Calendar Highlights

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

Whole School

September 15 - Individual Photo Day - #1 Uniform (information below)
September 18 - Learning Together Mandarin Session #1 (information below)
September 19 - Think Pink Day (information below)
September 25 - Learning Together Mandarin Session #2 (information below)
September 29 - Orange Shirt Day
September 30 - National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (School Closed)

Junior School

September 12 - Parent Lunch Supervision Information Sessions
September 12 - Grade 6 Student-Led Family Tour (3:20 pm to 4:20 pm)
September 15 - Grade 1-7 Special Parent Assembly & Coffee Social (information below)
September 15 - Grade 1-7 Co-Curricular & Program Plus Activities Begin
September 17 - Grade 1-5 Curriculum Evening
September 19 - Grade 6 Coffee & Conversation with JS Director
September 24 - ECE Curriculum Evening
September 25 - Grade 6 VCH Immunization Clinic
September 25 - Grade 6-7 Curriculum Evening
September 26 - Grade 1 Coffee & Conversation with JS Director
October 3 - Grade 7 Coffee & Conversation with JS Director

Senior School

September 9-12 - Ivy 8 Camp
September 16 - Grade 12 Career Education & Post Secondary Presentation (Virtual)
September 18 - Curriculum Night
September 22 - New to Crofton House Grade 8 Parent Coffee Morning (register here)
September 23-26 - Ivy 10 Camp
September 23-26 - PHE 10 Outdoor Education Experiential Learning Excursion
September 24 - Grade 11 Career Education & Post-Secondary Presentation (Virtual)

Parents' Auxiliary (PA)

September 16 - Senior School Class Parent Orientation
September 17 - Community Book Club (information below)
September 18 - Junior School Class Parent Orientation

Head of School Message

Welcome to the new school year! I hope everyone had a wonderful summer and is settling into new fall routines.

There is something very special about September at Crofton House. The campus comes alive again with energy, curiosity, and laughter as students and staff reunite and form new connections. Each year at this time, I am reminded that when our students feel a strong sense of belonging—when they feel seen, known, and cared for—they are empowered to learn, grow, and thrive. Belonging is not only one of the three commitments in our strategic plan; it is the foundation of our community. Read more.

Our Purposeful Parenting resources and Learning Together events offer meaningful opportunities for families to connect, learn, and explore ways to support students both at school and at home.

After a highly engaged first year, we are excited to share with you the schedule for the second year of Learning Together events. Held both virtually and in person, events will take place throughout the year and will be on topics for the Whole School, Junior School or Senior School. 

Learning Together sessions will cover a range of topics including education, parenting, well-being, and contemporary issues, with presentations led by CHS community members and guest experts. The 2025–2026 schedule is available here. Invitations and reminders will be shared via email and in ECalls in advance of events.

Purposeful Parenting shares valuable resources and articles focused on themes that are relevant to our students and families and that reflect some of the complex and dynamic issues in today's world. Content will include articles written by the CHS team highlighting the School’s approach to these areas and a diverse range of resources, which will be carefully curated for families in support of further conversations at home. Resources are available on the My CHS Community Portal under Purposeful Parenting, and will also be shared in ECalls.

Learning Together Events

Learning Together: Supporting the Navigation of School Life - Mandarin Sessions

Mandarin-speaking parents and guardians new to Crofton House are invited to a series of three events in September and October, focused on providing Mandarin-speaking families with the tools and information necessary to better engage with school life. The content covered during the sessions is drawn from resources currently available on our school website and through other English-language school events. A formal invitation for these sessions with detailed information and topics will be sent tomorrow, Friday, September 12.

See all events. 

Notices - Action Items

Test of the School’s Special Alert Communication Protocol

On Wednesday, September 17, at 3:45 pm, the School will test the special alert communication protocol with all parents. A clear "TEST” message will be sent via email, text and voice message to the contact information listed in MySchool. If you do not receive either the email, text or voice message, please check the contact information listed in the Student Information Portal, MySchool. Learn more.

School Photo Day on Monday, September 15

Please be reminded that Monday, September 15, is School Photo Day. Students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 are expected to wear their full #1 Uniform for the day and ensure they follow all uniform guidelines as noted in the Parent-Student Handbook. Learn more.

Support Future Talent Through the CHS Work Experience Program

Crofton House School’s Work Experience Program gives motivated Grade 11 and 12 students the chance to gain real-world experience, contribute meaningfully, and explore career paths. Employers benefit from fresh perspectives, skilled support, and the rewarding opportunity to mentor the next generation.

Our strongest connections often come from within the CHS community, and students are always eager to learn from the experience and expertise of parents and alumnae. Interested in getting involved or learning more? Visit the WEP webpage here.

Upcoming Special Parent Assembly & Coffee Social: Recognizing The Susan Hutchison Garden

The Junior School is looking forward to the first Grade 1-7 parent assembly on Monday, September 15, at 8:30 am in Chan Hall. This will be for Grade 1-7 students only, as ECE students prioritize gradual entry. At this assembly, families will hear more about a beautiful new student space, created last year: The Susan Hutchison Garden, Where Plants and Animals Can Talk. There will be a coffee reception to follow, at 9:00 am in the Heritage Dining Room. All parents are welcome to attend. Learn more.

Think Pink Day & CIBC Run for the Cure!

Think Pink Day is coming up on Friday, September 19. Students and staff across the School are encouraged to wear pink in support of this Whole School fundraiser, which raises awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Families are invited to contribute through donations, helping our community make a meaningful impact together! Parents, students, and staff can also join the CHS team to walk or run a 1 km or 5 km route on Sunday, October 5, at the CIBC Run for the Cure. Register here.

Notices - For Information

My CHS Community Portal - Your “Go-To” Resource

The My CHS Community Portal is a parent/guardian’s go-to resource. All parents/guardians are encouraged to visit this site at the start of the year to become familiar with the resources that are available to the community. It includes resources such as the Parent-Student Handbook, Purposeful Parenting resources, school policies, student health and safety procedures and forms, the holiday and vacation calendar, uniform order form, recordings of live-stream events and productions, guidance on how to raise an issue, and more. If there is a resource you are unable to find on MyCHS, please contact communications@croftonhouse.ca.

Immunization Clinics

There are two clinics for routine childhood vaccines at Crofton House School scheduled for this academic year, the first of which is on Thursday, September 25, for Grade 6 students. Grade 9 students will be immunized on Thursday, February 5. School clinics are just one way for school-age children and teens to be vaccinated; speak with your family physician or contact our local health authority for more information.

Uniform Shop Hours in September

The Uniform Shop is open to parents and Senior School students on Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (closed for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm). After-school drop-in for parents with Junior School students is from 2:00 pm to closing. For information on our online order form, booking an appointment, or donating used uniform items, visit the website.

Event Recordings

A recording of the Whole School Opening Assembly from Friday, September 5, is now available on the My CHS Portal.

Student Experience

Smiles, spirit, and a swirl of firsts! Check out the highlights photo gallery here for photos from across campus, as the whole community settled back into the school year—from first classes to opening assemblies, and all of the awesome celebrations!

Rooted in Connection: A Community Welcome to the New School Year

At the start of each school year, our community comes together in the spirit of learning, growth, and belonging. These opening days are more than a return to routine—they’re a time to reconnect, celebrate, and reaffirm the values that define our School. From parent pickleball and the whole-school Welcome Back Celebration to leadership recognitions in the Junior and Senior Schools, read about some of the various events that kicked off 2025-2026 with energy and excitement.

A New Chapter for the Horse Tree

The iconic Horse Tree, a beloved part of our campus and student memories for generations, has reached the end of its life as a tall tree in The Woods. Despite intensive care and intervention, it could not be saved, and the upper branches had to be removed for safety reasons. The distinctive U-shaped trunk remains in place to allow continued student play and to preserve this cherished part of our history.

We recognize the deep significance of the Horse Tree to our school community. With this in mind, we are exploring ways to preserve and reuse the branches—for example, to create a shade covering—so the tree’s legacy can continue for future generations. We look forward to sharing more soon.

Have a special memory of the Horse Tree? We invite you to send stories and photos to our Archivist, Manda Haligowski, to capture our community’s longstanding connection to the Horse Tree. An update and invitation to share memories will also appear in this month’s alumnae newsletter.

Tryouts for fall teams have wrapped up, and practices are starting in the Junior and Senior School as the Falcons get set for the start of their seasons. Learn more on the blog.

Go Falcons Go!

CHS Parents' Auxiliary

A Warm Welcome Back

Carnival games, DJ dance tunes, a fun photobooth, and a variety of delicious treats set the stage for a joyful afternoon as the Crofton House community came together for the annual Welcome Back Celebration. The event was the perfect way to kick off another exciting school year, filled with laughter and school spirit. 

A heartfelt thank you goes out to event chairs Charlotte Hsu and Melissa Lo, along with the dedicated team of parent volunteers and CHS staff, whose time and enthusiasm made this event such a memorable and successful start to the school year.

Pickleball Social a Smash Hit! 🏓

Our recent “PB & Jam” Parent Pickleball Social was a fantastic success! Parents and guardians came together for an evening of laughter and light-hearted competition. Whether seasoned players or first-time dinkers, everyone had fun rallying on the courts and chatting on the side. Thank you again to Bella Wu and John Sun for organizing this weekly event. Sign up to join us for more pickleball fun this month! If your preferred date is full, keep an eye out for cancellations.

Reminder: CHS Community Book Club Returns Next Week

A friendly reminder that the first book club meeting of the school year is on Wednesday, September 17, from 9:30 to 10:30 am in the Nocente Family Fireplace Lounge. This meeting’s theme is “Made in Canada”—bring a fiction or nonfiction book, either written by a Canadian author or set in Canada, to share with the group. No pre-registration is required—feel free to drop in! Tea/Coffee and light refreshment will be provided.

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