News — Headwaters Academy

I Want a List of Failures

Society celebrates downfalls. That’s why our newscasts are constantly negative. It’s why bad news travels faster than good news. Why… Continue reading I Want a List of Failures

The ‘What If’

We have one student who has been with us since early in our second year. He came to us because… Continue reading The ‘What If’

Strengths Based Learning

Sam, the student mentioned in this blog post, is strong in mathematics (currently in Grade 3, he will master the… Continue reading Strengths Based Learning

The Pan American Continental Championships

“Everything Mr. Brown does is to the highest standard. While I’m happy that our team qualified for the World Championships,… Continue reading The Pan American Continental Championships

Samuel

For his gifts he was shamed by others. The harder he tried the harder he failed.

Be Courageous: Choose to go Smaller

Bigger isn’t always better. Frankly, in the world of education, bigger certainly isn’t better. Time and again we have sacrificed… Continue reading Be Courageous: Choose to go Smaller

From this vantage point I was able to pinpoint those children who existed on that razor’s edge – with the wrong environment they, and society as a whole will lose because we won’t experience their brilliance. They will just “be”. Put these same children into the right environment and they become the leaders of tomorrow.

These children, the ones on that edge, are the ones for whom I built a school.

Sample Study

Click inset image to enlarge.

How We & The System Must Change

In my sixteen year career I’ve come to learn how much I don’t know. I’ve also come to see, first… Continue reading How We & The System Must Change

The Endless Cycle of Hope

“Hope means nothing until it meets action.”

Why Headwaters Academy was Open When Other Schools Were Not

Over the last few days I have had the opportunity, while out representing our school at local events, to speak… Continue reading Why Headwaters Academy was Open When Other Schools Were Not

“Schools are for Learning”

Is your child’s school truly focused on giving students real skills?

Spending Time

Spending Time versus Spending Money On Thursday evening our students hosted a ‘Student Spectacular’ that was designed to… Continue reading Spending Time

An Excellent Exoskeleton of a Circle

The mainstream is a myth that those in power create to relegate, to adjudicate, and to ensure that the social power structures of society prevail. In complying with this system we miss so much possibility, we squash far too many dreams, and we lose too much of what could be.

Traditional Values; Modern Approaches; Excellent Outcomes

Despite rapidly becoming known for academic excellence in this community ‘grade levels’ don’t tell the story of our outcomes

The New Ontario Grade 9 Math Curriculum: Error in Design or Dismantling Excellence

The New Ontario Grade 9 Math Curriculum is change – but is it a change for the better?

When You Get it Right

This is what we do at Headwaters Academy that allows us to bring children to this community who make a difference in the lives of the adults they touch.

Schools are for the Education of Children

“Schools are for the education of children.” It seems so obvious, but it is almost always forgotten.

Success through Failure

The Everlasting Value of the Skating Rink that Wasn’t

The Jays of ’92

Some small moments inside Headwaters Academy

Hiding in Plain Sight

What really matters cannot be measured.

“We Took Down the Fences”

We took down the property fences and made it everyone’s property. Then we took the sticks from the fence and made a house together.

Transformation

What learning looks like at Headwaters Academy.

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A Fork in the Road? Have we Finally Seen the True Value of Mass Schooling?

“I think most schools and teachers do a great job of diluting children until they become a lesser version of their true self.” – Kevin Johnston, father of an inspired 10 year old

Deeper Thoughts on Education Amidst COVID-19 (and the Headwaters Response)

A Principal’s Reflection on the Joy of Learning

“We’re entering a revolution of ideas while producing a generation that wants instructions instead.” – Seth Godin, #stopstealingdreams Dear… Continue reading A Principal’s Reflection on the Joy of Learning

Excellence – Again & Again

Headwaters Academy is extremely proud to announce three results from this morning’s Georgian Bay Coyotes meet. 1st Place – Rae… Continue reading Excellence – Again & Again

How Children Learn at Headwaters Academy – a Vignette

Dear Parents, One of the ongoing challenges of our wonderful school has been finding a way to communicate the learning… Continue reading How Children Learn at Headwaters Academy – a Vignette

The System is Failing Our Kids

For as long as I remember I have wanted to open a new school, one founded on the premises that:… Continue reading The System is Failing Our Kids

While We Were Sleeping

I’ve always been drawn to music with a strong piano component, be it Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”, Elton John’s anything,… Continue reading While We Were Sleeping

The Chinese Bamboo Tree and the Culver Military Academy

This evening I was reminded by Les Brown (video here) of both the Chinese Bamboo Tree and an experience I… Continue reading The Chinese Bamboo Tree and the Culver Military Academy

Cooper Pitches to Hawk’s Nest

Last evening Cooper pitched his ‘Coop’s Coops’ business to the SEDC’s Hawk’s Nest Dragon’s Den inspired business event. Cooper appeared… Continue reading Cooper Pitches to Hawk’s Nest

Headwaters Academy Featured in ‘Pathways’, the Journal of Outdoor Educators of Ontario

Headwaters Academy is featured in the Winter Edition of Pathways, the Journal of the Outdoor Educators of Ontario. The Winter… Continue reading Headwaters Academy Featured in ‘Pathways’, the Journal of Outdoor Educators of Ontario

Headwaters Academy – Learning at its Finest – This is How Children Learn

With photos from Miller’s Dairy and the Mad and Noisy Gallery (March 8th, 2018). Copyright – Sarah Tacoma Photography

Headwaters Academy Welcomes Rich Fletcher to the Board

“I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.” Rich Fletcher moved to… Continue reading Headwaters Academy Welcomes Rich Fletcher to the Board

Academic Exhibition – December 13th, 2017

Dear Community Members, On behalf of all of our students and staff I would like to invite you to… Continue reading Academic Exhibition – December 13th, 2017

Super Saturday Details Announced

The details of Super Saturday events at Headwaters Academy have been announced. https://headwatersacademy.ca/super-saturdays/

The Headwaters Academy Advantage – Six Weeks In

“My son used to be the one crying because he didn’t want to go to school. Now he is upset… Continue reading The Headwaters Academy Advantage – Six Weeks In

Early Testimonials

Headwaters Academy has enjoyed its first two full weeks of learning. Here is a sample of what our parents and… Continue reading Early Testimonials

Volunteer Gallery – May 13, 2017

These were our incredible volunteers working at Headwaters to finish our building and start our outdoor landscaping on sunny May… Continue reading Volunteer Gallery – May 13, 2017

Shannon Foley, Founder of Red-Tailed Hawk Forest School – Joins Headwaters Advisory Team

Headwaters Academy is pleased to announce that Shannon Foley has accepted a position on the Headwaters Academy Advisory Team. … Continue reading Shannon Foley, Founder of Red-Tailed Hawk Forest School – Joins Headwaters Advisory Team

Hidden Ability

In two weeks my Grade 5 students here in Bermuda will host the 8th Annual What Matters Conference. This is… Continue reading Hidden Ability

Trailblazer Thursdays at Headwaters Academy

Headwaters Academy’s website has had, from its inception, a main landing page with the quote “learning cannot be constrained by four… Continue reading Trailblazer Thursdays at Headwaters Academy

Sustainable School Finance

Sustainable School Finance – A Post by Principal Brown How money is spent in schools is an important topic.… Continue reading Sustainable School Finance

A School Built for Learning

As I (Headwaters Principal Mark Brown) prepare to leave Bermuda word is leaking out that I’m moving on to open… Continue reading A School Built for Learning

Purposeful Outdoor Education

Headwaters Academy is located on 110 acres of shared outdoor space with the Elephant Thoughts Experiential Education Centre, formerly… Continue reading Purposeful Outdoor Education

Headwaters Academy to Officially Open September 5th, 2017

Headwaters Academy to Officially Open September 5th, 2017 On behalf of the entire Headwaters Academy team I would like… Continue reading Headwaters Academy to Officially Open September 5th, 2017

Changing the Concept of a Due Date

Traditional teaching practice in regards to project due dates is as follows: 1) Set the assignment due date. 2) Have… Continue reading Changing the Concept of a Due Date

Why Class Sizes in Ontario are Simply Too Large

Imagine that you wanted to be sure to spend just 15 minutes connecting with every student in your class. If you… Continue reading Why Class Sizes in Ontario are Simply Too Large

The Things I Do Not Know

I am, in the modern meaning of the word, highly educated. I am among the slightly less than 1 in 10 Canadians… Continue reading The Things I Do Not Know

Tour Weekend March 4th and 5th

Headwaters Academy will be open for tours on Saturday, March 4th and Sunday, March 5th. Tours can be booked via… Continue reading Tour Weekend March 4th and 5th

The Best That School Can Be

“The ideas… are extremely simple and should be obvious. The difficulty lies not in the new ideas, but in escaping… Continue reading The Best That School Can Be

Unplugging the Children

“There will be no electronics on this trip.” “What about cell phones?” “No.” “What about earbuds for… Continue reading Unplugging the Children

Making the Ontario Curriculum Work for Learners

“Headwaters Academy students will meet or exceed all expectations of the Ontario curriculum.” This has long been our promise… Continue reading Making the Ontario Curriculum Work for Learners

Teachers: Listen to Obama

Dear Teaching Colleagues, There was a warning in Obama’s farewell address that I hope we all heed – not just for… Continue reading Teachers: Listen to Obama

Red Tailed Hawk Forest School – A Visit

Principal Brown had the chance to tour Red Tail Hawk Forest School today. He has written the following post to… Continue reading Red Tailed Hawk Forest School – A Visit

On Success and Failure

Backstory: I am writing this reflection after finding it difficult to convince my students to help one another learn. I… Continue reading On Success and Failure

The Science of Fun at Kimbercote Farm – February 12th

Headwaters Academy is pleased to partner with Elephant Thoughts in presenting the Science of Fun at Kimbercote Farm on February… Continue reading The Science of Fun at Kimbercote Farm – February 12th

Early Application Discount Ends November 30th

Our website is being updated today as our early application discount ends on November 30th. This discount is a $500… Continue reading Early Application Discount Ends November 30th

The Importance of Entrepreneurship in Schools

My first full time job as a teacher was at the Sterling Hall School of Toronto. Sterling Hall (SHS) is… Continue reading The Importance of Entrepreneurship in Schools

On Backwards Learning & Pizza Dough

I am writing this blog post after returning from making pizza dough with fourth grade students. I am forever… Continue reading On Backwards Learning & Pizza Dough

October Open House Gallery

Click here for our October Open House Gallery. https://headwatersacademy.ca/october-open-house-gallery/ ‎

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Letter of Endorsement from Elephant Thoughts Educational Outreach Director

Headwaters Academy shares 110 acres of escarpment lands bounded by the Bruce Trail and overlooking Georgian Bay. This partnership started… Continue reading Letter of Endorsement from Elephant Thoughts Educational Outreach Director

Headwaters Academy Launches Living Report Card

Headwaters Academy has launched a sample version of their living report card that the public can view online. Principal… Continue reading Headwaters Academy Launches Living Report Card

A Sneak Preview Inside Headwaters Academy

Headwaters Academy is situated on 110 acres of shared forest, fields, & streams with the Elephant Thoughts Experiential Education Centre.… Continue reading A Sneak Preview Inside Headwaters Academy

Headwaters Academy To Launch Proprietary Dreamstarter App

When we speak of entrepreneurship at Headwaters Academy, both economic and social, we are very serious. John Wilson, our Advisory… Continue reading Headwaters Academy To Launch Proprietary Dreamstarter App

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Headwaters Academy Welcome Video

Watch our new welcome video here.

Welcome

Headwaters Academy Announces Community Scholarships

Headwaters Academy is committed to our local community. As part of this commitment we are pleased to announce that two full… Continue reading Headwaters Academy Announces Community Scholarships

Capital Upgrades to Begin at Headwaters Academy

Headwaters Academy will begin capital improvements to its school building at the Elephant Thoughts Experiential Education Centre in early July.… Continue reading Capital Upgrades to Begin at Headwaters Academy

Junior and Senior Kindergarten Registrations to Be Accepted

Headwaters Academy has announced that junior kindergarten and senior kindergarten student applications are being accepted for September 2017. The Kinder Stream… Continue reading Junior and Senior Kindergarten Registrations to Be Accepted

Headwaters Academy Launches for September 2017

Headwaters Academy, a JK-8 independent school located at the former Kimbercote Farm property, announced today that it will accept its… Continue reading Headwaters Academy Launches for September 2017