Source: MEI Head of Schools Blog
February 1st, 2017 marks the start of my second year at MEI. Of course, it’s actually the start of my 7th year, but that’s only if you include my 5 years as a high school student… Grad ’91! It’s been an amazing year of getting to know the MEI Schools, building a vision and direction, and establishing systems and teams to support that direction. We’re moving and it’s exciting to be a part of this team… your team! Here are some of my observations from the first year.
MEI has a healthy and positive student culture
Last spring I attended the Inter-Agency Forum on Mental Health where the 2013 results of the BC Adolescent Health Survey were presented and the analysis discussed. These surveys were completed by nearly 30,000 youth in our province. It became clear to the researchers that the teens reporting the lowest incidences of alcohol use, drug use, sexual activity, anxiety, depression, and self harm, together termed ‘risky behaviour’, experienced the following in their lives: 1) School connectedness (eg. Teachers who respect and trust them, 2) Family connectedness (eg. Evening meals with their parents), 3) A caring adult outside their family, 4) Someone to turn to for help, 5) Three or more close friends in their neighbourhood, 6) Friends who disapprove of risky behaviours, 7) Good nutrition, 8) Feeling engaged and valued, 9) A stable home, 10) Eight or more hours of sleep, 11) Neighbourhood safety, 12) Community connectedness, and 13) Cultural connectedness.
This may not seem like rocket science, but apparently one key factor in students living healthy lives is having friends who disapprove of risky or negative behaviours. We have an incredibly positive student culture at MEI. I’ve walked the halls of many high schools in my career and what I’ve experienced at MEI is extremely encouraging and bordering on stunning. Students are respectful, polite, thoughtful, caring, humble, and hard working. Are there opportunities for ‘risky behaviours’? I’m sure that they are presented to our students from time to time. The evidence of those behaviours existing in a student culture generally manifest themselves in the hallways and classrooms of a school. For a high school vice principal, this materializes in the amount of time spent on Mondays and Tuesdays to address weekend behaviours that have come to light via the police. I have not seen these patterns at MEI Schools. In fact, our hallways and classrooms suggest a very different picture; one of student health and good decision making.
It appears that the peer culture at MEI is funneling students towards doing positive things with their lives as opposed to negative or risky things. This is certainly due in large part to the proactive training and opportunities given to our elementary and middle students which leads to a more service oriented secondary school culture. As referenced above, this works in combination with a variety of other factors including the home, neighbourhood, nutrition, etc.
MEI has an incredibly caring staff
Having walked through the classrooms of the elementary, middle, and secondary schools, it is abundantly clear that our teachers care for their students. They truly know the students on a personal level and work hard to help them be successful in their academic and extra-curricular pursuits. In addition to teachers, we have staff in a variety of supporting roles who care deeply for the mission of this school and are here because they feel called to be a part of ‘Equipping students for life and forever’.
MEI has an incredibly supportive parent community
When my wife and I were considering a move to MEI, we wondered how we would be received by the parent community as newcomers. Further, I was very interested to see the levels of support the schools received from the parents. I have been absolutely blown away by the way parents and families care for each other at MEI. Compassion and understanding are at the core of who we are and it is such a joy to be a part of MEI. I was stunned by the number of parents at the PAC meetings and the spirit in which the meetings were run. It was, and is, fun to be there!
MEI has incredibly supportive friends
Part of my role is to connect with donors, alumni, pastors from our Supporting Churches, and to work with the board which is made up of members from those eleven churches. All of these experiences have led me to a place of thankfulness. To work with a board of directors who volunteer their time to support and encourage while providing guidance and accountability has been an absolute pleasure. To meet with donors, alumni, and pastors has been an honour and a privilege.
Where does this all lead?
We are moving forward with God’s help. God is with us! His hand is on MEI Schools and we can trust Him to lead, guide, and protect us. We have an ambitious plan and we will be able to make a positive and impactful difference in the years to come as we work in unity: school, church, and home. Things are moving!
Did you know:
– we have a team of staff developing a plan for a Worship Arts Academy
– we have a team of staff working with students to develop a Student Voice Initiative
– we have a team of staff developing a K – 12 Bible Curriculum
– we have a team of staff implementing professional development K – 12 with inquiry and assessment best practice as focus areas and including theology training for our teaching staff
– we have a team of staff being trained as leaders through MEI’s first Leadership Training Series
– we have a team of staff who work together to support the learning needs of our students K – 12
– our principals are leading the process of developing strategies to increase student engagement in the learning process
– our principals are leading their teams towards putting an intentional focus on dynamic learning environments for students
– we have begun the research stage towards developing a student led Character Council
– our newly established Sport Directors team meets twice monthly to set vision and goals
– a team of K – 12 arts teachers, MEI Arts Council, will meet twice annually to consider program vision
– we have worked to address efficiencies in our leadership structures, HR procedures, and staffing formulas
– we are developing a plan and the necessary structures to connect more intentionally with our alumni community
– we are developing a Facilities Plan to support our learning goals for years to come
– we are connecting more intentionally with the broader community; it truly takes a village to raise a child!
– we have a solid leadership team in place; you can have confidence in our direction as we rest in and rely on GodI’m looking forward to year #2 with great anticipation and am thrilled that you are working with us! To God be the glory!!
– we have a team of staff developing a plan for a Worship Arts Academy
– we have a team of staff working with students to develop a Student Voice Initiative
– we have a team of staff developing a K – 12 Bible Curriculum
– we have a team of staff implementing professional development K – 12 with inquiry and assessment best practice as focus areas and including theology training for our teaching staff
– we have a team of staff being trained as leaders through MEI’s first Leadership Training Series
– we have a team of staff who work together to support the learning needs of our students K – 12
– our principals are leading the process of developing strategies to increase student engagement in the learning process
– our principals are leading their teams towards putting an intentional focus on dynamic learning environments for students
– we have begun the research stage towards developing a student led Character Council
– our newly established Sport Directors team meets twice monthly to set vision and goals
– a team of K – 12 arts teachers, MEI Arts Council, will meet twice annually to consider program vision
– we have worked to address efficiencies in our leadership structures, HR procedures, and staffing formulas
– we are developing a plan and the necessary structures to connect more intentionally with our alumni community
– we are developing a Facilities Plan to support our learning goals for years to come
– we are connecting more intentionally with the broader community; it truly takes a village to raise a child!
– we have a solid leadership team in place; you can have confidence in our direction as we rest in and rely on GodI’m looking forward to year #2 with great anticipation and am thrilled that you are working with us! To God be the glory!!
Vijay Manuel
Head of Schools
MEI Schools Society
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