By Dave Krocker
Head of School

I always find Closing Day to be somewhat bittersweet. It’s sweet for the obvious reason: the day marks profound success. For the graduates in particular, these are young people who have grown into themselves. They are forming life goals, and they have gained the tools, the confidence, and the courage to go out and pursue them. It’s hard not to be moved by that.

It's bitter for the same reason: they’re leaving. We want them to be strong, and independent, and to make their own way in the world. Then they do exactly that, which always causes a slight catch in my breath. We’ll miss being a part of their journey, at least in the way that we have been up until this point.  

Whenever I am dismayed that they’re heading off, a good antidote is to look at all the places they’re going to. None of their destinations are surprises, of course. The guidance team has been working with them for literally years. Still, it’s remarkable to see it in print. Most recently this was in the form of a social media post that went out. There were photos of the graduates each set with the logo of the university or college they’ll be attending in the fall. Frankie is going to culinary school. That’s wonderful. Jeremy is pursuing medicine. Some grads are staying close by, while others are heading further afield. Two are going to schools in the states. One is off to the UK, another to Amsterdam. One is going literally to the other side of the globe: Sydney, Australia.

Some students aren’t going to post-secondary programs right away. Sully is taking a year to focus on his music, and deferring his acceptance to Brock. Which is fantastic. Others are taking time just to pause, maybe to get their bearings and breathe a little before the next big step. That’s fantastic too. I’m delighted that more students are taking gap years, in part because the research shows that it’s beneficial. I’m pleased, too, that they are taking their time, as well they should. In all, I’m proud of the role we’ve played in helping these students make the decisions that they’ve made. I’m honoured at the role we’ve had in helping them achieve all the things they’ve accomplished, ready for the next steps armed with confidence and a stronger sense of self.

We call it closing day because the school is closing for the summer, but sometimes I wonder if we shouldn’t be calling it something else. The day marks, for the graduates particularly, the opening of a door, and they are stepping through it. For them, it’s a beginning, not an ending. They are walking out into a world that they are continuing to create for themselves. Because of my experience with these students, and my confidence in what this institution is able to do, I know they are well prepared for everything and anything that lies ahead. That’s what RLC is here for, after all.