David Robertson

The greatest myth in the educational system in the last fifty years is that schooling is 'only about the classroom.' In a boarding environment, we are ideally placed to mine all the possibilities that exist within a student and the community. - David Robertson, May 2008

As Headmaster, David Robertson reflects on his role with humility: "The School is now as good a place as it has ever been. There are so many positives. So many things have worked in our favour and have continued to drive me, and drive the success of the School: the staff, the Board, and the students."

He believes we must consciously pursue excellence in a whole range of areas: "We have created an atmosphere in the student population where it's all about attitude. We can have the finest educators, coaches, and role models, but if we don't have the right attitude amongst the students, then our intentions ring hollow. Their commitment to our approach is a distinctive element of Shawnigan."

The growth of the School through his term as Headmaster has been exponential. The student population has grown by 90 students and the ratio of girls to boys has changed dramatically. "When I first started at Shawnigan, we were really still a boys' school in transition. You can't turn that around easily, but I feel that we are now fully co-educational. The School now more closely represents the real world and provides many more teachable moments. At the same time, we have been careful and intentional about not losing our best traditions."

The campus renewal has also been a part of the School's growth and development. Four superior residences have been built and others upgraded substantially. The living conditions for students and for staff members residing in the boarding houses far exceed those of historical Shawnigan and match or surpass those of most other boarding schools. "We are blessed with a natural jewel and it is our responsibility to shine it up and make it resplendent. We can't ask our students to buy into a superior boarding experience and give them residences that are crumbling and offer only a place to sleep-we need to create a place for them to live. The same goes for Marion Hall; it is a key piece and elevates our dining above the fast food experience we are used to in most institutions. The vision of the donor was that meals become a part of our family life here at the School-and they have. Add to that the Chapel, where we gather to consider our spiritual selves and to reflect on our community as a whole, and you complete the educational spectrum."

The ability to inspire young people has always been important to David Robertson. He has brought the training programmes of National sport teams to Shawnigan by arranging for them to stay in Lecky House and to share our training facilities. This partnership fosters a spirit of excellence and role-modelling that gives students here an unqualified respect for internationalism and athleticism.

The academic programme has grown and flourished, too, under the influence of a conscious decision to develop state-of-the-art classrooms and technologies. Students have at their fingertips the tools they need to grapple with modern questions and expectations in the sciences and the humanities. There is perhaps no better example of this growth than the increase in subscription to our AP programme. In Stewart Candelaria's words, "He is open to innovation in programme, staffing, and resources as long as he knows it will improve student experience. He always aims to raise the bar."

As he looks toward the next few years, the Headmaster sees new possibilities. "Most importantly, we need to stay the course, and hold steady to our values and commitments-we can't rest on our laurels. We need always to build on our successes. But I would also like to see an even greater development in our community service and outdoors programmes. I firmly believe in the development of the individual when challenged and when under pressure. Given our location, the opportunities to facilitate character building through outdoor pursuits is unlimited."

The best moments of his day remain the ones that involve smiling students. "No matter how I am feeling-stressed or busy or not quite awake because it's 7:00 a.m.-seeing students smiling and approaching their day positively is like an injection of energy for me. And, of course, there are those moments of sweet sorrow-that bursting-with-pride syndrome that I so often feel in the company of our students. It can be a highly emotional place."

The rewards of life at Shawnigan extend beyond the students. "It has been so rewarding to be able to share my professional life in such an intense way with my family and to have them be part of it. My wife Lynn's influence has been so important in my development. She has taught me to be more understanding and patient and she is a crucial confidante helping me work through critical issues. It also gives me a kick to see how proud my own kids are of their school. They are wonderful barometers of any changes here and always let me know what they think of those changes!"