Thought you might enjoy seeing the notes from my welcoming talk at our exceptionally well attended Admission Open House today.
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Good afternoon. My name is Craig Sellers, I am in my third year as the Head of School here at Derryfield, and I am also a parent in our school.
I want to start by saying, on behalf of our faculty and staff how much we respect the idea that you are here researching – doing your homework – about your own or your child’s education. Making that decision is a process that can only benefit from taking the time to be here today, to learn, and to consider how Derryfield can be an integral part of your life as a student, or your life as a parents, as well as the life of your family, for the next several years. So thank you, once again, for being here.
I am here to give an elevator speech of sorts, but I will confess that I plan to stop at three floors. Here is my premise:
Any school that thrives in the next ten years will have a challenging 21st century curriculum that is both global and green, delivered by an inspiring faculty who know and care deeply for their students. Friends, the Derryfield School is thriving, and you will see that for your self today.
So what does Derryfield mean by a challenging 21st century curriculum?
First Floor: Well I think it means a lot of things, but one simple idea is whether students are having fun – that might surprise you, but kids actually enjoying their work means they are engaged, understand its relevance, understand its meaning in their life, understand that it matters and that it actually has value both now and in the future. A sense of enjoyment and excitement are also prerequisites for gratitude – that is, the gratitude our community has for having access to a Derryfield education in the first place.
This does not mean every student looks forward to every Latin Test or US History test, but there is no denying that a 6th grader, for instance, will have a blast in our Circus curriculum – but they will also learn lessons about agility, hand-eye, Performance, trusting one another, and what it means to be a part of a team. Our students’ learning is meaningful and useful, it brings them joy, and it gives families wonderful conversation topics for the diner table.
Second Floor - you will find a school that is committed to thinking globally, and with an awareness of sustainabiity. I am talking about exciting trips and experiences, but I am also talking about a mindset that understands a service project in downtown Manchester, or building Habitat housing in West Virginia, have global implications. As our alumnus Gary Hirshberg told us, there really is no “away” anymore – as in, we simply send our trash “Away” – and our curriculum embeds that essential understanding in a variety of ways across grades and subjects. Our children are going into an increasingly inter-connected world, and our curriculum embraces that vision.
Third Floor: today you will meet our exceptional faculty. Since its founding Derryfield has understood that the faculty are the center of our program. It is fantastic to have a new Turf Field, for instance, but I think it even more important that you get to know members of our Athletics Department – our coaches – whose devotion to students, not to mention their credentials, will simply astonish you. I want you to be impressed with our facilities, but we know our priorities are with our people, our Teachers – they are the ones who will inspire you, and they are the ones who motivate our alumni to come back for homecoming year after year. Our faculty is simply sensational, and today you will begin to get an understanding of why they are the soul of our school.
To summarize:
First floor – a 21st century curriculum;
Second Floor - A global mindset;
Third Floor – An inspiring faculty who are the soul of our school.
We have arrived at our destination, at least for now, and I will ask Allison Price to help you continue on your journey today.
Thank you for being here, enjoy your day.
CNS
