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Partnership: an ongoing, intentional relationship built upon a shared vision, values, and goals, the success of which is dependent upon the support, talent, and opportunities of each partner, thereby allowing them to achieve far more than they could achieve alone.
Crofton House has a rich history of community service. The shift from service or volunteerism to one of partnership builds on the principle that we can do more together than individually, and that relationships based on collaboration can enhance educational programs, strengthen community engagement, and foster educational programs, strengthens community engagement, and fosters lifelong learning and civic engagement.
 One year ago, the School hosted an information meeting for parents/guardians interested in supporting a developing four-way partnership centred on welcoming two students from Afghanistan to our community and continuing their education at CHS, an initiative made possible through an emerging relationship with Women Leaders of Tomorrow (WLOT). After a successful year, the students will return to CHS with their peers in September to continue their education. Their engagement in learning, positive connections to their peers, and participation in school life have enriched the school for everyone.
Further, the partnership that supported their enrolment is held up by students as an example of how and why partnerships are enriching their lives. We heard this often during the sessions informing the development of the strategic plan.
The return of students in September will be accompanied by the beginning of the School’s efforts toward delivering on the promise of the strategic plan. We are synthesizing our strategic directions for 2023-2024, as informed by Thriving in Possibility, and at every planning meeting, there is a palpable excitement about the direction of the school. I invite you to imagine the School with the promise of the five strategies being realized, including meaningful
partnerships.
Success in delivering the strategies requires the community's support; the School can’t do this alone. Today, we will close the annual survey, and the data will provide a measure of the interest of our parents/guardians in offering involvement directly or as a contact to a potential partner. I am confident the resources in our community will provide new and diverse opportunities. I am excited to work with our community to develop a partnership framework and weave this strategy through everything we do.
Before closing, I would like to thank the families hosting the Afghan students in their homes and being their Canadian families. I am also grateful to so many who invited the students to join special events with their families during the year or assisted in acquiring essential and practical services, such as bank accounts and health services. Even before the students arrived, members of the community were available with advise and support. With your support, our first year of this initiative has been rewarding for all partners and provides a lens to what is possible when we share what we can with others.
Structuring Unstructured Time (Play)
This article delves into the vital importance of unstructured time in children's and teens' development. Advocating for a balanced summer that includes self-directed activities, the article details how this freedom encourages physical health, mental wellbeing, resilience, and creativity. Read the article.
Annual Parent/Guardian Survey Closes at 6 pm Today - Friday, June 2
Thank you to all parents/guardians who have completed the 2022-2023 annual survey. By sharing your experiences at the School, you provide valuable information that promotes reflection, contributes to ongoing school improvement, and ensures accountability. The survey closes today at 6:00 pm. Your input is encouraged and welcomed. Take the survey in English or Mandarin.
Reminder: RSVP for the Year-End BBQ - Friday, June 9
Join the CHS community on Friday, June 9, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at our annual year-end celebration! To assist with planning, please RSVP by today; however, families are welcome to drop into the event. Volunteers are also needed to help make the BBQ a success - if you would like to help, please sign up here.
Used Uniform Sale and Donations
Get ready for the next Used Uniform Sale! Boxes are now located at the entrances to the Junior and Senior Schools for families to donate their clean, gently used, official CHS gear. Throughout Summer Break, there will be a donation bin placed at the Receiving Entrance at 5711 Balaclava Street. The sale itself will take place at the end of August in Manrell Hall, in preparation for the new school year. More details to come.
Winter Bazaar - Donation Collection & Sewing Help Needed
The Winter Bazaar Committee will collect goods for the Bazaar in the early fall (more details will come later). Please hold on to items that may be fit for donation, such as: children’s and young adult books; luxury accessories (purses, wallets, scarves, belts, sunglasses and shoes); and gently used sports equipment (racquets, skates, skis, etc.).
The Winter Bazaar Committee is looking for experienced sewers to join the Croftie Creations team to make handmade items for the booth. This includes sewing doll-sized uniform sets, and Gordon tartan stuffed animals. Sewing will be done over the summer and in the early autumn. To volunteer, please contact the Bazaar Chairs at bazaarchairs@croftonhouse.ca.
The Charity Art Show & Sale Is Back!
For over a decade, Studio 65 (the Senior School’s art club) has facilitated the annual Charity Art Show & Sale, as a way to combine passion for art with support for the local community. From May 29 to June 9, you can bid on artwork donated by current students, CHS alumnae and staff in the upper hallway of the Senior School, near the Senior School Office. Successful bidders will be contacted the week of June 12. View all available pieces. All donations will go towards the BC Hospital Foundation.
Have Your Say in B.C.’s Largest Population Health Survey
Public Health is launching the third round of the SPEAK population health survey. This survey asks about physical and mental health, as well as social and economic well-being. The results will help support programs and initiatives to improve the health of your community. SPEAK is open to adults aged 18 and older and is available in many languages, including English and Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
Did You Know?
Crofton House School Graduation
As we enter the month of June, Graduation celebrations appear on the horizon. A look through the school archives reveals an interesting history of tradition and celebration for students in their final year at Crofton House School.
The School’s founder, Jessie Gordon, wasn’t inclined to make much of a fuss around graduation in the early years. Instead, the school year ended with ‘Exhibition Day’, where all final exam papers, marked in red ink, and selected exercise books were laid out in the gym for parents to inspect! For balance, the gym walls were decorated with student art and sewing. The display of final grades continued until the 1940s with exam marks being published in the Croftonian yearbook for all to see. These days students have a voice in the planning of graduation activities, but at the time they were granted the privilege of selecting the morning hymn! View
the article and gallery.
The 25th Annual CHS Golf Classic was a great success. It would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors, sponsors, committee members, and volunteers. Thank you for supporting the event. A highlights gallery of the day can be found online (please note the password: Golf2023).
House Cheers, Tug of War, Chicken Ball, obstacle courses, high-stakes pictionary... these were just some of the challenges that awaited the students and teachers at Senior School Sports Day. Judging by the smiles on all the faces, it was a roaring success.
Deconstructing classic horror tropes, nightmare auditions for a play and 30 silly scripts — House Plays 2023 had audiences laughing and cheering last week! Hats off to all of the performers and crew for their hard work in bringing these plays to life.
The Senior School Business Club welcomed Bunny Ghatrora, co-founder of the skincare company Blume, to a guest Q&A session, exploring the challenges of being a young entrepreneur and how to ensure your business idea stands out from the crowd.
Multi-day, self-supported paddling adventures in the BC wilderness… count these Grade 10 students in! These snaps are just a glimpse into students' wonderful experiences on their outdoor education expedition as they navigated the Powell Forest Canoe Circuit.
One last hurrah! Grade 12 students have just returned from their final Outdoor Education trip before graduation: rafting on the mighty Fraser River with Kumsheen Rafting Resort.
Kent Field was awash with Blue, Purple, Yellow and Red as the Junior School celebrated Sports Day. Students took part in a dozen different stations, from sack races to obstacle courses, filling the air with excited cheers. Congratulations to this year's Junior School Sports Day Champions - Wrens!
Concert Season in the Junior School came to a close this week with the Grade 6/7 show, “Awakening”. Delighted audience members filled the Theatre in the Beedie Fine Arts Centre with rapturous applause. An extra note of congratulations to the Grade 7 Vocal Ensemble, who recently received gold at the 51st Annual MusicFest Canada. If you would like to relive any of this year’s concerts, they are available on the Livestream Broadcasts page on the school website, while photo galleries are available on Vidigami:
ECE Concert - “Baby Beluga”
Grade 1-3 Concert - “HELP! I Need a Vacation”
Grade 4-5 Concert - “The Phantom of the Music Room”
Grade 6-7 Concert - “Awakening”
As part of the Service Learning program, students in Grade 7 have been forging connections with residents at Crofton Manor. The program culminated in the return of the Crofton Manor Afternoon Tea event, where students and residents came together in the atrium for refreshments and conversation, as well as a performance from the Grade 7 Vocal Ensemble.
Students from the ECE Centre enjoyed an afternoon of sports, laughter and school spirit at their Sports Day.
Senior Kindergarten students threw a Gratitude Party in the ECE Atrium, where guests were greeted with a tasty selection of frozen treats and sparkling drinks, hand-made decorations, and a sea of grateful smiles.
Junior School Athletics
The BC Elementary Track & Field Championships held at Minoru Park in Richmond, BC, from May 26-28, was a thrilling event for 95 Falcons in Grades 3-7. The championships provided a platform for young athletes across BC to showcase their skills. From sprints to shot put, every participant gave their best, cheering on their peers and fostering a spirit of camaraderie. Thanks to the dedication of teachers, coaches, and parents, the championships proved that participation and fun are the true essence of athletic success.
Kent Field will host the Grade 6-7 Field Hockey Jamboree on Monday, June 5. Collingwood School will play against our Falcons in an afternoon of friendly competition. This celebration of sport comes at the end of a very successful spring field hockey program for students in Grade 3-7, with over 60 participants!
Senior School Athletics
- Congratulations to our Track and Field team! They are the 2023 Zone Champions for the girls' and combined divisions!
- Varsity Soccer won a silver at the 2023 Zone Championships and headed to Provincials on May 31.
- Varsity Badminton also won silver at the 2023 Zone Championships and was off to Provincials on June 1.
- Congratulations to our Tennis team! They came out on top as the 2023 Zone Champions and placed bronze at the Provincial Championships last weekend.
- Novice Rowers competed at their first regatta this past weekend at the Delta Deas Rowing Regatta. While the Elite Rowers find themselves in St. Catherines, Ontario, this week, competing at the Canadian Secondary School Association Championship.
- Some lighter athletics fun happened at the Staff vs Students Spikeball tournament, where they competed during lunch hour on Tuesday - the athletic centre was filled with Falcon Spirit!
Go Falcons Go! |
