The Shawnigan Difference

Part of a remarkable community

By definition, all schools are communities, so most schools talk about community.

Shawnigan is different. Community is the essence of this experience.

As important as it is to discover and develop your individual talents, our world will improve only when individuals recognize their obligations to communities large and small. At Shawnigan, we believe that young leaders distinguish themselves by demonstrating, in real terms, their respect for others. We are blessed with facilities that allow the entire school community to meet regularly in a variety of contexts -- in Marion Hall, in the Chapel, and in the Assembly Hall. These meetings allow us the opportunity to develop integrity as a school and to name the values that matter to us, including leadership, friendship, compassion, and achievement.

If I’m not having a great day or maybe I’m not feeling so excited about waking up early to attend chapel--especially on a Saturday–once I get there and I’ve got people I know on either side of me squished into a pew it just makes me feel the connectedness of our community and I’m just so happy to be there. It’s a beautiful building and it’s so uplifting singing the house hymn and everyone sings as loud as they can and the twelfth graders signal to the eighth graders, “Why aren’t you singing louder? Sing louder!” And then everyone is singing so loud you can’t even hear yourself anymore. –student, grade 12