Following up on my message to the community sent earlier this week, we continue to follow the situation in Israel and Gaza with growing distress and concern. In the aftermath of last weekend’s terrorist attacks, ongoing violence is leading to significant loss of life and untold suffering for many. For the Jewish communities across the world, there are feelings of growing vulnerability in the face of increasing displays of anti-semitism. Our thoughts continue to be with all those impacted by this situation.
Creating an inclusive environment, where discrimination of any type is not tolerated, begins with education. At CHS, the message that students receive at all times, whether in curriculum, assemblies, or Social and Emotional Learning work, is that any form of hatred is unacceptable in our community and in society. Our determination to embed this message in everything we do is even more pressing in this time of increasing division and rising hate crimes against those perceived as “other”. As Senior School students were reminded this morning by Ms. Douglas in assembly, being a community means we all have a responsibility to care for one another, particularly in difficult times such as these.
We know that children and youth active on social media are inevitably exposed to unwelcome messages and images, and this risk increases when violent conflict is on the news. The School has shared with students a helpful resource, developed by Chris McKenzie, our Senior School Information Technology Coordinator, on how to actively manage their social media feeds and what to do when faced with potentially distressing content. Parents and guardians are invited to review it with their children and look to the Responsible Use of Technology Agreement as a guide for online conduct. Now more than ever, it is essential that students consider the impact of their online interactions on other members of the community. As always, if you have any concerns about your daughter, do reach out to the Director of the Junior or Senior School, as appropriate.
Please know that, at this time, the advice we have received from our VPD liaison officer is that no additional security measures are required at CHS, but that the community should be vigilant, as always, and report any suspicious activity directly by calling 9-1-1.
I remain concerned about the potential for further escalation of what could become a prolonged conflict. I am also very conscious that we have an opportunity to demonstrate the values of our community by showing compassion and support for those whose pain is greater right now. As Marsha Lederman, a Globe and Mail columnist, wrote on October 9, “No, your Jewish and Palestinian friends are not doing okay.” This is a time to model to our children good choices in how we show up for one another and in how we respond to messages and images promoting hatred, intolerance, and violence.
Navigating Change
As October unfolds, the return to school still poses challenges for many students and families adapting to new schedules, sleep patterns, and logistics. Recognizing that the transition from summer to school affects everyone differently, it's vital to embrace discomfort as a natural part of change, prioritize balance over overscheduling, and use organizational tools to establish routines. Read the article.
Behind Their Screens
On Thursday, October 26, the CHS Senior School will welcome Carrie James and Emily Weinstein, authors of the book, Behind Their Screens: What Teens are Facing (and Adults Are Missing), for a virtual presentation for parents and guardians. Please RSVP here for the virtual event. The book takes the conversation about teens and technology beyond the usual messages that adults often share with teenagers. Harvard Project Zero researchers, Carrie and Emily, delve into what teenagers are doing online and their complex motivations for their online choices and actions. Read the article.
Reminder: Crofton House School 125th Celebration Event
Join us to celebrate 125 Years of Girl-Centred Education on Friday, November 24, 2023, at 5:30 pm, at the Grand Ballroom, Parq Vancouver, 39 Smithe Street. This is the perfect opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate the history and traditions of Crofton House School. Register here. Please note there is limited capacity for this event.
Admissions for the 2024-2025 School Year
Have you seen the marketing campaign, “someday”? These online and social media posts are intended to support CHS admissions and raise awareness of financial assistance. As this campaign advertises, applications for the 2024-2025 school year at Crofton House are now open and our Admissions team is busy with group tours, Q&A sessions and open houses. Applications for all intake years (JK, SK, Grade 6, Grade 8), and financial assistance for Grade 8 entry, are all due on December 1, 2023.
The best ways for new families to get to know us is through our current community. Please share our invitation to register for an upcoming open house with your friends and network. If you have any questions about the admissions process, please contact Richard Cohee, Director, Admissions.
Photo Retake Day: Monday, October 23
Photo retakes will occur on Monday, October 23, and students who require a retake should be in #1 uniform for the photo. Retakes improve technical issues, for example, eyeglass glare, poor posture/head tilt or eyes closed. The retake will replace the original photo taken earlier in the year (no choice between the two photos will be available).
Parent Speaker Evening with Phyllis Fagell
Please join us on Monday, October 23, 2023, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at The Beedie Fine Arts Centre as we welcome Phyllis Fagell back to CHS. Drawing on her research and experience as a school counselor and therapist, Phyllis will share strategies to help kids navigate a broad range of social and academic challenges and develop the skills, strengths and confidence they need to thrive. While the focus of her presentation, Educating Resilient, Super-Powered Girls, will be most applicable to parents and guardians of girls in Grades 5 to 9, all are welcome to attend. Please RSVP online by Wednesday, October 18.
We encourage you to submit questions in advance through the RSVP form. A Mandarin translation will be available.
2023 Career Conference
This year’s annual Career Conference is on Wednesday, November 1, from 12:50 pm to 3:20 pm, and the theme is “Curiosity”. This is an opportunity for students in Grades 11 and 12 to learn about a variety of career pathways and experiences from an array of fabulous speakers from CHS, the community, and alumnae. The conference will remain virtual this year and students are reminded to wear their #1 uniform during the sessions. For more information, please keep your eyes out for a detailed email that will be shared with Grade 11 and 12 parents on Wednesday, October 18.
Financial Assistance for CHS Families
Current families whose financial circumstances have changed recently can apply for financial assistance. Applications, through Apple Financial Services, for the 2024-2025 school year are due Friday, December 1, 2023. A reminder that families currently receiving financial assistance, must also submit an application for next school year by December 1. The application fee will be waived for Crofton House families. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Choi, Director, Finance.
Here are some photo highlights from the last two weeks, including Grade 7 OE at Camp Fircom, Grade 8 Housewarming Assembly, Junior and Senior School Athletics and a variety of fall-themed activities from across campus. Check out the highlights gallery here.
Junior School Athletics
Crofton House athletes have been implementing their training in cross country and volleyball. Today, Crofton House is participating in the ISEA Cross Country meet at Crescent Park with 50 dedicated runners representing the school. The season's final race promises to be a memorable event.
Meanwhile, a similar fervour is in the air on the volleyball courts. The volleyball teams have been actively engaged in regular season games, all in preparation for the highly-anticipated playday and championships scheduled for the end of October. The Grade 6 team will host Saint John's and Southridge schools on Tuesday, while the Grade 7A team will host Mulgrave on Monday. The dedication and enthusiasm of the athletes are reflected in the fact that over 80 students have been actively participating in the volleyball program this season.
Senior School Athletics
Students have been very busy in athletics these past weeks. Congratulations to the Junior Volleyball team who placed silver at McMath Secondary School and at the Grizzlies Tournament at GW Graham Secondary School in Chilliwack.
Congratulations to our Cross Country athletes, Lily Zhang and Nicole Zhang, on top finishes at the last two races!
Congratulations to our Varsity Field Hockey team on their 4th place finish at Bridgman Cup!
Congratulations to Varsity Volleyball for winning gold at the Spectrum Tournament, and we are sending them good vibes as they represent CHS at the Western Canadian Independent School Championships in Regina this week!
There will be excitement on Kent Field as CHS hosts the Varsity Field Hockey ISA Championships today and tomorrow. Crofton Falcons play against St. Michaels University School at 11:00 am on Saturday morning, with a further fixture later that day depending on thewresults. We hope to see lots of supporters cheering form the bleachers – Let's Go Falcons! Follow the Crofton Falcons on Instagram for more updates and information.
Go Falcons Go!
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