Gryphon Pin
Learning to live well, with others and for others, in a just community is the Meadowridge Mission, and it's our way of life. Students are encouraged to not only succeed academically, but to enrich their lives through experience, challenge, and service.
For over 15 years, the Gryphon Pin has been awarded to students in Grades 6 through 12 who achieve academically, serve the community, and find passion in co-curriculars and athletics. While the Gryphon Pin is voluntary, it is more common than not, that all students achieve their Pin. Students wear their Pins with pride, and are enthusiastic to achieve the entire Gryphon Pin suite: Bronze in Grades 6 and 7, Silver in Grades 8 to 10, and Gold in Grades 11 and 12, and a possible Platinum in Grade 12.
If a student achieves their Gryphon Pin Award 5 times in the seven years of the MYP/DP programme, they are recognized by achieving the Platinum Pin. This Pin is awarded when the student graduates and it is presented to them at Convocation. To achieve this standard of recognition, a student has truly lived through the mission of the school and consistently lived well, with others and for others, in a just community.
The Gryphon Pin program was created as a way to recognize well-rounded students in the Meadowridge community - those that commit themselves to their studies, as well as athletics or clubs, and also give back to their communities through service.
Ask our Post-Secondary Counsellors
How does the Gryphon Pin impact our graduates and their university applications?
Gryphon Pin, Duke of Edingburgh, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). These kids are more than well-rounded, they’re spherical.
Alan Graveson, Post-Secondary Counsellor
Selective Universities are increasingly basing admissions decisions on a holistic review of applicants. They seek to admit students who are not only academically capable of success, but also get involved in and contribute to the university community. To compare favourably to others in this regard, students must maintain extracurricular interests that are well-rounded and allow them to demonstrate that they have sought out and conquered personal challenge.
Through completion of the Gryphon Pin, Grade 11 and 12 students are recognized for their commitment to community service, the pursuit of physical health, and the acquisition of new skills as well as their academic achievements.
Cathy White, Post-Secondary Counsellor
Gryphon Pin Requirements
There are rigorous standards that need to be met for a student to achieve a Gryphon Pin. This does not deter the majority of our students form achieving one each year from Grade 6 to Grade 12.
The Gryphon Pin is more than a pin, it resembles the mission and beliefs of the school and we feel it truly captures our students and their commitment to making a positive difference to the world.
The School-based Co-curricular requirements reflect the students’ choices within the CAS offerings during the school year. To achieve the award the students need to ensure their club sign-ups are balanced and include: Creativity, Activity and Service.
Service is the only section for the Gryphon Pin that can be completed outside of the school. This allows our students to explore more options in order to better impact our surrounding community.