"There is no comfort in your growth zone and no growth in your comfort zone"
By Tara Irani
Posted October 1, 2010
The Senior School Breakaway Week concluded with the Grade 12’s University Tour and stop at Nottawasaga in late September. The students had the opportunity to visit three top universities; Wilfrid Laurier, The University of Western Ontario and McMaster, where they learned about campus routine, toured the grounds and got a glimpse into what life will be like after HTS. At each university, the students were met by numerous HTS alumni, many of whom offered to give the class campus tours, take questions and give advice to their peers on what to expect next fall. Students and faculty members were glad to hear all the praise our past grads gave the school, noting that they felt fully prepared for university as a result of their HTS education!
After the campus tours concluded, the class travelled to Nottawasaga, where they engaged in an interesting self-reflection exercise. When the students were on their Grade 9 Breakaway trip, they were asked to write their obituaries, as a way of getting their goals, dreams and hopes for the future down on paper. The obituaries were collected and seemingly forgotten until Mr. Reynolds handed them back to each student on this trip. The students were then asked to reflect on “where they think they currently are on their path”, and although some students were embarrassed by their responses, many saw how far they had come in terms of writing, self-expression and confidence over their past four years at HTS.
Students also assessed what they valued most in life through participating in a live auction, reflected on the meanings of famous quotes and compared “glass half empty” vs. “glass half full” mindsets. Overall, the trip was a fun experience for the students who returned with some perspective and lots of anticipation for what they future will bring them. Head of the Senior School Terry Reynolds, along with faculty members Linda Owens, Nina Dolgovykh, John Doma, Art Lightstone, Steve Wood, Tara Irani, Terry Reynolds, James Darling and Kate Greenway would like to note how proud they are of the Grade 12 students and all they have accomplished thus far.
