Houses

Copeman's House

Copeman’s House was founded in 1929 and is named for John Y. Copeman, a Victoria lawyer who was Chairman of the Board of Governors for many years.

Colours: Crimson & white
Motto: Ubi crux ibi lux ~ Where there is a cross, there is light
Hymn: "Lift High the Cross"

Duxbury House

Duxbury House was founded in 1999 and named for Frank Duxbury, a teacher who was Senior Master at the School during the 1950s and early 1960s.

Colours: Royal blue & gold
Motto: Cave lupum ~ beware of the wolf
Hymn: "I Vow to Thee My Country"

Groves' House

Founded in 1927, Groves’ was named after Jocelyn James Douglas Groves, its first Head of House, who later rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the British Army. Groves’ was converted to a girls' residence in 1992 and rebuilt in 2005.

Colours: Maroon & white
Motto: Ex unitate vires ~ From unity, strength
Hymn: "I Feel the Winds of God Today"

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of David Hyde-Lay

    David Hyde-Lay 

    House Director - Copeman's, Modern Languages, Coach
    250-743-6474
  • Photo of Remi Anctil

    Remi Anctil 

    Assistant House Director - Copeman's, Social Studies, Coach

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Tom Lupton

    Tom Lupton 

    250-743-6281
  • Photo of Jeff Williams

    Jeff Williams 

    Assistant House Director - Duxbury, Head of Physical Education
    250-743-6254

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Katrina Cholack

    Katrina Cholack 

    250-743-6241
  • Photo of Laura Russell

    Laura Russell 

    Assistant House Director - Groves', Student Support Associate, Rugby Coach
    250-743-6385

Kaye's House

Founded in 1989 as the second girls’ house, Kaye's House was named in honour of G. Peter Kaye, the School's second Headmaster, whose sons and grandsons also attended Shawnigan.

Colours: Purple & white
Motto: Alis volamus propriis ~ With wings we fly
Hymn: "And Did Those Feet in Ancient Time"

Lake's House

Lake’s House was founded in 1927 as one of Shawnigan’s two original residences. Lake’s was named after Harry John Lake, its first Head of House, who later became a colonel in the Canadian Army.

Colours: Emerald green & light blue
Motto: Non sibi sed aliis ~ Not for ourselves but others
Hymn: "Amazing Grace"

Lonsdale's House

Lonsdale's House was founded in 1968 and named for C.W. Lonsdale, Shawnigan's founding Headmaster.

Colours: Forest green, gold & black
Motto: Ex Fumo Dare Lucem ~ To give light from smoke.
Hymn: "How Great Thou Art"

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Erica Plater

    Erica Plater 

    House Director - Kaye's, Student Counselling
    250-743-6272
  • Photo of Clayton Panga

    Clayton Panga 

    Assistant House Director - Kaye's

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Wes Plater

    Wes Plater 

    House Director - Lake's, Social Studies
    250-743-6293
  • Photo of Mariel Solsberg

    Mariel Solsberg 

    Assistant House Director - Lake's, Fine Art, Physical Education

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of James Pollock

    James Pollock 

    House Director - Lonsdale's, Athletic Advisor, Head Hockey Coach Varsity
  • Photo of Eva Holloway

    Eva Holloway 

    Assistant House Director - Lonsdale's

Renfrew House

Renfrew House was founded in 1996 in order to expand the space for girls wishing to enrol at the School.

Colours: Orange & white
Motto: Solae paulum uniter tantum ~ Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much
Hymn: "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee"

Ripley's House

One of the Shawnigan's two original houses, Ripley's House was named after Alexander B. Ripley, who was its first Head of House and who later became a lawyer in California.

Colours: Navy & light blue
Motto: Acta non verba ~ Actions, not words
Hymn: "I Hear Thy Welcome Voice"

Strathcona House

Strathcona Lodge School House was founded in 2008 to incorporate the girls from the original School House in the Main Building and to recognize the close historical ties Shawnigan has with Strathcona Lodge School House. Shawnigan has since adopted the former "Old Girls" of "Strath" as honorary Shawnigan alumnae.

Colours: Sky blue & white
Motto: Cherchons ~ Let us seek
Hymn: "Be Thou My Vision"

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Chelsea Russell

    Chelsea Russell 

    House Director - Renfrew, Special Education Teacher
    250-743-6464
  • Photo of Aren Goodman

    Aren Goodman 

    Assistant House Director - Renfrew, Film Teacher, Communications Associate

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Andrew Doyle

    Andrew Doyle 

    House Director - Ripley's, Physical Education, Coach
    250-743-6247
  • Photo of Carly Haggard

    Carly Haggard 

    Assistant House Director - Ripley's, Physical Education, Head Hockey Female Prep Coach
    250-743-6463

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Julie Platt

    Julie Platt 

    House Director - Strathcona, Learning Centre Specialist, Head of Rowing
    250-743-6464
  • Photo of Andria Conroy

    Andria Conroy 

    Athletic Coordinator, Physical Education, Coach, Assistant House Director - Strathcona
    250-743-6223

Stanton House

Founded in September 2019 to house the Grade 8 girls. Stanton is named after the first school nurse at Shawnigan, Eleanor Stanton who worked here from 1918 to 1962.


Colours: Pink & White
Motto: Cervae, optime educatae, floreamus” ~ We hinds, brilliantly educated, flourish

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Rainbow Bartlett

    Rainbow Bartlett 

    House Director - Stanton
  • Photo of Vikki Agate

    Vikki Agate 

    Director of Fine Arts & Activities, Fine Art - Art & AP Studio Art
    250-743-6237

Levien House

Founded in September 2020 to house the Grade 8 boys after the success of Stanton House. Named after a dedicated and dynamic member of staff from the 1920-1930s, Captain ‘Tiny’ Levien was a colleague of Stanton. He introduced rugby to Shawnigan and taught the younger boys. 
Colours: Brown & Cream
Motto: Iuventutis Vehamus Fortunas ~ Let us bear the fortunes of youth

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Edward Taylor

    Edward Taylor 

    House Director - Levien, Science
    250-743-5516 ext 354
  • Photo of Travis Gronsdahl

    Travis Gronsdahl 

    Assistant House Director - Levien
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.