News Archive
Prefect induction weekend
Shawnigan’s 2022-23 prefects spent the weekend before the school year started getting to know each other and their unique responsibilities within the School and the student body.
Prefect induction weekend started on Friday with a team-building evening of canoe-paddling, led by Clay Panga, Shawnigan’s Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator, who explained the significance of the canoe, which belongs to Thunder Rugby, but which stays at Shawnigan, and the School is encouraged to use.
Prefect induction weekend started on Friday with a team-building evening of canoe-paddling, led by Clay Panga, Shawnigan’s Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator, who explained the significance of the canoe, which belongs to Thunder Rugby, but which stays at Shawnigan, and the School is encouraged to use.
The highlight of the induction weekend was a day trip to Portland Island, in the Salish Sea off the south tip of Salt Spring Island, on Saturday. Leaving the School early in the morning, the prefects took a pair of water taxis from a harbour near Swartz Bay to the pristine island and visited a variety of locations as Assistant Head – Student Life Matt Clinton-Baker talked about the responsibilities of a prefect.
The prefects each have different responsibilities, and they discussed what sort of leadership group they want to be, what their strengths are, what things they would like to do better, and how they can operate within their own sphere to drive forward. They also reviewed School-related concerns like the new timetable, the new substance-abuse policy, and Project Future, Shawnigan’s strategic plan.
It wasn’t all serious, as the trip included hiking on the island, and swimming in the chilly Salish Sea. “It was a bit of fun in a beautiful place,” Clinton-Baker commented.
After dinner at a local pub in the Swartz Bay area, the prefects returned to the School on Saturday evening, and finished their induction weekend with brunch at Head of School Larry Lamont’s house on Sunday morning.
There are 14 prefects at Shawnigan, selected from Grade 12 class through an extensive process involving staff and their fellow students and announced in May of the previous school year. They serve as leaders among the students, and provide a bridge between students and staff, taking ownership in the running of the School.
This year’s group is diverse but cohesive, Clinton-Baker says, with representation from all of Shawnigan’s senior Houses.
“They see things differently, but they are open to other opinions.”
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The prefects each have different responsibilities, and they discussed what sort of leadership group they want to be, what their strengths are, what things they would like to do better, and how they can operate within their own sphere to drive forward. They also reviewed School-related concerns like the new timetable, the new substance-abuse policy, and Project Future, Shawnigan’s strategic plan.
It wasn’t all serious, as the trip included hiking on the island, and swimming in the chilly Salish Sea. “It was a bit of fun in a beautiful place,” Clinton-Baker commented.
After dinner at a local pub in the Swartz Bay area, the prefects returned to the School on Saturday evening, and finished their induction weekend with brunch at Head of School Larry Lamont’s house on Sunday morning.
There are 14 prefects at Shawnigan, selected from Grade 12 class through an extensive process involving staff and their fellow students and announced in May of the previous school year. They serve as leaders among the students, and provide a bridge between students and staff, taking ownership in the running of the School.
This year’s group is diverse but cohesive, Clinton-Baker says, with representation from all of Shawnigan’s senior Houses.
“They see things differently, but they are open to other opinions.”
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.
