Taliban’s severe crackdown on culture, music and limits to schooling for girls. She also openly shared her views on the importance of education for girls in her country and all poor developing states. Yes, she blogged despite the views of radical elements in her country who threatened to keep girls out of the classroom, expecting them to focus instead on a lifetime of domestic chores around the home. Almost exactly one year ago, on October 9, 2012, several members of the Taliban followed Malala and at close range, shot her in the head and neck in front of other school children on a school bus.

Amazingly, she survived the shooting and eventually received medical treatments in England. Rather than cower in fear from the Taliban, she has increased her efforts to work toward more education for girls the world over. In short, Malala has shown exceptional resolve and courage. Last summer on her 16^th birthday she appeared before a United Nations committee and was recently named an honorary Canadian citizen – a very rare honour. She has also just released a book entitled I am Malala that tells her life story.

Malala has shown us all what young people can achieve and the power of courage and personal resolve in the face of evil or overwhelming odds. She also reminds each of us about working to potential and why sometimes we should simply encourage young people to reach for the stars. Her conviction and resolve are truly unforgettable. In essence, these qualities are the core elements of the Malala Effect. We hope through her example, some of them will rub off on our students at LCC.

Here are some of Malala’s words from her impressive speech to the UN Youth Assembly on her 16^th birthday on July 12^th:

“The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and stop our ambitions but nothing changed in my life except this: Weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage were born….

We must believe in the power and the strength of our words. Our words can change the world. Because we are all together, united for the cause of education. And if we want to achieve our goal, then let us empower ourselves with the weapon of knowledge and let us shield ourselves with unity and togetherness. Dear brothers and sisters, we must not forget that millions of people are suffering from poverty, injustice and ignorance. We must not forget that millions of children are out of schools. We must not forget that our sisters and brothers are waiting for a bright peaceful future. So let us wage a global struggle against illiteracy, poverty and terrorism and let us pick up our books and pens. They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education First.”

–Christopher Shannon, Headmaster

Australia Exchange Student: Au Revoir LCC!

Posted on October 30, 2013 by admin

My name is Anina and two months ago I arrived at Lower Canada College from Alice Springs, located in the middle of Australia.

LCC is extremely different to St Philip’s College, my school back home, but I am so glad that this is where I got to spend my exchange.

Alice Springs is located in a desert with a population of 27,000 and an average temperature of 35 degrees celsius. Coming to a big city like Montreal was exciting because there is always somewhere new to go and see.

I would like to thank Madame Bradley, Mr. Mckay and all the girls on the midget volleyball team. I really enjoyed playing on a school team because in Alice Springs we play all of our sports at clubs around the town. While I’ve been at LCC I also played tennis. At home I play a lot of tennis but this was my first time playing on clay because we only have hardcourts.

I loved going to watch a Habs and the Montreal Impact soccer team. It was the first time I saw an ice hockey game so it was really exciting. I almost got hit in the face by a puck that flew over the nets but luckily the guy sitting next to me caught it!

One of the biggest differences between my school and LCC was having lunch in a big dining hall everyday. At St Philip’s we bring our own food and sit outside for lunch and recess. All of our classes and locker rooms are in different buildings and the school is very spread out, so to get from class to class we go outside.

I’d like to thank all of my teachers, especially Ms. Shadley, Mr. Neal and Mr. Shannon, for making this exchange possible and helping me to feel welcome at LCC. I’m also really grateful to Emily and Jamie for being the best host family possible, and taking me to so many different places and introducing me to so many new things. I have many special memories that I’ll never forget.

I’d like to thank to Mr. Sigouin for teaching me French. Before I arrived I only knew how to say hello. Now I can say goodbye as well. Au revoir, bonne journée! – Anina Conradie, St. Philip’s College, Alice Springs, Australia

Gibbons Leaves Lasting Impression

Posted on October 29, 2013 by admin

On October 22 and 23, LCC was lucky enough to have a special guest at the school, Alan Gibbons. (See photos) He was the author of the summer reading book, Caught in the Crossfire, an emotional tale about racism against British Muslims in England, filled with love, action, and the tragedies of hatred. For most students, the first time they saw the author was at Tuesday’s assembly. The assembly started off with a speech by our headmaster, about the importance of reading, of critical reading, in an information age (and misinformation age, as he pointed out). Mr. Moore also spoke about the success of the LCC reads committee, and the importance of reading bringing people together.

When Mr. Gibbons got up to speak, there was a silence in the room. Of course, the students knew his books, and that he was quite an accomplished author, but wondered what he would talk to them about. He spoke quickly, and said a few words in French, before delving into his story, and the importance of overcoming hatred and intolerance. His humour soon got the entire assembly into his presentation. He was from ‘the good part of England’, and had spent many of his younger years abroad the hippie fad train, traveling around Europe and seeing the world. When he met his current wife, however, it was time to settle down. He became a teacher, and divided his time between writing and spending time with his students.

One day, however, a secretary rushed to deliver some news. “School secretaries, you know how they just glide around the school? Well she was running! I knew something was up at that moment.” He had been nominated for the Blue Peter award, one of the most recognized literary awards in Britain! It was a great shock to him, being a somewhat unknown, and little successful author at the time. He decided that he would win the award, no matter whom he was up against. Then, he found out who his competitors were. He was up against some of the most famous authors in England, including Harry Potter author, JK Rowling. “I was just looking at these other authors and thinking ‘I’m not worthy’!” To his surprise, however, he won the award!

And so started his career as an author – his full-time career. For him, writing was the way that one could visit places, hundreds of years after they have been destroyed. It was the only way you could live a life that wasn’t yours. Buildings are burned down, eras are ended, but writing survives. Storytelling was passing values and morals down from generation to generation.

This became his goal, spreading values to all of his readers. He spoke about how this was important, not only in Britain, but in Quebec as well, where our Premier, Pauline Marois, is attempting to remove the religious freedoms of public sector workers. Now, more than ever, is it important to raise our voices against hatred and discrimination.

His speech most certainly impacted every person in the audience, and soon a line was forming to ask questions, many of which were about his personal quest to spread tolerance.

After, the LCC Reads committee was fortunate enough to meet with him, get their books signed, and discuss Dr. Who over a cup of tea and a piece of cake. Throughout his visit, he went to various English classes, prompting the students to write stories, and talking to the class about his visit.

Though his visit is now over, we’ll all keep what he said with us forever. We are truly fortunate to have had such an amazing guest author, for a full two days. – Elizabeth O’Meara ’15

The Relevance of Caught in the Crossfire

Posted on October 25, 2013 by admin

LCC Reads is a vibrant student committee dedicated to promoting a love of reading and the power of ideas. Thanks to this group of students, we had a special guest in our Middle/Senior School assembly this week. Alan Gibbons is an award-winning British writer and author of this year’s LCC Reads book, Caught in the Crossfire. His presence reflected our tradition of going an extra step and bringing the author of our annual community book to school to speak to students face-to-face.

Mr. Gibbons proved to be a rare natural storyteller. His capacity to engage and enthrall a young audience was special to watch. He reinforced the magic of books and the wonder of getting lost in the meanderings and interaction of fictional characters. He also emphasized the important lessons that books and stories convey.

Mr. Gibbons’ presence at our school was rather timely. His novel “Caught in the Crossfire” is a warning that addresses the negative impact of racism in an increasingly multicultural England. In our assembly he addressed how important it is in today’s world to promote and embrace inclusion and diversity. He was emphatic in openly urging our Québec government to avoid implementing a restrictive charter of rules that would prohibit the natural sharing of important elements of personal identity.

I thank Mr. Gibbons for presenting challenges and reminding us that our peaceful society is a precious balance. He asked that we take very seriously the issues that threaten the attributes of our community built up over time. A strong society that celebrates diversity is a great Canadian strength. I hope that all of our students are now doubly motivated to protect that strength with all of their abilities and with great passion. This is clearly not a time for apathy in Quebec. —Christopher Shannon, Headmaster

Student Exchange: Having the Time of My Life in Armidale, Australia!

Posted on October 21, 2013 by admin

HOW YOU GOING MATES!!!!!!!!! It’s been about two weeks that I’ve been here in wonderful Armidale Australia and it is really awesome. I’m going to give you guys the whole rundown of my trip.

When I learned that I was going Armidale the first thing I wanted to do was find a little bit about where I was going and what it was like. I discovered that it was a VERY small town. I emphasize very because the population is approximately 23,000. I was intrigued when I learned this because it gave me an opportunity to live in a small town and to learn a little bit more about how different they are from larger cities.

The first time I spoke to Jack, my exchange partner, I learned that he lived on an operational farm even though his mother is an anesthesiologist and his father is a pilot for Qantas.

Now for the travel. That flight, that terrible, dreadful flight to Sydney was actually not so terrible, and that was a plus! When I arrived at The Armidale School I was welcomed by everyone with open arms and huge smiles. Making friends was a breeze. Once I was settled in the questions started. Some a little strange such as: “Oy mate, do you think we ride kangaroos to school”, “do you have a pet polar bear” and “ha ha ha your cops are called Mounties”.

So far this experience has been the time of my life. – Jared Blatt ’16