05s - red and white.qxp - Stanstead College

FAREWELLSAfter six years as Headmaster of Stanstead College, it is important to takea few moments to stop and reflect. Like the graduating students, I am alsomoving on to new challenges - returning to my roots in Montreal, where Igrew up, to become the seventh Headmaster of Lower Canada College.When thinking about the past six years here, so much comes to mind. Wehave worked together to enhance facilities: residences, classrooms andrebuilding the Student Centre after a fire in the dead of winter in 2001. Onthe programme side, new initiatives have flourished under capable facultyleadership: community service, the wireless laptop learning programme(ELP) and a broader world view through membership in the Round Square(RS) international association of schools. All of this is important as theframework for learning and growth. However, what I really see most clearlyin my mind's eye are the faces of all the students who have passed throughour gates because they are the reason we exist as a school - our raison d'être.When asked to pose for a parting photograph for this issue of the Red &White, I did not want a formal portrait but preferred to have some studentsaccompany me. Late this spring we gathered by one of the lovely leafymaple trees near Bugbee House. Each of the students with me hasembraced various dimensions of our programme well beyond the walls ofthe classroom. I believe that for teenagers to really grow and discover theirtrue character and personal potential, they need to be challenged beyond theTree: Tom Perretta, George Roberton , Jeremy StuartBack Row: Christopher Muir, Matthew Shannon,Kamika Jha, Kate Gazzard, Stephen MaFront Row: Sharon Chung, Jamie Smith, ChristopherShannon, Kim McNamara, Natalie Shawclassroom by meaningful experiences. This is fundamental to the ethos of Stanstead College. Full involvement is expected of studentsand ideally, self-discovery emerges through a host of different opportunities. The students on this cover represent a wide arrayof experiential learning now part of school life. Two girls are Round Square exchange students (from Australia and India) and eachbrought unique perspectives to residential life. Two of the students represented SC at the annual RS Conference at DeerfieldAcademy in Massachusetts last fall. Several of these students were contributors to significant "firsts" this year - our first ever internationaloutreach project building homes with Habitat for Humanity in Mexico, and a unique student exchange with Inuit studentsfrom Arviat, a Canadian Arctic community in Nunavut. Still other students in the photo were leaders in Community Service or asprefects in the school.Through these opportunities, students were asked to show leadership and a willingness to leave their personal comfort zones andtest personal boundaries and perceived limits. In addition to hard work in the classroom and on the playing fields, these experienceshave become an important dimension of broadening our students' perspectives and developing character at SC. Witnessing this kindof growth has been immensely satisfying for all of us who work directly with boys and girls from all over the world.I am very grateful for the honour of being Headmaster at Stanstead College for the past six years. I have appreciated the opportunityto work with so many committed trustees, gifted teachers and supportstaff - and I am deeply appreciative of the ongoing support provided by mywife, Hilary, and children, Leah and Matthew. However, I must reserve myfinal thanks to all of the students who have attended the school for challengingus on a daily basis and making education the most gratifying professionof all. Best wishes to all my friends and colleagues associated with StansteadCollege. In whatever you do, continue to dare to excel!Christopher ShannonFormer Headmaster30