Calendar Highlights

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

Whole School

November 8 - Remembrance Day Assembly (Livestream)
November 11 - Remembrance Day (School Closed)
November 12-13 - Mid-Term Break (School Closed)
November 14-15 - Professional Development (No Classes for Students)
November 21 - Whole Girl, Whole World Speaker Series: Tara Mohr       

Junior School

November 21 - JK Coffee & Conversation with JS Director
November 28 - Grade 7 Coffee & Conversation with JS Director

Senior School

November 26 - Grade 11 Post-Secondary Information Evening (Virtual)

PA Events    

Message from the Head of School

The passing of Anishinaabe senator and Manitoba lawyer Murray Sinclair marks the loss of a profound figure in the steps towards justice and reconciliation in Canada. Sinclair was the chief commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC); his work illuminated the history of residential schools and championed healing for Indigenous communities. Sinclair’s dedication to education, law, and public service has left a lasting legacy, embodied in the TRC’s ongoing Calls to Action. We will lower the flag on campus tomorrow, in anticipation of his funeral, to honour his profound contributions and the enduring impact he had on creating a more inclusive and just Canada. The flag will remain lowered until the end of Remembrance Day on Monday, November 11.

As we head into a well-deserved break, I want to highlight two important community events taking place shortly after we return, helping to set the stage for the upcoming holiday season filled with community gatherings and meaningful connections. Learn more. 

Dreaming Big: Exploring Sleep Issues Among Girls

Sleep is essential for emotional well-being, physical health and cognitive function. According to Dr Daniel Siegel, “When we give the brain the rest it needs, we consolidate learning and recover from experiences of the day.” More specifically, sleep is key for emotional regulation, memory, attention and recovery from illness and injury (Lewis, 2022).

Read some of the key insights from last year's CHS student survey regarding sleep, key takeaways from Lisa L Lewis's recent presentation on improving sleep for pre-teens and teens, and principles of sleep hygiene from Ms Eady and Ms Kimmel, Coordinators, Student Wellbeing & Social and Emotional Learning, on our Purposeful Parenting page.        

Whole Girl, Whole World with Tara Mohr

Crofton House School and the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary are proud to present a Whole Girl, Whole World speaker event with author and educator specializing in women’s leadership and well-being, Tara Mohr, on Thursday, November 21 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Theatre of the Beedie Fine Arts Centre. Tickets are available for purchase now. For further details on the event, please see the previous communication sent to families. 

Notices - Action Items

Coffee Morning with the Head of School and Chair of the Board

On Monday, November 18, join Craig Lindsay, Chair of the Board of Governors, and Ena Harrop, Head of School, as they informally connect with members of the CHS community, provide an update on the strategic plan implementation and hear any questions you may have. An RSVP is appreciated for planning, but drop-ins are welcome.

Invitation to Join the CHS Golf Committee 

As we begin planning for the 27th Annual CHS Golf Classic, set to take place in May 2025, we are excited to invite parents and alumnae who are passionate about golf to consider joining the Golf Committee. If you are interested in this opportunity, or know a Crofton House parent who would be a great addition, we would love to hear from you. Please contact the Advancement Department at golf@croftonhouse.ca with any questions or recommendations. For more information on the Committee, meeting commitments, and more, visit our blog.

Reminder: Upcoming Financial Assistance Deadline

Please be reminded that financial assistance applications for the 2025-2026 school year are due Friday, November 29, 2024. Current families receiving financial assistance must also apply for the next school year by November 29; this application fee will be waived for Crofton House families. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with Karen Choi, Director, Finance.

Notices - For Information

Remembrance Day Assembly

On Friday, November 8, from 9:00 am to 9:45 am, the annual student-led Remembrance Day Assembly will be held at the school and broadcast to the community via livestream. In an assembly held at the school each year, students from many grades offer their perspectives on this day and its continued relevance and importance. Families are invited to attend via livestream. Please note that November 8 is also Indigenous Veterans Day in Canada, a day to honour the contributions and sacrifices of Indigenous Peoples.

Remembrance Day Resource

Operation Remembrance is a national Canadian educational program from Veteran Affairs Canada and the Legion to honour veterans from coast to coast, and highlight key milestones in Canadian military history. Each day from November 1 to 11, videos are being released to the public for learning and reflection. This year, the Day 6 video released yesterday was created by CHS Grade 12 student Kathy, and features notable Canadian engineer, Elsie MacGill. Watch the video here.

Annual Report Slideshow and PDF

The 2023-2024 Annual Report has now been published. You can view a copy of the report here and an accompanying video celebrating highlights from across campus during the 2023-2024 school year.

Inclement Weather Notice 

Winter weather can make travel challenging. The School has a procedure to respond to inclement weather that results in school closure, and this is outlined in the Parent-Student Handbook under “School Closure Procedures” (page 37). Communication of closure is sent through a third-party system, Regroup, via voicemail, email, and text.

Student Experiences

The last two weeks on campus have been filled with cross-campus collaborations and celebrations, sporting successes and colourful creations. Check out the highlights gallery here.

Visit our Halloween gallery to see all the Pixar characters, princesses, and animals big and small that flooded our campus for some spooky fun last Thursday.

Seed Bombs as Simple Steps for Climate Action

Over the last two weeks, a group of Senior School students worked with the Grade 5 classes in a hands-on learning experience about biodiversity and sustainability—an amazing opportunity for cross-campus collaboration sparked through the Senior School students’ involvement with the student-run national non-profit Evergreen Collective Foundation. Learn more.

Putting Pantomime into Practice at the Annual Haunted House

A Crofton House spooky tradition was back again this year, with a curricular twist for Grade 8 students! The CHS Haunted House, which takes place in the Black Box Theatre for Senior School students and staff to enjoy around Halloween, has historically been a production and performance assignment for Drama 11 and 12 students. This year, that performance opportunity was opened up to Grade 8 students to showcase their own growing performance skills. Learn more.

Look Up!: A Higher Perspective on Women in Science

If you have ever been in the Geoffrey Lau Science Centre Rotunda, you have seen the mural that wraps around the space—but who does it celebrate? Look up even further, and there’s one more curious item you may not have noticed before—a giant plumb bob! What’s that you ask? Ms Haligowski, Archivist, has been looking into these two Senior School treasures, with some interesting findings. Read more.

Read more about some of the final events for the cross country, volleyball and field hockey teams both at home and away on our blog.

Go Falcons Go!

CHS Parents' Auxiliary

The Crofton House Winter Bazaar

Thank you for all of your Winter Bazaar support! We have a few final reminders before enjoying the Winter Bazaar on Saturday, November 30, in support of the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre and Women Leaders of Tomorrow.

• Pre-Sale on Now! - The final day to secure a holiday wreath or a potted plant is tomorrow, Friday, November 8! Here is the Presales link. Some items are selling out! Don't forget to purchase your entrance wristbands and activity tickets in advance to skip the line.
  
• Book a Family Portrait - Sending out a holiday card? It would look particularly lovely with a family photo! Luckily our portrait booth still has spots. Please sign up here. Thank you to our generous parent photographers, Iain Sinclair, Chunhua Wu and Yvonne Wong.
• Final Donation Collection Day - The final donation collection day of accessories, sporting goods, books, midway prizes and costumes is Monday, November 18. Collection takes place at the Balaclava Street gate/roundabout and the Junior School roundabout accessible from Blenheim Street from 7:30 am to 9:00 am and 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Not sure what we are accepting? Check out our Winter Bazaar website for more information and a list of accepted items.
• Join Us for a Winter Bazaar Workshop - *NEW* We are thrilled to invite you to our Cup of Latte candle-making workshop on Tuesday, November 19 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. No experience necessary! Space is limited, so please do not delay. Please sign up here.

For all of your Bazaar-related questions, please visit our fantastic Winter Bazaar '24 website! Questions? Please email bazaarchairs@croftonhouse.ca.

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