LIFE IN THE CLASSROOM
Educating for Humanity BY HELEN PEREIRA-RASO, HEAD OF SCHOOL
Too often we speak about schools with one single purpose – preparing young people for university. Yes, this is a function of an education, but it is not the only purpose. What does it mean to prepare a 17-year-old for university and beyond? We know from our own experiences that university demands more of us than just intellectual capacity across various disciplines. Being prepared for independence and adult responsibilities means having the necessary set of skills, values and experiences for making good decisions – persevering through difficult moments, understanding time management, prioritizing commitments and building new
4 | CORRIDORS
relationships are just a few. This leads us to look for ways of providing students with experiences and guidance that will instill values and skills that shape their character. Academic knowledge and skills are an essential part of building a foundation for expertise in any area students decide to pursue. Students also require skills such as critical thinking, collaboration and creativity, and values such as empathy, respect and integrity in order to work successfully among diverse communities at school or in the workplace. It is the combination of both these realms that nurtures an adult who lives a full and meaningful life.
