Character development is essential and integral to Keystone ’ s education philosophy . For Keystone , the essentials to character development are espoused in our school ’ s Shared Values – Compassion , Respect , Justice , Wisdom and Honesty . These are not just the intricate inlay work on the educational pillars of Keystone , but they are the pillars – the social norms – that define the parameters of social coexistence not only for students , but also for teachers , staff , parents , and the entire Keystone community . These values are holistic , inclusive and concrete as they draw from Chinese and non-Chinese cultural traditions , and from the curriculums in primary , middle and high schools . For instance , compassion is equivalent to the IPC value of thoughtfulness and adaptability . A student ’ s parent sums it up well : “ The utmost crucial task of education is to help students incorporate learning and their way of thinking into their very core value systems and beings .”
Institutionally , one of the programs in place to ensure constant and intentional individual care of students is the Advising System . Each teacher in the secondary division is responsible for six to seven students or advisees . This formalized relationship – as an advisory group and individually with the advisor – helps students look up to an adult at school as a mentor , develop trust , and rely on the advisor for academic , social and emotional support . Character development
is also a founding keystone of the school that is realized through the residential program ( read David Beare ’ s article in this issue ). Living in a residential community not only helps each student and faculty to grow as individuals , but also as a community .
COMMUNITY OF LEARNING
Yes ! A community is an essential element to education . Though individual scores and attributes have their place in the art of learning , it is incomplete without a community . Each student ’ s individual journey of education at Keystone – their cultures of learning – is rooted in a community of learning . A community of learning is composed of many foundational stones , but three are highlighted here : teamwork , open-mindedness and giving .
Teamwork : Cog in the Wheel
“ For me drama was about reciting memorized dialogues , but this play made me realize how much more complicated plays are . I especially admire , and am impressed with , my peers who worked backstage to make this play possible . Nobody sees them , but they are the real stars ,” reflected David Sun from grade 10 who played one of the main protagonists in the school play , Elements : A Love
Wesley Wu , Grade 11
“ Critical thinking has also become an essential technique in the revision of my notes .”
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