What is the value of inter-House competition?
Woven into the fabric of student life at Shawnigan Lake School is the tradition of inter-House competition, which brings students together within their Houses to compete in friendly battle against other Houses in a series of spirited events over the course of the school year.
Inter-House competition helps build community and camaraderie within the Houses, and is an excellent representation of what makes boarding life and the Shawnigan Journey special. The focus is on the competition between houses, but the deeper value comes from the spirit kindled within the Houses as students dress up in their House colours and paint their faces to match before heading out to take part in the day’s events. Spirit Captains are tasked with leading the charge at inter-House events.
Over the course of the year, inter-House competition consists of a diverse group of events that allow all students to participate and contribute to the success of their Houses. In addition to sports — nearly every sport that Shawnigan competes in is included on the inter-House schedule — the slate also features events like puzzles, air band and esports competitions, and the final points of the year come from the Houses’ respective academic success. Inter-House competition is also a big part of Ski Week, held every February when the entire School relocates to Manning Park for a week.
The format is as inclusive as possible, while also giving students a chance to demonstrate their skills in front of their peers. Students who are strong in academics or good at puzzles can contribute right alongside those who are stars in athletics.
It isn’t by accident that the School holds inter-House events on back-to-back weekends as soon as the students are on campus in September, nor that they are different kinds of events. Although both are centered around sports activities, volleyball is a little more casual in nature, with only six players per House competing as their Housemates enjoy ice cream while cheering them on. Track and field, however, is a bit more intense, as nearly everyone has at least one chance to represent their House.
The scheduling of two inter-House event in the early days of the school year ignites the bonding within Houses and helps new students find a place in their new surroundings.
When incoming Prefects talk about what they would highlight for families who are considering Shawnigan for their children, they invariably give the same examples: the overall sense of community, the family feeling of the boarding houses, and inter-House competition.
Inter-House is an integral part of the experience we provide for students at Shawnigan, enhancing academics with excellent opportunities in socialization as well as arts, sports and co-curricular activities.
For more information about boarding at Shawnigan, please email admissions@shawnigan.ca
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
