2019–20 Report Card

A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

GIANT STEPS

ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL is a strong academic university preparatory institution with selective entrance standards. Offering a Boarding Program for Grades 8 to 12 and a Day Program for Grades 1 to 12, St. George’s is committed to its Mission of building fine young men. The School encourages the pursuit of excellence in all endeavours, and is committed to the healthy growth of body, mind, and spirit. Character development, leadership, and service opportunities are integral to the School’s mission.

BUILDING FINE YOUNG MEN.

ONE BOY AT A TIME.

This Report Card functions as a comprehensive annual report and includes a wide range of highlights, ranging from the accomplishments of our students through to the depth and breadth of our programs. Produced every year, it reflects our commitment to continuous school improvement, as well as our desire to keep the St. George’s community well informed and fully engaged.

Reflecting on the 2019-20 academic year, I feel a deep sense of pride in the Saints community. It was a year like no other. Beginning in March, we rose to the challenges that the pandemic sent our way, transitioning to online learning and then back again to face-to-face learning for a couple of weeks in June. Our faculty and staff consistently went way above the call of duty in support of the boys and their learning, and the support, patience, and understanding demonstrated by our parent community were nothing short of extraordinary. Equally impressive, our students stepped up and made the best of a less-than-ideal situation. I have never felt more grateful nor more inspired.

In addition, the year was punctuated by a number of events and accomplishments that are highlighted in this Report. The Graduating Class of 2020 enjoyed great success with their university applications, and they have gone on to pursue their studies in a wide range of programs at a wide range of post-secondary institutions in Canada and around the world. We wrapped up our work on our most recent Strategic Plan, and we look forward to construction of three magnificent new buildings on the Senior School campus in the coming months.

2019-20 truly was an extraordinary and wonderful year. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the entire Saints community. It hasn’t always been easy, but as St. George’s approaches its second century, we are a stronger community than ever, and we continue to advance in a number of ways, to become the very best school possible for the benefit of our students, both present and future.

What a surreal year! St. George’s has grown over our past 90 years to become one of Canada’s pre-eminent schools, with a strong reputation for boy-centred learning and teaching, and aspires to be among the best independent schools in the world. Our School remains committed to character education and the development of young men equipped to lead lives of purpose and to contribute meaningfully to their communities locally, nationally, and globally.

This year will see the retirement of our beloved Head of School, Dr. Tom Matthews, along with his magnificent wife, Sheena. We have seen many successes under his stewardship, including inspirational leadership, forward-thinking pedagogy, reinvigorated boarding, the reimagining of our facilities, historic fundraising, outstanding management, and tireless work to strengthen and deepen our relationships with our boys, parents, alumni, and neighbours, including the Musqueam First Nation. We look forward to the arrival of our next Head of School, Mr. David Young and his delightful wife, Sue, in July 2021. Mr. Young is an authentic and engaging educator and administrator, whose energy, track record, ability to connect with students and all of our many stakeholder groups, and vision for the future of boy–centred education at Saints led to his unanimous endorsement by the Society Board as a worthy successor to Dr. Matthews.

The School is in great shape, with historic levels of application for admission, extremely high re–enrollment, and best-in-class university acceptances in terms of variety, location, and global reputation of institutions. Despite the travails of this year, our Boarding Program has remained vibrant, with an unparalleled diversity of students from around the globe, from huge cities and small towns, and from households who have faced very different paths to arrive at our School. Our reputation for excellence continues to attract top–quality educators and administrators, and we celebrate our 10th year of being honoured among the Top 100 Employers in British Columbia. We are committed to every employee being known and cared for, one employee at a time. During this extended period of challenge, we are truly blessed by our full complement of passionate, dedicated, inspiring, and hard–working people.

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Despite delays in permit approvals, we understand that our ambitious construction project at the Senior School campus will commence construction imminently. This will result in facilities that are more conducive and supportive to our continuing mission to prepare our young men for the rapid pace of change that will face them in coming decades.

We are also grateful for our vibrant, supportive, and evolving community. The Foundation has been a remarkable steward of our endowment and finances, the SGPA have been tremendous at building and maintaining our supportive community, and our OBA have been energetic and ambitious at connecting our alumni together, for life.

Thank you again to Dr. Matthews, and all of you who contribute to the School’s success every day. I am particularly grateful to the exceptional members of our Society Board, with whom I am honoured and grateful to serve.

Sine Timore Aut Favore

A SKENE ‘85

CHAIR OF THE SOCIETY BOARD

DR. TOM MATTHEWS

MICHAEL

A WORLD OF ACADEMICS

EDUCATION AT ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

St. George’s reputation as one of the most academically challenging and competitive high school environments in Canada is long-standing. As a university preparatory institution with selective entrance standards, our students meet that challenge by earning exemplary grades, as evidenced by the extraordinary number of university acceptances from around the globe. All of our graduates leave St. George’s School with options; our goal is to prepare them sufficiently well in all respects to ensure that the choices they have upon graduation will set them on a path to lifelong success.

A WELL-DESERVED REPUTATION

AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES

OVERSEAS UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

BOWDOIN COLLEGE

BROWN UNIVERSITY

CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY

CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE

COLBY COLLEGE

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

EMORY UNIVERSITY

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY

STANFORD UNIVERSITY

SWARTHMORE COLLEGE

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

THE NEW SCHOOL, PARSONS

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

DURHAM UNIVERSITY

HONG KONG UNIVERSITY

KING’S COLLEGE LONDON

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

UNIVERSITY OF ST. ANDREWS

COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA

UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO WESTERN UNIVERSITY

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS

STUDENTS ATTENDING OVERSEAS UNIVERSITIES COLLEGES

Most popular international destination: UNITED KINGDOM

In the primary grades, boys learn a lot through play and discovery.  They are outside, on the floor, or working with friends to build their understanding of numeracy and literacy.  There is a strong emphasis on early literacy, using shared language and writing checklists all the way from Kindergarten to Grade 3.

In the intermediate grades, the boys let their inquiry lead their learning.  Each boy goes through the guided inquiry process each year.  Whether it is to explore adaptations and animal habitats, or to learn about the early explorers of Canada, or to wonder how they can use science to better humanity, the boys are asking questions and putting their skills to use.

At the Junior School, there is a strong focus on the growth and development of core competencies.  Soft skills like critical thinking, communication, and creativity are embedded into all they do.  And it’s not hidden.  The boys reflect on their assignments, focusing on how they showed a particular core competency.  Then, with the help of their teacher, they set goals.  Conversations between parents, students, and teachers happen throughout the year because we know that a boy will succeed when his teacher and parents are partners in his learning.  Boys create portfolios of their work each year, allowing them to chart their progress, have evidence of learning, and keep artifacts from their year.

ACADEMIC SNAPSHOT

FINE YOUNG MEN

STUDENT BODY PROFILE

WE ARE THE WORLD

BOARDING AT ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

Boarding provides a unique opportunity for students to live and learn as part of an active and vibrant school community. What makes residential life at St. George’s unique is our urban surroundings: we live in a safe, residential area that is only minutes away from the heart of one of the world’s most exciting cities. Harker Hall, our dedicated boarding facility, is a diverse, engaging environment that is warm, welcoming, and conducive to effective learning. To support our belief in the well-rounded boy, we offer an extensive Activities Program and Residential Life Curriculum.

WE ARE CANADA’S WORLD SCHOOL FOR BOYS.

A WORLD OF CREATIVITY

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES AT ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

50 CLUBS

A unique and defining feature of St. George’s School is the breadth and depth of our programs. This is never more evident than in the selection of elective Clubs & Activities offered to our boys at lunchtime, after school, and on the weekends. Some clubs travel to competitions out of town for one to two weeks, even through the holidays. Every club or activity has at least one faculty or staff sponsor, and as many as 98% of the boys participate in one or more co-curricular activity at both Schools.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Amnesty International Anime, Comic, Games

Art Club

Athletic Trainers

Bee Keeping & Organic Gardening Business Club

Ceramics

Board Games

Chinese Culture

Classics Exams/Classical League/Latin Community Leadership Program

Competitive Math Club Computer Science Club

Contemporary Design Club

Debating

Destination Imagination (DINI)

Duke of Edinburgh

Dungeons & Dragons ESports

Film

Foosball

Experiment Club

Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA)

Georgian Yearbook

German Culture

Global Perspectives Community Service (GPACS)

Green Machine Recycling

Guitar Club (Co-curric Term 3)

Improv (Co-curric Term 2)

Investment Club

Jazz Combo

Journalism Club Law Club

Library Monitors

Life Drawing

Makers

Math Challengers 8 & 9

MUN (Model United Nations)

Odd Squad Peer to Peer Mentorship

Open Studio Art

OPUS Literary & Art Publication (Leaders Term 2) Philosophy

Portfolio (Art)

Portfolio (Writing)

Public Speaking Radio Control

Robotics/ Technology

Saints’ Players Theatre Co.

Saints’ STEM:Science, Technology, Engineering, Math SchoolReach Quiz Teams

Sew You Can Cook

Table Top Games

Vocal Music Visual Arts

University Essay Workshops

Wind Ensemble

Woodworking

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Art Chess

Choir

Georgian (yearbook)

Library Model Model UN Public Speaking

Scorekeeping

SFPD (Peer Leadership Program, Grade 7) Student Government 34th Scout Group

A WORLD TO EXPLORE

OUTDOOR EDUCATION AT ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

When COVID-19 shut down in-person learning across BC in April 2019, the SGS Outdoor Education department found themselves reckoning with a daunting and foreign landscape – the internet. With a little resilience and a lot of creativity, we re-imagined our traditional overnight camp programs, day trips, and spring expeditions and leveraged our School’s existing online platforms and tools to best deliver Outdoor Education.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION ONLINE: MORE THAN 80 TRIPS

THE NEWEST FRONTIER

Through Google Meet, we hosted Grade 4 Camp, which included a number of activities students could complete in their own backyards and local green spaces, as well as a virtual campfire that students attended from the comfort of their very own homemade blanket forts. In Grades 1 and 2, Rosalind McCanny, our Junior School Program Lead fulfilled her dream of being a children’s TV host and filmed a number of on-location videos and tutorials about the Intertidal Zone and Salmon, Stream and Forest Ecology. Students were able to watch these videos, complete remote scavenger hunts, and share their own stories about their explorations of these areas and topics.

At the Senior School, the Outdoor Education department participated in the planning and facilitation of the Experiential Wednesday curriculum which focused on hands-on learning in the areas of Global Stewardship, Service, and Outdoor Education. We continued to teach the Discovery Program remotely, which involved a virtual board game that required the boys to think critically in field-based scenarios and apply the outdoor and leadership skills they’d be learning all year. It also meant the boys conducted their highly anticipated 24hour solos from their own backyards!

OVER 55 DAYS IN THE WILDERNESS

MULTIPLE OUTDOOR DAY-TRIP EXPLORATIONS

Over 80 trips throughout the year put more than 850 students out for more than 4500 days of student field time each year.

CHILLIWACK HOPE SEA-TO-SKY CORRIDOR E.C. MANNING PROVINCIAL PARK GARIBALDI PROVINCIAL PARK VANCOUVER ISLAND

WHAT WE DO

A WORLD OF ATHLETICS

CO-CURRICULAR ATHLETICS AT ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

More than 80 years ago the value of including a strong athletics program in the education of boys of St. George’s School was recognized. Decades later the competitive and recreational sport programs offered provide a diverse array of opportunities for our boys to be challenged athletically and socially. Our coaches work to ensure that positive character development is always integrated into each boys’ experience on and off the field, during practices, games, tournaments, and on trips and tours. Great memories, wonderful experiences and strong relationships are expected outcomes from our cocurricular Athletics Program.

The School supports all levels of involvement with all of our sports programs. The boys are encouraged to be multi-sport athletes and to try new sports or activities to broaden their experiences and challenge their bodies and minds. From highly challenging and complex training and competition that could lead to national and international experiences, to a recreational level where enjoyment is the primary goal, all student-athletes and coaches are encouraged to integrate the School’s Core Values of empathy, humility, integrity, resiliency, respect, and responsibility into their involvement in any of our sports program.

A WORLD OF ARTISTIC VISION

THE ARTS PROGRAM AT ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

Whether it’s designing, building, and lighting stage sets, acting, high-tech animation, painting, drawing, or sculpting, Saints’ boys love to explore and develop their creative talents. The choices at St. George’s School are unparalleled and include opportunities to act in semi-professional productions annually, play in one of ten major bands and ensembles, take a master class with renowned international artists and musicians, compete for one of the muchprized arts scholarships, or exhibit their work publicly. Every boy becomes an Artistic Boy at some point during their time at Saints.

NURTURING CREATIVITY

THE ARTS AT ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

THE RIGG SCHOLARSHIPS

The Rigg Scholarships were established in 1980 in memory of Philip Rigg, a student at the School who passed away before graduating. While also noted as an athlete and a scholar, it was Philip’s pottery, painting, and drawing that made him truly exceptional, and it was these areas of endeavour his family elected to honour.

To be chosen as a Rigg Scholar, students must apply and then meet a rigorous set of criteria for Visual Arts, Music, or Theatre Arts. These criteria include not only technical ability, but also demonstrated leadership in their chosen field. Competition is fierce, and each spring ArtsWeek culminates in a ceremony naming the coming year’s Rigg Scholars.

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

SERVICE LEARNING AT ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2019-20

Despite an abbreviated year, Service Learning programs continued in full force for the first two terms. Our gradewide initiative for Grade 8, Reading Bear, connected our students with primary students at Thunderbird, Seymour, and Strathcona Elementary Schools. Even though we were unable to finish our full complement of visits, it continues to be one of the most successful programs as it introduces Grade 8s to the aims of Global Stewardship in the Senior School in a meaningful way. Opportunities to engage in our community through mentoring, environmental action, and food security continued to build partnerships with a wide variety of community organizations. In Term 3, student leaders acted quickly and creatively to launch the Saints Go MAD (Make a Difference) campaign, challenging the whole community to find ways to spread cheer and connection while we were unable to be together.

WAYS WE HELP

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

ALLEY OUTREACH PROJECT

ATIRA WOMEN’S RESOURCE SOCIETY

BACKPACK BUDDIES

BMO MARATHON

CIBC RUN FOR THE CURE

CKNW KID’S FUND

COVENANT HOUSE

CROFTON MANOR

DUNBAR COMMUNITY CENTRE

EACH ONE TEACH ONE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

ENVIRONMENTAL YOUTH ALLIANCE

GREATER VANCOUVER FOOD BANK

HAMPER DRIVE

KIVA MICROFINANCING

KIDNEY FOUNDATION

LEARNING BUDDIES

MOM2MOM

MOVEMBER

PACIFIC SPIRIT PARK SOCIETY QUEST FOOD EXCHANGE

THE READING BEAR SOCIETY

SAINTS FAIR

SAINTS PLAYERS

SIMBI READ FOR GOOD SPORTS FOR ALL

STANLEY PARK ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY

STRATHCONA COMMUNITY CENTRE

TERRY FOX RUN

UNICEF CAMPAIGN

UNION GOSPEL MISSION

VAN DUSEN GARDENS

Service Learning continues to flourish under its mandate to give back and educate in meaningful ways through three areas: community engagement, philanthropy, and awareness campaigns. Student commitment to service learning and charitable endeavours is tracked during their time at St. George’s. Students achieving 300 hours of volunteer service, with at least 100 of those hours taking place in their Grade 12 year, are honoured with a Level Five Service award and submit a written piece documenting their experiences, with reflections on what their volunteer work has meant to them.

BUILDING GLOBAL CITIZENS

A VIBRANT COMMUNITY

ST. GEORGE’S PARENTS ASSOCIATION

For more than six decades, the St. George’s Parents Association (SGPA) has actively participated in the life of the school. Through volunteer and fundraising initiatives, the SGPA engages in a variety of ways with both past and present parents in our school community. The SGPA and its many volunteers devote a significant amount of time in support of the School and the boys in many areas including: Used Uniform Sales; volunteering in the classrooms; providing support at various sporting events; and organizing the always–necessary, Lost and Found. Parent volunteers also work together to host the SGPA Welcome Back Barbecue, seasonal parent socials, the Saints Soirée, and the famous St. George’s School Fair. Our goal is to involve all parents in our community, and enhance the experience of all our Saints families. We welcome parents to become involved and get to know fellow families at these SGPA events.

Over 1000 parents work countless hours preparing for and working at The Fair, which takes place on the first Saturday of May. The Fair raises significant funds which are utilized for many purposes, including, most recently, a new Student Gathering Space behind the Junior School. Additional funds from the Fair support various departmental requests at both the Junior and Senior schools, fulfilling program enrichment goals and ultimately enhancing the educational experience of our boys.

A WORLD OF TRADITIONS

THE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION

The Old Boys’ Association is a not-for-profit society, incorporated in 1950, that works closely with the School and its other Boards with a common goal of support. An “Old Boy” is any student who has completed one full year at St. George’s School. Each year we add between 150-160 new Old Boys to that list, which is now in excess of 7,000 men around the world. The primary objectives of the Old Boys’ Association is to connect Old Boys with one another and with the School, to provide mentoring opportunities, and to support the School.

OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION

A WORLD OF GENEROSITY

OUR FINANCIAL REPORT

REVENUE SOURCES ($’000)

EXPENSE CATEGORIES ($’000)

TUITION & BOARDING: $32,645

FOUNDATION: $5,549

GOVERNMENT GRANTS: $3,571

OTHER INCOME: $6,430

AMORTIZATION: $179

TUITION & BOARDING: $31,528

FOUNDATION: $5,968

GOVERNMENT GRANTS: $3,578

OTHER INCOME: $6,871

AMORTIZATION: $262

SALARIES & BENEFITS: $26,228

SCHOOL OPERATIONS: $5,358

LEASE: $6,242

FACILITIES: $1,698

ADMINISTRATION: $2,126

FINANCIAL AID: $1,526

FOOD SERVICES: $1,138

FUNDRAISING: $107

AMORTIZATION: $1,256

SALARIES & BENEFITS: $25,291

SCHOOL OPERATIONS: $6,002

LEASE: $6,229

FACILITIES: $1,922

ADMINISTRATION: $1,851

FINANCIAL AID: $1,690

FOOD SERVICES: $1,492

FUNDRAISING: $465

AMORTIZATION: $1,339

LEADERSHIP AT ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael Skene ’85 Board Chair Shanni Eckford Vice-Chair Advancement Board Committee Chair Robert McJunkin Property & Facilities Committee Chair Seonaid Charlesworth Education Committee Chair Stephen Sammut Financial Assistance & Pension Chair Andrea Thomas Hill Nominating & Governance Committee Chair Paul Dunstan New Buildings Task Force Chair Financial Assistance Vice-Chair

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Prentice Durbin ’89, Foundation Board Chair

Paul Mitchell-Banks ’78 Old Boys Association President Janna Werry SGPA President

SENIOR CAMPUS 4175 West 29th Avenue Vancouver, BC Canada V6S 1V1 T: 604-224-1304

JUNIOR CAMPUS: 3851 West 29th Avenue Vancouver, BC Canada V6S 1T6 T: 604-224-1304