Magical Memory Charms
Imagine walking into school and seeing banners of the Slytherin House, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff flying high from the ceiling. You hear the magical and hypnotic sound of the Harry Potter theme play in the distance and as you arrive to your Quest discussion you are told that you have magic inside you and a chance to train as a wizard. Later, the sorting hat is placed upon your head and with tickles and grumbles the hat finally announces your placement in a House that best fits your personality and future. You beam with joy to begin your magical adventure! This is the memory of every Discovery and Adventure learner on the first day of this session’s Quest.
At Acton, we revel in the magic of play because play is what generates creativity, fuels artistic output, and cements lasting memories of learning and love. How do we play? Well, often it starts with setting the scene, casting a story, and most of all assuming a character. For this session’s Creative Magic Hogwarts theme, Guides created wizard backstories of Professor Spellweaver, Professor Evermore, and Professor Aurialis and dressed in velvet robes and black hats. Learners selected their wizard names and naturally a handful of wizards assumed a persona and many even practiced their British accents!
While wizards explored and magically trained as budding Sirens (musicians), Enchanters (visual artists), and Metamorphmagi (actors) they also were invited to practice their wand skills and learn a memory charm. This memory charm’s purpose was to reflect and honor each wizards time at Acton with their lessons learned, joy, and journey. Not only was the rainbow chain beautiful but it evoked a magical range of emotions. Here a few magical gems…
It was special when I moved up to the Discovery Studio.
I’ll remember winning the capture the flag game with my team.
The first day I came to Acton.
I learned you need patience to learn.
A memory for me was making my first loaf of bread here.
When I got my first badge!
When I learned and could play my first piano song.
This January our school will transition to two buildings and begin creating memories in a new school home. Today we celebrated the newness of our Acton campus during our joyous ribbon cutting and this afternoon all learners delighted as a family of owls under one roof for the last time. Perhaps the memories of today will be added to a future rainbow memory chain charm!
As my wand reflects and casts my memory charm I’d like to share three memories that will forever mark my Acton journey. 1. I will always remember the first day in December 2020 at our current school and how the faces of learners glowed with wonder and amazement that this was their space. Their tears of joy will always evoke mine. 2. During our Survival Quest families camped out on the Acton field and we shared a fire, sweets, the stars, and the thrill of surviving together. 3. The smell of scones during camp and a learner sharing “It smells like happiness!”
Memories are magical because they have the ability to transport us back in time and influence our present and future. What memories do you have of Acton? Which memories do you revel to remember and which memories do you hope to make this next calendar year? During our long winter break I invite you to share these memories with your family and continue the journey of making magical memory moments!