Academics
SOUL SEEKING WEEK
Exploring one's passions and finding what makes you ‘tick’ can be a fun and exciting thing to do, and this week at Shawnigan, alongside Apres Ski Week festivities, students were able to do just that as they work on their SOUL Seeking projects. Designed to encourage innovation, curiosity and to explore passions, students used the week to delve deeper into and finalize the proposal for their selected topic and plan how they will get to the final product and their presentation in April. For the Grade 12s, this fulfills their Capstone requirement for graduation so it is an important part of their educational journey. The campus was buzzing all week with energy as the facilities were taken over by inquisitive minds exploring and researching through inquiry-based learning.
No matter where you turn, Shawnigan Lake School has so many ways to not only support but to inspire these projects. Visit the Sportsplex and you’ll find Grade 12 student Aubrey K. (Kaye’s) leading spin classes as she aims to find out what it takes to become a certified spin instructor, and if that could lead to her offering classes at the School. Take a quick walk over to the recording studio and you’ll hear Jordan W. ‘24 (Duxbury) exploring what it takes to create an original song, from a simple set of lyrics on a page to composing and recording it in the studio. Enjoy the tranquility of the pond in the Kaye Gardens as Grade 8 student Griffin V. (Levien) tests out the fly fishing rod he built in an effort to learn the art form, and for something a bit different, Dailynn M. ‘22 (Groves’) can be found quietly working away in a room in Groves’ House as she endeavours to design and sew a French Renaissance costume from scratch. There is no shortage of passions being explored, and this is propelled by the wide variety of skills the staff advisors (mentors) have to share with the students who are grouped in ‘hubs’ and located across campus in world-class facilities, making any idea a possibility.
With so many inspiring projects taking shape and the framework in place with clear proposals either complete or near completion, students have made great progress. With three $500 prizes being awarded to the projects that show the most evidence of inspiring others, creating continuously, and embracing passions, students also have a bit of incentive to put their all into their project. They will continue to work on their projects on SOULo Fridays through April, where the final showcase will take place with projects of distinction on display. The SOUL Seeking program at Shawnigan continues to measure up to what it was initially designed to do: inspire others, create continuously and embrace passions.
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.
