It is at this time of year when the admission cycle reaches its peak. After a fall and winter of open houses, tours, interviews, assessments and reading a thick file of application documents, the admission committee identifies applicants who will receive an offer of admission. Decisions are not made lightly and only become clear at the intersection of what we learn of the applicants themselves, their parents/guardians vision for their child’s educational experiences, and the nature of the community created when a class of students is assembled. There is no question it is an exciting and anxious time for applicant families as they await an offer.
Often asked to articulate what it is that defines all CHS students, it is never just one thing. Instead, applicants are considered through a number of lenses that collectively create a sense of the child as a student, and more specifically, as a student in our school. “We welcome applicants who show passion and commitment to their education, a strong desire to explore their own potential, and who will engage in the community, both inside and outside of the classroom.” (Admissions FAQ) We are fortunate to have the depth of expertise on the admission team to assess the interests, aptitude and readiness of the diversity of applicants we see
each year. Many voices contribute to information collected through the admission process, increasing the confidence with which the decisions are made.
Although not submitting school progress reports or completing in-house assessments, parents/guardians play a role in the admissions process and decision. The admissions team pays careful attention to educational goals that applicants’ parents/guardians have for their child, and, more importantly, how they believe these goals will best be realized. It is essential the broadstrokes of the School’s educational philosophy aligns with what parents/guardians want for their child. Making an offer of admission to a strong applicant whose parents/guardians are seeking an educational experience different from that provided here does not serve anyone well.
The third road that leads to an admission decision requires us to step back to envision the community that emerges when all successful applicants and their families are brought together. Embracing diversity, a key strategic initiative for the School, requires us to create a diverse community of learners for the benefit of all. Perhaps the most complex element of the admission process and the strategic plan, embracing diversity requires a valuing of differences and, while this is woven into admission decisions, it is a responsibility for all of us to welcome, include and come to know new students and their families.
The holistic admissions approach reflects the School’s identity and our role in assembling a community of committed learners who embrace academic challenge and diverse experiences. The process includes many opportunities for us to come to know students and their families. Further, it offers the School many opportunities to see ourselves through the perspectives of others and to learn from their experience and insights. We are listening to what applicant families have to say about the school as a measure of who we are and who we want to be.
“Get to Know Us” PA Coffee Morning
Today is the last day to RSVP for the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary’s “Get to Know Us” coffee morning. Join us at the Nocente Family Fireplace Lounge on Tuesday, February 28 from 8:30 am to 9:30 am. (Drop-ins are also welcome.) For those who are unable to attend but would like to express interest in volunteering with the PA, please complete this form.
Reminder: Junior School “Dancing Through the Decades”
Grade 1 to 7 families are invited to the Junior School Family dance on Tuesday, March 7 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Manrell Hall. Enjoy great food, music and dancing for all ages. There is a limited capacity for the event, so make sure to purchase tickets by March 1.
125th Birthday Assembly Livestream
On Friday, March 3, a special assembly will be held for students and alumnae to celebrate the School’s 125th Birthday. We look forward to welcoming back to CHS Alumnae going back to the class of 1949. Due to capacity constraints, parents and guardians are invited to watch a livestream of the assembly. The assembly begins at 9:00 am on Friday, March 3. A recording will be posted to the website following the event.
The Addams Family - Tickets Available
Don’t forget to pick up your ticket to enjoy the kooky, comedic world of The Addams Family. The Grade 10-12 musical production takes place daily from Thursday, March 2, 2023, to Saturday, March 4, 2023, in the theatre of the Beedie Fine Arts Centre. This show will not be live streamed, so make sure you come and experience it in person. Purchase tickets.
Parent Sessions on Establishing Respectful Relationships and Consent (ERASE)
The BC Ministry of Education and Child Care is promoting two virtual learning sessions for parents/caring adults and students in Grade 5 and above and their families. In the session, families will explore the topic of consent and the dynamics of gender-based violence. They will also discuss the current state of gender relations in both the physical and digital landscape, as well as the potential for exploitation within these relationships. Throughout the session, trainers will provide students with tips and tools to help them navigate and grow in these environments. Please review the bulletin for more information or to
register.
The Croftonian
The first edition of the Croftonian, the School’s annual publication, was published in 1913 and began with a message from the editor Margaret Rand. “May the Croftonian soar to ever greater heights as the years roll on”, she writes!
The edition includes stories, poems, drawings, photos and reflections from Crofton House students. The Croftonian continues today as the school yearbook.
There once was a school magazine, The neatest that ever was seen;
Its name—The Croftonian—
Sounds quite Bostonian.
And the cover was all white and green.
Have a browse through the first copy of the Croftonian, available online.
Share Your CHS Stories
As part of Crofton House School’s 125th anniversary celebration, we invite the Crofton House community to share their joyful and special memories of CHS. These stories will become part of our archival 125th anniversary records and may be shared as part of our celebrations. Share yours today!
Students in the Junior School have been sharing recent acts of kindness that have left an impression on them. The notes are collected in a bright and colourful display, a visual reminder that little moments of thoughtfulness can have a big impact on others.
Senior Kindergarten students were feeling the love on Valentine’s Day. Excited to show off their valentine bags, each was filled with lovely, heartfelt notes from their classmates.
Grade 1 students have been enthusiastically writing to their alumnae penpals, introducing themselves, writing a little bit about their interests, and asking what life at CHS was like in the past. We wonder what stories their penpals will share in reply.
Grade 2 students have been learning the basics of coding and animation in the classroom as part of their exploration of the lifecycle of salmon.
Grade 5 students have been busy combining art with technology. Using a green screen and some clever software, they have been creating fantastical images of themselves with larger-than-life plasticine models of everything from dragons to strawberries.
Hats off to all of the Grade 7 students who helped to plan and host their very own assembly recently. Presenting to the whole Junior School can be a daunting prospect, but judging by the applause, the audience thoroughly enjoyed the sketches and messages.
Grade 8 students had a full schedule on their recent Ivy Compass day. An impactful presentation of Qwalena: The Wild Woman Who Steals Children by Dallas Yellowfly of 3 Crows Productions was followed by creative group activities reflecting on the generational impact of The Indian Act within Indigenous communities. The day finished with an activity around the Seven Circles of Wellness, a visual healing tool that helps holistically explore the idea of wellness and balance.
Grade 10 students participating in the Outdoor Education 11 program had an unforgettable expedition to the China Ridge Trails area outside of Princeton, BC. Stunning skies, favourable snow conditions, friendship, adventure and maple taffy. What more could anyone ask for in the backcountry?
Grade 12 students were invited to engage in a talk from visiting speaker Ben Scher, a Doctoral Student in Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation at the University of Oxford, who talked about comparative studies exploring support services and legislation for drug addiction. The talk looked at contrasting accounts from Vancouver and Birmingham in the UK, whilst also highlighting examples from across the world.
The Senior School Stroller Drive was a huge success, with a total of 16 strollers generously donated to help support newly arrived Afghan families. The strollers have now been dropped off with the Imigrant Service Society of BC (ISSBC) and will belivered to the new refugee families this week.
Students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 added a little colour to their uniform this week in support of Pink Shirt Day. Inspired by an act of kindness, Pink Shirt Day symbolizes a rejection of bullying and reinforces the importance of compassion and care for everyone in our community.
Junior School Athletics
Three Grade 5 Basketball teams travelled to Mulgrave School last week to participate in the ISEA Playday, attended by 24 teams. It was wonderful for the girls to see competition from all over the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island!
Crofton House hosted the Grade 6 ISEA Playday at the Richmond Oval. A total of 17 teams participated in the event, three representing CHS. There were many close games, and it was a great way to celebrate a successful basketball season!
The 7A and 7B Basketball teams went to their respective ISEA Tournaments at Collingwood School (7A) and West Point Grey Academy (7B) this week. Despite having challenging rankings, both teams put in amazing performances, with 7A securing 4th place and 7B coming 3rd. Congratulations!
Senior School Athletics
It has been an exciting close to the basketball season for Senior School teams.
The Varsity team fell just short of the cut off for provincials this year but showed incredible determination to take their final game right to the wire. They finished the season with a bronze medal from the ISA Championships, 4th in the League and 5th in Sea-to-Sky Zone playoffs.
The Junior team secured fourth place in their zone playoffs and is headed to the Provincial Championships next week at the Langley Events Centre. They will no doubt face some tough competition at the event, but with a silver from the ISA Championships and top spot in the League already in their back pockets, the Junior team will be looking to finish the season on a high.
The Bantam team have been almost unstoppable this year, claiming gold in the League and ISA Championships this season. They head into the Provincial Championships in Surrey next week with plenty of expectations, but full of confidence in their skill and determination on the court.
Best of luck to all the players on the Junior and Bantam teams next week!
With one term ending, another is ready to ramp up. Tryouts for spring athletic programs start next week for Badminton, Tennis, Soccer and Track & Field, with the Rowing Program holding tryouts the following week (March 6, 8 and 9). All Senior School students keen to participate in any of these sports are encouraged to check the notice boards in the Athletics Centre for more details on times/venues for all tryouts. |
