April 2017

This spring edition of 1898 features our 2017 Alumnae Achievement Award winner, Doreen McKenzie Sanders and the 119th birthday celebrations of Crofton House School. We also share stories of our fellow alumnae, our soon-to-be alumnae and upcoming events – we hope you enjoy!

2017 Alumnae Achievement Award

Doreen McKenzie Sanders C.M., OG’38 – An Inspiration at Any Age

In early March, the CHS community was thrilled to welcome Doreen McKenzie Sanders back to Crofton House — her first visit to campus, which moved from the West End to Kerrisdale a few years after she left the school in the late 1930s.

It was a day filled with stories and laughter, words of wisdom and fond memories. The biggest takeaway she’d like Croftonians to remember from her visit is, “To trust oneself, to aim high and be brave. Life throws a lot of curves at us, and it takes bravery.” Beyond that, she adds, “Have fun, and be forever optimistic. Believe the best will happen. Too often in our lives, we get discouraged. Discouragement puts you down.”

Alumnae in the Making

Christie Gray ’17 — Irreplaceable Experience

An exceptional athlete, student and noted leader on campus, Christie’s youthful enthusiasm has served her especially well in learning first-hand about balance and time management in the Senior School. This fall, much as she did at CHS, she will continue balancing the demands of being an elite athlete with a rigorous academic program at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University while playing for the university’s Golden Gaels soccer team.

“Education has always been a priority in my family, which is why, when given the opportunity, I was encouraged to come to CHS. When I arrived at Crofton House in grade 8, I was super excited and wanted to make the most of all the opportunities coming my way. I signed up for 10 different clubs. I wanted to be part of everything,” says Christie.

Beyond the Ivy Walls

The new Lunch and Learn Program — Sharing Stories Beyond the Ivy Walls

The Lunch and Learn Program provides exciting opportunities to engage and connect for CHS alumnae and current students in areas that are a cornerstone of every student’s life at Crofton House, namely education, career choices and life paths. The Lunch and Learn series allows grade 12 students to meet with alumnae to learn first-hand about the rewards and challenges that have propelled them to success in their educational endeavours, careers and lives. The program’s goal is to inspire our CHS girls to discover and explore their fullest potential, to be curious and open to various careers — and to explore the courage needed to make the most of future opportunities.

Most recent speakers include Jennifer Baird ’85, Karen Holyk ‘86 and Sonya Zeitler Fletcher ‘87.

Campus News

119 Years of Crofton House School

March 3, 2017 marked CHS’s 119th birthday, with more than 100 alumnae returning to campus to join in the festivities. The day’s highlights included many choral performances at the celebration assembly, and birthday greetings relayed on behalf of the student body by grade 7 student leaders, head girl Kat Uy '16, and assistant head girl Kaitlin Chow '16. Members of the alumnae community enjoyed reminiscing over CHS memories through the wonderful archival displays, and were moved by the inspiring words of this year’s Alumnae Achievement Award winner — the remarkable Doreen McKenzie Sanders.

It was wonderful to see so many reunion classes gathered as they launched their reunion activities over birthday lunch. Celebrating their reunions were the classes of 1947, 1957, 1967, 1977 and 1987.

View photo gallery »

Alumnae Association Annual General Meeting

The AGM was held on March 3, and included a full house. The Association took this opportunity to announce its new executive for 2017 – 2018 and pay tribute to a special volunteer, Karen Fryer ‘85.

Alumnae Association Executive for 2017–18

We are pleased to announce the new Alumnae Association executive for 2017 – 2018:

Gillian (Will) Reynolds ’90, President
Jennifer (Connell) Fotheringham ’84, Vice President
Cathy (Fraser) Hunt ’81, Past President
Kelly (McCarthy) Eng ’90, Secretary
Patricia Lee ’91, Treasurer
Lishe O’Kiely ’75, Uniform Shop Manager

Thank You — Karen Fryer ‘85

This year’s AGM marked the end of eight years of dedicated volunteer service from Karen Fryer ’85. Karen diligently served as the CHS Alumnae Association’s treasurer since 2009.CHS Alumnae Association President Gillian Reynolds spoke of Karen’s dedication, “We have been so fortunate to have Karen’s expertise as she helped us modernize our past accounting systems. We are all so grateful for Karen’s steadfast commitment and tireless contributions to the Association — and Crofton House.”

Upcoming Events — Get Involved!

Mother/Daughter Tea — Be Inspired!
April 21, 3:30 – 5:30 pm

On Friday, April 21, the CHS Alumnae Association will host the second annual Mother/Daughter Tea — Be Inspired! event, combining two previous alum events: the Alumnae Mother/Daughter Tea and Inspiring Women. At this event, the Association will host grade 12 students and their mothers for a traditional tea — the perfect opportunity to welcome our soon-to-be alumnae to the Association. If you’re interested in volunteering on April 21, please contact Jennifer Fotheringham '84.

20th Annual CHS Golf Classic

This year’s golf tournament will be held on May 26 at the University Golf Club. All funds raised will support the school’s new bursary program. For more information, please contact Anna Rivera.

Running for a Cause

The Crofton House Alumnae Association is starting a running club. For new and seasoned runners, it’s an invitation to run and connect with new friends. We’ll be registering in various charity runs over the course of the year, the first being the Scotiabank Charity Classic on June 25. The Crofties will be running under The Lipstick Project team banner. Founded by Leigh (Boyle) Schumman ’05, The Lipstick Project serves men, women and children in Metro Vancouver facing significant health challenges by offering light, love and compassionate care through free, professional spa services. For more information about the running club, contact Roma Palmer ‘87.

Whole Girl, Whole World — Save the Date

Crofton House School and the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary invite you to save the date for the next Whole Girl, Whole World speaker series event with Amanda Lang on September 28, 2017. Amanda is the author of the bestselling book, The Power of Why: Simple Questions That Lead to Success. Through an entertaining mix of examples from the business world and her candid stories of life off-camera, she examines how asking the right questions can change how we operate in business, education, and as individuals. Her new book, The Beauty of Discomfort, was released on April 4 and is available for purchase at the School Store and Alumnae Uniform Shop.

For more information, please contact us at alumnae@croftonhouse.ca.

Alumnae News

What’s new in the Uniform Shop?

Gordon tartan pashminas are back by popular demand — the perfect wrap for a breezy spring evening. Also available at the Uniform Shop are our branded water bottles, now available in three colours: silver, grey and white.

To place your order, please contact Lishe O’Kiely ’75.

Notes

We are pleased to extend warm birthday wishes to Evelyn (Smith) (Quigley) MacLachlan ’35 on the milestone of her 100th birthday. Evelyn’s big day was celebrated by family and friends, including daughter Susan (Quigley) Wood ’59 and niece Victoria Patrick ’99.

Masako (Evans) Gooch ’04 and her high school sweetheart, Rob Gooch, proudly announce the arrival of Amelia Kazuyo Lytton Gooch on July 23, 2016.

Lana Sutherland ’86 has been forging new ground with her company TEALEAVES. Following a recent packaging collaboration with world colour expert PANTONE®, TEALEAVES created a documentary: Color In Sight. Exploring colour and design, it features the heads of design from companies such as OPI nail polish, Nike, Pantone and Herman Miller, as well as Brown University and Cornell University.

As TEALEAVES' documentary panel was chosen from among thousands of entries, Lana spoke at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas on March 14 alongside Pantone, Nike and Herman Miller.

Fran Sloan Sainas ’75 was delighted to read of Matina Pun ’18 and her love of fencing in the previous edition of 1898. CHS has a long history of fencing, and Fran was one of the original members of Crofton House School's 1971 fencing team. Three years ago, Fran took up the sport again after her son joined the fencing club at Queen’s University. Her skills remain sharp as ever. In November 2016, she participated in the Commonwealth Fencing Veteran Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand. A member of Team Canada’s women’s gold medal épée team, she also won a silver medal in the women’s 50+ épée. Also memorable for Fran was the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that was part of her experience Down Under.

Passings

It is with great sadness that we inform the alumnae community of the passing of Jean Begg on January 15, 2017. Jean joined CHS in 1959 as a teacher in the Junior School, and a teacher of bible literature in the Senior School. In 1962, she was appointed Head of the Junior School, serving in that position until 1978.

Jean will be remembered by her students and staff members alike for her love of teaching, storytelling and puppet shows. She had a passion for life, beautifully captured in this recent video.

If you have news or special announcements you would like to share with your alumnae family, kindly email us.

April 21
Mother/Daughter Tea — Be Inspired!

May 26
CHS Annual Golf Classic

September 28
Whole Girl, Whole World Speaker Series

Useful Links

Class Notes
Read about the significant accomplishments, marriage and birth announcements, and education or career successes of your fellow alum.

Share your Story
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Class Reunions

Class Representatives