About
A letter to students
Do the genders operate on a level playing field here at Shawnigan?
After the mid-term break, the prefects were challenged to consider the above question and to bring the discussion to the student body. The first phase of discussion provoked significant dialogue. As part of this extended consultation, students were then invited to contribute to a google form with their thoughts. There were circa 120 responses including individual and group entries. The overwhelming spirit of the written entries was respectful, honest and constructive – thank you for providing feedback in this manner. It is important here at Shawnigan that individual students in every grade have a voice.
The Senior Leadership Team and the prefects have discussed the main themes of the feedback and ways to develop greater consistency across the school. The written entries can be divided into the following groups: sport, academics, uniform / rules, and general.
The main focus was on equal opportunities in sport and we have asked Mr. Murdy and Mrs. Conroy to discuss with other sporting staff as to how to address these expressed concerns. Other staff members have also been asked to follow up in other areas of Shawnigan life so that we can continue to improve our delivery of co-education across the board at Shawnigan.
In our last meeting with the prefects, it was clear from our discussion that a) we all recognised any inconsistency of delivery is not intentional b) we all strive to make sure every student here at Shawnigan receives equal opportunities. One prefect made the excellent point after the meeting that we should continue to explore increasing the opportunities of integration between genders as part of our daily and weekly routines.
Our favourite contributions to the discussions were:
"I think that as long as we are open to hearing different opinions we can make this school better"
"…tradition makes our school unique, but traditions can become outdated. The world is forever changing and moving forward...time to create new traditions that honour all genders."
Let us continue these conversations in the spirit of collaborating to improve the Shawnigan experience for all students.
RDAL and MCB, on behalf of the Senior Leadership Team
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.
