Explore Our Photo Highlights

Looking for photos captured across campus? Each edition of ECalls includes a link to a SmugMug photo gallery, where you can browse and enjoy recent snapshots from around our community. Simply scroll down to the Student Experience section below to find this edition’s gallery.

Calendar Highlights

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

Whole School

September 21 - Individual Photo Day with Artona
September 29 - Orange Shirt Day
September 30 - National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (School Closed)
October 2 - Test of the School’s Special Alert System (Details below)
October 12 - Thanksgiving (School Closed)

Junior School

September 18 - Grade 6 Student-Led Family Tour/Refreshment
September 21 - JK Full Day Begins
September 23 - Grade 1-5 Curriculum Evening
September 25 - Grade 6 Coffee & Conversation with JS Director
September 26 - Nurturing the Early Years: Exploring Development in Children 3–5 Years Old (RSVP)
September 29 - Grade 6-7 Curriculum Evening
October 1 - JK & SK Curriculum Evening
October 2 - Grade 7 Coffee & Conversation with JS Director
October 5 - Grade 1-7 Parent Assembly
October 6-9 - Grade 7 Outdoor Education
October 9 - Grade 5 Coffee & Conversation with JS Director

Senior School

September 21 - New to CHS Grade 8 Parents Coffee Morning
September 22-25 - Ivy 10 Camp (Camp Fircom)
September 22-25 - PHE 10: Outdoor Education Experiential Learning Excursion (Garibaldi)
October 1 - Senior School Curriculum Evening
October 7 - Grade 8 Housewarming

Learning Together

September 22 - Grade 11 Career Education, Work Integrated Learning & Post-Secondary Counselling Learning Evening (Virtual)
September 24 - Mandarin-Speaking Learning Together Session 1 (RSVP)
October 1 - Mandarin-Speaking Learning Together Session 2
October 6 - Senior School Session: Student Well-Being & Voice (Details below)
October 8 - Mandarin-Speaking Learning Together Session 3
October 8 - Grade 10 Career Education, Work Integrated Learning & Post-Secondary Counselling Learning Evening (Virtual)

Parents' Auxiliary (PA)

September 17 - Welcome Reception (Grade 8)
September 21 - Senior School Class Parent Orientation
September 23 - CHS Community Book Club
September 24 - ECE & Junior School Class Parent Orientation
September 29 - Cultural Liaison Orientation

Our Purposeful Parenting resources and Learning Together events offer meaningful opportunities for families to connect, learn, and explore ways to support students both at school and at home.

• Purposeful Parenting offers curated resources and articles on timely topics relevant to CHS families. Content includes pieces by the Crofton House School team outlining the School’s approach to teaching and learning, alongside a diverse selection of external resources to support meaningful conversations at home. These resources are available on the My CHS Community Portal, and will also be shared in ECalls.
• Learning Together sessions will cover a range of topics including education, parenting, well-being, and contemporary issues, with presentations led by CHS community members and guest experts. Invitations and reminders will be shared via email and in ECalls in advance of events, and the schedule is available on My CHS.

Purposeful Parenting Resources

Two Conversations with Ena Harrop, Head of School, and Deryn Lavell, Head of York House School, on Educating Girls in 2026

Ms Harrop, Head of School, alongside Ms Lavell, Head of School at York House, recently joined two different podcasts to explore what it means to educate girls today. Topics from AI and social media to confidence, resilience and the unique strengths of all‑girls schools are discussed across the episodes—which are now available to listen to online!

• Coastal Front with Andrew Johns: Listen here.
• She’s Got Nerve with Martha Piper and Indira Samarasekera: Listen on Spotify or on Apple Podcasts.

Learning Together Events

Supporting the Navigation of School Life - Mandarin Sessions

Mandarin-speaking parents and guardians new to Crofton House are invited to a series of three events in September and October, focused on providing Mandarin-speaking families with the tools and information necessary to better engage with school life. The content covered during the sessions is drawn from resources currently available on our school website and through other English-language school events. See last week’s email for further details, and RSVP online. The first session will be on Thursday, September 24, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on the topic of CHS Resources and Girl-Centred Education.

Senior School: Student Well-Being & Student Voice - What the Data Reveals

Senior School parents are invited to join members of the Senior School leadership team on Tuesday, October 6, from 8:30 am to 9:30 am, in the Bains Amphitheatre for the Senior School Learning Together session: Student Well-Being & Student Voice - What the Data Reveals. In this session, hear about findings from various data points collected last year on our students' well-being. We'll be talking through areas of strengths and growth, how the Senior School is actioning findings, and strategies to partner with families to best support students and set them up for success. There will also be a coffee social hosted before the session, at 8:00 am in the Bains Amphitheatre. Register here.

See all events.

Notices - Action Items

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 Friday, October 2, at 3:45 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. If a change is needed, click on “My Contact Details - Edit”, make the necessary change and “Save”.

School Photo Day on Monday, September 21

Please note that Monday, September 21, is School Photo Day. Photographers from Artona will be on site all day to capture professional portraits of students. Students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 are expected to wear their full #1 Uniform and follow all uniform guidelines noted in the Parent-Student Handbook. There is a second opportunity for photos on Monday, October 19.

Nurturing the Early Years: Exploring Development in Children 3–5 Years Old

The early years are a time of extraordinary growth, curiosity, and possibility. Supporting children during this time can be both joyful and deeply meaningful. Join us on Saturday, September 26, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, for a morning of learning that brings together families, educators, and caregivers who support children ages 3–5 to explore what helps young learners flourish. Hear from:

• Keynote Dr Deborah MacNamara, Developmentalist, Counsellor, Author & Educator
• Dr Alison Faber, Developmental Pediatrician
• Dimity Duckworth, Occupational Therapist
• Ivana Prpić, Speech and Language Pathologist

See last week’s invitation for details and register here!

Admissions for the 2027-2028 School Year

Applications for the 2027-2028 school year at Crofton House are now open. Applications for all intake years (JK, SK, Grade 6, Grade 8) are due in November. Please share our invitation to register for an upcoming open house with your network. On Saturday, October 3, current Grade 7s applying for Grade 8 admission are invited to attend an Ivy Discovery Day. Read the blog for a look into last year’s event!

Notices - For Your Information

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation: Upcoming Grade 6-12 Assembly

Across our campus, we acknowledge National Day for Truth & Reconciliation on September 30 in ways that are meaningful for each age and stage. On Monday, September 28, Grade 6-12 students will gather in Manrell Hall for an assembly in advance of National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. We are honoured to welcome Musqueam Elder, educator, and knowledge keeper Larry sʔəyəɬəq Grant, alongside co-author Scott Steedman, as they speak to, and answer questions about, their book Reconciling: A Lifelong Struggle to Belong.

To learn more about Larry, visit our blog, or watch the short documentary Writing the Land.

My CHS Community Portal: Your “Go-To” Resource

The My CHS Community Portal includes resources such as the Parent-Student Handbook, Purposeful Parenting resources, school policies, student health and safety procedures, forms, the holiday and vacation calendar, the uniform order form, recordings of livestreamed events and productions, guidance on how to raise an issue, and more. If there is a resource you are unable to find on MyCHS, please contact communications@croftonhouse.ca.

Immunization Clinics

There are two clinics for routine childhood vaccines at Crofton House School scheduled for this academic year. The first was today, September 17, for Grade 6 students. Grade 9 students will be immunized on Thursday, February 4. School clinics are just one way for school-age children and teens to be vaccinated; speak with your family physician or contact our local health authority for more information.

Uniform Shop Hours in September

The Uniform Shop is open to parents and Senior School students on Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (closed for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm). After-school drop-in for parents with Junior School students is from 2:00 pm to closing. For information on our online order form, booking an appointment, or donating used uniform items, visit the website.

Book a Portrait Session

Planning is underway for this year’s Winter Bazaar on Saturday, November 28. In advance of the date, portrait sessions are taking place on October 18—instead of on event day! Enjoy professional, quality photographs, perfect for holiday cards, gifts, or simply capturing a special moment, while supporting our Winter Bazaar partners! Sign up here to reserve your session.

Winter Bazaar Volunteering

Help bring the magic to life at this year’s Winter Bazaar! We’re looking for one additional Convenor to help coordinate the Grade 11 Artisan Goods booth and one Site Wrap-Up Coordinator to assist with end-of-day organization and cleanup. If you are interested in helping to make the Winter Bazaar successful in any way, email the Winter Bazaar Co-Chairs at bazaarchairs@croftonhouse.ca.

Student Experience

This week’s gallery kicks off the 2026–2027 school year with a back-to-school bang—from Grade 6 and 8 orientations to the Grade 12’s West 41st welcome signs, meeting the new Student Executive to the Grade 7 Sash Ceremony, and the Welcome Back Celebration. Plus: Grade 12 Lifers, the Grade 7 Chair Design Challenge, and classroom highlights from across campus!

Whole School Opening Assembly Recording

A recording of the Whole School Opening Assembly from Friday, September 11, is now available on the My CHS Portal. Hear from Ms Harrop, Head of School, about the importance of playfulness, and Bella, Grade 12 and Head Prefect, about friendship through the lens of Project Hail Mary–and enjoy both the Lifer Pin and Ellen K Bryan Pin presentations!

Sharing in the Excitement of a New School Year: Reconnecting, Welcoming New Energy & Making Memories

As the new school year begins, we are all settling into fresh routines, welcoming new faces, and looking ahead to the opportunities this year will bring! We asked our community what some of the things they are most excited for this year are—whether reconnecting with friends and discovering new interests, or learning, growing, and making meaningful memories. Read what they had to share on our blog!

Ready… set… go for fall! With cross country and volleyball already underway in the Junior School, and tryouts giving way to first practices and tournaments for cross country, field hockey, and volleyball in the Senior School, the Crofton Falcons are back in full force. Learn more about the first two weeks of training and upcoming events on our blog.

Go Falcons Go!

CHS Parents' Auxiliary

A Wonderful Welcome Back Celebration!

What better way to kick off the new school year than with an afternoon filled with fun, laughter, and school spirit? The annual Welcome Back Celebration brought the Crofton House community together for an energetic and joyful afternoon. Students enjoyed an amazing variety of activities, including carnival and arcade games, claw machines, face painting, towel bunny crafts, a bouncy castle, and a fun-filled photobooth—and of course, as always, many delicious treats! DJ Rock n’ Beau was a huge hit once again, keeping everyone dancing with high-energy tunes, bubbles, and plenty of smiles. Many parents also stopped by for chats at the PA table to ask questions and learn more about the year ahead.

A heartfelt thank you to all the hard work of the event chairs Shelly Chen and Charlotte Hsu. We are so grateful for everything you did to bring our community together!

A Great Start to PB & Jam!

The first CHS PB & Jam Pickleball Social was a fantastic success, as parents of all skill levels came together for a fun-filled morning of light-hearted play, plenty of laughs, and post-summer catch-up chats. It was wonderful to see parents connecting, getting active, and enjoying some friendly competition on the courts. A huge thank you to CHS parents Bella Wu and John Sun for all their time, energy, and hard work in organizing these socials and creating such a welcoming way for our parent community to connect. We look forward to more PB & Jam fun throughout the fall! Sign up here to join a future event.

Reminder: CHS Community Book Club

A friendly reminder that the CHS Community Book Club starts up again next week on Wednesday, September 23, at 9:30 am in the Nocente Family Fireplace Lounge. The book theme is anything beach-related, whether a ‘beach read’ or a book set at the beach! Light refreshments, coffee, and tea will be provided. Please RSVP here.

Note: If you are interested in an evening book club this school year, we’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to auxiliary@croftonhouse.ca.

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