Mr. Scott Noble '75

I was hired on a one year contract for a sabbatical leave being taken by Mark Hobson, a well-known wildlife artist. He had decided to take a year off to pursue his art. To my great fortune, he carried on with his art career, and that made space for me to continue teaching at Shawnigan.

 

Back then, Shawnigan was a much smaller school, and was all boys. It was easy to get to know the kids, because there were so few of them. I taught all the Grade 8 and 9 junior sciences, so I got to know the little guys really well. I got to know the senior students through coaching (basketball, rugby, track and field...). There were so many opportunities to connect.

 

There was a small staff back then too, and we had so many great social times together. Throughout my time at Shawnigan, I have had the great fortune to work alongside some amazing people, who not only were friends, but also mentors. I remember Graham Anderson being a wonderful mentor to me in those early years. He always encouraged me to think outside the box and he gave me wonderful ideas to move forward in my teaching.

 

I am an alumnus of Groves’ House, and was associated with Groves’ in my first couple of years of teaching before becoming the House Director of Copeman’s, a position I held for five years. Working as a House Director was a great experience. It was challenging, but it was special. I want to believe that my House Directing was perceived as one of fairness and equality.

 

I have been passionate about the environment my whole life. I have always had such a great love for the outdoors. A course I took in university called “Plants, Animals and Birds of BC,” with its passionate instructor and the associated field work, exposed me to things that I wouldn’t have otherwise learned. It was inspiring. When I heard that I landed the job at Shawnigan, I started to learn more about the life cycle of the pacific salmon and the important role they play in BC’s cultural history and its economy. The fact that I was going to be taking over the operation of the hatchery provided extra motivation.

 

That passion has really grown and been fostered here at Shawnigan. Our wonderful rural setting has provided opportunities for experiential learning – getting the kids outside, doing science in the field, observing what’s around them and thinking about their place in the natural world – and that has inspired me and filtered into my teaching.

 

In the early 90s, recycling was just coming onto the radar. Recognizing that there was no proper recycling program at Shawnigan, and, as a House Director, witnessing how much garbage was being generated just in our residences, I decided to start a recycling program with my grade 8 science classes. Every Friday we would meet at the old Seamanship Hall (now part of the Hobbies Building), and collect recycling from the Houses. We brought it to the Hall to sort. That started recycling at Shawnigan.

 

Enviro-Man was created in the early stages of the Environment Club. Some students wanted to do a skit to promote environmental initiatives, and they wanted me to be in it as Enviro-Man. I went home and pieced together the bits and bobs of the outfit, including the cape, which was basically just a sheet from the laundry that the students painted. It’s a ridiculous outfit. I think I am going to walk it down to the museum, and give it to Romy for the archives… or burn it!

 

I am nervous in front of big audiences, but when I put on the Enviro-Man outfit, I could be a goof and get my message across in a way that was informative and fun, and the kids would actually listen!

I fed off the energy of my students when I taught. That part of my job gave me joy, kept me bolstered. The job was challenging at times, but if there hadn’t been challenges, my job would have been very boring! It has been so inspiring to see what students do after they move through the science program and after they leave Shawnigan. It has also been very neat to see some of the students I taught in science become my colleagues, such as Nigel Mayes and Justin Wilke.

 

I still have an astronomy photo that Nigel Mayes produced when he was in Grade 9. It was a star trail that he took behind the old gym. It was an exposure, with his name on it, and the settings he used on his camera. When he gave it to me, I put it up in my classroom – and it’s still up there. The kids always get a kick out of it when I point it out to them, and so do I.

 

I have been reflecting on the changes that the School has gone through during my time here. I see the School doing so many positive things that are moving us forward. It's not forced or fake, it's real. The kids are behind it, and they are helping us get behind it and initiating it and in turn the staff are embracing it and helping support.

 

I have loved working on this beautiful campus, surrounded by nature. I have loved my colleagues, who inspire me every day. I have loved working with the kids, who have been great. What’s not to love?

 

The support that the School has given me is amazing. The sense that at the end of the day, I feel relevant, is great. Despite the pace at which we work, the staff has great support and camaraderie, and we find ways to recharge and support one another. That’s something I hope the School will always have.

 

Am I going to miss Shawnigan? Absolutely – what’s not to miss? I am going to miss the camaraderie with the staff. I am going to miss the energy of the kids. I am going to miss walking around this beautiful campus every day. I have lots of good experiences and memories to take with me as Sally and I move onto our next adventure.

 

I hope Shawnigan continues on its trajectory of caring about the world and about the environment. I hope it continues to embrace the needs of both our local and global community – societal and environmental – and to help our students become good global citizens."

 

- from an interview with Mr. Scott Noble '75 (37 years teaching at Shawnigan)