Compassion is one of three integral pillars to our mission at Lauremont School. We work deliberately to ensure each student becomes compassionate, curious and connected citizens in a complex and changing world. At the Upper School, compassion is encompassed in the IB Learner Profile trait of caring. The IBO defines caring individuals as those showing empathy, compassion and respect, and who have a commitment to service – individuals who act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around them.

As we move past the first few weeks of the year, evidence of the caring nature of our student body has been apparent everywhere. For example, several senior students involved in a self-initiated movement called Crew of Care were hard at work planning a coffee house and fundraiser for indigenous communities suffering from fresh water issues in Northern Ontario at the end of September. Timed to bookend Orange Shirt Day and a week of reflection focused on National Truth and Reconciliation, many students and teachers alike supported the event with their time and energy, and much awareness was raised on several key issues facing indigenous communities in Canada. Of further note, the leaders of this group have led, met, and encouraged other student leaders in several independent schools to start their own chapters. They plan to continue their efforts next year at university as well. 

Similarly, our Student Council and Justice League club were hard at work challenging the community to bring in non-perishable food items to help support local food banks as we led up to Thanksgiving. Traditionally, this is a very successful House competition, and once again hundreds of pounds of food were collected and donated to support those in need at this time of the year. Simultaneously, our Jr. Student Council members planned and executed a successful UN day at the end of October. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness, appreciation and greater understanding for the many diverse backgrounds that constitute the Lauremont community. 


Further, in Advisory, students have been introduced to planning an advisory project aimed at a sustainable, innovative or diversity focused initiative to engage the school community. Some Advisories will work vertically with another grade within the same House to plan and execute their idea, others will work together to raise funds for a specified charity, while still others will look to raise awareness and take action to address school improvement ideas.

Taken together, we are working actively to fulfill our mission and put compassion into action. Whether small or large in scope, each initiative contributes to the important message of the need to be a caring and compassionate member of the local and global community.  As we approach World Kindness Day on November 13, Mrs. McLean and I will be further challenging the student body to perform random acts of kindness towards their fellow students and teachers. From opening a door for another, making a supportive comment to a peer, picking up items that may have been inadvertently discarded, or helping another student in a time of need, there are a myriad of simple ways to show compassion and enhance what already makes Lauremont a special and caring place.