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It is incredible to think that another school year has come and gone. If you spend as much time as I have working in schools and with children, you know smiles take on different qualities depending on the time of year. Beautiful at any time, the smiles on students' faces in June are broad, unguarded and contagious. You may have noticed this as well.
Looking back at 2022-2023, I am proud of our community's accomplishments. Launching the strategic plan, Thriving in Possibility, was a particularly meaningful event for me. The culmination of nearly two years of consultation and refinement, the iterative process resulted in the CHS Identity and five strategies that will ensure the School's commitment to belonging, agility and responsibility, which underline all we do and experience. Collectively, they provide a lens to consider what is working at CHS and how to improve what is not working as well as we would like. I commit to keeping you informed as the School embraces the promise of each strategy.
Another theme for my reflections on the year is the importance of looking within and beyond the campus walls to see the potential in partnerships and the opportunities within our reach. Over the past two decades, educational institutions are increasingly called upon to educate students about the complex issues facing society and the earth. Students are eager for authentic experiences grappling with these challenging topics. In the coming years, we aim to make meaningful connections between our community's resources and the School’s educational program.
I wish everyone a summer of fun, relaxation and connections with family and friends. Thank you for your steadfast support of the School and its endeavours. For those departing, best wishes for the future, wherever it may take you. You will always have a place at Crofton House School—thank you for being part of our community.
At the beginning of June, the Class of MVP '23 kicked off the graduation season with the CHS Alumnae Association’s Mother-Daughter Tea at Hycroft Manor. The tea begins a series of events that bring the community together to celebrate the last days of school for the Grade 12 class.
Today, students had time to reflect on their time at Crofton House with faculty at the white-themed Graduation BBQ.
Next week, we look ahead to the Graduation Ceremony and Dinner & Dance. Grade 12 families will receive a gallery link with photos from all major events in the days following the final graduation event.
Save the Date: Whole Girl, Whole World
Crofton House will host Monique Gray Smith, an award-winning Cree and Lakota author and consultant, as the Whole Girl, Whole World speaker for 2023-2024. Through storytelling, Ms Smith will explore the connection between Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and purposeful learning. Ms Smith will join us at the start of Truth and Reconciliation week, so mark your calendars for a special evening on Monday, September 25, 2023.
Annual Parent/Guardian Survey - Thank You For Your Input
Thank you to everyone who completed the annual parent/guardian survey. The survey’s high response rate (66% of all households) and approximately 1200 comments provide the School with reliable information to make decisions. A report of all findings will be available to parents/guardians at the start of the 2023-2024 school year.
Summer Communication Dates and Information
Parents and guardians can expect to hear from the School four times over the summer with information to wrap up the current year and prepare for 2023-2024. - Communication 1 of 4 (June 20) focuses on a high-level overview of the 2023-2024 year and includes links to the 2023-2024 Parent & Student Handbook and September at a Glance calendar for Junior and Senior Schools.
- Communication 2 of 4 (June 28) alerts parents to the release of student progress reports and provides details related to wrapping up the academic year. This message will also include information on the 2023-2024 co-curricular program and Junior School before and after school care.
- Communication 3 of 4 (July 27) notifies the community that on August 1, MySchool will “flip” into a new year, requiring action from departing families. For returning families, this message includes the link to the Student Information Questionnaire. Anticipate completing this questionnaire in August.
- Communication 4 of 4 (August 17, our official “Back to School” communication) links to detailed information intended to support all families through the first few weeks of school and beyond.
Join the Winter Bazaar 2023 Team!
The Winter Bazaar Committee is still looking to fill a variety of roles for certain grade committees (including convener, treasurer, volunteer coordinator, and committee members) and would love to hear from you if you have a daughter entering any of the following grades: Grade 5 (Concession), Grade 6 (Cake Walk), Grade 7 (Imagination Market), Grade 8 (Spirit), Grade 9 (Midway), Grade 10 (Used Books), and Grade 12 (Portraits). A convenor for the Croftie Creations booth is also needed and can be from any grade. If you can help out, please email bazaarchairs@croftonhouse.ca.
Donations Over Summer Holiday
The CHS Parents’ Auxiliary is accepting donations for the Used Uniform Sale. Throughout summer break, there will be a donation bin placed at the Receiving Entrance at 5711 Balaclava Street to collect gently used school uniform items.
Uniform Shop Orders Over Summer
The Uniform Shop remains closed to in-person visits over the summer. Parents can purchase through the online order form for pick-up in late July. You will be notified by email when your order is ready. Orders placed after June 13 will be processed after July 13. If you have any questions, please contact uniforms@croftonhouse.ca.
Status of Kent Field Lighting Project
Efforts to add four stands of lights to the perimeter of Kent Field continued throughout the year. The next step is for engineers to assess the current condition of the electrical system as it relates to this project. These findings will be included in the scope of the project. We aim to put the project out to tender in the fall. By the spring of 2024, the goal is to have contracted the project. The work will begin soon after, depending on permits required by the City of Vancouver.
Grade 7 students celebrated their last year in the Junior School at the Grade 7 Final Assembly and Family Celebration. Photos from both events are available on Vidigami.
Staff and students in the Junior School gathered in the atrium for the traditional countdown to the end of term, celebrating and filling the air with a flurry of emotions.
The Class of 2023 Grad Captains, Georgia and Rachel, along with the Crofton House community, raised $1,729.10 for the Cinderella Project. The Cinderella Project’s goal is to help break cycles of poverty by encouraging vulnerable youth to stay in school and complete their high school education. Georgia and Rachel also organized a dress drive to collect dresses, jewelry, and other accessories for students who are enrolled in the Cinderella Project.
Junior School Athletics
The season came to an exciting close with a highly anticipated first-ever field hockey jamboree between our Grade 6-7 students and Collingwood School on June 5. The jamboree served as a platform for our young athletes to showcase their growth and passion for the sport as they celebrated a successful close to the spring field hockey season.
Senior School Athletics
Our Track & Field team competed at Provincials and won the Team Gold, becoming the 2023 Provincial Champions! Amelia Kristen, Grade 12, earned 2023 Multis Provincial Champion and Jordyn Reed, Grade 12, earned 2023 Outstanding Female Athlete at Provincials.
The elite Rowing team competed at the National Championships in St. Catharines, Ontario, earning a bronze medal in their quad race.
The Tennis team finished with a bronze medal competing at Provincials.
Students came out victorious with a 2-0 win against the Teachers in this year's Staff vs Students soccer match.
Congratulations to all students for their participation and dedication this school year.
Go Falcons Go! |
