Weekly Message from Head of School 2025/06/16-2025/06/20

Dear Keystonians, 

Thursday night, after study hour and before check-in, marked the end of the House Cups for the 2024-2025 school year. Led by the Sports Council, House Cups are exciting events in the secondary school where team members from the five different houses compete in intramural sporting events. This week featured the handball tournament, and Thursday night brought us a heated final match between the House of Metal and the House of Wood! Wood, the defending champion from the 2023-2024 school year, earned its spot in the finals after a tightly contested semifinal match against a strong House of Fire on Wednesday night. 

But Thursday was Metal’s night! After a high-scoring, tightly contested match—filled with extraordinary assists, bold defensive plays, and great teamwork on both sides—Metal emerged victorious! The “big gym” was full of energy, and the fans had as much fun as the players (speaking for myself, anyway!). 

It’s hard to measure or pinpoint exactly what defines a school’s culture. You can look at the website or WeChat articles, but they can’t fully capture it. The culture—or “feeling”—of an organization is a blend of the experiences we have and the stories we tell (and don’t tell) about them. And there are as many stories as there are people. But occasionally, there are moments that feel like they are the story. 

As I looked around the gym, I saw students and colleagues who I know are struggling with something big. Yet, I was delighted by the smiles on their faces, knowing there had been other moments in the day or week that were difficult or sad. I looked around and saw all of us—teachers with their young children, students, administrators—all living this life here together. It was magical and touching. Life’s highs are high because we know what the lows are. We have to experience the full range to feel the kind of joy we all shared last night. 

And while I extend a hearty congratulations to Metal, I can’t help but give one last…

GO WOOD!

Love,

Emily