Shawnigan in 110 Objects
A Message from the Head of School
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A Message from the Head of School
Read MoreMy wife Kathini and I recently bought a house on a bend in the Chemainus River and have found ourselves eager to learn the local history – from the first occupants in the late 19th century to a local landmark on the old highway, the Westholme Tree/“The Old Guardsman” (a giant Douglas fir that crashed down in a storm in 1913).The garden at our new house neighbours All Saints Cemetery, and, when exploring on Remembrance Day, the Lamonts discovered that Cedric J G Lonsdale is buried there – a former teacher at Shawnigan and the nephew of our Founder.Shawnigan Lake School was carved out of the Canadian wilderness in 1916 by CW Lonsdale, and modelled on his alma mater, Westminster School in London, England. It has gone from one class of eight students to 550 students and is now perhaps Canada’s pre-eminent boarding school.Character & Courage, a visual history of Shawnigan, was published in 2016 to mark the School’s centenary, and we are hugely fortunate to have the most wonderful museum on campus which captures the journey of the School.
List of 20 news stories.
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Robot
Read MoreThe story of the School's Robotics cannot be told without mentioning the student behind its genesis: Dennis Ren. In 2012, Dennis arrived part way through Grade 9 with an abundance of curiosity and confidence. His ambitious projects became more and more dangerous, including an electromagnetic nail gun and a crossbow built from scratch, and a Tesla coil that sent sparks flying across the Hobbies Building. Sympathetic but concerned staff enjoyed his inventive spirit, but felt some urgency to find a safe outlet for his creative intellect and so steered him toward a new robotics competition in the area. A few other students jumped on board and voila! The Robot Club was born. -
Marina's Shirt
Read MoreMarina Musleh ’24 (Renfrew) donated this shirt to Shawnigan Lake School as a way to thank the community for providing her with what she claims to be “the path that changed my whole life direction in a very positive way.” -
Podium
Read MoreThe podium has always taken centre stage on Closing Day – formerly known as Prize Day or Speech Day – as the point from which the graduating class is introduced, reflections and advice are delivered, and the school year is declared closed. While the details of the final day of school have varied over the years, the podium itself has remained a defining feature of the day. -
Stag Award
Read MoreThe Stag Awards were conceived in 1961 by the third Headmaster, E.R. Larsen. The award's purpose is to "recognize appreciatively all those who have contributed to the life and well-being of Shawnigan Lake School so that it can be said that Shawnigan is a better place in consequence of the contribution they have made." -
The Ravenhill Cup
Read MoreIn 1916, Horace T. Ravenhill sold C.W. Lonsdale a corner of his acreage and the original house in which the School began. Ravenhill's own house was on the hill where Lake's House now stands, and he was very supportive of the new venture, in both moral and practical ways, helping to train the boys in drill and shooting (for which he donated a separate trophy) and by teaching classes occasionally. A year later, Ravenhill sold Lonsdale his home and remaining acreage. -
Crosscut Saw
Read MoreWhen C.W. Lonsdale purchased the property in 1916, it was thickly forested. Right from the beginning, Lonsdale started clearing one small area at a time – relying heavily on the boys' help. The main goal was to create playing fields. All the early students recall the fields “we hacked out of the bush," working on one end of a crosscut saw with CWL at the other end. This saw can be seen in the School museum. -
Clothing Label
It may seem paradoxical that 550 uniforms – symbols of sameness – require clothing labels – markers of uniqueness. Philosophically, both uniformity and individuality are valued at Shawnigan; practically, the clothing label helps to keep one’s garments with their person, especially on laundry days.Read More -
Main Building
Read MoreAfter the original campus was lost to fire on December 16, 1926, the Founder, C.W. Lonsdale, wasted no time in making plans to rebuild. Within a week he had hired Architect Douglas James to draw up plans for a new school building. This was Lonsdale's chance to build a beautiful new purpose-built School with everything under one roof. -
Tinkle Time Bell
Read MoreThe Tinkle Time Bell was inaugurated by Derek Hyde-Lay in September 1983 in his role as Acting Headmaster. Prior to this time, staff would come and go in the staff room during the morning break each day, checking their mailbox, grabbing a cup of coffee and catching up with colleagues. As all staff were in the same place at the same time, Derek saw this as the perfect opportunity to deliver announcements, and would “tinkle” the bell to gain their attention. Then he, and/or other staff, would impart information that was related to the School day, perhaps make introductions – or sometimes even share personal news, such as wedding engagements and birth announcements. -
Soccer Ball
Read MoreIn the School's early years, the only team sport played was football (soccer). Boys recall that Headmaster C. W. Lonsdale had played centre-half for a semi-professional team in England, The Corinthians. Geoffrey Osler (1918-1922) remembers that Lonsdale “was a terrific soccer player. He used to be very good about helping us to learn the game. He'd take one of us and fiddle around with the ball and let us try to get it away from him. He was very good about that." -
Chapel
Read MoreConstruction on a School Chapel was started in the fall of 1927. The first service in the new Chapel was June 4, 1928 and the Chapel was dedicated on July 1, 1928. It sits atop a hill and is the figurative and physical centre of the campus. C. W. Lonsdale wrote, "Its use is not with the idea of dividing idealism from the rest of the boys' life, but to lift it high above the common routine and give it a special dignity. We are looking to its help to build up true citizenship, both in the School, during School life, and in the Dominion afterwards. Never has Canada needed to demand higher thoughts of her citizens than she has today. . . . She will demand of her young citizens a high comprehension of the world's needs, and a determination to make their life conform to the truest and best laws of behaviour. We hope that these things will be breathed in the atmosphere of the Chapel." -
Shaw Centre
Read MoreThe Shaw Science and Technology Centre was made possible by the extraordinary generosity of the Shaw family of Calgary, a family renowned for its philanthropy in Canada. The building was opened at a ceremony in 1999 with speeches and unveiling of the plaque by Jim Shaw ’77 (Lonsdale’s) and his father, JR Shaw, founder of Shaw Communications. -
Copeman's House (1929)
Read MoreFollowing the fire of 1926, the new School was built to accommodate 150 students, 50 more than the enrolment at the time of the fire. However, Lonsdale had underestimated, and within two years, more dormitory space was needed. Construction on a new dormitory for 100 boys with its own kitchen and dining room began in early 1929 and opened in September. It was located on the hill east of the driveway and was named Copeman's House to honour J.Y. Copeman, the School's lawyer, a generous supporter, and Lonsdale's close friend. -
The Drum Major's Baton
Read MoreThe Drum Major's Baton, pictured above, was used from 1952 to 1967 and is engraved with the names of the Drum Majors. But first, a little history of cadets at Shawnigan...At the beginning of WWII, there was a sense that the School campus was and would remain far from the action; however, when Japan entered the war, perceptions changed. In the fall term of 1941, a Cadet Corps was formed, which the School Magazine described as "a Civilian Defence Corps for the purpose of giving the boys elementary training in signalling and first aid; so that they may be of use to the civilian authorities in case of a national emergency of any description." They became one of the widely organized Military Cadet Corps. -
The Original (1926) Gym
Read MoreIn late 1926, a gymnasium was under construction just west of the other buildings on the growing campus. With only a few windows and siding left to finish, it was nearing completion. However, on December 16, fire swept through the campus, consuming every building – except the gym. The gym was spared partly due to the accumulation of snow on its roof which melted in the heat of the fire and formed a protective sheet of water between it and the fire. The sheathing was scorched, but the gym was saved, providing refuge for the boys on the night of the fire. -
Wheelbarrow
Read MoreIn the earlier days, the physical development of the School campus depended on the physical labour of its students. From 1916 to 1979, all students engaged in regular manual labour. For the first two decades, several afternoons a week were allocated to "Occupations.” By the 1940s, the name was changed to "Work Divisions" and was reduced to once a week. -
1926 Campus
Read MoreThis week’s “object” is a collection of buildings and the story marks a pivotal time in the School’s history: the fire of 1926. In the fall of 1926, after 10 years of operation, enrolment in the School had grown from 6 boys to 92. The number of School buildings had multiplied, described by one boy as a "hodge podge of add-ons." The original School house (located where the current Head’s office sits) with dormitories, kitchen, dining room and Headmaster's office was still in use. To the west, a larger building contained the “Big School" (a large open room for gatherings) with dormitories above. A water tower can be seen in the background. A collection of other small buildings contained classrooms for different Forms (grades) and a furnace room (also known as the drying room). -
Lonsdale's Oak Tree
Read MoreLonsdale’s oak tree towers above campus atop the hill behind the Bruce-Lockhart Centre for Creativity (formerly known as the Hobbies Building). A plaque near its base reads, “The Founder of the School, Christopher Windley Londsdale, planted this oak tree in the early 1930s. It grew from an acorn that the Headmaster brought from Sherwood Forest, England.” -
Stag Statue
Read MoreRepresenting majesty and strength, the image of the stag has been part of the School’s history for many years now, from its head proudly positioned atop the School crest, to its silhouette stitched on School swag, to its name attributed to the gold pin awarded each year to staff and students for outstanding service. Rainbow stag stickers, the Stag Cafe, a giant stag painted at the centre of the field hockey pitch, and the stag mascot named Samson – the stag is a well-established iconography of the School. -
The Lake
Read MoreThis photo was taken in 1917 from the School dock looking out at the bay with the diving tower (barely) visible in the background. The floating diving tower belonged to the King family, who lived on the point, and graciously allowed the students to use it. While this photo showcases sailing, the lake has hosted a variety of activities over the years, serving competitive, recreational, and social purposes.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
