As Clairbourn middle school students pack for their three-day trip to the Pali Mountain Institute, parents often experience a range of emotions over their children heading off to a sleepaway camp. A lot of parents feel sad that their children are growing up and may be needing them less. Intellectually, they know that school overnight trips are good for their children because they teach them to overcome challenges, learn problem-solving strategies, develop leadership and collaboration skills, and strengthen relationships with other classmates. Consequently, parents find the strength to override the emotional tug to keep their children close to home and instead allow their children to participate in these key activities designed to “Create Scholars and Leaders with Heart.”
Middle school students head to the bus with their luggage to begin their three-day mountain adventure.
You are not alone! You have a parenting partner in Clairbourn School designed to support the parent’s journey as well as the student’s journey.
From left: Aaron C., Aidan S., Kennedy K., Samantha F., and Isabel C.
Clairbourn students excel at public speaking. It is therefore very natural for every member of the graduating 8th grade class to write a remembrance speech when the school year comes to a close. This speech is designed to provide students with the opportunity to reflect on their journey at Clairbourn—specifically to write about their personal growth, the challenges they overcame, meaningful opportunities, and their appreciation for inspiring teachers. While every student writes a speech, only 10 students (about 1/3 of the class) is asked to give a public presentation of their speech at the Morning Assembly, the Awards Assembly, or the final Graduation event. Here are excerpts from five of the speeches given at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.
“I have been at Clairbourn for 8 years. My Clairbourn experience has been much more than a journey through education, it has actually been like a basketball game. Kevin Durant says, “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.” Sometimes, I faced people or challenges bigger than me. Other times, I missed many shots that discouraged me. However, at the end of the day, it is not the score that really counts. It is how I persevered and worked hard towards my goals that really counts because it showed me how to work hard and walk the road in order to succeed.” – Aaron C.
[At Clairbourn I learned that] “…staying present helps us to not dwell on the past or overthink the future, which allows us to enjoy our current experience… We don’t want to miss the good right in front of us. I urge everyone to remind ourselves to always be present.” – Aidan S.
Isabel C. speaks at the Awards Assembly
“In my time here, opportunity has knocked on my door many times… through these opportunities,I have figured out who I am.” -Kennedy K.
“I want to say thank you to the Clairbourn community for shaping me into the person I am today, giving me the encouragement I needed through thick and thin, and ultimately teaching me that failure is not fatal.” – Samantha F.
“I have learned so much from the entire Clairbourn community— everything from algebra, to crafting a thesis, to self-worth and emotional vulnerability.” – Isabel C.
Aaron C. Remembrance Speech video available here. Aidan S. Remembrance Speech video available here. Kennedy K. Remembrance Speech video available here. Samantha F. Remembrance Speech video available here. Isabel C. Remembrance Speech video available here.
Clairbourn School Provides Private School Education for Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary School, and Middle School Grades | Serving Families in the Pasadena, California, Area and Surrounding Cities (K-12 Private Schools) | Clairbourn is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Click here to request information.
