Closing Day 2018

Under the bright June sun, the Shawnigan community gathered together on Saturday to share one of the most special experiences of the school year. After a momentous year culminating in university acceptances, final exams and House parties, the graduating Class of 2018 convened for their final farewell at Closing Day.

For grads, the day began with their last visit to the Shawnigan Chapel. The emotional service included a nostalgic speech from outgoing Head of School Dean M., focusing on the lasting relationships that have bound the graduating class together, the closeness of family shared in Houses, and the important journey of self-discovery that the graduating class members have shared during their time at Shawnigan.

“Shawnigan, for many of us, has made a lasting impact on our lives and has helped us become the people who are gathered here in the Chapel today,” he said. “Each of these moments of connection will resonate with us for the rest of our lives.”

He then asked the audience to join him in thanking the Class of 2018 for their contributions to keeping the legacy of Shawnigan Lake School intact, before extending his profound gratitude to the staff and to Headmaster David Robertson for their service and support and to the parents of the graduating class members for their guidance and love.

The service also included heartfelt musical presentations by Class of 2018 members Kalli K. and Chris T. as well as the chamber choir.

In his 11^th graduate chapel service address, Reverend Jim Holland addressed the conflicting emotions of joy and sadness inherent in such a significant day. He touched on the lessons learned by the graduating class, particularly those learned by their observation of their teachers, mentors and role models.

“As we send you off into the world, our deepest desire is not that you be whatever it is that you think we want you to be, but that you go forward as your true selves. Whatever you do and whatever you choose to become in life, you know that we will always be proud of you. My message has always been this in a nutshell: Life is complex, life is full of difficulty and even pain, and life becomes meaningful and satisfying only when we choose to embrace life’s challenges with courage and creativity, when we refuse to avoid the things that are hard, when we believe in our capacity to learn from failure and hardness, and when we allow failure and hardship to transform us into people of character. So don’t miss what is most interesting in life by side-stepping adversity, rather allow it to turn you into the best person you can be. Forgive yourself whenever you need to, and forgive others freely.”

After lunch in the Headmaster's garden, the School moved into Kaye Gardens for the annual graduation ceremony. Board of Governors representatives Jacqueline Flett ’97 (Groves’) and Carl Wright Bradley ’78 (Groves’) thanked outgoing Headmaster David Robertson and his wife Lynn for their dedicated service to the School and presented them with a family photograph and bronze relief in recognition of their steadfast and courageous leadership. Mr. Robertson then went on to share a special message with the graduating Class of 2018.

“Grads, you’re indeed here now perhaps for the last time for a while. Stay true to the people that you’ve become; dare to live. Don’t ask what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive and go do it, because what the world needs most is more people who’ve come alive. Always treat other people with kindness and respect for I hope that we’ve tried to teach you that. The most beautiful people are often those who have known defeat and suffering, known struggle, known loss and have found their way out of the depths. These people have an appreciation, a sensitivity and understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. Continue to be beautiful people, all of you, because that’s the Shawigan we will all take with us. In closing, I return to T.S. Eliot’s words when he wrote, “Last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice, and to make an end is to make a beginning.”

Mr. Robertson, who celebrates his own retirement this June, then handed out the class awards, the School's major awards, and certificates of graduation to the Class of 2018. The Headmaster also presented the 2018-19 School Prefects and announced Jojo T. as the new Head of School, with Tolani A. taking over as Deputy Head of School.

For the graduating class’s gift to the Headmaster, outgoing Head of School Dean M. and Deputy Head of School Nyah M. presented Mr. Robertson with a framed photo of an original pipe tune called DBR’s Farewell to Shawnigan Lake School. As an additional surprise, the Victoria Police Pipe Band was on hand to perform the piece, marching down the path beside Kaye’s Pond.

The ceremony concluded with a new twist on an old tradition, as grads released a tethered group of black and gold balloons into the sky above Kaye’s Pond.

Individual grad and award photos are available to students and parents by logging into ShawNet.