Life in a Grade 8 House

Providing intentional programming to guide our Grade 8 students through the first of their many years ahead at Shawnigan revolves around the core value of and sense of nurturing. All live-in House staff, duty staff, and Grade 11 mentors are fully engaged in the day-to-day life of Samuel House and play a key supportive role in their experience and building towards success of their future years within the gates.

 

What we have to remember, though, is that teenagers will be teenagers! We got the inside scoop from a few of our live-in House staff and Grade 11 mentors who also went through the Grade 8 program themselves to get to the truth of what it’s like inside the walls of the new Samuel House. People create different images in their mind of what it might be like: a crazy zoo, organized chaos, peaceful and quiet students diligently doing their prep work, and so many others. What do you think it might be like? We’re here to tell you that the reality likely falls somewhere in the middle with key structures and rules in place, and a whole lot of fun with friends! 

 

Mr. Jeff Williams, P.E. teacher, rugby coach and one of the live-in Assistant House Directors: “It's high-energy with an element of unpredictability. There is never a dull moment.”

 

Amelia H., current Grade 11 mentor and prior Grade 8 program participant: “Working as a mentor with Grade 8s is a uniquely rewarding experience. I always look forward to my duty night and the storm of organized chaos that fills Samuel House. The House is extremely welcoming and creates such a safe environment for leadership development and collaboration as a Grade 11 student. I've come to see them all as little siblings, and I couldn't be more grateful for each and every one of them.”

 

Mrs. Rainbow Bartlett, art teacher and one of the live-in House Directors: “Living with Grade 8s in Samuel House is like being in the middle of a whirlwind: equal parts energy, noise, and unexpected moments of pure joy. It’s never boring, always entertaining, and a constant reminder of how much growth happens in just one year.”

 

Mr. Ryder Ferris, teaching intern and live-in Boarding Assistant: “Imagine you are at an amusement park on a busy day in the summer, but every person is in Grade 8; they might smell a little bit, but there sure is lots of laughter and eagerness to ride the biggest and scariest rides. Now imagine that it’s your job to pair them up with their friends BUT they’ve just ingested too much sugar and if you pair them up incorrectly, you’ll NEVER hear the end of it in the form of funny insults towards you for the remainder of the day. That’s what it’s like to live in Samuel House.”

 

Tessa A., current Grade 11 mentor and previous Grade 8 program participant: “Living in the Grade 8 House is an experience that I will never forget. Within the chaos of girls learning to live together I made so many amazing friends that I now have working with me as a Grade 11 mentor in Samuel with a new group of girls to make new memories that will last a lifetime.”

 

Mrs. Rayna Hyde-Lay, Head of Library and live-in Assistant House Director: “Living with the Grade 8s is great. Super fun and always wonderful to watch them at the beginning of their Shawnigan career and indeed to be a small part of their world for a short amount of time. We are in a special, privileged situation working here, and in boarding. A quote I found is from Marcus Aurelius and it applies to how we can all approach the day, in particular, in Samuel House: ‘The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.’ Really it is a lot like the unknown journey in The Lord of the Rings. It is an important quest, one that we undertake together, but you aren't quite sure which adventures each day will bring.”

 

Something that I’ve always believed has made the Grade 8 experience so special is that every year brings something new to the Grade 8 House. There are new faces, new personalities, new perspectives, and new excitement for the years ahead with every cohort of students. It’s also important to mention the diverse portfolio that the Samuel House live-in staff (six of them) have that collectively cover a large range of roles and responsibilities at the School that bring their own unique flair to their roles in the boarding house: teachers (AP Physics, AP Art, Physical Education, Computer Sciences), a School Librarian, teaching interns with multiple years of experience, and involvement in various co-curricular activities (Robotics, Cross Country, Arts, Rugby, Outdoor Education, Recording Arts, etc.).

 

If the idea of a five-year experience at Shawnigan excites you, with the first year spent in a dedicated Grade 8 boarding house, please be in touch with the Admissions Office at admissions@shawnigan.ca and we would be happy to assist you through the first steps of the admissions process towards entering your own Shawnigan Journey.