Calendar Highlights

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

Whole School

November 21 - Whole Girl, Whole World Speaker Series: Tara Mohr (tickets for 7:00 pm tonight available here!)

Junior School

Senior School

November 26 - Grade 11 Post-Secondary Information Evening (Virtual)
December 4 - Orchestra & Choir Concert
December 11 - Drama 9 Performance Night
December 12 - Learning Together: Assessment and Reporting as Tools for Improved Learning

PA Events    

Message from the Head of School

I hope you all enjoyed a restorative mid-term break. It was lovely to mark our return to campus on Monday with the first of three breakfasts planned with Craig Lindsay, Chair, Board of Governors and me. I appreciate so many of you attending. 

One of the topics discussed at the breakfast was the strategic plan’s Year 2 priorities, which were shared with our community on October 24. Two of these priorities could be clearly seen in action in the last few days. Read more.

Senior School Parents’ Learning Together Session: Assessment and Reporting as Tools for Improved Learning

With the introduction of new reporting requirements from the BC Ministry of Education and Childcare last year, we continue to evolve the information provided in the school reports so that they can best serve as a tool for improving learning. A session focused on understanding the framework for reporting at CHS will be held on Thursday, December 12, from 8:30 am to 9:30 am in the Bains Family Amphitheatre. Join us at 8:00 am for coffee and conversation before the session. 

Senior School leadership will discuss how the details of our four written reports can enhance progress-focused conversations with your daughter, the timing of our formal and informal reporting events throughout the year, and ways to build partnerships with teachers for your daughter's learning. Please RSVP and submit any questions or topics in advance using the provided form by Friday, December 6. 

Notices - Action Items

Service Together: Senior School Parent Volunteers Needed 

The PA is looking for Senior School parent volunteers to help with the Service Together program:

• Tuesday, December 3 from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm: Granola Bar Making in the Rix Foods Lab. 
• Wednesday, December 4 from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm: Christmas Gift Bag and Granola Bar Packaging in Manrell Hall.

This is a unique opportunity to give back to our community in partnership with the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre and the Powell Street Getaway Resource Centre. Sign up here and learn more on the blog.

Volunteer with the Annual CHS Golf Classic Silent Auction Committee

We are excited to invite parents and alumnae passionate about golf to consider joining the Silent Auction Committee for the 27th Annual CHS Golf Classic, set to take place in May 2025! Please email golf@croftonhouse.ca to volunteer or if you have any questions.

Upcoming Virtual Evening for Grade 11 Families

The Career Education & Post-Secondary Counselling team invites Grade 11 students and their families to a virtual presentation on Tuesday, November 26 at 7:00 pm. The Grade 11 Post-Secondary Counselling Evening will cover essential topics such as personal criteria, an admissions overview, research & course planning, the application timeline, and how to use Naviance. This drop-in session can be joined via Zoom with the passcode 3200.  

Notices - For Information

E-Tax Receipts

Crofton House is in the process of transitioning to an e-tax receipt system this fiscal year. Moving forward, you will receive your tax receipts via the email address the School has on file. If you have any questions, please contact Tianpei Chen, Manager, Database & Donor Relations, Advancement. Thank you for your continued support of CHS. 

BC Training and Education Savings Program Grant

It’s Education Savings Week in BC! Did you know your child may be eligible for a one-time $1,200 BC Training and Education Savings Grant for their post-secondary education or training? Read the following letter for further information. 

Grab & Go Closure for Winter Bazaar Prep

The Grab & Go counter in Manrell Hall will be closed on the afternoon of Thursday, November 28 and all day Friday, November 29, to help facilitate the setup for the Winter Bazaar. 

Gift Acceptance Policy

To help avoid an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest for the employee and the School, Crofton House School employees may only accept gifts per section 3.3 Gift Acceptance Policy of the CHS Employee Handbook. Gifts should be reasonable, not exceeding $125 per occasion or $500 from one family per academic year. Employees are not able to accept cash. Please understand that if an employee refuses or returns a gift, they are following the School's policy. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Robinson, Director, Human Resources.

Parking for Winter Concerts  

There are many winter concerts on the School calendar, and we hope many families will attend. The School parkade will be opening for all evening concerts. Ample parking is also available four to five blocks away from the School; please factor in time to park and walk to campus. By respecting parking signs and leaving access for neighbours to their private driveways, parents/guardians help maintain positive relations with our community. Note that parking spaces near the school are limited.

From Our Partner: Get Ready for the Holidays at the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (DEWC)!  

During the holiday season, DEWC creates festive and meaningful celebrations for the women and children they serve. During these celebrations, each woman gets a gift bag including items to pamper herself, stay warm and cozy and have fun. Kids will enter a room full of gifts – toys, sports items, crafts – all curated by Santa for them to pick.

This effort is made possible through the generosity of donors! If you would like to contribute you can order from their registry or organize a donation drive. Learn more.  

Student Experiences

Climate Action Summit: Celebrating and Sharing Middle School Innovation and Teamwork

The Climate Action Summit, initiated by Ms Kabolizadeh and Ms Kapila, teachers for Grade 7 students, has been a highlight of Middle School programming for the past seven years. In recent weeks, they have shared their innovative work at two professional development conferences. Read more.

Perspectives from Abroad: Student Insights from the Global Exchange Program

Crofton House School’s Global Exchange Program offers an exciting opportunity for students to immerse themselves in a new culture and education abroad. By travelling to attend a different school and living with a host family, students develop vital life skills such as independence, decision-making, social adaptability, resilience, and courage. This year, students have already been abroad to study at La Pietra School for Girls in Hawaii, and CHS has hosted students from both the City School of London for Girls, England, and St. Catherine’s School in Australia. Visit our blog to hear from the students about their experiences.

The Junior School recently celebrated a successful Term 1 sports season and is now starting basketball and a Fitness Challenge for Grades 3 and 4. In the Senior School, the varsity volleyball team earned silver at the Sea to Sky Zone Championships, while both varsity and junior volleyball teams are preparing for upcoming championships, with basketball also gearing up for its season. For more details, read our blog.

Go Falcons Go!

CHS Parents' Auxiliary

Celebrate the Season Together! Parent Holiday Teas ❄️

Senior School parents are invited to kick off the holiday season together at the Senior School Holiday Tea on Tuesday, December 10 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am in Manrell Hall. RSVP online. 

Parents in JK to Grade 7 – Save the date for the Junior School Holiday Tea on Thursday, December 19 after the Junior School Family Singalong!

CHS Community Book Club: December Meeting

Join the Book Club at its next meeting on Wednesday, December 11 at 9:30 am  in the Nocente Family Fireplace Lounge. Bring a holiday-themed book of your choice to share at this special holiday gathering, and feel free to come in festive sweaters or accessories. In the spirit of the season, we’ll also be hosting a holiday treat swap, so bring some of your favourite nut-free snacks to share! All CHS parents and alumnae are welcome, no registration is needed.  

Winter Bazaar – News!  

Please join us Saturday, November 30 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm as we celebrate Winter Bazaar 2024! Here are a final few reminders before the big day:  

• Pre-purchases: Just one more week to skip the line! The entrance wristband, activity tickets, and Family Portrait studio sessions will be available to pre-purchase until Monday, November 25.
• Volunteer Sign-up: If you or your Senior School daughter have not had an opportunity to join the Winter Bazaar volunteer team, we still have spots available and would love to have you join us! The parent volunteer sign-up was posted in our Winter Bazaar newsletter here. Senior School students were sent a signup via school email.
• Chess Fun: Want to brush up on your chess skills? Curious to learn? Come to our exciting new Chess Fun booth. To guarantee your spot (spaces are limited), pre-register here for a Simultaneous Exhibition against a Women's International Master! Parents and students are welcome!
• Pre-purchase Pick up: Thank you to everyone who has purchased a plant, wreath, CHS logo blanket and/or entrance wristbands and activity tickets. Plants and wreaths will be available for pick up on Sunday, November 24 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Blenheim Roundabout. All other items are available for pick up on Tuesday, November 26 from 8:00 am to 8:45 am and Thursday, November 28 from 2:45 pm to 3:30 pm in the Nancy Chan Courtyard.  

Please invite your family and friends for this fun day of games, activities, artisanal and carefully chosen items, as well as, delicious food and drink all in support of the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre and Women Leaders of Tomorrow.  

Need more information? Check out the 2024 Winter Bazaar website for answers to all of your Bazaar questions, or visit the School’s blog to learn all about the history behind this cherished CHS tradition. 

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