Tuesday, February 25, 2025 

The Woods Reforestation  

Dear Alumnae, 

In this special edition of 1898, we are celebrating The Woods, a cherished part of our school’s history and community. 

For generations, The Woods has been a place where students have come together to play, learn, and grow. It’s a space where friendships have been built, adventures have unfolded, and memories have been made—moments that so many alumnae hold close to their hearts.

“If I am sad, I sit and talk to the trees. I’ll say, I’m having a bad day today, and the trees move! There’s this magical thing about it. I talk to the trees, and they stop, and it’s just like they’re listening."

- Chloe, CHS student

After the campus rebuilding was completed in 2017, it became clear that The Woods was ready for its next chapter, too. With many trees reaching the end of their life and invasive species starting to take root, we began meaningful conversations about protecting and restoring this beloved space.

In 2022, a vision for The Woods began to take shape, thanks to a generous donation from the Leggat family—a three-generation Crofton House family with a deep appreciation for the outdoors.

“The Woods give that grounding and peaceful experience to the students.”

- The Leggat Family

With the support of Strat and Gaye Leggat and in collaboration with our head gardener, Marc Stewart, The Woods' most urgent needs were addressed, including the removal of invasive species, the planting of new trees, and the reintroduction of native plants. Marc also engaged both Junior and Senior School students by providing hands-on opportunities for them to participate in the restoration work, encouraging their stewardship of the space.

“The Woods is its own classroom, and its continued existence is key to the education of Crofton House students.”

- Marc Stewart

The generosity of the Leggat family caught the attention of one of our alumnae, who decided to support this project by matching donations toward The Woods up to $50,000. This gift is a thank you to the Leggats and enables us to envision the future of this space.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Leggat family for their thoughtful and impactful donation, and express our gratitude for our alumna’s generous donation.  

We’re now inviting all Crofton House alumnae to be a part of this story. Your support can help build upon the incredible progress we've made over the past three years. Whether you have fond memories playing in The Woods or want to ensure that future generations of students can enjoy those same experiences, please consider supporting this project. Even a small donation of $20 can make a difference!

Upcoming Events

Key Dates - Crofton House School:

February 25 - March 1, 2025 - Alumnae Mixers in Toronto, Kingston, Montreal and New York City

We’re thrilled to invite you to reconnect with Crofton House and fellow alumnae as we travel to host alumnae mixers in the evenings on the following dates:

  • Tuesday, February 25 - Toronto, Ontario
  • Wednesday, February 26 - Kingston, Ontario
  • Thursday, February 27 - Montreal, Quebec
  • Saturday, March 1 - New York City, New York (hosted by alumnae)

Please register here if you have not already done so.

Friday, March 7, 2025 - 127th School Birthday

The School Birthday celebration will be held on Friday, March 7. This full-day celebration will include a whole school assembly, visits in The Woods and with Junior and Senior School students, the traditional alumnae lunch and tours of the campus. Please RSVP.

Alumnae Association Updates

Key Dates - Alumnae Association:

Sundays, until March 9, 2025 - Drop-in Alumnae Pickleball

Join us on Sundays from 9:30 am to 11:30 am in Chan Hall for a morning of friendly pickleball. No prior experience is necessary. Join the CHS Alumnae Pickleball Whatsapp group for updates.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 - CHS Community Book Club

Join us at 9:30 am in the Nocente Family Fireplace Lounge, where we’ll be diving into The Life Impossible by Matt Haig. RSVP here.

Thursday, April 10, 2025 - Alumnae Career Exchange

Listen to panellists share career paths and work-life insights about social media, STEAM, law, real estate, finance, medicine and marketing. Join alumnae at 6:30 pm in Manrell Hall for networking and mentorship opportunities. Registration will be sent out in March.

Alumnae News

With help from alumnae volunteers and dedicated teachers, Grade 4 students are well on their way to knitting blankets for Project Linus. The CHS Alumnae Association and Junior School invite alumnae to contribute newly hand-knitted blankets from home. Please email alumrsvp@croftonhouse.ca for dimensions and mailing information, or if you would like to volunteer at our weekly on-campus sessions each Thursday.

Our alumnae community joined students, families, and faculty for a vibrant evening celebrating Lunar New Year! From dazzling performances to delicious treats, it was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and honour this special time of year together.

Three Grade 5 reporters—daughters of alumnae Dr Christine Kim '99, Tien Tien Woo '95, and Dr Vivian Yeung '93 —turned the tables on our CHS Alumnae Association President, Kelly Eng, in a lively interview for the Junior School newspaper. Their insightful (and sometimes tricky!) questions made for a fun and memorable conversation about leadership, school memories, and the power of community.

Contact Us!

Mariangela Brutti
Director, Advancement
mbrutti@croftonhouse.ca

 

Shina Boparai
Manager, Alumnae Relations
sboparai@croftonhouse.ca

 

Sadhbh Smyth
Coordinator, Alumnae Relations
ssmyth@croftonhouse.ca

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