Everyday Heroes
March, 2020.
Lives were about to change in a manner that few could imagine.
Now, here we are, beginning a new year where uncertainties remain. This is part of the legacy of COVID-19.
There are however, many silver linings to this experience and foremost among them is a clear understanding of the power of a community, the strength of people who gather together (even remotely!) to address great challenges and discover opportunities within them.
Some of you will be familiar with ancient Greek mythology and the heroic story of Theseus.
His most famous adventure was his slaying of the Minotaur of King Minos on Crete. Every year Athens sent seven young men and seven young women to feed the creature which dwelt in the mysterious labyrinth at Knossos.
Theseus entered the labyrinth and marked his way using a ball of string. Striking down the beast with his sword, he easily followed the string back to the entrance and freed Athens from her terrible obligation to Minos.*
Navigating the labyrinthine corridors of COVID was a modern version of the story of Theseus and although we won’t claim to have become mythic heroes as a result there are many within our community who helped us find our way out and enter a new world full of powerful learning and wonderful opportunity.
For me it’s a simple lesson of the tremendous power when we all unify around a central purpose and believe that together, we can overcome virtually any challenge.
The central purpose of the entire Walden community was and is to ensure that our students and your children, beyond benefitting from a complete and purposeful IB programme, discover that out of goodness arises greatness.
It means teaching children that the world is about much more than the achievement of high marks and the accomplishment of standardized goals.
It means recognizing each child as an individual with their own needs, interests, talents and abilities.
It means showing them how kindness, respect and presence are central to a meaningful, purposeful life.
It means starting with the youngest child and staying the course throughout their time with us and empowering them to practice humanity when they leave our care.
Our motto, Imagine Explore Achieve, speaks to the potential that we seek in our students. We inspire even the youngest students in our Early Years classroom to reach beyond what they know through inquiry and reflection. And, by embracing daily challenges they learn resilience and gain confidence, both hallmarks of success.
I wish all of you a very happy New Year full of adventure and learning coupled with the understanding that together we can achieve anything!
P.S. If you or your children might be intrigued by stories of ancient mythological heroes, here is a wonderful series of books authored by Rick Riordan that revolve around ancient Greek and Roman mythology.