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In the Spotlight

11/16/2018

1 Comment

 
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​Last weekend was a really special weekend at North Cross School as we brought home Coach Brown’s third state soccer championship, saw football reverse an early season defeat to triumph in the semi-finals of the state football playoffs, Harry Pearson ’19 earned All-State honors for the fourth time in a row at the State Cross Country meet, and our lower school performance of Junie B. Jones Jr. (don’t forget the middle initial!) garnered rave reviews and sold-out crowds.
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It brought to mind something one of my headmasters told me when I was teaching at Severn School. Shep Shepherd always said that athletics and the arts were similar in that they are both public in nature and invite criticism—whether accurate or not. This spotlight has become even brighter in this era of social media. 

​For a school, this means that we need to be sure we are always well coached or directed, practiced, and as professional as we can be in our amateur endeavors.  The public sees us and regardless of the outcome, they make judgements as to the quality of our school.  Put another way, there is no better advertising than a fabulous performance or a well fought athletic contest.

 
On an individual note, I am always so impressed with the easy way our students are willing to perform in public.  Our lower school students were so at ease in front of a packed house and demonstrated a maturity well beyond their years.  Our athletes placed their faith in their practice and coaching and played the best they have all season, when it counted most.  Stars were stars but we won both games because all of our student-athletes played at a high level.  Following Harry Pearson were a number of runners with personal bests.
 
When we think about what to be thankful for, I am going to think about being a part of a community that encourages our children to take risks, to try things that they may not have tried in less safe space, and for a culture that enjoys the public nature of sports and the arts. 
 
Here’s to many more great weekends at North Cross. Happy Thanksgiving.

1 Comment
Sallie Lake
11/24/2018 01:41:16 pm

Well said

Reply



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    Christian J. Proctor, PhD

    Dr. Proctor is the ninth Head of School at North Cross and has served as such since 2011. He has more than 30 years of experience in education. He has served as headmaster at Porter-Gaud School in Charleston, South Carolina, St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Metairie, Louisiana, Grace Episcopal School in Monroe, Louisiana, and as Interim Headmaster at Wesley Academy in Houston, Texas. In each location, Dr. Proctor’s tenure was marked by creativity, innovation, and school growth. 

    Dr. Proctor earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Geology from Colgate University, a Master’s Degree in Geology from Duke University, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A native of Chapel Hill, NC, Dr. Proctor and his wife, Ellie, have two children, Katherine and Andrew ’14.

    He can be reached at cproctor@northcross.org.

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North Cross School is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory day school founded in 1944 and governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees.

North Cross School, 4254 Colonial Ave., Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 989-6641 • (866) 294-6284 • (540) 989-7299 (FAX)

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North Cross is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. North Cross School's Junior Kindergarten is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools who is recognized by the Board of Education pursuant to §22.1-19 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the Virginia Council for Private Education to accredit private nursery, preschool, elementary and secondary schools in Virginia
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North Cross is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, National Association for College Admission Counseling, and Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling, The Cum Laude Society and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
  • Academic Overview
    • Early Childhood Program
    • First through Third Grades
    • Fourth and Fifth Grades
    • Sixth through Eighth Grades
    • Ninth through Twelfth Grades
    • CrossWalk for Learning Differences
  • STUDENT EXPERIENCE
    • The Arts
    • Athletics
    • Boarding at North Cross
    • Building Character
    • Hancock Library
    • International Students
    • Internship Program
    • Summer Programs
  • Admissions
    • Inquire & Tour
    • How to Apply
    • Tuition and Fees
  • Community
    • Login to onCampus
    • Head of School's Blog
    • Volunteering
    • Alumni >
      • Alumni News
    • Spirit Stores >
      • Apparel
      • Gifts & Accessories
      • RaiderGear Athletic Wear
  • Give to North Cross
    • Winter Gala & Auction
  • NOW@NORTHCROSS