Category: Senior School

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Grandparents’ Day

The campus was all hugs and smiles on Thursday, April 19 as close to 350 grandparents and grandpals came out to see their Yorkies in action.

There was even a great-grandfather visiting – 100yr old Rueben Sinclair came to see his great-granddaughters Eliana, Gr. 11 and Shayna, Gr. 8. Grandparents came as far as Vancouver Island, the US, England and China.

The morning began with a recitation of a poem by one very special guest: Yorkie mother, grandmother and author, Mary Buckerfield White. Her daughter Gillian is from the Class of ’81, and her son Ed was also here during the time we had boys at YHS.  Her granddaughter Jessica graduated from the Class of 2010, and she has four other granddaughters in the school: Milly, Emma, Rosy and Charlotte.

An author at the age of 88, Mary recently published “Buckerfield, The story of a Vancouver Family,” a colorful and entertaining family history spanning over 100 years.

After the poem reading, grandparents were treated to several musical performances. Yorkies then met their grandparents, giving them personalized tours of the campus followed by class visits.

Grandparents Day is one of our most cherished York House traditions and is held every Spring.

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New 2012-13 Student Executive

Senior girls gathered for a special forum assembly on Tuesday morning for Election Week.

There was stiff competition for all roles, including a record number vying for position of Head Girl. Ballots were cast on Wednesday and Thursday morning (second round of votes for Head Girl), and election results were announced Thursday, end of day.

During the forum, the panel fielded a series of prepared questions followed by an impromptu round. Staff and students had the chance to learn a little more about the candidates:

  • Being the youngest of three sisters, Amy recommends that incoming Grade 8 students get involved: “there are so many opportunities, take advantage and try new things.”
  • Andrea’s proudest Moment as a Yorkie was representing YHS with the Senior Concert Band in Eastern Europe: “the beautiful cathedrals were amazing.”
  • Breanna thinks the greatest challenge facing Yorkies today is time management: “It’s really important to use your agenda and prioritize.” Serena says, “don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.”
  • Jenny thinks she’d be a valuable asset to the exec team as she’s “quite calm, organizes things quite well and can bring humor to Monday’s assemblies!”
  • Amabel says she smiles to “brighten the mood” as a way of contributing to the York House Community on a daily basis.
  • Keira says that the advantage of being a member of an all female student body is that she “is given the opportunity to pursue my interests without fear of judgement and can speak up in class.”
  • Madeleine looks up to Christine Lagarde, the head of the IMF: “She is a women of intelligence and poise heading an international organization.” Keira is inspired by her mom: “She’s involved in so many different things, but doesn’t neglect the needs of herself or someone else.”
  • Poljanka says that as a member of the new exec she would establish a new Spirit Day in Term 2. Breanna shared the idea of having a “giant hide-and-seek with the entire school all at once.” Vanessa would like to see a new Spirit Day after recitations that incorporates “winter themed activities such as a snow man competition”.
  • Mercedes says that to be an effective team leader, you have to “know when to draw the line, be a good public speaker and delegator.”
  • Vanessa wants to be Vice Head because “she loves this school and wants to give back.”
  • As Head Girl, Andrea says the impression she’d want to leave with someone watching assembly is “what a great community we have.”

Congratulations to the new Student Executive for 2012-13:

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Head Girl – Andrea
Vice Head Girl  – Vanessa
Community Service Captain – Mercedes
Community Service Captain – Libby
House Captain (Iroquois) – Jenna
House Captain (Algonquin)  – Danielle
House Captain (Nootka)  – Katie
House Captain (Huron)  – Shayna
Class President 12A  – Sophie
Class President 12H – Janet
Class President 12I – Denice
Class President 12N – Consuela