the building blocks of pride A publication for all members of the St. Clement’s School community — Spring 2015 editor’s note features 8 Pride in Partnerships Marching Off to Camp Teaming Up with the ACCN 10 Pride in Giving Back A Change of Space t didn’t take long after joining the St. Clement’s community for Expanding our Circle Ime to realize that I was in a special place. A few days into the 19 Experiential Education 2013-2014 school year, I was wandering the second floor hallway, Close Connections in Far-Flung Places evidently looking very lost. A very young Clementine picked up on this, and asked if she could help. She then proceeded to escort me to the library, to make sure I made it all the way to my destination. It was little moments like this that quickly made it clear to me I was in a place unlike any where I had worked before. I’m proud to be able to say that. contents This was an enjoyable Red Blazer to put together. The collective sense of pride felt in being part of the SCS community is moving, regulars and I hope you will find the expressions of that pride just as 4 Highlights inspiring to read about. In this issue, we’re excited to announce some big changes made possible by engaged donors, and to showcase 6 Perry Perspective strong partnerships that are flourishing. We also share some of The Building Blocks of Pride the remarkable accomplishments of our current Clementines and 13 Reader’s Choice alumnae. 14 New and Noteworthy I hope you feel equally proud to be a member of the SCS community 16 Powell Hall Presents as you explore this issue. Kristin Mills, Editor 22 Community Connections 23 Volunteer Profiles 24 Annual Fund 26 Alumnae Connection 28 Alumna Profiles Barbora Vokac Taylor ’99 Rebecca Shields ’92 32 SCS Sports 36 Class Notes 40 Staff News 42 Board Report 43 Tempus Fugit facebook.com/stclementsschooltoronto facebook.com/stclementsschoolalumnae ON THE COVER twitter.com/scs_clementines Front Cover: Claire Ferguson, Isabella Bordieri, Marcela Amaral, Annaliese Herbst, and Gabriella Landau, all ’21 http://linkd.in/14kmdbr Back Cover: Katie Fry and Tara Sachdeva, both ’22 @stclementsschool 2 3 highlights STUART SPIRIT WEEK YORK CAROL SERVICE 1 2 3 7 8 PYJAMA DAY HALLOWEEN 5 9 FIELD DAY INSTALLATION 10 TUDOR WINDSOR 4 6 11 12 CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE: 1. Naledi Kruger, Abigail Margach, Safia Adair, all ’23 SPIRIT WEEK: 2. Class of ’18 3. Juliana Miller ’16 HALLOWEEN: STUART HOUSE DAY: 7. Emily Meyer ’15, Stella Bertram ’20 YORK HOUSE DAY: 8. Clare Smith, Claire White-Dzuro, Kate Hardacre, all ’15 PYJAMA 4. Maggie Higgins ’22 5. Katie Tsui, Jamie Rasch, Paige Tupholme, Jordana Hersh, Isabella Sangha, Kathryn Wu, Zara Cross, Mary Tooley ’16, Sophie Grosfield DAY: 9. Back row: Jasmine Lau, Priya Sivarajan, Emma Cooper, Ellana Rocca, Ellie Stevens, all ’21. Front row: Annaliese Herbst, Josie Dietl, Georgia Phillips, all ’26 TUDOR HOUSE DAY: 6. Back row: Grace Cameron’ 19, Lauryn Kennedy ’19, Emily Martin ’15, Leah Richardson ’15, Meredith McKenzie ’15, Emily Meyer Marcela Amaral, Gabriella Landau, Shreya Gramolini, Manisha Sachdeva, Hannah Moffat, all ’21 FIELD DAY: 10. Maxine Gray ’24, Ariana Fernandez, Veronica ’15, Megan Goudie ’16, Jamie Cleveland ’15, Sarah Lychy ’15, Cristina Salvati ’15. Front row: Sydney Gray ’21, Josie Dietl ’21, Avery Kemble ’20, Katie Fry ’22, Pentland, Mackenzie Muir, all ’17, Isabelle Rodrigues ’24 WINDSOR HOUSE DAY: 11. SCS students INSTALLATION SERVICE: 12. Colleen Wilson, Ellie DeBienne ’22, Kate Goudie ’19 Alexandra Lee, Madeleine Henry, all ’15 H4 I G H L I G H T S5 perry perspective When people ask me about St. Clement’s and what makes it such a special place, there are two responses I have. One is the verbal response in which I explain the unique attributes that contribute to our community spirit: our small size and our students in Grades 1–12 working and playing in the same space. The other is the visceral feeling I get as I think about our community—the people tied to St. Clement’s. It is a strong and happy feeling of pride. The Building Blocks of Pride St. Clement’s has a unique environment that fosters a pride that is difficult to beat. Recently, I read an excellent book entitled Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives our Success by Adam Grant. In a chapter of the book about fostering pride, Grant explains what drives people to support and give to others. He indicates in one particular study that, not surprisingly, those who share commonalities help each other. He goes on to explain, however, that it is the unique common threads that make the difference. As he said, “it was not just any commonality that drove people to act like givers; it was the uncommon commonalities.” Grant shares what he terms the ‘building blocks of pride.’ These include the following: 1. A grand narrative: a compelling story about the group’s future, as well as about its past 2. Group distinctiveness: a clear point of difference 3. A commitment to the greater good: a devotion to improving the lives of others 4. The conviction that every member counts: making all members feel that their contributions are valued I am a big believer in continuous improvement—that while we can and should be proud of St. Clement’s School, we cannot rest on our laurels or let hubris set in. If pride is, in fact, built using the abovementioned components, we have to ensure that we continue to build upon our solid foundation. We have had a notable history. We were founded by Canon Powell because he recognized the need for a unique and challenging curriculum and the importance of community engagement. As St. Clement’s continues to evolve and work strategically for the future, we know that it is paramount that we continue to be known as the school for girls that provides excellence in academics, challenging exceptionally bright girls in diverse ways. In addition, we must always have our local, national, and global communities in mind as we seek to make a difference beyond our walls. I am thrilled about the theme for this edition of the Red Blazer, as it allows us to share the depth and breadth of the pride so many of us have for our School. Within these pages you will find stories and examples of the pride of students, staff members, parents, and alumnae, and I trust that you will also experience it in that visceral sense yourselves. by Martha Perry ’85, Principal 6 7 pride in partnerships Partnering With Pride “It makes me proud to see what an authentic partnership this truly is.” –Cherryl Lewis, African Canadian Christian Network Teaming Up with the ACCN Marching Off to Camp It can be a tall order for a Clementine to name Besides the strong academic program, I was and saw the red blazer on display in the front School may have been out for most, but 14 just one moment they felt proud to be at St. really excited for the opportunity to grow foyer. It was quite the first impression! The Clementines volunteered to spend their March Clement’s. When that question was posed to and learn new skills. Once I arrived here, my warm reception I received from everyone I Break at SCS! As part of the School’s ongoing Nimi Durowaye ’17, she considered carefully experience did not disappoint!” met that day was a clear indicator that ACCN partnership with Stanley Public School, the before she offered up an example of athletic girls will receive a top-notch education.” girls welcomed 22 campers in Grades 3, 4, and glory. “I was so proud to be a member of The ACCN has always been focused on ways 5 for a week’s worth of fun. the Junior 1 Volleyball team during my first to support its member families. In the early Since that initial meeting, three students year at SCS. We really bonded as teammates 2000s, churches in Toronto were working to have become vibrant members of the SCS Led by Isabelle Rovazzi ’16, this year’s March on and off the court. I made a lot of new quash a rising tide of youth violence. In 2005, community, a number both organizations Break Camp Head, the counsellors and friends, we all worked together to achieve a the ACCN was established to partner with expect to see grow. Cherryl credits the shared activity leaders had the young campers getting goal—and we came first overall!” these churches on a coordinated response values of SCS and the ACCN as the foundation dramatic on stage, lacing up the kicks to to the issue. The additional resources and a of this solid team. “Excellence, respect, show their sporty stuff, and chopping in the synchronized effort gave local churches the passion, a strong sense of community—these kitchen (was the next MasterChef Junior ability to provide relevant programs and are all core values of the ACCN that the among the group?). Other highlights included services to over 170,000 young people and students, staff, and families of St. Clement’s kitting the space out with St. Patrick’s Day their families over a three-year period. demonstrate every day,” she said. “It makes décor, celebrating both Crazy Hat Day and me proud to see what an authentic partnership Pyjama Day, and watching the campers write From there, the ACCN decided to expand this truly is.” and perform their own skits in Powell Hall.