THE MAGAZINE OF THE STERLING HALL SCHOOL • SUMMER 2010

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The White & Blue
THE MAGAZINE OF THE STERLING HALL SCHOOL • SUMMER 2010
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IN THIS ISSUE
We SEE the world
through the eyes of BOYS!
1
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
2
AN IMPORTANT NEW SCHOLARSHIP FOR SHS
2
ALUMNI FAMILIES: STAY CONNECTED TO SHS
2
BARK NIGHT — A FAVOURITE ALUM MUM TRADITION!
2
THE FIRST ANNUAL DADS AND LADS BREAKFAST
3
FOUNDER’S DAY TERRY FOX RUN:
ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING YEAR
THE STERLING HALL SCHOOL
An independent School for Boys
Jr Kindergarten to Grade 8
COME VISIT US:
SCHOOL ENTRANCE
Our main entrance is located at the west side of the school.
3
LOOKING BACK LONGINGLY AT THE DRIVE HOME
3
A MADD MESSAGE FROM THE CLASS OF 2007 MOMS
3
REACHING OUT TO HELP HAITI
4
TAKE A LOOK AT THE SHS GRAFFITI WALL
5
SHS: A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR NAME
5
NEWS FROM FAR AND WIDE: OUR ALUMNI WRITE
6
OLD BOY SIGHTINGS AT SHS
6
AN EMAIL FROM ABROAD
7
SHS HOSTS VIP VISITS
7
THE STERLING INSTITUTE EXPANDS ITS REACH
8
STAFF AND FACULTY NEWS
8
OLYMPIC FLAME CASTS ITS LIGHT ON SHS
8
SOME SMOOTH SAILING BY “CAPT. NICOLL” AND CREW
9
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2010!
9
OLD BOYS PUB NIGHT — CHEERS!
9
FROM PAGE ONE TO THE NEXT CHAPTER
9
GREEN SCHOOL TASK FORCE SETS PRIORITIES
Please find Visitors parking on SHS Drive, nor th off Bentwor th Ave.
99 Car twright Avenue, Toronto 416.785.3410
www.sterlinghall.com [email protected]
10
OLD BOYS PUB NIGHT INVITATION
10
THE STERLING HALL SCHOOL INVITES YOU OLD BOYS
BACK TO YOUR OLD SCHOOL
10
THE MISSION OF THE STERLING HALL SCHOOL IS TO OFFER A SECURE
ENVIRONMENT FOR THE EDUC ATION OF BOYS IN MIND, BODY, AND
SPIRIT. OUR SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY AND SMALL CLASSES NURTURE
AND CHALLENGE OUR STUDENTS TO BECOME CRITIC AL THINKERS,
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNERS, AND SUCCESSFUL CONTRIBUTORS.
THE STERLING HALL SCHOOL
9 9 C A RT W R I G H T AV E N U E , TO RO N TO, O N
TEL: 416.785.3410
•
W W W. S T E R L I N G H A L L . C O M
M6A 1V4
FA X : 4 1 6 . 7 8 5 . 6 6 1 6
• A DVA N C E M E N T @ S T E R L I N G H A L L . C O M
Pictured on the Front Cover: Principal Ian Robinson chats with SHS boys in The Franssen-Tingley Eco-Garden.
HELP US TELL THE STERLING HALL SCHOOL HISTORY
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P R I N C I PA L’ S M E S S A G E
Signs of maturity are everywhere
Welcome to the second annual (and the third ever) edition of The White and Blue! I star t this
message by congratulating the efforts of the SHS Advancement team, who work hard to gather
up-to-date information about our Alumni and to make the contents of this magazine interesting
to its readers, whether they be graduates of the school, parents of grads, or other interested parties.
It is fascinating to watch schools as they mature. One of the indicators of maturity is the ability of a
school like ours to provide opportunities to students who, without the help of others, would not be
able to consider applying, let alone actually attending. It is with great pride and sincere thanks to the
Holland family that I announce that the first Nick Holland Scholarship recipient will be in Grade 7 at
SHS for the 2010-2011 academic year. The scholar will be here thanks to the generosity of William
and Susanne Holland, who are funding a place in Grade 7 and 8 at SHS for the next 10 years in the name of their son, Nick,
who arrived in 2001 and graduated in 2009. This is the first step in what we hope will become a major part of our program
as, with further support from others, we are able to offer more places to deserving students.
There are a couple of items in this magazine that I would like to comment on. Dr. Chris Spence, Director of Education for
the Toronto District School Board, visited SHS in early January and again in April to exchange ideas on young boys’ education.
It was a mutually helpful visit, and we hope that SHS will remain in close contact with Dr. Spence. We applaud his efforts
to create a Leadership School in central Toronto for disenfranchised young black students.
Secondly, it is incumbent on me to celebrate the courageous efforts of SHS grad Sam Danniels, Class of 2000. Sam, who
was paralyzed from the chest down in a mountain biking accident in 2005, proceeded to become an expert sit-skier and
participated in the recent Paralympic Games.
As far as SHS – the 2010 version – is concerned, we continue to stand by our founding principles and continue to progress.
Our population for 2010 -2011 exceeds 300 for the fifth consecutive year, and we employ 40 full-time teachers and more
than 20 staff.
We still send boys to great Toronto secondary schools; we still win some games and lose others; we still send the Grade
6 - 8 boys on a Trips Week and offer a dog-sledding experience in Grade 7 and a Temagami leadership canoe trip in Grade
8. All Grade 8 students have an area of responsibility, and this year the Head Boy was helped by the six Prefects of Academic
Life, Arts, Athletics, Citizenship, Communications, and Environment, who each led his own team.
We have maintained the School’s interest in helping others. We contributed to the relief efforts in Haiti with a Read-a-thon,
as we did for Sri Lanka after the tsunami, we had clothing and food drives and, once again, we were the highest grossing school
in the world as we conducted our ever-popular Terry Fox Run on the Friday morning before the Thanksgiving weekend.
Please consider joining us for the 2010 run – a considerable number of grads and their families have made it a priority. If you
can’t make that morning, and if you are 19 or over, do come to our May Pub Night, which is becoming a popular event. And
all Alumni are invited to Old Boys Dinner in October.
As we look to the future, our grads are also joining committees and task forces at SHS and if that might be of interest to
you, please contact us. Lastly, if I am correct, we now have four married grads, three of whom have a child – one of whom
is a boy. Congratulations! And now, do enjoy this edition of The White and Blue. I certainly intend to and if you are in
Toronto, come and visit – we’d love to see you!
Ian Robinson, Principal,
The Sterling Hall School
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A L U M N I FA M I L I E S
An important new scholarship for The Sterling Hall School
We would like to share with the SHS community our decision to
establish a new scholarship, in gratitude for the outstanding quality of
education that our son Nick experienced at The Sterling Hall School
until his graduation in 2009.
and beyond. That is why the new scholarship will cover tuition costs
for a boy’s Grade 7 and 8 years. It will be made available for 10 years,
which means that five boys who would be otherwise unable to afford
it will have access to the outstanding programming at SHS.
The new award, named The Nick Holland Scholarship, will be given to
a boy who meets the scholarship criteria and whose socio-economic
status is a barrier to a Sterling Hall education.
Our family is delighted to establish this scholarship, which we hope
will be beneficial to the recipients and their families, the community,
and of course, The Sterling Hall School.
Bill and Susanne Holland
Our family has always been interested in supporting causes aimed at
helping children. Over the years, we have seen how
boys who receive support and guidance can go on
to accomplish great things. We believe that if more
boys were to benefit from a high-quality education
such as our son received at SHS, they would be
more likely to succeed. We offer this scholarship
in the hopes that we can touch the lives of a few
boys in the community and their families.
We appreciate that the Grade 7 and 8 years are
formative ones, and boys who are hindered during
this time are often unable to succeed in high school
Alumni families: stay
connected to SHS
Our sons, Will and Spencer, benefited enormously
from their time at SHS — so much so that we
wanted to help SHS develop the next generation
of boys. For this reason, we have continued our
support of SHS though the Annual Giving program.
We hope you will too, if you haven’t already.
Left to right: Susanne Holland, Bill Holland,
Kate Holland, Nick Holland 2009
THE NICK HOLLAND SCHOLARSHIP
AWARD CRITERIA
• Achieve high academic standing.
• Excel in areas other than academics
(sports, music, the arts, or other area).
• Be a well-rounded boy with varied interests.
• Parents or Guardians must express
willingness to play a role in supporting their
son’s academic and extra-curricular life.
• Demonstrate financial need.
Bark Night — a favourite Alum Mum tradition!
The McCain Dining Hall became a veritable bark workshop on November 25, as a
dozen Alum Mums (and one Alum sibling) whipped up batches of the famous Alumni
Peppermint Bark for the Parents Association’s Wintergreen Day. Even after all these
years, the bark was a hot item at the Wintergreen bake table. Thank you to our dedicated
crew and this year’s event organizers and Head Barkers, Lisa Ellis and Sally Sarjeant.
SHS is continually adding new facilities and faces, but
the essence remains. The dedicated Faculty who
consistently go above and beyond for their students,
the familiar smiles and applause from other Parents
at Assembly, the remarkable achievements of boys
from JK to Grade 8: these are still the norm at SHS.
We’d like to thank every family that has supported
the School this year. We hope that you will stay
connected to 99 Cartwright. There are many
ways to do so. Start by checking out the website
at www.sterlinghall.com, where you will find links
to Old Boy events, photos, and School news.
The School also wants to
hear your news, so please
keep in touch with the
Advancement Office at
advancement@
sterlinghall.com.
Sally Hannon &
Howard Barton
Parents of Will 2005
and Spencer 2007
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Back row (left to right): Kim Hanmer, Marty Wilder, Katie Porter, Mary Beadon, Linda Boutilier,
Anne McGinn, Sally Sarjeant, Lisa Ellis. Front row (left to right): Lori Lewis, Wendy Jarvis,
Cathy Langdon, Kate Holland, Susanne Holland.
THE FIRST ANNUAL DADS AND LADS BREAKFAST
On Wednesday, September 30, 2009, the Eaton
Shier Gym hosted more than 400 for the first
ever pancake breakfast for SHS dads and their
sons. The event was highlighted by a tie swapping
ceremony that sent boys to class with Dad’s
tie and dads to work with their son’s tie. Based
on the smiles on the boys’ and dads’ faces,
the event was an overwhelming success and
is certain to become an SHS tradition. Visit
www.sterlinghall.com Media Gallery for highlights.
Our celebrity chefs — Mr. Coles,
Mr. Macdonald, Principal Ian
Robinson — serve up breakfast
to SHS lads and their dads.
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Founder’s Day Terry Fox Run:
another record-breaking year
Our 16th annual Founder’s Day Terry Fox Run
took place on Friday, October 9, with
participants following Terry’s example and
running despite the rain. The build-up to the
event was as exciting as ever, with visits from
Jeff Harris, Toronto photographer and cancer
survivor, and Lisa Armstrong from The Terry
Fox Foundation.
For the fourth consecutive year, SHS set
another world record for cancer research
fundraising — a staggering $127,510! Our boys
gathered an average of 10 pledges each. Some
were for a dollar, others for more significant
amounts, but in every case awareness and hope
were heightened. In particular, we welcome the
continuing support of our Old Boys, who come
out each year even
though they have
moved on to their
new schools.
A huge thank you goes
out to our community
for their help and great
spirit in continuing to
make this a worldclass event at SHS.
Join us for the next
Run on Friday,
October 8, 2010.
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Looking back longingly at the drive home
In 1997, it was clear that our eldest son,
Ian, was ready for a change in schools,
and that SHS was the school for us.
During the first few years, the drive from
St. Clair and Mount Pleasant was shared
with a couple of neighbourhood moms.
Driving time was used for spelling drills,
listening to books on tape, multiplication
and division challenges, “name that tune,”
and various car games.
I also have great memories of quietly
listening to the boys’ conversations.
While some had us in hysterics, there
were other very sombre ones, and
yet others requiring a quick call to the
other families with a heads-up about
topics that might emerge as dinner-table
conversation.
A few years later, when our younger son,
Alex, started at SHS, the car conversations
changed slightly. The older boys, being
sensitive to the presence of younger ears,
began speaking in code. Alex loved being
part of their group and had no clue what
he was missing.
As my carpool buddies and their sons
graduated from SHS, I began driving Alex
on my own. We had great conversations
about current events, social and
Tom Curry, Alex Curry 2009, Lori Monteith
environmental issues, sports, and
travelling. Our after-school drives
included stories about that day’s events.
Fast forward more than 10 years: Wow,
how things have changed! I jump at the
chance to pick Ian up in Kingston, looking
forward to hearing about his life at
Queen’s on the long drive back to
Toronto. Now in Grade 9, Alex usually
makes his own way to and from school.
Although I still hear about his day, it’s
easy for him to squeeze it into just a
few minutes.
That drive to and from SHS provided
daily, uninterrupted chat time with my
boys. It is something that I will always
treasure and I really do miss it. Enjoy it
while you can — it won’t last forever!
Lori Monteith, Alumni Parent
A MADD message from the Class of 2007 moms
Reaching out to help Haiti
For the past three years, the mothers of the 2007 SHS grads have gathered together for an
annual Christmas lunch to share the ups and downs of raising teenage sons. We also select
a charity to which we contribute.
When the earthquake struck Haiti, the boys
at Sterling Hall did what they do best —
identified a need and leapt into action.
• The Agents of Change sold SHS Cares
bands as a symbol of our ongoing support
for the people of Haiti.
At our last gathering, we chose to
support Mothers Against Drunk
Driving (MADD). The “MADD
message” touches each of us in some
way and we wanted to send a “zero
tolerance” signal as our sons embark
on their driving careers. In addition,
one of the families in our midst
was struck by tragedy through the
senseless death of a beloved cousin.
Lisa McAlpine, Alex Schwass’s mother,
collected and delivered our donation
of $645 to the Toronto Chapter of
MADD. The money will go towards
the ongoing production of their multimedia presentation, which is shown
in schools and other venues to raise
awareness of the tragic effects of
drunk driving.
• Grade 5 organized a loonie drive, with
the goal of raising $1.00 for every student.
• Grade 2 channelled their inner chefs and
baked up a storm in The McCain Dining
Hall with the help of the 2M parents. They
also held a wildly successful shoe drive,
collecting more than 1,100 pairs of shoes
in a week. The lines of shoes stretched
from one end of the main hall to the
other and almost back again!
• The School-wide Help Haiti Read-athon involved every boy at Sterling Hall
in 22 days of reading at $1.00 a day each.
From top step downwards, left to right (sort of !):
Sally Hannon, Marie McFarlane, Angela Hay,
Siobhan Barootes, Lisa McAlpine, Linda Brown,
Katie Porter, Denise Grimes, Leslie Myers, Willa Black,
Anne McGinn, Lisa Applegath, Sally Sarjeant,
Cathy Langdon, Robin Horner, Naomi Cohen
The students’ creative activities raised
awareness and money for the relief efforts,
and this is what makes Sterling Hall boys
who they are – world citizens who always
ask, “How can we help?”
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O L D F R I E N D S , N E W A DV E N T U R E S
David Hay, I travelled
to New Zealand for
the IBSC Conference
with my Dad.
Jamie Pennock,
I love it at Northern
Secondary School and
volunteered at BMX
Jam over March Break.
Aiden Lupyrypa,
I enjoy my volunteer
work every Wednesday
morning.
David Hay
Jamie Pennock
Class of 2002
Eric L. McKinnon,
I’m at UBC, in 4th year
Visual Arts.
Alex Marks, I achieved
my Silver Duke of
Edinburgh Award and
volunteered as a flag
bearer at the FIFA
Soccer Tournament.
Class of 2007
Spencer Barton,
I participate in the
Film Club at RSGC.
Charlie Porter,
I volunteer with Free
the Children and tutor
in Regent Park.
Mac Wilder, I enjoy
soccer, skiing, and
rugby at Lakefield.
Aiden Lupyrypa
Adam McBain,
I travelled to
North Carolina for
Basketball camp.
Class of 2004
Andrew Lawson,
I’m enjoying Dalhousie
University.
Charlie Porter
Alex Marks
Andrew Lawson
Jeff McCain, I earned
the title of Head Boy
at RSGC for the 20092010 school year.
Spencer Barton
Cameron Beatty,
I travelled to Chile.
Alex Schwass,
I travelled the
Moisie River in
Quebec by canoe.
Mac Wilder
Class of 2009
Chester Davidson, I
participate in Robotics,
DECA, and Squash at
Crescent School.
Adam McBain
Liam Oldershaw,
I am having a great time
at Crescent School.
Cole A. McKinnon,
I’m at UBC, in 1st year
Applied Science.
Cameron Beatty
Class of 2005
Ben Murray, great
to be back for a visit!
Jeff McCain
Zach Stern, I am
President of the Maple
Leafs Fan Club at CHAT.
Matthew Bowlby,
I volunteered at the
ROM.
Alex Schwass
Chester Davidson
Liam Oldershaw
Class of 2008
Austin Almadi, I am
a Lance Corporal in
my Cadet Corps at
St. Andrew’s College.
Christian Fowler,
I completed my
Bronze Medallion.
Alex Radhakrishnan,
I travelled to
Algonquin Park.
Ben Murray
Matthew Bowlby
Class of 2006
Connor Lockett,
I am a member of the
Student Council at
Blyth Academy.
Connor Lockett
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Zach Stern
Ian Stewart-Binks,
I enjoy music, yoga,
and my unicycle.
Ian Stewart-Binks
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Adam Halpern,
I volunteered at the
Grand Cru Culinary
Wine Festival in support
of the University Health
Network.
Adam Halpern
Christian Fowler
Austin Almadi
Andrew Medjuck, I
was named MVP Hockey.
Andrew Medjuck
Gavin Lifman,
I participate in Debating,
Model UN, Improv,
the play, and two
bands at UCC.
Gavin Lifman
Alex Radhakrishnan
Jack Swadron, I
travelled to Costa Rica.
Jack Swadron
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SHS: A place
where everyone
knows your name
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NEWS FROM FAR AND WIDE:
OUR ALUMNI WRITE
The adventures that a student has at SHS are many,
but as our Old Boys soon discover, even more
excitement awaits in the years following graduation.
Hello Parents of Sterling Hall,
As I am sure you have already gathered from
the months you spent deciding which school
your son should go to, Sterling Hall is a fantastic
school. You know that the facilities are perhaps
the best in the city. You know that the other
students will be just as well-rounded or unique
as your own son. And you know that the trips,
extra-curriculars, and opportunities that your
child will receive will be amazing.
Here is what you may not yet know for certain:
Sterling Hall is an institution that will provide
your boy with a foundation for not only high
school and university, but the rest of his life. It
will imprint your child with the values he needs
to succeed.
My time at Sterling Hall provided me with
opportunities and experiences that are still in
my life today. For example, by taking Philosophy
in Grade 8, something rare for that age, my
interest was piqued and I am now majoring in
Philosophy at a Liberal Arts college out east.
I have been in no organization that has had as
dedicated, talented, unique, and passionate
Teachers and Staff as SHS. To this day, when I walk
in the main doors, I am greeted with smiles and
genuine interest, and almost everyone knows
my name (even when I don’t know theirs).
You may be thinking I am tooting their horn a little
too loudly, but I am confident that you will be
singing equally high praises sooner than you know.
Jamie Lockie 2004
KC Daya 1994: My wife,
Nafisa, and I celebrated the
birth of our first child, Aidan
Rayn Daya, at 6 lbs, 14 ozs., on
January 11, 2010 at 4:44 pm.
Jason Love 1996: My wife,
Samantha, gave birth to our
daughter, Scarlett Mae, in
March 2009.
Jason with his mom, Nancy,
and daughter, Samantha
Wesley Pang 1996: I am
currently an Associate Attorney in
the Litigation Group at Shearman
& Sterling LLP in Manhattan.
After graduating from SHS, I went to UCC, then
received an undergraduate degree in Business
Management at King’s College London in the UK.
I then completed a double-degree program,
receiving an LLB (Hons) from King’s and a Juris
Doctor from Columbia University School of Law.
During law school, I competed on behalf of the
UK in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot
Court Competition and interned for the United
Nations Human Rights Committee. Outside work
and school, I recently got married to Bonnie
Kwok (eldest sister of SHS Old Boy, Adrian
Kwok) in New York on September 12, 2009.
Sam Danniels 2000:
I was named to the 2010
Para-Alpine team and was
scheduled to compete
in the Paralympics in two
events: the Men’s Downhill
on March 13 and the Men’s
Super-G on March 15.
SHS Boys Cheer on Sam – The
Caplan Boys made this sign to cheer
on Sam Danniels at the Paralympics
during his downhill run
A R E YO U U P - TO - DAT E ?
Visit the SHS Old Boys Directory to
update your contact information and find
old friends.Visit the Alumni section of the
SHS website – www.sterlinghall.com.
Shane Danniels 2002: I’m at York University
doing a double major in Philosophy and
Psychology. I finished first year with the highest
GPA of the two faculties for my class, and I’m
having the same kind of year again. I’ve applied
for a summer research position in Psychology and
I’m currently volunteering at the student centre,
helping students with academic
challenges. I have been invited to join
an academic organization called The
Golden Key International Honours
Society. Pretty good for a kid with all
of the academic challenges I’ve had!
Nick Pullen 2003: I am back at Oxford
reading History, and was thrilled to
receive “distinction,” or “firsts,” from my
preliminary exams last
year. I’m now entitled
to wear special robes,
and I also received a
scholarship from the
college. I live with five
Liverpudlians and am
busy rowing and performing in plays,
including A Clockwork Orange at the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
David Choo Chong 2004: I am
completing my final year at Upper
Canada College, where I am active in
sports, music, and theatre. I plan to
enter an Engineering program at
university, and look forward to
meeting up with my buddies from SHS.
I still believe “McClintock Rocks!”
Stephen Lewtas 2004: I graduated
from Greenwood College School and am
currently in my 2nd year of a Bachelor of
Environmental
Studies Honours
Degree in
Geography and
Aviation at the
University of
Waterloo. This requires me to obtain my
Commercial Pilot Licence. I have already
obtained my Private Licence, and have
flown to Val d’Or, Quebec, and back
without an instructor. In October 2009,
I won a $1,000 WestJet award for
excellence in the aviation program.
Jamie Lockie 2004: I attend Crescent
School and in 2009 earned the Humanities
and Social Sciences award for demonstrating
leadership, dedication to community action,
and commitment and understanding in
addressing difficult social issues.
Patrick Brown 2005: I attended
De La Salle High School, graduating
in 2010. I’m looking forward to
playing football in University.
Patrick Brown (left), Ian Robinson,
and Patrick’s classmate, Skylar
Continued on page 6
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Continued from page 5
Michael Gray 2006: I was selected to play for
the U18 Team Ontario (baseball) as a catcher.
With the team, I’ve travelled
to Kansas, Michigan, New York,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and
Florida. I’m also continuing as
an Ontario Level 3 umpire
before I head off to university.
Harris Kaufman 2006: I was
selected, along with my debating
partner, to represent Ontario at the
2009 Canadian National Debating
Championships, where I won an
award for being the top debater in
Ontario. I’m ranked 6th in Canada.
Taylor Mackenzie 2006:
I’m currently at Lakefield,
but I spent some time in
Bangkok doing community
outreach.
Brando Usher 2006:
I’ll be graduating
Taylor Mackenzie in Bangkok
from The York
School in June with
my IB Diploma. I have received early acceptance
from Dalhousie but so far am undecided.
I am currently the Athletic Prefect for my
school and the captain of the Basketball team.
Daniel Fishbayn 2007: I have very fond
memories of Sterling Hall. In particular, Mr. Coles
and Mr. Hay’s classes underscored a common,
underlying value, which has become a personal
motto for me: Question everything – and learn
everything first, so that you are qualified to
question it.
David Merrithew 2007: I completed Grade 9
and 10 at Crescent. Because I wanted to develop
my love of rugby, I transferred to Shawnigan Lake
School in BC, where rugby is played at a very elite
level. My local club is the Toronto Scottish and I
will play for them again when I return to Toronto
this summer. I was selected to
play for Canada at the U17 level
in England, where my team played
Portugal, Italy, and Scotland. We
currently have eight boys from
my school playing for Canada.
My plans are to go to
Queen’s to study and to
continue playing rugby.
Neilan Freyne 2009:
Last summer I explored
Vietnam, Laos, and
Page 6
Cambodia with my family and took a number of hikes
to visit tribal families, which I very much enjoyed. I’m
now at Crescent.
Brendan Roberts 2012: I performed
on stage with the Canadian Children’s
Opera Company last season at the
Four Seasons Centre in the COC’s
production of La Boheme.
Devlin DeFrancesco 2014: I’ve been competing in
a variety of races around the US, including the Florida
Winter Tour, where I finished fourth. In August 2009, I
won the Canadian National Karting Championship at
Goodwood Kartways in the Micro-Max
class. Since then, I’ve begun school at
St. Anthony’s Academy in South Florida,
and am looking forward to more
national and international competitions.
Old Boy sightings at SHS
Spencer Barton 2007: Spencer came in to work
with the Grade 8 boys on a drama/acting lesson as
they concluded their Shakespeare
studies. It was a special treat to watch
Spencer, just two years into his high
school career at RSGC, play the role
of teacher in the very class where he
was so recently a student.
Mark Horner 2007: was here with his mom, Robin
Horner, to drop off old SHS uniforms. Mark is at
Crescent and his older brother,
Philip, is finishing at Neuchâtel this
year. Mark and Robin are going
over for his graduation.
Sam Harris 2008 and Avery
Shopsowitz 2008: came in during
their Passover Break from
CHAT to do some volunteer
work for Mr. Coles and the
Art Department for their
Community Service hours.
Drew Findlay Black, Braden Lyons, and
Saunder Waterman, 2009 (pictured here
with Braden’s father, Randy Lyons) had a great
season with the UCC Junior Varsity football
team in the fall of 2009. UCC ended up winning
the CISAA championship, beating St. Mike’s
College for the first time in years, and UCC
went all the way to the Metro Bowl semi-finals.
SHS Tennis Summer Camp 2009
Our Old Boys came back to help Mr. Coles
out with the SHS Tennis Summer Camp.
Back row (left to right): Trevor Booth 2009, Justin Polan 2009,
Mr. Coles, Duncan Bull 2004, Alex Marks 2006
Front row (left to right): Greg Walker 2009, Seth Kovnats 2002,
Liam Oldershaw 2009, Drew Findlay Black 2009
6
W W W. S T E R L I N G H A L L . C O M
A N E M A I L F RO M A B ROA D
Hey Mr. Robinson and Mr. Coles,
So I am attending Neuchâtel Junior
College in Switzerland right now….
I’m writing on three agendas: (1) maybe
you could update some buddies that
are going to the upcoming reunion;
(2) to update you guys on what I am
doing this year; and (3) to tell you
how much I thank both of you for
being a huge changing point in my life.
I remember arriving at Sterling Hall
and somehow causing trouble and
having to deal with Mr. Macdonald.
He looked me in the eye and could
tell that I meant well, but didn't
know better. I looked him back and
said I promise I will try my best to
be better. I think that I kept my
promise to some extent (other
than the occasional hair dispute)….
I can honestly say that a huge building
block in my life was the Temagami trip
with Mr. Coles and Mr. Jacobs (as Mr.
Coles would refer to him). One day, it
was pouring rain and Adam was acting
up and Mr. Coles associated Adam
and I, so he forced us to build a tent
together. I remember struggling
through the rain and finally building
it up and after that we knew how
to build a tent. Life doesn’t come at
you with flying colours, you work for
something and eventually you will
achieve it. There are obviously so
many teachers that changed my life,
but looking back, this School did an
outstanding job in forming who I am
today and I would really like to thank
both of you for that.
During my stay at Neuchâtel I will be
going to Kenya with Free the Children
to build a school. I am looking forward
to this and have been since Grades 6,
7, and 8, when the Kielburgers came
to our School….
Hope this gives a good update of
my life.
Be well, Noah Sliwin 2006
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S P E C I A L V I S I TO R S
SHS hosts VIP visits
From artists to athletes, educators to rock bands, our special guests
this past year have informed and delighted all of us at SHS.
Dan Bergeron
Alan November
On October 19, 2009, the Grade 8 students
had the privilege of spending time with Visiting Artist Dan Bergeron. Mr. Bergeron (a.k.a.
“fauxreel”) has spent the better part of a
decade creating thought-provoking, photobased street artwork. The students viewed
his art and learned about his techniques –
and are now planning some public art installations of their own! Thanks to the Visiting
Artists Committee – Alison McDonald,
Donna Poile, and Mary Dawn Thomson –
for making Dan’s visit possible.
A whirlwind of big ideas and provocative
questions, Allan November thrives on
confirming and challenging educators’
thoughts about what’s possible in the world
of teaching and learning. On January 4, 2010,
Mr. November made a special presentation
on technology in education, entitled
“Transforming the Culture of Teaching and
Learning”, co-organized by The Sterling Hall
School, Branksome Hall, and Upper Canada
College. Mr. November also conducted a
parent address at Branksome Hall in the
evening, and led a second professional
development session for Faculty and Staff of
the three schools at SHS the following day.
Dr. Chris Spence
Adam van Koeverden
Adam van Koeverden became a World
Champion by capturing gold in the K-1
500m and silver in the K-1 1000m at the
2007 Canoe Kayak World Championships in
Duisburg, Germany. In May 2009, he visited
SHS to speak to our student body about
Right to Play, an athlete-driven humanitarian
organization that uses specially-designed
sport and play programs to improve health,
build life skills, and foster peace for children
and communities affected by war, poverty,
and disease.
The Sterling Institute, in collaboration with
The Sterling Hall School, hosted an
appearance by Dr. Christopher Spence –
newly appointed Director of Education of the
Toronto District School Board and author of
The Joys of Teaching Boys – on January 13, 2010.
Dr. Spence has put forward the idea of a boysonly school for Toronto. Dr. Spence addressed
the SHS community in a special student
assembly to which Parents were invited, and
discussed the School’s Character Education
Program with a group of our students.
Circa Survive
Many boys dream of
recording a CD. That
dream became reality for
several of our students.
It all began when David
Bottrill, a multi-Grammy
award winning producer
(and Mr. Robinson’s son-in-law), approached
the Music Department about the possibility
of assembling a choir of boys to sing back-up
vocals on a CD. And so, on Friday, October
30, 2009, a group of 17 Sterling Hall boys from
Grade 4-8 assembled in the Sullivan Music
Centre for a recording session with Circa
Survive, an experimental rock band from
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The session was a
success: Mr. Bottrill and the band were pleased
with the boys’ work, and we were proud of
the fine way in which they represented The
Sterling Hall School. Look for Circa Survive’s
latest CD release, available soon!
The Sterling Institute expands its reach
The Sterling Institute for
Excellence in Boys’ Education
is the outreach vehicle of The
Sterling Hall School, a centre of expertise
whose goal is to share research and
resources from around the globe that
encourage excellence in the teaching of boys.
In April, the Institute also
hosted two new “ThinkTanks”:
The Sterling Institute continues to expand
its reach into the educational community:
Dr. Christopher Spence spent a morning
at The Sterling Hall School, drawn by the
innovative mission of the Institute; the
Principals of Bishop Strachan and St.
Mildred’s-Lightbourn have also visited our
School; and Branksome Hall has proposed
a “collaborative relationship” with the
Institute to pursue best practices in the
• “Hearts & Minds – the Emotional Lives
of Students,” facilitated by Dr. Spence
and Dr. David Booth of OISE.
teaching and learning of both
boys and girls.
• “Our Schools for Earthlings” for
teachers and administrators with an
environmental responsibility in their
schools, featuring speaker Doug Blakey,
former Principal of UCC and now a
consultant on green schools.
We encourage you to participate in
Institute events. You can stay up-to-date
by visiting www.sterlinghall.com/institute.
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S TA F F A N D F A C U LT Y N E W S A N D S T O R I E S
Staff & Faculty News
Honours
Welcomes
Tim
Nahachewsky,
Alison Carrie,
Science Teacher,
was awarded the
Robotics Adult /
Coach / Mentor
Award, Toronto
Regional 2009.
Farewells
Olympic
Flame
casts its
light on
SHS
Grade 6 and
Social Studies
Michael Eben,
Grade 8 French
Mark Brown is teaching
Celebrations
Elizabeth Gray,
Sarah Claydon
Grade 5
and her husband,
Peter, welcomed
their first child,
Sam, in June 2009.
(returning
from a leave
of absence)
Drew Gulyas
Tena Laing,
and his wife,
Hilary Smith,
welcomed Ruby,
their second
daughter and
little sister to
Charlotte, age 3,
in August 2009.
Grades 4-7
French
(returning from a
leave of absence)
Kim Martin,
Communications
Assistant
Cathy Reeves, former Executive
Director of Advancement, became a
grandmother for the second time. The
family welcomed Jameson Truscott
Kester,
born 7
lbs, 7
ozs.,in
August
2009.
Lorna Pitcher,
returning as
part-time
Admissions
tester
Lana Tancredi,
JK
Grade 5 at Somersfield
Academy in Bermuda.
Ernesto Pereira retired
as Custodian after being
part of The Sterling Hall
community since 1992. He
was loved and appreciated
by all, and his generous
spirit and willingness to
help out at any time made
him a valued member of
SHS. He is now enjoying
his time at home with his
wife and family. We wish
him well!
Pamela Robinson is taking
a year’s leave of absence
and has started her Masters
Degree in Education at
OISE, University of Toronto.
Viktor Sosic
married Lillian
Ferreira, a
teacher at
Archbishop
Romero Catholic
Secondary
School, in
October 2009.
Angie Vallier,
After 4
Supervisor
Twelve
thousand
torchbearers
participated
in the
Olympic Flame’s historic 45,000kilometre journey. We are proud
that our very own Joel Brough,
Health and Physical Education
Co-ordinator, was one of those
who carried the torch for Canada.
“My 300-metre run with the torch, on
Day 33 of the 106-day relay, took me
to Chicoutimi, Quebec. The landscape
and scenery along the shores of the
St. Lawrence River were beautiful.
Moreover, it was special to have my
mother and nieces as a part of the
event. It brought back some amazing
memories of competing at the 1992
Olympics in Barcelona, where, during
the Opening Ceremonies, an archer
shot a flaming arrow over the
cauldron to light it. Being a small piece
of this long-held tradition for the
Olympic host nation was a great
experience — one I will remember
for years to come.”
Some smooth sailing by “Capt. Nicoll” and crew
KATIE NICOLL AND HER THREE CREW MEMBERS CAME 16 / 35 IN THE
2009 ROLEX INTERNATIONAL WO MEN’S KEELBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP
LAST OCTOBER. HERE ARE HIGHLIGHTS FROM HER CAPTAIN’S LOG.
Katie Coleman Nicoll, Amada Karahanas,
Gayle Gray, Clarity Nicoll
DAY 1: The day dawned with no wind, but we had high hopes. The support boats
8
towed us all out to the starting line, several miles offshore, at 0845 hours. We bobbed
around for three hours, until racing was postponed and then cancelled for the day.
DAY 3: Too tired from the previous day’s excitement…
DAY 2: The morning dawned with huge waves and a 15-knot breeze out of the northwest.
DAY 4: We started the day in a five-way tie for 16th
It was hard to find a place where you weren’t thrown around and almost out of the boat.
We rounded the first mark in the top 10, then the breeze lightened up and we slipped back
into the 20s to finish. But we finished both Race 5 and Race 6 in the top 10. Clarity did a
spectacular job on the bow — almost falling off the boat in the last race!
place, and finished 16th overall, meeting our goal of
being in the top half of the fleet. A great accomplishment,
especially since ours was one of the few teams to have
never raced together or raced the boat in a regatta.
W W W. S T E R L I N G H A L L . C O M
no entry today!
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2010! We wish you success in everything you
do and hope that you remember your time at Sterling Hall with fondness. Keep in touch with
all of your friends here, including your classmates, your teachers, and the Advancement Office.
OLD BOYS PUB NIGHT
— CHEERS!
On Thursday, May 28, 2009, SHS Old Boys,
teachers, and friends met up at Scallywags
Restaurant and Bar in Toronto for the first SHS
Old Boys Pub Night in many years. Old Boys
from 1996 to 2003 came out to reconnect and
say hello to their former teachers.
“It’s a little bit odd, but very cool,” said Luke
Coles, Grade 8 teacher and VP of Student Life,
“to share a beer with a kid you still see as 13.
It’s amazing how little they have changed —
just larger versions of themselves.”
Principal Ian Robinson dropped by to shake
some hands and see what the boys were up
to. “The establishment of what becomes a
tradition is always interesting. Judging by the
warm feeling and loud conversations, this one
will continue for a long time.”
James Macdonald,VP of Administration, was also
there. “It’s about time this tradition took off,” he
said. “I’m already looking forward to next year.”
Don’t miss this year’s Old Boys Pub Night
— flip to the back page for details!
Information about other Old Boys
events coming soon!
Front row (left to right): Andrew Allan, Grade 7 Teacher;
Peter Parente, Past Faculty; David Woodruff 2003;
James Macdonald, VP Administration; Peter Ambachtsheer 2003; Principal Ian Robinson; James Stewart,
Past Faculty; Luke Coles,VP Student Life; Evan Anthony
2004 Back row (left to right): Chris Bowlby 2003;
Liam Connor 2003; James Hay, Grade 8 Teacher;
Raz Koren 2002; Evan Barootes 2003; Leslie Ann
Dexter, VP Academics; Jame Zaiyouna 1999.
Present, but not in photo: Ari Kopolovic 1996
From page one to the next chapter by KC Daya 1994
It has been more than 15 years since I walked the halls of SHS as a student, but the
memories are still fresh. Back then, it was an up-and-coming school, still earning its
respect amongst the older peer schools. The year was 1994, and our class of nine boys
would be the first Grade 8 cohort this School had ever seen graduate.
Our make-shift classroom doubled as the Lunch Room and the Art Room, and I believe
it was Mr. Allan’s inaugural year (although curiously, he still looks the same!). Everyone
played on every sports team — sometimes we were short a player — and Karate was
mandatory. It was the year they created the Computer Room, we learned how to use
MS-DOS, and we had floppy disks that were five inches wide! Everything was new as the School moved
into uncharted territory, trying to deliver the best experience for the first Grade 8 class.
After SHS, I spent five years at UCC, a School that quite possibly has more to offer than any boy really
needs to reach his full potential. Then on to McGill for a BSc. Just when I thought I would never go
back to school, I decided to go to Schulich for an MBA and then
the CFA. It would appear that I put a high value on education!
As SHS now prepares for its next growth spurt, potentially a
secondary school, I am privileged to be on the Task Force that
will determine the feasibility of this project.
It is truly amazing to see how the story has unfolded: that little
school in North York has matured, as have I. We are now about to
embark on a new chapter, and it is going to be an exciting one!
G R E E N S C H O O L TA S K F O R C E S E T S P R I O R I T I E S
In October of 2009, an environmentally
minded group of Students, Parents, Faculty,
and Staff, plus Old Boy Jame Zaiyouna 1999
– known collectively as the Green School
Task Force – met to determine what
projects they would undertake this school
year. Following a lively discussion, three
areas of greatest priority for SHS emerged:
1. The EcoSchools program.
Under this government
program, already underway at
SHS, a school can be certified as
an EcoSchool by assessing and
improving its environmental
footprint in four areas:
waste management, energy
conservation, school greening,
and curriculum.
2. Food Services. We will look for ways
to offer more local and less packaged
food at the Blue Window.
3. Green Family Resources. This
involves setting up a system to share
green tips amongst SHS families.
These initiatives will help SHS students and
their families contribute to a greener future.
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THE STERLING HALL SCHOOL
Old Boys Pub Night
ALL SHS OLD BOYS UP TO THE CLASS OF 2004
Reconnect with your old teachers and friends —
and share stories of adventures new and old —
over complimentary munchies and drinks.
SC ALLYWAGS B AR AND RESTAURANT
11 ST. CLAIR AVENUE WEST (YONGE AND ST CLAIR)
THURSDAY MAY 27, 2010 • 6:30PM – 8:00PM
(REMEMBER, YOU MUST BE 19 OR OLDER TO ATTEND.)
RSVP THE ADVANCEMENT OFFICE • TELEPHONE: 416.785.3490 x 347
[email protected] OR REGISTER ONLINE
WWW.STERLINGHALL.COM, SHS COMMUNITY, EVENT REGISTRATION
THE STERLING HALL SCHOOL
Invites You Old Boys Back
to Your Old School
HELP US TELL
THE STERLING HALL SCHOOL
JOIN US FOR DINNER
PLAY BASKETBALL IN THE EATON SHIER GYM
JAM WITH THE BOYS IN THE SULLIVAN MUSIC CENTRE
GET CREATIVE IN THE POILE ART STUDIO
DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW IN THE PRYDE SCIENCE LAB
AND
RECONNECT WITH YOUR OLD TEACHERS AND FRIENDS!
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2010, 6:30PM – 8:00PM
RSVP
THE ADVANCEMENT OFFICE • TELEPHONE: 416.785.3490 x 347
[email protected] OR REGISTER ONLINE
WWW.STERLINGHALL.COM, SHS COMMUNITY, EVENT REGISTRATION
Archival contributions from students are a big part of Old Boy
events at independent boys’ schools around the world. These items
trigger many happy memories when they are displayed. SHS Old
Boys, especially, love to look back at their time spent at school.
At the moment, our archival collection reflects a limited portrayal of
student life over the School’s history. Please help us ensure that the
archival collection better reflects the reason we are all here! What
can be submitted to the archives?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Uniform pieces
Trophies
Photo albums
Report cards
Photographs of students and teachers
Event posters and invitations
Yearbook – 1994
Any items from 1987-1999
If you would like to donate any of these items to the SHS Archives,
please contact us at [email protected].
We also welcome Old Boys to join our celebration at our
Annual Founder’s Day Terry Fox Run on Friday, October 8,
2010, 9:00am – noon. Look for the SHS Old Boys Tent!