Headmaster's Message

Wednesday, May 5 is the annual Honour Society Reception

All students, from Grade 7 to 12, who have earned the distinction of being on the Headmaster’s List, are invited with their parents to attend this event.

The Honour Society was started in November 1978 by former Headmaster, Sheldon Clark, to recognize the value of scholarship. Up until that time, the school’s approach was the traditional Quaker “good marks are their own reward”. In the early days, students who achieved a place on the Headmaster’s List were recognized at the end of each of the first three terms at an Honour Society dinner at the school. Students and teachers attended a reception in the Headmaster’s House, dinner in the Dining Hall, followed by the presentation of certificates in the Meeting Room and words of wisdom from a guest speaker.

In the mid-1990s, as the school’s day population grew, parents were invited to the event. But with the increasing size of the school and the increasing numbers of students earning a place on the Headmaster’s List, the numbers of people attending outgrew our ability to host everyone at dinner. Thus, in the late 1990s the event became what it is today, a reception for students, parents and staff in the Dining Hall followed by the presentation of certificates and a guest speaker in the Meeting Room.

Two roads lead to the Headmaster’s List: honour grades and/or honour effort. In the Senior School, the Headmaster’s Honour List recognizes students each academic reporting period for academic achievement. To be placed on this list, students must achieve an overall average of 80% with no grade below 50%. The Headmaster’s List recognizes students each academic reporting period for academic effort. To be placed on this list a student must achieve an average Learning Skills rating of “3.2” or better, an overall average of 60% or better, and no grade below 50%.

In Grades 7 and 8, students earn a place on the Headmaster’s List with either an overall weighted average of 80% or higher or through effort, with no less than a 60% average and with an effort rating of a minimum of four “3s” and the remainder “4s”. Those students earning a place on the Headmaster‟s List by virtue of Academic Achievement will also receive an “honours” status.

Each year at the spring Honour Society Reception, a speaker is invited in to address the guests. Usually the speaker is chosen to reflect a person whose vocation or career reflects the ideals of the school: in particular people who have achieved at a very high level in academics, sports or the arts, or who have given much of themselves in the service of others.

This year, our guests are the Newmarket Voices of Joy Community Choir and Janet Lorimer, Executive Director of Newmarket/Aurora District Community Living. The Voices of Joy Community Choir “is a unique, inclusive, adult choir that brings together people of all abilities. The choir, formed in the fall of 1998 through the inspiration of Linda Middlebrook, unites enthusiastic voices for the joy of singing. The choir truly embraces the vision of a community where everyone belongs.”

Invitations to this year’s Honour Society have already been sent by email. In deference to the importance of the event and the significant accomplishments of our students, we do expect all students to attend the evening and encourage all parents to be present to celebrate their children’s achievement. Regrets are to be forwarded to the Headmaster’s Office.