EMBRACING Opportunities
Becoming a Crofton House School student means joining a proud history of strong values and traditions and , importantly , bringing a unique story to our campus and enriching our community . Whether pursuing academics , athletics , arts , leadership — or a combination of interests — each student is an essential thread in our thriving campus tapestry .
Katie , who graduated in June 2022 , joined Crofton House in Grade 8 from École Jules Quesnel Elementary School , a public school in Vancouver .
When considering coming to Crofton House , she noted , “ The opportunity to do so many different programs was exciting . I was always interested in the sciences , orchestra and choir , but I couldn ’ t find anywhere else that offered the ability to participate in all of these at once .”
However , thinking about CHS , Katie and her family weren ’ t sure it was a possibility until an alumna and family friend mentioned that there was financial assistance available at CHS , which “ made attending more of a reality .”
“ I remember my family ’ s concern about entering a new school , which I think is a typical concern for most .
However , I found wonderful people here — I feel grateful to have met lovely friends who have made the last five years so memorable . I ’ ve also had opportunities here that I don ’ t think could have happened otherwise .”
When she arrived in Grade 8 , Katie jumped into orchestra , choirs and various CHS clubs . Throughout her years in the Senior School , she was involved with the Social Responsibility Club ( where she was Club Captain in Grade 11 ), Model United Nations , the Student Ambassador programs , a film entered in the Rain City Reels film festival , various school productions , and student leadership as Prefect of Health and Wellness in her graduating year .
She was also actively engaged in multiple events on campus , having co-hosted TEDx at Crofton House and participated in the Social Impact Innovation Challenge .
“ I love having many different passions , and I look for ways to take advantage of new experiences . My involvement in music has been what I ’ ve been consistently excited about and for which I have so much gratitude . The music department is a wonderful community of so many talented people . Additionally , moving through to upper grades my leadership involvement increased with more opportunities to promote student voice !”
When asked what her fondest memories from CHS are , it ’ s both the big trips and the day-to-day that came to mind . “ Our chamber choir sang in New York at Carnegie Hall in 2019 . We were the only Canadian choir and had the chance to sing with choirs from all across North America , which was truly a once-ina-lifetime opportunity . I was grateful it was covered [ as part of financial assistance ] because it made this moment become a reality , which is something I will remember for the rest of my life .”
“ I ’ ve also loved the rehearsals for productions ; rehearsals are memorable , and getting to know students in other grades is always fun . Additionally , through running the wellness drop-in meetings , I had the chance to make new friendships in other grades that have really meant a lot to me ,” Katie said .
The weekly wellness drop-ins were an initiative Katie started as a prefect in her graduating year , offering students a space to have more frequent conversations about mental health .
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