Revision 5400: Principal's Letter December 19 · Aitchison Collection Explorer

December 19, 2020 Principal's Letter December 19 I am extremely proud of our two boys who gained early admissions to Harvard University. In a most recent Harvard article the following excerpt explains how exceptional this achievement was. "Harvard College’s early action acceptance rate decreased to 7.4 percent as the number of total applicants hit a record high, marking the most competitive early admissions cycle in Harvard history.The College invited 747 of 10,086 early applicants to join its Class of 2025 Thursday at 7 p.m. Last year, the College accepted 895 of 6,424 applicants. The number of applicants increased by 57 percent from last year, while the College admitted 148 fewer students." There will be many other boys who will also secure outstanding admissions as the year progresses, including the latest early admission to Cornell. From this, Aitchison should be recognised for its teaching and university guidance qualities, as well as the fact that these three boys engaged fully in school life, sharpening their all-round talents beyond academics. Grades are never enough! The great value of schools offering a genuinely broad curriculum lies in the development of the individual in the non-scholastic curriculum. This is so easily overlooked, yet so crucial in the formation of a balanced person. Confidence, curiosity, resilience, leadership, self-discipline, teamwork, and empathy are the qualities Aitchison breeds through the simple act of 'getting involved' or 'being there.' Any boy who regards school as merely an extension of an examination centre denies himself such possibilities. I add to this the lifelong gift that comes from a school of many friendships and support groups including our 'Old Boys', and from among a student body of many different talents across the length and breadth of Pakistan. While there will be cause to celebrate further excellent admissions news from home and abroad, as a school we look to producing boys of character and hope. Warm wishes, Michael Thomson M.A., Dip. Ed., M.A.C.E Principal

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