Independence, Service Learning and Leadership at Intersession Week

The most memorable and transformative learning experiences often happen outside the classroom. The challenge is finding time in the day-to-day academic program for these experiences to take place. In the days leading up to March Break, Crescent School held its second Intersession Week with a wide variety of programming grounded in experiential learning both on- and off-campus for all students. 

“There was a lot of character on display throughout the week, particularly in situations when our boys had an opportunity to give back to the broader community,” says Deputy Headmaster Nick Kovacs. “Looking ahead, we will continue to center service learning and community engagement in the programming.”

With a thematic focus on independence, the Lower School activities included earning their certifications for a “home alone” course, a babysitting course, and first aid/CPR, helping students develop a sense of responsibility toward themselves and their community.

In the Middle School, Grade 7 programming centered on service learning. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals guided their local outreach work with the Daily Bread Food Bank, Newcomer Kitchen and the Ability Centre. Grade 8 students took their leadership learning beyond the classroom with visits to the Ontario Legislature and the Art Gallery of Ontario. At the Kortright Centre for Conservation, they learned about sustainable design training and will apply this to a student-led initiative later this spring.

The Upper School had a large assortment of programs and projects for students to collaborate on. A few examples include the Leadership Program designed and facilitated by Upper School students to their Grade 6 schoolmates; the Coyotes’ Lair Camp, where students developed and pitched business ideas to a panel of judges; and the Sustainability Project where, with guidance from a leading forestry expert, students explored the wilderness around the Crescent School neighbourhood and learned about the art and science of ecosystem stewardship. 

“This year’s program built on last year’s successes,” says Kovacs. “I’m thankful to the faculty and staff who worked so diligently to organize the week and proud of the boys who engaged so earnestly in the broad range of activities that were offered.”