The Report Card
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The Report Card JANUARY 2012 / VOLUME 24, NUMBER 1 / PUBLISHED BY SHAWNIGAN LAKE SCHOOL ADVANCEMENT OFFICE JANUARY 2012 / VOL U M E 2 4 , NU MBE R 1 He AD M A ste R’ S Col U M N “We Are the World” LTHOUGH GILBERT and Greed, self-interest and ignorance (in other better. At the very least, the dreaded Sullivan amused us greatly its truest sense), have all played some part fear and suspicion which have historically with their ditties, their Gon- in the numerous tragedies and disgraces of coloured so many of our actions and reac- doliers assertion that, “when our collective histories on this planet, and, tions may be reduced. Schools all over the everybody’s somebody then although there is something incredibly world are connecting to share their cultures Anobody’s anybody,” no longer works in a daunting—not to mention wonderfully and heighten their awareness of each other, twenty-first century context. We tend in- idealistic—in thinking that we can ever to bring light into the dark recesses of igno- stead to look more to the type of number change the tide of human interaction, there rance. As classrooms “skype” and students suggested by the title, with its plethora is also something quintessentially satisfying “moodle,” the only barriers are those of of multi-cultural crooners! Nowadays, we about trying. Parents can generally elect time and other commitments. Set in a con- tend to want everyone to count—to be “a to convey some form of the wholesome, text of learning about each other’s world somebody” and, indeed, a whole lot more. compassionate values to their children, but view and respecting our differences, these We want each individual to be viewed as schools should have no choice. It is a moral cross-cultural connections can be powerful a person; someone with a character, an imperative that the institutions responsible and compelling, but, more than that, they identity, feelings, dignity and self-respect. for the education of society’s youth, rise to represent part of the future of education. In many ways, the word “somebody” is itself the challenge of installing respect at the Young people will never be content to inadequate—if taken literally—as there is so heart of every human transaction. Without be contained in tightly-closed boxes with much more to the human being than just respect being proffered, it will rarely be lids on them; they know that there is a very “the body.” We cannot ignore the mind genuinely returned, and to offer it requires large and over-populated world out there. or the metaphorical essences of the heart some degree of awareness or sensitivity to To deny them access to it is futile, as the so- and the soul that combine to complete the the recipient, or at least some recognition called Arab Spring may have proved most person. As our modern world takes its first that there is a person on the other end of recently, but to prepare them to handle faltering steps into the “era of humanity” the interaction. it properly and correctly is the very stuff then it is surely more important than ever Now, more than at any time in history, of progress. Schools the world over are that the worth of every individual be prized. we have the ability to extend and contract adopting a similar approach to the impera- We need to elevate the respect we have for our reach at the click of a button, and we tive that is the global perspective and, of the lives of others, to promote the well- can flit seamlessly between the local and course, in the hugely increased communi- being of each and every individual and to the global. Surely then, it becomes even cation, there are so many opportunities for entrench that fundamental respect for hu- more important that our attitudes to the highlighting the positive virtues that all man life that has been at the heart of most other beings who share the same planet emanate from basic respect. For our part, at of the uplifting and heroic moments of our with us, be as informed and sensitive as they Shawnigan, the lesson has been underway history. In short, if nobody’s anybody, then can be. If nations and peoples can increase for a long time and we can hope that the we won’t care if they are ignored, neglected, their mutual understanding then there is good habits are well and truly ingrained. downtrodden or worse. a small chance that they will treat each Every interaction, from the most incidental to the most impactful, provides a chance for a “way of being” to dictate a positive experience. Shawnigan families and alumni are dis- persed all around the globe and we would hope that the School has helped them to move seamlessly between cultures and countries. More than ever, our mandate is to provide the world with leadership in its multitude of forms, small and large. To do so effectively is to embrace a world view and I would hope that such an approach springs readily from these pages. In short, we subscribe to an ethos where everybody is indeed a somebody, an individual who is full of potential and possibilities. The Headmaster delivers his remarks to the Class of 2011 at Closing Day in June. David Robertson, Headmaster SHAWNIGAN LAK E S C H ool / T H E Re P O R T C ARD Ne W S A T S H A W N I G A N Governor General’s Award Winner by Wendy Woollven N THURsday, NOVEMBER 24TH, Shawnigan wel- The embodiment of the “Complete Education” that Shawni- comed back to campus Betty Vo ‘11, who was hon- gan champions, Betty is currently in her first year at Stanford oured as the School’s recipient of the 2011 Governor University majoring in Management Science and Engineering General’s Academic Medal. while also taking courses in Pre-Med. Each year, freshman students First awarded in 1873, The Governor General’s at Stanford are given the opportunity to nominate for special OMedal is one of the most prestigious awards that a student in a recognition a former teacher or mentor that played a significant Canadian educational institution can receive. A Bronze medal is role in the student’s intellectual, academic, social and personal awarded at the secondary school level to the student who achieves development. Betty was quick to single out chemistry teacher the highest average based on all grade 11 and 12 courses after extraordinaire (and fellow Shawnigan alum) Nigel Mayes ‘89 as Provincial Exams have been written. a role model during her years at Shawnigan. Here is what Betty During her three year career at Shawinigan, Betty received wrote in her winning submission: Dean’s Dinner and Honour Roll status every assessment and never “To the teacher, genuine passion in teaching extends far had a final grade lower than 90%. She wrote 7 Advanced Placement beyond the classroom and tutorials. Mr. Mayes never fails to exams, earning a 5 in Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Physics B and radiate enthusiasm and entertain the students in any lecture of Physics C, and a 4 in US History and English Literature. These the chemical principles. His rigorous class constantly challenges results earned her recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction us to tackle difficult concepts; yet, he always pays wholehearted and a Canadian National AP Scholar. attention to each student’s progress and adjusts his pace accord- But academic achievement makes up only a part of the contri- ingly. In his devotion to Chemistry and to our education, Mr. butions Betty made to Shawnigan during her time on campus. In Mayes is truly an inspiration for all his students.” addition to Academic Colours, Betty also earned Fine Art Colours, Congratulations to both Betty and Nigel on their fantastic Double Sport Colours and House Colours. She was a House Aca- achievements! demic Prefect and a School Prefect, graduated as Head Student with a cumulative average in grades 11 and 12 of 96.9%, and received a Shawnigan Award from the Headmaster on Closing Day. Nigel Mayes ’89 in his element, and (inset) Mr. Robertson presents Betty Vo ’11 with her award. JANUARY 2012 / VOL U M E 2 4 , NU MBE R 1 S P O R T S A T S H A W N I G A N Field Hockey Strikes Gold! by Kelly Koepp HILE THE REST OF Shawnigan finals with an unblemished record and a total of was at home enjoying a restful 29 goals scored and only 1 against. midterm break, the Senior Girls As expected, the Shawnigan squad’s most Field Hockey squad was busy challenging fixture of their season would be their writing some history, and it last, as the girls faced off against AA rivals and The twenty-one player Whad nothing to do with classwork. The twenty- defending 2010 champions, Collingwood. Having one player squad became the School’s first field already defeated their West Vancouver rivals in squad became the hockey team—and first non-rugby program—to an earlier meeting at the UBC Tier I tournament, School’s first field bring home the elusive blue banner as Provincial the Shawnigan side knew the pressure was on Champions! for a repeat performance. They were also keenly hockey team—and first “I’m really proud of our girls, because I feel aware the Collingwood players would be equally non-rugby program— that they really deserve this victory,” said an elated determined to avenge their earlier defeat.