Imprint: June 2018 Issue

IMPRINT

JUN 2018 VOL 17/ISS 3

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TABLE OF CONTENTS FROM OUR LEADERS

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Letter from the Head of School, Interim

MANAGING EDITOR Kelsey Hayre Advancement Officer

FROM OUR LEADERS

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Message from the Board Chair FROM OUR LEADERS

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Message from the Incoming Head of School

SENIOR COPY EDITOR Isabel Sankaran-Wee Director of Advancement PHOTOGRAPHS Paulina Lam Aldrich Tan

FROM OUR LEADERS

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Message from the Senior School Principal FROM OUR LEADERS

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Message from the Junior School Principal EDUCATE

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Exhibition is a Celebration of the PYP EXPLORE

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The Stratford Hall Parent Association: A Year in Review PROFILE

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Stratford Hall Alumni Profile: Where are they now?

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Term 3 Sabres Athletics EXPLORE

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Snapshots at Stratford Hall ENRICH

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We Celebrate and Thank our Community EXPLORE

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Celebrating our Student Ambassadors

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2018-2019 Key Dates

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The Graduation Class of 2018

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Kindergarten Graduation 2018

Imprint is published three times a year, expressedly for parents, students and friends of Stratford Hall. Imprint is copyright © 2018 Stratford Hall IB World School, Vancouver BC, Canada. Please contact our office to be added to the mailing list.

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FROM OUR LEADERS

Message from our Leader Head of School, Interim A Year to Celebrate We have much to celebrate for the 2017-2018 year: our renewed relationship with the CCC, the streamlined and efficient Drop-off system, our confirmed plans for a safer crosswalk, the purchase of the Middle Building, a beautified Clark Park and the expanded Idea Lab. All this went on during the year and took up a lot of our energy and spotlight.

But for me, it is the magical moments that we should celebrate. I relish observing a superb class on migration – the pushes and pulls of choosing a new homeland, punctuated by interviews of parents and grandparents. This made the learning real for everyone in the class.

I’ll not soon forget my “Head of School for a Day” experience with first grader Jeevin Birdie. As he wrote afterwards, “We make a great team!” He seemed to enjoy writing the e-Newsletter the most and that is one of those things we should also celebrate. Our communication is stellar at this school. We have a good, planned flow of information which gives parents security that the school is under control and has its act

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together. It is very reassuring and not always the case in schools.

I have loved working with the Advancement crew which is one of my personal celebrations. In fact, everyone at the School feels like we are on the same team.

Efrain and Julian have been partners from day one. The staff adds joy and depth to each day from Janine, Amy and Tish to our Business Office and Admissions Team. I celebrate Olivia Law every day and know that students, faculty and parents join me in that gratitude. Without our Board members, who are dedicated volunteers, the strategic direction of the school is fostered and promoted.

We celebrate our athletic successes! Ultimate has been fun for me to observe. It is the perfect IB sport, as Jen Gunesekera explained to me. With no referees and the collegial relationship between the teams, ultimate became a metaphor for how we should treat each other, even when we are opposing competitors.

The Arts are to be celebrated and honoured at Stratford Hall. I marvel at the Taiko drums and also

FROM OUR LEADERS

at singing, painting, sculpture, drama, dance... Of particular joy to me was the DP Arts Reception which allowed our oldest students to display their works.

Throughout the school there is the magnificent IB curriculum which pushes students into an international mindedness and focuses energies on the process of learning and reflecting, taught by the most dedicated teachers I have known. With two external reviews this year to celebrate (The Ministry of Education External Visitation and The IB External Review), we are confident when we say our

articulated, continuum curriculum is among the best in the world.

accomplished here are the end of the year.

A basic celebration is knowing that I get to come to Stratford Hall each morning! I see the students bound out of cars at our dropoff line and it’s a celebration just watching them arrive to welcoming handshakes and genuine personal greetings. All told, it was a great year with much to be joyous about!

In the first Imprint magazine this year, we wrote about “Know They Impact.” and moved midyear into an edition about Global Mindedness.

We celebrate all that we have

Thank you for letting me be a part of the Stratford Hall story for this one year. I will always have a place in my heart for the Sabres of Stratford Hall!

Dr. Susan R. Groesbeck

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FROM OUR LEADERS

Message from the Board of Governors

As a Board we are celebrating a successful year under Dr. Groesbeck’s leadership. We leave the 2017/2018 school year with a clearer sense of where our school is in its life cycle and more importantly, with a clearer vision of what we can be in the near, medium and long term future.

We have been privileged to have a wise and experienced educator remind us of what we are doing well and point out a few areas of opportunity, too.

Dr. Groesbeck has dared us to dream big. Her enthusiasm and energy helped enable us to secure the Middle Building. The next step, she reminds us, is to envision

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a Master Planning process which will best support Stratford Hall’s IB learning in the years to come.

As a Board we also celebrate the high caliber of professional, engaged and innovative faculty and staff who show up every day and give our kids their best. This is evidenced by the high caliber of academic, artistic, athletic and service achievements our students produce on a consistent basis along with the exited chatter and smiles contained in our three buildings.

Lastly as a Board we celebrate our year to come. In 2017 the Board embarked on an extensive search for our new permanent Head of

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School, Dean Croy. After all the waiting we are ready and eager to welcome him into our community.

We are confident that he will fit in beautifully and his leadership style will complement the many wonderful things that happen at Stratford Hall every day.

Susan Christie Board Chair

FROM OUR LEADERS

Hello Stratford Dear Stratford Hall Families and Friends, It is a privilege to have the opportunity to pen a few words to the Stratford Hall community.

First, I extend my congratulations to all students for completing the school year at Stratford Hall. Be it your first, or your last, I commend you for your contribution to the school and to each other. I also offer my congratulations to the talented teachers and support staff who guided your learning and facilitated the life-changing experiences outside of the classroom in your extra-curricular and activities programs.

I would also like to extend my personal congratulations to the Class of 2018 and their families.

The Stratford Hall community is proud of your accomplishments.

Regardless of whether you joined the school in your final years of Senior School, or if you are a “lifer�, your success is worthy of celebration! I wish you the best as you navigate the new challenges and opportunities that present themselves in post-secondary education and life beyond high school. I am confident you are equipped to achieve your goals!

The closure of this academic year brings about change for both me personally and Stratford Hall as we begin a new chapter in our lives together. There is obvious anxiety that both parties carry into any new relationship. What will

the new head of school be like?

What will Stratford Hall be like?

Both sides are cautious as the new relationship is about to begin.

Fear not, I am eager to begin my professional journey at Stratford Hall and will do so in a spirit of openness and collaboration. I look forward to forging the future of the school with the Board, working alongside the faculty and staff in designing the best program possible for students, and building upon the Stratford Hall community with parents.

I entered the teaching profession in order to see children grow and prosper; that remains the focus of my work in schools. I will work tirelessly to further the Stratford Hall mission and vision, striving for excellence, modelling confidence, and pursuing integrity and respect at all times. I look forward to getting to know, and working with, all of you.

Enjoy your summer vacation. See you in September!

Yours truly,

Dean Croy Incoming Head of School

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FROM OUR LEADERS

Celebrating Our Languages in Italian. Students and teachers were happily taking risks in developing upon their own language acquisition skills as well as learning about cultural connections.

“Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going”.

- Rita Mae Brown “Let’s Celebrate our Languages!” shouted our students as they started the festivities for the ‘Celebration of Languages and Cultures Day’ this year. Our Carnival Club, comprised of students from Grades 9 through 12, launched our first official day dedicated to the diverse set of languages and cultures in our Senior School. Music and laughter filled the MYP building as students led activities such as writing your name in Arabic, participating in a Chinese tea ceremony, and singing Karaoke

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For a few of our Senior School students, the celebration will go even further as they look forward to a language exchange programme over the course of the summer. Stratford Hall began working with the Rotary Short Term Exchange Program (STEP) this year in the aims of supporting our students’ exposure to full immersion programmes.

This summer, our students will be living and experiencing the culture of Marbella, Spain as well

as Catania, Italy. Furthermore, we have partnered with the Oxbridge program “La Academia de España,” which extends the immersion experience to also include local university courses as students may select speciality classes taught by university professors and artists in Salamanca, Spain.

Celebrating the languages and cultures of our diverse student population has been consistently at the forefront for our language team in the Senior School. Fostering partnerships with outside organisations as well as local businesses, enable language acquisition to come to life outside of the classroom. The love of language and connection

FROM OUR LEADERS

to another’s cultural lens are fundamental concepts in our languages programme. We are very proud of two Grade 12 students this year earning their Bilingual IB Diploma in Chinese and English. In previous years, we have had the pleasure of celebrating our graduates who have earned Bilingual Diplomas in Arabic, French, Russian as well as Farsi.

In our shared vision that “our students will gain a deep understanding of the world around them, and they will act on their connections to the outside community,” languages play a vital role. Language acquisition is more than learning to conjugate verbs and stringing a sentence together for travel, language is a gateway into another culture and perspective on viewing the world.

Michelle Douglas Senior School Principal

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FROM OUR LEADERS

We Are What We Celebrate BY: Greta Bartsch Junior School Principal

tell a lot about what we value.

When we make decisions to adjust our timetable to make room for special events, whether they be awards or Hallowe’en, we have to make sure we know why we are doing it and how it supports our students and their learning.

“Every day is a good day.

There is something to learn, care and celebrate.”

- Amit Ray If you know someone whose birthday is on a holiday, you’ve likely heard all about how they have to share their special day. As a child with a holiday birthday, my parents tried to go out of their way to make sure I had a cake or party in a special way or on a different day. I grew up feeling celebrated just because they set time aside for me.

In the life of a school, it’s also important that we carve out time and space to acknowledge our successes and mark significant milestones, and those things that we choose to stop and celebrate

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There is much to celebrate each year in our Junior School. For our youngest students, new experiences energize and excite them every day! We celebrate the end of our Kindies’ first successful year each June with a graduation picnic and ceremony, complete with caps and gowns. For our primary grade students, marking the 100th day of school has

become a yearly tradition (and a great way to teach place value!).

They get to really experience what it’s like to do something 100 times!

It might not seem obvious at first, but grade 4 is full of firsts. It’s the first time they receive summative levels of achievement on reports, and it’s the first year that they participate in outdoor and experiential education activities that invite healthy risk-taking and build adventurous spirits. They are challenged beyond their comfort zones throughout the year in kayaking, climbing, skiing, hiking, culminating in an end-of-year camp, complete with firesides under the stars, polar bear dips and

FROM OUR LEADERS

smores. For many, it’s the first time away from home.

In their final year of the Primary Years Programme, grade 5 students receive their IB PYP pin in a special assembly at the beginning of the year- a symbol of the important work to come. They proudly wear these pins when we celebrate their Exhibition in June in which they showcase their

At grade 6, students enter the Middle Years Programme, and we celebrate this right away in the second week of school when they go on a retreat. The grade 7s help teachers run activities for the 6s that build community, explore the curriculum, and are just plain fun! Near the end of the year, they are introduced to the leadership opportunities that they are invited into the following year.

“Unlike primitive cultures, our highly complex society requires a lengthy adolescence with very few rites of passage.”

- Gordon Neufeld learning. Soon after, we hold a special assembly where students receive their PYP certificates of completion and take a look back on their accomplishments throughout the year.

Throughout their year, our grade 7s are making their transition to grade 8. At Stratford Hall, as in other schools, we acknowledge that they are growing up, shifting from being adolescents

to teenagers, capable of so much more autonomy and independent thought. We take time to recognize our grade 7s in our final assembly, to celebrate the leadership they provided to the Junior School and the accomplishments they made this year.

At our final whole school assembly of the year, we make special recognition of outstanding grade 7 students who provide leadership and modeling in the learner profile, approaches to learning and academic accomplishment. With taiko and marimba performances, students choirs, house trophies and awards, we celebrate with our Kindergarten through Grade 12 community all the wonderful things that make this place more than a traditional education. We are what we celebrate.

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EDUCATE

Exhibition is a Celebration of the PYP BY: Amanda Lempriere PYP Coordinator

Starting in Kindergarten, our Grade 5 students have participated in a journey of inquiry, critical thinking, global mindedness, and action. The PYP Exhibition is a celebration of all the years of learning from K- 5, which is presented in the form of an interactive exhibit of learning and shared with the school community.

In this unit of inquiry, students take control of and inquire into an issue they are passionate about. They use the Approaches to Learning Skills to access information, manage their time and present their knowledge. This

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year, the inquiry was under the theme “How We Express Ourselves” with the central idea: We use creativity to share our thoughts, ideas and learning in a variety of ways. Students were required to share their knowledge with the school community in an engaging and creative way. In addition to their research, students were asked what they would do with what they learned; how would they take action?

According to the IB, taking action comes in many forms, which include: • participation – contributing as individual or group

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• • • •

advocacy – action to support social / environmental / political change social justice – relation to rights, equality and equity, social wellbeing and justice social entrepreneurship – innovative, resourceful and sustainable social change lifestyle choices – eg. consumption, impact of choices.

We were so impressed with all the creative and thoughtful ways our students took action this year. We had public service announcements created about animal testing, access

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to healthcare and concussions.

Students challenged our school community to reduce their carbon footprint by asking them to travel to school in an environmentally friendly way, rethink how much paper they use, and reduce their waste by turning old clothing and recyclables into something new.

Furthermore, students thought about how they could positively affect others. A sports equipment drive for the R.E.C for Kids Society was organized to provide opportunities for children who aren’t able to play sports due to a lack of equipment, especially recently arrived refugee children. Some students decided to participate in large scale initiatives, such as the Ride for Refuge. The whole Stratford Hall community was invited to join their team or sponsor them in their fundraising efforts. Finally, they encouraged the Stratford Hall community to make changes to their lifestyle by participating in the Live 5-2-1-0 challenge. This

challenge encouraged healthy eating habits, less screen time, more active play time and zero sugary drinks. Through all these initiatives we can see that our students are working to educate

throughout their time in the PYP in order to take action and make a difference. This year, we truly saw this happen. We celebrate the application of skills, the internationallymindedness of our students and their

“The PYP Exhibition is a beautiful journey of discovery and exploration that allows students to shine as they demonstrate all the attitudes and skills they have developed over the course of their years in the PYP; it is a celebration of all that they have become and the passion they have for the world around them. We are left hopeful about what our world will become in their active, capable hands.� our community and promote change.

The Exhibition is a culminating project, where the goal is for students to apply the skills and knowledge they have learned

innate desire to make a difference in our world. Our students truly understand that their actions can have a direct positive impact on others, in both a local and global context. Congratulations Grade 5!

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EXPLORE

The Stratford Hall Parent Association: A Year in Review BY: Angelique Schnerch SHPA President

Communities grow stronger when given the opportunity to connect with one another and get involved. The aim of the SHPA this year was to connect families and build relationships amongst parents in the effort to better support our students and our invaluable SH teaching staff.

An interconnected and involved community is a distinguishing trait of Stratford Hall School. We have witnessed the willingness of parents and students to take action alongside the SH staff to achieve significant goals to benefit, protect and grow our school and surrounding community.

Highlights from the SHPA • The annual Welcome Back BBQ following the Terry Fox Run at Trout Lake Park.

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The Kidz Craft Fair in early December (a Stratford Hall tradition!). This studentled friend-raising initiative boasted over 60 student vendors!

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The launch of the Parent Lecture series led by Anna Kaye culminating in May with guest speaker Deborah MacNamara and her engaging lecture based on relationaldevelopmental approaches to parenting.

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Night Market Our final event of the year was the Night Market (formerly known as the Fun Fair) co-chaired by Tina Heywood and myself. The event provided an opportunity to friend-raise and build community spirit amongst the whole school - from the youngest students as attendees with their families to our senior school student volunteers.

This event would not have been possible without the efforts of a host of parent volunteers. They devoted their time and resources to make this year’s event the most well-attended SHPA event to date! We successfully raised over $10,000, to be used towards future community-building events and supporting community outreach.

Highlights from this year’s Night Market included: •

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Our International Food Fair led

by Liz Tran and Joanne Yau, featuring the BBQ Dad’s led

by SH parents Stathis Tsogas, Ron Cheung, Rikki Puri and community member Sonny Lam.

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The majority of the Night Market food offerings was generously donated by our parent leaders, many thanks for their time and support in making the night a delicious success!

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The Talent Show aptly named “Stratford Hall’s Got Talent” led

by Caitlin Springate and Rose Bhurra.

The Talent Show boasted 28 diverse student acts demonstrating their passion and risk-taking to the delight of parents, SH staff and fellow students. Thank you to the performers parents, our parent leaders and the support of SH teachers (Ms. Carranza, Mr. Grealy and Ms. Best) for all their efforts in getting the students stage ready!

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The Carnival Games as imagined and led by Sarah Jane Swartz and Kylie Williams.

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Many thanks to the games team and their families for making so many wildly entertaining games, including the “Throw-a-Pie” game that became a main attraction thanks to our brave and good-humored teacher volunteers. Many thanks to Ms. Bartsch, Ms. Douglas, Mr. Pulfer, Ms. Iacchelli, Mr. Lin, Mr. Nishi, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. McGuire, Ms. Symons, Ms. Li, Mr. Fraser, Ms. Ottahal, Mr. Grealy and Ms. Brook. What a fun way to demonstrate being risk-takers and we gleefully hope that you would bravely volunteer to have “pie” again next year!

Thank you to community member David Bavaro, store manager at Saveon-foods Cambie, for the generous donation of the whipped cream for “Throw-a-Pie”.

A special thanks to the parents that volunteered in preparation for and on the day of the Night Market. This event was made possible through the efforts of more parent volunteers than any previous SHPA event. Bravo SH community for working together to bring the Night Market into being for the students!

Thank you to: Kelly Tsai, Eva Atkinson, Emily Lew, Keith Chan, Lawrence Liu, Melinda Der, Karen Chan, Rebecca Keung, Barb Wommersley, Janice Wong, Nenah Ida, Yoshiaki Hiraoka, Daisy Ng, May Soon, Jas Phandal, Antoine Do, Ewart Aitken, Lawrence Yau, Hazel Schmitz, Ron Schmitz, Liz Jia Fei, Mark Brady, Harv Dhanda, Vivian Tsogas, Fahreen Bimani, Shae Hui, Jen Cheung, Anna Lim, Emily Gee, Hillary Lovric, Farah Jamal, Sharifa Ahamed, Kelly Kim, Sara Polat, Karen Winstanley, Nita Kaila, Shazan Amed, Mina Aggarwal, Juan Gomez, and Gabiela Hernandez. We also thank henna artist, Aysha Sumar, who generously donated her time and abilities to the Night Market.

The SHPA would also like to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of Patricia Chu and her volunteers

for organizing and running the uniform consignment sale, which successfully raised more than $3000 and will be donated to a fund-aneed in the global community.

It goes without saying that SHPA sponsored events would not be possible without the help of Stratford Hall staff, who support our year-long efforts. Thank you to: Dr. Sue Groesbeck, Ms. Isabel Sankaran-Wee, Ms. Kelsey Hayre, Ms. Paulina Lam, Mr. Aldrich Tan, Mr. Rick Campanella, and Ms. Janine Erickson.

Lastly, the SHPA would like to thank our 45 student leaders that participated at the Night Market, you exemplified open mindedness, resourcefulness and cheerfully volunteered – we hope you all had a wonderful time!

Ashanti Mackenzie, Avery Au, Bailey Mcgregor, Claudia Dar, Denby Carswell, Eliza Weir, Emilie McGuire, Emma Yip, Estella Pires, Ethan Lee, Faith Young, Filip Kragl, Georgia Cooper-Williams, Harjan Matharu, Harjunn Sandhu, Jack Wilkie, Jaime Dornik, Jamal Pascal, Jerry Ma, Kaden Leung, Karena Tang, Kira Straszak, Kirsten Wong, Kylie Bracjcich, Lauren Rodrigues, Lauren Klarich, Laurie Yeh, Matthew Chiang, Max Biermann, Milton Leung, Moneek Rawan, Neelima Malik, Paiton Pires , Raghad Abushahin, Sara Sunderji, Sarah Robbins, Shreya Arcot, Sofia Scardillo, Thomas Oyhenart, Zachary Yeh and Zakir Raza.

If you would like to volunteer or learn more about the SHPA please contact Angelique Schnerch, SHPA president (shpa@stratfordhall.ca).

Alaana Shamji, Amrit Dhillon, Amrita Dhillon, Annika Chan,

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PROFILE

Stratford Hall Alumni Profile: Where are they now?

Aliya Jessa, Grad 2015 I’m a rising Senior at Bowdoin College, and I have declared a major in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. At Bowdoin, I am a tour guide, a student representative for the Alumni Council, I work at the Café, and I volunteer at a study center for refugee children. I was recently awarded the Global Citizens Grant from Bowdoin’s McKeen Center for the Common Good. This summer, using the funding from the grant, I am travelling to Lesbos, Greece to work with a non-profit NGO, Refugee4Refugees. R4R works with the 2,000+ Syrian refugees who have arrived to the island by boat from Turkey. I will be helping to open a community center and community garden for the women and children.

Stratford Hall prepared me not only to think critically and engage with global perspectives, but also to look within myself and criticize my own biases and challenge my own perspectives. Concretely, SH prepared me to write (a lot!) in college and to deeply and analytically engage with all types of texts, from poetry to history textbooks to scientific articles.

To current students, I would say: take advantage of your teachers! Talk to them outside of class and never be afraid to ask them for help, with anything.

Michael Oliver, Grad 2014 I am currently halfway through my Cognitive Systems degree at UBC and am really loving it. It’s a neat mix of Psychology, Philosophy, Computer Science and Linguistics.

I’m hoping to apply what I learn in the emerging field of AI. I’ve found music to be a great escape from the school stress. I started a Neo-soul band called Gentle Mind. We just released our first EP called After Earth!

This summer I am stoked to be taking some philosophy courses and will be backpacking South-East Asia in August!

Stratford Hall was such a great experience in retrospect. The study habits you are required to form really help make university a lot easier.

I am biased because it worked well for me but I would really recommend anyone who is not completely sure what they want to pursue in university to take some time off to travel in between!! If you have the time and freedom to do it, you won’t regret it.

There’s no rush after all.

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PROFILE PROFILE

Hayley Oyhenart, Grad 2016 For the last two years I have been pursuing an honours specialization in Sociology at the University of Western Ontario, and I have loved every moment of it. I am currently living in Vancouver over the summer to pursue a student program with a federal government agency working in law enforcement, which has been a very exciting and new experience. Although it has been a few years since I graduated from Stratford, I can see how the skills given to me during my thirteen year education have been beneficial in my life after SH. The IB Diploma compelled me to have a breadth in education, which gave me confidence in embracing subjects that I was at first unsure of in university. I also found that although SH is a significantly smaller community than Western, I still had the skills to advocate for my own education in such a large crowd.

Finally, the faculty at SH instilled confidence in me to try new things, which has led me to pursue new career paths that I would usually shy away from. My biggest piece of advice to SH students gearing up for university or the beyond: find comfort in being uncomfortable. What I mean by this is I encourage you to explore studying something outside of what you assume you will be studying at this moment. So what’s next for me? Everyday seems to be a different answer. I still have an avid interest in studying law. However, for right now, I am taking advantage of the opportunities afforded to me as an undergraduate student and I am going to try the most potential careers that I can in order to find the one I like best.

Myah Ollek, Grad 2013

After completing the diploma program in 2013, I attended the University of Western Ontario where I completed an honours double major in urban geography and psychology graduating on the Dean’s Honour Roll and was awarded a merit scholar recognition. After falling in love with Ontario, I moved to Toronto where I began my career as a sales trainee for CBRE Canada. I have recently earned my real estate license and will begin as a real estate sales representative transacting in office leasing in September on one of the top downtown Toronto teams. In the five years since I graduated from Stratford Hall I have accomplished many things both on a personal and educational level and I attribute a great deal of that success to the strong foundation that I developed at Stratford. Work ethic, discipline and determination are just some of the pillars that Stratford and the IB program instilled in me and that I will continued to carry through my life and career.

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PROFILE

Stratford Hall Alumni Profile: Where are they now?

Allison Lee, Grad 2010 It’s been 8 years since I graduated from Stratford, and it’s been something of an adventure since I left. In that span of time, I’ve visited 14 new countries, worked 10 different diverse jobs and have recently chosen a career I’m passionate about. Previously pursuing and then dedicating the last 6 years to digital media marketing without finding much enjoyment from the work, I had one of those “aha” moments. Someone pointed out to me my overly extreme organization skills, immense efficiency and knack when it came to planning random events here and there. Suggesting so matter-of-factly I look into event planning, I was so dumbfounded that I didn’t think of it myself - with my personality and interests, it just made so much sense. It’s not even been half a year that I’ve been in this industry, so I can’t say for certain what my future is going to be with my career, but I can say I’m looking forward to the journey it has and will take me on. If the last 6 months are any indication, I know I’ve found what drives me.

Among being a safe place during my formative years and giving me experiences many students aren’t fortunate to have, Stratford helped prepare me by teaching me that IB way of thinking: being critical and analyzing everything through another set of lens.

Evaluating what you know and how you know is a second nature skill that you’ll never take for granted.

I’m confident that what Stratford was built on, a supportive community, hasn’t wavered one bit. Appreciate the culture and community of the school while you’re there - it’s a unique place to be.

Katherine McGuire, Grad 2014 I wanted to share the good news that I have been accepted into medical school at the University of British Columbia and the University of Ottawa! After much deliberation, I have decided to pack up my west coast life and move east for the 4-year program.

Thank you, Stratford Hall, for the support both during my time as a student and as an alumni! The connections I’ve made during my high school years are invaluable and very much appreciated. A special thank you to my teachers and parents for giving me the tools I needed to succeed in my first years of university and the encouragement that helped me believe that this outcome was reachable with hard work.

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PROFILE PROFILE

Ariana Jessa, Grad 2016 Stratford Hall undoubtedly had an impact on education and career thus far. I currently attend the University of California, Berkeley, and am an Environmental Economics and Policy major, with a minor in Middle Eastern studies. At Berkeley I am a part of Venture Strategy Solutions as a strategy consultant for tech start-ups in the San Francisco Bay Area, in addition to being the Finance Chair for the Debate Society at Berkeley. As I type this, I am interning at a communication and consulting company in Shanghai, China, doing a bit of consulting and curriculum work for them. Stratford Hall prepared me more than anything else for communication skills both in interviews as well as other professional and academic settings! If I was to give any advice to current students it would be to get as much feedback from your teachers as possible, and to take the advice they give you.

Alumni Reception June 2018

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Term 3 Sabres Athletics BY: Bobby Nishi Athletic Coordinator

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Quinn Wells - Grade 5 girls discus (13.93m)

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Zachary Brook - Grade 5 boys high jump (1.25m)

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Claire Aitken - Grade 4 girls long jump (3.13m)

The Junior School ultimate teams had yet another dominant season. The Grade 5 team had 24 athletes who participated in four jamboree days and the ISEA Playday. The team coached by Ms. Baylee Wilkinson showed great skill, effort and spirit throughout the year.

Term 3 at Stratford Hall has been filled with activity as students have been running, jumping, smashing, and of course throwing discs.

The Junior school track and field team participated in four track meets and won a number of ribbons and medals, while setting a lot of personal bests. Some highlights for the year were finishing fifth overall out of 14 ISEA schools as well as fourfirst place finishes at the ISEA Track and Field Championship.

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Luke Wilke - Grade 7 boys high jump, setting a personal best (1.50m)

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Simon Gunasekera - Grade 7 boys shot put (8.80m

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The Grade 6 and 7 team finished in fourth place at the Spring Reign tournament in Burlington, Washington and won the ISEA Ultimate Championship with “Team Nishi” defeating “Team Lloyd” in the final game for the second straight year. The season ended with Sabrefest, a 24 team tournament with public and independent school’s from across the Lower Mainland and the

“The five S’s of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit.”

- Ken Doherty Sunshine Coast. The B team won their pool and their crossover game, but unfortunately lost in the finals to General Wolfe school. The A team won Sabrefest for the fifth consecutive year with wins over Osler A, General Wolfe A, St. Johns School, and Douglas Elementary in the final.

ENRICH

Ultimate was once again center stage in the Senior School.

We had three teams: Junior A (coached by Mrs. Lisa Blahut and alumni Delaney Ignatieff and Ari Nitikman), Junior B (Mr. Rick Campanella and Mr. Mike Cosford, and Senior (Mr. Chris Brogan and Ms. Troe Weston). In total we had 78 athletes compete this year.

For majority of their season, the Junior A team played in the Senior Ultimate league and finished second at the GVISAA Senior Ultimate championships. The team won the Saints Invite - the one tournament they played with their age group. The team finished the season by playing in the BC High School Ultimate Championships, finishing sixth overall.

That following weekend, the team won a bronze medal finish at the Canadian High School Ultimate Championships.

The badminton team continued to expand under the guidance of coaches Mrs. Vanessa Tam and Anna Rice.

They had a record 32 athletes train and compete this season. The team improved immensely, showing great spirit throughout the season. This paved way for them to be awarded the Sportsmanship award at the Junior GVISAA championship.

The senior team strived all season to be one of the top teams in Canada and the USA. At Spring Reign they competed in the hypercompetitive A division. The team finished with a silver medal - their best ever finish!

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EXPLORE

Snapshots at Stratford Hall

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EXPLORE

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ENRICH

We Celebrate and Thank our Community BY: Isabel Sankaran-Wee Director of Advancement

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Advancement Team

Wow! What a year 2018 has been! We reached impressive milestones and broke records in our giving impact, thanks to our incredible supporters.

The Annual Fund achieved 100% participation from the Board, 95% from staff and 52% from parents. The very first alumni donation was received – a milestone indeed for Stratford Hall as our first graduates start entering the working world.

Adding to this, we also completed ownership of two entire blocks on the Drive and we are truly excited to embark on the next phase of master planning for the school.

I am sincerely grateful to the many parents, alumni parents, grandparents and staff who have contributed to the school this year. When you support Stratford Hall, you help ensure a remarkable experience for our students.

You certainly have much to be proud of and we, at Stratford Hall, can celebrate our successes. For with

I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.

- William Shakespeare

each success, we can applaud harder as celebrations get bigger every year.

I celebrate with you and look forward to continuing this exciting journey - with you.

Thank you.

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Celebrating Our Student Ambassadors BY: Jennifer Gunasekera Admissions Manager

After learning about Stratford Hall, through word of mouth or through digital and print advertising, the very first personal connection potential new families make with the school is during our Student Led Tours. These tours are designed to give interested families a first look at the school from the perspective of our very own Stratford Hall students. Time and again, we receive tremendous feedback from our “tourists” about their initial introduction to the school and it is consistently positive. They never fail to mention the Student Ambassadors who provided valuable

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information, gentle leadership and an enjoyable Currently, we have a roster of approximately 45 Student Ambassadors in Grades 7 through 11 who are called upon to lead our regular school tours, offered twice weekly through the fall and spring months, as well as special assignment tours for dignitaries and special guests.

Our Ambassadors are the IB Learner Profile in action. They are knowledgeable about the campus and the IB Continuum. They are risk-

takers and communicators; meeting up to 10 new people at each new tour and speaking clearly to showcase all that is important around our school.

Student Ambassadors are balanced; able to juggle their regular school responsibilities on top of taking time away to lead the tours. And of course they are caring, taking time to answer questions, hold the hand of a three year old or hold the door to next room on their tour.

Let’s celebrate the dedication and service of our Stratford Hall Student Ambassadors!

EXPLORE

2018-2019 KEY DATES Updated June 2018 - Subject to Change

2018

September

October

Monday 3 Tuesday 4 Wednesday 5

Friday 5 Monday 8 Wednesday 17 Thursday 18 Friday 19

November

2019

Friday 9 Monday 19

Labour Day (school closed) New Gr 8 - 11 Student Orienta�on, 10:30 AM (school closed) School Opens - First day of school for all students Opening Day Assembly, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM First full day of classes Early Dismissal - Sr. School, 12:00 PM | Jr. School, 12:10 PM Thanksgiving Day (school closed) Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences, all day (school closed) BC-Wide *Pro-D Day Round Tables (school closed) Last day of class before Midterm Break (full day) MIDTERM BREAK: MON NOV 12 – FRI NOV 16 Classes resume a�er Midterm Break

Friday 30

Early Dismissal - Sr. School, 12:00 PM | Jr. School, 12:10 PM

December

Friday 21

Last Day of class before Winter Break Early Dismissal - Sr. School, 12:00 PM | Jr. School, 12:10 PM WINTER BREAK: MON DEC 24 – FRI JAN 11

January

Monday 14 Friday 25

Classes resume a�er Winter Break Early Dismissal - Sr. School, 12:00 PM | Jr. School, 12:10 PM

February

Friday 15 Monday 18

ISABC *Pro-D Day (school closed) Family Day (school closed)

Thursday 28

Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

March April May

June

Friday 1 Friday 15

Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences, all day (school closed) Last Day of class before Spring Break Early Dismissal - Sr. School, 12:00 PM | Jr. School, 12:10 PM SPRING BREAK: MON MAR 18 – FRI MAR 29

Monday 1 Thursday 18 Friday 19 Monday 22

Classes resume a�er Spring Break Early Dismissal - Sr. School, 12:00 PM | Jr. School, 12:10 PM Good Friday (school closed) Easter Monday (school closed)

Friday 17 Monday 20 Tuesday 28 Wednesday 29

Early Dismissal - Sr. School, 12:00 PM | Jr. School, 12:10 PM Victoria Day (school closed) Gradua�on Convoca�on Gradua�on Dinner and Dance

Friday 21

Closing Assembly, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (noon dismissal) *Pro-D Day = Professional Development Day (No classes for students).

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The Graduating Class of 2018

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Abushahin, Khaled

Ho, Pei Cing (Aidan)

Shajani, Safeena

Adegboye, Tolulope (Tolu)

Jones, Zoey

Snider, Dixon

Antle, Levi

Kaur, Simran

Steiner, Luca

Bandesha, Abhiraj (Aven)

Kwan, Jared

Thind, Nanaki

Brossier, Emilie

Lee-Pii, Avery

Tong, Caleb

Chan, Amanda

Lesnikov, Phyllis

Webber, Sofia

Chan, Oliana

Lyu, Ruiyang (Joe)

Weind, Jenna

Chang, Irene

Malik, Nishita

Xu, Shihua (Sofia)

Dhillon, Pritum

Manji, Jenna

Xu, Yu Qing (Emily)

Dhillon, Simrit

Rockel, Harrison

Yap, Michelle

Dhinsa, Harjeevan (Jeevan)

Sangha, Janika

Zhang, Yifei (Ferguson)

Fung, Victoria

Sanghera, Simrit

Zhao, Nathan

Gill, Joben

Scardillo, Dante

Zhou, Yanyu

Goldblatt, Taylor

Sekhon, Amardeep

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Stratford Hall Grade 12 Graduation 2018

Kindergarten Graduation 2018

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2018!

Stratford Hall School 3000 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC V5N 4E2 www.stratfordhall.ca

Our Mission Stratford Hall educates students to the highest global standards through the programmes of the International Baccalaureate. Excellence and confidence are developed through a challenging academic curriculum with further emphasis on creativity, action and service. We foster a strong pluralistic community built on integrity and respect.

Our Vision Stratford Hall strives to be a global leader in the International Baccalaureate community. Our students will gain a deep understanding of the world around them, and they will act on their connections to the outside community. They will excel to the best of their abilities, and graduates will be equipped to achieve their chosen goals. This is accomplished by acquiring and retaining the best teachers, and by a commitment to a balanced and enriched curriculum. The success of Stratford Hall is deeply rooted in the establishment of a supportive, knowledgeable and committed community.