Introducing our new Shopclass
Friends,
A holistic education gives students experiences that come from the satisfaction of work done well. As St. John Paul II wrote, “work is a good thing for man – a good thing for his humanity – because through work man not only transforms nature . . . but he also achieves fulfillment as a human being.” (Laborem Exercens, 9.) Education, after all, “is of the hand as well as of the head and heart,” as Pulitzer Prize winner Mark van Doren once said. Offering our students fulfillment and opportunity is one of core strengths.
To help achieve this goal, this year we have introduced a new Shopclass course. The course, taken this inaugural year by all of our students, is divided into three portions: Cooking, Woodworking, and Sewing. Taught by a professional chef, handyman, and two local artisans, respectively, the course imparts skills, fosters creativity, and cultivates focus – all of which complement the academic and spiritual formation at the heart of our school.
This winter, students in woodworking will be building the workbenches upon which they and future students will create projects that are both useful and aesthetically satisfying. Students will use basic tools to work, shape, and join wood together to make something beautiful and functional.
At Cardinal Newman Academy, we’re serious about forming well rounded young men and women. For that reason, our curriculum imparts a tremendous breadth of knowledge and experience across disciplines. We are grateful to these professionals for teaching our students and enriching our program.
Pax Christi,
