News
A Rewarding Deans' Dinner
A longstanding tradition at Shawnigan, Deans' Dinner returned to the School on Tuesday, celebrating some of our top students with a special evening in the Hyde-Lay Pavilion.
Historically, Deans' Dinner has been held after each assessment period to recognize students who received the top scores in terms of effort. Over the years, so many students became eligible for the criteria that the event became less extraordinary. The last time it was held, two years ago, more students attended the dinner than didn’t. Mrs. Kirsi Lupton, Academic Dean (Junior Years) noted that the dinner “fizzled out.”
Recalling how special Deans' Dinner has been in the past, students pushed for its return. Earlier this year, Academic Prefect Olivia C. and the Academic Captains came forward with a proposal to bring back the event.
“It has been a highlight for people over the years, and it adds a lot of motivation for students,” Olivia explained. “The captains wanted to bring it back and make it something you want to work toward to feel special and feel seen. Our sports and 360 (arts and activities) are really strong, but we wanted to make sure academics get recognized as well.”
“They wanted to make it smaller, more prestigious, and more intimate,” Mrs. Lupton related.
After some discussion, the requirements were refined so that the dinner honoured both hard work and grades. A list was made of students who made both the Dean’s List for effort and the Honour Roll for academic achievement, and their names were given to their House Directors. Each House selected two juniors and two seniors to attend the dinner, with the exception of Samuel House, which picked two Grade 8 boys and two Grade 8 girls. In all, 40 students were invited to Deans' Dinner.
Mrs. Lupton acknowledged that there were some broken hearts when the invitations were announced, but pointed out that there will be another Deans' Dinner this year, and three each year to come. Students will only be invited to one dinner per year, so there will be more opportunities for students to attend.
Also in attendance were Head of School Mr. Larry Lamont, who enjoyed talking to the students individually over the course of the evening, and Deputy Head Mr. Bill Nicholas, who said a welcome to the students, as well as members of the Senior Leadership Team, Department Heads, and House Directors.
“I really liked the format,” Olivia said. “It was a small, intimate event, and it was nice to see the staff and students interact. You could definitely see everyone was proud to be there.”
The students and other attendees enjoyed delicious food prepared by the kitchen team – some cooked on site at the Pavilion – along with mocktails, music, and speeches from the Academic Captains. It was a spectacular night that no one wanted to end.
“It was fantastic,” said Academic Dean (AP and Extension) Mr. Max Sterelyukhin. “The students didn’t want to leave.”
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.
