News
Levien House
A new home for Grade 8 boys
Following the resounding success of Stanton House, a Grade 8 girls’ house established in September 2019, a new Grade 8 boys’ boarding house—to be known as Levien House—will open for the first time this fall.
In partnership with Stanton House, Levien House will help to create a lasting grade culture among new Grade 8 students and will serve as a stepping stone into the larger boarding houses that will continue to be a home away from home for students in Grades 9 through 12.
For the 2020/21 academic year, Levien House will be hosted in the Lecky House building, a residence normally reserved for visiting sports teams.
A bear has been chosen as the emblem of the new House, while the motto will be Iuventutis Vehamus Fortunas, which means “Let us bear the fortunes of youth.”
Physics teacher and robotics instructor Dr. Ed Taylor will be taking on the role of House Director in Levien House. A passionate educator with boarding house experience garnered at both Rugby School and Tonbridge School in England, Dr. Taylor is deeply committed to creating a supportive and inclusive house environment for the Grade 8s.
“Levien House will foster an environment where the boys will build strong bonds before moving up in the School,” shares Dr. Taylor. “Together, Levien House and Stanton House will strive to work in partnership, as their namesakes—school nurse Eleanor Stanton and teacher/coach Martien Levien—did so well nearly 100 years ago.”
In addition to the role that Dr. Taylor’s family will play in Levien House, he will be supported by an Assistant House Director, a Residential Assistant, a staff duty team and a selected group of student mentors from nearby Lonsdale’s House.
Levien House is named in honour of Captain Martien EDW 'Tiny' Levien, one of the Shawnigan pillars of the 1920s and 30s. Captain Levien was a House Director of Ripley's and Hill House, a Senior Master, and a specialist with younger grades (arithmetic and spelling).
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.
