Shawnigan Lake School | News & updates

Discover Sessions: "Be Open to Those Side Roads"

2/6/2026

In front of a Grade 9 Health and Career Education class on Wednesday, Mr. Andrew Ference recalled a time when he took an initiative that changed his life.

Going into his National Hockey League draft year as an 18-year-old, Mr. Ference wasn’t seen as enough of a potential NHL player to be invited to the combine – that’s where prospects go through a series of rigorous fitness tests, with the results shared with scouts across the league to consider alongside their statistics and performances in games. His response? “I’ll do my own testing.” Mr. Ference went to the University of Alberta, near his hometown, and paid to go through all the same tests as the prospects who were invited, then faxed them (faxing was still the go-to communication method in 1997) to all 26 NHL general managers along with a cover letter. He wasn’t invited to attend the draft, but he received a phone call that day informing him that he had been selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the eighth round, 208th overall out of 246 players picked. Craig Patrick, the Penguins’ general manager at the time, also called and told him how bold it was to send out his fitness results.

Mr. Ference went on to play 907 NHL games – more than 17 of the 26 players picked in the first round – reaching the Stanley Cup finals with the Calgary Flames in 2004, winning the Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011, captaining the Edmonton Oilers from 2013 to 2015, and receiving the King Clancy Memorial Award for leadership on and off the ice in 2014. He still works for the NHL, in addition to being a current parent and coach at Shawnigan.

February Sports Update

2/6/2026

From the Head of Shawnigan Regatta in late November to climbing and basketball competitions this week, the last few months have seen a great deal of success for Shawnigan’s teams and athletes in a variety of sports.

ROWING

After a break of several years, the Head of Shawnigan Regatta returned in late November with strong results from the host rowing crews.

The early-morning fog burned off as the sun rose in the sky, and although the Shawnigan team had some members unable to compete due to illness, the School collected first-place finishes in the U19 boys’ single (Steven D.), the U17 boy’s eight, the U15 boys’ and girls’ coxed quads, and novice girls’ quad, as well as a second-place finish in the U19 boys’ double.

Staff members got into the act as well, with Mrs. Julie Platt joining a masters four crew that posted a brilliant time, and Mr. Travis Gronsdahl placing second in the masters single on raw time. A team of administration staff taking part in a health and wellness rowing initiative placed second in their women’s quad race.

In all, five clubs took part in the Head of Shawnigan, with a total of 49 entries.

Debates and Diplomacy at Model UN

1/30/2026

Shawnigan’s success at the Vancouver Model United Nations conference last weekend is a testament to the efforts of the student leaders who have taken ownership of the program.

The School sent 18 students to the conference, the 25th annual session of VMUN. The largest high school student-organized Model UN conference in North America, it attracted 1,500 students this year, divided into 20 committees. Three Shawnigan students came away with awards. Aven T., representing China in the World Meteorological Organisation, and Alan A., representing France in the International Atomic Energy Agency, both received the highly sought-after gavels presented to the Best Delegate in each committee, while Angelina Z., representing Burundi in the Disarmament and International Security Committee, earned an Honourable Mention.

“My experience at the 25th iteration of the Vancouver Model United Nations conference was a whirlwind of debate, honing my speaking skills, and forming new friendships that I have no doubt will last far beyond my time in Model UN,” Alan stated. “Representing France in the International Atomic Energy Agency allowed me to better my public speaking and debate skills, while growing my knowledge on current affairs. Having been in Model UN for two years, it has been a fulfilling 360 and beyond that, has helped my writing and presenting skills in all other facets of Shawnigan.”

Climbing Gains a Foothold in Kameda Centre

1/28/2026

Ducking down through a low door in the Shawnigan Sportsplex, you find yourself in a new environment: a space where students and other members of the Shawnigan community can feel safe while challenging themselves physically and mentally and escaping the busyness of life at Shawnigan to focus on one thing.

Welcome to the Kameda Climbing Centre. Built in a repurposed squash court – hence the low door, which was intentionally left as it was to give the feeling of entering a completely different place – the Climbing Centre replaces a climbing wall in the Larsen Gymnasium for which accessibility was an issue as climbers couldn’t be in the gym when basketball teams were practicing, for example, and climbing groups had to go off campus two or three times a week. The new facility also allows for two climbing disciplines – bouldering and top rope – whereas the old wall was only built for top rope. Top rope uses a rope and a harness for higher climbs and requires a partner, while bouldering involves shorter climbs on lower walls with mats for climbers to land on if they fall.

“We had the idea of using the old squash court space so students could stay on campus, and also so people who are not in adventure sports or the Outdoor Leadership and Development Club would be able to use it,” explained Outdoor Education Coordinator Ms. Jessica Dick.

An Inspiring Partnership

1/23/2026

The Grade 8s in Samuel House aren’t up for points in the inter-House standings, which are strictly for the senior Houses, but they still take part in the competitions, which are such an ingrained part of boarding culture and do so much to bolster House spirit.

At inter-House rowing last Saturday, the Samuel House boys ended up winning, and would have taken the most points if they were eligible. The strong crop of Grade 8 rowers actually had their team in the lead in the early going, but ended up blowing the other teams out of the metaphorical water – inter-House rowing is contested in the gym on erg machines – with the help of athletes from Rowing Canada’s national team. On the girls’ side, Strathcona House was able to hold off the combined Grade 8/Rowing Canada team.

Thanks to a formal partnership between Shawnigan and Rowing Canada Aviron, the national team athletes train regularly on Shawnigan Lake out of the School’s boathouse. Rowing Canada also has a training space in the Sportsplex, full of high-end equipment that Shawnigan students have access to. The national team rowers can frequently be found enjoying a coffee in Duke’s Café after their training is over.