Chapel

The Values Conversation

Chapel plays a major role in the life of Shawnigan Lake School. That statement is bound to make some parents and students nervously ask, Is this some sort of religious school?

The answer to the question is no. And yes.

There's a popular phrase on the lips of many young people these days: "I'm not religious -- I'm spiritual." Perhaps this begins to describe Shawnigan's approach to Chapel. Almost a hundred years ago, we were founded in the Anglican Tradition. It's an affiliation that's written into the School's constitution. In the contemporary context, however, Chapel opens the conversation about values and character.

The Chapel allows us to address important topics with respect to the search for meaning in the world. Every generation is a "me" generation, and part of the human struggle is the battle to recognize both the wider world and the questing core of our inner worlds. In schools that encourage students to strive for success and to seize opportunities, there is always the danger that young people will define achievement strictly in selfish terms. Chapel allows us to counter this potential difficulty by asking students to consider fundamental questions about values, citizenship, and spirituality.

The Chapel is physically situated at the heart of the campus. It is here that we gather as a community to celebrate our successes and share our concerns.  As our Headmaster, David Robertson, puts it, ". . . welcoming to all faiths and 'no faiths,' the chapel is central to our life as a community. Indeed, our version of  'For Whom the Bell Tolls' is a summons to the heart and soul of our community, the Chapel. That's where we gather when there is something of real importance to be communicated: joy, sadness, celebration, remembrance, reflection—in short, significance. Through it all we sing, because at Shawnigan, it's cool to sing. Where else would you find 440 teenagers singing their hearts out at eight o'clock in the morning?"

While the school is founded in the Anglican tradition, all religions are celebrated through a variety of readings and prayers. As our services are a regular part of school life, parents and friends are encouraged to attend and share in the singing, which is a tradition in the Shawnigan Lake School Chapel.

A sampling of Chapel Talks

“All About Rugby”
“Negotiation vs. Manipulation”
"Keep on Rowing"
"Falling into Holes"
"Michael Jackson"
"Pride"
"Parable of the Two Sons"
"Adventures"
"The Story of Job"
"David and Goliath"
"Freedom and Slavery"
"The Notion of Newness"
"Choose Life"
"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"
"The Most Difficult Thing . . ."
"Giving Thanks"
"Setting Goals"
"Fattitude"