

Hope and the Teachable Student
Let’s begin with a familiar image of the Christian life: the image of a journey, or more specifically, a pilgrimage. It’s an image used frequently and carelessly enough to suffer the indignity of becoming a bit clichéd. But for ancient and medieval Christians, the picture of a pilgrim on the road was not merely an inspirational depiction of all that happens to us between birth and death as journey, or a pleasing narrative pattern imagining our path towards the Heavenly City.


Address to our Graduates 2025
My address today will be somewhat unconventional, and possibly a bit risky, since you, the students, will be involved. I trust your teachers and parents have prepared you adequately. And I have already informed the graduates that they would be involved somehow in this, too. So we will start with them. Graduates, please come to the front area here. I’m guessing you have all made the trek to IKEA over a lunch break? Good. What is the best thing to do or purchase at IKEA? (vario


What I Love about Classical Education
In 2016, seeking alternatives to fragmented and misleading national education, I discovered Classical Christian pedagogy and was amazed by its Logos-centric philosophy. Three aspects captivated me: the trivium, scholé , and holistic development. Dorothy Sayers' vision of trivium resonated deeply, aligning grammar, logic, and rhetoric with children's natural developmental stages. I saw these tools working for my own children. Dr. Christopher Perrin's revival of scholé  emphasi


Creating a Culture of Attention: Why St. Timothy’s Matters
Adapted from a talk given to our parents by Todd Anderson I want to explore the nature of attention in this digital age we find ourselves...


Why a Christian Classical School here in Ottawa?
Nicola and I were so pleased to attend the 20th anniversary celebration for St. Timothy’s. At the event, I provided some comments about...


Humble Wisdom, Beauty, and Virtue: Address to the 2024 Graduates
If I may address myself to the graduates in particular: I understand from Dr. Klaassen that you are a tight-knit group and that you enjoy...


Cultivating Imagination, Stories and Childlikeness
Last Spring I was making coffee in my kitchen for a group of teachers and moms, when suddenly some rhythmic chanting arose in the air


Why I continued in Christian, Classical Education
I love learning. There is rarely a time I don't have a Wikipedia article open, waiting to be read. Over this past week, I learned about...


Creativity as a Birthright
Why do the arts matter? This question may come to mind when we hear about education budget cuts and view artwork in the National Art...


The Formation of Affections through Education
Tonight, I hope to bring together two great Christian thinkers for you, an Englishman and a Canadian: C.S. Lewis and James K.A. Smith....
























































































