News Archive
AGM Message from the Chair of the Board
Shawnigan Lake School’s 2022 Annual General Meeting was held at the School on Founder’s Day, Saturday, October 22. The following is the address delivered at the AGM by Fiona Macfarlane, the Chair of the Board of Governors, shared here with her permission.
I am delighted to give the Chair’s address in person this year instead of Zooming in.
The School is in fine form; financially, we are on very solid ground, admissions are strong, and the School is abuzz with many of the traditional rituals and activities, like Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock, sports events, the Model UN Global Goals Conference, and others. It almost feels like we are back to normal.
I am delighted to give the Chair’s address in person this year instead of Zooming in.
The School is in fine form; financially, we are on very solid ground, admissions are strong, and the School is abuzz with many of the traditional rituals and activities, like Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock, sports events, the Model UN Global Goals Conference, and others. It almost feels like we are back to normal.
Strategically, Project Future is moving apace: Beyond the Gates has been a huge success – Tom Hall, the School’s first Heimbecker Chair for Experiential Education, certainly fulfilled the inspirational aspect of his role. The School – both students and staff – derived huge value from his expertise.
Our academic excellence imperative is driving rigorous analysis of results and review of pedagogy, and it is paying off. Students are dreaming big and being accepted into leading universities post-Shawnigan. We saw students accepted into Cambridge and Yale and Berklee College of Music, to name a few. The diversity of placements is just one indicator that we are sparking minds and forging futures.
Samuel House, the co-ed boarding house for Grade 8 students (with one wing for girls and one wing for boys), is well underway. The record enrolment of Grade 8 girls is a validation of the concept that a gentle and nurturing House for the youngest members of the community will enable them to find their feet before they enter the fast-paced life of the older Houses.
The process of turning the recreational space that links the arena and the Sportsplex into a Sports Village with a variety of recreational facilities is almost complete. It is going to be a great space that will catalyze play and fitness.
The Innovation and Creativity Centre is being researched and designed in concept. We are confident it will be a world-class facility that provides the place and structure for students to practise critical thinking, creativity and collaboration – skills that are crucial for today and tomorrow. No other school we are aware of will have a facility this cool.
The School is continuing to change lives by deliberately ensuring the diversity of the student body –gender, cultural, and socio-economic as well. Just as an example, this year we have our highest enrolment of students who identify as Indigenous, and we welcomed students from Afghanistan and Ukraine. They add to the richness of the Shawnigan community.
And very importantly, something that is close to all our hearts: the Shawnigan community is coming through with contributions to building access to the School through scholarships and financial aid. The Board is resolutely committed to continuing C.W. Lonsdale’s commitment to access to Shawnigan irrespective of financial capacity.
All in all, another really strong year at Shawnigan.
Before I turn over to the Head for his report, thank you so much to Larry and the staff of Shawnigan, educators and staff alike, for an excellent year. Thank you to parents for entrusting your children to Shawnigan, and thank you to the Governors of the School and the Foundation for your generosity in time, and your commitment to Shawnigan. You make a difference.
Fiona Macfarlane
Chair, Shawnigan Lake School Board of Governors
Our academic excellence imperative is driving rigorous analysis of results and review of pedagogy, and it is paying off. Students are dreaming big and being accepted into leading universities post-Shawnigan. We saw students accepted into Cambridge and Yale and Berklee College of Music, to name a few. The diversity of placements is just one indicator that we are sparking minds and forging futures.
Samuel House, the co-ed boarding house for Grade 8 students (with one wing for girls and one wing for boys), is well underway. The record enrolment of Grade 8 girls is a validation of the concept that a gentle and nurturing House for the youngest members of the community will enable them to find their feet before they enter the fast-paced life of the older Houses.
The process of turning the recreational space that links the arena and the Sportsplex into a Sports Village with a variety of recreational facilities is almost complete. It is going to be a great space that will catalyze play and fitness.
The Innovation and Creativity Centre is being researched and designed in concept. We are confident it will be a world-class facility that provides the place and structure for students to practise critical thinking, creativity and collaboration – skills that are crucial for today and tomorrow. No other school we are aware of will have a facility this cool.
The School is continuing to change lives by deliberately ensuring the diversity of the student body –gender, cultural, and socio-economic as well. Just as an example, this year we have our highest enrolment of students who identify as Indigenous, and we welcomed students from Afghanistan and Ukraine. They add to the richness of the Shawnigan community.
And very importantly, something that is close to all our hearts: the Shawnigan community is coming through with contributions to building access to the School through scholarships and financial aid. The Board is resolutely committed to continuing C.W. Lonsdale’s commitment to access to Shawnigan irrespective of financial capacity.
All in all, another really strong year at Shawnigan.
Before I turn over to the Head for his report, thank you so much to Larry and the staff of Shawnigan, educators and staff alike, for an excellent year. Thank you to parents for entrusting your children to Shawnigan, and thank you to the Governors of the School and the Foundation for your generosity in time, and your commitment to Shawnigan. You make a difference.
Fiona Macfarlane
Chair, Shawnigan Lake School Board of Governors
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.
