Attention is a Muscle…and We All Should Be Doing Reps

By Carrie Gilfillan, Learning Strategist  In my work with students at Lakefield College School, I often approach the topic of mindfulness through the lens of attention. I was grateful to have had the opportunity to share this different way of thinking about mindfulness with our students during this week’s Mindful Moment, a weekly mindfulness practice in our Chapel programming. Now, because I know the power of a good hook to grab attention I started out jokingly dedicating this week’s Mindful Moment to a student who, just the other week, in an overwhelmed moment, told me that they may punch something if another adult asks them if they practice mindfulness. While starting out this way was definitely a strategy on my part to gain the attention of a group of teenagers, it was this interaction that reminded me of how our kids need to understand that mindfulness is more than something…

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Thriving Beyond LCS – Sending Our Graduates Out Into the World

By Kirsten Johnston, Associate Director of Guidance, Values Advocate: Education of the Whole Person A Big Year of Transition This past year has been one of exploration and growth for our grads, including both challenges and joyful moments.  They began their senior and final year at The Grove as budding leaders, unsure of how things would unfold. However, each experience, setback and celebration has been instrumental in helping them to prepare for the major life transition that lies ahead of them. The Next Stage is About Possibility Graduating from high school marks one of life’s greatest turning points.  And whether our grads pursue a gap year to work, volunteer and travel, or continue onto post-secondary studies to focus their learning on a specific discipline and passion, the next year will no doubt be one of possibilities and rich experiences. We have every confidence that despite the challenges and uncertainty they will…

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Learning how to be a better learner

As educators we are always looking for quality feedback from our students and parents on their learning experience. What are the big “take aways” that our graduates carry forward with them as they pursue new endeavours, whether it is a gap year involving travel and service or a competitive program at university or college? Coming off the heels of our last post on the value and benefits of reading, I was so pleased to read the following words by Jesse Sarkis ’13, now in his second year as a photography student at Ryerson University in Toronto. He describes some of the “big take aways” related to his learning experiences in Advanced Placement (AP) and other English classes at Lakefield College School.  His words reflect well the confident, curious and critical thinker that he is. They are also beautifully aligned with the key 21st Century Learning goals we strive to meet as a school. Great feedback for us,…

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