Academics

Guidance Update – June 14

Dear Parents,

Greetings from the Guidance Office for our final newsletter of the year!
 
Though it feels like it has only been a few weeks, it has been a busy and productive academic year.
 
Over the last few weeks, we have continued to have meetings with our Grade 11 students. We always remind our Grade 11s that the work they do now or over the summer will pay dividends when they return to a busy academic schedule in September. School lists, college essays and research are all great plans to do now to keep their workload manageable when students return at the beginning of their Grade 12 year. 
As for our Grade 12 students, they are enjoying the final few weeks of high school, but we have set up required wrap-up meetings with each of them to chat about their next steps and to reflect on their overall application process. This week we were so grateful to host some recent grads on campus to speak with our Grade 12s about their university and career experiences. Some great advice was provided by these recent graduates, which always sounds more relatable when it is delivered by peers.
 
Last week, the Guidance Department, including Mr. Pollock, met with many of the Grade 9 and 10 students, where we introduced the Prospective University Athletes website. Although much of the conversation was based around athletics in Canada (USports) and the USA (NCAA), much of the discussion was also valuable to the non-athlete population in the class. This site will be a work in progress that we will continue to develop. 
 
To help answer some questions for our Grade 10 students, the Guidance Office will be hosting some drop-in times next week for them to come in and ask about course selection and/or university planning. We have let our students know about this opportunity.

Today, the Head of School and I delivered a presentation to all Grade 11 students (and any interested Grade 10s) about university horizons and current trends in universities. I encourage all parents of Grade 11 students to watch the recording here
 
Finally, Shawnigan got some great news last week that all of our BC Ministry District Authority Scholarship applicants received a scholarship. The subjects that our students won included Community Service, Dance, Music, Model UN and Photography.
 
On a staffing note, I want to use this space to sincerely thank Ms. Lindsey Doland for her work this year in the Guidance Office. I know that many students are very thankful for the support Ms. Doland has provided them this year. As Mrs. Hannah Gottfried returns from maternity leave in August, Ms. Doland will be heading off to run the guidance office for Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School in Calgary. We wish her all the best!
 
The Guidance Office, like Shawnigan Lake School, will be closed over the summer. The go@shawnigan.ca email will be monitored for timely or pressing issues for our graduating students. 
 
Thank you all for your support this year, and I wish you a relaxing and enjoyable summer with your Shawnigan student!
 
Craig Brown
Director of University Guidance
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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.