I am proud to introduce the community to Kara McDonald, who will start as the Deputy Head, Partnerships & Community Engagement this September. This new role for CHS was developed from the strategic plan to elevate and fully develop the partnership opportunities that exist within and beyond the School to enhance the student experience. As Deputy Head, Kara will work closely with me and all School Directors to promote and support the School.
Kara brings a wealth of experience as an educator and leader. She currently serves as the Deputy Head of York House School. Before this position, she was the Director of Teaching and Learning and Global Programs Coordinator at York House School. As a teacher, she has taught across Canada (Halifax and British Columbia) and the world (Mexico and Côte d’Ivoire).
Kara's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in French Language from Queens University and a Bachelor of Education, along with Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies in International Affairs from Dalhousie University. She has also been actively involved in doctoral studies focusing on curriculum, pedagogy, and global issues for several years.
Kara’s appointment is a significant step toward realizing the potential of our Strategic Plan’s Meaningful Partnership strategy. Her skills and experience, coupled with her track record of developing strategic plans and leading school-wide initiatives, will be instrumental in aligning our Admissions, Advancement, Communications, and Marketing efforts. Her direct work with students to expand their networks further underscores her readiness to launch this new role for CHS.
We are eagerly anticipating Kara's arrival next academic year. Her dedication to girl-centred education has earned her high esteem within the Independent Schools Association of British Columbia (ISABC) and the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS). As a student-centred educator, she is committed to enriching the student experience by creating diverse opportunities that inspire, connect, and empower young individuals. We are confident that Kara's presence will greatly contribute to our collective future, and we look forward to extending a warm welcome to her.
Jennifer Wallace: Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic
Thank you to those who attended the Whole Girl, Whole World session with Jennifer Wallace on Tuesday, April 30. For those who were unable to attend, a recording of the event is available in English and Mandarin until the end of May. Check out Jennifer’s website which has many helpful articles on parenting younger children and teens.
Digital Literacy and the AI in Education
The Ministry of Education and Child Care has created a web page on digital literacy and the use of AI in education for teachers, students, parents, and guardians. A two-page document specifically for parents and guardians includes answers to frequently asked questions about the use of AI in K-12 schools.
CHS Parents’ Auxiliary Backpack Drive
We are nearing our goal of 300 backpacks donated by next Monday – help us get across the finish line by sponsoring a backpack today! With every backpack donated, we can help ensure that one more Vancouver-area child has the necessary supplies for a successful start to their school year in September. A crucial component to this program's success comes from the CHS community with hands-on assistance from parents and students to pack and deliver the backpacks. Come with your daughter to our packing event on Monday, May 27 at 3:30 pm in Manrell Hall – sign up here to volunteer!
Staff Appreciation 2024: Help Celebrate Our Teachers and Staff
The CHS Parents' Auxiliary is thrilled to announce our upcoming Staff Appreciation event, taking place on Thursday, May 23. We will be hosting a special luncheon in the Old Residence to honour our school's incredible teachers and staff. This event's success depends on parents' support, so we invite you to join us in expressing our gratitude for their dedication and hard work. Whether you sign up to contribute food, refreshments, or financial support, your involvement is deeply appreciated by CHS teachers and staff!
Become a Class Parent in 2024-2025
Looking for an exciting way to get involved and make a difference in our school community? Sign up to be a Class Parent! This role is a wonderful opportunity to organize fun events while working collaboratively with other parents in your grade. Sign up here by May 16!
Exchange Student Blog
Embark on a global adventure alongside two students who recently travelled to Brisbane, Australia and Hamilton, New Zealand as part of the CHS Global Exchange Program. Find out about their first impressions and the unique geography and culture they got to experience. Read the blog here.
New Items on the CHS Online Store!
There are new items that have arrived just in time for golf season! Gear up for the 26th Golf Classic in an official CHS tartan hat or CHS baseball cap. Or try our CHS 125 Anniversary Tea Blend.
Be A Good Neighbour - It’s Also The Law
While the School prefers to focus on the respectful behaviour we expect all CHS members to demonstrate toward our valued and tolerant neighbours, this message is only reaching some. It is particularly disheartening to hear of neighbours being dismissed when asking drivers to move cars that are blocking a driveway, parking too close to crosswalks, or impeding traffic by ignoring the cones placed along a curb.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the City of Vancouver’s bylaws regarding traffic and parking: not all of which require signed zones. Street and lane regulations are enforced under Street and Traffic By-law 2849. For example, Section 17.2(d) restricts stopping or parking within 1.5 metres of a private road, boulevard crossing, or sidewalk crossing. The driver of the car photographed here is in violation of this section of the bylaw. The neighbour brought this to our attention after being dismissed by the driver when asking them to move the car.
Emergency Preparedness Week - May 6-11, 2024
Across Canada, Emergency Preparedness Week highlights the importance of being prepared for emergencies. At school, we prepare for emergencies that require immediate and trained responses such as evacuation, lockdown, hold and secure, and the “drop, cover, hold” earthquake response. In addition to regular drills, we rely on families to be prepared.
What can you do?
- When you are allowed to update your profile, ensure you have at least one emergency contact listed for your daughter in addition to parents/guardians, someone who would be available to pick up your daughter should you be unavailable immediately.
- Be prepared for emergencies; provincial and municipal resources are available to help. Know the hazards, make a plan, and gather supplies before an emergency.
- Be aware of your closest Disaster Support Hub. There are 25 disaster support hubs throughout the city where city staff and trained volunteers prioritize getting information and providing services to the public. The Dunbar location (DEEP) is hosting an open house on Saturday, May 11, if you want to learn more about this vital element in the City
of Vancouver’s response.
Celebrating Asian and Jewish Heritage
May is significant culturally as both Jewish Heritage Month and Asian Heritage Month. It's a time to celebrate both communities' rich diversity, history, and contributions. Throughout the month, students are provided with many opportunities to develop understanding and appreciation for these vibrant cultures. Libraries in the Junior and Senior Schools have created engaging displays connecting students with resources to promote exploration into Asian and Jewish heritages. Parents and Guardians are invited to use the Libguides put together to support student learning in the Senior School.
Asian Heritage Month LibGuide
Jewish Heritage Month LibGuide
Inviting Host Families - Making Education Possible for a Student from Afghanistan
Applications (download in Word) to be a community host family for 2024-2025 are due on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Full details of the Afghanistan student partnership are described here. In addition, an information session on being a host family held earlier was recorded and is available.
Summary of Responses to the Annual Parent/Guardian Survey
Thank you to the parents and guardians who completed our recent survey. We value the feedback from our community and appreciate you taking the time to share your insights and experiences. This year's survey had two purposes: to assess parent/guardian satisfaction with the factors collectively called “General Satisfaction Metrics” and to collect data to inform a communication audit. The survey findings are encouraging and provide clarity on areas to focus on or develop in the future.
26th Annual CHS Golf Classic - May 31
We encourage everyone to get dressed up in fun ways for the event! Get creative for a chance to win the Best Dressed Prize!
For the Golf Tournament, there are still a few spots available. Register here. Dinner-only registration is sold out! You may add your name to the waitlist by sending an email to golf@croftonhouse.ca, as spots may open up. If you have questions, please contact Liam McGillivray, Advancement Coordinator.
Here are some snaps from the last two weeks on campus, including a look into the Senior School Pride Week, magical moments from the Junior School musical, Disney’s Newsies Jr., fantastic performances at the ECE Spring Concert, students and staff donning their best denim in support of Jean Up, athletics and more! Check out this issue’s highlights gallery here.
Junior School Athletics
Recently, the track & field team has been busy preparing for the ISEA Championships on Monday, May 13 at South Surrey Athletic Park. Forty-three dedicated athletes will look to defend the ISEA championship and keep the banner at Crofton House! This competition against other local independent schools is a highlight of the season for many of our athletes.
Additionally, track & field athletes are training for the BCEC Meet on April 24-26 at Minoru Park in Richmond.
Senior School Athletics
Our Senior 2 soccer Team has claimed silver at the ISAs; while the Varsity Soccer team has been crowned league champions!
In track & field, 36 athletes have qualified and are ready to represent CHS at the Sea to Sky Zone Championship set for May 21-22 at Swanguard Stadium in Burnaby.
The Varsity Tennis Team just became the Sea to Sky Zone Champions and are officially set to play at provincials!
The Senior School golf team is preparing to compete in their first-ever Golf Zone Championship on May 22, 2024 at Northlands Golf Course.
The Varsity badminton team will compete in a ‘wildcard game’ hosted by CHS on May 14 to try to earn a spot in the Sea to Sky Zone Championships. Meanwhile, the Junior badminton team will be hosting several schools at CHS for a Junior Badminton Jamboree on May 23.
In rowing, the Elite rowing team is preparing to represent CHS at the Canadian Secondary School Rowing National Championships at the end of May in St. Catharines, Ontario! In the meantime, we have two elite rowers representing CHS at the Shawnigan Lake Regatta this weekend. The Novice rowing team is preparing to compete in their first regatta on May 25 at the Delta Deas Regatta.
There will be some fun and excitement on campus at 5:30 pm today when the Varsity field hockey team will play against CHS alumnae on Kent Field!
Follow the Crofton Falcons on Instagram for more updates and information.
Go Falcons Go!
CHS Community Book Club - Author Visit!
CHS parents and alumnae are invited to the upcoming Book Club meeting where we will be joined by local author and alum mum relative, Kelly McKenzie, to explore Never, Never, Hardly Ever, memoirs of her mother’s iconic Vancouver antique store. Join us on Wednesday, May 29 at 9:30 am in the Nocente Family Fireplace Lounge. Drop-ins are welcome, no registration needed!
Save the Date: Year-End Celebration
Mark your calendars for the Year-End Celebration on Friday, June 7! Come and celebrate the end of the school year and enjoy delicious food and fun activities – this year we are excited to introduce claw machines with prizes, which are sure to be a big hit! Stay tuned for more details.
Get Involved in the 2024 Winter Bazaar!
Last December’s Winter Bazaar, made possible by the enthusiasm and dedication of over 680 student, parent, alumnae and teacher volunteers, was a showcase of our school's vibrant community spirit.
We are seeking parents interested in taking on leadership roles as convenors or executives, or who could offer support with certain specialized skills as we look forward to the next Winter Bazaar. If you would like to be part of the Winter Bazaar team or want to learn more, sign up here. Join us in our commitment to build a strong CHS community through the Winter Bazaar, while making a meaningful impact to our charitable partner in the local community - and create new connections with fellow parents along the way!
Grandparents’ Day – Thank You!
Grandparents’ Day on April 26 was a joyful celebration for students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 and their grandparents or significant elders. After visiting classrooms, grandparents enjoyed afternoon tea in Manrell Hall, where they were treated to a special performance by the Primary Choir, followed by a heartwarming video tribute made by all the students. Grade 4 students also played an important role in hosting and serving. A huge thank you to the many parent volunteers who supported this event, and to event chairs Rachel Leihl and Bessie Wang for creating this unforgettable experience for our youngest students and their elders.
Service Together – Community Care in Action
The dedication of the CHS community to making a positive impact was on full display during last week’s Senior School Service Together event. Every volunteer spot was filled by students and parents working together to prepare nutritious meals and care kits, which were delivered to individuals in need by our charity partners in Vancouver’s downtown eastside. Thank you to all the volunteers and donors who contributed to Service Together this year, and to our event chair, Yan Zhang. | 
