GROUNDHOG DAY L E SS ON S MARTIN JONES (he/him) ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL, ENRICHMENT & INNOVATION
Some of you might be familiar with the infamous movie Groundhog Day, a Bill Murray classic that features the February holiday and is a bit of a lesson in redemption. There have been times during this pandemic that I have felt like Phil, the main character from this movie, waking up and reliving the same scenario day after day. And while the routine can feel tedious, especially when we have had to limit the people we see and the places we go, there are, at the same time, so many moments of joy and clarity that infuse me with energy and hope for the ways in which we will emerge as an even stronger community as a result of facing this adversity together. One of the ways in which I am continually inspired on a day-to-day basis is through watching our students engage in a range of co-curricular activities. This year, we have seen an extraordinary uptake in our various clubs and teams, despite the fact that games and ‘formal’ concerts and performances have been curtailed. I have watched many of our athletic teams practice throughout the year, and it brings such pride to see 9
our student athletes competing against themselves and one another, working hard to hone their skills, as well as the authentic leadership and collaboration skills they are continually applying. The number of students who have maintained this commitment despite the restrictions to games and competitions, and the way in which existing teams have welcomed new students who are in search of an opportunity to maintain their personal well-being through athletics, has also been impressive. The performing arts team has been working tirelessly to maintain opportunities for students to engage through creative arts. The various ensembles and theatre groups continue to encourage students to develop confidence in public speaking and performance. These are further examples of the way in which students demonstrate core skills which they are learning in classes but applying in very authentic contexts. Our outdoor education team has adapted to changing protocols by offering an array of
