Special Founder’s Day events included a Chapel Service where alumni raised their voices to sing the beloved School hymn, “There’s a Voice in the Wilderness.” Mr. John Bomans led alumni rowing in the morning, and later in the day the Class of 2005 crew took a turn on the lake as well. A pottery class with current Clayworks instructor Ms. Carol Harvey and former Head of Fine Arts Mr. Don Rolston was a popular activity, as was a squash exhibition match between accomplished alumni Bransten Ming '15 (Lonsdale's) and Ryan Picken '17 (Lonsdale's).

 

This Founder’s Day marked a milestone as we officially launched the Shawnigan Oak Society, our renewed legacy giving program. Its name is inspired by the Founder’s Oak, planted by C.W. Lonsdale in the early 1930s from an acorn he brought back from England’s Sherwood Forest. In planting it, he reflected a belief in shaping the future and creating something that would stand long after his time. We were honoured to recognize and welcome many Oak Society members back to campus to celebrate this new chapter together. It was a moment of gratitude, connection, and pride in the enduring roots that continue to shape our community and its future.

 

Many alumni took the opportunity to watch games at the second annual Kingstone Invitational ice hockey tournament, which was won by Shawnigan’s U18 Prep girls’ team, who defeated the Thompson-Okanagan Lakers in the gold-medal game.

 

In addition to the Founder’s Day festivities, the weekend included some formal business, with the Board of Governors’ meeting on Friday followed by the Annual General Meeting on Saturday morning. Two new members were elected to the Board of Governors: Dr. Vicki Stronge ’94 (School House) and past parent Ellie Siebens.