It's Beginning to Feel like Christmas....

My weekly blog has suddenly become a bi-monthly experience! However, as I sit by my Christmas tree a couple of days before Dec. 25, I figure that this is as good a time as any to reflect on a wonderful first term in Flavelle House.
The boys of Flavelle ended the term quite well. One of our graduating students, Hamilton P. (who I have known since he arrived at Mac House in 2001), organized a Toy Drive for the school. It was a huge success, collecting 350 toys for children in the community who would otherwise not be receiving anything at Christmas. As Hamilton says, “I’m really proud we could get together and raise that many gifts for kids who will have a better Christmas because of what we’ve done." He should be proud!
Flavelle also celebrated Christmas by going out for a buffet dinner (is there any other kind with 60 boys?) and returning for our Secret Santa. It was a great way to end the term, watching their reactions, especially when the gift pushed the boundary! However, it was all in good fun and the boys had a wonderful time.
As I reflect, I couldn't be happier with all that has gone on in Flavelle. I have really enjoyed myself and I know my family has, too. The new year will bring some changes, as you might know. My wife Natascia and I are expecting our second child in early January. Hence, the next time you see me, I may be slightly sleep-deprived. But for my wife and I, our ultimate present this holiday season is the delivery of a healthy, happy baby girl. And even if I'm tired, I will most certainly be smiling!
Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Generosity

Zack (pictured left) won the first Madden 08 Challenge. He is now considered the Grand Champion of Flavelle House and he routinely reminds all of us of that fact. He enjoyed defeating all comers on the Playstation 3 and 60" Sony HDTV, while sitting on new leather couches, basking in the glow of the new paint colour. You see, we renovated our TV last weekend and when the boys returned from thanksgiving, they had quite the surprise. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of one parent.
I have little to say other than the fact that this room has helped turn Flavelle house into more of a home for these boys. It's not about the gaming or watching the OC, it's about hanging out with your brothers in a space you can be proud of. Everything else is merely secondary. The boys know that someone generously donated some money for this project and they couldn't be more thankful. Have they ever said thanks? Well...no, but we are still working on emotional literacy! I know they are thankful by the looks on their faces and the pride they have in the space. On boy walked into the room and simply said, "This is awesome!" Enough said.
I also like the fact that the boys know it was someone helping them out. It is an invaluable lesson for each of them (whether they realize it now or not). And it has helped make our home a brighter place. And, in the end, it may help our boys give back when they are able to...perhaps one day they will remember just how much one family's generosity put a smile of their face. And hopefully they will give back to the community that they are a part of. At least...that's the hope.

Our Boys

Even when I'm not on duty, it never ceases to be an action pact week. But that's fine by me! The boys are settling in nicely and beginning to feel the full effect of life at St. Andrew's. This will allow them to become acculturated with the school and learn what it means to be Andreans.
I noticed this week, however, that as a Housemaster, you begin to take ownership over the boys' progress. And, on some level, you begin to experience and feel what they are going through. For example, this week there were homesickness issues, discipline issues (albeit minor), injuries (hospital trips 3 of 4 days...minor injuries, as well), and successes on the sports fields. Every time something happens, you feel it as a Housemaster. Although I knew a certain amount of emotion is tied to this job, I wasn't fully aware that I would feel every possible emotion in the span of 5 days!
My wife and I were playing with Conor in our backyard when my duty master showed up. She came into the backyard to see Natascia and Conor while I spoke to 5 of the Flavelle boys at the entrance to the yard. My duty master asked, "Are you not going to hang out with your boy?", rather jokingly. I said, "I am hanging out with my boys!" Don't get me wrong, I will never sacrifice my time with Conor but I do consider the Flavelle boys as part of the family (at least on some level). Which, I guess, is why we celebrate the success and lament the failures...and you feel everything in between.
When Cole made an absolutely massive hit on the quarterback of TCS this past Saturday in his debut game, the entire SAC bench went crazy. I was on the sideline speaking to a parent when I saw the hit. I explained, most emphatically, "That's was Cole. He lives in my house!" And, of course, I was proud. I found myself watching Max, Adam, Zeck, Matt, Patrick, Hamilton, James, Shane, Tolo, and Seung Mock particularly, not just the whole team (even though I couldn't find each of them, I was still looking!). As a proud father would do, I watched an smiled, proud of each of their respective accomplishments...and hoping that Cole never takes me out in a open field tackle!

Upon the recommendation of S.A.C.'s Headmaster, Ted Staunton, I picked up Conn and Hall Iggulden's book, The Dangerous Book for Boys. As I venture into the world of housemastering, I figure that I need all the help I can get! This book is creating quite a positive buzz, receiving many accolades and winning Book of the Year at the Galaxy British Book Awards (a top prize, to be sure, next to the Booker!).

As far as I can tell, the motivation for such a book was quite simple: "In this age of video games and mobile phones, there must still be a place for knots, tree houses and stories of incredible courage." Further, boys tend to enjoy similar things now than previously and I would have to agree wholeheartedly with that statement. To my knowledge, there are few books that take a close look at subjunctives, the Battle of Cannae, coin tricks, the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the genealogy of the British Royals and the famous dinosaurs. I must admit, when I am done with this book, I will not only understand boys but I be a whole lot smarter than I am now!

As I sit here writing, several boys are playing football on the quad (where they also play soccer and hockey [weather permitting!]. I think to myself, are they really any different from their young counterparts of the early 20th century or before? Things, of course, have changed, but they remains boys and that is something that we should cherish and be proud of. They may not sit down and tie a knot (although the Cadet programme helps out here) but they can find out how to do it on the Internet! As well, they may not read Basil Liddel Hart's classic account of the Second World War, but they can fight against the Germans during the famous battle for Berlin and gain at least some understanding of the futility and sacrifice of that battle. Sure they may get the information from different sources, they remain boys...and perhaps they just intrinsically want to learn about dinosaurs, Hannibal and how the battle of Balaclava ushered in a new age of warfare. It interests me...and I'm still a boy at heart.

Succession and Change

The big move is now over and the Stewart's are settling into their new home. My son, Conor, loves to be able run amok in this beautiful home, chasing the cat in as many rooms as possible. For Natascia and I, we are just glad that we are finally moved and sorted out. Now, it's down to business!
As I sit down to write this, I realize that there are many small tasks I need to complete before the New Boys and their families arrive in September. Knowing that those tasks will be completed, I turn to the idea of succession and change. Preparing for the inevitable is easy...fulfilling the expectations of many is the hard part.
When I became Head of History, I experienced some succession issues but they were dealt with and I moved on. I worked to gain the trust of my department and looked to establish a new-found collegiality. The same can be said for Flavelle. As A. Hart explains, "Leader succession affects many people...stimulating interactions and breaking up routines that require people to reestablish shared expectations, work patterns, and relationships." (1983)
When my close friend Brian told me that he was stepping down as Housemaster, I realized that he was closing a chapter in his life, that, although rewarding, was often a thankless job. As I move into his position, I will thank him openly for doing a wonderful job during his tenure here. He and I both know that Flavelle will change somewhat during my time here simply because our personalities are different. However, Flavelle will remain a great place to live and a wonderful opportunity for your son. It is know by many as the "Friendly House" and that will remain!
During times of succession and change, I believe the key is communication. There should be no surprises. Even though there will be change, if the information and rationale is shared, the transition will be easier.
This is an amazing journey my family and I are about to embark upon. I couldn't be more excited about it...but not without some trepidation!

NATO Exercise Canceled

Citing the fact that very little money remains for fuel, the Canadian Navy has decided to postpone their inclusion in a NATO exercise off the coast of Halifax, beginning Monday Jan. 29. The exercise will include warships from the United States and Germany and Canada was expected to include 3 vessels. As noted in CBC.ca, "'It looks like we're going to wait to use our training assets, our training funds, and what we have available for later on in the quarter,' said Canadian Commodore Denis Rouleau, who handed over command of the NATO fleet." Defense analyst Steve Staples from the Rideau Institute suggests that this could simply be ploy by the Navy to push for more money, especially when Defense minister Gordon O'Connor ponied up $3.5 million to help the Navy commit to the exercise. After the purchase of the 4 derelict submarines from England several years ago, I didn't think we could sink much lower. Although not on the same level (the latter was a colossal error), this is yet another shameful display of politics within the military. No money for fuel? Can we sink any lower?

Pickton Trial Underway

For the first time since the initial discovery of human remains on his pig farm, Robert Pickton is sitting in court awaiting a verdict on 6 counts of first degree murder. The Crown contends that he has admitted to the slaying of 49 women and that he wishes he could have achieved 50. I must admit, it is extraordinarily difficult to believe in one of the major tenets of Canada's legal system, Innocence Until Proven Guilty, especially when the evidence is so overwhelming. The question remains: is he guilty? Probably. Does he deserve the respect afforded by our legal system or should he simply go to the gallows? He deserves the right to be represented in court. If not, this wouldn't be Canada!