Written by Ryan Gill, Head of High School

As we journey further into the academic year, I have been reflecting on what truly distinguishes a thriving educational environment. Beyond excellent teaching and a rigorous approach to our academics, what sets a school apart is its culture, specifically, a culture of thinking, learning and curiosity.

At Moriah College, our commitment to excellence extends well beyond academic achievement. Our goal is to nurture lifelong learners, developing learners who are not only capable of answering questions, they are also driven to ask them. This pursuit of understanding, discovery and reflection is the heart of a culture of thinking.

In our classrooms, our goal is to foster learning environments where students are encouraged to wonder, to question, to grapple with complexity and to engage in deep thinking. Our teachers model intellectual curiosity by posing open-ended questions, guiding rich discussions and providing meaningful feedback that stretches students’ thinking. Whether analysing literature, solving a mathematical problem, or exploring ethical dilemmas, our students are being challenged to understand, not just to remember.

We are, of course, focused on ensuring that our students are well prepared for the tests and examinations that mark academic progress. These are important milestones, and we take them seriously. However, our vision extends further: we are just as committed to preparing our students for all the tests they will face in life, including the moral, emotional and interpersonal challenges that require resilience, empathy, creativity and sound judgment.

And this work cannot be done in schools alone.

A culture of thinking must be part of the fabric of school life and indeed, home life as well. Families play a vital role in encouraging curiosity. When parents take the time to ask thoughtful questions around the Shabbat table, explore big ideas with their children, or even admit, “I don’t know, let’s find out together,” they are reinforcing the message that learning is an ongoing, shared journey.

Developing this mindset means shifting away from seeing learning as something transactional and instead viewing it as transformational. It means embracing mistakes as opportunities, valuing the process as much as the outcome and remaining open to new ideas. In our rapidly changing world, these are not just academic ideals, they are essential life skills.

I encourage every student, parent, and teacher to continue cultivating this culture of curiosity in the months ahead. Let’s ask more questions, listen more deeply and keep the spark of learning alive in every corner of our community.