This year York House staff and students joined in a virtual celebration of Founders’ Day on Friday, October 2nd to honour our past and look to the future. Julie Grundvig, Junior School Teacher Librarian, started the celebration with a beautiful virtual presentation that showcased our rich history and early focus on exploration and risk-taking.
Themed around STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math) and exploration, Head Girl Lauren spoke of the things we have discovered about ourselves during the current global pandemic and the words of wisdom shared with her in her interview with Dr. Bonnie Henry, the province’s Chief Medical Officer; and a reminder of how our Founders’ encouraged Yorkies to try, fail, seek, and discover. Several of our Grade 3 students shared about what exploration means for them and the ways that they have been challenged to explore in the work they do in the Junior School in STEAM. Mme Julie Rousseau spoke of the importance of being curious, posing questions, and find solutions to problems as key to discovering the world around us. Courtney (Smith) Counsineau ‘99, President of the Alumnae Association, introduced this year’s Alumnae Special Achiever, Saara Bhanji ‘03. Saara shared her heartfelt journey of personal exploration that led her to create AWARE, a feminist organization that provides young women with opportunities for self-development, leadership and activism.
Note: Each year at Founders’ Day, our graduating class is presented with their alumnae pins to formally welcome them to the Alumnae Association. This year, we have postponed this presentation to the end of the year where graduates will receive their pins as part of their graduation ceremony.
