THE HEAD’S UP
E
ven though St. Andrew’s College has been in existence since 1899, this year feels like a fresh start. As pandemic restrictions slowly lifted over the summer and fall, school life has been relatively normal. Students are participating in as robust a program as possible now that we are back to in-person learning every day. Interschool athletics have resumed, and the boys are enthusiastically immersed in the co-curricular activities they love. After 19 months, we dropped the SAC Casual dress code and returned to First Dress. It’s a sea of navy blazers and grey flannels with faculty and staff in business attire. SAC is on track for a vigorous, exciting, active, and social school year. We are all smiling behind our masks! We are looking forward to a future free of pandemic restrictions. Most of our success so far has been thanks to our vaccination rates. At the time of writing, more than 97 per cent of our eligible student and staff population has been vaccinated, which has afforded us the ability to rejoice in some SAC traditions. By the time you read this, we will have held a scaledback Homecoming, hosted parents and friends in Wirth Theatre for the Dramatic Society’s performance of West Side Story, held two Old Boy reunions in downtown Toronto, and we will be nearing the date for An Andrean Christmas at Roy Thomson Hall, where capacity limits have thankfully been lifted. This return to normalcy is like a new beginning. All of us on campus appreciate the little things: conversing face-to-face with colleagues while pouring a cup of coffee, listening to the chatter of boys as they work on group projects, and cheering on our sports teams.
Walking is a favourite pastime, and I have strolled the landscaped grounds and witnessed the leaves change colour from summer to fall and am waiting for the snow to begin. I’ve noticed the trees named along the Quad, taken stock of those who have contributed to our Legacy Campaign, and ventured through McLaughlin Hall to appreciate all those who brought this project to life. It is the names that have given me pause. But, what’s in a name? William Shakespeare would argue nothing, but we wouldn’t be St. Andrew’s without these names. Whether named in 1926 or 2021, the names on our buildings, in our gardens, and throughout our facilities are an important reminder of who we are, where we came from, and where we are going. Please read our feature on the importance of names starting on the next page. Student names have also taken centre stage this fall. As part of our MEDIC (Masculinities: Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity Committee) work, we know how important it is to take the time to learn the pronunciation of someone’s name. Each student recorded their name and their parents’ names this year to ensure everyone is addressed correctly. The recordings were posted on Edsby where they are easily accessed by faculty and staff.
We are also talking about pronouns and addressing people the way they wish to be addressed. Gender-neutral washrooms, EDI training through racial justice education, guest speakers, and many more opportunities help us build a more inclusive and equitable community. In October, we held our first Pride Week, celebrating through art, music, educational displays, and thoughtful guest speakers. While we have participated in Orange Shirt Day for many years, this year’s took on a new sense of meaning with the discovery of mass graves across Canada. We marked Canada’s first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, reflecting on the tragedies of the past, honouring the survivors, and pledging to support healing. As we learn from the past and have optimism for a brighter future, I wish you a season of fresh starts and new beginnings and hope we can meet again very soon. X
Kevin R. McHenry, Head of School
Fall 2021 The ANDREAN
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