Houses
Copeman's House
Copeman’s House was founded in 1929 and is named for John Y. Copeman, a Victoria lawyer who was Chairman of the Board of Governors for many years.
Colours: Crimson & white
Motto: Ubi crux ibi lux ~ Where there is a cross, there is light
Hymn: "Lift High the Cross"
Colours: Crimson & white
Motto: Ubi crux ibi lux ~ Where there is a cross, there is light
Hymn: "Lift High the Cross"
Duxbury House
Duxbury House was founded in 1999 and named for Frank Duxbury, a teacher who was Senior Master at the School during the 1950s and early 1960s.
Colours: Royal blue & gold
Motto: Cave lupum ~ beware of the wolf
Hymn: "I Vow to Thee My Country"
Colours: Royal blue & gold
Motto: Cave lupum ~ beware of the wolf
Hymn: "I Vow to Thee My Country"
Groves' House
Founded in 1927, Groves’ was named after Jocelyn James Douglas Groves, Head of School from 1924-26, who later rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the British Army. Groves’ was converted to a girls' residence in 1992 and rebuilt in 2005.
Colours: Maroon & white
Motto: Ex unitate vires ~ From unity, strength
Hymn: "I Feel the Winds of God Today"
Colours: Maroon & white
Motto: Ex unitate vires ~ From unity, strength
Hymn: "I Feel the Winds of God Today"
Kaye's House
Founded in 1989 as the second girls’ house, Kaye's House was named in honour of G. Peter Kaye, the School's second Headmaster, whose sons and grandsons also attended Shawnigan.
Colours: Purple & white
Motto: Alis volamus propriis ~ With wings we fly
Hymn: "And Did Those Feet in Ancient Time"
Colours: Purple & white
Motto: Alis volamus propriis ~ With wings we fly
Hymn: "And Did Those Feet in Ancient Time"
Lake's House
Lake’s House was founded in 1927 as one of Shawnigan’s two original residences. Lake’s was named after Harry John Lake, its first Head of House, who later became a colonel in the Canadian Army.
Colours: Emerald green & light blue
Motto: Non sibi sed aliis ~ Not for ourselves but others
Hymn: "Amazing Grace"
Colours: Emerald green & light blue
Motto: Non sibi sed aliis ~ Not for ourselves but others
Hymn: "Amazing Grace"
Lonsdale's House
Lonsdale's House was founded in 1968 and named for C.W. Lonsdale, Shawnigan's founding Headmaster.
Colours: Forest green, gold & black
Motto: Ex Fumo Dare Lucem ~ To give light from smoke.
Hymn: "How Great Thou Art"
Colours: Forest green, gold & black
Motto: Ex Fumo Dare Lucem ~ To give light from smoke.
Hymn: "How Great Thou Art"
Renfrew House
Renfrew House was founded in 1996 in order to expand the space for girls wishing to enrol at the School.
Colours: Orange & white
Motto: Solae paulum uniter tantum ~ Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much
Hymn: "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee"
Colours: Orange & white
Motto: Solae paulum uniter tantum ~ Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much
Hymn: "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee"
Ripley's House
Strathcona House
Strathcona Lodge School House was founded in 2007 to incorporate the girls from the original School House in the Main Building and to recognize the close historical ties Shawnigan has with Strathcona Lodge School. Shawnigan has since adopted the former "Old Girls" of "Strath" as honorary Shawnigan alumnae.
Colours: Sky blue & white
Motto: Cherchons ~ Let us seek
Hymn: "Be Thou My Vision"
Colours: Sky blue & white
Motto: Cherchons ~ Let us seek
Hymn: "Be Thou My Vision"
Samuel House
Samuel House opened in February 2024 as the first co-ed Grade 8 boarding house in Canada, bringing together the former Stanton (girls) and Levien (boys) houses. It was named for long-time Shawnigan staff members Gaynor and Rhodri Samuel, who have filled many roles over their decades of service to the School.
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.
