Message from the Head of School

Welcome, alumnae, to the 2024-2025 school year!

I hope you all had a wonderful summer, wherever you were. The school year has started with its usual injection of energy, and as I write we already have had two grades out on outdoor education trips and have welcomed our exchange students from Melbourne for their stay with us. It was a pleasure to have alumnae join us for the Whole School Opening Assembly, both in person and online.

This is the 126th year of the School, but as I said in that assembly, our mission has never been more relevant. What the CHS Identity states - that we believe in a better world through the agency of women - is more than a belief; it is a fact and it should be a call to action for everyone. Countries with greater gender equality are countries where everyone does better. Nations that fail girls and women are often nations that fail altogether. Our school’s founder, Dr Jesse Gordon, put in place a tangible way to invest in the potential of girls and women: as alumnae, you are the living legacy of her vision. I see this every time I meet alumnae, and the reunion of the class of 2014 last month was no exception. Paths are not always linear, and life takes many in directions that may never have been intended, but I am always amazed at what alumnae achieve when they leave us.

As we go into the second year of our strategic plan, Thriving in Possibility, and with Kara McDonald, Deputy Head, Partnerships & Community Engagement, joining the team, we look forward to focusing on developing our work on partnerships, including alumnae. A good example of this type of partnership is the growth of our Work Experience Program, featured in this newsletter: the support from alumnae could be transformative for the program, and we are keen to hear from alumnae who may be interested in supporting this important learning experience for CHS students.

Finally, we are delighted to have welcomed two new Grade 11 students from Afghanistan to our community through our partnership with Women Leaders Of Tomorrow and our Financial Assistance program. We are looking forward to supporting the journey of these remarkable young women. Our previous Afghan students graduated this summer and are now attending university in Canada: you will find more details of their time at the School in the next edition of The Ivy magazine which comes out next month.

We are excited to collaborate with you in our ongoing efforts to build an inclusive and welcoming community both within and beyond our ivy walls. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our Crofton House community.

Welcome from Kara McDonald, Deputy Head of School

Dear Crofton House School Alumnae,

I am delighted to join the Crofton House School community as Deputy Head, Partnerships & Community Engagement.

Education is a hopeful and collective enterprise. For thirty years, I have worked in public and independent schools, non-governmental organizations, and universities. I have taught in Côte d’Ivoire and Mexico. In Canada, I have taught in Halifax and Vancouver. Most recently, I’ve come from York House School, where I served for twelve wonderful years. Across these settings, there has been a common goal: to inspire, connect, and enable people, young and older, to flourish and contribute to society.

I am impressed by the breadth and depth of this commitment at CHS. At the School, we are seeking ways to partner with students, parents, alumnae, community organizations, and networks to create meaningful and relevant learning experiences for students - past and present - who are charting unique pathways and shaping the future.

We invite your ideas and involvement in this shared endeavour. I look forward to meeting you and collaborating to strengthen this remarkable community.

An Update on the Alumnae Achievement Award

The Alumnae Achievement Award, established in 2004, recognizes outstanding alumnae for their accomplishments in different fields. Through the years, the CHS Alumnae Association has done an incredible job leading the recognition process of exceptional alumnae, with the support of the School.

The Association has engaged in meaningful conversations with alumnae and carefully considered their feedback on the Achievement Award. This input prompted the Association and the School to collaboratively evaluate the award in light of the school’s new strategic plan, Thriving in Possibility.

Going forward, the Association intends to focus on celebrating alumnae in new and different ways which reflect the breadth and scope of passions and accomplishments among the alumnae community locally and internationally. The School will take the lead in refreshing the award. In the coming months, we will assess the award’s framework and provide updates in 1898 and on the school website.

The CHS Work Experience Program

We invite you to participate in the Work Experience Program, which bridges academic life and the professional world for students in Grades 11 and 12. Since 2021, over 110 students have gained invaluable hands-on experience in various fields of interest, including students who have learned from incredible Crofties in our alumnae network. Learn more about the program’s evolution.

The Work Experience Program is a key part of the strategic priorities Purposeful Learning and Meaningful Partnerships. Alumnae have consistently been essential in the success of the WEP and we are always eager to see more alumnae involved.

We warmly invite you to become an employer and mentor through the Work Experience Program. By sharing your expertise, you can make a lasting impact on current CHS students’ careers while strengthening our community. Interested in getting involved? Complete the interest form and a member of the Work Experience Program team will be in touch.

Alumnae Association Updates

Welcome Back to School Alum Mums and Daughters

Currently over 60 children of Alum Mums are enrolled in Crofton House ECE Centre, Junior School, and Senior School. Alum Mums play a vital role in connecting the past and future of the Alumnae Association, with many actively volunteering through the Association and at community events.

On September 19, Alum Mums enjoyed a breakfast and welcome back to the school with Ena Harrop, Head of School, Kara McDonald, Deputy Head, and Sadhbh Smyth, Coordinator, Alumnae Relations.

Welcome, Class of 2024!

Welcome to our newest alumnae, the graduating Class of 2024! We wish you a wonderful year ahead and hope you’ll stay connected with us. As you continue your journey, joining the network of 4500 alumnae around the world, we look forward to hearing what your next chapters have in store.

Alumnae News

We are happy to share the latest achievements of former Head Prefect, Ange Yeung ‘24, who is now attending Brown University. Ange has already made impressive strides in their academic and creative journey and has been published in The College Hill Independent, commonly known as The Indy, a respected student-run publication that covers topics from culture and politics to art and campus life.

Ange’s article, entitled "Lost in Translation", explores the themes of gender and queerness within the Cantonese Opera. You can read the article online. We look forward to seeing where Ange’s passion and talent for writing takes them next!

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