As most of you will know, my formal education took place in a different country. I did not experience a Canadian education, the curriculum nor the approach that will be so familiar to many parents and guardians who did grow up in this country. Still, there are shifts in pedagogy that are familiar regardless of where you are in the world: we see, for example, more emphasis on student voice resulting in greater student ownership of the learning process. Further, the content which informs curriculum has also been changing due largely to the shift to digital resources and the growing number of more current sources available to students and teachers alike.

This week, a week focused on understanding Truth and Reconciliation, has brought into focus for me how different a school experience can be for a student compared to the adults in her life. The work of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC) has resulted in the historical record of this country being re-examined and, in part, re-written. Specifically, the relationship between Canada and its indigenous peoples is being redefined, resulting in all generations of Canadians learning about the history of their country together. Parents and guardians have an opportunity to engage with their children in understanding the stories and experiences that shaped the TRC’s report and that led to 94 Calls for Action. This can be challenging. I hear people express feelings of shame for being ignorant of this chapter in Canadian history. Still, others hold back out of fear, worried about saying or doing something wrong and thereby offending or contributing to misinformation. Both these emotions are understandable as we grapple with the critical and complex work of reconciliation.

Senator Murray Sinclair, who served as chairman of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission from 2009 to 2015, spoke to the uncomfortable emotions that accompany the critical journey Canada is on. In response to confronting pessimistic attitudes like “nothing will change”, the Senator told the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples: “I’ll tell you what gets me through it now and got me through it then, and that is the belief that you don’t have to believe that reconciliation will happen; you have to believe that reconciliation must happen … and you have to do what you can to make it happen.”

I felt proud to be living in Canada and especially this week when the country took a significant step toward achieving some of the objectives of the TRC through the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. I am particularly proud to be in a school community that is dedicated to this important and difficult work. As guided by TRC and always in age appropriate ways, this week we have focused on becoming more aware of the past, acknowledging the harm that was inflicted, and accepting we have a part to play in moving forward together towards a more equitable future for all. We are committed to continuing to develop our work in the days, months and years to come and to share our journey with our community.

Test of the School’s Special Alert Communication Protocol

The School uses a third-party system, Regroup, to send special alerts to members of the community in an emergency. Most commonly this is to announce a school closure due to inclement weather. On Monday, October 4 at 4:00 pm, the School will test the special alert communication protocol with all parents. A “TEST” message will be sent via email, text and voice message to the contact information listed in MySchool. The message will make it clear that it is a “test” message only. If you do not receive either the email, text or voice message, please check the contact information listed in the Student Information Portal, MySchool, and contact either Colleen Smee, Junior School (csmee@croftonhouse.ca) or Patrice Banting, Senior School (pbanting@croftonhouse.ca) to update your details.

Safety Concern: Picking Up Materials from Receiving

Individuals who have arranged to pick up items such as those ordered from the Uniform Shop are welcome to collect from the receiving area, 5711 Balaclava Street, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. If the facilities staff are away from the desk when you arrive, please use the buzzer and someone will be with you as soon as possible.

The shipping and receiving area of the school is busy in the morning with staff and student arrival and commercial deliveries. For this reason, parents/guardians must park on one of the nearby streets and walk onto campus; do not drive-in or park in the receiving area. Also, please take caution when entering or exiting this area on foot and walk along the fence on the south-side (next to the woodland) of the ramp.

Considering International Travel During the Holidays?

The federal government updated the quarantine requirement to exempt fully vaccinated travelers from the mandatory 14-day quarantine and extended this to unvaccinated minors travelling with vaccinated parents or guardians. Parents/guardians will want to be aware, however, that any unvaccinated minor is restricted from attending school for 14-days upon return regardless of vaccination exemption. Full information on the 14-day restrictions is outlined in a Government of Canada Flyer.

Seasonal Viruses and the Importance of the Daily Health Check

In both the September 28, 2021 and October 1, 2021, COVID-19 news briefings, Dr Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, provided an update on COVID-19 infections and school-aged children. In addition to other important data, she noted that public health is observing the presence of viruses linked to colds and the flu. She associated the return of these seasonal viruses with the increased mobility this year compared to last year. Further, she stressed the importance of the daily health check and to stay home when the symptoms of these viruses are present.

Whole Girl, Whole World with Carl Honoré - October 6

Crofton House School and the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary invite parents to save the date for a virtual evening with Carl Honoré on Wednesday, October 6 at 7:00 pm. Carl is an award-winning writer, broadcaster and TED speaker. He is the author of several books, including In Praise of Slow, that explore what he calls, “the Slow philosophy”—the idea of doing everything as well as possible, instead of as fast as possible. To register your attendance, RSVP online by Monday, October 4.

RSVP by October 1 - Virtual Conversation with Admissions

The Admissions Team will be hosting Conversations with Admissions events on Tuesday, October 5 at 7:00 pm and Tuesday, November 2 at 9:00 am. Richard Cohee, Director, Admissions, and his team will lead a discussion about the admissions process and financial assistance (for new students entering Grade 8) and there will be an opportunity for questions. Interested participants must RSVP by today to attend the first session, or Friday, October 29 for the second session.

Run for the Cure CHS Team

Since we can’t meet in person this year, the CIBC Run for the Cure has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind experience with both physical and virtual components. Run for the Cure takes place Sunday, October 3, and is an opportunity to bring together a small group of family and friends to run or walk around your neighbourhood as part of your at-home celebration. There’s still time to join the CHS team in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Receive your "Run for the Cure" t-shirt by raising the minimum fundraising thresholds ($60+ for youth and $150+ for adults). T-shirts will be mailed out after the event. Join the Crofton House Junior School team or Senior School team. Learn more.

Orange Shirt Day marked the culmination of a week of Truth & Reconciliation across the whole school. Students have engaged in multiple activities and discussions to deepen their understanding of Canadian history and to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope.

SEL is setting the tone for the 2021-2022 school year. We are prioritizing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as an important part of our approach to educating the whole girl. It’s also part of the province’s guidelines—we’re proud that BC is one of the first places in the world to call for SEL integration in the K-12 curriculum. Learn more about SEL and our unique approach at Crofton House School.

Exploring the world of colour and repetition, Senior Kindergarten students had lots of fun building and recording different patterns using their building cubes.

Grade 1 students learned all about the relationship between colours, temperatures and emotions in art class last week, as well as tracing their own hands to create some truly personal designs.

The Woods are full of life and colour right now, the perfect place for students to unwind between classes.

Locarno Beach was a great place for the Grade 6 students to spend a day forging new connections and reflecting. From team building activities to design challenges on the beach, there was no shortage of energy and enthusiasm.

Grade 7 students learned about the Crofton House grounds this week, helping clear an overgrowth of English ivy in The Woods as part of their environmental stewardship learning. The ivy requires regular pruning to help promote new growth, keep it looking its best, and to encourage a healthy flora habitat

All good performers will tell you the importance of warming up both body and mind. Grade 8 students were busy with a game of Zip-Zap-Zop before getting their drama class underway.

Students in Grade 10 had a wonderful three days to connect with nature and each other during their Outdoor Education camp on Gambier Island. The trip gave them a chance to try activities including camp craft, archery, paddlesports and environmental awareness and stewardship.

There’s nothing like equations on a whiteboard to get the brain cells firing. Grade 11 and 12 students were busy solving all manner of problems when we stopped by the classrooms this week.

The 4th annual Innovation Challenge took place this weekend with CHS students on campus in Manrell Hall, connecting over zoom with teams in other locations. Exploring the theme of “re-engage”, teams from across the Senior School presented an array of creative projects and prototypes designed to bring people back together after the pandemic.

Join in the Action

This year sees a return to athletic competition. Although, in the interest of safety, spectators are unable to attend indoor volleyball matches in person for most teams, the community is encouraged to cheer on the Crofton Falcons. Livestreamed matches can be viewed on the school website by following the links in the schedule below.

Livestream Schedule for Home Volleyball Matches

October 6 @ 5:00 pm - Senior Varsity vs Little Flower Academy
October 7 @ 3:45 pm - Grade 5 vs Fraser Academy
October 12 @ 3:45 pm - Grade 6 vs York House (Game 1)
October 12 @ 3:45 pm - Grade 6 vs York House (Game 2)
October 13 @ 3:30 pm - Junior Varsity vs Notre Dame & Little Flower Academy
October 14 @ 3:30 pm - Bantam vs Notre Dame & Little Flower Academy
October 18 @ 3:45 pm - Grade 7A vs Mulgrave
October 18 @ 3:45 pm - Grade 7B vs Mulgrave
October 19 @ 5:00 pm - Varsity vs West Point Grey

Junior School Athletics-at-a-Glance

• Cross Country: 46 students from Grade 3-7 participated in the Fraser Academy Relay Race at Jericho Park on Thursday, September 23. It was the first off campus race for our team since the 2019 season. The sun was shining, and the Falcons were fierce and full of enthusiasm!
• Volleyball: Our Junior School athletes on the Grade 6, Grade 7A, and Grade 7B teams hosted their first home games this past week. It was a great way to jump right into the competitive season and test our skills and team play. Our first home game for Grade 5 is coming up fast.
• Field Hockey: 30 Grade 6/7 students come out two mornings a week, rain or shine, to develop their field hockey skills. It has been wonderful to see these athletes out on Kent field, putting in the hard work even before the first bell of the day! We have CHS varsity players inspiring and helping our young athletes hone their skills.

Thank you to our coaches who are working diligently at practices to help prepare our teams and support our athletics program.

Senior School Athletics-at-a-Glance

• Volleyball: The Bantam team made a great start to their season, winning both opening matches against Little Flower Academy and York House School. Junior Team also won both of their opening season matches against Little Flower Academy and York House School. Varsity lost their opening game with Notre Dame, but came from two sets down to beat West Point Grey Academy 3-2.
• Field Hockey: Senior II fought back in their home opener against York House School to tie the game 1-1 in the dying moments. The Varsity team had their opening match against Little Flower Academy this week, tied 1-1 at the final whistle.
• Cross Country: Over 70 students have signed up for cross country this year and look forward to getting back to regular race days.
• Beginning October 1, varsity volleyball and field hockey teams will welcome in-person spectators to home matches and games at a ratio of one spectator to one student-athlete. Any spectators coming onto campus must self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms before arrival and only attend if free from symptoms and quarantine restrictions. Access to campus for field hockey games is through Gate M (Blenheim) only while volleyball spectators must use Gate D (Balaclava). Further, once on campus, spectators must observe all health and safety measures including logging their visit using the posted QR codes.

Go Falcons Go!

Thank you Buddy Program volunteers!

This past year the PA's Buddy Program helped connect an amazing 94 new families with current families in our community! Big thanks to all the families from nearly every grade who stepped forward to personally welcome new families into our community–this despite the pandemic. Also to be commended for organizing all the troops is Program Coordinator Tracy Tong.

Whole Girl, Whole World

Reminder to register for the Whole Girl, Whole World Speaker Series on October 6 with author Carl Honoré. Carl will help us apply the concept of slowing down for families/students and understand the benefits to all aspects of life.

Log into the My CHS portal to access the full school calendar.

Whole School

October 8 - Professional Development (No Classes)
October 11 - Thanksgiving (School Closed)
October 22 - Professional Development (No Classes)
October 29 - Halloween Activities

Junior School

October 20 - Grade 6 to 7 Parent Teacher Conferences
October 21 - Grade 1 to 7 Parent-Teacher Conferences

Senior School

October 7 - Grade 8 Housewarming
October 18-20 - Grade 9 Outdoor Education