Year: 2019

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Senior Tigers Update: December 5, 2019

SENIOR TIGERS ‘AA’ VOLLEYBALL PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS!
For the first time in York House history, our Tigers Senior Volleyball Team has won the ‘AA’ Provincial Championship! Congratulations to our Senior Tigers: Akash, Maggie, Natalie, Emily, Sophie, Claire, Claudia, Tahlia, Chloe, Maddie, Nolie, Taylor, and to coaches Kelvin Ma and Nicole Morton ‘14.

Over the past twenty years, volleyball has arguably been the most popular sport at YHS. Province wide girls volleyball has the highest rate of participation. Winning a provincial championship in volleyball is one of the hardest challenges that face YHS teams. Tigers came close in the fall of 2001, again in the fall of 2014 and last season, 2019, when YHS lost to Pacific Academy in the championship final.

This season was remarkable with a second-place finish in league play, a WCISVC championship, second-place finish at ISAs, and a Vancouver Sea to Sky Zone championship. There were just enough tough losses to keep this team focused on getting better and keeping their eyes on the ultimate prize in BC high school sport—the blue championship banner.

York House entered the BCs as the 4th seed in the field of 20 teams. After round-robin play, YHS defeated West Point Grey Academy to move into the top 8. In the quarter-final, YHS defeated the 3rd-seeded Vancouver Island Zone Champions, Pacific Christian from Victoria. In the semi-final, the Tigers beat the Okanagan Zone Champions and 2nd seeds George Elliott Secondary. The final was a rematch of last year’s championship game. YHS and the #1-seeded South Fraser Zone Champions Pacific Academy battled through five tough sets and YHS came out on top 15-12. The level of volleyball in this final was remarkable. Both teams were playing at college level calibre and the crowd of 300 plus fans enjoyed every minute.

Sophie, Gr. 11, and Chloe, Gr. 10, were named Tournament All-stars. Maggie, Gr. 12, was named Best Libero and Akash, Gr. 12, was named Tournament Most Valuable Player. Winning the school’s first championship is a monumental accomplishment. These girls leave a new legacy of excellence and confidence for future teams.

Many people were involved in this championship. YHS Junior School coaches along with Mr. Jackson, Ms. Dalziel, Mr. Bester, Ms. Flo Chan, Ms. Brianne Wager, Mr. Jackson Liu, Mr. Noble Kelly, and Mr. Mike Lodewyks all played a key role in the development of these girls. This season, the girls, along with coaches Nicole and Kelvin have taken YHS volleyball to a new level of success. With strong players in Grade 8-11 and a fall season that saw our YHS Grade 8 Team, Grade 9 Team, and Junior Team all achieve success, the future is bright.

THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FALL SEASON IN YHS HISTORY
If you have been unable to keep track of the incredible success of YHS Athletics this fall season, you are not the only one. My head is still spinning. As we close the book on the fall athletics season, there is much to be proud of. Many great efforts and battles won and lost. Many challenges embraced and many lessons learned. However, if we take a look at the final results, no season in the history of YHS athletics has ever been this successful. Having been Athletics Director since 1997 and knowing the history of the school, I can say this with both confidence and with respect for all those who came before.

  • Senior Volleyball ‘AA’ Provincial Champions*
  • Senior Volleyball Vancouver Sea to Sky Zone Champions*
  • Senior Volleyball WCISVC Champions**
  • Senior Volleyball 2nd in ISA Championships
  • Senior Volleyball 2nd in LMISSAA league
  • Junior Volleyball 2nd in LMISSAA league
  • Junior  Volleyball 2nd in ISA Championships
  • Grade 9 Volleyball Provincial Champions*
  • Grade 8 Volleyball ISA Champions**
  • Grade 8 Volleyball LMISSAA Champions*
  • Swim Team ‘AA’ Provincial Champions**
  • Swim Team Vancouver Sea to Sky Zone Champions*
  • Swim Team ISA Champions**
  • Varsity Field Hockey 3rd in Vancouver Sea to Sky Zone*
  • Varsity Field Hockey bronze medals at ‘AA” BC Championships**
  • Senior Field Hockey Team LMISSAA Senior Division Champions**
  • Cross-Country Team members competing at BC Championships

* Best-Ever Finish
** Matching Best Ever Finish

David Prissinotti
Senior Athletics Director

 

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Community Service at YHS & the Sustainability Fair

The YHS Community Service Program seeks to promote student understanding and action on local and global issues. This year, Chloe and Dana, both in Grade 12, are the Community Service Captains for the Senior School. As part of their year-long contributions to the program, they have made environmental issues a focus. As part of this initiative, they organized a Sustainability Fair. In conversation with Ms. McDonald, Chloe and Dana share their insights and experience leading this wonderful initiative this year. 

Ms. McDonald: Describe the Sustainability Fair for our readers.
Chloe & Dana: On November 20th, 2019, the halls of York House School were packed. Leaders from numerous environmental non-profit organizations, companies, and clubs from the Vancouver community came to the school to share what they do and why they do it. The buzz of excitement and curiosity in the air characterized the school’s first-ever Sustainability Fair. 

Interactive booths were set up in the main entrance of the school and hosted by various local sustainability-oriented groups from the local community. Some of our own students from the Green Club showcased their sustainability initiatives. This was an idea exchange: students, teachers, and staff and community leaders signed petitions, explored volunteer opportunities, and learned about environmental issues.

Ms. McDonald: What was the purpose of the Sustainability Fair?
Chloe & Dana: We wanted to both spread awareness on sustainable practices while encouraging students to engage with the community. We wanted to give students an engaging and accessible source of education for what can often seem like an overwhelming issue with no clear path to finding a solution. 

Ms. McDonald: What inspired you to get involved with environmental issues?
Dana: I find great inspiration from youth such as Greta Thunberg who demand change from world policymakers, leaders, and politicians with such fearlessness and conviction. It reminds me that even if the odds seem impossibly slim, there is always something so beautiful about seeing the sliver of hope amid darkness.

Chloe: I believe that the movement behind climate change is about more than just saving the planet in order to survive. Combating climate change calls for a cultural shift that demands a selflessness where individuals, businesses, and governments must abandon the most convenient or lucrative practices. These practices have been the result of the structures and systems of our society, but are not set in stone. This movement is an opportunity to evolve and opportunity for innovation and change is what most inspires me most.

For decades, it has long been a concern of the global community to regulate the hazardous practices that have been wreaking havoc on the only planet we know to harbour life. Yet, more than ever, there exists a need for action, education, and advocacy surrounding modern-day environmental crises. 

Ms. McDonald: What was your hope for the outcome of this fair?
Chloe & Dana: We hope to inspire students to get involved in the community. We hope students feel inspired to consider ideas and solutions to address the challenges we face with regards to climate change, waste mitigation, and carbon-emission pollution.