On May 28th, Hawthorn was happy to welcome Katrina Alvir, Director of REAL: Science of Character Program, from Tangara School For Girls in Sydney, Australia. REAL stands for Real Excellence and Attitude for Life. As the creator of REAL in 2016, Miss Alvir has already brought the character education program to three high schools in Australia and North America, promoting an engaging and compelling case for young people to live a life of virtue, grow in character strength, improve their well-being, and ultimately live happier and more balanced lives.
Miss Alvir believes that character education is essential for students to excel and reach their personal best in all areas of their lives: “Excellent students need a strong character and likewise strong characters are forged through effort in academic endeavours, creativity, sports, social life and service to the community.”
With an approach of positive psychology highlighting students’ greatest strengths, REAL will work holistically together with Hawthorn’s existing mentoring program, guest speaker series, and our educational philosophy that parents are their daughters’ first and most important educators.
Character strengths have always been purposefully woven throughout Hawthorn’s curriculum; with REAL, we are thrilled to provide a solid framework of reference for all faculty and students in their personal development of strong minds, strong spirits and will, strong connections, and strong hearts.
Through engaging, meaningful, and practical workshops, journaling, and discussions, we will continue to lead girls towards discovering the truth in Aristotle’s timeless conviction: ‘Happiness is the reward of virtue.’
Miss Alvir left us with this encouragement in our pursuit of excellent character development: ‘In a culture that pressures girls to live focused on the outside, REAL is a time to remind them of the inside and the beauty and inspiration they can find there.’
We are greatly looking forward to implementing REAL throughout Hawthorn’s Upper School (Grades 8 to 12) beginning in Fall 2024.