“Thank you for coming to my presentation of learning. I am the expert on my own learning. I am also responsible and accountable for my own learning. You can expect me to give an honest evaluation of my progress. We will discuss my strengths and opportunities for growth. Thank you in advance for listening and for offering feedback that I can use to improve as a learner.”

“You don’t learn from experience; you learn from reflecting on experience.” – John Dewey

Grade 11. Often called the most important year of high school, for good reason. It’s the year where everything starts to feel real. University, careers, and the path beyond graduation. For me, it was a year of growth, risk-taking, and stepping outside my comfort zone.

During my mPOL, I reflected on how much I had already accomplished and how much more I wanted to do. I spoke about the importance of my study group, my balance, and my desire to push myself without burning out. Looking back now at my tPOL, I can say that I’ve grown not just academically, but personally as well.

One key area of growth this year has been understanding the pressure I put on myself. I have high standards, and I’m proud of that, but sometimes it turns into a fear that my work isn’t good enough. I constantly compare myself to my peers, not out of insecurity, but out of a drive to always be the best in the room. That pressure, while motivating, can also make it hard to be satisfied with what I’ve done even when I’ve done a great job.

Over time, I’ve realized that perfection isn’t the goal, progress is. Learning when to say this is enough is just as important as pushing for more. I’ve learned to let go, to appreciate the effort I put in, and to understand that nothing I do will ever be perfect, but it can still be great.

So how does this all tie into my VMV my Vision, Mission, and Values?

I’ve come to understand that self-awareness is the foundation for helping others. If I don’t understand my own habits, strengths, and areas for growth, I can’t effectively support or lead anyone else. This year has helped me mature in that way.

• I’ve engaged deeply with my tPOL and opened up about my weaknesses.

• I’ve communicated honestly about areas where I want to grow.

• I’ve taken ownership of my journey and the mindset I bring to learning.

So why do I feel ready for the next year?

Because this year was real. It wasn’t just about getting grades or submitting assignments. It was about growing as a person, maturing, understanding myself, and learning how to build confidence in my own work. That’s something I’ll carry forward into Grade 12, into post-secondary, and beyond as well as in my football.

Thank you for listening. Helping others and being helped by others has had a huge impact on my year. If there’s one strategy I’d recommend to anyone, it’s that: build with others, not alone. That mindset has helped me stay consistent and push out work that I can be proud of, from start to finish.

Thanks Cameron BR