School Ties: 2001, Spring Issue - St. Michaels University School

S
T
.
M
I C H A E L S
U
N I V E R S I T Y
S
C H O O L
Streamkeepers
Spring 2001
Cabaret
T
performances of the musical Cabaret on
March 1–3 at the McPherson Playhouse.
Seamless acting (directed by retiring SMUS
Theatre instructor, Colin Skinner), brilliant
choreography (directed by Kim Breiland), skilled
music orchestration (directed by Donna
Williams) lighting design (Adam Wilkinson) and
able stage-management (Haley Hankins) all
contributed to the mix for this challenging, highly
charged production.
Brilliant performances by Gregory Smith,
Kerry Morin, Andrew Murgatroyd, John Payne,
Kathryn Humphries, Joanna Wynne, and Noah
Dowhy as well as all members of the supporting
cast, including dancers, chorus, orchestra, and
production gave the audience a look at the level of
professionalism attainable by a high school
musical company.
In this photo (l-r): Gregory Smith, playing
Emcee, with Colin Skinner, SMUS Theatre
instructor, after the Saturday night’s show encore.
A wonderful show!
Photo: Jenus Friesen
HEATRE STUDENTS gave an astounding three
school ties — spring 2001
APRIL
Apr 8
Rugby - First XV vs. High School of Glasgow, Scotland
at SMUS, Time TBA
Apr 10
Senior Concert Band Performance - Government House,
7:00-9:00 pm
Apr 11
Cross-Campus Strings Concert
at UVic Centre Auditorium, 7:00 pm
Apr 12
Rugby - First XV vs. Chichester High School, England
at SMUS, Time TBA
Apr 17
Parents Auxiliary Meeting - Wenman Pavilion, 7:30 pm
Apr 18
Rugby - First XV vs. Inglewood High School, New Zealand
at SMUS, Time TBA
Apr 21–22
Apr 26
April 28
BC High Schools Seven’s Rugby Tournament Vancouver, BC
Middle and Senior Schools Cross-Grade
Concert Band performance - Old Gym - Time TBA
Rugby - SMUS vs. Shawnigan (A)
MAY
May 1
Grade 5 Orientation Evening, 7:00 pm
May 3
Middle School Spring Concert University Centre Auditorium, UVic, 7:00 pm
May 4, 5 & 6 ALUMNI WEEKEND Special Reunion years:
1991, 1986, 1981, 1976, 1971, 1966, 1961, and 1951
May 5
Rugby - First XV vs. Oak Bay (Premier/Lower Island) Time & Location TBA
May 5
For Alumni Weekend details, please see page 26
May 7
Howard Russell Cup Semifinals - Time & Location TBA
May 9
Howard Russell Cup Final - Time & Location TBA
May 12
Premier Playoffs (Vancouver Island teams vs.
Mainland teams) in Vancouver, BC
May 15
Parents Auxiliary Meeting - Location TBA, 9:00 am
May 23-26
May 31
Rugby - BCs in Vancouver (A)
Senior School Choir and Art Evening Old Gym, 7:00 pm
JUNE
June 1
Middle and Senior School Jazz Night Jazz Band and Vocal Jazz - Old Gym
June 4
Athletic Banquet - Evening
June 15
Middle School Outdoor Challenge Programme
(Jun 15-19)
June 19
Parents Auxiliary Annual General Meeting Wenman Pavilion, 7:30 pm
June 20
Junior School Prize Day - Royal Theatre, 5:30 pm
June 21
Middle School Prize Day - Royal Theatre, 7:00 pm
June 23
Senior School Prize Day - UVic Auditorium, 9:30 am
June 28
Grad Dinner/Dance
For further information on these and other school events,
contact the school at (250) 592-2411, or visit our web site
at www.smus.bc.ca and check the Calendar of Events.
About the cover:
On a gentle November morning,
SMUS students gather at the edge
of a lazy stream. They are here
to research the health of the waters
and to revitalize the surrounding
property, shifting native plants
into the freshly dug earth, and
removing encroaching introduced
species. Their work forms part of
the legacy that will be enjoyed by
generations to come. In this photo,
Streamkeepers Tara-Lee Parsons
(’01) and Andrew Horton (’05)
collect water samples and aquatic
organisms to determine stream
health.
HAT IS IT that sets
SMUS apart from other
schools? Why do our
students do so well here? And what
makes them return, year after year?
Anyone who has ever visited
the campus has an idea…and if
you visit the classrooms and speak
with the students and their tutors,
you’ll know. You’ll hear the students
say that they are inspired…that
learning is interesting and
challenging and fun. The teachers
take the time and energy to guide
each individual and encourage
them. Teachers themselves are
interested in what they teach. And
they have passion and compassion
for the world and the people
around them. They care.
And it shows because they
teach the students to care, to grow,
and to develop the self-confidence
and self-sufficiency that form life
skills. Community spirit is vital to
the ethos at SMUS, and the young
men and women give back to the
world as they take from it, through
active community service and
involvement.
But the equation goes beyond
that. There are skills and values and
ideas that are passed along by the
SMUS community in the form of
leadership and mentoring.
The tradition of excellence
continues!
Vivat! J.F.
W
Photo: Jenus Friesen
Calendar April-June 2001
1
SCHOOL TIES is distributed to more
than 6,000 members of the SMUS
community, including current
families, alumni, friends, and
current and past staff. The goal of
this publication is to communicate
current school activities and
initiatives along with articles and
reports on the alumni community.
If you have any comments or
suggestions regarding this publication,
please contact Jenus Friesen at
(250) 370-6169 or e-mail to:
[email protected]
Published by:
The Development Office at
St. Michaels University School
3400 Richmond Road
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V8P 4P5
Telephone: (250) 592-2411
Admissions: 1-800-661-5199
e-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.smus.bc.ca
Editors:
Jenus Friesen, Christopher Spicer
Contributors:
(in no particular order)
Bob Snowden, Larry Devlin,
Peter Bousfield, Peter Tongue,
George Floyd, Simone Kuklinski,
Melanie Hadfield, Heidi Davis,
Robert Wilson, Caroline
Rueckert, Brenda Waksel, Louise
Winter, Sandra Moore, Jane
Horton, Kathy Roth, Dorothy
Hawes, Jennifer Walinga, Terence
Young, Larry Borgerson, Joan
Tweedie, Tony Keble, Alan Jones,
Anna Forbes, Archie Ives, Stewart
Dunlop, Mary Humphreys,
Donna Ray, John Reid,
Janice Iverson, Mervyn
Lougher-Goodey
Photography:
Jenus Friesen (cover photo);
Chris Spicer, David Lennam,
alumni, Craig White
We apologize for any omissions.
Production & Printing:
Reber Creative
Hillside Printing Ltd., Victoria, BC
Lithographed in Canada 2
diversity
Diversity
by Robert Snowden, Headmaster
knows
that some stories must be retold, some of
them over and over again, until one almost
commits them to memory. Wednesday morning is
my morning to tell stories at the Junior School. As
you would expect, there are some stories that are
worth telling every year. Some of the students in the
Junior School, and those who have moved on to the
Middle School from the Junior School, know exactly
what is going to happen, and in fact assist with the
stories. One of them is the story of Rosa Parks, the
Afro-American woman whose refusal to give up her
bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955 sparked
the Montgomery bus boycott, which first drew
attention to Martin Luther King Jr., one of my
heroes. We act out the story; I drive the bench that is
our bus and volunteers from the different grades
come up and sit at either the front or the back, until
one of them – whom I have designated Rosa Parks –
refuses to. I no longer have to tell the chosen student
what to do; she knows to refuse to give up her seat,
knows the time has come to take a stand.
Another story I tell every year is the story of Noah
and the Flood. I don’t tell this story in the Junior
School only; I retell it in both the Middle and Senior
Schools. It isn’t told as a story of punishment for evil
done; that side of the story hardly gets a mention. It
is told as a story about building a new world. It is a
story about how one would go about starting from
scratch in building a world, how one needs two of
everything, not just two of the favourite things, or
the most beautiful things, or the most pleasant
things, or the friendliest things. Noah had to take on
A
Robert Snowden, Headmaster
“Schools are in the job of
creating a new world ...”
Senior School students meet in the
lobby of the UVic Centre Auditorium
during rehearsal break for a winter
concert performance.
NYONE WHO HAS RAISED A CHILD
two of everything, including the beasts of prey, the
snakes, the mosquitoes, and his entire family, whether
they were ideal human beings or not. It is a story of
inclusiveness and diversity.
Schools are in the job of creating a new world,
and to that extent, this is a story about schools also.
Certainly, in the way we build our school
environment, our curriculum, our buildings and our
rules, we are shaping the school we see before us. Of
course we don’t do it alone; we do it in conjunction
with parents who choose our school and then
influence it with their input. We shape it also in
conjunction with the students and teachers who have
gone before, past faculty and alumni, who have
preserved certain principles that we still uphold and
that stand the test of time. We shape it with the
students themselves, who as they move up through
the school have more and more of a voice in their
own education.
But also, whether we like it or not, we have taken
on the responsibility of shaping the future of our
students. We are trying to create a place where they
can fulfill their promise. We are trying to fulfill their
promise because it is important to fulfill one’s
potential in order to have a meaningful life. By
“fulfilling one’s potential” we mean both fulfilling in
terms of one’s responsibility to oneself but also one’s
responsibility to the world around one. It is not an
accident of fate, or a stroke of luck that our school is
considered a charity for the purposes of donations;
we are engaged in an important public enterprise, the
education of children and young men and women. In
a democratic society this enterprise is crucial in
making the Canada of tomorrow and the world of
tomorrow. We take this responsibility seriously, which
is why we are introducing a school-wide community
service programme next year, to enhance and coordinate the significant amount of community service
our students already do, from kindergarten to grade 12.
This is also why we devote so much time to leadership
in various places: in sports, in our outdoor programme,
in student councils, and in the prefect system. This
notion that our job is not merely to get our students
into university, but also to make them fulfilled and
productive members of their society, is extremely
important to us. It is part of our mission: to provide
outstanding preparation for higher learning and for life.
The diversity of our school is very apparent, from a
cultural point of view. In our day student population,
we have a rich variety of cultural backgrounds. When
you add our boarding population, which starts in
grade 8, you add students and their families who live
in approximately 20 different countries from around
the world. There is no question that the world our
sons and daughters will be living in will have this
kind of diversity in their everyday lives.
diversity
The one kind of diversity, which we could be said to
be lacking, is economic diversity. Our fee structure is set
up so that families that could be described as “middle
income families” can afford to send their sons and
daughters to the school if they choose to make some
significant sacrifices in their lives. Many families do
decide it is important enough to make those sacrifices,
and the school is richer for their inclusion. In the past
three years, we have made a significant step toward
trying to make the school more affordable for more
families at the income threshold, by increasing financial
assistance from just over $150,000 to what we hope will
be $300,000 for the school year 2001-2002. This is a
modest step in the direction of increasing the diversity
in the school in a desirable way, and also meeting some
of our obligation to educate a larger sector of the
population of our city, our country and beyond.
Such diversity makes the school a better place for all
the students in it; it doesn’t just provide a service for the
students who come to the school on financial aid, it
provides a better school for everyone, including those
who can afford the full fees. And the lesson of Noah and
the Flood, that to build a world you need to embrace
everyone and everything, reminds us of the need for this
diversity, as complicated as it makes things sometimes.
A quotation about diversity that appears again and
again, spoken by William Chase, reads:
“Diversity, generally understood and embraced, is not
casual liberal tolerance of anything and everything
not yourself. It is not polite accommodation. Instead,
diversity is, in action, the sometimes painful
awareness that other people, other races, other voices,
other habits of mind, have as much integrity of being,
as much claim on the world as you do... And I urge
you, amid all the differences present to the eye and
mind, to reach out to create the bond that... will
protect us all. We are meant to be here together.”
The oldest and best established schools in the world
take very seriously their commitment to educating the
leaders of tomorrow, from a diverse set of cultural and
economic backgrounds. They do this largely through
their endowment. Christ’s Hospital, in London,
England, a school with one of the largest endowments
in the world, valued at approximately $350 million, in
fact, will not accept a student who can afford the full
fees; everyone in the school has to attend on financial
aid. At our school, it is one of the Strategic Priorities
that emerged from our Strategic Planning exercise a year
and half ago that we should raise enough endowment in
the medium term to provide $1 million in financial aid.
This goal requires approximately another $15 million
on top of our current $1.7 million. There is a growing
awareness in our school giving of the desirability of this
goal. In the past two years, in our Annual Fund, the
largest target for designated funds has been endowment;
the second largest target for money has been to direct
financial aid. The purpose and use of endowment has
been, until now, a remote notion for most of us at the
school. Because of the work done on the Strategic Plan,
and the setting of a key priority for the building of
endowment, we are about to undertake a serious
examination of the role and scope of endowment at the
school. This examination will involve considerable
discussion, and will begin this spring.
To build a school is not simply a matter of filling the
classes with enough students who are then destined to
go on to university. In the Strategic Planning exercise
two years ago, and in the prior Mission development
exercise, the development of character was identified as
both a strength of the school at present and an
important priority to retain and improve in the future.
To do this we need a community that reflects the
diversity and richness of the world outside the school’s
walls, and which takes seriously its responsibilities to the
world.
This is an important way our students can begin to
live up to their potential, and lead meaningful lives, in
terms both of their own personal potential and their
capacity to contribute productively to the world beyond
our gates. Only then will we be able to say that we have
truly embraced the lessons of Noah and the Flood.
Until that time, the story is a worthy vision of what we
can try to achieve.
“... diversity is, in action,
the sometimes painful
awareness that other people,
other races, other voices,
other habits of mind, have
as much integrity of being,
as much claim on the world
as you do ...”
Headmaster Bob Snowden hands out gingerbread men to boys and girls from the Junior
School at Christmas time in his office. There are always stories and experiences to share!
3
4
crothall centre
Create the Future: Facilities Development
The Crothall Centre
by Robert Snowden, Headmaster
HE ARCHITECTS from Paul Merrick Architectural were tasked
with a programme that articulated four basic project areas, but
which had to fit into the larger concept of likely future
development of the campus, so that current buildings still permitted future
enhancement of the facilities. The four initial projects are:
1. Centre for Humanities and the Arts
2. Centre for Student Social/Recreational/Athletic Facilities
3. Restoration of School House and Library re-development
4. Teaching and Presentation Facilities for the Fine and Performing Arts
The four project areas define a series of gathering areas, social precincts
creating the concept of a “spine” that ties together the various zones of the
school. These social areas are designed to enhance and encourage
opportunities for exchange, discussion, performance and interaction.
Students should learn the importance of having a voice and expressing it in
art, music, literature and drama, the importance of keeping the body
healthy and the spirit nourished. We also want the facilities to create a sense
of home: in their daily lives, students should learn the importance of
gathering their community, the importance of identifying their community
and making sure people feel they belong to it.
The first component of this development will be the Centre for
Humanities and the Arts. Mr. Graeme Crothall, past parent and current
Advisory Board member of St. Michaels University School, has made a
significant and generous gift to the school. Mr. Crothall’s exemplary
cornerstone financial commitment will substantially fund the building we
have called the “Centre for Communication” – an academic centre focused
on an impressive quadrangle and backdrop to School House, for teaching
mainly humanities and the arts. In the context of our overall Facilities Plan,
which over the next 10 years will construct buildings totalling
approximately $25 million, this gift lays the foundation and sets the tone for
our future efforts. While all will give according to their abilities and their
wishes, this generous donation on the part of Mr. Crothall indicates what is
T
possible for those who want to participate in this historic rebuilding of the
school.
Mr. Crothall has followed the progress of the school during the
education of his three sons, George (SMUS ’89), Edward (SMUS ’92) and
David (SMUS ’95) as boarding students here, and has taken a specific
interest in the past few years in the school’s Strategic Plan and Facilities
Development Plan. As a result of his beliefs in education in general, and his
experience of the school from the time of the Headship of John Schaffter to
his current engagement in the school’s planning and its future, he has
decided to make this major gift. A key element of his commitment is that
the Lecture Theatre associated with the Crothall Centre be named after
John and Anne Schaffter, who presided over the school during its successful
development of the 1980s, a period that created the strength we now enjoy.
The key feature of the Crothall Centre will be a quadrangle, in a
configuration that mirrors the shape of School House. This space will be a
central gathering point in the life of the school, an axis for traffic around
which much of the activity of the school day will revolve. The design of the
building will reflect and recall the design of School House, making a
dynamic whole out of two buildings, one old and one new. On the east side
of the building will be a two-storey Lecture Theatre and Drama Teaching
space. The plan is that construction will begin during the second half of
2001, depending on approvals, tenders and contractors.
In the overall plan, great care has been taken to maximize the use of
available space; with a relatively tight plot of land, we do not want to sprawl
onto green space. Hand in hand with this efficiency goes the creation of
these enclosed spaces for gathering, a series of quadrangles defined and
linked by open spaces and natural boundaries created by buildings and the
campus perimeter.
The general flow of the several precincts in the plan, from east to
west, begins with the performing arts venues, followed by the academic
heart of the campus, and concludes with a centre for athletics and
recreation juxtaposed with the playing fields to the
south. The result is the creation of a busy and
animated “street” running parallel to and behind
the formal drive that presently exists in front of
School House.
The new buildings will be developed in a
character and quality consistent with the
significant original buildings exemplified by
School House. This will be achieved in part by
using compatible materials and building forms,
modernized by the incorporation of contemporary
aspects, such as larger windows and skylighting.
The plan retains the character and tradition of the
original school, while also delivering this sense of
place, order and home. The new buildings will aim
to mean to us what School House means now:
places that students, alumni, parents and teachers
will identify with, and will remember in some
sense as their home. Part of the essence of the plan
is that indeed, the school always has been and still
is home to a good number of students from all
over the world.
school news
School News
AN OUTSTANDING
PERFORMANCE
TRAVEL WITH
MICHAEL JACKSON
MARCH 10, SMUS Junior
Boys Basketball wrapped up
a very successful season by
finishing in third place at the
BC Provincial Championships
in Nanaimo. Two players,
Logan Smythe and David
Spicer, were named tournament
all stars. This finish is a huge
credit to the outstanding
coaching of Ted Anderson
assisted by Steve McDonald,
and to each player whose
individual talents made the
team work.
ANOTHER GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Tour is planned for March
2002. Please contact Michael
Jackson at the Senior School
Science Department if you are
interested in accompanying the
group on this stimulating trip
([email protected]).
GOING TO BOEING
Photo (l-r): Coach Ted Anderson, Ryan Willms, Mark Quinlan, Aman Pooni, Adrian
Cochrane, Taylor Willms, David Crapo, Coach Steve McDonald. Seated: David
Spicer, Logan Smythe, Tosh Matsumura, Craig Cavin.
BUDDING ARTISTS
LAST JUNE, five Junior School Grade 5 students, who have now moved on to Middle School, had their paintings
of endangered animals accepted into the prestigious Crayola Art Exhibition, currently touring the United States.
For the first year of this competition, there was no Canadian component; therefore our students were pitted
against the entire western region of the United States for selection. Exhibitors were: Kelly Sharp, Jennifer Smith,
Mckyla McIntyre, Anne Penner and Charlotte Houston. Each student was sent a plaque with a mounted
photograph of their painting, presented at a Junior School assembly.
SING A SONG OF SARGENT
NOW THAT’S CRICKET!
GLEN ROBERTS (’01) was selected
to the Canadian Under Nineteen
Cricket Team, and toured with
the team this past summer as they
played in the West Indies. The
Canadian Cricket Association has
made it clear that Glen will
remain on the squad for
consideration of future tours.
photo: David Lennam
JUNIOR SCHOOL TEACHERS Anna Forbes and Heidi Davis presented a play in Seattle on January 20 for Sing a
Song of Sargent Family Day at the Seattle Art Museum. Eight Junior School students and one “graduate” were in
the production. During their visit to Seattle, Anna and Heidi presented a workshop for teachers. The project was
centred on a beautiful and extensive exhibition of the works of painter John Singer Sargent. The two-act play,
called A la Recherche de la Bretelle Perdue! or In Search of the Lost Strap, was written by author Heidi Davis, and
interwove the themes of five of Sargent’s well-known paintings.
THE GRADE 6 STUDENTS arranged
an exciting and instructive science
field trip to Seattle to visit the
Flight Museum at Boeing Field.
The trip was in correlation with
their unit on flight. The group
spent a night at Bush School in
Seattle and visited the Boeing
Assembly Plant in Everett,
Washington on their way home.
Watch for an installment on this,
featuring digital photographs and
some student research, to appear
on the Middle School web site.
Junior School students Michaela Onasick, Christie Silver and Paul Davison assume the poses and roles of the people in John Singer Sargent’s paintings in a
performance of Heidi Davis’ two-act play, “A la Recherche de la Bretelle Perdue!”
5
6
school news
School News
Music at Middle School
SMUS MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT CHOIR and soloists,
under the direction of John S. Reid, performed on three
occasions prior to Christmas.
Soloists Camden McAllister, Elizabeth Humphries, Ellie Shortt, Julie
Chung, Tisah Tucknott and Natalia Esling performed at the Chateau
Victoria at which the Grade 8 Strings also performed. The Middle School
Carol Service held in the SMUS Chapel provided another opportunity
for the choir to give voice. The music included “Gloria” by Vivaldi.
The traditional visit to Ocean Pointe Resort – this being the ninth year
– featured many soloists including staff member Tony Cordle, and the
entire 125 member SMUS Middle School Choir. The choir’s performance
was preceded by a performance by the Grade 8 Strings Ensemble.
T
HE
In this photo (l-r): Jamie Callendar, Trevor Chan, Steve Nash, Aashish
Kumar, Chris Kim, Hansi Abraham.
Incredible Nash!
ESIDENCE DIRECTOR Kevin Cook worked with Jay Triano of
the Vancouver Grizzlies and SMUS Athletic Director Ian
Hyde-Lay to contact Steve Nash (SMUS ’92) of the Dallas
Mavericks. They were able to get game tickets for Aashish Kumar, a
grade 10 international boarding student from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, as
well as Aashish’s four closest friends to attend the February 27, 2001
basketball game: Dallas versus Vancouver. Last year, Aashish was diagnosed
with leukemia, but he is now in remission. Steve met with Aashish after
the game and signed autographs and spoke with everyone. He eventually
took Aashish back to the locker room to meet the other members of the
Dallas team. Steve gave Aashish an autographed jersey, then took his
runners off, autographed them, and gave those to Aashish as well!
R
Julie Chung, Grade 8, sings a solo at the Chateau Victoria.
Student Commonwealth
Conference
F EBRUARY 17 AND 18, twenty-eight
delegates from ten Southern Vancouver Island schools
represented fourteen countries at the 19th Annual Student
Commonwealth Conference sponsored by the Royal Commonwealth
Society and hosted by St. Margaret’s School. The students were engaged
in lively debate in their attempts to build consensus on a number of
resolutions. They focused on issues such as the sexual exploitation of
children, debt forgiveness, global immunization and preferential trade.
The guest speakers for the weekend challenged the students to think
about electoral reform and the important work performed by
international non-governmental organizations. Michael Mulley,
Nicholas Melling and Alexander Miller represented SMUS at the
conference and are to be congratulated for playing their roles so
convincingly. Alumni Ann Behennah (SMUS ’92), Caroline Rueckert
(SMUS ’96), Brian Moss (SMUS ’99) and Elizabeth Woodward
(SMUS ’00), representing the University of Victoria Commonwealth
Society and all former delegates at past conferences, participated as judges
and facilitators. We are extremely grateful to them for their hard work
and enthusiasm which contributed greatly to the success of the
Conference.
O
N THE WEEKEND OF
SMUS student participants in the Royal Commonwealth Society Annual
Commonwealth Conference (l-r): Nick Melling (placed fourth), Alex Miller
(placed sixth) and Mike Mulley (placed second).
school news
Writing 12 Lineup
of this year’s Writing 12 have just finished their
introduction to poetry. Their manuscripts, like the manuscripts
of last year's class, contain many fine poems, some of which
have been entered in a variety of contests: the League of Canadian Poets
annual contest, the BC Teachers of English contest and the prestigious
Princeton Poetry Prize. We wish them luck.
Several local poets have visited the school as guest readers this year:
award-winning poet Susan Stenson; the Salt Spring Island muse, Brian
Brett; and local publisher and college instructor, Jay Ruzesky. Students
also attended the celebration of Brick Books 25th Anniversary at Open
Space Gallery where they heard many fine poets such as Sue Wheeler and
Roo Borson read from their most recent collections.
As with last year’s class, the students of 2000/2001 will be publishing
a chapbook containing samples of their best poetry. This collection will
appear in late spring and will be launched with an evening of readings
and refreshments. The school community will be notified of this
entertaining event well in advance.
The second half of the year will address the demands of short fiction,
and, to that end, local writers Bill Gaston from the University of Victoria,
John Gould from the BC Festival of the Arts, and Marion Farrant of
Sidney will be coming to inspire our young writers as well as to give them
tips on the art of writing fiction.
T
Recitation Award winners: Back row (l-r): Chris Couvelier, Grade 11, 2nd Sr. Poetry, John Payne, Grade 12, 1st - Sr. Poetry, Keegan Macintosh,
Grade 12, 1st - Sr. Recitation, Terence Young (teacher). Front row: Emily
Lyall, Grade 10, 1st - Jr. Poetry, Chelsea Phipps, Grade 9, 2nd - Jr. Poetry,
Meridith Lewis, Grade 9, 2nd - Jr. Recitation, Jen Blumberg, Grade 9, 1st Jr. Recitation, Kate Paulson, Grade 12, 2nd - Sr. Recitation.
Recitation Evening
SMUS R ECITATION E VENING was held on
Thursday, November 30 in the School Chapel. Students from
grades 9 through 12 performed various recitations ranging
from poetry to dramatic and comic monologues. All students at the
Senior School are required to learn and recite from memory a selection
which is presented in their individual English classes. Finalists from each
class then participate in their grade finals from which four students are
sent on to the Recitation Evening. All 16 participants delivered superb
performances. The judges for the evening were: David Devan, Director of
the Pacific Opera Society, Linda Rogers, a local poet, and Fraser Hannah,
one of our Middle School English teachers. It is worth noting that the
judges were impressed with all 16 performances and found their task of
choosing winners a most difficult enterprise. Thanks to all who attended
in support of these students. Keegan Macintosh, a grade 12 student,
captivated both the audience and the judges with his comic monologue
“Rindercella” and was awarded first place in the Senior Recitation
category, as well as Best Overall and People’s Choice Award. The other
winners are as follows:
First – Senior Poetry – John Payne (’01)
Second – Senior Poetry – Chris Couvelier (’02)
Second – Senior Recitation – Kate Paulson (’01)
First– Junior Poetry – Emily Lyall (’03)
Second –Junior Poetry – Chelsea Phipps (’04)
First – Junior Recitations – Jen Blumberg (’04)
Second – Junior Recitations – Meredith Lewis (’04)
T
HE STUDENTS
HE ANNUAL
For those of you who missed this year’s Recitation Evening, make sure
you don’t miss out on this great event next year!
– Dorothy Hawes
Burns’ Ceilidh
HE ANNUAL BURNS’ CEILIDH was held for the faculty and staff
at the Wenman Pavilion on Friday, January 26. The
celebration of Robbie Burns’ birthday at SMUS has evolved
over the last twelve years from a simple address to the haggis (and
sampling) during a recess break, to a much more substantial event
including eighteen members of staff providing various forms of “homegrown” Celtic entertainment for over two hours.
Highlights included Ian Farish addressing the haggis, Bill
Buckingham and his son Cameron doing the sword dance, Ken and
Caitlin Smith singing, Tony Keble reciting his own poetry, Katie Low
dancing the Seann Truibhas, the staff bagpipe chanter class playing their
chanters, Colin Skinner playing his full set of bagpipes for the first time
in public, the seven-member strong staff “Fiddle Orchestra” playing a
march, strathspey and reel, and Douglas Manson-Blair and Donna
Williams singing. The event wound up with a group “sing-along.”
T
7
8
school news
“A is for Acceptance”
O
for SMUS grade
twelve students is “What am I going to do
next year?” which usually translates as “What
university or college will I attend?”
Increasingly, our students are broadening their
horizons by applying to schools both in the United
States and overseas…and increasingly, they’re getting
excellent results! With an admission process that starts
earlier in the year, and with the option of “Early
Decision,” these schools can mail out acceptances earlier.
The following list applauds students from the current
academic year who have already received good news:
Michael Blumberg: Harvard (Early Decision*)
Jenny Li:
Princeton (Early Decision*)
Yun-Ji Lee:
Johns Hopkins University
(Early Decision*)
Ruth Pui:
University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill (Early Decision*)
Stephen Lee:
New York University
(Early Decision*)
Sascha Braunig:
Chicago Art Institute
Daisuke Yukawa: University of Bristol, UK
Doris Yip:
University of Nottingham, UK
Seth Shich:
Sarah Lawrence College
(Early Decision)
Chi Ho-Cheung: Florida Tech (Aerospace
Engineering–President's Scholarship)
Constance
Florida International University
Gomez-Poulin:
(National Hispanic Scholarship*)
Devin Kelly:
offered absolute acceptance to
the University of Newcastle-UponTyne, UK
*Indicates that the student will attend that university
(Names without * will also receive acceptances from
other schools)
NE OF THE BIG QUESTIONS
If you’d like more information about University
Placement or Admissions, feel free to visit Ms. Kathy Roth
or Mr. Jake Humphries in the University Counselling
Office, located in School House.
The SMUS Family
S
MUS STUDENTS AND
consistently state
that the sense of family is
one of the most memorable and
important aspects of their school
experience. This is strongly
emphasized by the presence of
more than forty children or
grandchildren of alumni currently
enrolled. As a “family school,” we
recognize that alumni are keen to
pass on the tradition and passion
for the school to their children and
grandchildren. It’s wonderful to
ALUMNI
News from the Transportation Department
T
HE SCHOOL OPERATES A MARVELOUS ,
brand-new fleet of school buses! The
Transportation Department has, in the last eight months, completely renewed its
fleet of six school buses. We can now “safely” say we have the safest, most
comfortable and modern school bus fleet in the province.
The new buses have different passenger and luggage carrying capacities to help meet the
wide array of transportation requests and needs of school staff and students. On a daily basis,
over 100 day students are brought to and from the campuses as part of three regular routes
travelled throughout Greater Victoria. At one time or another, all SMUS students ride the
school buses. Sometimes the buses will transport 800 or more students from the three
campuses to a venue to hear the Victoria Symphony; at other times they will transport
students on five-day outdoor adventure trips. Most typically, the buses are called upon to
transport teams to sporting events or classes to field trips in which students from all three
campuses participate.
The Transportation Department has a staff of nine drivers who work on a part- to fulltime, on-call basis. They do the bulk of their driving during the week, but it is normal to see
them transporting students on Saturdays and Sundays. Weekend trips vary, from picking up
boarding students from the ferry and airport to transporting sports teams to Vancouver for
tournaments, or taking classes to special lectures.
With the new school bus fleet, the drivers can enjoy the luxury of a 2000 or even 2001
bus while listening to music on a stereophonic system. Or, if they’re really lucky, they’ll be
transporting one of the school’s excellent choirs who will serenade them during the trip.
Ah, the joys of being a bus driver at St. Michaels University School.
see current students linger and
admire the old photographs that
line the School House hallways –
photographs of their parents or
grandparents who attended the
school years ago, and to hear
students speak to their peers about
the experiences of family members
of past generations. It is indeed very
special when family members can
share in the traditions, enjoy the
current programmes and participate
in the future development of
the school.
Our admissions policy recognizes
the family nature of the school and
encourages applications from
relatives of alumni as they receive
priority in the admissions process
along with siblings and faculty
children. Certainly all applicants
must complete all aspects of the
admissions process and decisions
are always made with the best
interests and happiness of the
individual student in mind.
If you are interested in more
information about the admissions
process, or wish to receive an
information package, please contact
the Admissions Office at (250)
370-6170 or [email protected].
We would be happy to set up a
visit for you and your family to
tour the school, to reminisce about
past years and to see first hand, the
many changes that have occurred in
the last several years!
– Liz Falco, Director of Admissions
a c o a c h’ s c r e e d
9
A Coach’s Creed
he longer I competed as an elite
athlete, the more clear it became that
achieving peak performances was
due mainly to the power of the mind. In what
would otherwise be considered purely physical
contests, mental clarity, focus, and strength
were integral. Not until the culmination of my
career in rowing, however, did it become clear
that my mind was fed primarily by my spirit –
by what I believed, what I trusted; one’s mind
cannot be clear and focused unless one’s spirit
is sure and calm.
As one cannot ever cheat in training, so one
cannot fake trust. Though an intangible
concept, real trust cannot be more palpable. If
an athlete trusts in the training programme,
trusts in the equipment, trusts in the coach,
trusts in her teammates, and trusts in herself,
she will stand poised, with supreme clarity,
focus and confidence, for absolute peak
performance. As a coach, I make the building
of trust my focus.
A team is often likened to a chain, only as
strong as its weakest link. I prefer to think of a
team as a cable, its strength determined by the
number of strands woven together in unified
T
purpose. When an athlete trusts in his coach
and in his training programme, he can clearly
envision the path to the final goal and commit
fully to carrying out the steps to attain it.
When he trusts in his teammates, he can focus
completely on his role within the team and
commit completely to fulfilling it. It follows
that he inevitably comes to trust in himself.
When an athlete trusts in himself, he can focus
on his performance as opposed to feeling
distracted, anxious and tense. He can channel
his energies positively and commit fully
to achieving his goal. Invariably he will achieve
his goal, for it is with this absolute
commitment to one’s self and one’s team that
synergy is achieved; the whole becomes greater
than the sum of the parts.
As the coach, it is my responsibility to earn
the trust of my athletes. Building trust in the
training programme, the equipment and the
coaching is easily achieved through relentless
organization, preparation and communication.
I envision the cable metaphor when planning
my programme, my aim being athletes that are
“smoothly intertwined cable strands” as
opposed to “frayed at the ends.” I understand
Training on the Gorge waterway (front to back):
Calvin Ahn, David Jawl, Nick Black and Conor
Pommerville.
the importance of achieving “alignment”
through clear, common goals. I increase
“tensile strength” by setting high standards and
Photos: Craig White
By Jennifer Walinga
Middle School Teacher, Athletics Coach, runner, rowing coach, sports trainer, Olympic Gold medal
winner, house parent, and mother of two. Jennifer is currently writing her thesis on aspects of
Coaching and Leadership through a programme offered by Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC.
Teammates row together (front to back): Meara
Crawford, Kristen McHale (hidden), Hayley
Hankins, Lindsay Larsen.
10
a c o a c h’ s c r e e d
our differences – our individuality – that our strength as a team resides.
posing regular challenges. My own experience in racing and training
Teammates must feel aligned with one another as a whole team, not as
offers a “grounding” influence. It is seen as the responsibility of the
links in a chain, but as strands in a cable, intertwined in a unified
athlete, however, to build trust in one’s teammates and one’s self. I sense,
purpose. The resounding “BOOM!” of forty rowers synchronously
though, that as coaches we have a great deal of leverage in creating an
hitting the gym floor after each jump-squat resounds, as
environment that fosters synergy within our teams and
Just as the strength of my
well, with the team’s power and connection as a unified
enhances self-confidence within our athletes.
belief fed my mind and body
and indomitable force. It is impossible not to be carried
In calling to mind the cable metaphor once again, it
by the energy and rhythm of such unified effort, the
is clear that team members must “intertwine” with one
as an athlete, so it now feeds
foundation of trust.
another – getting to know each other, intermingling on
the heart of my team.
I believe that commitment is the most powerful of
the water and off, learning how to adapt to new
human attributes. Faith brings commitment. When we trust in ourselves
combinations, accepting one another’s differences, appreciating one
and those around us we are capable of truly astounding feats. Thus, the idea
another’s strengths, skills, energy and enthusiasm, recognizing one
of a “creed” (derived from the Latin
another’s discipline, determination
“credere,” to believe in, to trust in)
and commitment, and inevitably
articulates for me, my purpose as a
trusting in one another. As coach, I
coach, for it captures the importance
can provide opportunities for such
of faith and commitment in the
intermingling through varying the
achievement of peak performance. I
crew combinations, and structuring
was once warned of the folly of
team workouts, gatherings and events.
“caring more about the success of
Even riding the bus can be a teamyour athletes than your athletes
building experience!
do,” but I disagree. At times I do
As important as unity is,
care more because at times it is a
differentiation is equally important.
coach’s intensity and vision that
There must be differences between
serves to ignite an athlete’s desire. I
athletes. Between separate strands of
have an inordinate faith in the
a cable there is a kind of tension. In
power of achievement for its
this way, many sticks in a bundle are
capacity to feed the individual
stronger than one thick stick.
spirit, and the spirit of the whole.
Carpenters apply this principle
Rowers John Effa and Evan Willms train on the Gorge Waterway.
Each individual’s peak performance
when constructing a building; a 4x8
feeds that of another, giving us a positive vision of human inspiration and
solid beam is not as strong as four 2x4s bound together. This tension is the
challenge.
strength of diversity. By emphasizing the unique contributions and
And so I coach. Just as the strength of my belief fed my mind and
strengths our athletes offer, we help them to carve out a distinct role,
body as an athlete, so it now feeds the heart of my team.
identify a sense of purpose, and build self-confidence. It is, ironically, in
Confirmation
of St. Michaels
University School met near
the chapel after their
confirmation ceremony on Thursday,
February 22, 2001, with the Anglican
Bishop of British Columbia. Families
and friends were also in attendance.
S
TUDENTS
In this photo (l-r): the
School Chaplain
Rev. F.C. Lynford Smith,
Simon Smith, Avalon McLean,
Kristen Vernon, Clemmie Hudson,
Necia Brus, Elizabeth Saunders,
Haley Hudson, Kate Partridge,
Brian Martin, John Vernon,
Emery Moses, the Rt. Rev. Barry
Jenks - Anglican Bishop of BC,
Callum McClure, and Jamie Reid.
streamkeepers
Streamkeepers
By Jane Horton, SMUS Parent and Streamkeepers volunteer
members slowly worked their way around the
T WAS WARM AND SUNNY. The cloudpond, they got the hang of planting in clay on
cover that began the day gave way to
a sometimes too steep bank, learning how
a beautiful blue-skied September
certain plants live by the water margin and
afternoon. As we turned west off the highway,
others need to be planted further away. With
the site of the Streamkeepers’ first field day
good humor, the students hauled bucket after
came into view. It was bleak; a gray smudge of
bucket of water from the pond and carefully
landscape…rutted, dusty and barren; the earth
poured it around the small plants, firming the
wiped clean. Here, teaming up under the
soil into place. As hair fell from fastenings and
guidance of university graduates and our own
shirts became damp, they began to realize the
devoted teachers Simone Kuklinski and
Jane Horton, SMUS parent and Streamkeeper
amount of work it would take to transform the
George Floyd, the Streamkeepers would get
site; ten people – several hours of digging – in clay – put in about 200
their first important lesson in caring for our watersheds. Together the
plants – which encircles less than one third of the pond – and there are
students and teachers donned work gloves, picked up shovels and began
several more ponds. Fortunately, other groups are involved.
the site’s transformation.
There are other outings. Some days, removal of invasive plants is the
Located just off McKenzie Avenue, the recently cleared development
task at hand. Armed with shovels, work gloves, boots and some
site lies nestled in an elbow of Swan Creek. As part of the Blenkinsop
determination, we wrestled blackberries, dock, thistle and the like from
watershed system, the waters of Swan Creek drain from Swan Lake, then
the earth to make way for the native species of plant. Once again through
wander their way through Colquitz Creek and the Gorge before meeting
experience and a very real understanding of just how extensive a root
the ocean’s salt waters. A number of agencies are involved in a project to
system can be and how plants arm themselves both for protection and
restore water quality in this important urban drainage including the
survival is made clear. Hitting the ‘motherlode’ of morning glory roots
Municipality of Saanich, CRD, graduate students Patricia Edmonds and
that must be removed and bagged, or avoiding the grappling hooks some
Lehna Malmkvist of the Faculty of Geography, University of Victoria,
plants prefer leaves a memorable impression. Through conversation
Patrick Lucey of Aquatex Consulting as well as our SMUS Streamkeepers
swapped over the task, the
and others.
students find they are removing
A generously donated strip of
Himalayan blackberries, and
parkland flanking the creek is the
amazement gives way to thoughts
buffer between the building site
of the distances aliens may travel.
and the creek. Within this
Tough though the day’s work may
parkland, an area thick with
be: slipping, sliding and squelching,
protective plantings will hug the
lifting boots heavily layered with
creek, creating an urban pathway
mud, trying to persuade stubborn
and habitat for wildlife while a
plants to move, there is above all,
more open paved pathway will
a satisfaction in the teamwork.
provide pleasant access for human
The learning is absorbed
activity. Large, naked depressions
unwittingly.
marked this area. Grey with clay
Where Blenkinsop Creek
and shallow muddy water and an
empties into Swan Lake, a bucolic
occasional branch shipwrecked by
setting to be envied by any artist,
the bank, these depressions were
the Streamkeepers are given the
optimistically dubbed ‘ponds.’
task of testing water quality. The
Linked together like children
equipment for the day includes
holding hands in a game, these
vials, nets, thermometers, humble
ponds, carefully engineered by
ice cube trays, elegant glass
Aquatex, will catch and hold runampoules and other assorted tools
off from the site allowing it to
of science – along with the eversettle. When fully planted, they
present rubber boots and gloves.
will help filter the water before
Together the students dip their
allowing it to spill over into Swan
nets, probe the streambed,
Creek.
measure and sample. They
Beside the ponds, small hopeful
measure dissolved oxygen, pH,
plants, propagated with the
turbidity and survey stream life.
cooperation of Terry Morrison at
They learn to record and analyze
the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary,
Ariane Vincent (’04) and Christina Mosely (’04) conduct an invertebrate
data. Over time a picture of the
waited patiently in the sun for
survey from sampled stream water. They are looking for insects, larva,
stream’s health will develop and as
their turn to be planted. As team
aquatic worms and other living organisms.
Photos: Jenus Friesen
I
11
12
streamkeepers
“When the salmon are mature enough
they will be released into the stream
where they will serve as indicators of
healthy water, much like the miners’
canaries.”
things happen upstream from the
testing site, changes in the stream,
either good or bad, can be detected.
Work upstream is planned for early
this spring. Using heavy equipment, a
section of Blenkinsop Creek will be
moved in an effort to restore the
creek to a more natural course. The
testing site will be used to monitor
the effects of this activity. Here will
be first-hand experience of how man
can impact the aquatic environment.
Within the school, both Middle
and Senior, meetings are held to
learn, discuss and plan ways to care
for watershed systems. TRIM
(Terrain Resource Information
Streamkeepers gathering water samples for quality testing, (l-r) Christina Kim (’01), Tara-Lee Parsons (’01),
Management) maps and data charts,
Stacy Johnson (SMUS science lab technician) and Andrew Horton (’05).
generously provided by the Ministry
of Land, Parks and the Environment,
community groups, and yes, even with us their parents. They learn the
are invaluable tools. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
harsh reality that a beautiful stream can be sterilized due to run-off and
held a two-day Streamkeepers training course taught by Jennifer
become basically devoid of life. They learn the tragedy of the absence of
Southherst and Susan Low. Taught in the school science lab and in the
life. By providing the opportunity of raising and caring for living things, a
field at Douglas Creek, the students learned how to map and survey
nurturing bond is created and they are far more likely to protect the very
streams, test water quality and conduct surveys of invertebrates. They
thing they helped create.
learned how to carefully trap juvenile fish so they could be counted and
The actual goal of the Streamkeepers programme is to promote
then safely released. The Middle School has prepared a fish hatchery
awareness and stewardship of local watersheds by using hands-on
using salmon eggs provided by the Salmon in the Classroom Programme,
conservation and education activities. It is a programme that affects our
supported by Don Loewen of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
children’s future. Through the Streamkeepers programme, the students
These eggs, stripped from Coho salmon, will be hatched and raised under
experience and come to understand hydrology, ecology, zoology, biology,
carefully monitored conditions, a task students of both schools will take
botany and project management. These are intelligent tools they can use
on. The water must be kept circulating, very clean and unlike most home
in adult life. We also hope they will use them to continue to care for the
aquariums, kept cold (6°C). When the salmon are mature enough they
streams. But they also take with them a sense of pride and belonging.
will be released into the stream where they will serve as indicators of
They were part of a team, led by an unbeatable pair of teachers,
healthy water, much like the miners’ canaries. There are plans for the
Simone Kuklinski and George Floyd. This team has worked together for
propagation of native plants such as snowberry, dogwood, hardhack and
something important – a part of that stream and experience now belongs
oceanspray – used in the important rebuilding of the stream habitat.
to them as much as they belong to it. Gently guiding and encouraging,
Streamkeepers is a programme about building life – creating bonds
working beside the students every step of the way, I cannot extend thanks
instead of barriers. In this programme, our children work in cooperation
enough for what Simone and George have brought to the school. The
for an obvious good. The caring for and cleaning of streams need no
Streamkeepers task may not be for everyone, but those who choose to
explanation. At the end of the day, they can walk away feeling pride in a
take part become part of a family. From Shakespeare’s Henry V, “we few,
good deed done. They know they have helped, not only themselves gain
we happy few, we band of brothers.”
hours and credits, but also a community, and thus a part of the world.
Vancouver’s Fraser River is a mighty river. If followed upstream, its
Our children work side by side with their teachers and other students not
strength is found in the many other water sources that flow into it. So it
of their peer groups, allowing insight to qualities not often exposed in
is with the Streamkeepers. Its power comes from the many people that
formal situations. Friendships have been born of this programme; a shy
pour their energy into the programme.
boy holds his head a little higher as the older students recognize and
acknowledge him on campus. They work with university students,
retirements
Retirements
Sa’ad Kayal - Thirty-five years!
S A’ AD K AYAL is one of the longestserving teachers in the history of the
school, as he completes thirty-five
years at St. Michaels University School
this year.
Sa’ad was born and raised in the
Old City of Jerusalem where he grew
up as a Christian in the Greek
Orthodox faith and sang in the choir
of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
He received his elementary education
at St. George’s, a private Anglican
school, and his secondary schooling
Sa’ad Kayal - Thirty-five years!
was completed as a boarding student
at the Boys’ Friends’ School run by Quaker missionaries. In spite of the
difficulties brought on by the Arab-Israeli conflict, Sa’ad managed to excel
in mathematics and science, and was also involved, whenever possible, in
cross-country running and soccer.
As there were no opportunities for further education, Sa’ad left his
homeland as a young man and moved to London, England, where he
worked as a student nurse in a TB sanatorium while attending the
University of London taking courses in mathematics and science. Part
way through his studies, Sa’ad applied for a position at Bishop’s College
School in Quebec. Philip Carrington, the retired Archbishop of Quebec,
interviewed him for this job. As a result of this encounter, Sa’ad soon
experienced his first Canadian winter.
After three years in Quebec, Sa’ad accepted a teaching position at
Hillfield College in Hamilton, Ontario. A year later, in 1965, Mr.
Timmis, Headmaster of University School, took Sa’ad on as a member of
his teaching staff in Victoria. During this time Sa’ad completed his degree
in Mathematics and Psychology at the University of Victoria, where he
also obtained his teaching credentials.
The early years at University School were very demanding, as Sa’ad
taught a full load of mathematics and ran Barnacle House – a house of
forty boys who lived in the upper floors of School House – with no
assistants to help him. He was also expected to be fully involved in several
other duties. In his case, this meant being responsible for Cadet training,
running the Quartermaster stores, and looking after textbooks.
Life at school was so demanding at that time that Sa’ad decided to
move out of boarding, and in 1968 he married Doris, one year after first
meeting her. Both of their children, David and Philip, were “lifers” at the
school, beginning their education in Grade 1, and graduating in 1987
and 1990 respectively. David went on to complete a degree in Computer
Science at the University of Victoria, and now works for the B.C.
Investment Management Corporation as the Senior Technical Analyst in
Information Technology Services. Philip obtained his undergraduate
degree in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Victoria. He
then attended the University of Alberta where he completed his Masters
and Ph.D. in Physics, and is now an analyst for a small Victoria computer
company. The Kayals are a close-knit family, and Doris and Sa’ad are
pleased that the boys are close to home in Victoria.
There is no doubt that Sa’ad has, during the last few years, enjoyed
the best years of his teaching career. He is well liked by his students, who
find him to be a caring and humorous teacher. He tries hard to take the
fear out of math for his charges. He gives the kind of support that the
students need in reaching their mathematical and personal goals. Sa’ad
strives to become the best at what he does, and he tries to help his
students do the same.
He has always been fully committed to his sons, David and Philip,
and his wife, Doris, as they enjoy music, walks and time spent together
with family and friends. Sa’ad is a friend to many people in the school,
students and staff alike, and his presence amongst us is much appreciated
and will be remembered for many years after his retirement.
By Peter Tongue
Keith Murdoch
K EITH M URDOCH came to us from
the Bahamas; an Englishman with a
Scottish name and a Northern Irish
birthplace. Keith joined SMUS in
1981, having had the good sense (as I
did also!) to marry a Canadian wife,
facilitating his entry into Canada. I
have had the pleasure of working with
him in the Geography Department
until I retired in 1994.
Keith did not start his career as a
teacher, but worked for various banks,
first in Nigeria, then in the Bahamas,
Keith Murdoch - Twenty years!
where he met Linda who was also
working for a bank. They were married in England in 1972, after which
Keith embarked on training for his new career in teaching. After a brief
spell in England, they returned to the Bahamas where Keith taught
Geography at St. Andrews School in Nassau.
Keith has been a highly respected and much liked member of the
SMUS staff. His teaching has always been thorough, as his Grade 12
results consistently prove. He has enjoyed excellent relationships with
several generations of SMUS students who have appreciated his good
humour and warm encouragement. Keith’s leadership as chair of the
Student Council for several years led to many improvements in the life of
the school and the safety of its environment.
In the 1980s, many of Keith’s students took part in the annual
Commonwealth Essay competition, with conspicuous success. This led to
his involvement in the annual Commonwealth Conference, in which
students learn a great deal about Commonwealth countries from roleplaying (see article in this issue).
Outside the classroom, Keith has made many contributions to the
social life of the school. He quickly became known for his compositions
sung by staff at the Christmas Assembly, “I’m dreaming of a green
Christmas, here in Victoria in the rain….” He also wrote and performed
in an amusing play at the farewell and roast for former Headmaster John
Schaffter. On another tack, he had earlier been persuaded by John
Schaffter to forego the occasional cigarette to lead the SMUS “smoking
police,” several years before by-laws made such actions compulsory.
As many know, Keith was faced with a serious operation in 2000, but
was an inspiration during the months he had to wait before it took place.
Happily, the results of the operation and his recovery from it have been
excellent.
Keith will be missed at SMUS by staff and students alike. It has been
both a privilege and pleasure to work with him as a friend and colleague.
By Stewart Dunlop
13
14
retirements
Colin Skinner
ALUMNI WHO RETURN to the school
tend to reminisce about all sorts of
things, but among their fondest
memories are the plays in which they
acted and especially, the big musicals.
These are relived, reviewed and
remembered fondly. So is the mentor
and inspiration of so many good
memories, Colin Skinner.
During his twenty-six years at
SMUS, Colin has raised drama in the
school from a single annual school
play to a programme of four full
Colin Skinner - Twenty-six years!
productions, endless workshops in
which students write their own material, and still, of course, the big
musical. Each year, about 220 students from grades nine through twelve
are involved with drama as part of their course load. In addition, about
120 more act, play in the orchestra, or work back stage for the musical.
Those who participate have a truly professional experience from casting
call through rehearsals, choreography with Kim Breiland, first night
nerves, all the way to the cast party. They are fortunate to have done it
with Colin, a master of his art.
Colin did not start his career in theatre. After leaving Oxford, where
he rowed and played rugby for his college, he taught at Home Grange
Prep School. The headmaster was John Graves, the brother of Robert
Graves, the poet and author of I, Claudius. The job only lasted a year.
The Northeast Missouri Teachers College, where he had spent a pleasant
gap year between school and university, summoned him. This decision to
move, to a great extent, was inspired by the penurious wages paid to
teachers in England, compared to the financially fecund offerings of
Missouri. Here he taught English for four years and enjoyed life in the
USA. Then youthful restlessness struck again so he decided to try
Canada. As he had a friend of a friend in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island
seemed a good prospect. On the old Canadian Pacific ferry to Nanaimo,
he met Ivor Ford who taught at Brentwood College, and who mentioned
the headmaster there, David MacKenzie. Colin applied. There was no job
at Brentwood but MacKenzie introduced him to Kyrle Symons,
headmaster of a little prep school in Victoria called St. Michael’s. In
August 1963, Colin joined the staff.
After three years he felt the need for further education so he set out to
seek a Masters degree in English at the University of Victoria. At this
point, Fate stepped in. One day he was talking with his English
instructor, when Dr. Ralph Allen, the head of the Drama Department
came into the office. Casually, Dr. Allen asked this new student from
England if he could do a cockney accent. Colin replied with the perfect
combination of mangled, guttural sounds and was immediately invited to
audition for the role of Aborson, the executioner in Measure for Measure.
Colin was hooked. Fond memories of his own school productions were
reawakened. He switched from the MA English course to MFA in
A tribute is being prepared to celebrate
Colin Skinner’s contribution to his students,
to be held on Saturday May 5, 2001.
For more details on how you can play your part,
contact Adam Sawatsky at (250) 414.7221
or by e-mail at [email protected]
Theatre, thriving and learning from Dr. Allen. Incidentally, it was this
latter who also brought Mickey Rooney from obscurity to star on
Broadway in Sugar Babes.
Having earned his MFA in 1969, Colin went to teach at Glenlyon
School. Here he prepared students for the Greater Victoria Drama
festival. He is proud of implementing the idea of students directing the
plays for this festival. Among his protégés was a youthful Atom Egoyan.
In 1975, Colin came back to St. Michaels, now amalgamated with
University School. He was memorably greeted on his arrival by Doug
Williams. The first play he produced at SMUS was Twelve Angry Men.
Drama, at this stage, was performed as a club activity outside the
academic day.
Girls came to the school in 1978, bringing their humanizing effect
and making the task of casting considerably easier.
In 1982, the campus became a movie lot for several months, with
classes continuing along side the shooting schedule. The film Ups and
Downs used our old buildings and our students and staff. Colin played a
leading role.
The first major musical was Pirates of Penzance in 1983, and every
year since, the tradition has continued. Drama ceased to be an extra and
became a regular part of the curriculum at about this time. Every
production had its memorable moments and fine performers, however it
is the disasters that make good reading. Cupid in Orpheus in the
Underworld, suspended from the ceiling so as to swing in from the flies,
fainted and had to be lowered, revived and refloated. One boy, playing
Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, found himself without his
opposite number in a scene, and most professionally recited both parts in
meditative mode. When the errant partner appeared on the stage late, the
annoyed Quince improvised an indignant “Where hast thou been?” The
reply was “Off in the forest, taking a pee,” which elicited a few puzzled
looks from purists in the audience.
One of the hazards of amateur actors, no matter how well trained, is
that they sometimes forget to turn off their body microphones when they
are off stage. In the middle of a scene on a few occasions, disembodied
voices have intruded, sometimes quite intimately.
Colin now heads a dynamic and exciting programme of drama, which
has become an essential part of the school. Students have benefitted from
his years as an actor and theatre company manager; he has produced
fourteen professional plays with his Capital Comedy Theatre. He is also a
veteran cinema actor and has been in films with James Garner, John
Lithgow, Patrick Macnee of the Avengers, Phyllis Diller and Carey Elwes.
Many of Colin’s students have gone on to careers in movies both as actors
and on the production side. Two students, Timothy Williams and
Andrew Sabiston went on to write and bring to the stage in London and
Toronto, the musical Napoleon. Students sense and appreciate Colin’s
depth of experience and talent. He, in turn, is always delighted when they
say variations of “I never dreamed I could do that.”
Colin Skinner’s influence in the school has been enormous. His
scholarship and good nature have provided inspiration. His achievement
has elevated by association, those around him. His wit and insight have
delighted all. No wonder those alumni remember him fondly.
When asked what lines in theatre best commend an actor and mentor,
he quoted the last speech in Julius Caesar,
His life was gentle; and the elements
So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up,
And say to all the world, “This was a man.”
To those who know him, have watched and worked with him, a more
familiar line springs to mind, “All the world’s a stage….”
By Tony Keble
retirements
Farewell to Lynford Smith
HAVING COMPLETED
ten years of service
in the school, the
Reverend Lynford
Smith retires at the
end of this school
year. Following the
tragic and sudden
death of the Reverend
Terrence Davies in
1986, the school went
without a chaplain for Lynford Smith in the Chapel Garden
five years with guests,
faculty and the Headmaster filling in for weekday and Sunday services. It,
therefore, became the responsibility of the newly appointed Lynford
Smith in 1991 to re-establish the Chaplaincy of St. Michaels University
School and to set the tone in Chapel services at all grade levels. Lynford’s
previous experience in schools had been a ten-year stint as Chaplain of
the prestigious Dulwich College in London, England where he also
taught Religion and Philosophy. Incidentally, our school has a close
connection to Dulwich through the St. Michael’s founder, Kyrle Symons,
who attended Dulwich as a student. Our St. Michaels school crest was, in
fact, borrowed from Dulwich College.
Through music, silence, dramatic performances and a wide variety of
topics covered by many dedicated people, Chapel has come to represent a
meaningful spiritual retreat for many. For others it offers thoughtful
reflection on life’s issues. The open and welcoming atmosphere, profound
support for young believers, and making plain the highest values in life
have been the characteristics of Lynford’s ministry. Students who have
been confirmed over the years hold a special place for Lynford.
Profoundly serious and a deep, expert theologian, Lynford can suddenly
burst out into a zany, larger than life ‘Basil Fawlty’-like comedy actor. A
very likeable and entertaining member of the faculty, Lynford has created
his own niche in the school.
Lynford is on top form as he enjoys his final year of teaching grade 9
History and Chaplaincy of the school.
Having loved the experience here, Lynford is by no means looking to
retire from active spiritual life. After travelling and relaxing for a period of
time he will return to his life as a Priest. One thing Lynford has missed is
the full range of ages that a normal Parish offers – from toddlers to
grandparents. Lynford’s theological expertise and ability to serve others in
a crisis are wonderful qualities to admire.
As Lynford’s wife, Kaye Draper-Smith, will continue as the school
nurse, the opportunity to enjoy Lynford’s company will continue as we
offer him our best wishes for a happy and successful retirement from the
school.
By Peter Tongue
Junior Honours Choir
These gifted students auditioned in September 2000 against all competing
elementary school students on Vancouver Island. They were chosen to sing
with the BC Elementary Honours Choir in February 2001 at the UVic Centre
Auditorium. Back row: Mary Humphreys (choir director), Elizabeth Ayre,
Nicole Cook, Sally Blyth (Director of Junior School); middle row: Michaela
Onasick, Qristina Bachand, Joshua Evans, Heather Buckingham; front row:
Zachary Chan. Not in photo: Tysuke Scott.
Open House Highlights
n spite of a great downfall of snow on our school’s Open House
day on Feb. 16, 2001, we had a fine turnout of visitors to the
school. The Admissions Office continues to invite anyone who
is interested to come and visit. Please call 1-800-661-5199 for further
information.
I
15
16
amalgamation
Amalgamation 1971
By Peter Bousfield
S THE 90 TH BIRTHDAY of St.
Michael’s School draws to a close, it is
appropriate to re-visit one of the
major events in its history.
The events leading to the amalgamation of
St. Michael’s and University Schools in 1971
were not viewed favourably by everyone
concerned at the time. However, in hindsight,
as the experiment progressed, I believe
members of both original school societies
would now say that the amalgamation was a
success and should be celebrated.
A
St. Michael’s School Crest
1910-1971
University School Crest
1906-1971
St. Michael’s University
School Amalgamation
in 1971
The St. Michaels University
School Crest
today
Prior to amalgamation, University School
had appointed the Royal Trust Company to be
their fiscal agents. Fees were paid into this
office and substantial bills paid out, while the
Royal Trust Company covered the overdraft.
By 1968, the Royal Trust Company had
withdrawn their line of credit.
University School, in the late sixties, was
losing money at a rate of about $90,000 a year,
which amounted to a total of close to
$500,000 by 1970. For many years, University
School had been fortunate enough to have
board members personally bail out the school
in time of financial crisis. The debt had grown
too big for such largesse to continue – so what
was to be done?
In 1970, Mr. Clare Copeland, one of the
two new board members of University School,
was asked by Brigadier Fred Cabeldu to look
into the financial problems of the school. He
gave three options: University School could be
sold, join with St. Michael’s School, or join
with Glenlyon School. The first proposal
meant that the debt would be paid and five
senior teachers could receive a pension, but
then University School would cease to exist.
The other two proposals had the advantage of
merging with a successful and well-regarded
Junior School.
Mr. Clare Copeland explained the events
that followed this way.
“In the spring of 1970, Brigadier Fred
Cabeldu and his brother, Ted, told me to go
ahead with my proposal, that University
School and St. Michael’s amalgamate. That
would combine two of the oldest, most
respected, independent schools in BC:
University School, founded in 1906, and St.
Michael’s, a Junior School, established in 1910.
“I phoned John Nation, Chairman of the
Board of St. Michael’s School. He was a
graduate of St. Michael’s, a much-respected
member of the community, a war veteran and a
senior partner with Thorne Riddell.
“John Nation’s first reaction was to point
out that St. Michael’s had just successfully
completed a major fund-drive. The school was
debt-free and, under the Headmastership of
Peter Caleb, had a full enrollment of 177
pupils. The Board understandably looked
forward to taking things easier for a while.
“Nevertheless, with great wisdom and
foresight, John Nation recognized immediately
that the idea of amalgamation merited
consideration. Within three days he convened
an extraordinary meeting of his full Board.
Looking back, I believe his decisive, positive,
totally unselfish reaction to my proposal for
amalgamation was a turning point in the
history of the schools.
“John Nation and his Board might easily
have rested on their laurels after placing St.
Michael’s on its sound, new financial base. The
last thing they needed or desired was another
“mega project.” For the record, that Board
consisted of Mr. Peter Burchett, Dr. FA
Hamdi, Mr. TCM Davis, Mr. WG Butler and
Chairman John Nation.
“John Nation asked me to attend that
crucial extraordinary meeting of the St.
Michael’s Board and to outline the proposal of
amalgamation.
“Having outlined the proposal, I suggested
the St. Michael’s Board continue the meeting
in private and let me and the University School
Board know its decision within forty-eight
hours.
“The very next day, John Nation reported
his Board had boldly and unanimously
approved the merger and would recommend
the proposal to the St. Michael’s parents and
alumni.
“In a remarkably short time, the St.
Michael’s parents also responded positively to
the challenge of melding the two schools into
one. A majority of the University School Board
also approved, which was fortunate for I
believe that University School alone would
have been forced to close its doors.
“As I recall, the next best step was a
combined meeting of the two Boards of
Governors, which was attended by the out-oftown University School Board members from
Vancouver and Alberta. A new joint Board was
founded and a new name, St. Michaels
University School, was approved.”
The two boards unanimously voted for
Peter Caleb to become the first Headmaster of
St. Michaels University School.
One could be forgiven for not seeing a
benefit to St. Michael’s School in this union.
After all, the school was debt-free, there was a
full enrollment, the facility was only twelve
years old – there appeared to be a rosy future
on the horizon.
However, by considering the following
facts, it can be seen that the days of the small
independent school were probably numbered.
Forces and events from within and without
clearly indicate this.
amalgamation
At about the year 1970, a significant number of small BC
Independent schools had been forced to close their doors or were about
to do so – among these were Malvern House, Westerham, Vernon Prep,
Cliffside Prep, Strathcona, Athlone, and Qualicum College. This state of
affairs had been noted at the St. Michael’s Society meeting to vote on the
amalgamation with University School.
Also discussed at this meeting
were the rising costs of running a
“On the occasion of a ninetieth
school, and the advantages of a
birthday, it is very appropriate to
broader economic base to absorb
look back at important past
these costs.
events.”
In particular, teachers at
independent schools were starting
to strongly lobby their administrations for competitive salaries and the
introduction of pension and medical plan schemes that were almost nonexistent up to 1970. As individual schools improved these conditions, it
put pressure on the others to follow. The days of hiring semi-retired
people who only wanted to augment their pension income were over. So,
as more full-time career teachers
were hired, the cost of running an
“The merger made a larger school
Independent school was bound to
that was to be stronger than the
increase. These particular points
two individual parts.”
were sharply brought into focus at
University School and St.
Michael’s School. So, while for University School, in 1970, an
amalgamation was a necessity, for St. Michael’s the future prosperity of
the school was virtually assured by an amalgamation.
Each individual school was to bring advantages to the new St. Michaels
University School. St. Michael’s had the junior boys component to complete
the education picture, and its vitally
important line of credit. University
“So, while for University School,
School had grades 8 – 12, a much
in 1970, an amalgamation was a
larger campus and provided the much
needed larger economy of scale.
necessity, for St. Michael’s the
On the occasion of a ninetieth
future prosperity of the school was
birthday, it is very appropriate to look
virtually assured by an
back at important past events. The
amalgamation.”
circumstances at both schools that
came together in 1971 have made
that year a milestone in both of their histories. The merger made a larger
school that was to be stronger than the two individual parts. The founders of
both schools, I am sure, would be glad to know that their high ideals are still
being carried on in the new school. The amalgamation, then, created a
stronger academic and economic opportunity for both schools to go forward,
while at the same time drawing from a rich and proud past.
Sources
The Black and Red. Schaffter, John.
“An Interview with Clare Copeland.” Heritage, 1985.
Archive News
U
NDER
THE
CAREFUL ,
professional eye of Brenda
Waksel, assisted by the
consistent volunteer help of alum,
Mervyn Lougher-Goodey (SM ’56)
and students Hilary Flanagan,
Christina Kim, Christopher Wong
and Michael Mulley, the SMUS
Archives continues to take shape.
Thousands of photographs, documents,
and historical material are being
catalogued, identified and appropriately
stored, and the job never ends. If you
have an interest in the history of this
wonderful school and if you can offer
a few hours each week to assist with
this project, please call Brenda Waksel
at 370-6159.
Alumni Association Executive President Larry Devlin hosted a Christmas season dinner for executive
members of the SMUS Alumni Association. (l-r): Larry Devlin (US ’59), Graeme Cunningham (US ’75),
Liz Best (SMUS ’87), Henry Frew (SMUS ’78), Caroline Rueckert (SMUS ’96), Steve Bokor (SMUS
’79), Alanna Kliman (SMUS ’83), Nicky Parkinson (SMUS ’83), Christopher Spicer (US ’70), Tony
Keble (US ’62). Missing from the photo: Ian Farish, Dirk Yzenbrandt, Kyman Chan, Hugh Burnett.
17
18
archie ives
Archie Ives
dipping
deeply into the dusty darkness of the School Archives,
solving mysteries about the school, believing that the
past has an important role to play in cementing the spirit of the
present and future. We have a rich, colourful and interesting
history. Please continue to send in your queries, or come to the
Development Office or Archives to see if you can figure out who
“Archie” really is!
A
Q
Martin Nash (SMUS ’93), brother of Steve Nash – NBA, plays
what sport professionally?
A
Q
Percy Williams
Which Headmaster ran US for a year without pay?
A
Q
Soccer – he has also represented Canada on the National
team.
Name the student, US 1918, who won the 100-yard and 200-yard
run at the 1928 Olympics.
A
Q
RCHIE CONTINUES TO DO HIS RESEARCH ,
GH Scarrett, in 1935. He did this as the school was in serious
financial trouble.
Which Headmaster of US decided to use the title of “President”
rather than Headmaster?
A
JC Barnacle (1920–23). He had the school re-named
University Military School, and students were called cadets.
The following excerpt, from The Black and Red of 1920, in
Barnacle’s own words, sums up his philosophy:
The Military School
We have always had a Cadet Corps, which has won a name
for itself in the Province. We have seen the effect of the training –
the necessary obedience to orders, the necessary smartness,
punctuality, and the ability to bear responsibilities.
We feel strongly that if the boys are subjected more and more
to this method, the results will be correspondingly more
satisfactory. We shall, of course, continue to prepare our boys to
enter the University, etc. We shall still continue our programme
of games, which has done so much to build up strong,
independent characters. We contend that it is at properly
organized and supervised games a boy learns how “to play the
game” of life. We are confident that a parent will not be
disappointed with our finished product.
By the year 1920, both RV Harvey and the Rev. WW
Bolton were no longer at University School. These three had
been the founders of the school in 1906. Barnacle retired in
1923.
It is also interesting to note that in 1920, the Day Boys’
fees were $150 and boarders were charged $600.
Dear Archie,
I am impressed with the sporting accomplishments of the present staff as far as
I know them. I would be very interested in seeing a full list of those who have
represented their country. CS
Dear CS,
I am very glad you asked this question. Yes, indeed, the full list is a very
impressive one that shows a wealth of athletic talent. I expect the present
students will be particularly interested, so that I am very pleased to have
compiled it.
Robert Wilson – Canada Cricket 1959, 1966–68
Kevin Cook – Canada Rugby squad member 1986-88
Judy Tobacco – Canada Junior Track and Field 1977–79
Cliff Yorath – Wales Rugby squad member 1968
Bob Snowden – Canada U19 Cricket 1971
Evan Jones – Canada Rugby 1982-85 (5 caps)
Ian Hyde-Lay – Canada Rugby 1985-89 (3 caps)
Canada Rugby Referee 1993 – present (14 tests)
Bruce Kuklinski – Canada Rugby Referee 1995 – present (2 tests)
Peter Tongue – Canada Rugby Referee 1997–present
Chuck Shergold – Canada Rugby 1978–82 (5 caps)
Mike Walsh – Scotland Rugby squad member 1965–67
Jen Walinga – Canada Rowing – Barcelona Gold medallist
1992 World Championships Gold medal
Nancy Mollenhauer (nee Charlton) – Canada Field Hockey 1981–89,
Team Captain 1985–88
Gary Barber – see below
Gary Barber has a particularly interesting success story. Apart from
representing two countries – Great Britain and Canada – at the
international level, he has reached other heroic feats of success at middledistance running.
Between 1978 and 1990, he won 17 National Championship titles in
middle distance running (800m and 1500m). He was the second fastest
English schoolboy 800m runner ever (as of 1985). He ran a sub-fourminute mile at age 19.
In 1983 – represented Great Britain over 800m in a relay race in
which the world record was broken (and still stands today!)
1988 – was the Canadian
University 1500m champion,
winning in a record time.
1990 – ranked number one in
Canada, he was selected to
represent Canada in the Auckland
Commonwealth Games as a
1500m runner.
1990 – won the Victoria
Garden City 10k road race.
Gary is currently teaching PE
to grades 2 – 5 at the Junior School.
He has been with the school for
nine years. He is also the Assistant
Head at the Junior School.
Thank you again CS, for
leading me to research this
informative and fascinating topic
about such talented teachers. It is
most noteworthy and worthwhile
to record their achievements.
Until the dust settles…Archie
Gary Barber – a very, very fast
runner!
r. a . ( b o b ) b r o w n
R.A. (Bob) BROWN - University School, 1930-32
Canadian Business Hall of Fame
By Robert Wilson
1958, Brown Hall and three classrooms beneath it were
officially opened. It was the first major building project at
University School since the original campus was completed after
the laying of the cornerstone in 1908.
At the official opening of Brown Hall, Headmaster John Timmis
explained the 50 year hiatus between 1908 and 1958 thus :
I
N JUNE
“The natural catastrophes of two World Wars and the economic
depressions of the mid twenties and early thirties made replacements
impossible, and indeed there were times when the continued existence
of the school itself seemed hopeless, and only the persistent efforts of
certain Old Boys such as Brig. Cabeldu, Col. Russell Ker, Col. Roland
Kingham and Mr. Winslow of the Royal Trust averted the
catastrophe.”
Brown Hall was a family gift, given by Mrs. Brown as a tribute to her
son Bob, who at this time was President of Home Oil Company in
Calgary, and already an icon in Western Canada’s burgeoning oil industry.
Bob Brown was born in March 1914 and attended University School
for his final two high school years: 1930-32. His University School career
was not particularly auspicious: he completed a successful Grade 12
Junior Matriculation and played 1st XV Rugby in 1931-1932, but did
not display the fullness of his undoubted ability. He had a real business
acumen which he then took into the family oil enterprise.
Bob’s father, Bob Brown Senior, was a real pioneer oil man in Alberta.
He was an engineer and partner in Brown-Moyer, a firm which “worked”
the Turner Valley area SW of Calgary. In the late 1930s Bob Brown
joined his father and the company became Brown, Moyer and Brown.
In World War II, Bob Brown joined the Navy and was posted to
Ottawa, where his job included the acquisition and distribution of fuels.
He also developed contacts in the
Federal Government, which
would turn out to be useful in
later years.
After World War II, two
events brought about a real
change in Alberta’s oil industry:
the major oil find at Leduc,
southeast of Edmonton, in 1947,
and the great Pipeline Debate
of the mid 50s. Alberta had
discovered a large quantity of oil
and needed a pipeline to ship the
crude oil to Central Canada. Bob
Brown and Home Oil Company
were prominent in what became a
time of spectacular growth. Of
these times, Benton Mackid, a
friend and fellow alumnus, says of
Bob Brown:
“…but for a problem of health
he would have been a kingmaker,
there was no question about it.
He was responsible for Trans Canada
Pipelines and almost single-handedly
brought in the people to run that
company. He was also instrumental
in getting the American end under
way: it really was quite a feat.”
In the late 1950s until 1971 Bob
Brown was not only President of
Home Oil but also a member of the
Board of University School. He
showed a real interest in the school,
through his financial support and
the steering of sons of Home Oil
employees to the school. He had a
Robert Brown in 1932
close friendship with Headmaster
John Timmis, and from his student days knew Reg Wenman, for whom
he had a high regard. Despite a heavy schedule he attended as many
Board meetings as possible. Benton Mackid was a fellow Board member
from Calgary and often was able to accompany Bob Brown and fly into
Victoria aboard the Home Oil executive jet!
Bob Brown also owned a handsome house at Qualicum Beach. It
overlooked the golf course, which was part of his property. He was a great
host who presided over some magnificent and memorable salmon fishing
weekends, attended by many captains of industry and celebrities from all
over North America and Europe.
The year 1971 brought about amalgamation and the end of Bob
Brown’s association with the school. By 1970 there was a declining
enrolment, John Timmis retired after 22 years at the helm and by early
1971 University School was in deep financial trouble. The amalgamation
Drawing of Brown Hall and School House by Edward Goodall.
19
20
cadet corps honoured
of St. Michael’s and University School officially took effect in September
1971 with a new Board of Governors.
Bob Brown died suddenly in 1972. He suffered a fatal heart attack
while on a business trip to Toronto. Home Oil had invested heavily in
Alaska, and this had not been successful. In 1971 Consumers’ Gas of
Canada took over Home Oil, although Bob Brown remained chief
executive until his death. He is still remembered as a builder and one of
the real characters of Western Canada’s oil industry, which has gone from
strength to strength…with a few
stutters on the way. Bob Brown’s
enormous contribution has
recently been recognised by his
induction into the Canadian
Business Hall of Fame. The
University of Calgary recognized
his efforts by awarding him an
honorary LL.B in 1968. And he
made a strong, though less
flamboyant contribution to the
well-being of University School.
Drawing of the interior of Brown
Hall by Edward Goodall. The dining
hall still looks much the same today.
Cadet Corps Honoured
CADET CORPS AT UNIVERSITY SCHOOL was honoured by
the Alumni Association, which unveiled its fourth heritage sign
on November 6, 2000. The sign tells the story of the Cadet
Corps that was a fixture of school life from 1906 until it was disbanded in
1970.
Alumni directors, school governors and invited alumni guests
attended a Senior School assembly before the heritage sign was unveiled.
Captain Wilf Lund, RCN (Ret.) Head Boy (US ’59), spoke to students
about the tradition of the Corps and noted its role in being the first taste
of “military life” for students like Cecil Merritt (US ’23) who went on to
win a Victoria Cross for bravery at Dieppe in World War II. The
importance of “Inspection Day”– the annual review of the Corps – and
the importance of the Corps in making the school known in Victoria by
public parades and Sunset Ceremonies on the lawn of the Parliament
Buildings, were described to an interested audience of students and
school faculty.
The heritage sign is located on the eastern face of School House,
facing the Quad where the Corps drilled for so many years. It was
unveiled by Captain Lund following a school assembly.
The black and red flag of the Corps (Battalion #170) currently hangs
in the Chapel near the rolls of honour. These include the names of the
102 alumni who were killed in the two World Wars.
The Cadet Corps sign is the latest in a new programme of the Alumni
Association to make the history and traditions of SMUS visible to today’s
school community. Currently installed are signs recognizing Harvey
House and the first class of girls in 1978, a sign about the building of the
T
HE
Chapel by the boys in 1961, and a sign at the Junior School marking the
unique contribution of the Symons family to the history of SMUS.
A new sign about the importance of School House will be unveiled on
Alumni Weekend, May 4 – 6, 2001.
Alumni President Larry Devlin, Headmaster Robert Snowden and Capt.
Wilf Lund unveiled the fourth heritage sign commemorating the Cadet Corps.
history of the incogs
The Incogs at Windsor Park, July 2, 2000. Standing (l-r) (* denotes non-school connection): Murray Hooker*, Mike Fecteau*, Nick Grant, Damian Grant, Andy
Maxwell, Simon Phillips, Richard Barnett*, Liam Hassett, Jeremy Goodwin, John Wenman, Jim Wenman, Rob Wilson (scorer). Kneeling: Tony Coppens (Alum),
Duncan Maxwell, Guy Drake, and the young Incog-to-be, Brennan Phillips.
The Incogs and Cricket:
part of the school’s tradition…
By Robert Wilson
T
UNIVERSITY INCOGS CRICKET CLUB was founded in 1912
and has been a member of the Victoria and District Cricket
Association (VDCA) since that date. It is the second oldest club
in the VDCA and its home ground has always been University School,
later to become the SMUS Senior Campus on Richmond Road.
The team is now known as the Incogs Cricket Club and while it is
still guided by the original Foundation Principles, there has been some
straying. Indeed, when the Rev. WW Bolton returned to University
School as Headmaster in 1925 after a five-year sojourn in the South
Pacific Islands, he had a real concern about the Incogs official title that
had clearly changed in his absence. Mr. Bolton was upset enough to write
a letter to the Club, and the letter is hereby reprinted, in its first part,
from The Black and Red – December 1925 Edition:
HE
To the Members of
“The Incogs” Cricket Club
Victoria, B.C.
September 14, 1925
Gentlemen:
I would take the opportunity of the close of your playing season for 1925
to bring before you certain all important facts intimately connected with the
future well-being of your Club.
As time has passed since your first organization, it appears that, perhaps
unconsciously but none the less most effectively, the Club has forgotten the
Foundation Principles of your existence.
I would state them briefly, and as two of the Founders of the School and
Club are still on the spot, the accuracy of my statements cannot be gainsaid.
1. Your Club’s name is not “Incogs” but a most important difference –
“University Incogs.”
2. The members of your Club are to consist:
(a) Of Present and Past Masters
(b) Of Present and Past Parents of Boys who have attended or are
attending the School.
(c) Of Old Boys and such Present Boys as are qualified to take part in the
matches.
3. There is no place for others, save on invitation by the Committee for a
match, not with the idea of strengthening the side so as to insure a win
but to give such a friend, an afternoon’s enjoyment.
4. The captain of the Club is one of the Present Cricket Playing Masters of
the School: none other is eligible. Out of the number of those on the Staff
the selection is made by the members of the Club, of whom, of course, the
Headmaster is President.
5. The idea running throughout the organization is that of affording an
opportunity to any connected by the above ties with the School, for a
pleasant game, and to encourage the young players at the School to
persevere in becoming expert and efficient: these latter to be freely given
the very first place in the thought of the senior members on all and every
occasion.
21
22
history of the incogs
The letter continues and is not further quoted, but the contents
shown do state the Foundation Principles and mirror Mr. Bolton’s
disapproval of the change of title. On receipt of the letter, a Club meeting
took place on the November 24, 1925 and Mr. Bolton won his case. The
Club’s Vice-President, Mr. JC Barnacle, co-founder of the school, and a
keen, active cricketer, attended the meeting.
How have things changed since these events of 1925? In answering
the points made by Mr. Bolton, a year 2001 assessment would show that:
1. The Club goes by the title of “Incogs.”
2. There are playing members who have no affiliation with the school,
but the Club is still dominated by those with school connections.
3. The Captain is no longer a Master at the school: in fact no member of
the present Faculty plays for the Club. Jeremy Goodwin, who retired
in 1998, plays occasionally.
4. The Club is keen to give youth its chance, and thankfully, Mr. David
Fisher, who runs the school Cricket Programme, is passionate about
the game and tireless in his efforts. In the 2000 season he arranged
over 20 games in which more than 60 students participated.
On the subject of Captaincy of the Incogs, it seems that JC Barnacle
and J Wenman were the early “skippers” and in later years until the
1940s, Patrick Howden, FA (Francis Ashley) Sparks and Reg Wenman led
the team. Incidentally, FA Sparks was a very good cricketer and a devoted
Incog, for on his death, he was cremated and his ashes spread on the
cricket pitch, according to his wishes. Reg Wenman was captain in the
post-war years. In 1959, Rob Wilson took over until his move to Ontario
in 1965, when Reg Wenman and Geoff Rooper (US ’54) took the
responsibility. Rob Wilson returned in 1974 and was Captain until 1993.
Since 1993, the Captaincy has been undertaken by Eric Kjekstad (US
’65), Andy Maxwell (SMUS ’79), and for the last four years, by Nick
Grant (SMUS ’84). Nick has done extremely well and his skill has been
recognized by the VDCA appointing him Captain of the Victoria
Representative Team.
The Incogs Cricket Club has enjoyed a good measure of success over
the years and early editions of the University School The Black and Red
magazine often made reference to successes in the Victoria League. Reg
Wenman (US ’12-21 and US Faculty ’25-71) was the star of the team. In
addition to his heroics on the local scene, Reg led tours to the BC
Interior and to California, and on September 3, 1939, the day World War
II was declared in London, Reg was playing cricket in Hollywood!
The full Australia team, which included the legendary Sir Donald
Bradman, toured Canada in 1932. Two games were played here at the
school, and Reg played against them, and also for Western Canada vs
Australia in Winnipeg. The Australian team returned to the school in
1975 to play against a BC XI.
Incogs who have represented Canada are Jim Weaver (US ’27-31), a
boarder from Edmonton, Rob Wilson and Jim Wenman (US ’66). Simon
Phillips (SMUS ’79) played at the Under 25 level. Several Incogs and
non-Incog students have played for the Canadian Colts (Under 19): these
include Michael Gerry (US ’56), Arthur Shaffer (US ’60), Albert Goward
(US ’63), Peter Nation (SM ’64), Nick Tooke (SMUS ’87), Jeremy
Cordle (SMUS ’91) and Glen Roberts (SMUS ’01). Current Headmaster
Bob Snowden can also be included as a player, while staff members Tony
Cordle and Rob Wilson were on Colts Tours in the capacity of coaching
and management. Present-day Incogs Andy Maxwell and Damian Grant
both won selection to Colts tours, but injury and illness prevented them
from playing.
from The Black and Red, 1925-27
Cricket has been played at the school since 1908.
In more recent years, 1980-1990 was a particularly successful decade
for the Incogs: six VDCA League Championships, two BC Provincial
titles and in 1985, the banner year, we won the Western Canada
Tournament in Vancouver. Another great year was 1997, when the team
was unbeaten in League play.
The present Incogs team has a strong selection of alumni regulars:
John Wenman (US ’59), Eric Kjekstad (US ’65), Jim Wenman (US ’66),
Guy Drake (SMUS ’74), Andy Maxwell (SMUS ’79), Simon Phillips
(SMUS ’79), Nick Grant (SMUS ’84), Damian Grant (SMUS ’93),
Sebastian Bonet (SMUS ’96), Matthew Wenman (SMUS ’96) and
hopefully, for 2001, Graham Snowden (SMUS ’99). In the year 2000
season, Sebastian Bonet was the outstanding VDCA cricketer; he could
have a bright future in the game, for he has a real enthusiasm, an
improving technique, and great athleticism. All he needs is more
experience. The 2000 season also heralded an outstanding year for Eric
Kjekstad, who scored the most runs and topped the VDCA batting
averages.
Two very young and very fine alumni were lost to the Incogs, both to
unfortunate and untimely deaths: Michael Van Lijf (SMUS ’85), and
Liam Hassett (SMUS ’96). They learned their cricket at the school, and
the present pitch and practice nets were installed in memory of Michael.
Another note of historical interest is that since 1912 there has always
been a Wenman involved with the Incogs. Reg Wenman, clearly a cricket
as well as a school icon, played for the Incogs from approximately 1920
to 1980. Reg’s father, John, was a Founding Member of the Club and
evidently played until he was 79 years old! Reg and his brother, Godfrey
(US ’23), represented the next generation, followed by John and Jim,
with Matthew the sole member of the fourth generation. In keeping with
Wenman longevity, John started playing for Incogs in the mid 1950s, and
is still going strong!
While Cricket has never been a major sport in Canada, it is so in
many other Commonwealth countries. University School and St.
Michael’s School made the game an important one in their early years; so
Cricket is a part of our school’s tradition. The present school Cricket
programme is refreshing, and the Incogs, while not operating strictly to
the Foundation Principles of University School’s and the Club’s Founders
established in 1912, still play the game with success and enthusiasm and
are a great credit to the school and to Cricket in Victoria, British
Columbia and Canada.
alumni news
Alumni News
Annual General Meeting of Alumni
Association May 5, 2001 – Wenman Pavilion
All alumni are encouraged to attend the AGM of the Alumni
Association, to be held in Wenman Pavilion on Saturday, May 5 at 1:30
pm. The meeting will follow shortly after the First XV rugby match
during Alumni Weekend.
The Association is now managing financial assets exceeding $100,000,
which support the Scholarship and Awards Fund. An Investment
Committee was formed this year to manage these assets and important
changes have been made in the eligibility for Scholarships and Awards.
For the first time, a small pool of money has been reserved to support
children or grandchildren of alumni who are either at, or entering the
school.
The Association has also begun a number of new programme
initiatives to serve both the school and alumni. These include the
installation of Heritage signs around the campus, special receptions to
reach younger alumni, increasing the membership of alumni in the
SMUS Society, a new agreement with the school about alumni donations
to Annual Giving, planning of a Heritage Day for current students,
support for the archives, co-operation with teachers to support career
counselling, the writing of a history of the school, and closer ties with the
Board of Governors and school administration.
Four alumni are now members of the Board of Governors.
Come and hear about these new developments and participate in
setting directions for the Association over the next few years. A new
President and slate of Directors will be elected during the Annual General
Meeting on May 5. All alumni are welcome and are encouraged to come
out and vote.
Four Alumni Now Members
of the Board of Governors
For the first time in recent school history, four alumni are members of
the Board of Governors. Larry Devlin, (US ’59), Tom Rigos (US ’61),
Tony Souza (SMUS ’72) and Marianne Anderson (SMUS ’80) are all
serving as elected or appointed Governors.
Tom Rigos is currently Director of Engineering Operations for
Physio-Control based in Redmond, Washington. He was Head Boy in
1961. He and his brother Jim (US ’60) have been active supporters of the
school for many years.
Tony Souza, a Ker Cup winner in 1972, lives in Hong Kong where he
is associated with the Standard and Chartered Bank. Tony has hosted
many school members and staff on trips to Hong Kong and has attended
the last two Headmaster’s Retreats which have helped chart the strategic
future of the school.
Marianne Anderson has attended recent SMUS retreats and is
currently Vice President and Director, First Marathon Securities Ltd. in
Toronto. She was in the first class of girls and was Head Girl in 1980.
Larry Devlin (US ’59) is Adjunct Associate Professor in the Faculty of
Education at UVic where he was also the first Director of the Division of
Continuing Education. Larry sits on the Board as SMUS Alumni
President.
“I compliment our current Board of Governors for reaching out to
alumni as part of their Strategic Plan,” Dr. Devlin said. “All governors
serve the school very well and alumni Governors, in particular, bring a
unique and important perspective to issues affecting our present and
future. It is a great pleasure to be working with this group.”
Alumni Gather at Four Receptions
Four alumni receptions were held in Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle and
Toronto and a fifth is planned for late March at the University of British
Columbia.
“These receptions have been very successful in attracting younger
alumni of the school,” said Dr. Larry Devlin, Alumni President. “I am
very grateful to all those who worked hard to organize the events.”
Together Again – The Class of 1996
Share Christmas Cheer
“Just four and a half years after SMUS, the 1996 grad class returned
to its old stomping grounds on December 27, 2000 for a reunion at
Wenman Pavilion. Forty grads made an appearance, taking the evening as
an opportunity to share in food and drink, catch up with past events, and
discuss futures. Happily, it was discovered that no one had grown up in
the time since graduation! So many of the grad class were away overseas
or out-of-town, and many folks had fallen out of contact with the school,
yet it was an excellent turnout, and a great time was had by all. The
success of the evening must be attributed in part to the Development
Office and to the Alumni Association, who generously provided the food,
so a big thank you goes out to them! To all the folks who were unable to
come – please update your contact information with the school, and sign
up in the Alumni e-mail Directory to stay in touch and learn about the
next events!”
Jack Wong and Caroline Rueckert conceived this idea, brought
classmates together, organized the evening, and had a terrific time. A
huge Thank you to them. Now, the class of 1997 might consider a
similar function in December!
Gathering with friends at the Christmas 2000 Five Year Cheer Event held at
the Wenman Pavilion are (l-r) Rob Connolly, Meggan Hunt, Colin Dyer,
Marcus Kirk and Hayden Thompson, all from the Class of 1996.
Together again at the
Christmas Reunion (l-r):
Chelsea Jones, Krista
Brown, Megan Smith
and Caroline Rueckert.
23
24
alumni news
Vancouver Reception
Another successful reception held for alumni living in Vancouver took
place on January 18th, 2001. Co-sponsored by the school and the
Alumni Association, the reception was held in the Board Room of Pacific
International Securities in downtown Vancouver. Steve Bokor (SMUS
’79), currently Treasurer of the Association, and Alex Wardle (SMUS
’91), our SMUS alumni Vancouver representative, worked with Chris
Spicer (US ’70), the school’s Director of Development, to arrange an
event attended by more than forty alumni.
At the Vancouver alumni reception, the school was presented with a
timeless photo of a St. Michael’s School class. Our thanks to Eric
Metcalfe (SM ’58), for this contribution, and even more importantly, we
thank Eric for bringing along fellow alumnus Gary Lee Nova (Nairn)
(SM ’58) to the reception. Both Gary and Eric are senior staff with the
Emily Carr College of Art on Granville Island, Vancouver.
Headmaster Bob Snowden outlined exciting plans for a new building
programme at the school and Rob Wilson, former Headmaster and
Director of Admissions, greeted many alumni by their first names. Bob
Snowden, Rob Wilson and Chris Spicer continued on to Seattle where
they met with alumni from the Puget Sound area.
Toronto Reception
On Wednesday, March 7, 2001, twenty school alums gathered at the
RCYC in Toronto, Ontario for a wine and cheese reception. Many thanks
go to current board member and alumna Marianne Anderson (SMUS
’80) who very generously arranged for the lovely location, and the
delicious food. It was wonderful to see so many of our alums “back east.”
Thank you to everyone who attended.
Pictured in photo: Marlis Sawicki (SMUS ’85), Jim Musgrave (US ’60),
Stephanie Gill (SMUS ’95), Andrew Dooner (SMUS ’96). Back: Tessa
Anglin (SMUS ’96) with Marianne Anderson (SMUS ’80).
Class of ’86 Reunion
On January 19, 2001, Alumni from over five decades gathered together to
hear of school developments, meet with old friends and reconnect with their
school. (l-r): Tom Rigos (US ’61), Jacques Garrigues (US ’67) and Rob
Wilson chat at Seattle, Washington’s Athletic Club. This annual event was
hosted by Headmaster Bob Snowden and his wife, Joan.
HEY GANG! Can you believe it’s been 15 years already? Let’s get together
and catch up! A fun-filled weekend has been planned for May 4th to
reconnect with old friends. Please contact Jen or Michelle for more
information (see page 26 for contact information), and don’t forget to
register with the SMUS e-mail directory to make it easier to keep in
touch with your classmates. Hope to see you all soon!
New Arrangements for Alumni Annual Giving
HE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION and the school have formed a new
partnership to encourage alumni participation in the Annual
Giving campaign.
For the first time, individual alumni can direct their gifts to the
Alumni Scholarship and Awards Fund, which currently assists six students
each year and is also designed to encourage children or grandchildren of
alumni to attend SMUS.
“This is an important new arrangement,” said Larry Devlin, Alumni
President. “We want more alumni to participate in the Annual Campaign
and we think that having something special to give to will help this goal.”
The Annual Campaign is designed to help keep SMUS at the top
rank of independent schools by providing support for bursaries,
computers, endowment, faculty renewal and other needs which cannot be
provided for in the regular operating budget. Last year, donors gave more
than $400,000, including special gifts.
The Alumni Scholarship and Awards Fund has been built up by
donations from alumni over the years and the new arrangement with the
school will assist the Alumni Association to increase both the number of
students it supports and the amount of assistance to each student.
T
Omission Apology
It is the intention of the SMUS Development Office to
acknowledge all donors to St. Michaels University School, in every
Fall School Ties. As the office is going through a data system
upgrade, the names of some valued school supporters were
inadvertently missed in the last edition. We apologize for this
omission to the following, and thank them for their support:
Ms. Ann Bodley-Scott
Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Christensen
Dr. & Mrs. Gordon Duke
Mr. & Mrs. Stewart Dunlop
The Honourable Mr. Davie Fulton
Mr. & Mrs. Harold & Denise Hayes
Mr. J Horne
Dr. & Mrs. Gerry Lambe
Dr. & Mrs. Won Tae Lee
Mr. & Mrs. John Schaffter
Mr. James Wenman
alumni news
The Annual Fund Update
T
SMUS 2000 – 2001
Annual Fund is evolving.
Steps are being taken to
increase awareness within our wider
school family as to the need for this
vital fundraising while broadening
the base of support for the school.
The Strategic Plan identifies a
number of strategic initiatives that
give focus to future planning at the
school. It is clear that the Annual
Fund must continue to develop in
order to assist in meeting the needs
of SMUS, as identified by the wider
HE
school community through their
work in the strategic planning
process.
Barbara Duncan, a Junior
School parent, accepted a volunteer
position as Day Parent Chair for
the Annual Fund this year. Barbara
worked extremely hard to identify
other day parents who were
personally supportive of the
Annual Fund, people who would
work with her and the school as
Parent Grade Representatives. This
tremendous group of twenty
Annual Fund Day Parent Volunteers (l-r): Mary Ann Bentzon, Dennis
Grimmer, Betty Faryna, Pieter de Groot, Deb Acheson, Stephen Martin, Terry
Harper, Holly Erwin, Dolores Morin, Deborah Beban, Barbara Duncan.
Missing: Alan Scott, Jane Beach, Susan Sharp, Keith Homer, Ian Izard,
Grace Kho, Chuck Burkett, Brian Cameron, Susan Considine.
dedicated parents was inspirational
in their passion for the cause –
helping to build a stronger SMUS
– and was committed to going the
extra mile in relating the needs of
the school to the day family
community. This is an ongoing
initiative, and we are looking for
additional parents to join us in
forging these supportive links
with the school.
Deb Acheson, one of our Annual
Fund Day Parent Volunteers,
developed a new approach to
generating financial support for
SMUS. Deb is a lawyer in
Victoria, and in conversation with
another SMUS parent, lawyer and
board member, John Finlay,
created the SMUS Lawyers
Scholar Award. Deb and John
contacted other SMUS parentlawyers and encouraged them to
support this new endowment
fund that will eventually generate
student bursaries. Initial interest is
sufficiently encouraging that the
school is now considering other
professional groups within our
school family who might have a
similar interest. Please call Chris
Spicer at 370-6197 with your ideas.
Alumni
Achievements
Viking
Champions
The University of Victoria
Vikings Women’s Field Hockey
Team hosted the Canadian
University Championship – and
won the gold. Meggan Hunt
(SMUS ’96) was named to the
first all-star team in her last
year of university competition,
and Jessa Jennings (SMUS
’00) was nominated for rookie
of the year honours.
Another Vike athlete who
completed an impressive career
with Women’s Basketball is
Joanna Holdsworth (SMUS
’96) whose final game was in
Edmonton at the National
tournament. Also on that Vike
team was Krystal O’Byrne
(SMUS ’99).
Doubling Donations
Dirk Yzenbrandt (SMUS ’77), a school alumnus who added his support to
the Annual Fund this year, called the Development Office some weeks after
sending in his donation. He had just discovered that his place of employment
offers matching gifts for donations made by employees to recognized charities.
Simply put, this means that with very little paperwork, Dirk’s donation will
now double, with the employer matching his gift amount. There are many
companies who offer matching gift programmes for employees. Please review
the following list of known companies in Canada that do this to encourage
community philanthropy. Is your company in this list? Call Chris Spicer at
(250) 370-6197.
Known Matching Gift Companies In Canada
Aetna Canada
Aim Investments (formerly Trimark)
Alcan
American Express Matching Program
American Home Products Corp.
Bell Canada
Bell Canada International
Bristol Myers - Mead Johnson
Brown-Forman Corp.
Canadian Tire [Directors only]
Celanese Canada
Chubb Insurance Canada
Clarica Life Insurance Company
(formerly Mutual Life of Canada)
Claridge Foundation
Colour Systems
Deutsche Bank Canada
Eaton Corporation
Gap Inc.
The CGC Charitable Foundation
General Electric Canada Inc.
General Reinsurance Corporation
Glaxo Canada Inc.
Globe and Mail
Goldman Sachs & Company
JP Morgan & Company Inc.
KPMG
Kraft Canada
MacMillan Bloedel
Manulife Insurance
(for United Way gifts only)
Marsh Canada Limited
(formerly Marsh & McLennan Inc.)
Merrill Lynch
(gives through CAF America; now
owns Midland Walwyn)
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Microsoft
Molson Company Donation Fund
Nabisco Ltd.
Nesbitt Burns
Noranda Group
Nortel Networks
North West Life
Northern Telecom Ltd.
Pearson Education (US)
Pearson Education Canada
Pfizer Canada Inc.
PPG Canada Inc.
R Howard Webster Foundation
Reuters Canada
RGA Reinsurance Company
of Canada
Rio Algom
Rothmans, Benson & Hedges
Seagram Company Ltd
Sir Joseph Flavelle Foundation
Sun Microsystems
T Rowe Price
TELUS (formerly BC Tel)
Toronto Star (Torstar)
Towers Perrin Inc.
TransCanada Pipelines
Xerox of Canada
25
26
alumni weekend
13
Alumni Reunion Weekend
Reasons to attend
May 4, 5 & 6, 2001 - Schedule of Events
We would really like to see
you on Alumni Weekend!
Friday, May 4, 2001
Here are 13 great reasons to
attend:
and renew school
1 Come
friendships! See how time has
treated your classmates
your respects to former
2 Pay
teachers – sit in on one of
their classes
at the school with your
3 Party
old school friends on Saturday
night – it’s a fabulous Dinner
and Dance with a very
entertaining floorshow (no
partner required)
View the school’s new building
4 plans
(very exciting!)
Meet the four alumni who are
5 now on the Board of Governors
and give them your views
the First XV play one
6 Watch
of its great rugby rivals on
Saturday morning (barbecue
lunch and cold beverages
available)
Attend your Class Reunion.
7 Party with your “old” classmates
all night long! This year,
Reunion years are: 1991,
1986, 1981, 1976, 1971,
1966, 1961, and 1951
the new Heritage signs
8 See
around the school
your picture in the
9 Find
Archives display for alumni
what the Alumni
10 Hear
Association has done to
represent you during the
past year
a cricket match on
11 Watch
Sunday (tea included, of
course)
“war stories” about your
12 Tell
time at school
“comfortable” in the
13 Feel
familiar environment of the
school
Any one of these is probably
enough reason to join us on May
4, 5 and 6. We would certainly
like to see you.
Larry Devlin
President,
SMUS Alumni Association
8:15 am
School Chapel Assembly. Alumni
are invited to attend a school
chapel assembly
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Academic classes. Alumni are
invited to sit in on a senior school
academic class. Please notify Chris
Spicer ([email protected]) if you
intend to participate
Reception for Alumni from 1920 – 1966 & their
significant others. Hosted by the
Headmaster Bob Snowden, and
his wife, Joan
6:00 pm – 6:30 pm Cocktails at Reynolds House
6:30 pm
Dinner at Reynolds House
Saturday, May 5, 2001
9:00 am
FRIDAY RECEPTIONS
Time to boot up your computer and get in
touch with your class rep! Find out the
who/what/where/why/when and how you will
meet. Plans are being made for your class
reunion on Friday, May 4, 2001.
Class of 1951
Class of 1961
Class of 1966
Class of 1971
Class of 1976
Class of 1981
e-mail Ian Kingham:
[email protected]
email Bryan Tassin:
[email protected]
or email Tom Rigos:
[email protected]
e-mail Jim Wenman:
[email protected]
TBA. Call SMUS Alumni Office
e-mail Bill Hope:
[email protected]
e-mail Andrew Bekes:
[email protected]
e-mail Jen McCallum:
[email protected]
or e-mail Michelle Jones:
[email protected]
e-mail Alex Wardle:
[email protected]
or e-mail Sara Card:
[email protected]
or phone Catherine Lambe:
(250) 370-1617
Alumni Association Executive host
breakfast for the Graduation Class
Class of 1986
of 2001
10:00 am – 2:00 pm Alumni Reunion Weekend
Registration – Wenman Pavilion
Class of 1991
10:30 am
Alumni Chapel Service celebrating
40 years since construction of the
school chapel commenced,
remembering Christine Duke
11:30 am
SMUS First XV Rugby vs. Oak
Bay High School
11:45 am
Alumni & Friends Barbecue and no-host bar at Wenman Pavilion deck. BBQ tickets
available at registration table
1:30 pm
Alumni Association Annual General Meeting at Wenman Pavilion
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Events & Activities
SPORTS EVENTS:
• School Field Hockey XI vs. Alumni
• Billy G. Alumni Basketball Classic
• Alumni Rugby Touch VIIs
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
• Campus tours
• School Music Groups perform
• Archives display, second floor, School House
• New facilities display, School House foyer
2:45 pm
Alumni Donors Recognition Reception. Chapel Cloister area
6:00 pm – 12:30 pm Outstanding Dinner Buffet, Dance and Silent Auction
• Music and entertainment provided by the fabulous Timebenders, with lead
guitarist, alumnus Tom Watson (SMUS ’80). Enjoy a gourmet feast with
friends. Dance the night away! Watch for the Silent Auction
• See the school cast perform excerpts from the stage production of Cabaret
• Tickets on sale now! Cost is $35 per person. Book your table (seats 8) or individual
tickets right away. Call Donna Ray at (250) 370-6175 or [email protected]
Sunday, May 6, 2001
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
School XI vs. Alumni XI Cricket Match. Call John Wenman at (250) 598-5477 or
e-mail: [email protected], if you wish to play a few overs
alumni news
Recollections from Past Grads – Class of 1981
I
T WAS A LONG TIME AGO ,
1981. Here is a consolidation of
recollections from a few grads. Our graduation was 20 years ago,
but many of our grads started in the Junior School in the mid 70s.
Grades 4 - 7 (Sept 1972 – June 1976)
For those few lifers who started in grade 4 and the additional few who
started between grades 4 - 7, a few memories are:
Playing quad hockey (with hockey cards), playing in the teacher’s
chess tournament with Mr. Bousfield, attending Mr. Harris’ science class,
playing Rugby (grades 6 and 7) and cross country with Mr. McAlpine,
listening to stories by Mr. Symons, working on war projects with Mr.
Lancaster; all were a lot of fun.
There were two dramatic productions of note during our time at the
Junior School. The first was a musical called Trial by Jury and the second
was a play about some baron named Ball (or something like that)
involving a large dragon (made of black garbage bags and tape).
There was the unofficial use of the basement under the gym for a
pellet gun shooting range, using the fluorescent tubes as targets.
There was the invention of the game of scrub. It was played in the
back quad, outside the science lab, using a tennis ball and just about any
piece of sport equipment imaginable: tennis racquets, hockey sticks, etc.
The game was based loosely on floor hockey.
Grade 8 (Sept 1976 – June 1977)
For those boys who came from public school, it was the shock of arriving
to an all-boys school, the uniform and the discipline. TGIF had a whole
different meaning to us. Friday was the day the detention lists went up.
We got to see the names, usually the same ones having detentions for one
to two hours. Back when there was a quad, some involved sweeping the
quad. Then there were the canings, and worst of all for some, being gated
for the whole weekend! Being gated meant checking in with the
supervising Master every half an hour, either all day or all weekend.
Sitting in chapel, one would watch the prefects patrol to make sure one’s
top button was done up, failure meant an automatic half hour detention.
This was the last year for the use of the shooting range under the Senior
School Gym. The Games schedule was always varied in the fall and spring.
When it wasn’t rugby, it was rugby. Grade eight brought us the last year of
Peter Caleb as Headmaster and the first time Rob Wilson was Headmaster.
Grade 9 (Sept 1977 – June 1978)
This year brought a new headmaster John Schaffter. With his arrival,
many changes were to come. Dermod Travis was Head Boy. For many of
us Day Boys, he was our most memorable Head Boy. He turned the Tuck
Shop area into a video arcade with foosball and pinball machines. We had
“slave day” where one could buy a grade 12 for the day to do whatever
was needed. Then there was Mr. Piete’s desire to show us a dead octopus,
but little did he know that the experience would linger for weeks in
Classroom Block.
Grade 10 (Sept 1978 – June 1979)
This grade brought the biggest change next to the amalgamation of St.
Michaels and University School, and that was GIRLS! The first girls came
to the school in grades 10 through 12 only. I think it was as big of a
shock for the students as for the staff. But the introduction of girls was in
fact small. There were only fifteen girls in each grade. The ratio of boys to
girls was four to one.
Grade 11 (Sept 1979 – June 1980)
Funny enough, the end of the year was the high point. We finished exams
a week early and trudged off to Strathcona Park for a week of kayaking,
canoeing and climbing such peaks as Mount Myra and King’s Peak.
Brown Hall food was better.
Grade 12 (Sept 1980 – June 1981)
This year brought the final push for exams, another successful Howard
Russell Cup, Advance Placement exams, fetal pig dissection, Mr.
Gardiner’s naughty bits lectures. Lots of pre-grad celebrations and the
summer skip-out day, lunchtime meant locker-soccer in the gym.
This is a small snapshot of what went on at SMUS while we, the grad
class of 1981, attended SMUS. I urge all our grads to come back
May 4, 5, 6, 2001 to our 20 year Reunion.
Andrew Békés
Chair, SMUS Grad 1981 Reunion Committee
(Members: Jane Finley (Cassady), Peta Tibbetts, George Spentzos,
Mike Lambe and Laurel Laturnus (Neil).
Attention
Alums who have married Alums!!
We are currently attempting to accumulate a comprehensive list of
our Alumni who have married Alumnae. The list we have so far consists of:
Kathy (Olsson) ’83 & David Achtem ’79
Cathy (Juricic) ’89 & Alisdair Boraston ’89
Tara (Strong) ’95 & Andrew Crawford ’95
Suzanne (Bradley) ’88 & Greg Damant ’88
Paula (Psyllakis) ’88 & Brian De Wit ’87
Kara (McCulloch) ’86 & Gavin Dry ’86
Allison (Southgate) ’83 & Kurt Fellner ’81
Amyrose (McCue) ’96 & Patrick Gill ’97
Alison (Moat) ’80 & Angus Graeme ’80
Melanie (Dovey) ’87 & Michael Hadfield ’85
Susan (Leach) ’86 & Nelson Ko ’86
Alanna (Dokken) ’83 & Brian Kliman ’82
Laurel (Neil) ’81 & Bill Laturnus ’81
Christine (Reilly) ’90 & Jeffrey Marin ’90
Gillian (Baddeley) ’92 & Greg Miller ’91
Tina (Bruehler) ’83 & Steven O’Connor ’83
Nicki (Taylor) ’83 & John Parkinson ’83
Leigh Ann (Hazell) ’88 & Mark Penaluna ’88
Shannon (Hill) ’85 & Greg Southgate ’84
Lisa (Cohen) ’91 & Kevin Wallis ’91
If you should be and are not on the list, or know of a missing couple –
please contact the Development Office at (250) 370-6176.
27
28
alumni updates
Alumni Updates
E RECEIVE E-MAIL, SNAIL MAIL, telephone calls, visits even – and
we love to hear from you! This is what gives us the stories to
build this important section of School Ties. Please take a
moment and tell us what you are doing, keep in touch, let us know if
you are looking for a contact number for a fellow alumnus, or if you
have a question about something at your old school. The more we hear,
the more we can pass on in this section.
We want your e-mail address, so why not send us an e-mail update
right now!! [[email protected]] or [dray @smus.bc.ca]
W
Alumni serving the school
in different ways:
JULIAN GREENWOOD (SM ’59)
has volunteered to make himself
available to assist students who are
in need of help in mathematics.
COLIN DYER (SMUS ’96) and
Jon Thomson (SMUS ’96) took
on coaching duties with the grade
8-B basketball squad. Jon is a
houseparent (as are Ian Farish
(SMUS ’89), Matthew Franklin
(SMUS ’93), Caroline Rueckert
(SMUS ’96), Chris Bateman
(SMUS ’94) and Andrew Field
(SMUS ’94).
CHRIS NOEL (1998) has been
a terrific asset to the athletic
coaching ranks this year. Chris, a
multi-sport athlete while a student,
has assisted in coaching junior
rugby and is currently coaching a
junior boys’ basketball squad! The
lads Chris is coaching – a grade 9 &
10 “B” squad, would likely never
have seen basketball action if Chris
had not appeared on the scene. This
team has had terrific success –
possibly the best won/lost record
this year – and a great deal of fun.
FROM THE ’60s
JAMIE ANGUS (US ’64) lives in
Vancouver, BC. His life is full as
he raises two daughters while
working with a small partnership
that buys and sells companies in
North America and beyond. Jamie is
a very active person who continues
to ski and play squash years after
hip replacement surgery. He has
worked in the mining and forest
industries and has been a broker,
prior to forming his current
business partnership.
CLINT NICKERSON (SM ’66)
signed on with the UVic Radio
Station while attending there, and
has never looked back. For the past
20 years, Clint has been a senior
producer with the CityTV division
of CHUM Television. He has
recently been appointed Director of
News and Information Programming
with CIVI, Vancouver Island’s first
new television station in 40 years,
which will go on air in September.
Making a difference at SMUS are alum coaches
Jon Thomson (SMUS ’96) and Colin Dyer (SMUS ’96),
seen here coaching the grade 8-B basketball team.
FROM THE ’70s
FROM THE ’80s
PAT MCDERMOTT (US ’70) is
living in Abbotsford. He and
Linda are now empty nesters and
looking forward to the arrival of
their first grandchild – this is a first
for the class of 1970! Pat has
become an avid stage presence,
acting in recent productions of
Tony ’n Tina’s Wedding and The
Odd Couple.
RUSSELL LABODA (SMUS ’82)
works with the US Coast Guard
and is currently deployed to
Guantanamo Bay, a US naval base
on the south coast of Cuba.
Russell is a pilot who flies frequent
missions in counter-drug and
search & rescue.
PETER FINAMORE (SMUS ’75)
has moved with his wife Wen, to
Chicago. New life experiences are
happening all around Peter and
Wen. Their first child, Sean, was
born shortly after they arrived in
North America. Peter is still with
the Peninsula Group of Hotels,
and has accepted the challenge of
heading the Opening Team of the
Peninsula Chicago, situated in the
heart of Chicago’s “Magnificent
Mile.” The property is under
construction with a targeted
opening in mid-2001.
D AVID H ORNE (SMUS ’79)
e-mails from London where he is
now with BSMG Worldwide, a PR
and Communications Agency –
mainly American but with global
ambitions! David acknowledges the
part Hedda Thatcher’s German
instruction at SMUS played in his
comfort of working in Germany at
BSMG. David sees his role as a bit
of everything, but mainly as being
involved with buying agencies then
managing the integration process.
PAUL SELINA (SMUS ’83) has
moved to Bellevue, Washington
where he practices medicine with a
large private health-care provider.
ALLAN PHOENIX (SMUS ’83)
dropped by the school for a visit
on a beautiful February day. This
was Allan’s first time back for well
over a decade. Both Allan and his
wife Alison, who live in Guelph,
Ont., were very impressed by the
beauty of the school. Al explained
that he works in the film industry
as a gaffer and a key grip – doing
lighting and technical work for
film production.
B YNG G IRAUD (SMUS
’85) works with Counterpoint
Communications, a Vancouver
based marketing company. Byng is
very involved in local, provincial
and federal politics because he
loves “the backroom stuff.”
PAUL SCHERZER (SMUS ’85)
In the September 28, 2000 issue of
the Victoria Times Colonist, a
lengthy article was written about
Paul’s career as a film producer.
Alum Chris Noel (SMUS ’98) coaches the 2000-01
grades 9-10 boys’ B-basketball team, City B Junior Second Place Finishers.
alumni updates
“The genial young film producer
has become a driving force on
Canada’s independent filmmaking
scene, with an emphasis on short
films and documentaries,” writes
newspaper staffer Michael Reid.
Paul also teaches filmmaking in
three institutions around Vancouver.
After graduating from SMUS, and
spending an exchange year at
Scotland’s Merchiston Castle
School, Paul has studied and
traveled. He says: “I have had three
careers – science, languages and
film.”
NIKOLAUS HOMBERG (SMUS
’85) is leaving Calgary to join an
international firm of tax and
offshore attorneys who practice
on the Caribbean Island of
Providenciales.
B RIAN DE W IT (SMUS ’87)
and wife PAULA P SYLLAKIS
(SMUS ’88) are moving to the
Turks & Caicos Islands for about
three years.
DOUG EASDON (SMUS ’88)
writes that he had a terrific time at
the October SMUS reception in
New York, hosted by Megan
Jessiman. Doug works for
Information Resources Inc., a
market research firm which works
with a number of packaged goods
companies – Pepsi, Mott’s,
Colgate, and Philip Morris.
FROM THE ’90s
C HRISTINE R EILLY (SMUS
’90), graduated from McGill
University in 1994 with an English
Literature degree, and then went
on to work for a software company
in Richland, before joining
Deloitte & Touche. She obtained
her CA designation in June, 2000
and now is a high tech specialist in
the audit department.
JESSICA WOOLLIAMS (SMUS
’91) works for the BC Buildings
Corporation in their Green Building
Programme which is geared to
make building construction more
environmentally friendly.
D ON S UTTON (SMUS ’91)
received his degree in Business and
Marketing at Arizona State
University (Phoenix) in 1997, and
then worked for a year in Newport
Beach, California. He is now
working in Vancouver with CIBC
as a personal banker. The big news
is that on October 5, 2000, in
Egypt, Don became engaged to
Sara Card (SMUS ’91)! They plan
to be married in the late summer
of 2001 in the School Chapel.
PERVEZ SIDDIQUI (SMUS ’91)
is the Chief Operating Officer
with Montreal based inzigo Inc., a
company on the cutting edge of
creating voice recognition technology.
The future looks very bright for
this company as it moves from
product development to sales and
implementation.
Jamie Angus (US ’64) with Rob Wilson.
RENTON LEVERSEDGE (SMUS
’93) has moved to Los Angeles
with the accounting firm of Arthur
Anderson. For some years
previous, he worked in the
Vancouver office of the same
company.
D EEPA (A BRAHAM ) (SMUS
’92) J ACOB is articling with the
Attorney General of Ontario in
Toronto. She was married in
Edmonton in May 2000 and says
she looks forward to hearing from
other alumni.
E RIK LUND (SMUS ’93)
received his BA in 1997 from the
University of Western Ontario and
then entered Whittier Law School,
Costa Mesa, California. Erik
graduated with his Juris Doctor
degree, May 21, 2000, and he
ranked in first place out of 172
graduates. Erik received a number
of awards and recognitions during
his time at Whittier, and was full
value for his summa cum laude
graduation. At this time he plans to
practice law in Orange County,
California.
DANYSH HASHMI (SMUS ’94)
spent one year at UVic after
graduating from SMUS and then
returned to Pakistan where he
completed a degree in Business
Administration and Marketing.
After a year with Citibank, Danysh
enrolled at Purdue University and
will complete a Finance Degree in
December 2001.
Allan (SMUS ’83) and Alison
Phoenix visit SMUS, Feb. 2001.
STEVEN PRICE (SMUS ’94) In
August 2000, Steven left Victoria
to accept the University of Virginia
Henry Hoyns Fellowship – the
school’s top graduate award for a
student in creative writing. “Steven
has become very well known on
the UVic campus, to those who
follow creative writing,” said
SMUS alumna Caroline Rueckert
(SMUS ’96). Steven has been a
very hard working writer in part
because of the comment made to
his first-year poetry class by
lecturer and Governor General
poetry award winner Patrick Lane.
Lane spoke of the hard work of
creative writing and stated that
from an original class of thirty,
only the three who work the
hardest will be writing in ten years.
Steven had offers from other
universities; Virginia’s impressive
list of faculty members influenced
his decision. “ There are people I
really admire working there,
(1998 Pulitzer Prize winner)
Charles Wright for example,” says
Steven. “If I’m going to be there
for two years, I had better like
who I’m working with.”
PATRICK MITCHELL (SMUS
’94) is currently registered with the
University of Calgary Faculty of
Medicine, and is interning in
Internal Medicine.
SCOTT GINGLES (SMUS ’95)
graduated from McGill University
with a triple major in Marketing,
Finance, and International Business.
Pervez Siddiqui (SMUS ’91).
29
30
alumni updates
Alumni Updates
He lives in Montreal and works
for Guillemot, a major softwareproducing company. Scott has
pursued his love of sports while in
Montreal, playing varsity basketball
for the Redmen, and also skiing,
golf and hockey.
COURTENAY MITCHELL (SMUS
’98) is taking a degree in
International Relations at the
University of Calgary.
MICHAEL ADAM (SMUS ’99)
is currently attending Royal Roads
University and expects to graduate
with a BComm in Entrepreneurial
Management, September 2001.
Michael makes the comment that it
would be nice to have occasional
get-togethers for SMUS alumni in
and around Victoria, and certainly
to look at a five-year reunion with
classmates.
KIMBERLY NORDLUND (SMUS
’99) began her studies in Pharmacy
at the University of Saskatchewan
Clare Hall-Patch (SMUS ’00)
Bronze medallist.
Deepa (Abraham) (SMUS ’92)
Jacob and husband Benjamin
Jacob on their wedding day.
- continued
in September 2000. In February
2001, Kimberly was elected to the
National Executive of the
Canadian Association of Pharmacy
Students and Interns.
NATALIE TURNER (SMUS ’99)
is attending UVic, and this
summer has a position as Manager
with Student Works Painting
Company.
CLARE HALL-PATCH (SMUS
’00) won a bronze medal at the
World Junior Women’s Road Race
in Plouay, France. Clare was part
of a small breakaway group that
formed early in the race and held
onto third spot for this most
impressive result.
and respect for the outdoors and is
athletically active. He is currently
studying at UVic.
instruction and, “millions of tiny
jobs each day which help keep the
school running.”
S HAO Y EE YAO (SMUS ’00)
was awarded the Frank H.
Humphrey Memorial Award as
one of the recipients of a Pacific
Coast Savings Educational Award.
Shao Yee is currently studying at
the University of Western Ontario.
...there were bells!
EVAN CRAWFORD (SMUS ’00)
was awarded the John Pearson
Memorial Prize by the BC
Association of Physics Teachers.
This award goes to a student
studying physics or engineering
physics who has an active interest
LAUCHLIN BURNETT (SMUS
’00) is happily placed in a GAP
Exchange position at the Newtown
School in Waterford, Ireland. Even
with the rain, which seems to fall
every day, Lauchlin finds it a
beautiful country. “I have seen
quite a bit of the countryside in
Waterford and Cork which is often
where I spend my Wednesdays and
Saturdays with the First XV rugby
team. The rolling hills and
crumbled stone houses look like
they have been placed there for a
movie.” Laughlin is thriving with
residential duties, coaching, swim
Andrea (Wall) (SMUS ’88) McDonald
married Jonathan McDonald.
James Pengilly (SMUS ’90)
married Kelly Day in October 2000.
Deepa (Abraham) (SMUS ’92) Jacob married Benjamin Jacob in Edmonton,
May 20, 2000. In her wedding party were SMUS alums Katherine Preston,
Jennifer (Millar) Lukomskyj, Monica Sethi and Leo Caffaro.
E RIC TOMLINSON (US ’60)
married June Payne, Saturday
October 8, 2000 at Christ Church
Cathedral in Victoria, BC.
ANDREA (WALL) MCDONALD
(SMUS ’88) married Jonathan
McDonald in Victoria at the Oak
Bay Beach Hotel, August 5, 2000.
Andrea and Jonathan live in
Vancouver where she owns Grace
Communications Inc., a public
relations consulting business and
he works as a journalist.
JAMES PENGILLY (SMUS ’90)
married Kelly Day of Kelowna,
BC. The marriage took place in
Kelowna on October 7, 2000,
under clear blue skies on a
beautiful day.
Shanti Atkins (SMUS ’92)
with her husband, Doug.
Andrew Crawford (SMUS ’95)
married Tara Strong (SMUS ’95).
alumni updates
CHRISTINE (MCKAY) (SMUS
’91) FRANDSEN married September
16, 2000.
SHANTI ATKINS (SMUS ’92)
married in Maui, August 2000.
HEATHER LYALL (SMUS ’91)
married Byron Crossley in Victoria
in August, 2000. Sarah Connolly
(SMUS ’91), Caitlin McKenzie
(SMUS ’01), Matthew (SMUS
’02) and Emily (SMUS ’03) Lyall
were all in the wedding party.
Heather is currently teaching grade
4 at Glenlyon Norfolk School.
D EEPA (A BRAHAM ) (SMUS
’92) J ACOB married Benjamin
Jacob in Edmonton, May 20, 2000.
In her wedding party were SMUS
alums Katherine Preston, Jennifer
(Millar) Lukomskyj, Monica Sethi
and Leo Caffaro. Deepa is an
articling lawyer living in Toronto.
ANDREW CRAWFORD (SMUS
’95) married Tara Strong (SMUS
’95) on the Hawaiian Island of
Kauai, February 15, 2001. Attending
the bride and groom were alumni
friends Atarah Humphreys and
David Crothall. Andrew and Tara
plan to travel to the Cook Islands
and Australia before returning to
Victoria. Both graduated from
UVic in December, 2000.
...new on the scene!!
PETER FINAMORE (SMUS ’75)
and his wife Wen are delighted to
Emily & Grant Hodgins
(SMUS ’93) first day home.
announce the arrival of Sean
Finamore, May 11, 2000. Another
generation of world class hoteliers
on the horizon!
DAVID LANE (SMUS ’87) and
his wife Jeanette welcomed
Andrew David Lane into the
world, November 6, 2000.
JON (SMUS ’82) & Yolanda
G RIFFIN announce the birth of
Joanna Elizabeth, September
2000.
MARGO (LEACH) (SMUS ’87)
and Gerassimos Vergottis, announce
the birth of their daughter,
Phoebe, in early September 2000.
RUSSELL (SMUS ’82) and
Jennifer LABODA are delighted to
announce the arrival of their third
child, a daughter, Rachel Elizabeth,
born November 24, 2000, sister to
Spencer and Natalie.
NICKY (TAYLOR) PARKINSON
(SMUS ’83) and John Parkinson
(SMUS ’83) are delighted to
announce the birth of Olwyn Alice
Taylor Parkinson, born on January
31, 2001; a sister to Kirsten.
ANDREW GREIG (SMUS ’84)
and his wife Samantha Adams are
pleased to announce the arrival of
Alexandra Sarah Adams Greig,
born December 5, 2000.
DUNCAN RICHARDS (SMUS
’87) and his wife Michelle
announce the birth of Devon Roy
Richards, December 13, 1999.
TOM (SMUS ’85) and
Philippa J ARECKI welcomed
Dominic Ross into the world,
December 22, 2000.
NELSON KO (SMUS ’86) and
his wife, alumna SUSAN (LEACH)
(SMUS ’86) KO are pleased to
announce the arrival of Ethan,
born October 19, 2000, a brother
to Rowan. Nelson, Susan and their
family live in Victoria, BC.
A LIX (S TEWART ) C AMERON
(SMUS ’86) and her husband
Simon welcomed Maxwell Ian
Stewart Cameron into the world
February 20, 2000.
David Lane (SMUS ’87) and his
wife Jeanette welcomed Andrew
David Lane into the world.
degree at the Structural Biology
Laboratory at York University.
LIZ EWART (SMUS ’89) and
Dan Roberts are pleased to
announce the birth of Kathleen
Victoria Roberts, born October 27,
a member of the SMUS Class of
2017.
TYLER HADFIELD (SMUS ’89)
and his wife Cheryl announce the
arrival of Matthew Thomas
Hadfield.
JASON DEARBORN (1990) and
his wife April are delighted to
announce the arrival of Blake
Edmund Dearborn, Wednesday,
November 29, 2000. Jason
has already requested SMUS
application forms for 2017!
KURT VOLLMERHAUSE (SMUS
’87) and his wife, Laura, are
pleased to announce the birth of
Oscar Lee, May 12, 2000. Kurt
has reduced his work time a little
at the Griffith University Library,
in Nathan, Australia, in order to
spend more time at home.
G RANT H ODGINS (SMUS
’93) and wife Julia Elizabeth are
pleased to announce the arrival of
Emily Lauren, born October 26,
2000. The family moved to
Vancouver in December where
Grant joined a high tech company.
A L B ORASTON (SMUS ’89)
and his wife, Cathy (Juricic)
(SMUS ’89) Boraston announce
the arrival of Natalie Boraston,
born March 10, 2000. The family
live in Vancouver where Cathy
works as a physiotherapist and Al
works at UBC after completing his
PhD in Microbiology. They plan
to travel to York, England in 2001
where Al will work for two years to
complete another post-graduate
M ICHAEL B ARBER (SMUS
’80) and Gretchen Bosschart are
delighted to announce the birth of
twin daughters. Margaret and Clara
were born February 13, 2001, in
Burlingame, California. In true
Michael “virtual connection
fashion,” the school was notified
via e-mail less than six hours after
the glorious delivery! The miracle
of birth meets hyper-speed
communication.
Margo (Leach) (SMUS ’87) &
Gerassimos Vergottis’ new daughter,
Phoebe.
Andrew Greig (SMUS ’87) &
Samantha Adams’ baby, Alexandra.
31
32
alumni updates
Alumni Updates
PASSAGES
LEONARD BACKLER (SM ’24)
died October 30, 1999, in West
Vancouver, BC.
HARRY BAPTY (US ’28) died
October 2, 2000, at the Lady
Minto Hospital on Salt Spring
Island. The following is an excerpt
from an article in the Island News
entitled: Island Mourns the Loss of a
Rare Gentleman.
Salt Spring Island’s gentleman
farmer Harry Bapty passed away
October 2, 2000 following a long
illness. Harry was long known
around the Island for the tip of his
hat and his courtly manners. Bapty
spent the last twenty years enjoying a
simple life with his wife, Margaret
on her family’s Beaver Point farm ...
Harry served in WW II with
distinction ... and following the war
he pursued his career as a mining
engineer, working his way up to the
position of Chief Inspector for Mines
in British Columbia ... The Baptys
lived in a lovely, but primitive
waterfront home with neither power
nor phone. They chose a simple
lifestyle, rising at 7:00 am every
morning to tend chickens, sheep and
their market garden . . . According
to his friends, he lived with integrity
and is a fast disappearing breed of
gentleman.
JIM COLEMAN (US ’29) died
Sunday, January 14, 2001 at 89
years of age. The legendary sports
columnist and author of three
books was still writing for the
Vancouver Province when a broken
hip took him off to hospital
January 4 of this year. “He was very
passionate about his work,” said
Province editorial page editor
Brendan Nagle, who worked in an
office adjacent to Coleman. “The
man transcended his medium, yet
was the most humble and honest
character you could ever meet. The
only reason he never did walk on
water was because he wasn’t a
showoff. They say with age comes
Alumni E-mail
Directory Update
- continued
experience. In Coleman’s case, he had
the experience of an 89 year old
mixed with the sharpness of a 21
year old.”
I remember (Chris Spicer writes)
taking Jim for lunch in a North
Shore restaurant with his former
University School classmate, FO
White, a very big man with
piercing, yet gentle blue eyes. Jim
took us back in conversation, to
University School in the 1920s. He
remembered greasing the tracks of
the streetcar and watching it attempt
the grade up to the school. He
recalled sneaking out of school to go
to the Willows Racetrack to indulge
his passion for the horses. He was
full of stories and he brimmed with
youthful love of life as he
entertained us at lunch that day.
Recipient of the Order of
Canada, inductee into the BC and
Canadian Sports Halls of Fame, an
active journalist and published
author, Jim led an active, productive
life and leaves behind family and
many friends.
TED RIMMER (US ’48) died at
the age of 70, surrounded by his
family in Winnipeg, September
20, 2000. Ted was born in Jasper,
Alberta, and came to University
School in the mid 1940s. He
worked as an engineer with Inter
City Gas for many years while
raising three children. Ted has
been a frequent visitor to the
school and remained extremely
interested in developments here.
Always a consummate gentleman,
an entertaining companion and a
very positive alumnus.
RF (B OB ) C ORNWALL (US
’29) died in October 2000. Bob
was one of three brothers who
attended University School in the
late 1920s. Bob was an employee
with the Bank of Montreal most
of his working life, a manager of a
number of branches in the latter
stages of his career. He retired with
his wife to Penticton. The brothers
Cornwall held family reunions
every three or four years and
stayed good friends all their lives.
G LADYS QUAINTON died on
November 6, 2000. Predeceased by
her beloved husband Eric Quainton,
teacher at the school for 41 years,
and by her great friend and brother,
Leslie Hinton, teacher at the school
for 21 years. Gladys had an
extremely clear memory of the early
days of both St. Michael’s School
and University School, and she
shared these memories in an oral
history interview with Rob Wilson,
some months before she died.
F RANK L EIGH -S PENCER (US
’33) died November 6, 2000, on
Salt Spring Island. He leaves his
wife, Ann, three children and
three grandchildren. His career,
spanning four decades in Public
Relations for Canadian Pacific
Railway, Canadian Pacific Airlines
and Imperial Oil Ltd. took him
from coast to coast. He enjoyed
duck hunting, fishing, golf and
boating.
LIONEL COX (Teacher, University
School 1935-1940) died January
26, 2001 at the age of 84. Lionel
was a much-liked teacher of math
and science at the school. He had
returned with his wife, Evelyn, to
the school on occasion over the past
few years. Legends live on to this
day about his feats on the rugby
field and the outcomes of
laboratory experiments. He did
make his mark!
E VA H INTON , long-time
University School teacher Leslie
Hinton’s widow, died February
2001. For decades, Leslie and Eva
tended the prodigious garden
surrounding their Deep Cove
home. Fruit, vegetables and flowers
grew in healthy abundance while
they also harvested much from the
beach and sea – firewood, fish and
seaweed for fertilizer. It was as selfsufficient and idyllic a home as one
is likely to find.
As a lot of you already know – we
now have an online Alumni E-mail
Directory.
We have been overwhelmed
with the success of this Directory
and want to thank all of you who
have added yourselves, uploaded
photos, and sent exciting news.
There are now over 800 (25%) of
you listed, and more of you are
joining daily.
The newest feature of the
Directory is something called Class
Notes. Please use this Class Notes
system to post personal news and
announcements about you, your
family, and other alumni you may
have seen in your travels. Also
watch for your class rep to be
added for your year; or, if you
are interested in this position,
contact Melanie Hadfield in the
Development Office.
The branch (geographical
region) list has also been updated.
Please check your listing to ensure
the proper branch is selected. We
use the branch code to inform you
about regional receptions or other
events that may be happening in
your area.
To access this directory simply
go to the Alumni/ Development
page on the SMUS web site at:
www.smus.bc.ca, and click the
“SMUS Alumni E-mail Directory”
link. From here you can easily add
yourself to this secure passworddriven site. Once you have done
this, it will take a day or two to
process, after which you will be
able to search the directory by
name, year or branch. You can
choose to add your own
biographical information and even
upload a photo of yourself or family.
You will also receive periodic
updates and news of upcoming
events from the school.
Please add yourself to this
Directory. It is a fun way to connect
(or reconnect) with old friends!
Questions? Contact Melanie
Hadfield (SMUS ’87) at mhadfie2@
smus.bc.ca.
Vivat! Melanie
Alumni Weekend is just around the corner!
Bring your family and plan to spend some time with your old school friends
on May 4, 5, and 6th. There’s something to do for everyone.
It will be a fun and memorable weekend!
Look for the 2001 Reunion Schedule on page 26 of School Ties.
We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you back at the school.
A
T A RECENT ALUMNI RECEPTION,
the school was presented
with this timeless photo of a St. Michael’s School
class (circa 1954). Our thanks to Eric Metcalfe (SM ’58) for
this contribution, and even more importantly, we thank Eric
for bringing along fellow alumnus Gary Lee Nova (Nairn)
(SM ’58) to the reception. Both Gary and Eric are senior
staff with the Emily Carr College of Art on Granville Island in
Vancouver, BC.
1. John Grant, 2. John Plant, 3. __
King, 4. Robert King, 5. Mike Malle
rby,
6. Eric Metcalfe, 7. Perkyn, 8. Chris
Longridge, 9. Williams?;
10. Brown?, 11. Barry Hewett, 12.
Brian Cornwall, 13. Captain Park
yn,
14. __, 15. Patrick Wallace, 16. John
Naylor. Please notify the
school archives or the Developm
ent Office if you can
help us with the missing names.
Publications - Mail
Agreement #
1615246
Fleet Dreams
The school operates a marvelous, brand-new fleet
of school buses! The Transportation Department has,
in the last eight months, completely renewed its fleet
St. Michaels University School
3400 Richmond Road
Victoria, BC, CANADA V8P 4P5
of six school buses. We can now “safely” say we have
the safest, most comfortable and modern school bus
fleet in the province. The photo was taken on a bright morning
in February in front of Bolton and Harvey House Residences
and Reynolds House, on the main
circular drive heading into the school grounds.