Starting fires – passion and experiential learning

A passion for learning is a hard thing to teach. It’s something that’s ignited. As parents, we see this potential in our kids. As educators, we see it in our students. We continually search for a key; something that creates a spark and turns it into a fire. It’s a fine line. A yin and yang between hoping young adults find this passion of their own accord, and trying to facilitate it within educational structures. The desire to learn, apply knowledge, and ultimately, move it forward, is essential. Not only because it embodies what we want the next generation to be, but also because it’s critical for success on any level. Today’s competitive advantage isn’t in having knowledge, but rather, understanding how to use knowledge. Preparing students in this regard is straightforward. You simply create this kind of environment. There’s no trick to it. You make passion, inquiry and creativity…

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Mamma Mia! Takes the Stage

By Rory Gilfillan, LCS Teacher Shakespeare was wrong. While all the world may be a stage, a musical is categorically different. Unlike life, actors can’t take a sick day, can’t ask for an extension and can’t opt out because, when the curtain goes up, whether they are ready or not, for two hours the oldest show business cliché comes into effect; the show must go on. In terms of authentic experiences nothing approaches an enterprise of this magnitude and Lakefield College School’s production of Mamma Mia! was no different. Mamma Mia! is the highly acclaimed Broadway musical (and film) that tells the story through the music of ABBA, of free-spirited Donna, who is the proprietress of an inn on the fictitious island of Kalokairi.  Little does she know that her soon to be married daughter, Sophie, has invited three of her mother’s former paramours in the hopes of discovering the identity…

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Crisis Management Simulation—Learning Important Life Skills

By Peter O'Grady, LCS Teacher The Crisis Management Simulation has been an integral part of the Grade 12 Outdoor Education experience at Lakefield College School for almost 20 years—teaching teamwork and the building of communication and collaboration skills. Combining amazingly realistic make-up, a story that involves multiple injured persons, an amazing outdoor wooded campus and an often wet and cool late November day, the stage is set for an impactful and meaningful experience. Students are asked, in advance of the simulation, to consider and identify their unique strengths and how they align with the type of leader they are. For this particular activity, students are assigned to roles that align with their particular strengths and areas they feel confident with. While wilderness first aid, in general, is part of the experience, in this context, introducing students to this skill area - of identifying and working to personal strengths - is the key. We build on first aid training…

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