News
Back Into Inter-House Action
On top of a busy schedule of academics, sports and 360, students were immersed in inter-House competition to start the school year, with three events over the first two weekends.
“The goal is to keep kids engaged and create a House culture in the first two weeks,” Student Life Coordinator Ms. Katrina Cholack explained. “It’s such a tradition. We want to create the right culture around it and get just the right mixture of competition, fun, and camaraderie. And it gives Grade 12s a chance to take a leadership role at the beginning of the year.”
The inter-House schedule kicked off on Saturday, September 7 with the return of Tug-of-War after a year’s absence. Air Band, always one of the most highly anticipated inter-House events, followed on Friday, September 13. Unlike past years, when Houses have had months to prepare, this time they were only told about Air Band a week before, lending more spontaneity to the festivities.
“It’s an event where everyone is cheering for everyone,” Ms. Cholack commented. “It’s so fun to see how enthusiastic the crowd is for every act.”
Track and Field followed just two days later. With 30 points in the inter-House standings on the line, Track and Field is one of the biggest competitions on the schedule and pushes some students out of their comfort zones to make sure the House is represented in every event.
All inter-House events require lots of support from staff members – especially Track and Field, with so many officials needed. The Shawnigan Parents Association also carried on the recent tradition of serving ice cream at Track and Field.
While the big Houses are competing for points in the standings, the Grade 8s in Samuel House aren’t left out. Even though they aren’t battling for the same prestige, they do get to participate. In Tug-of-War, for example, they were divided into two teams and competed against each other, and in Air Band, they put on the last performance of the night, with choreography assistance from the Grade 11 mentors in Samuel House.
As for the winners of the events, Groves’ House has taken an early lead in the girls’ standings by winning Air Band and Track and Field after Renfrew won Tug-of-War; and three different boys’ Houses have claimed victory: Lonsdale’s in Tug-of-War, Lake’s in Air Band, and Copeman’s in Track and Field.
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.
