Academics
Esso Fun Day 2021
Students at Shawnigan lead busy lives filled with classes, 360 co-curriculars, athletics, as well as learning to balance their personal health and wellness. Part of the journey at Shawnigan for all students is the SOUL Seeking program, an early pandemic online initiative that has evolved into a permanent yearlong inquiry-based learning program where students select a topic or area they wish to explore further then engage in research and present their findings at the end of the year. For our Grade 12 students, the program is important as it fulfils their Capstone requirement for graduation.
This year an ambitious Grade 12 student, Sofia A. has taken on the challenge by asking the question ‘how far can [I] help grow female hockey and expose young girls to hockey at a young age?’ As a high-level ice hockey player with the Shawnigan U18 Prep girls hockey team, it was only natural for Sofia to incorporate her love of the game into her project and through a Canadian grassroots program called ESSO Fun Day, she is off to a great start. This program, designed in partnership with Hockey Canada and Esso, was developed to promote women’s ice hockey through a fun and engaging day designed to introduce young girls to the basics of hockey and Sofia A. thought that it would be a great way for Shawnigan to connect with the surrounding community.
By using social media to share the event with the local community, 12 little girls hit the ice on a Saturday morning at the Charlie Purdey Arena. The cuteness factor took over as they participated in activities and drills organized and facilitated with assistance from her fellow U18 prep team. Sofia had successfully introduced the sport in a fun and relatable way to these youngsters, and the players have helped set the stage for their prospective future in hockey. The opportunity for them to be inspired by older girls is an invaluable one and sure to have a lasting impact on these little ones who hadn’t experienced the game before. As one dad said after the event in which his two girls participated, ‘their love of dance and singing may be pushed to the side as they have now discovered hockey and they loved it!’
The objective of the day was to expose girls to hockey that have never been exposed before. As Sofia continues to work on her SOUL Seeking/Capstone project it will be enlightening to see what conclusions she comes to regarding the development and growth of not only the female hockey program at Shawnigan but female hockey in Canada and beyond.
Shawnigan Lake School is adhering to all COVID-19 guidelines released by the BC Ministries of Health and Education.
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.
