This is our 10th Christmas together at CLIB, which makes this day extra special. For Zé and Luís, Inês Borges, Inês Coutinhas, Gabriela, Joana and Diana (some of our first students at CLIB). They have grown, with the school, and have become and will become more so, fantastic individuals. To have witnessed them grow in this manner over the past 10 years compels us to stop and reflect on the words of Aristotle “educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Which is why, at CLIB we seek to educate the hearts of our students.
If we stimulate, consistently, the desire to serve humanity it will allow the head and the heart to grow simultaneously. Our young are always eager to participate in community service and when they do they become active voices for good in the world around them and great things are achieved.
In leading a school it is important that we define at any given moment in time what it is we wish our students to know and be able to achieve as this will enable us to determine exactly what we should teach. It is true, that at CLIB, we wish our students to become competent and confident at expressing themselves in both the written and spoken word in more than one language, to know the history and culture of different countries and communities, to understand and use the arts and to understand and apply the maths and sciences, and all at a level that will enable them in the future and strengthen their ability to think critically, carefully and creatively. Our academic approach is summarised here.
However, it is also our desire that our students develop problem solving skills, responsible approaches to health and hygiene, good social habits that will enable them to develop strong and healthy relationships (team work, understanding of others, knowledge and understanding of other cultures and methods of working) so that they may grow into caring and considerate citizens of the world with great empathy and respect for the society of which they are a significant part. It is important for them to take on an active role in their communities (as it is the role of International Schools throughout the world to encourage and lead) to help the evolution of society and to develop good character with the ability to make valid and solid moral decisions. All of these last points are non academic in nature but refer to the education of character, to the learning of humanitarian and communitarian service, civic and emotional intelligence. It is this social and emotional education, allied to the academic curriculum; that is at the heart of the educational programme at CLIB. It is through this that we are able to prepare our students in a balanced and informed manner to face the challenges of an ever changing World, where knowledge alone is good but knowledge coupled with strong moral standards and intersocial skills is better.
There is a danger, in this globalised society that we may allow our children to grow up academically strong but lacking in social and emotional skills. Society, companies and the world of work needs individuals that care about more than just themselves. We know this at CLIB and pledge to continue to develop the hearts of our students. They have already collaborated on many initiatives within our community; Banco Alimentar (where their help was immense), at the local hospital, with diverse institutions that support youth with difficulties, with Caritas who support the homeless and with Habitat for Humanity in Braga, where some of our students have already assisted in building homes for families in need and for whom they dedicated their two nights of musical extravaganza.
Our students understand that kind acts make for stronger hearts and make a tremendous difference to the lives of others. They are rewarded doubly because not only are they better prepared to face and act on the inequalities and injustices of the world but they also feel an enormous gratitude from all that their kindness touches.
It is an indisputable truth that humanitarian causes have a double reward, for those who serve and for those who are served.
I hope that you follow your hearts and have a very happy Christmas! |