Celebration of Community

celebrationofcommunity_14dec2016-1793Over 800 people gathered together at the Chan Centre for this year’s Celebration of Community on December 14. Each year, we begin the holiday season with this festive event, which invites our community to share in the gifts and talents of our students.

We were welcomed this year by our Strings Club who performed beautifully in the foyer of the Chan Centre as everyone arrived. It was also a delight to hear the girls joined by Senior Math Teacher, Whitney Black and our Coordinator of Outdoor Education and Risk Management, Robin Friesen.

celebrationofcommunity_14dec2016-1906Our Junior School performed an enthusiastic tribute to Canada’s history in the lead up to our 150th anniversary. Some highlights of the performances included Grades 5 & 6 performing “Vive la Canadienne”, Grades 1 & 2 performing “Donkey Riding”, Grades 3 & 4 performing “Old Grandma”and the Grade 7 Choir performing “When I Grow Up” from Matilda the Musical.

celebrationofcommunity_14dec2016-1833Interspersed throughout the afternoon of performances were sing-a-long carols, a multi-lingual reading of “Le Petit Prince” by our French Heads, Rainy (Gr. 12), Ariana (Gr. 11) and Kennedy (Gr. 11), as well as a fun-filled presentation by our Sr. Improv Drama group.

Thank you to our Senior Concert Band and our senior vocal ensembles for their energetic performances.  Highlights included Una Voce (Chorista/Ragazza) singing “Home for the Holidays” and Chorista singing “Best Day of My Life”.

A special thanks to Leith Wheeler Investments for sponsoring this event for the 17th year in a row. We truly appreciate their commitment to York House as well as the broader community. This year, over $1,700 were raised in donations from those who attended the concert for the Quest Outreach Society.

The impressive venue, carol singing, and festive atmosphere continue to make for a wonderful holiday tradition. Watch highlights below:

Hope, Joy, Faith, Love & Peace: Candlelight Assemblies

JrCandlelightAssembly_15Dec2015-6700Jr. School Candlelight Assembly

The Junior School held their traditional Candlelight Assembly on Tuesday, December 16. This annual celebration of songs and readings is led by our Grade 7 students, and includes the lighting of candles for joy, faith, hope, love and peace. The assembly reminds us what this time of year is really all about.

York House supports the Family Services of Greater Vancouver, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families and children in need. Students in Grades 1-3 brought a gift which is placed under the tree at the beginning of the service. These gifts are used year-round for children who are in their Emergency Foster Care Program.

Students in Grades 4 to 7 (and staff), also contributed to the Holiday Hamper Project where each class was assigned a family in need. Nine families will be the happy recipients of these hampers.

We appreciate your support for these two worthy causes. Thank you for your generosity.

SrCandlelightAssembly_15Dec2015-6592

Sr. School Candlelight Assembly

The Sr. School Candlelight assembly was organized by Music Heads Gabriella, Fraser and Christina. The assembly opened with a flute quartet who played “Silent Night”, and was followed by a reading from Miranda, Gr. 10. She recited an abridged version of Shayne Koyczan’s “To This Day”, a poem about the impact that bullying can have on an individual.

Ms. Irani and Sophie, Gr. 12, lit the candle for “hope”, Mrs. Harvey and Erin, Gr. 12, lit the candle for “joy” and Head Girl Helen and Vice-Head Sarah lit the candle for “love”. Before Ms. Gionet and Angela, Gr. 12, lit the candle for “peace”, they led a sing-a-long to John Lennon’s “Imagine”.

The choir sang “What Sweeter Music” by Canadian Composer, Eleanor Daley, and the Music Heads spoke on gratitude, kindness and mindfulness in the midst of a busy holiday season. The assembly concluded with the singing of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”.

Organized by Tammy, Gr. 10, Senior Students also collected donations for Syrian refugees. Donations included toiletries, small appliances, toys, books and non-perishable foods. Following the assembly, the Student Executive organized hot chocolate for all.

LSCandlelightAssembly_15Dec2015-6651Little School Candlelight Assembly

The Little School also held their own Candlelight Assembly. The girls brought in gifts for children in the Emergency Foster Care Program, and candles were lit for hope, joy, love and peace. Each candle lighting was followed by a song from one of the classes.