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Shawnigan Parents Association
A cornerstone of the community
The Shawnigan Lake School community encompasses not only students, teachers and staff, but also a comprehensive network of parents, alumni and friends that extends across the globe. For parents in particular, the Shawnigan Lake School Parents Association, commonly referred to as the SPA, serves to strengthen this broader community network by supporting parents and connecting them with their children’s lives at Shawnigan.
“Boarding schools are unique in that parents aren't on campus daily,” shares SPA Chair Dana Hahn, mother of Jaden ’19, Peyton ’23 and Eli ’24. “Parents may feel a sense of isolation, unsure who to call, when to visit, or what events to attend. Our SPA parents are here to provide answers, connection and reassurance.”
To facilitate this connection to daily life at Shawnigan, the SPA's main focus has been on livestreaming School events. In 2016, the SPA made a special Centennial donation of $50,000 to the School. This donation was generously matched by the Bradley Family Foundation, and the resulting funds were allocated to improving the sound system in the Chapel and upgrading livestreaming equipment. This state-of-the-art technology allows parents to watch Chapel gatherings and other special School events from their homes around the world.
The Centennial donation and all other SPA funds are raised solely through the Used Uniform Sale. Occurring each year during Opening Week, this perennially popular initiative provides families with quality, lower-cost uniform items, supports scholarship and bursary programs, and funds “wish list” requests from around the School. In addition to maintaining and upgrading the livestream system as needed, the proceeds have been used to purchase items including sports equipment, tents for EDGE trips, stools for the Robotics lab, helmets and skates, books, baking equipment and an espresso coffee machine for the Ritz.
“The Used Uniform Sale also brings current and new families together and is often the next point of contact with the School after the admissions process,” explains Dana. “The coordination, preparation and sale is made possible completely by volunteers and for the past six years we have been very grateful for the leadership of Cathy and Mike King, parents of Draysen ’24, Kalli ’18, and Koltin ’16.”
The SPA also maintains a focus on opportunities for social connection and volunteerism. Each year, the association hosts the Opening and Closing Day dinners for parents, Staff Appreciation Day in the spring, and a Christmas Social before the winter break. SPA volunteers are also on-hand at the Shawnigan Lake Regatta and Inter-House Track and Field.
“Joining the SPA and volunteering at one of the SPA events is the best way to get to know the Shawnigan school community and its unique culture,” says Dana. In the words of SPA Founding Chair, Trish Letient, “If as a parent you have ever secretly wished you could ‘go to Shawnigan,’ volunteering is the only practical way to achieve that. In addition, many families have been generously offered financial assistance by the School and getting involved is a way to honour that gift; just as Shawnigan calls upon its students to serve their community, parent involvement is leading by example.”
For more information about the Shawnigan Lake School Parents Association, please login to ShawNet and look for the SPA section. The next SPA meeting will be taking place through Zoom on May 12; all current parents are warmly encouraged to attend.
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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.
