CHS: Inspiring girls to discover and pursue their personal exellence.

An educational institution entering its 125th year, Crofton House School is well known for its focus on all-girls' education, its alumnae and their professional and personal contributions to the world, and the generosity of its community. Over the last three years, I have developed an appreciation for the School’s past and understand its present dynamics. What’s more, the strategic planning process that began in the fall has provided further insights into Crofton House School's identity. After extensive consultation with all stakeholders, the path into the future is becoming clear. It is optimistic, realistic and, most importantly, authentically CHS.

In parallel with the strategic planning process, the unique identity or proposition of CHS is being articulated by School leadership and Board of Governors, and the past Head of School at St. George’s School, Mr Tom Matthews, in consultation with Dolphin Brand Strategy. This work has been highly engaging. Putting into words what is at the School's core—its DNA—creates a foundation for School decision-making.

Making choices is essential to the development of the next strategic plan; we can’t do everything. Who we are as a School, what we believe, and the promises we make as an institution have been, and must continue to be, valued, worthwhile and impactful.

In May, the School is hosting three town hall sessions for parents. At each session, I will share with participants how key themes from the consultation phase of the strategic planning process have led to commitment statements. These statements are rooted in the School’s unique identity and provide a framework for specific strategies to be pursued. The town halls are designed to be interactive. After a short introduction, participants will be invited to consider the tensions underlying decisions (see Top Ten Takeaways), provide input on the proposed commitments, and share overall thoughts and questions. I am eager to hear from our community at this pivotal period in the strategic planning process.

I will close my message by sharing a quote from the introduction of the strategic plan currently guiding the development of the School, Extraordinary Possibilities, which continues to be relevant to our current process.

“From its inception in 1898, bold decisions have guided Crofton House School. The School’s founder, Dr Jessie Gordon, was ahead of her time in creating a school that allowed young women to reach their full potential. We are witnessing bold changes in education, and we must match this boldness with our own vision for change at Crofton House School. To remain truly relevant and provide an extraordinary education for girls, we must create a learning community that speaks to the future. Through resources and best practices, we must ensure that we are creating a school that inspires our students and teachers.”


2022 CHS Golf Classic

Dinner-only registration is now sold out! If you are still interested in joining us for dinner, we encourage you to register for the waitlist as spots may open up.

There is still room for two foursomes for golf. Register here.

Silent Auction

The silent auction is still accepting restaurant and shopping gift certificates. Some examples are Cioppino’s, AnnaLena, and Savio Volpe. If you are interested in donating to the silent auction, please reach out to jplotnikoff@croftonhouse.ca.

Good to know:

  • Can we organize our own golf foursome?
    Yes you may.

  • What if I don’t have my foursome. Can I still register?
    Yes, you can. We will do our best to pair you with other players with daughters in the same grade.

  • Can we make special requests for seating or golf?
    Certainly! You are welcome to let us know any golfing/seating preferences. We will do our best to accommodate them!

  • Can we put together a table for dinner or is it assigned seating?
    You may put together your own table, if you wish. Each table seats eight people.

  • What is the average handicap?
    We encourage parents of any golf level to participate! This is a fun way to get together and support the School’s fundraising priorities.

  • Can I bring my child to this event?
    The CHS Golf Classic is an adults-only event.

Should you have any further questions, please contact Jill Plotnikoff, Advancement Manager, at jplotnikoff@croftonhouse.ca.

Strategic Planning - Interactive Town Halls

All parents and guardians are encouraged to participate in one of three town hall sessions that will explore what is emerging as a framework for the next strategic plan. In-person and virtual sessions have been planned in order to welcome as many participants as possible. For full information and to register, please go to the My CHS community portal: A New Strategic Plan.

Promoting Mental Health and Resilience in Children and Youth

Crofton House School and the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary invite parents to the next Whole Girl, Whole World event. Vancouver-based Amra Dizdarevic, Youth Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, will join us at an evening event on Thursday, April 28. Please RSVP by Tuesday, April 26.

Related to the topic, podcasts by past Whole Girl, Whole World speaker Dr Lisa Damour offer insights and sound guidance for parents/guardians. Kristen Neff from the Centre for Mindful Self Compassion is also offering a free virtual summit, Parenting Teens in Uncertain Times.

Tickets now on Sale for Grade 6/7 Musical of Dear Edwina Jr.

The Junior School proudly presents the Grade 6/7 musical production of Dear Edwina Jr., taking place on Wednesday, May 4 and Thursday, May 5 at 7:00 pm in the theatre of the Beedie Fine Arts Centre. In Dear Edwina Jr., a colourful cast of characters give out advice on issues ranging from saving money to foods you don't like, to true love! A joyful show for the whole family! Purchase tickets.

Backpack Drive - Together We Can Make a Difference

Thank you to all the families who have already participated in the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary backpack drive, ensuring more children across Vancouver have access to the supplies they need for learning. There is still time to help this excellent cause! Our goal this year is to donate 300 backpacks, filled with all the supplies needed for the school year. If you would like to chip in, complete this simple online form and your student account will be charged $60 per backpack.

Save the Date: Year End BBQ

Crofton House School and the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary invite parents, students and staff to save the date for the Year End BBQ on Wednesday, June 10.

Last week saw an explosion of colour across campus as Junior and Senior School students celebrated Pride Week. With themes of openness, identity, expression and allyship being explored in class sessions, assemblies and breaktime activities, students had the chance to take a deeper dive into some of the challenges faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ communities and explore how simple changes can help everyone feel like they belong. For more information, visit our blog and check out the photos on our Instagram @crofton_house.

Senior Kindergarten students are very excited at the prospect of performing their Spring Concert in front of a live audience. We spotted them practicing their accompanying dance moves, ready for the big day.

Who doesn’t love receiving a letter in the mail? Grade 1 students have been in correspondence with their alumnae pen pals, sharing their favourite subjects, pets, future careers and lots more!

Movement, team-work, hand-eye coordination, cardio…gym class for these Grade 4 students included a little bit of everything⁠— even a healthy dose of competition to boost the adrenaline.

Discovery sessions bring Grade 6 and 7 students together to explore a range of different subjects. We found groups engaged in creating beautiful scrapbooks, exploring forest habitats and conservation, and even building their own battling robots!

That’s a wrap! A big round of applause to the cast and crew of the Grade /9 production, Waiting Girl. Performing two back-to-back shows last week, the students guided audiences through two stories about tackling cancer from a teenage perspective.

Who says Play-Doh is just for pre-schoolers? This AP Math class used this childhood favourite to visualise and explore the calculation of 3D shapes using calculus. It’s great to know you’re never too old to mix play time and learning.

A big stage with a cosy café vibe. Senior School students showed a fine array of talents at their Coffee House evening as they danced, sung, told stories and recited poetry for a bustling student and staff audience in Manrell Hall. View Gallery.

If you build it, they will come. The inaugural meeting of the Senior School Mahjong club proved so popular they are having to host another introductory session. The buzz and sense of community at the tables really backed up the club’s tagline: “It’s not just Mahjong, it’s Your jong!”.

Repair. Reuse. Recycle. The Senior School has been awash with initiatives in support of Earth Week including thrifting features, community cleanups, a presentation from CHS alumna and environmental activist Hailey Chutter, and the annual Earth Week fair!


Junior School students are currently diving into track and field season, with 145 Grade 3-7 students participating in training so far this season. This weekend, the Crofton Falcons will be competing in the Vancouver Olympic Club Track Meet at Burnaby’s Swangard Stadium—their first in-person event in three years!

This week, the Senior School Falcons hosted the 2022 ISAA Varsity Badminton Championships. Two Falcons’ teams showed real strength and technique on the courts, and were crowned tournament champions for the 12th year in a row.

Courage, Creativity, Citizenship

Used Uniform Sale: Seamless Work by Parents’ Auxiliary Volunteers!

The Crofton House community happily gathered in-person in Manrell Hall for the Parents’ Auxiliary (PA)’s Used Uniform Sale in early April. Generous families donated uniform pieces, while PA volunteers organized the gently used items and staffed the tables on sale day. A big thank you goes to PA Event Coordinator Ai-Lin Tai. Over $7,500 was raised at the sale, with all funds going to the Winter Bazaar and community partner KidSafe.

The CHS Parents' Auxiliary

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

Whole School

April 28
- Whole Girl, Whole World: Amra Dizdarevic, Youth Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
May 4
- A New Strategic Plan Town Hall 8:15 am to 9:45 am (in-person)
May 9
- A New Strategic Plan Town Hall 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (virtual)
May 12
- A New Strategic Plan Town Hall 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (in-person)
May 20
- Professional Development (no classes)
May 23
- Victoria Day (no classes)
June 1
- Staff Appreciation from the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary
June 10
- Year End BBQ

Junior School

April 25
- PA Coffee & Conversation
May 4-5
- Junior School Musical: Dear Edwina Jr.

Senior School

April 26 - Ivy 10 Day
May 4 - Ivy 9 Day
May 9 - Ivy 11 Day

           

Crofton House School  •  604 263 3255
Communications Department  •  communications@croftonhouse.ca
IT Department  •  support@croftonhouse.ca



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