SPRING 2025 Rosseau Review
Shaping Our Future Together
For the past six months or so, we’ve been drafting and meeting with stakeholders toward the creation of our next strategic plan, with a goal for publication and operationalization this September.
The process has been a welcome opportunity to pause and reflect on our accomplishments. Since our last plan, launched in 2021, we’ve made significant strides in leadership, staffing, academic programs, community engagement and advancement. We’ve grown the Seven Generations initiative, and hired a full-time Indigenous coordinator. We’ve built out the leadership team and began a significant period of campus revitalization, one supported early on by the largest single donation in our history. We’ve undertaken an aggressive admissions tour, reaching existing and new markets. We’ve completed the Recreation Centre, on budget and on time, the first donor-funded facility since 2008.
Drafting the strategic plan was also an opportunity to reflect on who we are. To think about the values that have shaped the school since we began in 1967. It’s easy to overuse the word community, but for me, as we discuss our direction with various stakeholders, that’s what I keep coming back to: community. We’ve seen it particularly this year, given the activity around the creation of the Recreation Centre. From those who envisioned the project, to those who funded it, to those who quite literally built it, the project is an expression of our community and the relationships we hold dear to our hearts.
The strength and power of the community is evident at events like the ribbon cutting for the Recreation Centre in January. But it’s there in other ways, too. For example, I see it in the interactions that happen on campus each day. Students do better, try harder, and risk more when they know that there are people behind them, aware of their skills and talents, and want to see them succeed. In many ways, that’s the most valuable thing we offer. I see it in the boarding houses, on the sport court, in the classrooms. It’s there in the people cheering at the sidelines at a field hockey game, watching the graduates walk across the dais on Closing Day, or during a quiet chat at the water’s edge.
We see it here, in these pages, too. It connects us through shared experiences, strengthens our resilience, and empowers us. The power of community shapes who we are and what we can achieve.
Sincerely,
Dave Krocker Head of School
A canoe as classroom
Exploring the values of growth, connection, and reflection at Rosseau Lake College
Our founding head of school, R H Perry, once wrote that “It should be as natural for a person living in North America to paddle a canoe as it is to ski or skate.” He wrote that in 1966, the year before he helped found Rosseau Lake College.
He meant it literally, though he also meant it as an educator. You can see in the books he wrote for young people on canoeing and camping, as well as in the curriculum he developed for RLC. Learning was about more than facts and figures. It was also about identity, growth, and living well. Perry wrote that “a reliance on one’s skill and judgement seems to sharpen the appreciation for all the little, but important things of life—food tastes better, clothes are more comfortable, nature takes on a new meaning and living becomes exhilarating.”
The reason he felt that canoeing was an essential skill was because of the values that it reflected. Canoeing is physically active yet not based on competition. It grants an experience of mastery, with solo canoeing—being on the water alone—as the most masterful expression of the craft.
There was a cultural component, too. Canoeing has a history in this country, and is one of the few traditions
that is shared between those who were first here–canoe technology is a legacy of the First Nations—and others who came later. It’s a learned skill, but also a deeply personal one: the more time we spend in a canoe, the more we learn about ourselves. Canoeing is a way into nature, a means of learning to appreciate the natural world while being a part of it.
For much of Canada’s history, and indeed for eons before, canoeing was the one means available for exploring the geography of the nation, from the far north to the 49th parallel, from churning rapids to placid lakes.
It was an appreciation of all of those things—skills, perspective, experience, exertion–that Perry wanted to instill in his students. They’re the same things we want to instill in our students today. Dave Krocker, the current Head of School, has said, “if we’re only preparing our students for the next four years, then we aren’t doing our job.” Perry clearly thought that, too.
We intend for our students to be curious and thoughtful; confident yet humble. We want to know things, to have skills, and to relate well with others. We want to be good people, able to appreciate moments of quiet.
The only thing that we might change is Perry’s suggestion that only people living in North America should know how to ski, skate, and paddle a canoe. We’ve had students from all the continents, and more than 50 countries graduate from RLC. That they can ski, skate and paddle was an essential part of their education here, and, perhaps even more than they know, an essential part of who they are.
Building Community
Creating Rosseau Lake College’s New Recreation Centre
Over the years, the need for a dedicated facility to support the school’s athletic and extracurricular programs became increasingly apparent. While outdoor adventures and nature-based learning remain central to RLC’s ethos, the limitations of existing indoor spaces posed challenges for year-round programming and events. The recreation centre was conceived not just as a solution to these practical needs but as an opportunity to further enrich the student experience.
From Vision to Reality
The journey began with a simple question: What does our community need to grow? Early planning sessions engaged faculty, students, parents, and alumni, ensuring the project reflected the collective aspirations of the RLC family. Architects were tasked with designing a space that harmonized with the surrounding environment while meeting the diverse needs of the school community.
The result is a multi-purpose facility that blends functionality with aesthetics. With a full-size gymnasium, a fitness center, flexible activity rooms, and spaces for wellness initiatives, the recreation centre is as versatile as it is inspiring. Floor-to-ceiling windows invite natural light, creating a sense of connection to the outdoors even when indoors.
“ ... young athletes will be inspired to become the best version of themselves.”
—Jacqui Priolo, Athletic Director
Transforming the Student Experience
For students, the Recreation Centre is already becoming a cornerstone of campus life. Athletics teams now have a dedicated space to train and compete, while wellness programs find a natural home in the new facility. From yoga sessions to intramural sports, the opportunities for physical activity and community-building are endless.
A Space for All
The principal intention for the Recreation Centre is, of course, the elevation of the student experience. It increases indoor recreation and athletic space six-fold, and, as such, it will have a profound impact on student life. It
will provide new opportunities for inter- and intra-school competition; provide a centre for wellness as part of physical education and outdoor education; and create a social hub where all students can meet informally outside of class time and in the evenings. All of that is huge.
But the facility will also provide a means for building community relationships, which is important, too. The reality of that has truly set in over the course of the sum-
mer. In July we hosted the Lake Rosseau North Association Summer Social. The facility was, understandably, a topic of conversation. The LRNA is an association of property owners from the region. Having them on campus was important, it was a means of engaging our neighbours.
We circulated a survey, asking how they’d like to be able to use the facility, from rentals to personal training. Almost 70% noted that they’d be interested in renting the facility
for corporate and private events. A similar number are looking forward to joining an RLC pickleball league. Other suggested uses include camps, fitness classes, workshops, and sports-specific training. As such, the community engagement and revenue generation potential for the centre is clear.
We see this, in a sense, as a first step toward the future of RLC. It was an opportunity to prove what we could do, and show that we are at a point in our life where more things are possible. We took a risk, but the community came through. The project was fuelled by the biggest donation in our history. Which in turn inspired others. They all supported the project for the same reason. It wasn’t because of the building, impressive as it is, but because they share the vision.
“ Today is
about
more
than just opening
the
doors of a building. It’s about opening the doors to new opportunities, new experiences, and new ways for our students to grow and thrive. … We see this as an investment in the future of Rosseau and the region, one that will draw interest and inspire further initiatives in infrastructure, athletics, and culture”
—Dave Krocker, Head of School, during his address at the grand opening, January 2025
Extraordinary Beginnings
Reflecting on the Transformative Power of Learning Outdoors
by Ali O’Marra-Armstrong Assistant Head of School, Academics
For many, the first days of school evoke nostalgia, anticipation, and perhaps even worry. As both a parent and educator, I understand the mix of excitement and trepidation that September brings. This year felt especially poignant for me, as RLC is where my journey as a new teacher began in 2002.
While moving back across the country last summer, I came across a photograph from one of my first years at RLC—a canoe trip on the French River. It captured what makes this school special: learning, in all regards, through “fearless practice and discovery” (Tomlinson). Here, learning happens with equal measure inside and outside the classroom—it truly is extraordinary in nature.
In Richard Wagamese’s words, “All that we are is story … It is what we arrive with. It is all we leave behind.” The first week after they arrive each year,
our students embark on outdoor adventures that will shape their own narratives, building resilience and connections that will last for years. These experiences, more than just skill-building, help define who they are becoming. As Kurt Hahn said, “There is more in you than you think.” That was certainly true for me.
The September outtrips are a cornerstone of the RLC experience, bringing the community together, building skills, and setting the foundation for the academic year ahead.
Grade 7-8, Foundation Years
Massasauga Provincial Park
Canoe Trip
Massasauga Provincial Park provides a beautiful, yet incredibly safe back-country experience where Foundation Years students learn basic paddling strokes, the safest and easiest way to portage, and canoe rescue methods.
Grade 9
Algonquin Provincial Park
Canoe Trip
Algonquin Provincial Park’s biologically diverse landscape offers an excellent opportunity for Grade 9 students to further develop their canoe tripping skills. On this five-day trip, students focussed on tandem canoe work, basic navigational skills, and food preparation.
Grade 10
Madawaska Kanu Centre
Whitewater paddling
The Grade 10s spent time at the world famous Madawaska Kanu Center where they learned the skills and techniques involved in white water paddling.
Grade 11
Georgian Bay Sea Kayaking
In Grade 11 students took a break from canoe skills to enjoy the rugged windswept beauty of Georgian Bay in sea kayaks. They reflected on their RLC journey, their role as leaders in the senior school, and how they want to continue to push their limits, build additional skills and grow into independent thinkers and learners.
Grade 12
Algonquin Provincial Park Canoe Trip
This five-day canoe trip is the culmination of the RLC outdoor learning experience. This one-of-a-kind wilderness experience gives Grade 12 students a chance to put all of their skills to use.
“I thank Rosseau for that”
Checking in with Aaron Siegel ‘02
Fall Colours is a great annual event, in part because it brings lots of familiar faces back to the campus. Aaron Siegel ‘02 was one of them. Held in late September, while at Fall Colours he took part in the Adventure Race, now in its second year and fast becoming a widely anticipated annual event. The race included a canoe around the lighthouse, a run on the trails, and a swim across the marina harbour.
On the swim dock at the close of the race Aaron talked about how “exciting it was to return to campus after 20 years seeing all the places and trails I had forgotten while running, swimming and canoeing at full speed just moments after I arrived.”
Then, speaking directly to the students, Aaron said, “I’m moved by gratitude for my parents who cared enough to send me here. I was not an active kid when I arrived at Rosseau. In fact you couldn’t have paid me money to run a race like this. Today I’m as active as ever and much of my life is spent outdoors. These activities and others have been a resource for me, they’ve connected me with great people, they’ve sustained my confidence and continue to bring me joy when life gets challenging. For this resource I thank Rosseau.”
Recently, we followed up with him a bit more about his time at RLC:
What’s the one unforgettable moment from your time at Rosseau Lake College that you still bring up at reunions or with friends?
I haven’t been to a reunion yet, but there are two classmates from 2001-02 who saw me do a 360 on a pair of nordic skis.
If you could time travel back to your days at Rosseau, which part of campus would you head to first? Why?
I’d like to visit Brock House and the Dining Hall where I spent so much time. I’d actually like to explore the places I didn’t go and discover places where I could imagine myself spending time now. This would give me a sense of who I was back then in comparison to who I am now.
What was the most “Rosseau Lake College” thing you did that perfectly captures the spirit of the school?
In the summer of 2017 I paddled 530 km from Wawa to about Moosonee along the Missinaibi river. It took 19 days. Physically I had no problem with paddling 10 hours a day or even the 8 km of portaging around Thunderhouse Falls, but doing the trip alone presented spiritual and psychological challenges I’ve never experienced before.
If you could give a short pep talk to your high school self on your first day at Rosseau, what would you say?
You’ll get as much or more from putting into life than you get out!
Village Life
It’s not entirely clear how Rosseau got its name. One theory says that William Robinson, a member of the House of Assembly, named it after his friend Joseph Rousseau. (Though why he spelled it wrong is a puzzler.) Another, perhaps more accurate theory, suggests that the lake was named after Catherine Rosseau, the mother of William Hamilton Merritt, a prominent Canadian businessman and politician.
In history, feel, and that sense of community and safety, the village of Rosseau is a unique and delightful aspect of who we are. The village may not be an important factor of our academic program, but it’s an important aspect of the student experience. Ask alumni about their time at RLC, and you’ll invariably hear about how wonderful it was to spend those years in a charming village, by a lake, in Muskoka.
A Journey in Education
How Rosseau Lake College Rekindled My Curiosity and Redefined Learning
by Jeremy Kutas ‘24
Jeremy Kutas ‘24 joined the RLC boarding community in 2021 for Grade 10. He quickly became known as a thoughtful and respectful community member, engaging staff and students in deep and meaningful conversations about history, politics, medicine and life. He immersed himself in many of the opportunities that RLC provided, including travelling to a model United Nations conference in South Korea. He’s now completing a degree in medicine program at Brunel University, London.
The text below is an excerpt from Jeremy ‘24’s community talk given in the spring of his graduating year.
I grew up in the UK. I spent 14 years there. Secondary school in the UK was completely different. There, you get separated into bands according to how well your academic performance is. And everything is about that: academic performance. The curriculum is pure memorization. Collaboration doesn’t exist. School became a torture for me.
My experience of Rosseau was like light and dark. Diversity of learning is celebrated. If you want to do a podcast, do a podcast. If you want to do a presentation about this really specific thing that you like, great. Instead of just the old test, test, test, exam, exam, exam. There are tests [at RLC], don’t get me wrong, but how you learn, how you do best, that’s what matters here. Being able to express your knowledge in so many different ways.
And experiential learning. That doesn’t exist back home. [There] you just stay in class and you sit on a chair, you do your work and you go home. Here, we’re going out and building bush shelters, we’re playing in the snow, we’re going canoeing. Stuff that I would only see on TV in American movies. But now I’m doing it. Instead of reading about history, I’m actually walking in Wasauksing, talking
to the Elders. Meeting people who have actually gone through this, and to see it with my own eyes.
Rosseau also allowed me to grow outside of the classroom, and I thank Mr. Krocker for a lot of that. For example, being able to go to the nursing station and volunteer. Because I was encouraged to do something that allowed me to grow as an individual, I have some of the best memories. Going there, seeing what health care was actually about, reignited this passion in me to pursue medicine.
The teachers at RLC—that is also something that is very special. In the UK, teachers are superior. Having a normal conversation with them doesn’t exist. At Rosseau, they are there for you. They are your friends, and they stay after class to help you with things. That’s just crazy, it’s such a valuable resource that you have at your fingertips.
There’s a quote from Einstein that I really like, which is “I have no special talents, I’m only passionately curious.” And I think it’s the philosophy of Rosseau Lake College that helped me to reignite that burning curiosity, and that enjoyment of learning.
The Mino-Bimaadiziwin Award
Mino-Bimaadiziwin is the name of an annual award created in 2024 to celebrate the goals and the spirit of the Seven Generations program at Rosseau Lake College. The award is a beaded medallion hand crafted by alumnus Meaghan Tabobondung ‘17.
Mino-Bimaadiziwin is an Anishinaabek word meaning “a good life.” It refers to an ability to achieve a balance between body, mind, heart, and spirit. It includes a sense of hope for the future, as well as a sense of belonging and purpose. Mino-Bimaadiziwin is achieved through introspection and knowing the answers to these four questions. Who am I? Where do I come from? Why am I here? And where am I going? The recipient of this award is a student in the graduating class who embodies the concept of Mino-Bimaadiziwin and has demonstrated the spirit of the Seven Grandfather Teachings in their daily life.
This award reflects a student’s journey while attending RLC. For more, see https://www.rosseaulakecollege.com/ academics/seven-generations
Celebrating RLC’s Global Community
How International Connections Shape Lives and Strengthen the Rosseau Lake College Legacy
Earlier this year Sunil Maraj ‘80 stopped in. He was with Kelvin Kahn, brother to Carlyle Kahn ‘81, who is also an RLC alum. Neither had been back in decades. When he walked into the dining hall, Sunil pointed out the flag of Trinidad hanging from the ceiling. It’s there with the flags of so many other countries, all representing students and alumni who have come here. It was a nice moment hearing him proclaim proudly, “There’s us!”
Being an international school is a very important part of who we are. To have students from more than 20 countries in a school of our size means that we are truly like a mini United Nations. Students bring their perspectives,
their life experiences, thereby establishing a common understanding among cultures. For many of our students, coming to RLC is the first time that they will have met someone from Cyprus, or Nigeria, or Thailand. With each meeting, their world becomes that much larger. It’s one thing to teach the curriculum, and that’s important. However, we’re also in the business of giving our students an experience of the world. We have to consider with great interest, how might our world be different if all students had the experience, as ours do, of gaining close, personal relationships with peers from every continent around the globe? What problems might they solve together, what might they contribute given that global perspective and empathy for others?
This year RLC has been reaching out internationally more than at any time in our past. With the direction of Joan Sun, our director of admissions, we’ve presented along with other Canadian boarding schools at CAIS fairs. We’ve made stops in Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, China, the Bahamas, the UK, Italy, Nigeria, and Spain.
These recruitment trips are an opportunity to tell our story, but more importantly they are a chance to continue to build the RLC community. Through formal and informal events, we are meeting students who, in time, may join RLC. They’ll share their stories, and hear the stories of others, and add all those rich layers of experience and learning and friendship to the academic experience. For some of the students I’m meeting on this trip, perhaps one day, decades down the road, they’ll stop in at RLC with a friend. They’ll find themselves in the yearbooks, and visit old haunts. And when they walk into the dining hall they’ll point up to the Thai flag, or the Japanese flag, or the Nigerian flag, and say, “There’s us.”
The Lake
Samantha Brett ‘04 on RLC’s defining feature
Samantha Brett ‘04 is one of those few students who came to RLC from, literally, next door, having grown up in Rosseau. She spoke about that experience at the last Closing Day. During her talk she also read a poem, “The Lake”. You can also hear her read it in the video of Closing Day.
Snow corps depressions pressed into pockets of dense snow, moments of calm embraced by the setting sun, evidence of childhood dimpling the shoreline, Melting slowly back to the lake.
Wander here a whole summer if you can, hot pine sap perfume, crispy brown needles shellacked to denim, splitters from dock wood waiting patiently.
The Lake
By Samantha Brett ‘04
Wander here a whole winter if you can, To the hill, the shore, the point, the creek
Slide down the smooth rocks, wet cold fingertips raw and pruning, Thud each boot against the world, Should there be a puddle so lucky.
Crawl beneath the wooden crib, Feel the silent space around you, The ice is smooth, inviting, curious, Run and slide, arms open wide.
Feel the subtle bumps of nature’s brail, A CRACK makes you jump. It is terrifying, exhilarating, unknown, Be curious about the wild within.
Peer down through the frozen world on hands and knees, Into the memories of summer joy, Frozen white bubbles gasping for air, A missing reflection, with a question hanging:
Who is looking back at me?
Drip, drip … the sound of a thawing boathouse, The sun reaching close, ringing out the winter blanket,
One-of-a-kind icicles dangling from rocky ledges, dripping, cracking, falling, Quenching the thirst of youth.
Smooth water rippling at the call of a loon, a veil of fog reminding us that yesterday is gone, the heat melts in, the cicada chimes when the wind makes a stop, reminding us to rest.
Sunbeams of ambition gently reaching, Illuminating corners of the forest floor, The sound of a distant splash, An Ovenbird cheering unseen.
Grip at the lichen-smothered granite, toes digging for pockets of earth in the cracks, keep climbing, reach the top. Jump in.
A cold gasp drowns out the silent calm, The stillness of the shore, Echoing with the final moments of summer, The wind crisp, wanting to feel welcome, Leaves rustle overhead, Numbed by morning dew, Frozen are their veins, heavy and wet, Crystals speckled across their skin.
The warmth leaching from the sun, Painting the canopy red, A quiet pond begins to sleep, woodstove smoke hugging the air.
A scent of organic decay reminding the forest to rest, The lake, waving to get our attention, We go for one more dip, Before the ice sets in.
In the News
We’d like to extend our gratitude to Phil and Eva Cunningham for the donation of a golf cart. The number of times we needed a golf cart during campus events with external guests has been extensive, and this donation fills that gap. As we continue to ELEVATE, details like transportation for VIPs or any guests with mobility issues is imperative, and demonstrates an organization committed to a higher standard. We want our campus frequented by our neighbors and others interested in RLC and we are now more comfortable in this regard. Very many thanks to Phil and Eva for their ongoing support and this really exciting gift.
Annabelle East stopped in to say hello. Annabelle’s husband, Maurice East, is one of the founders of the school, and her memories of that time are fascinating. She recalls going to Ashbury College for an event, knowing that R. H. Perry might be a good candidate to be the first headmaster of RLC. He was retiring early, and Maurice wanted to offer him the head’s job at RLC. So they flew in a float plane, landed on the Ottawa River and walked up to the school. She remembers Perry standing next to a fireplace. Maurice went up and asked, “How would you like to head a new school in Muskoka?” They talked, Perry said yes, and Maurice and Annabelle walked back down to the river and flew home. Amazing.
In October Paige ‘25, Mazzy ‘26, and Lydia ‘26, travelled with faculty member Dan Hedges, to Colombia to take part in both a Round Square International Conference (RSIC) in Bogota and a pre-conference tour of the Amazon. Over two weeks they floated amongst the biodiversity of the Amazon river, hiked to waterfalls, engaged with local people in the town of Leticia, and met youth delegates from around the world to exchange ideas and create new friendships. Round Square is an international network of more than 200 schools based on the educational concepts of Kurt Hahn. Round Square schools share a commitment to character education and experiential learning built around six themes (IDEALS) – International Understanding, Democracy, Environmental Stewardship, Adventure, Leadership, and Service. Rosseau Lake College is proud to be a member of the Round Square international community; over the years our students have travelled to all corners of the globe to attend conferences, participate in community engagement and service projects, and for school exchanges. We have also hosted students on our campus, this year including a Grade 9 visitor Lala Tanabe from Okinawa, Japan.
The sailing program hosted another successful regatta. Alumni Bill Morris ‘73 volunteered to be on the committee boat, and you could sense the pride he had to see our school putting together a truly memorable experience for sailors. The main event was sailing, of course, but what’s more is the environment that is created by our generous parents who bring yummy food, music and propane heaters for the dock.
Gabriel Schmerler ‘87, a professional chef and caterer, has spent time with our excellent food services team and some students. He assisted with the creation and execution of the Winter Formal dinner and the grand opening of the Recreation Centre. Which received rave reviews from all in attendance. Shown here with Jonathan Alderson ’87 and James Sutcliffe ’87. Alice Booth and her son Kevin Booth ‘77 were great friends of RLC, and both contributed significantly to the culture and community of the school. Alice served as a member of the board during the 1970s. Alice brought a wealth of experience, and in her life she had worked as an usherette at Maple Leaf Gardens, was on staff at Ontario Hydro, was a dedicated volunteer with Big Sisters West Park Health Care Centre. Later she held a position at the Ontario Arts Council in addition to her work as a travel agent.
David Reeder ‘82 , a professional landscape architect, brought supplies and worked with students to help decorate the campus in December. More generally, David has become deeply involved with the design of the grounds surrounding the new RLC Recreation Center. He is working with Dawn Tabobondung, the Indigenous Seven Generations Program Coordinator, on implementing traditional plants in the overall landscaping plan.
Alumni gathered in Calgary in February. With us was a faculty member from the 1970s and early 80s, Robert Rudolf, shown here with Tom Howard ’86.
Kevin graduated from RLC in 1977 and remained a fierce and devoted fan of the school. He played a major role over the years of keeping the 70’s alumni connected and engaged. He was always the first to organize an event, as with the annual Christmas at the Miller gatherings. On retirement, Kevin moved back to Muskoka and became a very welcome and familiar face on campus.
Both Kevin and Alice honoured their appreciation for Rosseau Lake College with a legacy gift, a portion of which was used to support the creation of the Recreation Centre.
“ [Kevin] was truly one of the good ones.” —Bill Morris ‘73
The RLC golf team continued to connect with RLC alumnus Will Pugliese ‘98 at The Diamond on Old Parry Sound road, the most beautiful executive course in the area. We added another keen golfer and alumnus Zoyer Clayden Tabobondung ‘14 to our coaching roster: he generously volunteered his time and shared his lessons in golf and life with our youngsters. Ms. Walker was our main coach and ensured the students got to and from golf safely and on time, thank you for taking on this new challenge for our students. Student Jordan ‘28 went on to compete at the CISAA Championships.
The field hockey team earned another CISAA DIII Championship title! For a large portion of the team this was a back-to-back championship. What stood out was how the 2023 Grade 12s fostered a culture of positivity, high expectations and support. The 2024 leaders continued this tradition by creating an atmosphere that encourages passion and perseverance, the ingredients of GRIT. Most of our players started their field hockey careers at RLC, and for the new girls to join a team that has had recent success could be intimidating, but it is the players who inspire one another to come learn the sport and dig in to develop their skills.
RLC Operating Expenses 2023/24
