The start of a new academic school year brings a heightened focus on connection, both reconnecting with old friends and classmates and making new connections with new classmates and new teachers alike. Relationships are truly at the heart of everything that we hold dear at Lauremont. Indeed, research suggests that strong student-teacher relationships are foundational to student success.

Similarly, as a student moves into their middle and high school years, peer relationships become increasingly important as students mature and gain growing independence. It is for these reasons that we place intentional emphasis on living and breathing “I Am Known”, and in providing an environment that nurtures inclusivity.

There are many ways in which we work to intentionally foster and develop relationships at the Upper School. One example is through our Advisory program which aims to connect students to a member of faculty who will become their advocate and champion across their time in the school. This relationship extends to parents as Advisors will also work to build the parent-school partnership as well. At Lauremont, faculty, coaches, and guidance counsellors similarly look to build strong classroom and out of classroom connections in order to get to know each student and support them in reaching their potential and in finding their passions.

Having recently returned from our mid-September Outdoor education experiences, it has been gratifying to see and hear how helpful these trips were at building and solidifying friendships. These full grade trips are a further example of how we endeavour to foster relationship building. More specifically, for us, they fulfill two main objectives: pushing our students’ comfort zones as we gradually introduce them to outdoor camping in remote areas of southern Ontario and, building strong connections with their peers outside of the classroom at the beginning of the year.

In a similar vein, this week marks the start of our co-curricular lunch and after school club offerings following Club Fest last week, and of course our athletic program is already in full swing. Together, these activities provide many further opportunities for students to build strong connections with each other and their respective teachers. We hope all our students will embrace fulfilling their Pillar requirements and engage in the many activities aimed at building skills, supporting passions, and developing camaraderie.

One final example that highlights our efforts to strengthen relationships outside the classroom are our upcoming travel opportunities. We value creating students who become global citizens, connected not just to each other but to the rest of the world. Lauremont will be offering four exciting local and international travel opportunities across the year that is in keeping with our globally minded IB focus. More specific information will be forthcoming, but please find a summary below:

As the school year unfolds, we look forward to strengthening all of our student, teacher and parent connections in a myriad of ways. We hope our youngest students are feeling more comfortable and settling into new routines as we get to know them and they get to know us, just as we hope that our oldest students are leveraging their long-standing peer and teacher relationships to help them find the support they need to reach their goals. Regardless of grade level, we want everyone at Lauremont to feel known and connected because we know just how important that is.