Keystone Magazine | Page 19

with warmth when I heard our Head of School say, “We salute you,” because it is the first time that I have heard a Head of School saluting his students,” writes grade 8 student, Wang Zhaotian of the moment he was listening to Malcolm McKenzie’s speech at the school’s Dedication Ceremony. In giving respect and being respected, a virtuous circle and cycle of values is already in motion. This is a collective effort that David Beare explains best: “I feel profound respect and gratitude for the creativity, dedication, care, intelligence and goodwill of the whole of the school staff. It is an awesome thing to see an institution come to life in the combined efforts of the professionals who work here: ayis, teachers, library staff, tradesmen, curriculum coordinators, cooks, servers, accountants, assistants, the Head of School – all play a role in making Keystone what it is…” Compassion: With A Smile This effort may not always come easily but it definitely comes with a smile – a result and a symbol of the kindness and benevolence generated in a respectful environment. “Whenever I see a residential student smile, it is a defining moment for me. I worry that they would not be happy being away from home. But it is pleasantly surprising to see the students getting involved in activities, and enjoying it with such ease and joy, and always with a smile.” For Derek Davies, Director of Activities, the students’ smiles are a compassionate thank you for his efforts. Cindy Wang, grade 1 learning assistant, also feels her students smiling compassion is what defines her experience at Keystone, especially when they sang on her birthday wholeheartedly, enthusiastically and with big smiles. Most often than not each person at Keystone makes an intentional effort to treat one and all with the compassion they need and want, “This was the first day of school, and I captured a special moment on my camera,” remembers Shi Mei, primary school Chinese homeroom teacher. “The Head of School was standing at the center of the main entrance watching as the gates opened, and teachers and students, shuttled in by school buses, streamed into school. I realized that Malcolm chose that spot so he could greet students and teachers with a smile. So to return the smile, I took my class to his office to say hello back with a smile.” In many ways, there are conscious and intentional efforts by various members of the Keystone community to spread this compassion even beyond our gates. Justice: Compassion Beyond Our Campus Sometimes a smile is not enough compassion in a world that “is not fair to everyone,” as grade 8 student Liang Sidi describes. It is sometimes essential to extend an act of compassion by, writes Sidi, spreading our love and warmth to those who may not be bestowed with the same advantages and opportunities as others. Sidi, like many of his peers and schoolmates, feels he is able to commit to promoting a just world by small acts of compassion in local communities. For instance, Sidi and his classmates, supervised by their teacher, visited a school for special needs children, and learned to make clay objects from hearing and speaking impaired teachers. This “extraordinary experience” was an eye-opener to the whole class. It is experiences such as this that are defining not only for Sidi, but also for Keystone as a collective, explains Juli James, Director of Residential Life and Global Initiatives. “When our students hold a child from a local orphanage, show kindness toward an animal at the local shelter, or donate their time, week after week, engaged in meaningful service throughout the local community, our collective sense of justice is witnessed, and our individual sense of justice is enhanced.” www.keystoneacademy.cn 15