Spring Term Letter to Graduating Class
A letter that should be sent to the graduating class and their parents each spring.
Dear Graduating Students & Parents:
One final term, one final set of exams to get through, and then your high school career is over. My hope is that as we prepare for your graduation ceremony, we can focus on the positive aspects of your time at Selwyn House. The actual ceremony is meant to be a tribute to you, as well as your accomplishments. It is also a chance to say good-bye, good luck, God bless and, most importantly, thanks. As I have mentioned to you all face to face, I remain so grateful for all you have done for me. It has made a huge difference. Through all the ups and downs, the reality is that you have been a remarkable class. What a way to end a career!
Some of you have next year’s acceptance letters in hand, and others will be notified soon. It would be an easy thing for you to do to begin to coast through your last term at school. I know, I was a graduate myself not so very long ago (unless you consider forty-seven years a long time ago). I have some empathy for the position you now find yourself in. It has been a long grind. You are almost through high school. The work is almost done. It is too easy to believe it is time to relax and take it easy. Let me offer an alternative for your consideration. You could continue as you began, and make this the best term of your high school career. That will be easier now that the pressure is off.
Your commitment to the Selwyn House athletic programme could culminate in a final leadership opportunity. You could reward all your past coaches for their time and effort throughout your Selwyn career by continuing to participate in sports this term, and meeting your obligations to your team. Your commitment to your teachers could culminate in a strong final term. Respect the effort your teachers have expended on you by showing up and participating in the lessons they have prepared for you. You could act, debate, speak, draw, play, dance, sing or do whatever else you have excelled at during your time at Selwyn House. Please consider the choices available to you and make your choices wisely, so that your peers, your parents and your school will continue to be as proud of you as we all currently are.
This year, your Grade 11 class will be graduating on Tuesday, June 16th at 5:00 p.m. in Coristine Hall. You should plan to report to the Rossy Agora forty-five minutes before the start of the ceremony. Remember parking could be difficult so plan accordingly. The ceremony will last approximately ninety minutes. Afterwards, there will be a brief reception in the Guzzo Family Yard (West) under the tent. This year’s graduation ceremony is meant to be a unique tribute to the Grade 11 class, and therefore is for those students and their families. It promises to be an important and even emotional ceremony.
In the meantime, good luck with all you hope to accomplish this final term at Selwyn House. Please remember that you will leave behind a reputation that your younger fellow students will inherit. Consider that your actions this term will reflect upon the reputation of Selwyn House students long after you are in university.
You could close out this year with a bang or a whimper. In Neil Young’s words, you could “burn out”, or you could “rust”, or perhaps you can show what VERITAS really means: Be true to your school, your family, your friends, but most of all be true to yourself. It is fair to say we are all counting on you.
Thanks again for all you have done for me and for Selwyn House. I won’t forget you.
Sincerely yours,
Hal Hannaford
Headmaster
