In The News

The stoic in us all

A critical skill for our 21st century world is resilience – the ability to get up again when life has knocked us down. Can resilience be learned? Is resilience something we either possess or do not possess in our DNA?

Philosophers and thinkers called Stoics have wrestled with similar questions for over 2000 years. The Stoics believed that resilience could be learned—and lived—but it required applying disciplined principles to every thought and every action.
Over the past week, over 90 Grade 9 students were interviewed by Stowe School staff members Mr Pete Last, and Ms Philippa Gleave for a chance to become "Stoics" in a more modern context: students at the Stowe School in the UK. The Stowe Scholars programme began through the generosity of former Stoic Sir Richard Branson and other donors. To date, 50 DCS learners have had the opportunity to attend Stowe School for one academic year. They return with new insight into the world, education, and the home they left behind.
The top ten candidates have written Stowe entrance exams, and the 2012 Scholars will be announced in April. Mr Last and Ms Gleave commented that the selection process was incredibly difficult, and encouraged learners who were not chosen to consider the stoic perspective: accept your fate and embrace the present opportunities with all your heart.