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…
Category: experiential learning
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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Lessons Learned on The Ocean
Alumnus Joe Ribbins ’18 is spending his year with Class Afloat exploring the world and enjoying new experiences while aboard a tall ship. Submitted by Joe Ribbins Class of 2018 Waking up to a beautiful sunrise over a calm ocean, seeing the stars over the open sea with no light pollution, and having to eat soup when the boat is rolling over 10 ft swells are just some things I have had to get used to when living at sea. My name is Joe Ribbins, or as my school friends call me—Ribz. Thanks to Lakefield, I am now sailing on a 70 meter (200+ ft) tall ship to 23 different ports in 20 countries and will cross the equator and the Atlantic Ocean twice. The first five ports have been some of the best experiences that I have ever had. Of course, I miss home (Cayman Islands) and Lakefield. I miss…