Student Life
Mr. Remi Anctil
"Sometimes teaching doesn’t even feel like a job. Going to class, having fun with the kids, and teaching them things and having discussions with them – I am always blown away. There are some really bright kids here who truly want to learn. I feel really fortunate to teach here.
This is my seventh year at Shawnigan. In the back-to-school meetings in my first year at Shawnigan, then-Headmaster David Robertson introduced me as a new staff member and said, “If he looks nervous, he is, because he’s getting married on Saturday.” I had just moved to Shawnigan and then I flew to Calgary to get married and then flew back to start my job. I was married on the weekend between staff meetings and the kids coming back. It was a chaotic time in life but I guess at the end of the day, Carlie and I married right into Shawnigan.
I am a full-time socials teacher, which brings me great joy. I love the energy of my classes and all the fun that we have. The Rev. and the Head of School often quote Maya Angelou by saying, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This is the mantra I follow here at Shawnigan. My biggest goal is that my students always feel welcomed in class and to help my students learn and be open to learning new things. I also teach them to be respectful of others and I always try to open up the door for students to feel free and comfortable to talk in class and to offer their own perspective and opinions on tough subjects.
I love the experiential learning opportunities we offer our students, including the Global Goals Conference and the Shawnigan House of Commons – they are super powerful and impactful and a way more interesting way to learn about government and diplomacy.
Shawnigan really allows people to push themselves, and if you really want to do something or lead something, everyone is usually there to help out and make it happen. Something I have learned at Shawnigan is that if you want to immerse yourself you get a lot out of it. I have felt that the whole time I have been here.
Shawnigan is a special place. It’s powerful working and living at Shawnigan because you are around the kids you teach 24/7. There are so many moments to teach our students, not only in class, but also in the dining room, or walking through the Quad, or at lunch… It’s not just the big lessons that matter, but all the small ones in between that I believe have the greatest impact on our students and help them become the best versions of themselves.
I am in my sixth year as Assistant House Director of Copeman’s. I have loved working with David and Rayna Hyde-Lay and they have been amazing role models for me. It’s such a fun job and I love that it allows me to see the whole kid. You get to see the ups and downs, while they also really get to know you at the same time.
The best part about living in the House is the connections you build with the boys and the staff. I don’t feel like it's work. I go into the House every day so that they get to see us every day, and we get to see them every day, and that's how you start to really notice the ups and downs and you can look into things and support them through whatever they have going on. The kids really get to know me this way, and they are also great at checking in with me and making sure I am alright – we all look out for each other. It just feels like home.
Boarding has taught me how to be comfortable around kids. To push myself and keep working. It has pushed my boundaries and work ethic but I think these challenges have made me better at my job and I actually really cherish the challenge now.
It has been an amazing experience being able to grow my family here at Shawnigan. My son, Harry, absolutely loves living in the House. He is constantly running around the dorm and visiting and playing with the kids. My daughter, Stella, is constantly making connections, whether it’s being held in Marion Hall or waving at the boys leaving Copeman’s in the morning. There is always a lending hand to support us in raising our two young children. The Hyde-Lays are family to my kids, and often Harry can be found in their kitchen rooting through their fridge for snacks. We are so grateful for our village here at Shawnigan that is helping us raise our children.
Sport has been a great passion of mine so I am grateful that the final piece of my job description at Shawnigan is working as a coach. I coach Grade 9 boys’ rugby in the fall, senior basketball in the winter, and the Colts (Grade 10 boys’ rugby) in the spring. I love the professional feel of our athletic program. The way we approach sport at Shawnigan is world class. We are always trying to get better. We are also fortunate to have tons of amazing coaches at Shawnigan, many of whom have coached at the national level, who have taught me so much. The coaches and their passion is amazing – you see them constantly going above and beyond for their athletes.
I love sports – any kind of sport. I always try to bring energy and to make sure practice is fun, and I love bouncing ideas off my athletes and hearing their thoughts to make sure that it feels collaborative and that we are always working together as a team. At the end of the day, I want my athletes to have fun, to have a memorable experience, and to take something with them after they have moved on from Shawnigan.
Sport to me isn’t about winning or losing, it's about growth and development. Sport is an amazing teacher. Students learn about themselves and experience new things every day while dealing with the ups and downs.
The community at Shawnigan is special. People are always looking to help out, and when times are tough, I always have people to lean on. I am so grateful for everyone who has supported me and my family through these past years. I love that Shawnigan doesn’t ever feel like a job. Whether you are a teacher or a student, you will really be able to grow your passion at Shawnigan and you will definitely find many people that will join you on your journey."
- from an interview with Mr. Remi Anctil, teacher, coach, Assistant House Director, and contributor to Shawnigan's Indigenous Advisory Committee
Back
I am a full-time socials teacher, which brings me great joy. I love the energy of my classes and all the fun that we have. The Rev. and the Head of School often quote Maya Angelou by saying, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This is the mantra I follow here at Shawnigan. My biggest goal is that my students always feel welcomed in class and to help my students learn and be open to learning new things. I also teach them to be respectful of others and I always try to open up the door for students to feel free and comfortable to talk in class and to offer their own perspective and opinions on tough subjects.
I love the experiential learning opportunities we offer our students, including the Global Goals Conference and the Shawnigan House of Commons – they are super powerful and impactful and a way more interesting way to learn about government and diplomacy.
Shawnigan really allows people to push themselves, and if you really want to do something or lead something, everyone is usually there to help out and make it happen. Something I have learned at Shawnigan is that if you want to immerse yourself you get a lot out of it. I have felt that the whole time I have been here.
Shawnigan is a special place. It’s powerful working and living at Shawnigan because you are around the kids you teach 24/7. There are so many moments to teach our students, not only in class, but also in the dining room, or walking through the Quad, or at lunch… It’s not just the big lessons that matter, but all the small ones in between that I believe have the greatest impact on our students and help them become the best versions of themselves.
I am in my sixth year as Assistant House Director of Copeman’s. I have loved working with David and Rayna Hyde-Lay and they have been amazing role models for me. It’s such a fun job and I love that it allows me to see the whole kid. You get to see the ups and downs, while they also really get to know you at the same time.
The best part about living in the House is the connections you build with the boys and the staff. I don’t feel like it's work. I go into the House every day so that they get to see us every day, and we get to see them every day, and that's how you start to really notice the ups and downs and you can look into things and support them through whatever they have going on. The kids really get to know me this way, and they are also great at checking in with me and making sure I am alright – we all look out for each other. It just feels like home.
Boarding has taught me how to be comfortable around kids. To push myself and keep working. It has pushed my boundaries and work ethic but I think these challenges have made me better at my job and I actually really cherish the challenge now.
It has been an amazing experience being able to grow my family here at Shawnigan. My son, Harry, absolutely loves living in the House. He is constantly running around the dorm and visiting and playing with the kids. My daughter, Stella, is constantly making connections, whether it’s being held in Marion Hall or waving at the boys leaving Copeman’s in the morning. There is always a lending hand to support us in raising our two young children. The Hyde-Lays are family to my kids, and often Harry can be found in their kitchen rooting through their fridge for snacks. We are so grateful for our village here at Shawnigan that is helping us raise our children.
Sport has been a great passion of mine so I am grateful that the final piece of my job description at Shawnigan is working as a coach. I coach Grade 9 boys’ rugby in the fall, senior basketball in the winter, and the Colts (Grade 10 boys’ rugby) in the spring. I love the professional feel of our athletic program. The way we approach sport at Shawnigan is world class. We are always trying to get better. We are also fortunate to have tons of amazing coaches at Shawnigan, many of whom have coached at the national level, who have taught me so much. The coaches and their passion is amazing – you see them constantly going above and beyond for their athletes.
I love sports – any kind of sport. I always try to bring energy and to make sure practice is fun, and I love bouncing ideas off my athletes and hearing their thoughts to make sure that it feels collaborative and that we are always working together as a team. At the end of the day, I want my athletes to have fun, to have a memorable experience, and to take something with them after they have moved on from Shawnigan.
Sport to me isn’t about winning or losing, it's about growth and development. Sport is an amazing teacher. Students learn about themselves and experience new things every day while dealing with the ups and downs.
The community at Shawnigan is special. People are always looking to help out, and when times are tough, I always have people to lean on. I am so grateful for everyone who has supported me and my family through these past years. I love that Shawnigan doesn’t ever feel like a job. Whether you are a teacher or a student, you will really be able to grow your passion at Shawnigan and you will definitely find many people that will join you on your journey."
- from an interview with Mr. Remi Anctil, teacher, coach, Assistant House Director, and contributor to Shawnigan's Indigenous Advisory Committee
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.
