SLS Now Archive
Low Tide Day
Ninety Grade 8 and 9 students eagerly participated in the 10th annual "Low Tide Day" in Cowichan Bay. Low Tide Day is an international event with communities around the world celebrating the same low tide on the same day. We gathered at Kil-Pah-Las Beach and worked in teams to clean and pick-up garbage and debris from the shores and estuary. It was real eye-opener for all! Following the hard work and effort, the crews returned to the beach for a well-deserved barbecue and live entertainment. The goal of the day was to celebrate the beauty of the seashore and raise awareness of our inter-tidal environment. "One tide, on one day, around the world…because we all live downstream." Shawnigan Lake students should be proud of their contribution and hard work. Cowichan Bay is looking good!
– Val Donahue, Grade Eight Program (photos by Julianne H.)
On-line Voting for Prefects
It's time to select next year's Prefects. School Prefects are a group of Grade 12 students appointed by the Headmaster (with the recommendation of the school population) who take responsibility for many aspects of School life. Students from grade 11 were invited to submit letters of application for Prefectship to Mr. Robertson and Mrs. Kingstone, and after a list of nominees had been compiled, preferential ballots were cast on-line this week by the student body and the teaching staff. Prefects for the 2009/10 School year will be announced at the end of June.
Textile Arts
Once again we have tie dyed and this time we sewed pajama bottoms and bags. The colours and patterns are fabulous! The girls enjoyed the exploration of this fabulous resist technique.
– Leola Witt-McNie, Textile Arts
(Photos by Leola Witt-McNie)
Enviro Club and Outdoors Trip
Recently, the Outdoors group was accompanied by a small contingent from the Environment Club on an adventure on Portland Island. We were generously given a ride to the island by a Shawnigan Alumnus, Kelly Stevenson '73 (Lake's), as well as a return trip the next day. After our quick exploration of the island, the Outdoors team arrived and the real work began. Our mission was to clear broom along the shores of the island, along paths and walkways that had the ocean hidden by the irritating and over-populated plant. After climbing small cliffs, and walking along numerous rocks along the coast, we had removed so much broom that the piles were towering. After our broom removal, we returned to camp, and enjoyed meals cooked together, and played songs with the accompaniment of some unique instruments.
– Shannon M., Environment Club
Photos by Marisa P.
"Brighton Beach Memoirs"
Standing ovations for "Brighton Beach Memoirs"—the cast of this Shawnigan production seemed perfectly suited to their roles and the energy and intelligence that they brought to this production was tremendous. They played to their appreciative peers, members of our community and, of course, some of our loyal Shawnigan parents. Thanks are due not only to these talented students, but to their supporting crew—Emma V., Jesse S., Doreen Deane (and the Deane Team), Gregg Perry, and their inimitable Director, Morgan McLeod.
Chapel Music
This past Saturday, I had the honour, not only of playing in Chapel, but of performing the 1st movement of Beethoven's Pathétique Sonata, op. 13, no. 2. Beethoven being one of my favourite composers, and Chapel being one of my favourite performance venues, it was, as always, a very positive experience. It was my first time ever performing this particular movement, and my second time performing in Chapel this year.
– Leah C., School Prefect
Hoops 4 Hope
Hoops 4 Hope was founded in 1995 to support youth development throughout South Africa and Zimbabwe. Mr. Pasquale spoke to us in Chapel about his involvement with Hoops 4 Hope and his current fund raising effort. Along with the Sr. Boys basketball team, Mr. Pasquale has sold 400 shirts to students and staff at the School this week, raising awareness and funds for this organization.
Click here to read Mr. Pasquale's Chapel Address.
Graduation Celebration at Whistler
This year's Graduation Banquet and ball at Whistler was a fabulous affair. A stand up reception, enhanced by numerous works of art by our graduating students, was followed by a three-course dinner. While everyone enjoyed their coffee and dessert, Heatherann Macintosh, David Robertson, and Jay Connolly spoke to the class of 2009 and their guests about what it means to be a Shawnigan graduate. Prior to Mr. Lane's powerful slide show retrospective, three talented students performed—Leah C. played "Imagine" by John Lennon and Marisa P. accompanied by Brianna P., sang "Brave" by Idina Menzel & Glen Ballard. Thanks especially to Rosemary Dolman and Margot Allen for organizing this fabulous evening.
Advanced Placement Exams
In the last two weeks, 131 students wrote AP exams in 17 different subject areas—a total of 247 exams! These university level exams, which are administered by the College Board in the US, will represent 100 per cent of the students' final marks, and represent the culmination of a great deal of time and effort by the students and teachers involved. The exams are graded on a scale out of 5, and some students can use their results at university next year to gain credit for first year courses, allowing them to advance into higher level classes.
– Wendy Woollven, Registrar
Fly Tying Fine Art
Recently, Lake Omar was stocked with approximately 200 cutthroat trout, thanks to Mr. Receveaux. After some extensive planning and organizing, the Fly Tying fine art at Shawnigan will use Lake Omar as a fishing source after the Fish and Wildlife Branch of the British Columbia government approved the filling of the lake. There was lots of excitement when the truck carrying these fish finally arrived and when the Fly Tying students carefully released the trout into Lake Omar. Since then, nearly every day, there has been a student out on the docks of Lake Omar casting to see if their new fly works and hopefully get a bite. At Shawnigan, we have a catch and release policy and all hooks must be barb-less to insure the well being of the fish. Some of the bigger fish are about 50cm and weigh about 1.5 to 3 lbs., whereas the smaller ones are 20cm and are expected to grow to 25cm by September of this year. We are all very excited to see this growth process and look forward to catching many fish in the future. On behalf of the Fly Tying class I would like to thank Mr. Receveaux for organizing this and his contributions to the fine art.
– Daine B., Fly Tying
Cowichan Bay Beautification
Our fabulous Grade Eight class spent several hours doing community service last week. They travelled to nearby Cowichan Bay and participated in the Cowichan Bay Beautification Project. With the help of our Grounds Manager, Ed de Melo, and landscape designer, Paul Donahue, students planted hundreds of annuals in boxes that were painted by Shawnigan art students last year. After all the hard work, the Grade Eights treated themselves to the locally famous, "Udder Guy's" ice cream. Cowichan Bay now looks more appealing than ever!
"Brighton Beach Memoirs"
"'Brighton Beach Memoirs' was one of my favourite plays growing up...and it is about precisely that, growing up," says Morgan McLeod who is directing the Drama students in the Neil Simon play that will be on stage at Shawnigan May 21-23. He said it typifies the phrase "a heartwarming comedy" as the plot blends the ups and downs of everyday life with more weighty issues of the late 1930s in Brooklyn, NY. Tickets are $5 and available at the door. Show starts at 7:30pm in the Assembly Hall.
Chapel Music
There was great excitement in Chapel on Thursday morning when a grade 11 student from Lonsdale's House performed. This talented rower has kept his musicianship under wraps and he stunned the congregation with his fabulous rendition of "Against The Grain" by Dallas Green. He explained that the sentiments in the song were, "…just about being happy with who you are and to go with what you believe in, no matter what the circumstances." This was a great way to begin our Half-Term break.
First Place in Hector McIntosh
The School's debating and public speaking students continue to impress audiences, with more awards won this week. Lisa Jane D. won first place in the Duncan Rotary Club's Hector McIntosh Award for public speaking and Grade 12 student, Carina L., earned third prize. Both students had also won an award as Best Delegate at the Model United Nations held in February in Vancouver. The Rotary award was initiated more than 20 years ago by former Shawnigan teacher, Hector McIntosh, whose name remains emblazoned on one of the School's Chapel plates.
BC Hydro Community Champions
Shawnigan Lake School's Environment Club is $1,000 richer after winning a BC Hydro Community Champion Award. "This is for making your school and community a greener place and teaching sustainability and conservation," said Ted Olynyk, Hydro's Community Relations Manager, in a presentation during Headmaster's Assembly on Tuesday. Mr. Noble said the money will go towards the purchase of an electric truck that grounds and maintenance crew can use to get around the school's 300-acre campus. "Getting this award was a wonderful surprise and recognition of our program. And it will certainly help in the fundraising for our truck," Mr. Noble said.
Saying Goodbye
Marion Hall was the setting for a wonderful celebration of food and entertainment as our Thai visitors laid on a fitting conclusion to their 3-week immersion in Canadian culture. Ralph Fraser's band students also contributed richly to the atmosphere of the evening, and their repertoire included several pieces written by the King of Thailand. This annual cultural exchange would not be possible without the support of the many Shawnigan families who generously provide homestays. In return for their warm hospitality they receive the heartfelt appreciation and enduring friendship of these truly delightful and fascinating cultural ambassadors. Seeing such a crowd in Marion Hall was a reminder of just how many Shawnigan lives are touched by the Thais in the time they spend with us.
– Peter Yates, EDGE Leadership
Tim Bowen Roberts
Lessons learned at Shawnigan helped encourage former Deputy Head of School, Tim Bowen-Roberts '99, to undertake a challenge never even considered by most of us: a 6,700 kilometre odyssey that will see him and a friend cross Canada—on a bicycle! For more than eighty days, Tim will brave gusting winds, rising temperatures, and ever-changing terrain (not to mention saddle sores) as he rides from Halifax to Vancouver in an effort to raise money for Ronald McDonald House of BC. The charity, one of twelve of its kind in Canada, provides living arrangements and support for the families of children forced to travel from their homes in order to receive medical treatment. As a volunteer at RMHBC, Tim has seen first-hand the difference the staff and volunteers of the charity can make in the lives of a sick child.
Tim will depart from Halifax on May 20th with the goal of being in Vancouver in the first week of August. Before leaving, however, he took the time to speak to the students in chapel about the charity, his volunteer works, and the first- hand benefits of "giving back." Those interested in learning more about, or contributing to his journey can visit his website at www.crossingcanadaforkids.com.
– Ryan Panton, Alumni Relations
"King Lear"
Mrs. Kingstone's English 12 class brought Shakespeare's "King Lear" alive, performing significant scenes complete with costumes and props in the Shaw Theatre. Students were required to memorize their parts and to convey the character of the person they were portraying. It was amazing to see the progress and enthusiasm of so many burgeoning actors!
Dogwood Awards
Eleven students attended the Dogwood District Awards Adjudication evening in hopes of receiving one of the $1000 scholarships awarded by the BC Ministry of Education for excellence in non-academic fields. Students were competing against other applicants from Island Independent Schools in the areas of Fine Art, Applied Skills, Physical Education and Second Languages. Of the eleven Shawnigan applicants, six presented portfolios of 8 pieces of work in the 2-D painting and drawing category. Once presented nine pieces for the Photography category. Two had interviews concerning their excellence and leadership in Rugby and Field Hockey, and two competed in Music—one choral and one on the piano. Final will be announced within the next 3 weeks.
– Wendy Woollven, Registrar
Swiftsure Big Band
The Swiftsure Big Band from Victoria, under the direction of Robin Bannister, came to the School to work with our jazz band students and to do some promotional recording in our music studio. This band has gained quite a reputation on the West Coast and a number of its members contribute to our pit orchestra and other musical endeavours throughout the year. Our students had a very enjoyable evening sitting next some pretty powerful players.
One of the tenors, now residing in Victoria, soloed with the Stan Kenton Big Band during the 70s and was very willing to share his expertise and experiences playing at such an accomplished level. They played with us on some numbers that we have been working on and then the students got the opportunity to tackle some of the charts that the Swiftsure Band had been working on. It definitely set the bar a little higher than normal. A big thank you to Mr. Bannister and we look forward to another opportunity to work with this very accomplished group in the future.
– Ralph Fraser, Band
Social Studies
Mr. Loiselle's Social Studies 11 class got some extra help recently from Mr. Anderson, Senior Master Emeritus. Because he immigrated to Canada after the outbreak of the Second World War, Mr. Anderson was able to enlighten the class on the effects of war both in England and in the Cowichan Valley, and how he experienced it. He described being at school in England as a young boy hiding in the basement of the school during air raids and he talked about the shortages and subsequent rationing on all kinds of merchandise in the Cowichan Valley—he remarked that neither he nor any of his friends had seen a new car since they were very young boys until after the end of the war. The students were completely enthralled by his anecdotal stories!