Here's to the class of 2015

Imagine seeing the major cities of Europe with a group of your best friends! That's what the Neuchâtel experience is for the students who "Step Outside" and seize this opportunity to study at our small school. They are an adventurous and capable lot, since they must also complete their diploma requirements and achieve the grades necessary to get into university while living so far from home, surrounded by distractions.

Switzerland presents all sorts of distractions, like the scenery here.

As May turned into June, and the end of the year was in sight, the sadness of the students became almost palpable. They did not want the year to end – and who can blame them? For most, this has been the best year of their lives.

Lauren, Jamie, Kaitlyn and Meg pose with their pension Madame et Mousieur

Dressed up for grad, but still silly teens. Not looking sad at the moment.

For me, and the other teaching staff, our relationship with the students has a unique closeness. For one thing, there are only fifty-nine of them in total, with fifty-four of the group opting to stay the entire year, while the other five came for either the first or the second semesters only. We could not help but see each other every day in the tiny Pavillon building where all the classes take place.

One of my classes.

 In my case, I taught all but nine of them in English, writer's craft or drama, and two of them, Alex and Maddie, took all three of my courses, while a number of others took two. I coached another twelve in badminton. Yearbook and NESDA were other ways to connect. Added to that were weekly advisee meetings, where I bonded with the eleven students who constituted my "home room" group. We worked as a team in trivia, and had two evening meals together, too. I often ate lunch with a variety of students as well.

My advisee group on Juno beach in Normandy. A great group!

For the first time, all my advisee group poses together, including Becky from semester 1 and Hannah from semester 2

Beyond all this are the trips. I have travelled alongside some of the students – and sometimes all of them – to Locarno, Munich, Dusseldorf, Bruges, Zermatt, Florence, London, Barcelona, Caen and Paris.

Learning together in Pompeii.

Fortunately, I have come to like them very much. In the classroom, I have seen them grow as writers and speakers, and in drama, as performers. In the latter course, the final month of the year was set aside for groups of three to five students to block, rehearse and perform a modern play for the rest of us. This was a most satisfying culminating activity from my point of view. The plays were are very well done, and the others in their cohort constituted a very supportive and engaged audience. I was so very proud of them all.

Jac, Belle and Maddie in Comfort Women

Kienan, Solène, Alex and Scott in God of Carnage

Love this poster!

Scenes from Becky Shaw with Tori, Viggo, Evan, Jamie and Erin.

On June 12th, we finished the year with graduation. This was a ceremony like no other I have experienced. We first gathered at the school to put on the necessary apparel. Then, in our academic gowns, we paraded down the streets of Neuchâtel to the Temple du Bas, about a 10 minute walk. The locals watched our procession in puzzlement – apparently the Swiss do not have such an elaborate graduation ceremony.

Posing with Matt (with my hood up) at the school before our march.

Making our way downtown. 

The staff await the start of the ceremony

Upon arrival, we waited outside the building for 20 minutes or so, again attracting attention from those walking by. Parents, students and staff mingled while organizers prepared for the big event inside.

The "H" folks line up: Maddie, Daniel, Alex and Kienan, our valedictorian.

The line up at Temple du Bas

At last, it was time to enter the hall to "Pomp and Circumstance" and then, over the next 90 minutes, to celebrate the achievements of this remarkable group of young men and women. Canadian star of the theatre, R.H. Thompson, gave the Commencement Address, while many other dignitaries spoke as well.

R.H. Thompson addresses the class of 2015

The students received the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, as well as Neuchâtel Certificates, for which they had to complete several tasks related to living abroad. Most of the group were Ontario Scholars while many have been awarded impressive scholarships as they move on to University. There were awards for individual subjects and clubs too.

I gave Lauren the NESDA award.

Top student Melanie poses with her proud parents.

After all the pageantry was concluded, five students performed, as did the staff "band", of which I am a member. We sang Green Day's "Good Riddance" as the students sitting in the front rows linked arms and rocked from side to side. I saw tears in their eyes. It would not be the last time that day.

Post graduation scrum

Isabelle and Samantha pose with parents and their pension madame.

The ceremony concluded, we spilled out into the square next to the Temple du Bas. This was an informal party where parents greeted their sons and daughters with flowers and Canadian families and Swiss families posed for photos together.

Matt, Evan, Matt, Joe and Spencer honour Dan, our departing Senior Master.

Posing with Becca, drama award winner, and the recipient of many other awards

Katie and Courtney take a selfie.

Next, it was time to process again, this time to the beautiful grounds of the Hotel du Peyrou a few blocks away where the reception would be held. After one last formal portrait, students and staff removed our academic gowns. It was time to munch and mingle.

The Class of 2015

I was pleased to have a chance to chat with R.H. Thompson, a man whom I have seen on stage and on television many times. He was very pleasant to talk to.

Jen and I meet R.H. Thompson

Parents and students gather together on the grounds of the Hotel du Peyrou

It was also time to say our goodbyes – bittersweet. Personally, I have been missing Canada lately, and yet, I did not want this reception to end. I chatted with moms and dads, with brothers and sisters and boyfriends, and I sought the students out individually to say goodbye. Many hugs and some tears ensued.

I said goodbye to Alicia several times

Goodbye to Alicia, Tori, Alix and Lynsey

Later that evening, the students gathered one last time for a final party. From all accounts, this was a special end to their incredible year.

Watch out, Bill. Dangerous missiles overhead.

When I returned to the school for meetings on the following Monday morning, it was as if the air had left the building. I missed the students immensely. Here's to you, class of 2015! It has been a pleasure to get to know you.