St. George's Strategic Plan 2011-2021

THE SAINTFROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD > THE MAGAZINE OF ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL | FALL 2015

1 THE

FUTUREAFFIRMATION FOR “ONE BOY AT A TIME,” ST. GEORGE’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2011-2021

FALL 2015 > THE SAINT THE MAGAZINE OF ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

MANAGING EDITOR SENIOR COPY EDITOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Jason Fearon Nancy Kudryk Richelle Akimow Photography 04 FROM THE HEADMASTER Head of Communications Chris Blackman PRESIDENT OF THE Marc Crompton GEORGIANS EDITOR GEORGIANS AND Bruce Elbeblawy FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD Chris Blackman THE ST. GEORGE’S 05 Bob Frid Head of Georgian Relations OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION J. Alistair Palmer ’71 Bruce Jackson '78 GRAPHIC DESIGNER > SAINTS’ life Bruce Elbeblawy

06 2015 IBSC CONFERENCE

10 SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOM > CONTENTS 16 INVESTMENT CLUB 20 ONE CAMPAIGN UPDATE

> COVER STory

26 STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

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32 THE PRESIDENT

33 GEORGIAN RELATIONS

SAINTS’ LIFE COVER STORY 34 RUGBY WORLD CUP 06 2015 IBSC Conference 26 Strategic Plan Update 38 IN MEMORIUM: DOUGAL FRASER

42 GEORGIANS’ PHOTO ALBUM

48 SAINTS’ NOTES

INVESTMENT CLUB GEORGIANS’ PHOTO ALBUM 16 Learn, Invest, Give 42 All the Events!

THE SAINT is published twice per year, expressly for Georgians, parents, and friends of St. George’s School. It is also distributed to other Canadian independent schools and selected public or private institutions. Comments about any of the articles are always welcome. Address all correspondence to: Jason Fearon, Managing Editor, THE SAINT | St. George’s School | 3851 West 29th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6S 1T6 CANADA Phone: 604-221-3891 Fax: 604-224-7066 Email: [email protected] THE SAINT is copyright © 2015 St. George’s School, Vancouver BC Canada. Reproduction rights: We encourage you to circulate or copy this material unmodified for your own private use. You may quote any article or portion of article with attribution. Quotation of any article or portion of article without attribution is prohibited. THE SAINT, its contents, or material may not be sold, intact or modified, nor included in any package or product offered for sale. Please contact our office to be added to the mailing list.

ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL IS PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH:

Publications mail agreement no. 40580507. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: St. George’s School Society | 3851 West 29th Avenue, Vancouver BC V6S 1T6 Preparations for the annual St. George’s School Hamper Drive have already begun! Donations of perishable and non- perishable food items and toys will be collected over the next several weeks, until volunteers gather on the first Saturday of the Winter Break (December 19, 2015) to finish THE SPIRIT packing and then deliver the hampers. We will gratefully accept all offers, no matter what quantity. If you are able to support this worthy cause, please contact Ms. Betty Lo by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 604-221-3889 (direct line). We are able to accept donations beginning the week of December 8 OF GIVING for non-perishable goods, and as close to December 19 as possible for any perishable items. If you wish to contribute financially, please forward your donation (in the form of a cheque payable to St. George’s School – Hamper Drive) to the attention of Ms. Adrienne HAMPER DELIVERY DAY THIS YEAR IS Davidson, Director of Advancement at St. George’s School, TH or visit the School’s website to donate online. We will issue SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 , 2015 a tax receipt for all gifts in excess of $25.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US TO BRING HOLIDAY CHEER TO 250 FAMILIES IN THE VANCOUVER AREA THIS YEAR. > FROM THE HEADMASTER

UNDERSTANDING THE 21ST CENTURY LEARNER In mid-October, I travelled to Halifax to participate in the annual Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) Heads and Chairs Conference. Focusing on the changing educational landscape, the Conference’s overarching theme was “Understanding the 21st Century Learner: What They Need from Us.” In addition to several outstanding keynote speakers, including a skyped-in Howard Gardner from Harvard’s Project Zero, the Conference featured a variety of engaging and informative workshops and presentations.

As I made my way back to Vancouver, two sessions, in particular, resonated with me. The first was a panel consisting of four university presidents who emphasized the importance of preparing young people for a complex and rapidly changing world that is all but impossible to envisage. Another workshop focused on CAIS’s “2051 Project: The Future of Education Incubator.” Along with emphasizing the importance of sustainable economic and business models, the session compelled us to think about academic innovation and how best to prepare our students to become tomorrow’s leaders. This issue of The Saint highlights a number of exciting new initiatives that align with the ideas explored at the CAIS Conference. A recalibrated Strategic Plan and Mission statement are presented within the context of ongoing school renewal. Additional information is provided on the ONE Campaign, highlighting the link between new facilities and our boy-centred approach to teaching and learning. Our new Director of Learning, Sam Johnston, elaborates on a wide range of initiatives, ranging from the integration of technology in order to leverage student learning through to our more 4 strategic approach to professional development. An update is also provided on the International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Conference that we are hosting in late June of 2016. Underlying all of these undertakings is our commitment to boy-centred, 21st century learning. Our target is to ensure that every St. George’s boy is known and loved, is actively engaged, both inside and outside of the classroom, and is achieving to his fullest potential. That requires engaging programs and approaches that are founded on a solid understanding of boys and the needs of the 21st century learner. It’s an ongoing process, breathing life into our Mission of “Building Fine Young Men. One Boy at a Time” and advancing our Vison of becoming “Canada’s World School for Boys.” In my view, to do anything less would be to let down our students, as well as the promise of this great School.

DR. TOM MATTHEWS HEADMASTER

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A FINAL REFLECTION AND PARTING WORDS This will be my final missive as Chair of the Board of the St. George’s School Society, and I am very proud of what we have accomplished over the past three years. We are in the middle years of our 10-year Strategic Plan, and much progress has been made. The “one boy at a time” part of our Mission is now embedded in our school culture, with concentrated efforts to meet each student’s needs through differentiated learning plans and new programs like Connect 10 and the revamped Grade 8 cohort. While holding on to the best of our traditions, our faculty really has improved, and continues to improve, the educational experience for our boys.

This exciting educational growth highlighted the need to renew our teaching spaces, and while progress may seem slow, I believe the final product will be all the better for our careful deliberation over what physical plant we will build for the next century. Some might think that dreaming of a 100-year building is pie in the sky; we here at Saints know it is a real possibility since we already have a 100-year-old building which, with some alterations, we believe to be good for yet another hundred! We have also seen real progress as we’ve brought the ONE Campaign into its public phase. Now halfway to our first $40 million goal, I continue to be so grateful to everyone who has caught the vision, loves the School, and is willing to participate by donating. We know the very best schools in the world have great leadership, great faculty, great students, 5 great facilities, and a great culture of giving back. It is these final two pieces we are working on now. I thank Dr. Matthews for his leadership. I am extremely grateful to him for his wisdom and vision in leading the School in a process of constant improvement. I’d also like to thank our exceptional faculty. Their modeling of a mindset of reflection, curiosity, and continual growth provides a wonderful example for our boys throughout their lives. I also thank my colleagues on the Board; it has been a privilege to serve with you. Your work on the Board and its various committees, retreats, and other sessions is remarkable. Together, we take our job of oversight very seriously, and I am deeply grateful to you for your time, wisdom, common sense, and all-encompassing support of the School. I am proud to have been a part of the modernizing of the Board structure—it has been a long and thorough discussion, and I believe the more contemporary, leaner structure will promote more engaged governance of the School going forward. While I leave this position and this Board I’m not gone yet! I renew my commitment to you that I will meet with every family in the School to seek support for the ONE Campaign. I truly believe this is the most important effort we are undertaking now, and I will continue to work to raise the funds until it is done.

MRS. LESLEY BENTLEY CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FALL 2015 > AROUND THE SCHOOL SAINTS’ LIFE NEWS, EVENTS, AND STORIES.

In June 2016, St. George’s School will host the annual IBSC Conference and welcome approximately 800 delegates representing leading boys’ schools in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States to our campus and our city. Founded in 1995, the International Boys Schools Coalition “is a not-for-profit organization of schools dedicated to the education and development of boys worldwide, the professional growth of those who work with them, and the advocacy and the advancement of institutions—primarily schools for boys—that serve them.” Their annual conference provides our faculty with a valuable opportunity to learn more about boys’ learning and developmental issues, as well as to connect with boys’ school educators from around the world. Marc Crompton reports on the most recent conference, held in Cape Town, South Africa.

OF THE

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2015 IBSC Conference

Cape TownBY: MARC CROMPTON

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More than two decades into long and involved participating in and enjoyed amazing hospitality The conference theme was my teaching career at St. the previous year’s conference, before the conference got into “Lessons from Madiba”, Madiba George’s, I was made aware of many online meetings with full swing. being the reverential nickname an opportunity to study boys’ my colleagues in the project, that the South Africans have for The next day the conference learning in a way that seemed in-depth research with my Nelson Mandela. It was through began. IBSC conferences are to ring of particular truth and colleagues at St. George’s and these lessons that we learned like no others I’ve ever attended. interest. The International Boys’ other local ISABC schools, and and were inspired by stories of There are conferences that School Coalition (IBSC) was working in a different way with a true personal transformation, are huge and impressive with theming their annual action number of St. George’s students. reconciliation, and basic research project around the By the time I boarded the plane lots of “big events.” There are humanity. The bar was set by idea of “Boys as Makers”. This for 28 hours of travel to the conferences where people Archbishop Desmond Tutu as would allow me to study the idea opposite end of the earth, I was hole up in various rooms diving he spoke about his time with that, perhaps, boys learned in a comfortable that I was going into esoteric topics. There Mandela and his anti-apartheid hands-on way more effectively, to reconnect with people I’d are conferences that seem to work with such humility and or at least in some significantly developed relationships with to advance thinking in a field much humour. The next day started different way, than other talk about something that we further than would be possible with the perspectives of High methods. This project would were all passionate about, even any other way. While the Court Judge Edwin Cameron allow me to build a network with if the location was on a continent concurrent sessions were all very who spoke of practicing law both other, like-minded teachers at that I’d never been to and had good and I took something out during and after the apartheid boys’ schools around the world many questions about. of each, what was particularly era. He spoke of trying to and - no less of an enticement My action research group met impactful on me, and those from establish a sense of equality in a - culminate my research with a day before the conference to St. George’s that I’ve spoken to, legal system bent on segregation. a presentation at the IBSC rehearse presentations, share were the keynote speakers and He also spoke of his personal conference in Cape Town, South results, and take care of last- the messages that they wove struggles as a gay man who Africa. minute details. We explored the throughout the four days that we fought and nearly succumbed to The project itself was a full year host school, Bishops College, were together. HIV/AIDS in a society that was as

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hard on homosexuality as it was Ireland, and Israel/Palestine. The current action research Karen Potter took to the stage to on racial equality. The final keynote was presented team members from St. George’s, make the formal invitation and Stephen Ross and myself, along play a stunning video of what Our third day started with a by a man who had served as a with our compatriots from folks can expect when they visit. particularly impactful keynote policeman under apartheid and around the globe, presented our from Dr. Wilhelm Verwoerd. whose job it was to bug phone Some might wonder about research to large and receptive While a number of our white lines of the National African the benefit of travelling to audiences. The incoming action speakers talked about how they Congress and other similar conferences at such great research team, which includes a had grown up on the advantaged politically active, anti-apartheid distances in an age of Skype, number of St. George’s faculty, side of apartheid, no one really groups. When apartheid was email, and social media. I began their journey. We were captured it the way Dr. Verwoerd dismantled, he found himself certainly have attended some treated to South African food did. He was born into a well- serving as the lead on one of that make me wonder the same. and wine through Bishops off Afrikaans community, the President Mandela’s security But the IBSC conferences College at lunches, dinners, and grandson of Hendrik Verwoerd, teams. Like others, he had grown demonstrate there really is receptions, enjoyed a night of the president who enacted up advantaged by apartheid no substitute for face-to- wine and beer tasting, and a apartheid in 1959. It took travel and had to re-examine many of face meetings to build true trip to one of the many nearby to university in the UK for his views. He spoke with such relationships and to provide wineries. Wilhelm to have his worldview admiration and love for a man opportunities to spontaneously challenged and to come to the who it was his job not many years During the conference, we had explore ideas with like-minded realization that what his family before to hate. I can’t imagine the opportunity to invite the people who have removed stood for was something that having to confront and reverse boys’ school world to Vancouver themselves from the daily grind he needed to fight against. His such deep-set values and beliefs. in June 2016 when we host the to focus on reflecting on what joining the National African In amongst these inspirational next IBSC conference. People they do. These relationships Congress caused the severing moments, we were offered were already looking forward still continue as we still feed of ties with his family and led to up a plethora of sessions to making the trip to the most each other ideas and challenge him doing reconciliation work in on every aspect of boys’ beautiful city on the planet each other. We look forward to a number of places around the education. I attended sessions (although, I will admit that Cape hosting everyone in Vancouver world with long-standing, intense on architecture for learning, Town comes a close second!), but and returning the hospitality that conflict between cultural groups, library issues, and environmental you could feel the excitement in we were so grateful to receive such as South Africa, Northern education, to name but a few. the air when Tom Matthews and last summer.

International Boys' BOYS IBSC Schools Coalition AS

GLOBAL CITIZENS23rd Annual IBSC Conference

ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL JUNE 26-29, 2016 VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA

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“ The Director of Learning is responsible for helping every one of our boys be successful in their classrooms. What that means in practical terms is that our boys do need to be known by their teachers, they do need to find engagement in their classes and with their peers, and they do need to be achieving. And so the Director of Learning, I believe, has a direct responsibility to ensure that is happening in each one of our classrooms from Grade 1 all the way through Grade 12.” MR. Gary Kern, Principal, Senior School

SUCCESS AN INTERVIEW WITH SAM JOHNSTON AND GARY KERN IN THE CLASSROOM

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Sam, welcome to St. George’s going on in learning throughout days. With the access we have of Learning can focus on School! What led you to this the School. Another thing to information and the tools learning. They have a unique point, and why is the Director I love about this position is we have for creating, the opportunity to influence what of Learning so important to a that it encompasses Grade 1 possibilities for meaningful happens in our classrooms school? What excites you about through to Grade 12. There learning seem endless. I meet without other distractions, the role? is so much value that you can regularly with the Head of IT and it’s an incredible benefit to Sam Johnston: As the former leverage from knowing where and the ICT Integrator to learn the schools—both Junior and Principal of another very students have been all the about how technology is being Senior. academic school, I’ve always way along their elementary used in the classroom and how held learning at the top of my school career. When you know it can best support learning. How do you see the position mind. Having a position that is where they’ve been and you fitting with the Strategic Plan? singularly focused on learning know where they are going, Gary, you were in the position How does the Director of is imperative for staying you have an opportunity to last year. What do you see as Learning support the Plan? abreast of current research develop a very personalized the importance of the Director SJ: The Director of Learning and keeping our program academic experience with each of Learning role? has a large responsibility when second to none. When there of your students and guide their Gary Kern: I think the Director it comes to the Strategic Plan. isn’t a position dedicated to learning more strategically than of Learning is essential in a When you look at our plan and learning, that mission-critical you would otherwise. school like St. George’s, because its three pillars, the Academic work ends up being done “off it involves both campuses, and Program is a very large pillar the side of one’s desk”. You can Technology is also a large because it’s focusing on our with many very important still do great things, but it’s not part of my background and core business – the learning strategic actions attached to the same as having someone something that I’m passionate that happens in our classrooms. it. The last thing that you want with that responsibility, with about. It is exciting to think Both our Schools are extremely to do as a leading educational an overarching view of what’s about being a student these busy places and the Director institution is rest on your

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Mr. Gary Kern PRINCIPAL, SENIOR SCHOOL

A highly accomplished educator, Mr. Kern brings both depth and breadth of experience to this important leadership role. Over the course of the past 20 years, he has served as a teacher, as a Vice Principal and Principal in the Coquitlam and West Vancouver School Districts, as Director of Instruction for the West Vancouver School District, and most recently as Director of Learning here at St. George’s School. A graduate of the University of British Columbia, he also holds a Masters of Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Oregon. Mr. Kern is a former Olympic athlete and a keen marathoner, having completed in 11 marathons, including Berlin, Boston, and New York. He and his wife, Megan, have three children: Dayna, Blair, and Ian. 13

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Mr. Sam Johnston DIRECTOR OF LEARNING

Formerly the Senior School Director and the Director of Technology at York House School, he attended the University of British Columbia and holds a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Education, and a Masters of Education specializing in Leadership and Administration. His approach is always student-centred, and he is particularly passionate about fostering a love of learning and an appreciation of how technology can enhance student learning. An Associate Faculty member with City University in Seattle, he works with graduate students, introducing them to the principles of information literacy, instructional technology, and educational research. Mr. Johnston’s experience and expertise will be invaluable as we move forward with the implementation of the Strategic 14 Plan and its focus on boy-centred, 21st century learning. He and his wife Sara have three children: Ella, Charlie, and Andrew.

> THE SAINT SAINTS’ LIFE > laurels. Clearly, that is not happening at There are things happening at the Junior GK: The Director of Learning is responsible St. George’s; there are a variety of new School that would really benefit the Senior for helping every one of our boys be initiatives underway all aimed at enhancing School? successful in their classrooms. What that the classroom experience. The Director of means in practical terms is that our boys do Learning is there to support and connect GK: The Director of Learning role has the need to be known by their teachers, they all of the people responsible for these challenge of bridging the two campuses, do need to find engagement in their classes initiatives to ensure they are having an but also the opportunity to build on what and with their peers, and they do need to be impact on boys’ learning and they are each campus is doing, so there’s actually a achieving. And so the Director of Learning, supporting our Mission and Vision. number of structures that Sam uses. Last I believe, has a direct responsibility to year we saw the Senior School learn from ensure that is happening in each one of GK: The Strategic Plan is a commitment the work at the Junior School—for example, our classrooms from Grade 1 all the way to our core business, which is the learning the Grade 7 Wonder Expo and how they through Grade 12. and growth of our boys. The Director of organize their Grade 7 neighbourhood. Learning’s main responsibility is to help us Both of these ideas have directly impacted SJ: Known, engaged, and achieving: this bring it all together and to help us know how the Grade 8 cohort has been organized. is the target that came out of discussions

“ I think the Director of Learning is essential in a school like St. George’s, because it involves both campuses, and because it’s focusing on our core business – the learning that happens in our classrooms. ” MR. Gary Kern, Principal, Senior School

where we are going and how we are going At the same time, we also have Senior with the Leadership Team and the Associate to get there. Our Schools are complex School teachers who connect to the Junior Principals on changing the Mission from places with many people and priorities; the School, to help them understand Scope and “Building Fine Young Men” to “Building Director of Learning helps us untangle the Sequence and where things are going at Fine Young Men. One Boy at a Time.” It various interests so that we are all working the older grades. We see some really good is really about personalization. We are towards common goals and outcomes. examples of that in Music, in Athletics, and moving down that road, where we will be in Fine Arts. There are opportunities to the best at personalizing learning for boys How do you see yourself splitting time learn from one another. It’s hard to do when in the province, in Canada, and in the world. and efforts across the two campuses? It’s you’re very focused on one School, but the The target itself is simple enough, but the always a challenge, especially when your Director of Learning has that opportunity implementation is not easy. Fortunately, office is on one campus! to bridge both. we have great resources in our teachers SJ: I’m still working on that. It is a challenge. and our facilities, and we have a wonderful I teach at the Senior School, and that’s SJ: What Gary did last year was build group of individually talented boys to work where my office is located. But I do believe internal expertise. You can always go out with. We have the capacity to be a world there is power in having a broader view, and find an expert who can come in for leader in personalized boys’ education, and I really want to continue to promote a day, and there are benefits to be had and that’s something that we’re going to the idea of one School. There’s expertise from that. But when you build internal shoot for. From innovative instructional within each School that’s really powerful. expertise, you can take that Professional strategies in the classroom, to integrated Some of the things that the Junior School Development and build on it long term. It and authentic learning opportunities has done would be really powerful tools builds that critical mass of expertise and via cohorts and neighbourhoods, we are and lessons that the Senior School could drives the whole organization forward. changing the way that we do teaching and use, and vice versa. learning so that it is personalized for each What would each of you like the readers to boy in our care. Is that something that you found, Gary? know about the Director of Learning?

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It’s hard to find words that can encompass all that the Investment Club offers at Saints. To summarize its meaning for myself is an even more difficult task. But, what captures the

16 essence of the Investment Club, my most meaningful activity throughout my six years at Saints, or what makes it the same for our 120 members, has to be our mission statement: Learn, Invest, Give. Those three words make the Investment Club much more than just another extracurricular activity.

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LEARN,

INVEST, 17 GIVE THE MANTRA OF THE ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL INVESTMENT CLUB BY TY ZHANG’16, PRESIDENT (2015-16), VICE-PRESIDENT (2014-15)

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I’ve had the pleasure of the virtual stock contest; and, Investment Club offers are witnessing the club’s expansion finally, a focus on philanthropy, simply unparalleled, and the over the past three years, the field trips, and celebration at club would like to thank all the last two as an elected executive. the end of the year. Last year, companies that opened their For half-an-hour every Friday 25 members of the club visited doors to our members and lunch, many Saints boys come TELUS, one of our former allowed us a true firsthand to the Norris Lecture Theatre stock holdings, and met with experience of the industry. to see what’s on offer. The club institutional investors as well We are also grateful to our now maintains a school-hosted as Chairman of the Board/CEO guest speakers; I know I speak website (ic.stgeorges.bc.ca), Darren Entwistle. for the whole club when I say piloted last year and designed to The Analyst Team system that your generosity has been streamline many club processes. has exceeded expectations the foundation of our success. Attendance is automated and in encouraging sometimes Thanks are also due to Mr. sign-up, voting, and proposals shy members to present their Russell Smith and Mr. Robert are all augmented with online value-investing thesis with Lovell who serve as the club’s 18 tools, like QR codes, which are confidence. A hallmark of the brokerage advisor and teacher employed to make it easier to system’s success are the four advisor respectively. register. All of this technological BUY transactions made last At the start of every school advancement has helped the year, totaling around $13,000 year, many new members come Investment Club better fulfill of stock. to me and ask why they should its mandate in new and exciting Of course, purchasing stock is join the Investment Club. One ways, while the core remains necessary to support the Club’s of the most frequent answers I relatively unchanged. ultimate goal, which is the give is our mission statement: The three terms mark the core continued annual philanthropy Learn, Invest, Give. I know that experience that most members that all members engage in. As when I graduate and enter the have: a first term of guest of 2015-16, the Investment Cub ranks of Georgians, I will always speakers (which have included has distributed over $35,000 to hold a special place for the club charities such as Compassion Odlum Brown Director Murray in my heart. Leith, and RBC Ph&N Vice Fruit Society, BC Children’s To connect with the club, Chairman John Montalbano) Hospital, Relay for Life, please contact Robert Lovell at and informative learning Engineers without Borders, and [email protected] or segments; a second term of the Red Cross (in support of the 604-221-3633 sector-focused Analyst Teams, Peru earthquake). stock proposals and voting, and The experiences that the

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STRONG 20 PROGRESS ON THE ONE CAMPAIGN!

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OONE VISION. ONEn SCHOOL. ONEe CAMPAIGN.

Academic Halls on the Senior School campus and continued renovations to the Junior School – all these new facilities will be the final outcome of a very comprehensive Campus Master Plan that has been undertaken to provide a long-term view of our facility needs at both campuses for the decades ahead. The Plan also identifies the barriers we face to the continued delivery of world-class teaching in our current facilities. STRONG PROGRESS 21 ON THE ONE CAMPAIGN! BY: ADRIENNE DAVIDSON

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Fundraising in support of the ONE Campaign began in mid-2014, and has already engaged a broad group of donors both in Vancouver and internationally. So far, more than 85 families have attended individual presentations on the vision behind the ONE Campaign, as well as its ambitious fundraising goals. We are delighted to announce that nearly $15 million, or 37%, of our fundraising goal has already been committed to by current and former St. George’s families and Georgians! At the time of this article, other individuals and families are still considering how they too may support the campaign so that we may move ahead as soon as possible.

OONE VISION. ONEn SCHOOL. ONEe CAMPAIGN. GIFTS COMMITTED TO DATE $1,000,000 $500,000 – $1,000,000 $100,000 – $500,000 $50,000 – $100,000 10 5 28 29

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OONE VISION. ONEn SCHOOL. ONEe CAMPAIGN.

IN THE “St. George’s is a supportive and loving community... giving back to it is “ONE” of the easiest decisions our family has ever had to make!” WORDS FAMILY OF SAHIL SIDDOO ’12 OF OUR DONORS... 23

“There is a Chinese saying that says: “Our “St. George’s School has been a special home for predecessors plant the trees, and we enjoy our two sons since they joined in Grade 1. They the shade.” Today, our children enjoy all the have been challenged academically, encouraged to facilities in the School which would not express themselves creatively through the arts and have been possible without the generosity music programs, they have competed on various of previous donors. We should all leave a sports teams, and they have developed wonderful legacy for future students and pass this friendships along the way. We are supporting the to the next generation. We hope that “We all stand on the shoulders of those ONE Campaign because we want other boys to future students will receive an excellent who came before us. I hope that my gift will benefit from all that St. George’s has to offer them. education and benefit from the high-quality encourage others to pay tribute to those And hopefully, we can inspire another generation of teaching facilities. This is the reason our who made possible the building of the young men to go forth and make a positive impact family gives to St. George’s School.” existing facilities, and join me in helping to in our world.” build the school of tomorrow.” TOM YANG AND RUIPING DENG PATRICK AND JU LO (ALEX, GRADE 4) RON CLIFF ’46 (JEREMY, GRADE 8 & ZACHARY, GRADE 5)

FALL 2015 > > SAINTS’ LIFE OUR GOAL IS TO BE A WORLD LEADER IN THE EDUCATION OF BOYS. We must deliver the best We know that boys learn The new spaces possible academic and differently and need to we are building will TO DO THIS... co-curricular programs for develop multiple ways of provide flexible, bright, our students, creating an learning; therefore, we must adaptable, connected, environment that allows provide them with spaces and interactive spaces, for exceptional teaching which support multiple tailored to boys’ unique, and learning. strategies of teaching. educational needs.

ENGAGING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY Our Campaign Chair, Jake Kerr ’61, has challenged us to engage the whole St. George’s School community in the ONE Campaign messaging. We hope to meet with as many of you as possible to ensure everyone has a complete understanding of our facility plans and fundraising goals.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF US: ADRIENNE DAVIDSON ROGER KAYO JULIAN RADLEIN DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT SENIOR DEVELOPMENT OFFICER ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATE - CAMPAIGN 604-221-3883 | [email protected] 604-222-5894 | [email protected] 604-221-3892 | [email protected]

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“Beyond a doubt, space matters in teaching and learning. The changes we made to the Grade 7 Neighbourhood two years ago provided 25 us with invaluable teacher collaborative space; amongst other things, this then led to the development of the Wonder Expo, an amazing multi-disciplinary, student-centred inquiry project which replaced the Science Fair with terrific results.” Stephen Sturgeon, Junior School Deputy Principal OUR VISION FOR THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

We at St. George’s Junior School benefit firstly from the vision of the architect and nuns who envisioned such a building on such a grand scale, and then from the visionaries at our School in the 1970s who acquired the magnificent, castle-like structure for our use for decades to come. The lofty ceilings and windows giving light and air to the interior spaces, the wide corridors and spacious rooms all lend themselves magnificently to being adapted for 21st century educational purposes. There is proof of this in the current Grade 7 neighbourhood project, described above by Mr. Stephen Sturgeon. The unanimous feedback from boys and teachers who have experienced the pilot learning space has been overwhelmingly positive.

THE NEXT JUNIOR SCHOOL PROJECT As a result of what we have learned there, we are now embarking on plans for the next neighbourhoods; currently we are planning to construct the new Grade 5 and 6 neighbourhoods on the fourth floor of the Junior School in the summer of 2016, followed in 2017 by new spaces for Grades 3 and 4. The beauty of the neighbourhood concept is that it encourages collaboration, allows for a multi-disciplinary approach to teaching and learning, and encourages a student-centred learning environment. The recent addition of a one-to-one laptop program allows all boys in Grades 4-7 to have access to a laptop when they need it. By ensuring that each boy has his individual device, technology is seamlessly being integrated into teaching and learning.

WATCH FOR THE SENIOR SCHOOL VISION UPDATE IN THE NEXT ISSUE.

FALL 2015 > > STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

26 ON TRACK, BUT NOT RESTING ON OUR LAURELS! AFFIRMATION FOR “ONE BOY AT A TIME,” ST. GEORGE’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2011-2021

> THE SAINT FEATURE STORY >

“The language, images and symbols of the Strategic Plan shape the purpose of much that happens at the school… again and again we were struck with the sense of purpose that everyone had absorbed from the themes of the Strategic Plan. People sincerely believe that St. George’s will continue to be an exciting place.” CAIS Accreditation Report, 2015

FALL 2015 > > STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

ON THE RIGHT PATH As the Strategic Plan approaches its halfway point, we felt that it was timely to revisit some of its key assumptions and priorities. It is also necessary to acknowledge that that the pace of change in the field of education is accelerating, ever raising the bar for St. George’s School. We set out to ensure that our Strategic Plan was still relevant and able to differentiate us from other schools in Canada and around the world.

We have affirmed many of overriding goal of becoming a must discover his own unique Acknowledging the enormous the beliefs that shaped our world leader in the education path towards manhood. progress made over the of boys. Similarly, we affirmed thinking five year ago. First and Leadership and service are still first five years, we noted our belief that every boy is foremost, St. George’s School crucial to this all-important the importance of specific unique and is invested with is a boys’ school. We therefore process. Every boy must learn initiatives ranging from the his own individual “seeds of are uniquely positioned to to lead from within. In other Growth & Renewal Program destiny”. meet our students’ learning words, he must discover and through to extraordinary needs through our distinctive Our responsibility, therefore, grow his own leadership renewal of our Residential programs, approaches, and is to provide the opportunities capacity so that he can become Life Program. We affirmed instructional practices. that will allow every boy to the very best person that he the relevance of our Vision Building upon recent advances explore his interests, move is capable of becoming—a fine statement, “Canada’s World in brain research, we are outside his comfort zone, and young man who will shape a School for Boys”, while committed to a boy-centred, maximize his potential. What positive future for himself, strengthening our Mission by 21st century approach to works for one boy may not his family, and the global adding the phrase “One Boy at teaching and learning, with the work for another; each boy community. a Time.”

OUR FOUR ORIGINAL GUIDING PRIORITIES A BOY’S A BOY OF A BOY OF A WORLD LEARNING CHARACTER THE WORLD SCHOOL 28

HOW WE ARE REFINING OUR COURSE AHEAD We were able to affirm the ongoing relevance and importance of our current Strategic Plan priorities, which are now firmly established at St. George’s, but we have revised them in order to allow us to pursue differentiation and transformation. The extraordinary pace of change that characterizes education today, along with the need to ensure the very highest standards for our students, has led to a revision in our priorities.

> THE SAINT FEATURE STORY >

FALL 2015 > > STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

THREE PILLARS. THREE PROMISES. The three pillars of Program platforms, which represent whether that is through our build strong relationships and Instruction, Character our promises to the boys: current Residential Life and and to develop his role in the Education, and Global Independence, Connectedness, Outdoor Education Programs, community. And finally, to Stewardship will allow us and Contribution. expanded student exchanges, promote Contribution, every to focus our efforts on the To promote Independence, for or through new opportunities boy will come to know himself, individual boy as part of the example, we will ensure that yet to be developed. Similarly, to identify his strengths, and to whole. In addition, we have every boy has a significant to promote Connectedness, learn how to lead from within. identified three supporting residential experience, every boy will learn how to

VISION CANADA’S WORLD SCHOOL FOR BOYS

A BOY’S LEARNING: A BOY OF CHARACTER: A BOY OF THE WORLD: PROGRAM AND INSTRUCTION CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT GLOBAL STEWARDSHIP CORE PILLARS

INDEPENDENCE: Every boy will have a significant residential experience in preparation for life after school.

CONNECTEDNESS: Every boy will learn to build strong relationships to develop his role in the community.

CONTRIBUTION: Every boy will know himself, identify his strengths, and learn how to lead from within. PLATFORMS AND PROMISES: PLATFORMS

30 MISSION BUILDING FINE YOUNG MEN. ONE BOY AT A TIME.

“The Strategic Planning document expands upon the school’s purposes well, and it is evident throughout the school that the various priorities and values of the strategic plan are alive, not gathering dust on a shelf. St. George’s appears to view the execution of the strategic plan as organic, growing and transforming each year, a notion well-suited to a school in transition.” CAIS Accreditation Report, 2015

A COLLABORATION FOR SUCCESS Our overarching promise to students and parents alike is that every ONE BOY AT A TIME boy at St. George’s School will be: • KNOWN AND LOVED KNOWN AND LOVED ENGAGED ACHIEVING students connect with their teachers and classmates • ENGAGED students’ learning is relevant and challenging TEACHERS & • ACHIEVING FAMILY SCHOOL COMMUNITY students develop skills and knowledge through fluency and depth

We will deliver this in collaboration with family, faculty and staff, and community.

> THE SAINT FEATURE STORY >

MISSION: VISION: CORE VALUES: BUILDING FINE YOUNG MEN. CANADA’S WORLD SCHOOL EMPATHY ONE BOY AT A TIME. FOR BOYS HUMILITY Our Mission is to inspire our students to Our Vision is to be recognized as INTEGRITY become fine young men shaping positive Canada’s World School for Boys. We futures for themselves, their families, aspire to be a school of international RESILIENCE and the global community. We recognize significance, one that will graduate that every boy is different and invested young men with a global outlook who RESPECT with his own unique “seeds of destiny”. It are able to meet the challenges of a RESPONSIBILITY is our responsibility to help him discover complex and rapidly changing world. and grow that distinctive potential so Through increased diversity, our student Our Core Values must inform that he can become the very best human body will be more representative of the and shape all of our efforts, both being he is capable of becoming. larger world beyond our campus. individually and collectively.

FALL 2015 > > FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE GEORGIANS

BUILDING NEW INFRASTRUCTURE– PROMOTING SAME VALUES These are interesting times for everyone in the St. George’s community: parents, students, staff and, of course, the Georgians. The School’s commitment to providing the best possible educational environment has crystallized into a comprehensive Strategic Plan, including the building of new, badly needed, cutting-edge learning spaces. As the governing body of the alumni, the Old Boys’ Association felt it was time we reviewed our strategy to better serve the real needs of our constituency.

Over the past year the OBA analyzed our database, which produced some interesting, and frankly, rather startling facts. Among them, the fact that the median graduate year for all Georgians is 2000, meaning half of our members matriculated in the last 15 years and are under 34 years of age. This is rather remarkable and requires a change in our approach to governance and planning if we are to remain relevant, progressive, and truly representative. This also underscores the timeliness of the recent launch of the St. George’s Mentorship Program, which was developed and co-managed by the School and the OBA. The primary function of the program is matching young Georgians with mentors from within our ranks to provide guidance, practical knowledge, and perhaps even internships or possible employment. The response so far has been tremendous and offers an exceptional added value to attending Saints. We have also been bolstering the Georgian Network, both locally and internationally to strengthen our reach and inter-

32 connectivity. This year, for the first time, we have a Director located outside Vancouver (in Toronto) and plans to add another in SE Asia along with a current university student. We recognize the need to get younger as a Board and keep abreast of the needs and wants of our youthful demographic, wherever they reside on the globe. In order to remain vital, we need to create a better interface between students and alumni by considering what the boys are experiencing in school and how to best assist them in their future endeavours. How effective we are in providing leadership will be determined, in large part, by how well we work as a support network and touchstone to the values and traditions of the School. St. George’s aims to develop well-rounded boys who are prepared to think for themselves with the confidence and fearlessness to make the right choices and do “the right thing”. The Old Boys’ Association wants to champion that undertaking by way of continuing the boys’ school experience far, far beyond their Graduation Day.

Sine Timore Aut Favore

BRUCE JACKSON ‘78 PRESIDENT, THE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION

> THE SAINT FROM THE HEAD OF GEORGIAN RELATIONS >

NETWORKING THE OLD WAY: THAT LITTLE RED BOOK… Many Georgians might recall receiving a small red directory of Saints’ Old Boys – a soft- cover, almost pocket-sized goldmine of information. It was filled with full names, home phone numbers, and residential addresses. It was also out of date, to varying degrees, on the day each edition was printed. At the time, it was valuable and cherished as it was the real-world face of the Georgians Network. A few dog-eared and well-used copies can be found in the Advancement Offices and in the Archives. Today’s version of that little red book is online, has two faces, is not printed, and is updated almost on a daily basis.

The Georgians Network is the first face: an online directory available to all members of the St. George’s School Old Boys’ Association. Several times each week, I will see updates to profiles from Old Boys around the world, from any number of Grad Classes going back over the decades. They are adding business profiles and university graduation information or updating their contact details. There are approximately 4500 profiles in our system, and the communications platform allows the School and Year Captains from each Grad Class to email groups of Georgians as needed. Just over a decade ago, a small California start-up launched an online directory of individual business profiles, and now LinkedIn is often referred to as “Facebook for the business world.” This is our second face: the Georgians Group on LinkedIn has been steadily growing, especially over the past five years, and total membership now exceeds 1150, including all nine geographically-based sub-groups. Old Boys who join this online community have access to the resumes 33 and career history of every other member and receive regular updates from numerous contributors. Job postings, investment opportunities, and business accomplishments of members are shared on a regular basis. Taken together, the Georgians Network and LinkedIn Group represent a wealth of information for all Georgians to leverage in a number of ways. The Georgian Mentoring Program is the most recent initiative launched by the Old Boys Association and the Advancement Office. This program has grown directly from the self-built profiles that Old Boys have been managing in the Georgians Network and the on-line business profiles within the LinkedIn platform. Almost two dozen Georgian mentors have been recruited and more than 50 Old Boys, primarily in their third or fourth year at university, have signed-on as mentees during our first intake phase. Plans for expansion based on our initial success are being developed now. The modern version of the “little red book” is the Georgians Network. It remains at the fingertips of any and all Old Boys, and it is certainly more valuable than ever.

CHRIS BLACKMAN HEAD OF GEORGIAN RELATIONS

FALL 2015 > > GEORGIANS’ FEATURE

34 THE WORLD

INARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY:UNION. J. ALISTAIR PALMER ’71 RUGBY WORLD CUP ENGLAND 2015

> THE SAINT GEORGIANS’ FEATURE >

Three weeks of Rugby World Cup has had its impact on an aging but robust group of Georgians. Our motley group consisted mostly of the class of ’71 and two from’69. This was our third World Cup journey and our most organized yet. It seems that this tour and our old age, brought out the worst and best in all of us.

FALL 2015 > > GEORGIANS’ FEATURE

Our crew of ’71 consisted of Ross the world including Millennium years of ’71, I wouldn’t have within a two- to four-hour Waters (mastermind and planner Stadium in Cardiff; and Wembley, recognized them. I did get to range. Depending on game times extraordinaire); John Hislop Twickenham and Olympic chat with several past Canadian and distances, we sometimes and George Peat (UK hosts and stadiums in London. Attendance players and rugby buddies from overnighted in hotels. co-organizers); John Dolmage, other Vancouver rugby clubs, in these ranged from as low as We were also sightseeing Tom Jennings, Craig Speirs, and especially from my club - the 52,000 up to 89,000, to see a tourists and we didn’t miss much myself. From ’69 were Dave Ravens. After the game, John’s rugby game! We also caught with John, George, and Brett Chambers and Iain Palmer. To son Tyler Hislop ’01 and his games in Leeds, Brighton, Milton sharing the history as we drove round it out were Brett Varker, daughter Tory, simply appeared Keynes, Leicester, Newcastle, through tiny villages, towns, and Ross’s English cousin in charge at the pub without warning. Who and Exeter. I think we all now counties. We did special trips of ticket acquisitions, hotel says these aren’t family affairs? know the words to the Irish to Stonehenge and to Salisbury bookings, van rental and a trusty Another surprise encounter at anthem and Swing Low Sweet Cathedral, which has the highest driver. Also Phil Brannigan, Milton Keynes was with Andrew Chariot! spire in all of England at 400- Ross’s Ozzie wizard friend and Allan ’72. I hadn’t seen him plus feet (which the Germans handy van driver; my stepson, Every Canada game had a since graduation. He went to apparently used as a directional Jackson Stewart; Josh Gaze, designated fan pub to attend University in the UK, graduated, Ross’s ex-stepson (all’s good); prior to and after each game. The worked, married and has lived beacon when they came to bomb and Josh’s father Christopher maple leaf, RCMP brown hats there ever since. Despite forty- towns.) We toured Bournemouth Gaze (Managing Director and uniforms, moose heads, and plus years, I still recognized him. and a small part of the coast of Vancouver’s Bard on the flags were everywhere. That’s I was disappointed we didn’t get (we could see the white sand Beach). Pre-tour bailouts were where we met fellow Canadian to meet up in person with Conor cliffs of the Isle of Wight), while – Dave Wallace ’71 (battling an fans and friends, while making Trainor ’07 who played in every stopping into country pubs along undiagnosed cancer in NZ) and new friendships throughout. game for Canada and did our the way. Later we witnessed Braeden Waters ’98 (full-time Camaraderie is such a distinct School and country proud. the active nightlife of Leeds job, studying for an MBA, and feature of rugby. At the first and Newcastle, viewed ancient Canada game vs Ireland, we The glue to it all was our hosts, Roman headquarters and the supporting a wife with three kids John Hislop and George Peat. under five years of age). Less gathered at the Prince of Wales famous Hadrian’s Wall, as well pub in Cardiff. It holds almost They live in houses about 100 as the nearby castles. John had than two weeks prior, we were metres apart on a country estate. 2500 and it was overflowing bikes for the more adventurous, all saddened by the passing of John had the lion’s share housed with beer and fans. It was chaos and did I mention golf nearby? one of our ’71 classmates – Jim in his nine-bedroom country before and after the game. None-game days were busy days Mitchell. manor in Burley, in the New too. If we weren’t at a game, we Our group shrank and grew There I had a momentary Forest area of Hampshire, not far 36 were watching other pool games, between 5 and 13 at various encounter with one of the Bull from the coast, South Hampton, or repeats in our crowded den times throughout the first brothers, Peter ’72 or Mike and Bournemouth. For travel, at night. 3 weeks of pool play, as we ’70. I always mix them up, but we had a brand new 15-seat travelled throughout England apparently they were both there. van with wi-fi for the whole By the third week of the pool and Wales to watch Canada I engaged with Robbie Greig tour. Getting to Burley was by play aspect of the tournament, and the cream of the rugby ’72, and even Big Al Marler ’70 train or bus from Heathrow we were depleted from 9 to 7 world play each other. We were showed up. There may have Airport. From our secure base then 4, then 3. By the time the entertained by champagne rugby been other Georgians there camp, we ventured out to most tour was over, I had attended in some of the largest stadiums in but if they weren’t within five venues as they were all basically 12 games. The last two were

> THE SAINT GEORGIANS’ FEATURE > at Twickenham in London, I was when this incredible country, their team, and the screen was filled with the close- with Wales vs Australia on moment in sports happened. wave of support burst into ups of Al Marler, Clarke McKeen Saturday, October 10th, and South Africa was the bookie cheers of joy and jubilation ’67, and ex-Georgian Rugby at Millennium in Cardiff, on favorites by 80 to 1, but Japan when Japan punched in over Club stalwart Nairne Gray. We Sunday, October 11th between won on the last play of the the line to win what has already hollered our approval. Ireland and France. All four game. In extra time, Japan was been declared the greatest The lessons learned, the teams were destined for the awarded a penalty kick under upset of all time for any Rugby quarterfinals, but the outcome the sticks, which would have World Cup. It was a moment in friendships rekindled, the new would determine who their tied the game and secured a sports history when the true ones made and the camaraderie opponents were. Both were near impossible dream. But no, spirit of rugby transcended throughout all the joy and tough unbelievably intense and they didn’t battle to get a tie, the barrier of the impossible times, brought us all closer exciting atmospheres that were they risked it all to win! Destiny with a triumphant victory, only together. It was an exciting and sold-out affairs – a great way to and self-belief had consumed because of the audacity of a arduous tour, but sometimes end any tour. them and those who watched on team spirit that dared to believe that which inflicts hardship, can also make us stronger. Life may A tour highlight moment was in awe. it possible. be short, but our true Georgian watching Japan vs South Africa Everyone in the bar, on the The second highlight, although friendships seem to be lasting at the Prince of Wales pub. This streets, and, apparently, around a brief one, was when we were our lifetimes. Our worlds are was within an hour of Canada the world (except Springbok all watching a recorded version still in Union. losing to Ireland at Millennium fans), was cheering them on. of a Canada game back at John’s Stadium. I’ll never forget where It was as if Japan was their house. For a few seconds the

This is Alistair Palmer’s fourth major article to be published in The Saint. He is an avid photographer and new author. He is currently writing the second book of his planned trilogy series entitled, ‘Confessions of a Weekend Dad’. For further information go to : www.weekenddad.ca 37

FALL 2015 > > GEORGIANS’ FEATURE

> THE SAINT GEORGIANS’ FEATURE >

Dougal Fraser was born in Victoria on February 17, 1944, a week after his father had been shot down by the Japanese during the Second World War. Dougal was raised by his mother (who never remarried) and family friends in Victoria. As a student, Dougal attended Shawnigan Lake School. He then went on to do his post-secondary education at the University of Victoria and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

IN MEMORIAM

DOUGAL 39

FRASERBY: GEOFFREY J. LITHERLAND ‘84

FALL 2015 > > GEORGIANS’ FEATURE

directed numerous school plays, including ones by Shakespeare, Pirandello, and Chekhov. Several of these productions were “in the round” and each was very different from the one before it. As Dougal once said, he rarely chose a play for popular interest, but instead chose ones “wherein the talents of the actors would be highlighted”. He also loved the task of blocking the play beforehand and letting the actors mature into “professional-calibre performers”. Dougal had no patience for teachers who he perceived to be lazy, unable to teach, or driven by political correctness. He also had little tolerance for meetings on subjects that did not interest him. In one letter, he wrote: “I look back at my years at Saints as a wonderful voyage, despite the Scylla and Charybdis of staff meetings.” Despite this impatience, Dougal had great regard for a number of his former colleagues on staff at the School, in particular Gordon Atkinson, Tony Parker-Jervis, Ralph Skinner, Craig Newell, Robin Baker, and Bob Bacon. He also always addressed the headmaster of the day as “Headmaster”. When he was wasn’t teaching, Dougal enjoyed long drives down to California in his E-type Jag. He hated the cold and rain, and so he left for the warmer climate during most winter breaks. Dougal loved classical music, 40 and in particular harpsichord music. He also took enormous enjoyment writing his friends in his trademark amusing and provocative Dougal began teaching at St. George’s in were handed back after the students had manner. In those communications, he’d September of 1980. He taught English at forgotten what they had written. wouldn’t just tell you what he had done, but the School for 22 years, before retiring in Generally, each of the essays Dougal what he thought of it all. For example, after 2002. For most of those years, he taught all assigned was marked on a score out of 10, his attendance at a funeral in December of the Grade 10s. As he put it, he was their with marks deducted for careless spelling of 2012, he explained how the experience “Waterloo” as the boys had no other option and grammatical errors. At the start of the reinforced his “loathing of organized but him! During his first year at Saints, school year, students frequently lost 6 or 7 religiosity”. When he learned of a friend Dougal taught just one class of Grade 9 marks per essay because they had not yet going back for further education, he wrote: English. There were a small handful of us who learned the importance of proofreading “Her trek on the path towards education is ended up having Dougal for Grades 9, 10, and their work before handing it in. The real way beyond anything I would do; I remain 11 English as well as English Literature 12. entertainment, however, was the range of in the same quasi-blissful ignorance I have He referred to us as the “Inner Circle of the comments that Dougal would affix to the maintained for decades.” Elect”. essays when he marked them. Words such Dougal was forced to end his teaching as “clot” or “≠ sense” would sometimes be Dougal’s teaching philosophy was to career when his physical health declined. used to describe an unintelligible statement challenge boys to think and to provoke Afterwards, he wrote how he missed the or inexcusable misspelling. Mistakes such as classroom discussion. He valued intellectual “cut-and-thrust of classroom debates, “alot” instead of “a lot” or “there” rather than freedom such that it did not matter what was the humour, the give-and-take of opinion, “their” would bring on his wrath. The irony said in his classes as long as reasons were and the honing of young minds into was that Dougal’s handwriting was virtually given for the opinions expressed. As Dougal reasoning citizens, the best bulwark against impossible to read so invariably one had to admitted in one letter, “I had no idea what demagoguery and propaganda”. Grade 10 English was supposed to be as I do go to him to obtain an interpretation of the Dougal was extremely honoured when, in not think I ever tried to teach it.” comments and illustrations he had applied to the paper. 2008, he was made an Honourary Old Boy What Dougal did know, and strongly by the Georgians. The event was coupled As Dougal later wrote, he obtained great believed, was that boys learned how to write with a private lunch with his close friends, a pleasure when a student of his who had by writing often. In this regard, at the end of brief speech at the School Assembly, and the “learned” that he was “no good” in English almost every class he assigned a 300-word Georgians’ Dinner at the School. In his words discovered that he could write, to the point, essay for prep which was due at the next to the boys and staff on Assembly, he said “To on any topic so that, “to echo Milton, ‘the class. Once submitted, Dougal would mark be here after an absence of six years is, as world was all before him’”. them right away. His view was that the value the song The Mikado goes, “as welcome as the of the feedback would be lost if the essays Dougal also taught Drama at the School and flowers in Spring”.

> THE SAINT GEORGIANS’ FEATURE >

In his remarks at the Georgians’ Dinner, “At about 10:30 a.m. after Mary had gone, Just as were sitting down to lunch, the phone Dougal said: “I am, quite frankly, I found Dougal, not drugged, quite clear in rang: it was Mary and she said simply, “He’s overwhelmed by this honour as it is one I did his head, but feeling chilly. A nurse brought gone …” a nicely warmed blanket. Dougal thanked not expect nor look to have, to echo a line Dougal passed away on November 18, her very much for it and then brought up a from The Scottish Play” ( a euphemism for 2014 in Victoria. He was 70 years of age. At subject which he and his friends had been Shakespeare’s Macbeth). As for his role in his request, no funeral was held. Instead, talking about a week before. I know the nurse the classroom, in his remarks that evening a celebration of Dougal’s life was held was amazed that Dougal started quoting Dougal summed it up this way: “It was always on February 21, 2015 in McLean Hall at Shakespeare. He gave me the great gift of my intent not to try to be the students’ friend the School. The event was well-attended telling me that I had been right and he wrong – Hell, they - you - had their own friends and by friends, former students, and former about the origin of the poem which begins, what they wanted, it still seems to me, is for colleagues. Many interesting and amusing me to be a teacher, a combination of goad, “Fear no more the heat o’ the sun, stories were told. catalyst, encourager, even scourge – as some Nor the furious winter’s rages; Thou thy worldly task hast done …” Most of the boys who had Dougal Fraser for may still remember.” English came to greatly appreciate everything After a number of years of poor health, “I looked it up”, said Dougal, “and it is from he taught them. For those of us who make Dougal was admitted to hospital for the last ‘Cymbeline’ and not ‘Winter’s Tale’, as I had our livelihood communicating in writing or mistakenly claimed.” Then he said very, very time in November of 2014 when his heart convincing others of our positions on matters, quietly, regaining academic control, “You and other vital organs were failing. As he we are very grateful for the skills he taught us never understood the staging in the Scottish said at the time: “I am sick and tired of being and the strength of mind he instilled in us. Play in the guilt scene ‘… the multitudinous sick and tired”. The end of Dougal’s life and seas incarnadine making the green one red …” Dougal had enormous personality, great his wonderful personality are beautifully literary and artistic knowledge, and a captured in a letter written to the School by With that Dougal’s voice faded away and I wonderful sense of humour. He was not just a his good friends, William Emigh and Colin was never to hear it again. hard-working teacher but also a loyal friend Tilney of Victoria. The last portion of the … I took Dougal’s hand and said I would come to many. There will never be another master letter reads as follows: * back after lunch. like him.

* This excerpt of this letter has been reproduced with the kind permission of its authors. The Importance of Being Earnest, 1991

Geoff Litherland attended St. George’s from 1975-1984 and is a past member of the Georgians’ Board of Directors. His son Justin is in Grade 9 at the School. 41

Dougal Fraser (right) Pirates of Penzance, 1981

Mikado, 1992

FALL 2015 > > GEORGIANS’ PHOTO ALBUM

> OKANAGAN PUB NIGHT

For the second year in a row, a casual and very social pub night was held at the Train Station Pub in Kelowna. Plans for the 2016 event will see this event moved to a private lakeshore residence. > PhotoGEORGIANS’ Album Every April, one day is set aside for the Grade 11s to consider career options and to interact with Georgians and other GRADE 11 CAREERS DAY guests who host small-group sessions. Thank you to the eight Old Boys who were joined by four guests for the most recent > edition of this event. This is an important and valued contribution from our alumni.

BACK: Dr. Jesse Chew ’88; Tim Grant ’00; Shawn Lawrence, Senior School Principal; Dr. Matthews, Headmaster; Graham Bodel ’89; Mrs. Alexa Bodel; Dan Mezheritsky ‘02, Vinny Locsin ‘07 FRONT : Derek Mah ’92; Mike Smith ’96; Donovan Tildesley ’02; Dr. Geoff Solloway

> THE SAINT GEORGIANS’ PHOTO ALBUM >

TORONTO AND NEW YORK > CHAPTERS DINNERS

The annual trip east saw Chris Blackman, Head of Georgian Relations, and Old Boys’ Association President Bruce Jackson ’78 travelling to support two key Chapter events. More than 25 Old Boys attended a great evening in Toronto: thanks to Monte Burris ’89 for helping and to Tom Stevens ’66 for once again being the oldest Old Boy to attend. In New York City, more than 30 enjoyed a fantastic evening in Tribeca – thanks to Aly Jetha ’88 for his support.

FALL 2015 > > GEORGIANS’ PHOTO ALBUM

> THE ARTISTS BBQ Always held on a Friday afternoon, and seemingly always blessed with warm sunny weather, this year’s Artists BBQ was no exception. This chance for Georgian Artists to catch-up with classmates and to reconnect with faculty & staff was enjoyed by everyone in attendance. Hope to see you next year!

> THE SAINT GEORGIANS’ PHOTO ALBUM >

STANCOMBE OPEN > GOLF TOURNAMENT Just over 80 golfers challenged the greens and fairways of the University Golf Course; some also ventured into the rough and ‘out of bounds’ on a Chris Browes ‘96 gorgeous afternoon for a test of their club-swinging skills. A few hours of receives the Geof laughter and yelling ‘FORE!’ was followed by a sumptuous BBQ dinner Stancombe trophy and highly entertaining awards & prizes ceremony. Thanks go out to MC from the man himself. Donovan Tildesley ’02 and to all the golfers!

SPRING ROWING SOCIAL AND OLD BOYS RACE > 45 L - R: Mike Wilkinson ‘04 (St. George’s Rowing’s only Olympian to date), Danny Matthews ‘05, Ben Tuyp ‘06, Simon Adamson ‘10, Nick Sauder ‘14, Peter Black ‘87, Bennet Adamson ‘15, Kevin Chung ‘14, Mark Darling ‘06, and Ronan Sabo-Walsh ‘07

FALL 2015 > > GEORGIANS’ PHOTO ALBUM

September 2015: A highlight event on the Old Boys’ Calendar of Events, Reunion Weekend 2015 involved well over 200 Old Boys REUNION WEEKEND returning to Saints. Class dinners and social events were held off campus and were very well attended – the Class of ’75 did a great job and Athene’s on Broadway has only just recovered. The Class of 1965 was represented by seven Georgians, including Jeff Goller and his > 0s AND 5s wife Carrie, who drove up from just outside Seattle and parked their RV behind the Junior School. They were able join the boarders for a couple of weekend brunches – a highlight of the weekend!

> THE SAINT GEORGIANS’ PHOTO ALBUM >

FALL 2015 > > SAINTS’NOTES

SAINTS’NOTES ALL THINGS GEORGIAN

> THE SAINT SAINTS’NOTES >

> Every year, Harker Hall welcomes over 110 boarders from more than 15 countries – it becomes their home-away-from-home. The Saints’ Grad Class of 2015 included more than 30 from “HH” and many of those boys have become very close friends, one of the many benefits received from having spent five or six years together. (L-R) Brian Lo, Tony Li, Josh Sagredo Steven Sang, Mathew Leung and Mathew Sy celebrating the end of their journey at St. George’s.

FALL 2015 > > SAINTS’NOTES > BORIS BONG ’89 recently returned to Vancouver to assist his son Christopher CLASS UPDATES Bong ’20 settle into Harker Hall for the start of his Grade 8 year. L-R Jasper ADAM GOLDENBERG ‘04 has joined the Litigation Group at Lament ’89, Boris Bong ’89, Christopher McCarthy Tétrault LLP, based in Toronto. Adam’s practice includes Bong ’20 and Geordie Hungerford ‘89 both civil litigation and criminal defense matters. He previously served as a law clerk to Justices MacPherson, Simmons, and Cronk of the Court of Appeal for Ontario.

ANDREW FARRALL ’86 has been appointed Honorary Professor of Neuroradiology at the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. Professor Farrall has a BSc in Physics and Chemistry from the University of British Columbia, which he followed with an MSc in Medical Physics at the University of Western Ontario. He completed his medical training at the University of Calgary in Alberta, and a diagnostic imaging residency at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He arrived at the University of Edinburgh in 2002 to complete a neuroradiology fellowship and stayed on to pursue research and develop educational tools. Professor Farrall is a stroke-focused neuroradiologist in Neuroimaging Sciences, CCBS, and at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at NHS Lothian. His main research interest is in how imaging can be applied to the investigation of stroke, small vessel disease, and the aging process. Professor Farrall is Programme Director of the online distance learning MSc programmes Neuroimaging for Research, and Imaging.

DAVID SAVITT ’92 has joined the Department of Mathematics at Johns Hopkins University after 10 years at the University of Arizona.

50 RYAN LANDELS ’97 is currently writing projects for Will Packer (Straight Outta Compton), Hasbro Studios, and Universal.

> On Friday, June 19 a small group of Saints students and Georgians joined for dinner at Bufala (owned by JOSH PAPE ’99) in Kerrisdale. Amongst them was representation from each group of Investment Club student executives from the club’s inception in 2009-10 through to this past year 2014-15. MATT LAU ’12 has finished his third year at UBC’s Sauder School of Business, OSCAR HONG ’15 has started studying business at Duke University, and HAN TONG ’12 plans to go into media once he finishes studying English and Philosophy at Trinity Western. KARMAN SUYAMA ’13 is studying at Richard Ivey School of Business at Western and spent his summer in Vancouver working at a tech startup creating an Investment Club app.

> THE SAINT SAINTS’NOTES > BIRTHS & MARRIAGES

> On July 30, 2015, SIAMAK BOROOMAND ’96 and wife Bonnee welcomed daughter Kayla Eveline Boroomand to the family; big brother Aaron is in the image.

> KEVIN SMITH ’03 married Camilla Jeffries-Chung (York House ’04) at the Law Courts in Vancouver on May 30, 2015, and a number of Georgians along with current and former Saints’ faculty members were among the guests celebrating that day. These included George Ryan, who composed a programme of music especially for the occasion, Carol van Rijn, Jeremy Sayers, Bo Meng ‘02, Alasdair Nazerali ‘03, Brett MacKenzie ‘03, Shan Parmar’03, Garth Jones ‘03, Adam Kebede ‘03, as well as the bride’s brother, James Jeffries-Chung ‘08, and cousins Justin Chung ‘08, Leland Chung ’10 and Deklan Chung ‘13. Kevin and Camilla currently live in London, England but hope to return to Vancouver in the next few years.

FALL 2015 > > SAINTS’NOTES

> CHRIS HARKER ’57 gathered with several of his classmates for lunch in Vancouver recently. BACK L TO R: Barry Crawford, Struan Shannon, Don Malins, Jon Strom, Jonty Parker, Ian Land FRONT L TO R: John Ross, David Baxter, Chris Harker. ABSENT: Richard Dunsterville, Derek Sidenius, George Garden and Henry Hewitt.

GEORGIANS WHO HAVE PASSED…

JOHN BETTERIDGE ’39 KOSTIE J. KILLAS ’71 On July 3, 2015 at Point Grey Hospital On June 12, 2014 in Vancouver

RALPH BROWN ‘53 WILLIAM ‘BILL’ SZOO ‘75 On September 9, 2015 in Vancouver On September 16, 2015 at Vancouver General Hospital

JOHN S. WILLIAMS ’58 DEREK M. TRETHEWEY ’76 On May 1, 2015 On Tuesday May 19, 2015 in Vancouver

DONALD A. KING ’59 CHRIS ALLAN ‘02 On January 7, 2014 in Vancouver On October 24, 2015 on the Pacific Ocean

JOHN C. AMES ‘67 GAVIN RUSSELL PEAT ‘13 On April 6, 2015 in West Vancouver On September 21, 2015 in Powell River

JAMES MUNRO MITCHELL ‘71 BARBARA ELIZABETH PEAT On September 2, 2015 at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Wife of George Peat ’71; sister of John Hislop ’71; mother of David ’09, Hospital Riley ’10, and Gavin ’13). On September 21, 2015 in Powell River

> THE SAINT SAINTS’NOTES > CUSTOMIZE AND OWN YOUR OWN HAND-STITCHED PIECE OF ST. GEORGE’S HISTORY

THE ORIGINAL VINTAGE JERSEY THE VERY FIRST

ECOMING PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. IT COMES WITH EIGHTY YEARS OF TRIAL ON THE RUGBY PITCH. THIS BSAME SPIRIT OF ENDURANCE AND COMMITMENT ENGENDERS THE CORE VALUES THAT DEFINE A ST. GEORGE’S BOY: EMPATHY, HUMILITY, INTEGRITY, RESILIENCE, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. THE TRADITION OF RUGBY RUNS DEEP AT ST. GEORGE’S; SOME MIGHT CALL IT A RELIGION. THIS JERSEY IS THE CLOTH OF THAT RELIGION, WOVEN FROM THE LEGACY OF COUNTLESS BOYS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR ALL, YEAR AFTER YEAR, WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR, WITH PRIDE IN THEIR BELOVED SCHOOL. RELIVE THE TRADITION AND PERSONALIZE YOUR JERSEY WITH 53 YOUR OWN HAND-STITCHED CREST AND NUMBER. WEAR YOUR JERSEY WITH PRIDE AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE A PART OF A TEAM THAT STARTED AS FIFTEEN IN 1933 AND HAS GROWN TO A FRATERNITY OF HUNDREDS THAT WILL LIVE ON FOR YEARS TO COME.

ORDER YOUR VINTAGE JERSEY ONLINE AT: stgeorges.bc.ca/vintagejersey $150.00

FALL 2015 > • HY’S BUSINESSMEN’S LUNCHEON Thursday, December 10 Hy’s Encore • YOUNG GEORGIANS AND YORKIES CHRISTMAS SOCIAL Friday, December 18 Venue TBA

2015 • HAMPER DRIVE DELIVERY DAY Saturday, December 19 Senior School

• LOS ANGELES RECEPTION Wednesday, February 10 Venue TBA • SAN FRANCISCO RECEPTION Thursday, February 11 Venue TBA • VICTORIA PUB NIGHT 2016 Tuesday, March 8 Canoe Brew Pub • ANNUAL GEORGIANS DINNER Friday, April 29 McLean Hall • TORONTO CHAPTER DINNER Wednesday, May 4 Venue TBA • NEW YORK CHAPTER DINNER Thursday, May 5 Venue TBA • OKANAGAN PUB NIGHT Friday, May 20 Venue TBA • ARTISTS BBQ Friday, June 10 Senior School

For more information on our events, please visit our online calendar at: www.stgeorges.bc.ca/georgiansevents GEORGIANS UPCOMING EVENTS SAINTS’NOTES >

FALL 2015 > THE ANNUAL FUND FROM THE TIME YOUR SON TAKES HIS FIRST STEP ONTO THE ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL CAMPUS TO THE DAY HE CROSSES THE STAGE AND BECOMES A GEORGIAN, HE IS TAUGHT HOW TO EMBODY THE SCHOOL’S CORE VALUES.

A Saints’ boy is a boy who has empathy for others, demonstrates humility and integrity in his actions, respects those around him and acts responsibly, and is resilient throughout his childhood and adolescence. The Annual Fund perpetually cultivates and enriches the attributes of each boy by focusing on character and leadership skill development, curriculum expansion, and enhanced program and club opportunities. The wide variety of initiatives that the Annual Fund supports are only possible because of our community’s support of programs and activities. Through the many opportunities that St. George’s provides, each boy is able to fully explore and discover his own destiny while learning, and develop the strong character and talents that will positively impact our world in future decades. Every gift, no matter the amount, makes a difference. When you give to the Annual Fund, you give directly to every Saint today.

BECAUSE EVERY BOY BENEFITS EVERY YEAR FROM THESE FUNDS. www.stgeorges.bc.ca/AnnualGiving

RETURN ALL UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:

3851 West 29th Avenue, Vancouver BC V6S 1T6 Canada

40580507