This year, I was pleased to accept a new role within the Crescent Centre for Boys Education (CCBE) as a Research Associate. In this capacity, one of my responsibilities includes encouraging faculty to engage in research initiatives and fostering a culture of professional dialogue and inquiry across the school.

The conversation around gender and identity continues to evolve, prompting reflection on how these topics relate to educational environments, particularly in boys’ schools. A recent article on gender and masculinity raises important questions about how young men understand and express what it means to “be a man” in today’s world.

Crescent School understands that a sense of belonging is foundational to boys’ academic success. Research consistently shows that when students feel connected to their peers and school community, their engagement and achievement flourish. But building a space where all boys feel valued and included isn’t always straightforward.

As I begin teaching each day, I find joy in observing the interconnectedness of modern and classical architecture at Crescent School. The Manor House, showcasing Beaux-Arts style with smooth-cut limestone and a blend of English and French Renaissance elements, welcomes students daily.

Have you ever thought about how that morning bowl of cereal or sugary snack might be shaping your brain? We often focus on what food does for our bodies, but what about its impact on learning, focus, and behaviour? Can diet be a hidden factor behind struggling to pay attention and mood swings in the classroom? Science says yes.

How can we help our students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally in an increasingly demanding school environment? Crescent students have countless opportunities to engage in our Character-in-Action programs (athletics, the arts, business, robotics, and outreach initiatives) and other teams and clubs. Academically, students navigate a rigorous schedule structured in 80-minute class periods, complemented by Home Form/Mentor Group and community time. While these opportunities foster growth and discovery, they also present the challenge of balance. How do we, as educators, manage their commitments while supporting their mental health?

Many of us may fondly recall the joys of running out of the house, with a parent yelling, “Make sure you’re home when the street lights come on!” Days were spent with friends, with not an adult in sight, playing, creating, and exploring together.

It’s 6:30 am and your alarm goes off. You hit the snooze button in the hope that another 15 minutes of sleep will be your saviour and snap you out of your exhausted state. Does this sound familiar? In a busy world where there never seem to be enough hours in the day, we often choose sleep, or more specifically skimping on sleep, as our silver bullet to do more. Why is sleep so important that we spend close to a third of our lives in this state?