Crofton House School

Crofton House School
"Servabo Fidem" Keep the Faith
Address
3200 West 41st Avenue Vancouver, British Columbia, V6N 3E1, Canada
Information
Principal	Patricia J. Dawson
School type	Independent
Grades	1-12
Language	English
Colours	Navy, Green and White
Founded	1898
Enrolment	708
Symbol	Ivy Leaf
Homepage	http://www.croftonhouse.ca

Crofton House School, located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is a private, non-denominational girls' day school.

History

Crofton House School was founded in 1898 by the Gordon sisters, Miss Jessie Gordon and Miss Mary Gordon, in their father's home on Georgia Street with just four girls. Three years later, in 1901, the school moved to the corner of Jervis and Nelson in the West End. The name Crofton House was suggested by memories of the "Crofton Cottages" just outside Cambridge. The ivy leaf, the emblem of the Gordon clan, was chosen as the school emblem, and the motto became "servabo fidem" (I will keep the faith). Also, the school used to be a boys and girls school, but later on was just all girls. Crofton was a boarding school until 1990. The old boarding house is now used as the main administrative building, called "The Old Residence".

In 1937, the Misses Gordon retired and Crofton House School became an educational trust. Miss Sara E.G. Macdonald became Headmistress and in 1942 the school moved to the present 10-acre (4 ha) site on West 41st Avenue in Kerrisdale. On the day of its 90th birthday the school received its own coat of arms, granted by the Lord Lyon. To mark this occasion the Rev. Dr. T. Herbert O'Driscoll wrote a hymn for the school, "We Thank You Lord For all the Years".

Senior School

In Mathematics, French, and English, students who demonstrate high ability are given the opportunity to accelerate their programs, finishing grade 12 in their eleventh year. In mathematics, English, French, and Science, students have the opportunity to accelerate and enrich their own process in their grade 10 year, thus allowing them to pursue an enriched Board Authority/Authorized course designed to meet students' interests in economics, world history, or human geography. The Senior School also offers Advanced Placement courses to eleventh and twelfth grade students.

The Senior School operates on a rotating 8-block cycle, with 4 80-minute blocks each day.

Until the 2010-2011 school year, the Senior School year was divided into three terms. The school has since shifted to an accumulative marking system. Report cards and student profiles are sent home at the end of each term. Electives - including Art, Drama, Music, Foods, IT, and Textiles - at the grade 8 level are compulsory quarter courses, while electives at the grade 9 and 10 levels are student-chosen half-year courses.

Students are assigned to teacher advisors who play an integral role in the lives of the students. Advisors act as advocates for students as well as liaisons with parents and other teachers. Students meet with their advisors in the middle of each day and remain with their advisor and fellow students for three years.

While there are many electives in the Senior School, selection may depend on timetabling and prerequisites. The school assesses its timetable and course offerings in the spring of each year. Students work closely with their Career and Personal Planning (CAPP) counselor to choose courses that ensure a challenging and rich learning experience.

Junior School

The Junior School housed students from grades 1 through 6 until the 2004-2005 school year. The seventh grade was then transitioned down to join the Junior School.

Junior students are required to take French class from grade 1.

Uniform

Crofton students wear the Gordon tartan, in honour of the school's founders, the Misses Jessie and Mary Gordon. After spring break, the students switch from wearing navy socks to white ones.

Campus Plan

Crofton House has developed a campus plan that involves rebuilding the senior school and building a new dining and athletic facility. They also plan to renovate the lower floor of the junior school and the administration facilities. Currently, Crofton House has demolished their senior school in order to rebuild it and the senior school will be residing in a temporary "village" while the school is being rebuilt. The new senior school was opened on June 9, 2010.

Charitable Support

Each year the students in the Junior and Senior Schools select the charities they will support for the year. Traditionally, both schools have supported the Run for the Cure in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation in the fall and the World Partnership Walk in support of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada in the spring. In recent years, Free the Children has become a major fundraiser for the Senior School. In addition, both schools also support a foster child.

Notable alumnae

• Jacqueline Blackman, competitor on the popular reality TV series Canada's Next Top Model.
• Joyce Cheng, daughter of famous Hong Kong celebrities Lydia Shum and Adam Cheng.
• Dolores Claman, composer of the theme song to Hockey Night in Canada.
• Laura Harris, actress.
• Elena Juatco, competitor in the top 10 of Canadian Idol, Season 2.
• Kit Pearson, notable Canadian author.
• Emily Perkins, actress.
• Janice (Reid) Anderson, daughter of the late artist Bill Reid.
• Patricia Taylor, wife of the late William F. Buckley.
• Samantha Lam, 2008 Beijing Olympian, Equestrian Show Jumper.
• Rebecca Marino, professional tennis player
• Susan Payne, founder of Emergent Asset Management Limited, an award–winning, alternative investment firm based in the UK

Notable faculty

• Emily Carr, Canadian artist, and the school's first art teacher.

Notes

• Crofton's "brother" school is St. George's School. It also has well-established relations with West Point Grey Academy, York House School, Vancouver College, and Little Flower Academy.

• Before the new buildings were made, the school was fully surrounded in ivy-walls.

References

• http://www.croftonhouse.ca

External links

• Official site