Each year, the School’s birthday connects current students and alumnae, and allows us to celebrate examples of CHS’s community impact. Our 124th birthday celebration today holds true to that tradition of joy and reflection.

What’s more, meeting and hearing from the CHS Alumnae Association’s award recipients illustrates the many ways each girl can contribute to shaping the world around them. Spanning 50 years of CHS alumnae, this year’s award recipients are making meaningful contributions to their communities and professions, and continuing the legacy of Crofton House with courage, creativity and citizenship. Sheila Ross '49 was honoured for her tireless commitment to bettering her community and immense generosity to those in need as the recipient of the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. Ambassador Aliya Mawani '91 was awarded the 2022 Distinguished Alumna Achievement Award for her tremendous international relations and diplomacy accomplishments and strong advocacy for women's rights. Hannah McCormack '99 is this year's recipient of the Junior Alumna Achievement Award for her outstanding work in youth mental health and counselling.

While the birthday allows us all a chance to recognize the School's legacy, other elements woven into the assembly celebrate tradition. One is the singing of "The Centennial School Song". The lyrics are particularly poignant in a year during which we reflect on the School's past and present to develop a strategic plan for the School's future: "May those returning find us faithful". These words are a reminder to hold fast to the timeless vision of Dr Jessie Gordon, "...where young women would have dynamic and stimulating surroundings in which to learn and build a solid foundation to meet life's challenges."

The School’s birthday also coincides with an annual opportunity to reflect on the impact women are making worldwide, with International Women's Day on March 8. First celebrated in 1911, its purpose remains relevant globally and to our educational program that supports each girl to discover and pursue her personal excellence. Here at CHS, we also show a deep appreciation to the School’s founders and all those who courageously, confidently and selflessly contributed to and believed in the promise and future of a school for girls. We look forward to seeing the Women’s Day celebrations unfold in both the Junior and Senior School next week.

Happy 124th Birthday, Crofton House School, and happy International Women’s Day!

For more information on the Alumnae Association awards and recipients, visit our website.

Service Together Technology Drive: April 19-25

Do you have a laptop, tablet or mobile phone that you are no longer using? Together, the Ivy Compass Program and the CHS Parents' Auxiliary are holding a technology drive to collect gently used or new laptops, tablets and mobile phones to support refugee families from Afghanistan who have recently arrived in BC.

The drive will be student-led with parent and teacher support, and takes place from Tuesday, April 19 to Monday, April 25. Devices for donation can be dropped off in the bins located at the entrance to the Junior School (by the Junior School office), the upper foyer of the Senior School, and outside the Ivy Compass office (next to the Fitness Centre).

Please ensure that the device is in working condition and reset to factory settings if possible. In addition, please remove all personal photos, emails, notes, music, contacts, documents, etc., and include the device's charger if you have it. Thanks for your support!

A Caution About the Handling of Rapid Antigen Tests

On Thursday, February 24, the Federal Government issued a public advisory on the handling of rapid antigen test kits. The advisory stresses the kits are safe and effective when used as intended; however, parents/guardians should be aware of the potential risks associated with the misuse, accidental ingestion or spillage of COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit solutions on the skin.

Enrolment Step 3 of 3 - Due Before March 4, 2022

Parents and guardians who are enroling a student at CHS for the 2022-2023 school year are required to complete Enrolment Step 3 of 3 (instructions); These documents are due today. In this final step, parents/guardians agree to the 2022-2023 Crofton House School Enrolment Terms and Conditions and to uphold the four Enrolment Policies: Crofton House School Code of Conduct; Responsible Use of Technology Agreement; Prevention of Harassment and Bullying Policy; and Online School and Faculty Directories: Access and Use Agreement.

Parent evening with Lisa Dion - Recording Available

International teacher, clinical supervisor, author and coach Lisa DIon spoke with Junior School families about how, by removing hardship and discomfort, we may actually be doing more harm than good for our children. She shared coping techniques that helps us sit with discomfort and foster resilience in our children. A recording of the presentation is available on the School website until Thursday, March 31.

Travel During the Holidays: Updated Federal Requirements

The Government of Canada website is the best resource for information on travelling to, from and within Canada. One recent change is important to families travelling internationally during Spring Break. Beginning Monday, February 28, unvaccinated children under the age of 12 and entering Canada with fully vaccinated parents are no longer restricted from attending daycare or school for 14 days.

Crofton House School and the CHS Alumnae Association introduced this year’s Alumnae Achievement Award Winners at the School’s 124th birthday celebration:

• Sheila Ross ’49 received the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award
• Ambassador Aliya Mawani ’91 received the 2022 Distinguished Alumna Achievement Award
• Hannah McCormack ’99 received the 2022 Junior Alumna Achievement Award

Congratulations to all the award winners. Learn more about the remarkable accomplishments of these Crofton House alumnae. If you missed the livestream of the birthday assembly, you can watch the event online.

Over three weeks in February, Junior School students got to walk, explore and learn, step by step, with the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada–a giant floor map covering the entire atrium! Find out how various grades incorporated the atlas into their lessons over on our blog.

February 22 fell on a Tuesday this year, giving us the wonderful date of 22/02/2022— a palindrome (it reads the same forward and backwards!) and an ambigram (it reads the same upside down!). It only seemed fitting to ask our Grade 2 students to help celebrate this unique day with an amusing display in the Junior School atrium.

Students in Grade 5 Music were full of enthusiasm as they spent a lesson practicing the ukulele.

After a classroom session exploring 'emotional contagion,’ how our microexpressions impact the emotions of those around us, Grade 6 students then followed up that Social and Emotional Learning lesson with a drama activity about communication via non-verbal methods.

Grade 8 students have been busy combining Social Studies and Design Thinking to explore artifacts of the Arab world, crafting their own examples of art, architecture and artifacts.

Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sunshine and great company…what more could anyone want!? Students in the Outdoor Education 11 class had a memorable trip to Manning Park this month, putting their skills to the test in wonderful, wintery conditions.

In their last Ivy Compass day before graduation, Grade 12 students presented their legacy project ideas in a Dragon’s Den-style event: The Falcon’s Nest. Congratulations to Advisory 12H, who were selected by fellow Grade 12 students and a panel of staff judges to look at implementing their project, CHS Immigration Integration Services, in the School through Term 3.

The Senior School Improv Club had their student audience tickled pink with their Valentines-themed show. Skits included preposterous excuses for running late for a date, some questionable “blind date” contestants, and bucketloads of laughter.

“You see—comedy, love, and a bit with a dog. That's what they want.” The Grade 10-12 production of Shakespeare in Love has all of that and more! Theatre seats are sold out for remaining performances tonight and tomorrow, but there is still time to buy a ticket to watch the livestream from the comfort of your own home. Whet your appetite by watching the trailer.

Our amazing Crofton Falcons bantam and varsity basketball teams have both qualified for their respective BC championships–congratulations to both teams, we are so proud of you!

This is our varsity team's first appearance at the AAA championship; they last qualified for provincials in 2009, at the AA level. For the bantam team, this is the first time they have qualified for their BC Invitational Championship.

You can find information on both tournaments at the following links:

• AAA Varsity Girls Basketball Championship: Website | Schedule/Draw
• Bantam Girls Basketball Championship: Website

Just in time for Spring Cleaning! The PA’s Used Uniform Sale Set for April

Clear out your closets and gather up gently-used CHS uniform pieces, the sale is back! Donation boxes will be in place starting this week at 2 locations: outside the Uniform Shop and at the receiving entrance off Balaclava Street. Any official Crofton House schoolwear can be dropped off from now until Friday, March 11. Clean, current and gently used items will be accepted. Blazers are among the most popular items at the sale, but everything from crewnecks to Crofton Falcon gear can be picked up at a fraction of the regular cost.

Items will be organized and prepared for sale by PA volunteers in advance of the Used Uniform Sale on Friday, April 8 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Watch your inbox after spring break for a sign-up sheet with available timeslots to ensure small groups for a safe and enjoyable shopping experience. Thank you in advance for your clean donations! All proceeds from the Used Uniform sale will support the Crofton House Winter Bazaar.

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

Whole School

March 7-11 - International Women's Week
March 14-27 - Spring Break (No classes)
April 15 - Good Friday - (No Classes)
April 18 - Easter Monday - (No Classes)

Junior School

March 8 - Zero the Hero visits the ECE
March 9 - Junior School Student-Led Conferences
March 7-11 - No Co-curricular, Program Plus or Athletic activities after school
March 10 - Junior School Term 2 Reports, 12:00 pm
March 10 - Parent Information Session - Track & Field, 9:00-9:45 am

Senior School

March 8 - Purple Day in celebration of International Women’s Day (non-uniform/civvies)
March 10 - Parent Teacher Conferences
March 30-April 1 - Grade 11 Outdoor Education Excursion