News Detail
Anniversary focus
Centennial Director shares with students
During Tuesday's Headmaster's gathering, it was exciting to hear from Shawnigan's Centennial Director, Phil Jarvis. Speaking the day after the School's 99th birthday, Mr. Jarvis extolled how far the institution has come, and also outlined plans for next year's Centennial celebrations:
Christopher Windley Lonsdale founded Shawnigan Lake School on April 27th, 1916 – 99 years ago yesterday!
The campus was half the size it is today, and the school comprised just two classrooms and living quarters enclosed in a single building, surrounded by a dense rainforest. At the time, there were just six students!
Mr. Lonsdale had the clear vision of creating a great school that would be modelled on his boarding experience at Westminster School, in the heart of London, England.
In his 36 years as Headmaster, he overcame many obstacles; a devastating fire that destroyed the Main Building, the Great Depression, and the ravages of war - yet he overcame it all.
Today, we have world-class facilities on campus, superb programs, and more than 450 students from all corners of Canada and from around the world. So, we're looking pretty good for 99!
The time capsule organized by Bridget Stack ’09, with many contributions from staff and students, and currently being assembled for display in Marion Hall, is a beginning in this process of honouring time at Shawnigan.
When they were in grade eight, students from the Class of 2016 also created a time capsule, with the help of social studies teachers Ms. Newns, Mrs. Grass, and Mr. Fraser. Those items are now locked away for us to open in 2016!
We have a lot planned for next year. By clicking on the 100 Years tab on the School website's homepage, you will find details, video, and background information.
The website contains archival Shawnigan film footage, including some footage of Mr. Lonsdale himself. It's a two-minute Centennial film trailer for now – with more to come.
We will also welcome inspiring speakers and host special events:
Craig and Marc Kielburger, the founders of 'Me to We' and 'Free the Children,' are known globally for their passionate presentations and their drive to help students become leaders. They are youthful, dynamic, and are members of the Order of Canada – our country's highest honour – and they will be on campus to inspire us all.
Ashleigh McIvor, Canadian Gold Medalist in Ski Cross, Vancouver 2010, will be at Manning Park for Ski Week 43. She will be giving a racing demo on the hill and presenting the race awards. As well, she will speak to students about Personal Excellence through Sports.
We hope that Sarah Topham, a noted Canadian actor with the Stratford Festival, will be our Performing Artist in Residence. As well, we will have, as another Artist in Residence, Chief Rande Cook. Cook is a noted artist, originally from Alert Bay, and known internationally for his Into the Light work.
Gareth Edwards (CBE - one of the UK's leading honours), a Welsh legend who was voted the world's best-ever rugby player in 2003, will be the keynote speaker for a special dinner at our Centennial Rugby Festival Weekend.
As well, we will have world-class alumni rowers and special guests here for a Sprint Races Rowing Festival on Founder's Day, 2016.
For a new online store currently in development, we'll offer a CD of our excellent Chapel singing and two books related to the Centennial (one is an update of the oral history of Shawnigan called 'Rough Diamond 'by Jay Connolly ’80, and the other is a visual history of the School). Also, we will have a Centennial print of the new Learning Commons, to be produced by Mark Hobson ’70, a former faculty member and noted West Coast artist.
In exactly one year, we will hold an Official Centennial Opening with special guests and dignitaries - including the recent Headmaster of Westminster School, Dr. Stephen Spurr.
For now, many thanks to the staff and students I have spoken with to get input into the development of these Centennial plans. I look forward to our working together in the next year, and of course, to celebrating together.
Our thanks go also to Mr. David Robertson for his enthusiastic support and endorsement of the Centennial plan.
Shawnigan has reached its present peak as a result of everyone in this room today, as well as all alumni, parents, past staff, the Board of Governors and Headmasters.
It's rather like the construction of the pyramids, which are magnificent in their finished state, but are successful only because of all the stones that were carefully placed during construction. Even the smallest contribution was significant, and without it the edifice might well have collapsed.
Every member of Shawnigan's past and present, is a part of our ongoing construction. This is the strength – and the importance – of history.
Happy 99th Shawnigan! And let's have a great 100th in 2016!
– Mr. Phil Jarvis, Director of the Shawnigan Centennial
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 Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
