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Renewal
Spring 2002
Farewell, Old Gym
I came to University School in 1963, and one of my earliest memories of that year was the noise and dust created by heavy
machinery as the old gym, with its lean-to locker room, was demolished. I remember archival finds in the gym walls of epees,
early 1900s newspapers and photographs. I remember also, what looked like a tear in the eye of this staff giant I came to know
as Mr. Wenman as he looked on the same demolition. Not long after the debris was cleared away, miraculously, a new gym was
erected of which we were all very proud. It included a tuck shop, shooting range and quartermaster’s store for the cadet corps.
Almost forty years later, the demolition crew is once again readying for an assault on this structure. At the end of June, the
now “old gym” will come down. If you attended the school between 1963 and 2001, you will have memories, pictures and stories
of this building. Please send us your special gym / tuck shop / shooting range / quartermaster’s store story. We want this for
permanent record, but more importantly, you could win a special prize if your story is selected as the lucky winner. I look forward
to hearing from you.
Chris Spicer (SMUS ’70) [email protected]
school ties — spring 2002
Oliver at the Mac
T
MIDDLE SCHOOL production of Oliver was a smash hit in its
three-night run at the McPherson Playhouse, receiving standing
ovations. Just about every member of the Middle School faculty
and student body played a part in the show in some shape or form.
Everyone juggled schedules to accommodate the many rehearsals and
preparation sessions for the artistic and musical directors, actors, singers,
dancers, musicians, choreographers and huge support cast. The rehearsals
rolled on throughout the term, each lunch hour, every day after school,
and for a good number of Sundays in the Old Gym. It was a
monumental effort and all one hundred and seven students in the cast
shone brightly. Notably, the inimitable Douglas Manson-Blair had his
immense stamp all over the production. He directed the show and also
led from the front, taking the role of Fagin. In his spare time, he designed
the set. Memories of Oliver 2002 will last a lifetime for all who
participated.
HE
On the cover
Senior School science
instructor Michael Jackson
gives students a glimpse of
a partial eclipse of the sun
through a high-powered
telescope during a lunch
break in January.
(l-r): Jennie Tsai,
Thomas Killins,
Liberty Williams,
Clarissa Galli, and
Michael Jackson.
Renewal –
“restoration, replacement, refreshment”
SPIRIT OF RENEWAL infuses the SMUS campus as another step
is taken in the development of this 96-year-old institution.
Renewal has been a constant companion here – consider the
following examples:
• Three schools become one as the founders of University School
renewed their vision of education in the early 1900s;
• The late 1950s and 1960s saw campus renewal in the construction of
the Chapel, Brown Hall, the Barker Library, Challoner Building
addition, and a new gym;
• St. Michael’s School was condemned in the late 1950s and the school
community banded together to raise funds and rebuild a new school;
• The amalgamation of St. Michael’s School and University School in
the early 1970s was a major renewal of our school;
• Co-education in 1979 confirmed and renewed the heart and spirit of
the school;
• Construction of three new residences, new middle school, new gym
and science buildings, plus a major junior school restoration in the late
1980s and early 1990s further renewed the school.
Significant new facility construction has punctuated the 96-year history
of SMUS with optimism, renewed passion and focus. Now we are
moving into another stage in this process, as the evolution of SMUS
continues. Through all this, it is the connections and contacts among
students, staff, parents and others coming together as members of a
learning community which influence and bind us all, and which continue
to profoundly influence the renewal of this tremendous institution.
A
In the photo (back, l-r): Jane Hause, Julia Gill, Bianka Saravana-Bawan,
Kathleen Noble, Callum McClure, Taylor Kipp, Conor MacNeil, Taylor
McKinnon (Nancy); (front, l-r) Scott Stone (Bill Sykes), Paul Davison
(Oliver). Other notable players include: Dan Christianson (Dodger), Scott
Stone (Sykes), Andrew Weir (Bumble), Sarah Adair (Widow Corey) and the
list goes on!
SCHOOL TIES is distributed to more than 6,000 members of the SMUS community,
including alumni, current families, friends, and current and past staff. The goal of
the publication is to communicate current school activities and initiatives along
with articles and reports on the alumni community. If you have any comments or
suggestions regarding this publication, please contact Jenus Friesen at
(250) 370-6169 or e-mail: [email protected]
Editors: Christopher Spicer, Jenus Friesen
Published by:
The Development Office at St. Michaels University School,
3400 Richmond Road, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8P 4P5
Telephone: (250) 592-2411 Admissions: 1-800-661-5199
E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.smus.bc.ca
Photography: Christopher Spicer, Ken Smith, Cam Culham, alumni and friends.
Cover photographs: Jenus Friesen
Contributors: (in no particular order) Robert Snowden, Larry Devlin, Peter
Bousfield, Melanie Hadfield, Robert Wilson, Ian Hyde-Lay, Brenda Waksel,
Stephen Martin, Archie Ives, John Reid, Sandra Moore, Tom Matthews, June
Maffin, Donna Williams, Cam Culham, Kevin Cook, Kirsten Davel, Jennifer
Skelding, Greg Marchand, Janice Iverson, Andrew Timmis.
Production & Printing: Reber Creative, Hillside Printing Ltd., Victoria, BC
Lithographed in Canada If you are interested in attending school events, call (250) 592-2411 for further details, or visit the school’s web site Calendar of Events: www.smus.bc.ca
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headmaster’s article
A Personal Essay
by Robert Snowden, Headmaster, SMUS
O DUNK TANK this year. I have to laugh.
Kathy Jawl, one of our parents who is
organizing the Spring Fair, has reassured me
I wouldn’t have to undergo the dangers and indignity
of the dunk tank. Apparently dunk tanks are now
considered a little risky, and besides, they are
awkward to set up and take down. Let it be said for
the record, however, that I don’t mind sitting in the
dunk tank if it’s for the greater cause, the school. It’s a
small sacrifice. A particular irony of this situation is
that probably no one was more disappointed than
Kathy’s son, who last time we had a dunk tank,
managed to sink me three times in a row. A record, as
far as I’m concerned.
It is a wonderful event, the Spring Fair. We have
many wonderful events, but the Spring Fair is
certainly the biggest SMUS community event of the
year. This year, more than most, it is wonderful to
have such an event.
One of our alumni, Tony Quainton, who lives in
Washington DC, sent me a note last October. He is
the President of the National Policy Association,
which is one of the oldest and most respected public
policy organizations in the United States, bringing
together business, labour and political leaders to
advise on matters of national and international
importance in the United States. He wrote: Dear
Headmaster; Thank you very much for sharing with
SMUS alumni your report on how the School has been
coping with the aftermath of the September 11
tragedy… For young people in our world it is a greater
challenge than ever before for them to think through the
problems of how to confront good and evil in the
world… As you may know, during my long Foreign
Service career, I served both as the US government’s coordinator for counter-terrorism and the Assistant
Secretary of State for Security. As a result I have been
following recent events with particular interest and
concern. If there is any way I can be helpful to the
School in these difficult times, I hope you will not
hesitate to let me know.
Tony Quainton’s uncle, Eric Quainton, wrote the
words to the School hymn, that nearly every student
in the Junior School knows by heart. The threads that
tie our community together stretch far away – further
across the globe, in fact, than Washington, DC – and
far back in time, back at least to 1906, when the
School was founded. It has been a year to remember
this, and to be grateful we belong to a community
that defines itself by the values that we share. The
school’s purpose remains the same as when the earlier
Mr. Quainton wrote the school hymn: to pursue
academic success in an environment where the
character and the self also grow.
A number of other alumni wrote notes during the
weeks of September and October. Andrew Hildred, at
N
“ It is time to move on, but to
remember as well. Personal
freedom is fragile. Hold it tightly.
It comes with a cost.”
From Charles Willis,
SMUS Alumnus
Towson University, wrote: My school, which is located
on the edge of Baltimore, was closed at 1:00 p.m. for
safety reasons. Tuesday morning I was at off ice training
from about 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. When we returned to the
apartment to grab some breakfast before class, we turned
on the TV... One of my teammates on the hockey team
here lives ten blocks away from the World Trade
Centre… There have been candlelight vigils, blood
givers, emergency material drives and fundraisers. The
majority have rallied around helping those in need…
Happily, life goes on. Changed, it’s true, but life
goes on. The daily pressure of going to school,
getting marks, playing sports, putting on plays and
having dances compels us to get busy with the
practical realities. This was true even three weeks after
September 11. As it happens, our school has an
annual alumni reception at the beginning of October
in New York City. When I called a couple of alumni
to see whether they still wanted us to come, the
answer was a strong yes: life really was getting back to
normal, and this collection of young lawyers,
students and business entrepreneurs would love to see
us. We had our reception in the Algonquin Hotel, an
old landmark in New York City. One of our alumni
arrived fresh from a memorial service; others had
actually seen the second Trade Centre Tower hit;
others had had to put up student friends who had
been evacuated from their quarters at the University
of New York; others had watched the events more or
less like the rest of us, not quite as close, on the
television. They were glad to see us. Having a visit
from the school was like a friendly squeeze around
the shoulders from someone at home.
Our Spring Fair is a wonderful event that brings
together our entire community, and that brings to the
school, in addition, the community of Victoria. I
have been watching many of the parents at work on
this vast undertaking, and I know that there are also
many more parents I haven’t seen who are working
just as hard on the event. The work involved is
immense, and involves a great sacrifice of time and
energy. It’s worth it, without a doubt. Speaking from
my office, where I’m allowed to make observations
about things that happen at the school, I can say that
without fear of contradiction. Apart from the money
that is raised, it makes us a better community.
Two weeks after the Spring Fair, we have Alumni
Weekend, another event that brings together our
community, this time a wider one. Once again many
faculty, students and alumni will devote a sacrificial
amount of time to an event that helps us remember
that we belong together.
Another alumnus, Erin Cristall, works on the
television show Big Brother in New York City. She
wrote As a Canadian citizen and SMUS alumnus
living in the United States, it has been comforting to
headmaster’s article
know that compassion and concern is coming from all sides… Since Tuesday
there have been bomb threats and warnings from the FBI to all the studios in
town, so every morning when I get to work, my entire car is searched… I am
just amazed that this is all going on, and it certainly helps to put the little
things in life in perspective.
Our teachers, students and parents sought dozens and dozens of ways
to come to terms with the terrible events. There were art projects, essays,
stories, poems, drama pieces and talks in chapel. Our choirs sang at a
fundraiser at the Royal Theatre. I frequently say to prospective families
that they are unlikely to find that their son or daughter is going to be
bored at the school; when they have a few days’ break at half term or
Christmas or March, it’s much more likely that they’ll be exhausted. The
students do so much. Sitting in the Headmaster’s office, it struck me at
the end of the first term that most of the adults associated with the
school – both faculty and parents – seemed more drained than usual.
Drained, I think, because we had all devoted so much of our own
resources to making sure the students were supported through the period
of chaos and tension. Not too many of us had a lot of time to look out
for ourselves. To be expected, really, in a school.
Emily Jane Heynen, a graduate of 1994 who works in Minnesota for
a social justice Foundation called the Headwaters Fund, wrote: It meant a
lot to me to think of the school supporting students through this, and for the
fine people at SMUS to be thinking of their American alumni. It has been a
hard week… SMUS never forced opinions or philosophy; we were given the
facts, the resources, the support, and then trusted to make the right decisions.
I am glad to see you are still following the important tradition of critical and
individual thinking…
Personally, the aftermath of September 11 was a long, deep breath of
resuscitated life after the gasp of the horrible event. As a visitor in New
York City three weeks after the event, one encountered people going
through the motions of getting back to normal: shopping, the Columbus
Day parade, Broadway theatres that were starting to fill up. They were
good attempts at picking up the daily routine, but the heavy presence of
police, National Guard and memorials outside fire departments tended
to make these attempts surreal: these formal emblems of the profound
event did remind us continually of the sadder reality.
It is with a much greater sense of calm that I write this, while our
Senior Basketball team is off at the provincial championships, and
boarding students are heading home, and some of the tunes of our
student performances of South Pacific and Oliver are echoing in my head.
In our own home at Reynolds House, my wife and I often say how lucky
we are to belong to this community, to have so many good people
around to help us through the imperfections in life, the imperfections
both in the world around us and in ourselves. It is exhilarating to walk
down to this office early in the morning and see the mist on the Sooke
Hills, and to see the earliest members of the orchestra being dropped off
by their parents. At that time, one of the house parents is always walking
his dog, smacking a tennis ball as far as he can so the dog can chase it.
Charmed is the right word: our existence is charmed. It’s the right word
because it implies that element of luck and good fortune that one knows
can vanish in different circumstances.
Right after leaving New York, we went to Ontario for the annual
Heads Conference of Canadian schools, where we dropped in on my son
who is attending Queen’s University after graduating from SMUS in
1999. I told him that if he had a free weekend in the next month I would
pay for him to go to New York City, as long as he did two things: visit
the site of the World Trade Centre, and visit a couple of fire halls. It was
to witness an epochal event, and hopefully to be somewhat humbled by
it. So he went. After landing in New York on Thursday afternoon I quickly
got myself out to Yankee Stadium where I scalped a counterfeit ticket to
witness Game Five… Friday morning I started my trek down to Ground
Zero. I decided to walk it because I’d never been to New York before and
wanted to check it out. At the time, I didn’t really realise that I was about to
walk 85 blocks… Saturday morning I got up and visited some fire stations.
“We didn't know them, but it won’t stop us from loving them. God Bless.”
was the first letter I read… In the end, I can say that I’ve never been so
happy to have been part of something sad. In a word, the weekend was
intense from the jubilation of Game Five to the extreme solemn feeling at
Ground Zero to the finale of “Les Miserables” as I sat in the second row,
centre… I think Neil Young said it best... ‘Keep on rockin’ in the free world’.
To read these words now, to read all of the words from all of the
people who wrote e-mails and notes, has a wonderfully different flavour
from the flavour of six months ago. The words reinforce the importance
of our community, the values we try to teach in our classrooms and on
the sports field, in the rehearsal hall and in the residence, in the halls and
the quiet corners of the library. We all try to teach these values: teachers,
parents, alumni and students. The pursuit of truth and goodness.
One of the occupational hazards of speaking from the Head’s chair is
pompousness – trying to give weight or gravity to pronouncements
because of the robes one wears, so to speak. In this case, it is the words of
others that I have leaned on to try to convey the importance of our
SMUS community in the world in which our students are growing up. I
want to finish with one last excerpt, from an alumnus in San Francisco,
Charles Willis. Charlie was a boarder, sent home from the school a week
before graduating, for an infraction the school deemed serious at the
time. But he still cherishes the character-building qualities of his years at
the school. His note was to the point:
Well said. It is time to move on, but to remember as well. Personal
freedom is fragile. Hold it tightly. It comes with a cost.
Headmaster Bob Snowden takes a plunge in the dunk tank – a small
sacrifice for the greater good.
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school news
School News
ESSAY CONTEST
WINNERS
Three grade 12 students have won
Canadian and American essay
contests with their writing on war
and remembrance. Michael Pyke
placed second in this year's Royal
Canadian Legion Essay Contest
with his “Remembrance: A Look
into Canadians’ Knowledge of the
Wars.” Chris Adair placed third
in the same contest, with his
essay, “Creating Memories and
Guidance for Those Who Follow.”
Pieter Colson won top award in
an American writing contest with
his essay, “United in the Face of
Fire,” a reflection on, among other
things, the events of September 11.
Pieter was additionally awarded a
substantial prize ($1000) as well as
a trip to the States. Visit the school
web site showcase to read some of
these entries.
SCHOLARS
The following students received
perfect scores of 800 in their 20002001 Provincial Examinations:
Erica Kim (Mathematics)
Yun-Young Lee (Mathematics)
Clarence Lo (Mathematics)
Jennifer Li (Chemistry)
Paul Zakus (Chemistry)
Inga Jenson (German)
Drew Robson (Spanish)
Susan Green (French)
Senior Girls Field Hockey players (l-r): Liz Munroe, Carley O’Connor, Dalyce
Skelton, Kristen Vernon, and Andrea Thompson went to Barbados over
spring break.
FIELD HOCKEY IN BARBADOS
The Senior Girls Field Hockey Team toured in Barbados from
March 20-30. The team, consisting of fifteen grade 11 and 12 girls, played
a total of four games on the tour. Accompanying the team was head coach,
Jeff Hunt, and Timmis houseparent, Wendy Shergold. The team
participated in some awesome play while on the islands, and also made
time for sightseeing many of the wonders there. The girls worked hard
making the team, and spent four months fundraising through the sale of
board games and concessions. They would like to thank students, parents,
staff, and the community for their support.
Recitation Evening
(l-r): Milica Mrdjenovich, Daniela Smolov, Trefor Bazett, Caitlin Charles
and Emily Lyall
The annual SMUS Recitation Evening, organized by Dorothy Hawes,
was held on February 6 in the School Chapel. Students from grades 9
through 12 performed various recitations ranging from poetry to
dramatic and comic monologues. Each student at the Senior School is
required to learn and recite from memory, a selection that is presented in
their individual English classes. Finalists from each class then participate
in their grade finals from which selected students are sent on to the
Recitation Evening.
All 18 participants delivered superb performances. The judges for the
evening were David Duvan, director of the Pacific Opera Society;
Margaret Burke, a speech and drama associate of Trinity College,
London; and Bernie Skelding, a seminary student at Knox College and an
orthopaedic physiotherapist. It is worth noting that the judges were
impressed with all 18 performances and found their task of choosing
winners a most difficult enterprise.
Natalia Esling, a grade 9 student, captivated both the audience and
the judges with the poem, “Wszelo Wypadek” (Could Have). She was
awarded first place in the International Recitation category, as well as Best
Overall Recitation of the event.
The other winners are as follows:
1st place Senior Poetry – Caitlin Charles (Grade 11)
2nd place Senior Poetry – Emily Lyall (Grade 11)
1st place Senior Monologue – Milica Mrdjenovich (Grade 11)
2nd place Senior Monologue – Trefor Bazett (Grade 11)
1st place Junior Poetry – Shannon Waters (Grade 10)
2nd place Junior Poetry – Claire Battershill (Grade 10)
1st place Junior Monologue – Susan Davis (Grade 9)
2nd place Junior Monologue – Patrick McCulloch (Grade 10)
People’s Choice Award – Daniela Smolov (Grade 12)
(l-r): Susan Davis, Shannon Waters, Natalia Esling, Claire Battershill and
Patrick McCulloch
For those of you who missed this year’s Recitation Evening, make sure
you don’t miss out on this great event next year!
school news
School News
SPORTS ACHIEVERS
Stephanie
Pollard, a
12 year old,
grade 7
student at
the Middle
School, has
turned in
marvelous
Stephanie Pollard
performances in the swim.
in swimming
for the short course season. This
year, she qualified for Youth
Nationals (16 years and under) in
nine events that were held in New
Westminster on February 22–25.
She also established new Island
Swim Club records in the 50 and
100 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly and the
200 Individual Medley. Her time
of 106.67 in the 100 Butterfly
ranks as one of the top ten best
times ever. Presently in the 200
IM and 100 Butterfly, Stephanie
ranks in Swim News World
Rankings as a first place finisher –
a remarkable achievement.
Mike Pyke has been named to
the Canada U19 Rugby team for
the World Championships in Italy
March 20-30. David Jawl, a nontravelling reserve, will be called up
in case of injury. Congratulations
are in order to Pieter Colson,
who received official confirmation
he will represent the USA at the
World U19 Rugby Championships.
Outside school, two current
SMUS students have been in the
news – both for their considerable
exploits on the squash courts.
Kristie Tyrrell finished 6th in the
Canadian U19 Open, and then in
the top 10 of the corresponding
US event. Jennifer Blumberg,
playing at the U17 level,
performed spectacularly in
winning the US Open, finishing
runner-up in the Scottish Open,
and then reaching the semifinals of
the British Open. This latter event
is considered, for all intents and
purposes, a world championship.
Congratulations to both players on
these superb performances.
These Senior School students are competing in their sport on a national and
international level. (l-r): David Jawl (rugby), Kristie Tyrrell (squash), Jennifer
Blumberg (squash), Mike Pyke (rugby), and Pieter Colson (rugby).
On February 6 and 7, SMUS Grade 6 students took the grand tour of
facilities at the state-of-the-art Seattle Boeing factory.
Grade 6 Field Trip to Seattle
The Boeing factory outside of Seattle, Washington is BIG! It is big
enough to house all of Disneyland with space to spare. Grade 6 students
are SMALL! In a pinch you could fit three of them into an economy class
seat on a 747. If you reflect on these facts for a moment, you will
understand why the entire grade 6 class (48 students) let out a collective
“WOW!” when the doors of the Boeing factory elevator opened right in
front of the tail section of a half-completed 747 Boeing airplane.
Grade 6 completes a unit on Flight as part of their science course.
One component of the unit is training on a flight simulator in the
classroom. Classmates help each other pilot a Cessna airplane off the
runway at Victoria International, circle around the Saanich Peninsula,
and line up on the runway (landing is optional). The unit also includes
an overnight field trip to the Museum of Flight in Seattle and a
conducted tour of the Boeing factory, the largest building by volume in
the world. Both these sites offer impressive hands-on experience for
young minds.
The St. Michaels University School students are now regular and
welcome guests. The United States Immigration Service was impressed by
their respectful attitude, the Museum of Flight volunteers were excited by
the many questions, and the Boeing staff even offered to sell us a jetliner
“at cost” – $200 million US.
The grade 6 class learned a great deal about flight within the context
of an enjoyable international field trip. We will certainly be returning, but
the 747 is beyond our budget!
Middle School students check out Boeing’s Museum of Flight, and are
offered to purchase a jet liner at cost – $200 million US!
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school news
South Pacific at the Mac
(l-r): James Malady, Geoff
Martin, and Frangelica
Goulding star in the
musical, South Pacific.
Fame is coming this summer!
HIS SUMMER’S MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP members will
be performing the legendary stage musical, Fame, presented in
conjunction with Victoria’s Kaleidoscope Theatre Company. If
you’re a student and you’re interested in participating in this workshop
series, contact [email protected].
Last summer, SMUS held its second Annual Summer Musical Theatre
Intensive. The workshop involved a group of young performers from
SMUS and beyond (13-19 years of age). Performances of the rock opera
Tommy included a live rock band. It was remarkable how quickly this
dynamic group learned the lines and songs.
After two and a half weeks, the troupe were ready to give three public
performances: the first at UVic for their Summer ESL programme; the
second at Langham Court for the Moss Street Paint-In; and the third, an
un-plugged version of the performance at Beacon Hill Park, at the
Luminara event which gathered thousands of Victorians.
Community professionals presented costume, make-up, set design,
artistic direction, auditioning, as well as career direction workshops to the
participants throughout the sessions.
S ENIOR S CHOOL MUSICAL was Rodgers and
Hammerstein’s 1949 Broadway, Tony-winning musical, South
Pacific. The show ran at the McPherson Playhouse between
February 24 and March 2. Very few musical theatre scores ever produced
so many hits – hits recognizable even fifty years later – including songs
such as “Some Enchanted Evening” and “I’m Going to Wash That Man
Right Out of my Hair.”
The show involved students, staff and faculty from the Senior School,
and one each from the Junior and Middle Schools, including: Avalon
McLean (Nellie), Reed Kip (Emile de Beque), Pieter Colson (Billis),
Andrew Murgatroyd (Lt. Cable), and Judy Chou (Bloody Mary).
Musical direction was by Mary Humphreys – this show sails her into
retirement and will be her last “official” engagement with SMUS musical
theatre. We suspect though, not her last involvement. Stage direction was
by David Gauthier. Kim Brieland choreographed the show.
The quality of SMUS musical theatre continues, as attested by the
five-night run (two more than usually performed), the high energy and
enthusiasm of all those involved with the production, and the
considerable audience in attendance every night. This was truly a credit
to the 125 SMUS thespians, musicians and workers, and the staff who
worked with them.
T
HIS YEAR ’ S
T
2001: A Cyberspace Odyssey
Teachers Anna Forbes (Art), Mary Humphreys (Music), and Joan Tweedie
(Library) are developing integrated, K-12 curriculum-based resource material
for the web including content, learning theories, and visual arts resources in
collaboration with the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. They have
been participating in the gallery’s initiative, 2001: A Cyberspace Odyssey.
The newly developed material will be posted on the gallery’s web site some
time this year.
Chapel Gallery
EBRUARY 2002 marked the opening of the Chapel Art Gallery,
located in the narthex (chapel entrance). Art teachers from the
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools will exhibit student works
from the three schools on a rotating basis. The thinking behind this
endeavour was quite simple – churches often have artwork – so it was
time our Chapel had some, too.
F
Heading down on the bus to perform at the Luminara Festival in Beacon Hill
Park – Sara brought glowstix for everyone!
school news
Mark your Calendars for
Spring Fair 2002!
APRIL 20th 10 am - 4 pm
A Family Event Not to be Missed!
Here Comes the Haggis!
Led by piper Bill Buckingham, following up in the rear are John Crawford,
Cameron Buckingham, Katie Lowe, Heather Buckingham and Ian Farish.
Entertaining Burns Ceilidh
Burns Ceilidh was held on
Friday, January 25, at Wenman Pavilion for the faculty, staff
and family members. Bill Buckingham, accompanied on the
drum by John Crawford, piped the haggis in. Robert Common gave a
sterling “Address to the Haggis.” Entertainment was provided by Highland
dancers Cameron Buckingham of the Junior School, Heather Buckingham
of the Middle School, and Katie Lowe of the Boarding Staff.
The ad hoc faculty musical group “Wing It” played a couple of sets of
Celtic music. Ken and Kathryn Smith, Joan, Kathryn and Elizabeth
Humphries, Luke and Jake McCloskey, and Cameron Buckingham
provided several wonderful selections of song. Susan Macdonald and her
troupe of SMUS personnel presented an impressive display of Cape
Breton step dancing. Colin Skinner, Robert Common, Bill Buckingham
and visitor Bob Glazier performed impromptu piping.
A
N EXCITING AND ENTERTAINING
International Foods
Silent Auction
Raffle (win a big screen TV)
Arts and Crafts
Children’s Games
Midway Games of Chance
Entertainment by SMUS students
Tea Garden
Used Goods – white elephant sale
Garden Stall
Members of the school community are already gearing up
for the big Spring Fair planned for April 20th, 2002. The
last fair was a phenomenal success, largely because of
the tremendous support from volunteers. We will
recapture that spirit in Spring Fair 2002.
Many more volunteers are still needed. If you are
interested in participating in this fun community event,
please contact Kathy Jawl at (250) 592-9377 or Debbie
Couvelier at (250) 595-6540.
A Call to Christmas Craft Lovers!
N N OVEMBER 2002, SMUS senior school students Hilary
Punnett, Maureen Palmer, Emma Brownlee and Kathryn
Humphries are planning a Christmas craft fair – their aim is to
raise funds to contribute to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. If
you or anyone you know would like to participate in this worthy cause
through the donation of quality, homemade Christmas crafts or craftmaking materials, please contact Maureen at [email protected].
These students also need to determine a location and the number of
people who are willing to contribute to the fair. They’d like to hear back
from members of the school community.
I
Headmaster
Bob Snowden
takes a drink from
the dunk-tank at the
last memorable
Spring Fair in 2000.
Join us on
April 20th for another
fun-filled day!
7
8
school news
Outdoor Leadership
“Now I see the secret of making the best persons, it is to grow in the open
air and to eat and sleep with the earth.” – Walt Whitman
IX YEARS AGO , twelve students registered in Outdoor
Leadership, a programme designed to prepare students to serve
as counsellors in their final year during the September grade
trips. Since that first year, the programme has grown to accommodate
more than 40 students.
Today, the outdoor leadership programme is a recognized grade 12
credit course. In fulfilling their course requirements, students complete a
wilderness first aid certification; participate in a five-day, winter
backcountry experience; attend regular, three-hour evening sessions on
leadership; organize a backpacking or sea kayak trip over the May long
weekend; and perform environmental service work over the summer. This
training culminates in the students performing a counselling role with the
grade 9/10 trips in September.
Since its inception, the goal of the outdoor leadership programme has
been to develop leaders who have a passion for the outdoors along with a
desire to help others. Course content is designed to strike a balance
between developing outdoor competencies and asking students to reflect
on the character traits that are integral to effective leadership. The
outdoor environment is a powerful teacher demanding a wide range of
skills and abilities.
The success of the programme may be measured in any number of
ways. Seven leaders over the last two years have won the prestigious Gold
Award in the Duke of Edinburgh programme, recognizing excellence in
the outdoors, community service, fitness and skills. Others have been able
to use their leadership experience to help gain summer jobs at camps or
admission to university. More significantly, the course provides an
opportunity for each student to explore new frontiers in terms of their
outdoor skills, relationships with others and their personal development.
In the final analysis, Terry and Penny Russell best sum up the outdoor
leadership programme’s mandate in a passage from their book, On
the Loose.
S
Recognized as a Grade 12 credit course, Outdoor Leadership students
become certified in wilderness first aid, winter backcountry travel, leadership,
sea kayaking or backpacking, as well as performing environmental service
and counselling roles.
“So why do we do it?
What good is it?
Does it teach you anything?
Like determination? Invention? Improvisation?
Foresight? Hindsight?
Love?
Art? Music? Religion?
Strength or patience or accuracy or
Quickness or tolerance or
Which wood will burn and how long
is a day and how far is a mile
and how delicious is water and smoky
green pea soup?
And how to rely
On your
Self?
– Terry Russell
Back to School
T
in life when things work out despite the odds.
This is one of those times and we are truly grateful for the
outcome. Over a year ago, on November 21, 2000, Aashish
Kumar, a grade 10 boarder from Saudi Arabia, was diagnosed with
leukemia. He immediately left for Vancouver Children’s Hospital where
he began intensive treatments of chemotherapy. It was always Aashish’s
dream to return to St. Michaels University School to continue his studies.
We have been informed that this dream will come true. Aashish is in full
remission and is returning to Harvey House to work towards graduation
with his peers. Our thoughts have been with Aashish and his family
constantly during this very challenging time. We commend him for his
determination and are delighted to have him back in our SMUS
community.
HERE ARE TIMES
Welcome back! Ashish travelled with his sister and mother to Victoria. We are
happy to announce that he has returned to his classes at SMUS.
school news
International Summer Programme for Youth and Educators
St. Michaels University
School will be offering an International
Summer Programme for Youth as
well as a selection of day programmes for both
students and educators.
The International Summer Programme for
Youth will include two options to visit and
study at SMUS, including a five-week
programme starting July 14, and a four-week
programme starting July 21.
In addition to the International programmes,
there will also be a selection of developmental
and enrichment offerings for day students.
During the week of July 7-13, 2002 the school
will be holding two weeklong Programmes for
Educators. This marks the beginning of the
St. Michaels University School Summer Institute.
T
HIS SUMMER,
1. Technology in Education Workshop
Project-based, with a focus on areas in
technology integration as it relates to
curriculum
2. GIS Training for Educators
Focusing on GIS curriculum applications
and their development
All programmes will be open to local, national
and international students and educators. For
further information on the Summer Programmes,
refer to the SMUS web site at www.smus.bc.ca
or e-mail [email protected], or call
Mr. Lindsay Thierry at (250) 370-6117.
Advanced Placement – Summer Institute
his summer, the first Victoria
Advanced Placement Summer
Institute (VAPSI) will take place at
St. Michaels University School. Under the
direction of Peter Gardiner, the Institute will
run from July 8 to July 12, and will offer
intensive training opportunities for experienced
and beginning teachers of AP. The subject areas
will include Biology, Chemistry, Physics,
French, English, Studio Art, Geography,
Calculus, European History, Computer
Science, and Administration and pre-AP.
T
Within each specific area, teachers will learn
course content, standards setting and
examination marking, as well as some different
teaching strategies. In addition, Vertical Team
sessions in English and Mathematics will
provide an opportunity for teachers (grades 612) to explore ways of introducing analytical
skills fundamental to academic success in an
interdisciplinary environment using a
continuum of skill-building activities that
progresses from one grade to the next.
Presenting the sessions will be experienced
College Board consultants, instructors who
have been readers of AP examinations and have
conducted numerous workshops in Canada
and the United States. The AP Summer
Institute will provide an opportunity for
teachers from across the continent to network,
exchange ideas and share their creativity, and,
in addition, enjoy visiting St. Michaels
University School and Victoria.
9
10
advanced placement
Access to Excellence:
An Overview of the Advanced Placement
Programme at SMUS
HEN ASKED IN A QUESTIONNAIRE to comment on how SMUS
had prepared them for their post-secondary studies, many of
our graduates commented on the benefits arising from the
Advanced Placement (AP) courses they completed during their time at
the school. “Taking APs was a brilliant idea,” noted an alumnus currently
studying humanities at the University of Victoria. “They more than
prepared me for my university studies,” and “I received credit for firstyear courses and found the second-year courses relatively easy.” Another
SMUS graduate wrote from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton
School of Business “I only wish I had taken more. They were great
courses” as they provided “added challenge and the greater independence
of working at the university level.”
The feedback received from SMUS graduates clearly illustrates that
AP courses play a key role in preparing our students for the most
challenging university programmes. As a graduate of 2000 pursuing
engineering at Queen’s University noted, “APs really helped me to make a
smoother transition into university.” Still another alumnus studying
classics at the University of Victoria declared: “I found my APs to be
worthwhile simply because they made me think at a higher level, forcing
me into a university-level understanding.”
Sponsored by the College Board at Princeton University, the
Advanced Placement Programme has provided a growing number of high
school students with the challenge and rigour of pursuing an academic
programme with a level of difficulty comparable to first-year university
courses. The programme currently offers more than thirty-two collegelevel examinations in nineteen different subject areas. The expansion of
the AP Programme, since its inception more than forty years ago, is
astounding. Since 1955, more than 7 million students in more than half
of all secondary schools in the United States have taken nearly 12 million
AP examinations.
Enriched and demanding, AP courses are designed to enhance a
student’s interest and performance. Their level of difficulty is comparable
to college-level courses and a growing number of post-secondary
institutions grant second-year standing to students who excel on their AP
examinations. One of the great attractions of the AP Programme has been
its flexibility and low cost, particularly when compared to the
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.
Indeed, the appeal of the AP Programme has allowed it to outdistance
the IB programme both in North America and worldwide. In 2001, while
39,000 students in 743 schools participated in the IB, more than
800,000 students in more than 13,000 schools wrote a total of almost a
million and a half AP examinations.
The first students in Canada to write AP examinations were six SMUS
students enrolled in Mr. Mel Jones’s Chemistry 12 class in 1978. Mr.
Jones credits Commander Douglas Williams with drawing the AP
Programme to his attention. After attending an Advanced Placement
conference in the United States, Commander Williams returned to the
school with a copy of the College Board’s Acorn Handbook that he tossed
in Mr. Jones’s direction, exclaiming: “Have a look at this and let me know
what you think Dai.” Apparently, Commander Williams referred to all
Welshmen as “Dai.” Familiar with external evaluation due to his
experiences as a student and as a teacher in Britain, Mr. Jones was keen to
find a programme that would challenge his brightest students and
W
History and geography instructor Chuck Shergold takes time to discuss a
class project with AP Government and Politics students, Grace Quinn and
Amanda Quan.
measure their success in an objective manner in comparison to the
performance of students elsewhere. After investigating both the IB
Diploma and the AP Programme, the
school opted in favour of Advanced
Placement because of its flexibility and the
ease with which it could be integrated into
the already existing academic programme.
For Mr. Jones, an added incentive was the
way in which the AP examination provided
both students and teachers with a common
goal. “Instead of the teacher being the
ogre,” he recalls, “the external examination became the ogre, and the
teacher worked with his students to defeat it.”
That first year, a considerable amount of extra work had to be done in
the evenings, and Mr. Jones remembers his first AP students as being
characterized by “an incredibly high motivation to learn.” In 1979, along
“I only wish
I had taken more.
They were great
courses.”
Group projects allow students (l-r) Thomas Killins, Cleare Shields and
Kathryne Guy to discuss and share ideas about world events. This is a class
in AP Human Geography.
advanced placement
with Chemistry, a number of SMUS students
wrote the AP Biology and Physics
examinations. English and Calculus came
onboard the following year, and consequently
the programme expanded by leaps and bounds
at SMUS as other departments, including
Modern Languages and History, began
providing keen students with the option of
writing AP examinations.
Even with the reintroduction of provincial
examinations in 1984, the AP Programme at
SMUS expanded and flourished. Bright, highly
motivated students continued to enjoy the
challenge of these demanding, college-level
courses. In addition, the growing number of
individuals interested in applying to highly
selective American colleges and universities
recognized that Advanced Placement courses
would strengthen their applications. Once BC
universities joined other post-secondary
institutions in Canada and the United States in
offering second-year standing to students who
successfully completed AP examinations, even
more students began to consider the benefits of
enrolling in one or more AP courses.
From its modest beginning in 1978, the AP
Programme at SMUS has expanded to the
point that in May of 2001, eighty-nine
students wrote a total of 196 examinations in
sixteen different subject areas. Over the course
of the past decade, the number of AP
examinations written by SMUS students has
more than doubled, and their scores have
improved significantly. In 2001, for example,
88% of our students received grades of 3 or
higher on a 5-point scale. This statistic is 2%
higher than the previous year and marginally
higher than our ten-year average. Students who
in the past would not have attempted AP
courses now are writing these demanding
examinations and securing outstanding results.
This trend is a credit to our students and
teaching faculty alike.
When SMUS students first opted to write
AP examinations in the late 1970s, they were
participating in a process that would help to
renew and invigorate the school’s academic
programme. In recent years, the Advanced
Placement Programme has continued to evolve
and to reinvent itself in order to remain vital
and effective. The recently introduced AP
International Diploma was designed to
accommodate students applying to universities
outside of the United States and Canada. At
SMUS, AP courses have been drawn into the
mainstream of the academic programme so
that they are a formal part of the timetable. At
the same time, new courses have been
introduced to provide students with as many
options as possible. One of the most significant
innovations has been the introduction of two
new AP courses, Comparative Government
and Politics and Human Geography, which are
available to both grade 11 and grade 12
students. Moreover, grade 11 students
completing one of these courses not only write
the AP examination, but they also receive a
grade 11 social studies credit in the process.
The response of the student body to these
programme changes has been most
encouraging. In the current school year, there
are two classes of grade 11 students studying
Comparative Government and Politics and one
class studying Human Geography.
This year, approximately 120 SMUS
students are intending to write more than 220
Advanced Placement examinations. This record
number attests to the success of the school’s
ongoing efforts to renew its academic
programme in order to meet as effectively as
possible the learning needs of its students.
Without even knowing it, these students seem
to be heeding the advice offered by the
alumnus who urged current SMUS students to
take on the Advanced Placement challenge. “At
university,” she recalled, “many of my new
friends were jealous that I was able to take AP
courses because many public schools do not
offer them. So, my advice to SMUS students is
that as long as they have the privilege of taking
APs, make sure they take them. The reward is
waiting for them when they go on to
university!”
Dr. Tom Matthews
Director of Academics
Enriched and
demanding,
AP courses are
designed to
enhance a student’s
interest and
performance.
Advanced Placement Comparative Government
and Politics students Steven Harmer, Ben
Strocel, Grace Quinn and Liz Effa gain greater
understanding of world issues, and at the same
time, achieve a first-year university credit.
11
12
geography programme
Geotechnology takes SMUS into the Future
Kirsten Davel, Head of Geography
Jennifer Skelding, Hinton Chair in Geography
T
HE FACE OF GEOGRAPHIC EDUCATION has evolved
significantly over the last few decades and these changes are
reflected in the geography programme at St. Michaels
University School. With the welcome addition to the department this
year of Jennifer Skelding in her capacity as the Hinton Chair, there has
been a greater move to integrate specific geotechnologies and a variety of
field work opportunities into the grade 5, grade 6 and various senior
school curricula.
Many of us still remember the geography classes of yesteryear, where we
had to learn the countries, capitals, major rivers and mountain ranges on
each continent. While spatial awareness and geographic knowledge are
useful, geography is so much more than memorizing capitals and knowing
the longest rivers. Through the geography programme at SMUS, students
acquire many geographic and transferable skills including a whole range of
data collection, management and interpretation skills, spatial analysis,
research techniques, communication and critical thinking skills, and handson applied technology competencies in Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
The Geography Team
Teachers of geography at SMUS have adopted a learner-centred,
constructivist approach in the classroom encouraging independent
creative thought, critical thinking, problem solving and team building.
Each member of the geography department brings specific expertise to
the teaching team, and on-going professional development ensures that
teachers remain up-to-date with developments in the discipline.
Recently, Jennifer Skelding provided excellent hands-on training and
support in the area of geotechnologies aimed at addressing the need for
our teachers to keep abreast of the rapidly changing face of technology
influencing the discipline. The geography department is committed to
ensuring that all students are geographically literate and that those
students who wish to pursue a career in geography are well prepared to
face the challenges and demands
of university courses in a
discipline which is offering
numerous exciting opportunities
in the employment sector.
Why is GIS important to us?
GIS is important because it helps you make decisions based on
geographical information. Unlike any other type of information handling
tool, GIS can understand the concept of location.
Consider, for example, a system that enables its user to combine and
manipulate demographic, lifestyle and other customer-related data to
quite literally pinpoint areas of untapped business opportunity. Some
other examples of GIS application include the following:
• Land susceptibility to soil erosion
• Which pockets of endangered environment should we protect?
• Where will a criminal strike next?
GIS and the Future of Geography
GIS has taken off in a big way over the past two decades. Moving from
the realms of academic research, the technology was first harnessed to the
needs of large information-hungry organizations such as local authorities,
environmental agencies, emergency services and utility providers. More
recently, GIS has leap-frogged onto the back of advances in desktop
computing to find application in every conceivable area of business
activity. And it is here that the logic of GIS is impeccable given that
competitive advantage is ultimately about delivering the right product or
service to the right place at the right time.
How will your child benefit?
As well as a resource tool for research and business, a GIS can serve as a
more general aid for instruction in the five fundamental themes of
geography. We have developed interactive learning modules,
demonstrations and lectures that use the GIS to illustrate the different
aspects of location, place, human/environment interaction, movement
and region. In addition, the GIS provides an excellent tool to teach the
techniques of data representation, visualization and cartographic design.
Projects can be designed to accommodate students with a wide range of
skills in computing, map reading, statistics, remote sensing and spatial
analysis.
Geography 10 students
explore the environment.
Geography 11 students in Chinatown conduct an Ethnic Neighbourhood
survey in Victoria’s Fan Tan Alley as part of a class project.
board report
Report from the Board of Governors
I
to bring you up to date on the activities of
the Board of Governors of St. Michaels University School. This
is a very demanding, though exciting time for your Board as we
continue to focus our governance on the fulfillment of the school’s
mission and the underlying strategic priorities as reviewed in the current
Annual Report in the Fall School Ties. While the Board continues to be
engaged in all elements of governance, including the long-term financial
stability of the school, the school’s governors face two major work
challenges in the coming months.
The Facilities Development Plan that has been discussed in some
detail and presented to the school community is moving into the first
phase of development. On February 11, 2002, Saanich Council approved
the height variance for the Crothall Centre for the Humanities. Paul
Merrick & Associates, our architect, will now proceed to develop full
working drawings and tender documents. As a significant strategic
priority, your Board is totally supportive of the facilities plan and is
looking forward to seeing the school enter the first phase of Creating the
Future at St. Michaels University School.
Four long-serving governors with a combined 24 years of service will
be retiring at the October AGM, having completed their terms. It is the
task of the Nominations Committee to prepare a list of candidates with
governance experience who are strongly qualified to carry the burden of
fulfillment of the Mission and its derivative strategic priorities.
Specifically, candidates will have skills required to oversee a $15 million
operating budget, various professional skills, as well as familiarity with
fund raising and capital campaigns. The Nominations Committee is
currently interviewing candidates and full nomination papers will be sent
to Society members by the end of March 2002.
The Board continues to welcome opportunity for dialogue and
presentation on matters relating to school governance. The 2001 AGM
provided an opportunity to hear Dr. Tom Matthews, Director of
Academics, and Bob Snowden present the school’s vision of the academic
initiatives and the current research on children’s learning. An open
meeting of the Society to discuss the proposed operating budget for the
2002 – 2003 Academic year was held on January 21, 2002. This is an
annual venue that the Board encourages Society members to attend. To
this end, we will be looking for more opportunities to provide the greater
school community with more information regarding the school’s vision
and direction, and the continuing challenges in striving to fulfill the
Mission of the school.
A Spirituality of Play
often featured the yurodivy (a kind of “holy fool”) in their paintings…like
the last day of the nature festival called Huli in India where the Hindus
have a holiday connected with the spring solstice, and people have fun
sending friends on impossible errands such as finding a stick with only
one end…like Aztec traditions where the coyote is the trickster and called
“God’s dog”…like Wile E. Coyote in Hollywood who always played
tricks on Road Runner which always backfired…like Brueghel’s 1560
“Young Folk at Play” painting which depicted over 200 children engaged
in over 80 play activities of which over 20 children’s games were
illustrated.
Laughter, humour and a spirituality of play help us live with the
mystery, paradox and absurdities of life. They can open the doors of
flexibility, intuition, vulnerability, child-like innocence, and spontaneity.
The God who created anteaters, duck-billed platypuses, giraffes,
clownfish, pink flamingoes and us (!) has a great sense of humour.
So, make time to develop and nurture a spirituality of play.
– The Reverend Dr. June Maffin, SMUS Chaplain
T IS MY PLEASURE
of terrorism, disasters, broken
relationships, and other concerns, a spirituality of play may
seem a curious matter. But, more than ever, a spirituality of
play is an attitude that needs to be cultivated in our society and
educational system so that children and youth can become adults where
laughter, joy and hope are an intrinsic part of their being.
Many faith traditions – Christian and Hasidic storytellers, Zen
masters, and Taoist sages – encourage us not to take ourselves too
seriously. These prophets have an important role in the spiritual life
because they espouse the spiritual practice of play and as Ralph Waldo
Emerson (quoted in Joy by Beverly Elaine Eanes) said, “It is a happy
talent to know how to play.” When Hindus speak of the creation of the
universe, they don’t call it the work of God. They call it the play of God!
From the Greek word selig (which means blessed) comes the English word
silly. I like to think that there is something sacred about the ability to be
silly – to play – to laugh and to be child-like.
Laughter and play are sacred holy things. Margaret Guenther (in
Toward Holy Ground) writes, “When we play, we also celebrate holy
uselessness.” When we don’t take ourselves too seriously, when we enjoy
the fullness of life with its curiosities, frivolities and insensibilities, we are
experiencing a spirituality of play.
When we play, we are leaving behind the daily stressors of exams,
deadlines and expectations (self and others’) for a moment in time, and are
allowing our spirit to breathe and re-create. Listening to the sounds around
SMUS, it’s easy to say that SMUS is a place of holiness, for here the human
spirit is celebrated in classroom, hallway, playing field and Chapel.
The Arts, literature and even holidays remind us of the importance of
playing – of giving ourselves permission to be silly and foolish…like April
Fools Day in North America…like the 15th century Russian artists who
I
N TODAY ’ S INTENSE WORLD
VIVAT!
Stephen R. Martin
Chair of the Board of Governors
13
ww bolton
14
An Unforgettable Character:
Reverend William Washington Bolton
Compiled by Peter Bousfield
and Rob Wilson
A
S SMUS BEGINS a major renewal of
its campus at the start of a new
century, it is especially appropriate to
renew our appreciation of those values
inherited from our founders – Barnacle, Bolton
and Harvey – at the start of the last century.
The archives revealed that perhaps the most
influential founder in implanting his values was
the Reverend William Washington Bolton. It
seems he was respected by all who knew him.
The values he stood for – gentlemanly conduct
and good manners, good sportsmanship and
athletic ability, because of good physical
condition – will always remain a vital part of
the school’s tradition.
However, it was not just his values, but the
energy, enthusiasm, keen mind, and vigorous
participation in a diverse array of interests that
make WW Bolton a most unforgettable
character. He was indeed a role model to follow
– by word or deed. On his eighty-fifth birthday,
he went for a forty-mile walk. Speaking at the
First Speech Day in 1909, the Rev. Bolton had
this to say about building the new school:
“Could there be nobler work to engage the
energy of men! We are impelled to the work by
the fascination of it, by the great honour of it,
and by what it means to the glorious heritage
that is ours.”
SMUS Archives
The values he stood for –
gentlemanly conduct and
good manners, good
sportsmanship and athletic
ability, because of good
physical condition – will
always remain a vital part
of the school’s tradition.
Founder of University School, Reverend William
Washington Bolton (1858-1946) was an
inspiration to many. His feats are legendary.
To keep WW Bolton’s life in some semblance of order, we should have a quick look at some of
the key events and moves of his life.
Motto: Mens sana in corpore sano
1858 – born in county of Staffordshire,
England
1880 – graduated from Cambridge
1881 – ordained
1887 – Rector of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in
Esquimalt. Ran the parish boys’ school
1889 – Rector of Church of St. Mary, The
Virgin in San Francisco
1898 – returned to Victoria to start a small school
for boys at his home on Belcher Ave.
1906 – joined Barnacle to start University
School
1920 – retired to the South Seas
1925 – returned as Headmaster of University
School
1928 – returned to South Seas, collecting
historical material for the French
government
1946 – passed away July 28
KC Symons, founder of St. Michael’s School,
and a great teacher of values himself, considered
WW Bolton to be the doyen of school teachers.
KC was very flattered when Bolton asked him to
take over the running of Harvey House, an offer
which was graciously refused.
The Rev. Bolton was an Englishman whose
father honoured the memory of the founders of
the American Republic, hence the Christian
name he gave to his son. Rev. Bolton was a
loyal Cambridge man who entered Caius
College in 1877. He graduated with a Bachelor
of Arts degree in 1880, and took his Master’s
degree three years later. At Cambridge, his
interests were equally divided between
scholarship and sports. In 1879, he won the
British amateur championship for the half-mile,
and at the same period, set a record for the
thousand-yard race. He was also a boxer, a
footballer (both rugby and soccer), a long
distance swimmer, and an ardent tennis player
when that now universal sport was in its
infancy. He was proud of being a Cambridge
Blue, and a member of the Achilles Club of
London, which is made of both Cambridge and
Oxford Blues.
A True Story, by James Norman Hall, tells us
much about the energy and character of the
Rev. Bolton. It is based on interviews and a
personal friendship that Hall had with Bolton
when both were living in Tahiti:
“At Cambridge, he prepared for the career
of a Church of England parson, but it was
inevitable that he should have entered the
teaching profession. He was born for it.
“What I have learned of his life has come in
by the way of fashion, bringing up the subject
of teaching. That sets him off. How often I
have heard him say: ‘Hall, it’s the finest, the
most rewarding of all careers. When that fact is
recognized universally and the men and women
enter it that should go into it, the rising
generations will build the kind of world we’ve
been fumbling toward for so many centuries.’
“Knowing Mr. Bolton, I am certain that,
wherever he has gone over the earth, he has left
behind him hundreds of grateful youngsters
whose interests have been stirred, broadened,
and directed, whose minds and spirits have
been quickened and developed to their
highest capacities through contact with his
own.
“The size of the teaching opportunity
means little to him, for he is one of those true
teachers whose ambition is not for themselves
but for the youngsters under their care. He
was one of the founders, in 1906, of the
University School of Victoria, British
Columbia. Years later, when he was at the
southern end of the Pacific, he chanced to
read in an Auckland paper that a teacher was
wanted for Niue, a lonely little island
dependency of New Zealand, 600 miles west
of Rarotonga and 350 miles southeast of
Samoa. Mr. Bolton was then sixty-seven, and
really thinking about retiring, but when he
learned that the Niue post was not wanted by
others because of its remoteness, he
immediately offered his services, gratefully
accepted by the Minister of Education. He
spent nearly three years teaching the children
of Niue, a crumb of land 100 miles square,
with a population of 3500 Polynesians. Then,
in 1928, in his seventieth year, he set out for
Tahiti to rest for the remainder of his days.
“He had rested for, perhaps a week when
he became interested in Polynesian history as
it concerns Tahiti. He discovered that a great
deal of field work yet needed to be done; so
he started tramping the island over, exploring
the sites of ancient buildings and the scenes
of ancient happenings, reading neglected
manuscripts, making researches that no one
before him had had the energy or the interest
or the patience to make. The results, so far,
are contained in two thick manuscript
volumes, written out in his beautiful
Spencerian hand. These he has placed in the
custody of the British consulate for the use of
anyone who may wish to consult them. They
are well worth consulting, as those who have
read them can testify.
“In his younger days, while teaching in
Canada, he had spent two consecutive
summers walking with a seventy-pound
packsack, the full length of Vancouver Island.
He followed a direct central line from Cape
Commerell to Victoria – the first man,
perhaps the only one, who has done this.
“In his spare time he had roamed all over
the far north, living with Indians and
SMUS Archives
ww bolten
Prize Day 1910, on the front steps of School House at University School. Mr. Bolton, amongst other
dignitaries, would have been in attendance.
Eskimos. With one companion, he had
voyaged the full length of the Yukon in a flatbottomed boat, from its lake beginnings to
the Bering Sea, shooting the Whitehorse and
Five-fingers rapids en route. I remembered
him telling me that he had celebrated his
twenty-fifth birthday, in England, by a sixtymile walk accomplished in twenty-four hours
– twenty, actual walking time.
“Mr. Bolton told me later that now, at
eighty-five, he weighs exactly what he
weighed as a Cambridge undergraduate – one
hundred and sixty-eight pounds. I asked his
advice as to the best way of preparing for a
long and happy old age.
‘First, choose carefully your parents and
grandparents,’ he said. ‘Be sure they are men
and women of rugged health. That’s luck, of
course. It was my luck. Then, for longdistance, healthy living, “Go slow and go far”
is a good motto. It’s about the same as to say
“Moderation in all things.”’
“But happiness is more than the blessing
of good physical machinery,’ I said. ‘What, in
your opinion, makes for the kind of
happiness that never fails a man?’
“He replied, instantly, ‘School teaching.
It’s the finest of all professions,’ and he was
off again on the joys of that career.
“The Rev. William Washington Bolton
died in 1948, at the ripe old age of 88 years.
He left behind him a legacy to be admired of
a bewildering number of achievements,
whether as a missionary in Saskatchewan for
two years, or boxing sailors off the boats in
the Port of Victoria for recreational
amusement. His energy and interests knew
no bounds; they even extended to active
participation in cooking and gardening.”
Every person who was in contact with the
Rev. Bolton seemed to have been touched by
him in some way. As the school moves on
with its life, it is good to reflect on the values
left to us by such an unforgettable character.
We can renew the importance of learning
from the past. Fashions may come and go,
but it is hard to argue that the Rev. Bolton’s
values need to be changed. His personal
influence, exhibited through his many
accomplishments, acts as a role model that is
exhausting to contemplate. We are fortunate
to have had such a person be part of our
heritage.
“He has lived well
who finishes well.”
15
16
kw symons
KW Symons (Sonny):
An impeccable role model
M
ST. MICHAEL’S were fortunate to have
come under the influence of KW Symons, or Sonny as he
was often called. I would consider Kyrle, after twelve years as
a student and thirty-seven years as a teacher, to have had the greatest
impact on my life of any teacher as a role model. I have met many
students since who have expressed the same feelings.
Well, I can still remember during a soccer match Kyrle yelling, “St.
Michael’s! Kick the ball out as an opponent is lying on the ground
injured!” It was this ever-present spirit of fair play and kindness that
made him such an exemplary role model.
Dr. Andrew Gillespie (SM 1942), in his eulogy, chose this poem to
illustrate the human qualities that reminded him best about Kyrle.
ANY STUDENTS OF
ABOU BEN ADHEM by Leigh Hunt
Abou Ben Adhem (May his tribe increase)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
Making it rich and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold.
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in his room, he said,
“What writest thou?” The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.”
“And is mine one?” said Abou. “Nay not so”
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still and said, “I pray thee then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow men.”
The angel wrote and vanished.
The next night it came again with a great wakening light
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed
And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led off the rest.
It was this obvious feeling that Kyrle generated – that he loved his
fellow men – that acted as an inspiration and influence on all those
who came in contact with him; be they students, fellow teachers,
parents or his own family.
One could consider Kyrle’s father KC Symons, the founder of St.
Michael’s, to be the heart of the school. Then Kyrle, certainly, was the
soul. Among Kyrle’s many fine attributes was his energy that was given
selflessly in many directions. He taught for 47 years, 23 of them as
Headmaster.
Well do we remember, amongst so many of his other
responsibilities, as stage manager at the St. Michael’s
Christmas Concerts that he would appear from behind the
stage curtains, mopping his brow to sing a lovely ballad.
We all recall the excitement of speech days at St. Michael’s,
the school closing and the summer holidays ahead. But for
Kyrle this was never the end of the school year, for the very
next day there was always Scout Camp.
That Amazing Institution (1950) KC Symons
This photo was discovered in the school’s archives. Here, Kyrle
W. Symons (Sonny) (l) and his father, St. Michael’s School
Outside of the school, his energy continued to flow. Kyrle was an
accomplished athlete who played both cricket and rugby for Victoria. He
served 16 years on the Oak Bay Recreation Committee, and sang for 60
years with the Arion Male Voice Choir. In his spare time he was an avid
gardener, and was often found fixing and painting equipment at the
school.
This unbounded energy and enthusiasm were truly an inspiration for
those of us who knew him. He taught us to get on with our own lives
and, yes, to stop complaining about our own troubles.
The Symons family always maintained that their greatest pleasure was
in the return of their Old Boys and hearing about their successes. They
kept up-to-date diaries of the Old Boys and parents of their departure
from the school, return and even letters received from them. It was in this
way I discovered that I had contracted suspected tuberculosis while at
school in England. I discovered this in reading a diary 50 years after
leaving St. Michael’s, as my mother had sent her annual Christmas card
from England in 1948. These kinds of touches illustrate the loving care
and consuming time that Kyrle and his family gave to their school, which
became an extension of their own family. It made each one of us know
that we were part of something special.
This dedication was turned into practical support for the Symons’ in
1958. The old school on Windsor Road was finally condemned as a
firetrap. Because of the loyalty that the Symons family had built up with
their Old Boys and friends, the St. Michael’s Society was formed. Their
loyal support showed itself by giving generously, so that a new school was
funded and built on Victoria Avenue on the site of the “Little Field.” The
Symons family determined that St. Michael’s must go on and donated all
their assets in the old school and grounds to the Society. The school was
their business and their life. There is no doubt that it was a labour of love.
kw symons
One could consider Kyrle’s father,
KC Symons, the founder of
St. Michael’s, to be the heart of the
school. Then Kyrle, certainly, was
the soul. Among Kyrle’s many fine
attributes was his energy that was
given selflessly in many directions.
SMUS Archives
He taught for 47 years, 23 of
them as Headmaster.
founder, KC Symons (r), sit for a class photo in the school yard. The
young men are in the Number One’s. Do you recognize any of them?
At Kyrle’s memorial service in 1994, his son Philip Symons paid this
tribute to his father:
...I am going to concentrate on one of his most endearing
traits – his unbridled optimism. His optimism was most
prevalent and best deserved with respect to his old boat.
Waukeshaw was an old boat when he bought her in 1946.
“With some luck she should last another ten years,” said a
good friend upon inspecting the boat. Dad owned and ran
that boat for 44 years. Through all those 44 years we had
heard assertions that “she is better than ever…the engine is
running like never before…fewer leaks than we have ever
seen.” The epitome of his optimism, however, was expressed
in the phrase “it’s brightening.” The phrase he would utter
aboard old Waukeshaw when the rain was beating on the roof
and pouring down the windows and splashing in the sea and
he would look out the window and in the furthest distance he
would see a little glimmer of brighter light in the sky than
elsewhere. “It’s brightening,” he would report jubilantly.
Our dad made the world a littler lighter for everyone around him for
that was his message – It’s brightening.
Philip then read a letter from his daughter Lara in England. Following
are excerpts from this letter:
I always remember grandpa having warm hands. He would
take mine in his and say “you old sausage” as he patiently
listened to me tell him child’s tales. He always laughed when it
was supposed to be funny. He always showed concern and
consolation if the tale was one of distress. His thoughts of
granny were also those of one of the most devoted husbands.
In his letters to me he never failed to refer to her with the
greatest tenderness. Grandpa was fun! He was game to
participate in all his children’s adventures. He was the one who
always hid the chocolate Easter eggs in the garden and whose
eye twinkled as we ran about in search of them. He was the
only one I could get to sit still in front of a chalkboard whilst I
played at teaching him maths.
Kyrle “Sonny” Symons will certainly be remembered by all those
whose lives he touched with his gentle warmth and kindness. Even when
dealing with a culprit, he would say, “You need a good smack!” The tone
of his voice indicated that this was a therapeutic punishment, and the
culprit knew he deserved the good smack. Kyrle always, one way or
another, managed to convey to the students that he was pulling for the
underdog. To this day, I have remembered that Kyrle was adept at making
up his own homilies about explaining such matters as the importance of
manners, punctuality, truthfulness or general deportment.
Kyrle will always fondly be recalled as an impact role model to his
many friends, students and own family. He left behind him a
compassionate set of ideals and values that have been embodied into the
heritage of St. Michael’s, and latterly in SMUS.
And lo! Kyrle Symon’s name led all the rest. Yes, his influence as a
teacher of fine personal qualities and leadership has been very powerful.
By PK Bousfield
Sources – “The Brentonian”
17
18
interview with mary timmis
A Visit with Mary Timmis
MARY TIMMIS again, 42 years after leaving
school!
I had that pleasure on October 3, 2001, when, with Rob
Wilson, I spent a delightful afternoon with Mrs. Timmis in her beautiful
condo overlooking Stanley Park in Vancouver.
First impressions can be both trite and profound…so alumni from
1948 to 1970 who knew Mrs. Timmis will know what I mean when I say
that all she needed was her blue beret, powder blue cape, brown walking
shoes and (of course) the pram to fit right in to the school of today as she
walked down the drive from the Head’s house to the quad.
The pram (an English Marmet) held Jane Timmis who has grown
somewhat since my boarder days and also hosted us during a lovely
afternoon filled with happy memories and conversation about school.
Mrs. Timmis enjoys excellent health and looks marvelous. More
importantly, her persona and character have not changed one bit from the
person I remember.
She retains her positive “worldview” despite some real life heartaches
and speaks with warmth and accuracy about her life and the life of John
Timmis at University School.
John J. Timmis (MA Oxon) (“JJ” or “J squared” as he was sometimes
called by the boys, because he taught math) was the longest serving
Headmaster in the history of University School. Together with Mary, he
inherited a tired and dispirited school in 1948 that survived WW II only
because of the iron hand of Headmaster George Herbert Scarrett (a man
whose name still strikes terror in alumni who are 10 years older than I,
and I am in “early middle age” – sort of…)(US ’59).
Before accepting the Governor’s offer, John asked Mary to visit the
school and her first memories were of the mattresses in the dorms. The
mattresses were hideous (my word). Mrs. Timmis promptly had them
removed and upgraded – along with the grotty old pillows, pillowcases,
and other such amenities – despite the school’s precarious finances.
John Timmis brought energy and vitality to his role as Headmaster
from 1948 to 1970. In retrospect, it is clear that his buoyant personality
and drive were essential to ensure an enrollment level that would allow
the school to operate and survive. Today, his style and substance would be
called a “marketing orientation,” and that was exactly what University
School needed to cope with the changing post-war world. More than
that, he did “everything” in the sense that the school today is a
professional organization that allows the Headmaster to delegate. But in
his time, John Timmis guided the Board of Governors, ran the school,
recruited students and teachers, maintained community and government
relations and always worked hard to attract funding. He also taught
mathematics (the best math teacher I ever had). Barker Library, Brown
Hall, the old “New Gym,” the Chapel, and half of Challoner were built
during his tenure, and he played an early role in securing government
funding for independent schools in British Columbia.
Shortly after becoming Headmaster, he also played a key role in
integrating boys and staff of Brentwood College into University School,
thus helping preserve the name of that institution which was destroyed by
fire in August 1947, before re-establishing itself at Mill Bay in 1960.
But beyond the role of Mr. Timmis as Headmaster was the Timmis
family of which Mary was the keystone. Theirs had been a fairy-tale
courtship and romance. John and Mary Timmis were married in 1936,
and Sally, their first child, was born in September 1939, on the day of the
declaration of war with Germany. Twenty-four hours later, Mr. Timmis
I
MAGINE SEEING
Mary Timmis was married to John Timmis who was headmaster at the
school for many years. They lived on campus from 1948 until 1970.
was called to serve with the Royal Artillery, which he did until 1945,
while Mary looked after Sally (who, by 1959, used to listen to my piano
playing in what is now Challoner, and always had words of
encouragement). Despite the obvious closeness of their lifelong marriage
and relationship, the war years were thus ones of almost total separation.
Post-war Britain offered few opportunities and in 1945, John Timmis
accepted a teaching position at Shawnigan Lake School (truly the BC
bush, and a long way from Canford, his previous school in the bucolic
countryside of Dorset, where his pre-war teaching job awaited him). To
say that Mary “followed” is an understatement. It took a year of
determined effort to get to Canada from the Britain of 1945. As we
listened to how she finally found passage on a former American
troopship, landed in New York in 1946 with a very young Sally, and
planned a train trip to Seattle – all in the heat of summer, in an age of no
air conditioning – I had to muse on the stereotypical British
characteristics of “pluck,” “good humour” and “resolve,” which must have
sustained her.
Mary Timmis is quintessentially English and true to the hopes of the
Founders of University School who spoke of a school “in the best British
tradition,” her own life and times at school certainly fulfilled that
tradition.
Many readers will know that her life in Victoria saw the birth of two
sons: Andrew (1947) and Simon (1950) both of whom completed their
education at University School. Andrew graduated in 1965 and Simon in
1968. I recall them both always being turned out immaculately in short
grey pants and a school blazer – no doubt reflecting the hand of their
The pram, an English Marmet, with little Jane Timmis.
interview with mary timmis
mother. Jane, the Timmis’ youngest child, was born in 1955 and it is she
who occupied the Marmet pram that so stuck in my memory – along
with the blue beret, cape and brown walking shoes of Mrs. Timmis. True
to independent form, it was a home birth for Mrs. Timmis –
adventuresome at the time.
John Timmis, too, always arrived at School House in the morning
looking immaculate. He roared down the drive in an ivory Packard
convertible with a fluid suspension that sort of eased the car down to foot
level one minute after the engine was shut off. We used to watch its
descent to the ground in fascination from what is now the Campus Shop
since that Packard was the only piece of glamour in a school of the time
which can best be described as “primitive” compared to today. What’s
more, he bought a Buick convertible in 1958 (same colour), but it lacked
the hydraulic suspension that was the high point of our morning.
John Timmis was Headmaster at the school from 1948 to 1970. He
brought energy and vitality to his role.
Mr. Timmis gets out of his Buick convertible in 1958.
We all laughed together about these memories and it was clear that
they were happy ones for Mrs. Timmis and Jane.
Although both wife and mother, Mrs. Timmis made a direct and
lasting contribution to life of the boys at school. Alumni who were
boarders in the 50s and 60s will recall Sunday evenings at the Head’s
House where we had an array of sweets and goodies that Mrs. Timmis
had baked. She was also personally responsible for starting and organizing
all of the gorgeous Christmas dinners in Brown Hall, complete with
polished silver cups, white linen tablecloths, and traditional English
Christmas decorations that she handmade.
Rob and I were fascinated to learn of her role in the design of Brown
Hall, including choosing the style of the oak tables, building a scale
model, and convincing Patrick Birley, the architect, to include a fireplace.
Mary Timmis showed us a picture of the Great Hall at Hatfield, home of
Queen Elizabeth I, which inspired her suggestions for Brown Hall. The
fact that Brown Hall today retains much of its character and charm –
despite 44 years of heavy use – is a tribute to her vision.
Mrs. Timmis also assisted the Headmaster to work with Boards of
Governors over the years. The school community did not elect past
Boards as they do today. Rather, Boards were made up of dedicated ‘old
Victorians’ (in the best sense of the word) or other distinguished men
from outside Victoria, with close ties to the school. Mrs. Timmis
knew all the Governors during the tenure of John Timmis. Her
home and gracious hospitality were an important contribution to
maintaining the interest and commitment of the Board to the school
for more than 20 years. Brown Hall was a gift of Mrs. RA Brown of
Calgary to honour her son RA Brown Jr. who graduated in 1932 and
was a Governor in 1958. This building was the first significant new
capital expansion since School House was completed in 1909.
But there were other, poignant memories during our visit. Mrs.
Timmis showed us a box of letters she received from boys after the
untimely death of Mr. Timmis in 1970, only three months after his
retirement. All the letters spoke of a firm, but kind and buoyant
Headmaster who had touched their individual lives in some special
way and who was dedicated to the school. Many of the writers have
gone on to the serve the school as Governors, teachers, staff,
benefactors, or just plain friends, and I was personally moved to
discover that among the letters was my own.
Our afternoon ended with a “proper” English tea for which Mrs.
Timmis had prepared a special cake loaf – much as she had for boys
and others at school. To see her in such good health, surrounded by
her furniture (like the Welsh dresser which I remember from the
Head’s house in 1959) and possessions that have been part of her life,
was a special privilege for Rob and me.
The naming of Timmis House at School in 1993 was a fitting
tribute to the headmastership of John Timmis, but the contribution
to the school of Mary Timmis and the Timmis family goes far
beyond a building for many of us. The school was their life, and they
brought a special quality of life to the entire school community.
Dr. LE Devlin (US ’59)
Immediate Past President, SMUS Alumni Association
with the assistance of Rob Wilson
19
20
alumni news
Alumni Reunion Schedule
May 3, 4, 5 - 2002 Events
Reunion screening of Ups and Downs. See
page 32 for details.
The First of Many?
R
ECENTLY , the graduating Class of
1970 established the “Class of 1970
Student Bursary” with the first
bursary award from this endowment to be
given to a deserving student for the 2002-03
academic year. The idea arose at a recent
reunion of the Class of 1970 and has quickly
grown to $15,000 (which meets the minimum
amount required in capital to commence
bursary awards).
Several members of the Class of 1970 made
contributions on a one-time basis, and others
have chosen to contribute an amount each year
over five years. Donations can be established at
different levels: $25 / $100 / $200 / $500 /
$1,000, for each year over five years or,
gratefully acknowledged one-time gifts can help
kick off the fund.
With only 26 graduates in the Class of
1970, they’re off to a great start, and two
members of that grad class who have passed
away had anonymous donations of $500 made
in their memory.
According to David McPhee of Vancouver,
“The establishment of the ‘Class of 1970
Bursary Award’ has been a great catalyst in
renewing our connections with our classmates.”
Brian Lo of Hong Kong adds, “By establishing
giving levels of $25 to $1,000 per year for five
years, everyone in our grad class is able to
participate, and I’m sure it will make our next
reunion all the more exciting.”
Mel Reeves from Bermuda states, “It is great
to rekindle friendships but the bursary adds
meaning as it allows us as a grad class to assist a
deserving student, who might otherwise not be
able to attend, the opportunity to experience a
first-class, all around education as we received.”
Together, the Class of 1970 challenges all
other grad classes to join in this great Alumni
Programme and “meet or beat” the 26 grads
from 1970. Contact Chris Spicer at the
Development Office for details – if you’re up to
the challenge!
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2002
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2002
8:15 a.m.
9.00 a.m. Alumni Association executive
host breakfast for the graduating
class of 2002 at Reynolds House
School Chapel Assembly
Alumni are invited to attend
the Senior School chapel
assembly
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Academic Classes
Alumni are invited to attend a
Senior School academic class.
Please notify Chris Spicer
([email protected]) if you
plan to participate
• Reception for Alumni from
1920-1962 and their
significant others, hosted by
Headmaster Bob Snowden
and his wife, Joan
6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Cocktails at Reynolds House
6:30 p.m.
Dinner at Reynolds House
Reunion Class Receptions:
Class of 1952 Contact Mindi Mayo
(604) 552-8000
Reynolds House
Class of 1962 Contact Tony Keble
[email protected]
Reynolds House
Class of 1967 Contact Rod Filtness
[email protected]
Class of 1972 Contact Tony Souza
Anthony.souza@
hk.standardchartered.com
Class of 1977 Contact Dirk Yzenbrandt
[email protected]
Blue Peter Pub in Sidney,
2270 Harbour Road, 7:00 p.m.
Class of 1982 Contact Lex Bayley
[email protected]
Or Susan Ben Oliel
[email protected]
Home of Brad Forth, 2088
Lorne Terrace, 7:00 p.m.
Class of 1987 Contact Liz Best
[email protected]
Sticky Wicket, 7:00 p.m.
Class of 1992 Contact Erica Kjekstad or
Joanna (Kiss) Snow
[email protected]
Wenman Pavilion
10:00 a.m. Alumni Chapel Service –
celebrating 40 years since
completion of the chapel
construction. Alumnus Chris
Collins to speak, plus unveiling
of historical plaque.
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Alumni Reunion Weekend
Registration – Wenman Pavilion
11:45 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Alumni & Friends Barbecue
and no host bar. Tickets at
registration table.
12:00 noon First XV Rugby vs. Oak Bay
12:00 – 3:00 p.m. Kids Fair
2:00 p.m. Alumni Association AGM at
Wenman Pavilion
2:30 p.m. Events and Activities:
SPORTS
• School Field Hockey XI vs.
School XI
• Billy G. “Barn Blow-out
Basketball Classic” (Last
tournament in Old Gym)
• Alumni Touch VIIs
OTHER ACTIVITIES
• School Tours
• Archives Display – School
House
• New Facility Display – School
House
• Special screening of Ups and
Downs – the SMUS made
movie (School House)
• Student Music / Art Display
3:00 p.m. Alumni Donor Recognition Tea
6:00 p.m. – 12:00 midnight
Gourmet Dinner / Dance with
the Big Band Trio / Silent
Auction. Get tickets now!
[email protected]
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2002
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cricket Match –
School XI vs. Alumni XI
alumni
news
Alumni Report
CONTINUE TO BUILD on past
achievements. Much effort is going into the
planning of another successful alumni
weekend on May 3, 4 and 5. I would actively
encourage all alumni to attend.
The Association is also participating and assisting
in the future of your school. We are already one of
the great educational institutions in the country. I
believe we are building a world-class school of which
we can all be proud.
Recently, we have had two alumni, in Seattle and
London, who have stated that they would be willing
to act as contacts for others in their areas. David
Horne is in London, UK and can be reached at
[email protected]; Chris McCune in Seattle,
WA can be reached at [email protected].
To continue the introductions of members of your
board of directors that I began in my last column,
here are four more: Secretary, Dr. Nicky Parkinson,
works as a veterinarian, also has two daughters and
keeps us all in touch. One of our new members
almost needs no introduction: Michael Symons,
grandson of the founder of St. Michael’s School,
recently ending a long and active career in the
provincial public service. He has one son at
the school, continuing the family tradition. Alex
Wardle is the co-founder and president of
Trashbusters, a successful Vancouver-based waste
management company. He is our liaison and
representative for the Vancouver area. Liz Best works
at Royal Roads University and is our IT specialist,
helping with our web site and organizing the auction
every year, including this year’s on-line section,
running through March and April. Look for it at:
www.charitychoiceauctions.com.
We are continuing our historical and archival
work around the school community, including more
work on heritage signs. Some of this work is discussed
in articles elsewhere in School Ties.
The Alumni are a fundamental part of the whole
school community. We have an open door policy and
encourage any alumni who have ideas, time or energy
to contact us. I look forward to meeting many of you
in May.
W
E
Vivat!
Henry L. Frew, Alumni President
[email protected]
Thank You Annual Fund Volunteers!
Fourteen volunteers attended a review and acknowledgement dinner in March 2002,
including alumni, a past board member and parent representatives. Stephen Martin, Parent
and Board Chair; Eric Heffernan, Parent and Alumni Rep.; Deborah Beban, Parent; Malcolm
Anderson, Alumnus; Penny Hudson, Parent; Annabel Lapp, Parent; Hugh Burnett, Alumnus;
Barbara Duncan, Day Parent Chair; Brian Dyer, Past Board Chair; Susan Sharp, Parent;
Betty Faryna, Parent; Dennis Grimmer, Parent; Alison Weir, Parent; Deb Noble, Parent. What
an outstanding group! Join us – and get in the picture. Contact Chris Spicer –
[email protected].
Development Office – Reflections
T
that occur, virtually every day while
working in the SMUS Development Office. The common thread is a
connection with people who have a link of some kind to our school. An
alumnus who has not visited for over thirty years, dropping in to talk and walk around;
a past parent with a great idea to share; a lawyer passing on information about an estate
which names the school as a beneficiary; an alumnus writing an obituary for a much
loved alum father-in-law; a neighbour calling to praise the school for its sensitivity and
inclusivity in planning new facilities; enthusiastic parent volunteers dropping in to share
good news.The health and vitality of our school is built on positive, meaningful
relationships.
HERE ARE SO MANY POSITIVE MOMENTS
The Growth of the Annual Fund
An increasing number of parent, alumni, past parent and board volunteers are at the
heart of this exciting development. This year, over thirty members of the SMUS
community have committed to personally support the Annual Fund, and at the same
time, work with the school to generate increased understanding of the vital need to
increase support from all constituents of the school. The message of annual fund
participation at any level is taking hold. Some terrific indicators include the following:
• In every donor category (new parents, current parents and current grandparents,
alumni, school staff, and friends), there has been a steady increase in number of
donors every year over the past three years.
• The largest percentage of our donors initially gives a gift in the $25 - $499 level.
There has been marked growth in this and every other gift level; this is particularly
evident in the $500 - $999 and the $1,000 - $4,999 levels.
It is clear that an increasing number of our greater SMUS community value and
support their school.
It is also clear that more members of our school family understand that fees cover
the day-to-day operation, while fundraising provides the ability to develop, adapt,
renew, rebuild, and provide access to this ever improving institution.
Over thirty (and growing every year) SMUS volunteers work with the development
office to connect with our constituents and personally relate the message of the annual
fund. This group is vital, enthusiastic, committed to advancing SMUS, delighted to be
a part of this important effort, and great fun to work with.
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alumni profiles
Alumni Profiles
Wighton Makes Use of Passion
and Devotion
MICHAEL WIGHTON (SMUS ’99) visits the school whenever he is in
Victoria. He is always full of life, excited by new opportunities which
have opened up in his life, and so incredibly grateful for all the hands
which have helped him this far on his life’s path. On his last visit,
Michael agreed to send a reflective note on the opportunities that have
been presented to him since leaving SMUS.
"I intend to work for the dance of the future. I do not know whether
I have the necessary qualities: I may have neither genius nor talent
nor temperament. But I know I have a Will; and will and energy
sometimes prove greater than either genius or talent or
temperament."
- Isadora Duncan
Late last September, I found myself standing at the passport control
booth of Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow. Unfortunately for the lady
behind the counter, I only knew three phrases in Russian and I
pronounced them all badly. With a series of panicked gestures and grunts
I was able to win my way into Russia, and so began my three month long
study at the Moscow Art Theater. I knew almost nothing about Russian
culture, and even less about the chain of apparently logical decisions that
had somehow led me to this place, but I knew that the semester had the
possibility of being one of the best experiences of my life. And it was.
Two years earlier, standing on the UVic auditorium stage to receive my
diploma from SMUS, I never could have even conceived of moving to
Russia to study. In fact, my biggest travel plans at that point involved a
five-hour flight to New Jersey in the fall to begin my four years at Yale
University. I could have easily traveled through New York, but being a
small town Canadian boy, I decided it might be wiser to save my first visit
for a time when I was more prepared… and less frightened. With great
thanks to the teachers and students at SMUS though, I was well prepared
for Yale. In high school, the majority of my focus was split between the
basketball team, calculus classes, and a stream of science courses. Of
course, I also was drawn into drama, music, student councils, and every
variety of athletic activity I could get my hands on. Fortunately, my
teachers were wise enough to help me keep my interests varied. In every
field, they urged me to achieve my best, but they found excellence in
breadth as well as in depth.
Jump back to Moscow. For three months I found myself swimming in
the beauty of Russian culture. One night I would be at the Bolshoi
Theater watching arguably the best ballet dancers in the world, and the
next night I would be sitting in a candlelit room with 12 Russian theater
students playing guitar and trading folk songs. They knew hundreds of
lyrics passed down through the generations, while the only songs my
group knew communally were those of the Beatles and an odd tune by
The Eagles or Simon & Garfunkel. Walking to school in the mornings
beside a 40 meter wide road, past fast food stands selling baked potatoes
and ice cream, I strolled in front of statues to great artists on every block,
and stopped to gaze at the Kremlin before taking the few last steps to the
doors of the famed Moscow Art Theater. Everywhere I went I was
confronted with new conceptions of attitude and behaviour. Our washing
machine took three hours, used one cup of water, and could only hold a
few pairs of pants and some shirts. We never smiled in public unless we
wanted to stand out as
“Americans.” Russian
girls put on makeup for
dance class and guys wore
suit jackets to school every
day of their own free will.
Sweatpants were not only
unacceptable, but were
considered bad manners.
Women never carried
anything. Ever. Our
director’s favourite English
phrase was, “Girls – you
leave your stuff here.
Guys – you carry to fifth
Michael Wighton living in Russia.
floor.” The discoveries of
cultural expectations went on and on, and yet, despite the many rude acts
we committed every day, we were fully accepted into the community. In
short, the Russian students were by far the most loving and giving people I
have ever encountered in my life.
Despite our many challenges, from buying milk in a foreign language to
explaining “why my hair looks like that,” the time flew by altogether too
quickly. In three short months, this incredible opportunity had reshaped me
entirely as an individual and once again affirmed my commitment to a life
in the theater. With many tears left behind in Moscow, I flew back to the
US, via New York this time, and settled back into the extreme pace of life at
Yale. Pulling up to my dorm with my bags, I realized that I was a wholly
different person externally than when I had arrived with the same luggage
just two years earlier.
This discovery involved two key points that I want to mention directly –
not only did SMUS prepare me well enough to be accepted by an Ivy
League school, but they provided this depth of experience while
encouraging such a diverse breadth of activity that I was able to fully
redirect my course of study at the start of my second year. I am continually
grateful for the amazing way in which SMUS encouraged me to pursue all
of my options instead of closing doors prematurely.
We define SMUS by its diverse community. However, the individual
members of that community are incredibly diverse within themselves as
well. An awareness of the fundamental importance of having a wide range of
interests has stayed with me every day since graduation. I still take science
courses and I dabble in chaos theory in my free time. The passion and
devotion I learned in basketball practices from Mr. Ian Hyde-Lay and Mr.
Ted Anderson is the primary source of all my artistic work. Mr. Gary
Laidlaw made me fall in love with physics, and as a result, last year I was
able to make a play inspired by super string theory and quantum mechanics.
Even right now I’m creating a piece based on the life of Friedrich Nietzsche
and his sister that also integrates the Greek mythology I studied with Mr.
George Beliveau and Ms. Kathy Roth. As you can see, the many lessons and
diverse fields I explored at SMUS inform my work every day. Although our
drama classroom at SMUS was nothing more than a dull brick room, Mr.
Colin Skinner somehow managed to bring that space to life. I never would
have found myself at the Moscow Art Theater without teachers like the ones
we have at SMUS, nor would I have dared to explore my limits without the
support and wisdom of my fellow students, but because of them I have been
fortunate enough to find great success and love in my future career.
Vivat!
alumni profiles
The Remarkable Story of Simon Ibell
Dr.Martin Collis, SMUS Alumni Parent
“It’s a long story, but it’s a good story. I think you should hear it.”
Ray Kinsella from Field of Dreams written by former Victoria resident Bill
Kinsella
The doors of history swing on small hinges and I can remember a
moment five years ago when I first met Simon Ibell. My Human
Potential class at the University of Victoria was always oversubscribed and
the physical constraints of the lecture hall meant that I had to turn some
students away, rather like stand-by passengers who don’t make it onto a
plane. On one occasion I recall reading the names of those who had been
accepted and then realizing that there were only a few students packing
their books and heading for the door in search of another class. I made a
quick decision and told everyone to stay, hoping the fire marshal wouldn’t
check out my class.
One of the people who got that last minute reprieve was Simon. I
recognized him as the manager of the university’s National Champion
basketball team. There was always a wonderful sense of incongruity
watching Simon at work with the basketball team, for Simon is 4 feet
8 inches tall and many of the players he worked with were two feet taller.
I also knew that Simon had battled to get accepted into the Department of
Physical Education, steadfastly maintaining that his physical disabilities in
no way constituted a handicap. Now I was about to get to know Simon
the man.
Simon has a genetic condition known as MPS (Muchopolysacharridosis) which is an enzyme deficiency where the body is missing a
critical enzyme, iduronidase. The missing enzyme is a major problem and
many of the children born with MPS don’t live to see their 10th birthday.
(About the only positive thing one can say about MPS is that it’s rare,
affecting only about one in 125,000 people.) The most visible outcome
of MPS is its impact on growth hormone, which leaves people like Simon
well short of their predicted height, which in his case was 6ft 3ins. If it
were just decreased stature, MPS wouldn’t be too bad, but it makes its
presence felt in many unpleasant ways.
(a) Without iduronidase, joints aren’t lubricated and arthritis sets in. This
can lead to spinal pain, difficulty in movement and lack of manual
dexterity.
(b) Sacharrides congeal behind the eardrums making them inflexible and
causing hearing loss.
(c) Organs become enlarged.
Simon escaped the neurological damage that often accompanies MPS
and, in the words of his father, has a “will of iron.” His parents took him
all over the world in search of a cure that turned out to be nonexistent,
and at 14, Simon decided to get on with his life. And what a life it has
become.
He endured ridicule and teasing as a young boy because he was
different from his peers in appearance, but by the time he reached high
school, his fellow students were won over by his courage, his sense of
humour, his passion for sport and love of life. In order to be involved
with the game he loved, Simon became the manager of the SMUS
basketball team where he formed an unbreakable bond with the star
player, Steve Nash. Like all great friendships, Simon and Steve’s brought
out the best in each other, and like any good coach, Ian Hyde-Lay
nurtured the finest qualities each brought to SMUS.
After graduation from
SMUS, the two young men
went their separate remarkable
ways. Steve took the one US
basketball scholarship offered
him at Santa Clara University
and Simon entered the
University of Victoria, but
the friendship remained.
Simon Ibell’s Missions
Above: Steve Nash (1992 grad and NBA
All Star), Dirk Nowitzki (Steve’s
Simon has two missions in
teammate with Dallas Mavericks and
life, which are to help fund
NBA All Star), Ian Hyde-Lay (SMUS
research into MPS and to
staff), Mark Cuban (owner, Dallas
deliver a message to the
Mavericks), Simon Ibell (1996 grad)
world, particularly to kids,
that differences are not
deficiencies. He says, “I
believe I have MPS for a
reason, because I can deal
with it.” (Notice that the first
four letters of I believe spell
out Simon’s last name.)
To help raise awareness
about MPS, he is planning a
“Bike 4 MPS” ride on
Vancouver
Island
this
Simon, Shaq and friends
summer. It’s tough to get
sponsorship for a disease that nobody seems to have heard of. One
apparently dyslexic person was heard to remark, “I’m not giving money
for PMS.” But Simon is a role model for the role models, and some of
Canada’s world ranked athletes such as Olympic triathlete gold medallist
Simon Whitfield and world champion mountain biker Roland Green
were on hand to launch “Bike 4 MPS.” Roland is training with the Tour
de France champion US Postal Team and is planning to take Simon to
the California training camp to meet Lance Armstrong. (Lance is a great
story in his own right.) Recently in Dallas, Simon met with legendary
figures Dr. Kenneth Cooper who gave us the word “Aerobic” and Shaq,
who appeared in the Dallas locker room shouting “Where’s Simon?”
Now the story gets really good. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban
has a history of being fined for criticizing officials. His response is always
to double the fine by giving a matching amount to charity. Early in
January, he sent a cheque to Simon for $125,000 for “Bike 4 MPS.”
So there is my friend Simon Ibell, whose passion, purpose, and sense
of gratitude make him quite extraordinary. He was fortunate to have
parents who gave him unconditional love and gave unconditional support
to his impossible dreams. Also he was lucky enough to go to SMUS
where life-changing friendships are born and dreams can come true.
Here’s how you can contribute and find out more about “Bike 4
MPS”: www.bike4mps.org or call Simon at (250) 595-1800.
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24
alumni profiles
Alumni Profiles
- continued
Platts an “excessively rare bird”
S USAN P LATTS (SMUS ’91) is
destined for the international
stage. In actual fact, she has
already been there! The following
is an excerpt from an article
written in the Victoria Times
Colonist by staffer Deryk Barker
in the Monday, January 14, 2002
edition.
“According to Hector Berlioz,
‘a singer able to sing so much as 16
bars of good music in a natural,
well-poised and sympathetic voice,
without effort, without affectation,
without tricks, without exaggeration,
without
hiatuses,
without
hiccupping,
without
barking,
Alumnus Susan Platts (SMUS ’91)
without baa-ing – such a singer is
meets international acclaim as
a rare, a very rare, an excessively
she performs in places around the
world.
rare bird.’
“Perhaps vocal standards have improved since 1862, perhaps not.
What is certain is that, had Berlioz been present at Susan Platts’s recital,
he would readily have admitted that he was in the presence of such an
‘excessively rare bird.’
“There are plenty of singers with beautiful natural voices although
few, one imagines, can have been endowed with such a formidable
instrument as Platts’s; there are singers (perhaps not so many) who have
that rare ability to communicate directly to the audience, transcending
the text. However, when one singer combines those two attributes – as
Platts does, and in spades – then the result is a musician who can hold an
audience in the palm of her hand.
“It would be futile to attempt to list the high spots of Platts’s recital
for, in truth, there were no low spots.”
Alumni Athletes
in the Spotlight
ALUMNI NEWS, grad Jelena Mrdjenovich (SMUS ’00) is
making the headlines on the amateur boxing circuit. Fighting
in the 60kg class and representing Alberta, she recently was a
silver medallist at the national trials. She will fight future bouts in New
Brunswick and then in the Golden Gloves competition in Prince George
in March. Congratulations!!
I
N
Steve Nash - NBA All-Star (SMUS ’92) On a SMUS related basketball
note, congratulations to ’92 grad Steve Nash, named NBA Western
Conference Player of the Week for December 10-16. Leading the Dallas
Mavericks to a 3-1 record over the seven days, Nash averaged 25.7ppg
(on 60% shooting) and 7 apg. This included career high 39 points, 17
coming in the last 6 minutes, against Portland. Steve is only the seventh
Dallas player ever to be accorded this honour, as he outperformed other
stars such as Kobe Bryant (Lakers), Stephon Marbury (Suns), Tim
Duncan (Spurs) and Kevin Garnett (Timberwolves). Nash is also the first
Canadian to be selected to play in the NBA All-star game. He came
within one basket of winning the NBA All-star Three Point Contest.
Congratulations!
SMUS Alumni E-mail Directory
S
INCE THE LAUNCH OF THE SMUS Alumni E-mail
Directory in August 2000, we have over 35% of our
mailable alumni registered on-line! We’re pleased with
this progress, and hope registered users have found it useful and
broadcasts informative. We’d love to see even more of you join!
On that note…we hope to bribe you with an incentive! Every
person who joins the Directory between now and May 15, 2002
will have his or her name entered into a draw to win a great SMUS
fleece blanket.
To register on the Directory, simply go to the
Development/Alumni page of the SMUS web site
(www.smus.bc.ca) and click on the link: “SMUS Alumni E-mail
Directory.” From here you can easily add yourself to this secure,
password-driven site. Once your registration is activated you can
search for your contemporaries by year, name or geographical
branch. You can also choose to add your own biographical
information and even upload a photo of yourself or family. In
addition, there is a “class notes” option where you can post
interesting tidbits of information regarding you, your family, or
other alumni whom you have seen in your travels.
Questions? Please contact
Melanie Hadfield (SMUS ’87) at [email protected].
SMUSers at McGill
These five young men are SMUS alumni: Steve Romanchuk, Scott
McCarten, Glen Roberts, Jason Owen and Reid Chambers. They all
played for the McGill Rugby XV which was captained by Steve Romanchuk
and finished second in the Quebec university league. Glen Roberts collected
rookie of the year honours.
Vivat!
Melanie.
alumni news
Alumni Updates
We receive e-mail, snail mail, telephone calls, visits even – and
we love to hear from you! This is what gives us the stories to
build this important section of School Ties. Please take a moment
and tell us what you are doing, keep in touch, let us know if you
are looking for a contact number for a fellow alumnus, or if you
have a question about something at your old school. The more
we hear, the more we can pass on in this section.
We want your e-mail address, so why not send us an e-mail
update right now!! [[email protected]] or [[email protected]]
BEFORE THE ’60s
L EWIS H UGHES (SM ’38)
checked in from his beautiful
woodland acreage in rural Alberta.
He tells wonderful stories of
training in flying as a young man
and experiencing the Cornell, the
Anson, the Catalina, and the
Harvard – all airplanes which
Lewis flew in training or in active
missions. His post wartime
engineering degree opened the
door to a number of positions.
“I fumbled my way through
more management jobs than
engineering.”
S ID S MITHER (US ’51-’56,
GR. 4-GR. 8) visited the school in
the late summer of 2001. It was
arranged that classmate John
Wenman would meet Sid at the
school; they had a terrific
“remember when” visit. Sid was
delighted to be back and reports
that he runs a very successful music
store business in Lake Oswego,
Oregon. He has four children, and
has told them countless stories of
his sports prowess at University
School, including ping pong
championships, bowling on the
cricket team, winning his weight
class in boxing, and much, much
more.
BILL HUBBARD (US for two
years, ’54-’56) e-mailed recently.
He lives in Nanaimo and works as
a biologist/ecologist with the BC
government. This allows him to
satisfy his interest in European
travel and art collecting.
P HILLIP (M ONTY ) B ROWN
(US ’57) registered with the
alumni net directory right out of
the blue. He attended the school
for seven years, from the age of
nine. Monty remembers with great
fondness, his friendships with Boas
IV, Russ Fulton, Bryan Price and
Colin Godfrey. Monty currently
lives with his wife, Marsha, in
Louisiana.
RUSS F ULTON (US ’58) is
President of Howe Sound Pulp
and Paper, and still loves every day
(well, most days) on the job. Russ’
career has been in forestry,
working to turn around mills and
operations that have been in
difficulty. He is an energetic and
focused optimist with a very strong
track record in the industry.
FROM THE ’60s
BRAD INGHAM (US ’65) has
made an active appearance at a few
recent Seattle alumni functions.
Brad is a commercial artist of some
renown in Seattle and remembers
art master Adrian Greenbank as a
fine teacher.
PHILIP DE JAUREGUI (US ’67)
sent a note from San Francisco,
where he has lived most of his life.
He attended University School for
only one year as a grade 7 student,
but retains many positive
memories: the fireworks venture
run by Mark Barbanell; the
explosive Guy Fawkes bonfire, into
which the headmaster tossed the
confiscated fireworks; scrubbing
bricks in the autumn sun for the
chapel construction and later
feeling immense pride as he sang
in the choir at the chapel
dedication; Tom Keble and his very
tough marking on penmanship and
how it improved his writing skills
immeasurably. Philip manages an
apartment building and works for
the San Francisco Convention and
Visitors Bureau sharing his love of
the city.
GARY WILSON (US ’68) and
his wife Kelly have recently
returned to Vashon Island,
Washington. They are both semiretired and work very part time.
Gary works with federal court
judges in a security role while Kelly
works in retail. Family and friends
are at the centre of their lives. Gary
looks forward to his class’s 35th
reunion and is keen to help bring
classmates back.
R ICHARD B OGAN (US ’69)
and his wife JoAnn dropped in for
a visit at the school after an absence
of more than three decades! “My
one year at University School was a
watershed experience for me. It
helped shape my confidence and
my independence and it provided a
foundation for my life ahead.”
After graduating from the
University of Washington in 1973
with a BA in Business, followed by
a stint of self-discovery in
California, Richard launched a full
and fulfilling business career. Initial
work with the Circle K
Corporation was followed by
employment with Philip Morris
Inc., in a variety of posts and
locations – California, New York,
Wisconsin, Virginia, Connecticut.
After almost 20 years and some
very senior positions with the
company, Richard was recruited
to lead a turnaround of a $7.5
billion NYSE company called
Unisource Worldwide, and he
became President and CFO in
1997. Only two years later,
Unisource was purchased by a
larger company and Richard took
the opportunity to leave and take
some time out in a Norman
Rockwell-like area on the Maryland
shoreline. Some consulting work
followed and a commitment to
spend more time with his children
brings Richard up to the present.
FROM THE ’70s
B ILL W HYARD (US ’71) is
married to Karen, has a house full
of boys, and practices law in
Powell River. Bill talks warmly of
his two years at the school and
fondly remembers the “Bird” and
his knuckle raps and fairness. He
found it very difficult to break the
7:00-9:00 p.m. prep routine when
he returned to grade 11 in
Whitehorse, but after sitting in his
room for two hours every night for
some weeks with no homework,
he finally broke the habit.“ I have a
good caning story about Mike
Walsh – is he still there? What a
man.” Bill was a good friend of
Richard Bogan who has also
recently reappeared on the school
scene.
A LAN YONG (SMUS ’77)
owns Key West Communications,
a Vancouver based firm that is in
the long distance market. Alan has
two children, a 13-year-old
daughter and a 9-year-old son.
H ENRY F REW (SMUS ’78)
SMUS Alumni Association
president completed his Certificate
in Business Administration at
UVic in the fall of 2001.
J ONATHAN G OUGH (SMUS
’78) has been working at Baker
Engineering, Vancouver, for 15
years in forensic engineering. This
involves analysis of the causes of
motor vehicle accidents and other
failure analysis. Most of this work
is done for insurance companies
and law firms. Jonathan is looking
forward to his 20th reunion this
May.
25
26
alumni updates
Alumni Updates
- continued
L EO C AFFARO (SMUS ’79)
recently completed his law degree
with UVic, spending his last
exchange term at the University of
Amsterdam.
most recently, “A Time For
Dancing” and several other
projects for Walt Disney Studios.
He is currently working on a live
adaptation of “Aladdin” for Disney.
D AVID H ORNE (SMUS ’79)
completed his work with BSMG
Worldwide in December of 2001,
where he worked as European
Finance Director in a number of
European countries. David is now
building a practice in Switzerland,
Austria and Germany, concentrating
on providing service to companies
that are looking to expand
internationally. David’s niche is
assisting with management and
cultural issues, as well as finance and
marketing. “Although I qualified as a
Chartered Accountant, I do not
want to practice accountancy in the
traditional sense.”
R ICHARD H OPPER (SMUS
’84) has recently been appointed
to the staff of Children’s Hospital
in Seattle, and to the faculty at the
University of Washington Medical
Centre. Richard is a craniofacial
plastic surgeon and he completed
his specialty residency at the New
York Medical Centre.
FROM THE ’80s
T IM M OSHANSKY (SMUS
’82) called from Vancouver where
he is a location scout for
television programs. He has
recently completed a book on film
terminology and is marketing this
around the world. In the wings is a
travel series that he is presently
putting together. Tim is really
looking forward to his 20th
reunion in May.
TIM WILLIAMS (SMUS ’83) is
married to Heather and they live
in Los Angeles with 1 1/2 year old
Caitlin. Tim is scoring films –
DARCY DOBELL (SMUS ’85)
was awarded her MA through the
University of Victoria at the Fall
Convocation, 2001.
NIKOLAUS HOMBERG (SMUS
’85) lives and works in the Turks
and Caicos Islands, south of the
Bahamas. He is an offshore
investment attorney with a
significant part of his practice
serving Canadian and German
investors. Niko works with McLean
McNally, a firm with a solid
reputation in the offshore community.
Interested members of the SMUS
community can contact Niko at
[email protected].
JOHN LOCKE (SMUS ’85) is
self-employed and does technical
writing with a plan to expand
into web programming and
incorporation in the near future.
His girlfriend, Jill, and dog,
Shadow, share passions for snow
sports, sailing and soccer in
beautiful Seattle. John now lives in
his old family home with his
former bedroom now his office.
B ERT A RCHER (SMUS ’86)
received his BA in Literature at
the University of Toronto. He
then attended Trinity College,
Dublin, where he received his
MPhil in Literature. Returning to
Toronto, Bert began writing for
newspapers and an arts weekly,
while also doing columns for the
Toronto Star and other regional
publications, Xtra and Fab. He has
added book reviews, book
authoring and additional weekly
columns to his busy writing career.
A NNE M ARIE M IDDLETON
(SMUS ’86) has moved to New
Westminster and is working for
the Surrey School Board as their
Architectural Technologist and
project manager for the facilities
renovation and maintenance
group.
LORIEN (B ENET ) H ART
(SMUS ’86) visited the school
recently with husband, Chris.
Lorien attended UCal, Berkeley,
first taking math and then
switching to music. She spent a
year studying violin in London
with Emmanuel Hurwitz, a friend
and colleague of her Victoria
teacher, Sidney Humphreys.
Following completion of her
Masters in Violin Performance,
taken at University of Michigan,
Lorien won a position as Assistant
Concertmaster with the Windsor
Symphony Orchestra. Four years
later, it was on to a similar position
with the Charlotte Symphony, and
in late summer 1999, Lorien and
Chris were married. She is now in
her first season as Principal Violin
with the internationally acclaimed
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
ROB NEROUTSOS (SMUS ’86)
received his degree in Civil
Engineering from McGill in 1991
and his Masters from UBC in
1993. Following this, Rob worked
for the Greater Vancouver
Regional District for eight years
before taking a new turn in his life
and going to work with the British
Volunteer Services Organization.
Rob is teaching physics and math
to O Levels in rural Southern
Tanzania. At the same time, he has
an abiding interest in improving
water supply and sanitation
procedures in the area.
MEGAN FILMER (SMUS ’87)
graduated from UBC Law School,
and after articling with Davis and
Company, is now working with
this Vancouver firm in the area of
corporate law.
S AM S TONE (SMUS ’87) is
living in Vancouver and currently
works as vice-principal of West
Point Grey Academy Junior School
(K–Gr. 7), an independent day
school close to UBC.
J ULIE F ORD (SMUS ’89) is
living in Vancouver and works as a
Business Affairs Leader with the
BC Cancer Agency, helping to
generate revenue for the agency to
expand research and development.
B ETH M IDDLETON (SMUS
’89) has moved from teaching at
Upper Canada College to
Branksome Hall in Toronto, Ont.
[Correction from Fall School Ties,
2001]
Richard Hopper (SMUS ’84)
Rob Neroutsos (SMUS ’86) is using his Master’s Degree to teach physics
in rural southern Tanzania.
alumni updates
MARVIN NICHOLSON (SMUS
’89) is working in Washington,
DC as an aide in the office of
Massachusetts Senator John F.
Kerry.
JASON WALE (SMUS ’89) In a
recent update, Jason related that he
and his wife, Margaret, are looking
forward to returning to the west
coast of BC. He is an emergency
doctor. Brother Michael (SMUS
’85) and his wife, Janice, live in
Vancouver where he works as a
cinematographer in the film
industry. James (SMUS ’87) and
his wife, Katharine, live in Victoria
where James works in management
with the Ministry of Children and
Families.
PAUL COLLIS (SMUS ’89) is a
popular teacher of English at
Brentwood College. His theatrics
and antics in the classroom make
Paul one of the favourites at the
school.
and marketer. At a recent alumni
reception, Luke was speaking of
the huge demand for the K2
snowcycle. Coming soon is a
steerable snowtube that comes
with a braking system! “If it slides
and it looks like fun, we will build
it,” says the enthusiastic Luke.
companies in Canada and is
focused on the web development
industry – helping companies
maximize their use of the web.
Robin is a lead strategist, charged
with finding a match between
clients’ business requirements and
appropriate technology solutions.
DAVID CHMIEL (SMUS ’91)
writes from his desk in the Mergers
& Acquisitions Group of London,
England’s Baker & McKenzie law
firm, where he is truly enjoying life
in London – although he would be
happy to spend a little less time in
airplanes. David divides his time
between London and Chicago and
works almost exclusively in the
field of cross-border mergers and
acquisitions, primarily with US,
Canadian and Australian corporate
clients.
J ASIE L EEKHA (SMUS ’93)
visited the school recently and was
delighted to meet with a number
of former teachers – one, Matt
Franklin, a fellow grad of 1993!
Jasie has already had two careers in
the business world and is taking
some time off to visit friends and
travel before settling in for an
MBA, likely at the Wharton
School of Business at UPenn,
where he has already been
accepted. Jasie and best friend/
classmate, Jason Sturgis have
enjoyed cruising the warm waters
of Puerto Vallarta this winter.
Jason is very keen to develop skills
in underwater videography. Jasie
also mentioned that classmate
Chris Ford now owns his own
rafting company in BC...
FRASER SULLIVAN (SMUS ’92)
is attending the University of
Ottawa and is working on his
MBA.
FROM THE ’90s
AARON FARNSWORTH (SMUS
’90) is engaged to be married to
Kirsten Mattison of Vancouver,
BC. Both Aaron and Kirsten are
currently attending university in
Oregon at the University of Health
and Sciences.
LUKE VON M ALDEGHEM
(SMUS ’90) has a dream job
working with K2 Skis in the Pacific
Northwest as a product designer
ROBIN F ORBES (SMUS ’93)
works for Vancouver-based Blast
Radius, but by his own admission,
“he is rarely in town. Our clients
have taken me all over the
continent this past seven months:
New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta,
San Jose, Seattle, Toronto,
Montreal, Winnipeg. I am
technically based in Vancouver but
may well be moving to New York
shortly.” Blast Radius has grown
into one of the 50 best-managed
Paul Collis (SMUS ’89) – still crazy after all these years
K URT S CHWEITZER (SMUS
’93) wrote an enthusiastic e-mail
recently to tell of his development
as a pilot with the Armed forces.
The whole process is called the
NATO Flight Training Program,
as pilots from other NATO
countries are trained right alongside
Canadians. It stems from the
Commonwealth Air Training Plan
that Canada had during WWII.
Jasie Leekha, James Goodier and Jason Sturgis
(SMUS ’93 grads) get together in Puerto Vallarta
“It is a long process, but I am
thoroughly enjoying it! I went
through basic officer training and
French language training in St.
Jean (sur Richelieu), Quebec.
Then, I was posted at my request
out to CFB Comox during the
summer of 2000 to await my next
phase of flying training. At CFB
Comox, I have been working as a
glider instructor and tow pilot for
the Regional Gliding School
(Pacific) for the past year or so.
During that time, I went through
Primary Flight Training at
Southport, Manitoba (near
Portage la Prairie) on the Slingsby
Firefly (small propeller plane), Sea
Survival Training at CFB Comox,
Aeromedical Training at CFB
Winnipeg and Basic Search
Evasion Rescue Evasion Training
at Lake Springer, Manitoba (near
Winnipeg) as well.
“Now, I am still waiting for
my next flying course, which
should start next May.
“That will take place in
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on the
Harvard II (T156). The Harvard
II is a large turboprop aircraft
which flies like a jet. After that
course, we find out which type of
aircraft we will be flying for our
career (helicopter, multi-engine
propeller or jet) I can’t think of a
better aviation career.”
Kurt Schweitzer (SMUS ’93)
27
28
alumni updates
Alumni Updates
E MMET C ONNOLLY (SMUS
’94) and his brother Rory (SMUS
’01) are currently attending Queen’s
University. They share a common
love of rugby. Emmet is
completing studies in Law at the
University of Toronto and is on an
exchange term at Queens, while
Rory is studying science. The
brothers play together for the
Queens Gaels. This spring break,
they are off on a South African
tour with the university. Oh yes,
rabid rugby parent supporters Tom
and Eileen Connolly are likely to
make the trek also.
MEGGAN HUNT (SMUS ’96)
is back in the field hockey circuit!
Recently, Meggan was carded as
one of Canada’s top 25 senior
players, which means that she will
receive a little money to train a lot!
And travel…to the UK in April, to
Manchester in July for the
Commonwealth Games, to South
Africa in August with her club, and
then on to Perth for the World
Cup competition in November.
Whew! Meggan graduated from
UVic in December 2000 with an
honours degree in kinesiology and
currently works with Orion
Health. Her challenge is now to
balance the demands of work with
those of elite level training and
competition.
H ELEN L AMLA (SMUS ’96)
graduated from Queen’s University
in 2000 with an Honours BCom.
Her attention and interest turned
toward food and its preparation
and she is now apprenticing in the
kitchen of Cin Cin, a renowned
Vancouver Mediterranean restaurant.
She plans to take a two-year course
with the Culinary Institute of
America in Hyde Park, New York.
With dual Canadian and European
Union citizenship, trilingual
aptitude, and love of food and
travel, Helen sees a bright future.
- continued
C LAIRE PAYNE (SMUS ’96)
attended UBC and graduated in
2000 with a BA in classical
archaeology and ancient history.
She spent last year as an ESL
teacher in Ankara, Turkey and
toured the ancient sites of Greece
and Turkey. She has begun an
MA programme at the University
of Bristol, England studying
Mediterranean archaeology.
CIARA MCLEAN (SMUS ’99)
will graduate in May 2003 from
the University of Wisconsin,
Madison, with three majors –
German, Political Science, and
International Studies. She then
hopes to continue her studies at
Cornell Law School in New York.
Ciara is very keen to connect with
any alums who attended/know
about this law school. Please
contact her through the alumni
directory on-line or the SMUS
Development Office.
...new on the scene!!
M ICHAEL L AU (SMUS ’75)
and Lisa Lau are pleased to
announce the birth of their second
son, Mason, in September 2002.
B ARBARA S AMSON (SMUS
’80) and husband Marc Guerin
announce the arrival of baby
Tristan, born September 7, 2001.
The happy family call California
home.
D UNCAN M OORE (SMUS
’80) and his wife Randi are
delighted to announce the birth of
Stephen Kenneth Moore, born on
Feb 20, 2002. (For those who
have an interest in numbers,
Stephen is a palindrome birth:
20/02/2002. Beautiful baby, and
both are doing very well.
JANE REES (SMUS ’86) and
her husband Spencer Robinson are
pleased to announce the arrival of
Tate Mayfield Rees Robinson,
born August 3, 2001, a sister to 3year-old, Jonas.
works for the Canadian military
and is currently attending Portland
State University.
K YMAN C HAN (SMUS ’85)
and his wife Patricia are pleased to
announce the birth of Connor
Bryson Chan, July 6, 2001.
N ATHAN L AMPARD (SMUS
’90) and his wife Michele are
delighted to announce the birth of
Malia, December 8, 2001. The
family lives in Honolulu where
Nate is an associate with the law
firm of Case Bigelow & Lombardi.
MATT ADEY (SMUS ’87) and
his wife Gillian announce the
arrival of their first child, Trevor,
May 9, 2001. The family lives in
Calgary where Matt works with
ReMax International.
JOHN GRAF (US ’87) and his
wife Janet are pleased to announce
the arrival of Jackson William
Graf, born January 15, 2002 in
Vancouver. John works with the
Canadian Rugby Union in the area
of youth development.
GREG DAMANT and SUZANNE
BRADBURY (both SMUS ’88) are
pleased to announce the arrival of
Isobel Manon Damant, born
September 18, 2001. Big brother
Rowan is a happy brother.
CHRISTOPHER MESSERSCHMIDT
(SMUS ’88) and wife Tracey are
delighted to announce the arrival
of Sarah Megan, born March 11,
2001 in Kingston, Ontario.
K ARL P RINGLE (SMUS ’88)
and his wife are delighted to
announce the arrival of Jake Karl
Jeffrey, August 31, 2001. Shortly
after the happy birth, Karl initiated
enquiries for placement at SMUS
for Jake as a grade 8 boarder – now
that’s future planning!! The family
lives in England but is also
planning Whistler ski vacations.
A NDREW B ARRETT (SMUS
’89) and his wife Marcy are happy
to announce the arrival of Samuel
Peter Lambert, May 23, 2001, a
brother to Elizabeth Louise Joy,
born January 24, 1999. Andrew
K EVIN and L ISA C OHEN WALLIS (both SMUS ’91) are
delighted to announce the birth of
Jane Pauline on June 24, 2001, a
sister to 2-year-old Nathan.
JANE EDGAR-THOMAS (SMUS
’85) and husband Don announce
the arrival of their new daughter,
Annabel Jane Thomas, born
Feb. 9, 2002.
K EN D OBELL (SMUS ’87)
and wife Sandy are proud to
announce the birth of Lili Maud,
born in Paris on Feb 27, 2002
C HRIS I SHERWOOD (SMUS
’92) and wife Corinne are
delighted to announce the birth of
Corinne, born August 19, 2001.
...there were bells!
CLAUDIA EICHBAUER (SMUS
’85) married Campbell McRae in
Toronto, August 25, 2000.
Claudia operates a conference
interpretation and language
translation business in Toronto,
and gave birth to her first child on
December 24, 2001.
B ETH M IDDLETON (SMUS
’89) married Justin Jones on
August 18, 2001 in a lovely
ceremony at Victoria’s St. Patrick’s
Church. Attendants included
Beth’s sisters Annemarie and
Christina as well as Mary
McLeish – all SMUS alumnae.
alumni updates
Beth and Justin reside in Toronto
where Beth is teaching at
Branksome Hall School.
JEFF HUNT (SMUS ’91) and
Janelle Foster were married August
4, 2001 in the School Chapel.
This wonderful event was attended
by a number of SMUS alums
including Tony Hunt (SMUS
’89), Meggan Hunt (SMUS ’96),
Chris Tomlinson, David Raddick
and Dave Underwood, all 1991
grads.
B RENT M CLAY (SMUS ’92)
married Shelley Roberts on
Saturday, September 29, 2001, in
Nashville, Tennessee. SMUS
alumni attendants at the wedding
included Chris Isherwood, Steve
Nash, Peter Robb and Thomas
Petzing.
PASSAGES
NEIL DE HAAN (SMUS ’91)
and his wife Marie were married
May 19, 2001 in Vancouver. Both
Neil and Marie will be
convocating in May 2002 with
BSc, pharmacy degrees from UBC,
and both are looking forward to
practicing in the lower mainland.
MILTON STURGIS (US 1919’26) died December 8, 2001.
Milton. He attended University
School as a boarder from Seattle,
arriving here at the tender age of
10 and graduated with a Senior
Matriculation when only 17 and a
half. A study of the Black and Reds
of Milton’s time at the school
reveals that he played 1st XV
Rugby in his final two years, and
while not a natural athlete, his play
Claudia Eichbauer (SMUS ’85)
and Campbell McRae were married
in August 2000.
Jeff Hunt (SMUS ’91) and
Jannelle Foster were married in
August 2001.
Neil de Haan (SMUS ’91) and
Marie were married in May 2001.
Beth Middleton (SMUS ’89) and
Justin Jones were married in
August 2001.
was described by such words as
sound, reliable, fearless, tenacious,
durable and plucky. In June 1922,
he won the Form Prize for Form
IV. This was the first signal that he
was a fine academic student, a fact
much confirmed in 1925 when he
was the top Grade 12 scholar and
winner of the English and
mathematics prizes. In addition,
Milton was Head of School
1924/5. He continued at
University School until 1926
when he successfully completed
Senior Matriculation and gained
entrance to Harvard.
A quote from the December
1926 Black and Red in the Old
Boys Section reads: “Milton
Sturgis, another of our Head
Boys has left us for Harvard
University. We expect solid
achievement in the various phases
of life thereat from so grimly
determined a character as
“Junior.”
The problem of living to the
age of 93 is that it is difficult to
contact contemporaries of
Milton, for he outlived almost all
of them; and it has not been
possible to trace his life until his
reconnection with the school in
1993. We now have to “fast
forward” over 50 years to
Milton’s home town of Santa
Clara, California, where he is
retired, and a keen supporter of
the University of Santa Clara’s
Basketball team, which has a
promising young player called
Steve Nash (SMUS ’92) who is
making a spectacular impact.
Milton and Steve become
acquainted and from that point
on, Milton assiduously follows
the fortunes of the team. In June
1993 Milton visits the school for
the first time in 54 years, and is
impressed with the changes.
In November 1999, Chris
Spicer (SMUS ’70) visited
Milton in California and had a
wonderful three-hour visit with
this wonderful gentleman.
Evidently Milton’s tenacity was
still there, for despite blindness
and being 90 years old he
continued to go to square dances
every
Wednesday.
Milton
reminisced fondly about the
school and old friends: Tommy
and Bobby Tye, Howard
Cotterell, Frank Skillings, Buster
Hargreaves, Tim Martin and
Tim’s sister Mary Collison.
J OHN M OGG (SM ’26)
General Sir John Mogg died this
past year in England. A friend of
the Symons family, John had an
extremely successful army career in
England, where he returned with
his parents after his seven years at
St. Michael’s School. Upon his
graduation from Sandhurst in
1937, he was presented with the
Sword of Honour and then
commissioned into the Oxfordshire
and Buckinghamshire Light
Infantry. An outstanding battalion
commander in the Second World
War, he was twice awarded the
DSO in 1944. A number of
postings followed the conclusion
of the war and in 1963, he was
appointed Commandant of the
Royal Military Academy at
Sandhurst. A number of active
service postings occurred after his
three-year posting at Sandhurst,
and Sir John’s final appointment
was as Deputy Supreme Allied
Commander, Europe, 1973-1976.
He was appointed CBE in
1960, CB in 1964, KCB in 1966
and GCB in 1972. His wife
Cecilia and their three sons
survive him.
GORDON WHITING (US ’28)
slipped his lines peacefully during
his sleep on January 30, 2002 in
his 92nd year. Gordon loved the
sea and served as a purser aboard
CPR Coastal Steamships until
1942 when he joined Island Tug
and Barge, later Seaspan, as a
dispatcher. He retired in 1971 and
spent more time cruising in the
29
30
alumni updates
Alumni Updates
“Varuna.” A committed, lifelong
bachelor, Gordon leaves his
godson and fellow alumnus Wilf
Lund, to whom he was a
wonderful mentor and friend for
sixty years.
RICHARD BROWNLO (DICK)
GEORGE (US ’29) died October
14, 2001. Dick was born in 1911
in Fort McLeod, Alberta, moving
to Victoria with his family in
1918. He attended University
School from 1926-1929, and the
Black and Red school magazine of
the time indicates that Dick was a
formidable athlete, particularly
fond of rugby, which he played
after school graduation with JBAA
in Victoria. Dick joined the Bank
of Nova Scotia shortly after school
graduation, working in Victoria
and Winnipeg. After joining the
army in 1940, Dick saw moves to
Tofino, Edmonton and Calgary
before he returned to Victoria,
with his wife, Jean Lane. Dick saw
war service overseas with the
Canadian Scottish Regiment,
returning to the bank on the
cessation of hostilities. From 1949
to 1973 he worked for the federal
government tax division, retiring
in Victoria and enjoying the visits
of his children Brett, Cindy and
Taffy, golf and music with the
Arion Mens Choir.
J.D. DON MENZIES (US ’33)
died August 2001, aged 86, in
Kamloops, BC, his home since
1963. Don attended University
School as a boarder from Calgary.
He was tall and athletic and won
his colours in six sports with
attributes including his being vicecaptain of the Rugby XV,
heavyweight Boxing champion,
and joint Athletics (track and field)
champion. In his final year he was
a Prefect and Cadet Major. The
Black and Red has a page devoted
to Don’s cartoons of school people
and events.
- continued
Don attended the University
of Alberta and then worked in the
Turner Valley, Alberta’s first big
venture into oil and gas recovery.
In World War II, he joined the
Canadian Army and served in
Western Europe. His post war
business career was with Trans
Mountain Pipeline, first in
Edmonton and finally in
Kamloops. On retirement, Don
turned to his artistic talent and
became a portrait painter and
woodworker, making some of the
furniture for the Kamloops home
he helped to design. His wife
Virginia survives him and we
thank her for providing some of
the information for this
dedication.
CHRISTOPHER PIKE (US ’42)
died September 16, 2001 in
Victoria. After leaving the school,
Chris joined the RCAF, flew
briefly as an instructor before
joining 428-bomber squadron in
Britain. After the war, he joined
AV Roe manufacturer of military
aircraft, and flew as a test pilot
until 1962. Upon retirement from
flying, Chris formed Pine Home
Builders on Vancouver Island.
TONY READ (US ’51) died in
April 2001 in France, where he
lived.
Alumnus David Olson
(SMUS ’75) was Tony’s son-inlaw and sent a long and well
Tony Read (US ’51)
researched obituary for the
school’s records. The following
has been excerpted from this
account.
Tony was born in Shanghai,
China. One of his grandfathers
had founded the Shanghai Stock
Exchange and so life for Tony was
one of opulence and comfort
amongst the ex-pat community.
All this changed with the
Japanese invasion.
Shortly after the camps were
liberated, Tony was enrolled at
University School to complete his
academic studies. He prospered
there, excelling in sports,
particularly boxing and cricket. My
grandfather, Francis Sparks, and
my mother’s godfather, Reg
Wenman helped Tony on his way.
I learned of this happy coincidence
some thirty years later.
Tony attended university in
Vancouver and Toronto, gaining
his Commerce Degree and
quickly moving into the
reinsurance business. Marriage
and children followed as Tony
accepted a position in Paris where
the family lived from 1962-1969.
With three children, they moved
to Sevenoaks, Kent, where Tony
worked with Sterling Reinsurance
in London.
Tony made friends wherever
he went; his was a warm and
welcoming household. I attended
Sevenoaks School after graduating
from SMUS and was fortunate
enough to be a visitor to this
wonderful household. It was there
that I met my future wife,
although it would be twenty-five
years before I put this plan into
action! Tony and his two partners
set up a company, growing a
strong business before they sold.
He pursued his dream of retiring
to the south of France. There he
continued to dote on his family
while entertaining profusely, all
the while following up on wine
discoveries and seasonal delicacies.
When Tony’s daughter Roslyn
and I announced that we were
getting married on Thetis Island
in BC, his instant reaction was
that he would fly out the rest of
the family to celebrate. His life
was full of acts of kindness, which
he did behind the scenes so as not
to divert attention from where he
felt it should be.
Tony successfully beat back
cancer twice, but it returned a
third time, undetected, and he
died suddenly at home in Seillans,
France. Tony left a legacy of a
huge network of people who all
loved him and will miss him
terribly.
- David Olson (SMUS ’75)
IAN KINGHAM (US ’51) died
September 6, 2001 in Victoria,
and SMUS lost a firm friend and
supporter. Like his father before
him, Ian attended University
School, graduating in 1951.
During his school years, he
excelled in academics and in
athletics, receiving awards for
both. After his school graduation,
Ian attended Victoria College for
one year and then proceeded to
Royal Roads for two years followed
by another two years at RMC
Kingston. In 1957, he received his
BSc in Engineering from UBC
and in 1962, Ian received his MS
in Civil Engineering from Purdue
University. In 1976, Ian achieved a
further MSc in Urban and
Regional Planning from George
Washington University.
From 1958 until 1961, Ian
represented the Canadian Good
Roads Association at the
American Asphalt Institute testing
facility in Ottawa, Illinois, after
which he joined the Ontario
Highways Department. From
1964 to 1971 he worked with the
Asphalt Institute in Washington
DC and then moved to the
Transportation Research Board in
Washington. In 1987 he joined a
alumni updates
consulting firm in Maryland
specializing in urban traffic
planning, and in 1991, Ian
returned to Victoria where he
became a partner with the firm of
Graeme, Murray and Kingham,
retiring in 2000. In retirement, he
maintained his interest in traffic
planning by remaining editor of
Journal of Urban Planning and
Development until his death.
Ian lived for 30 years in
Maryland where he and his first
wife, Edie, raised their two
daughters, Heather and Jill.
Wherever he lived, Ian was always
active in community affairs. He
was a dedicated member of the
Episcopal/Anglican
Church,
treasuring time with family and
friends, and taking special joy in
his daughters and grandson.
Throughout his life Ian
engaged in sports as an avid sailor,
skier, curler and tennis player. He
took up scuba diving at the age of
60. Other interests included
country and Scottish dancing,
gardening and travel. Ian enjoyed
beautiful beaches and visited the
cultural and historic monuments
of Mexico, Belize and Thailand.
He was a strong supporter of
cycling and public transport,
preferring to use his fluorescent
green bicycle rather than his car.
After his return to Victoria,
Ian became actively involved with
SMUS again, serving as a
volunteer with the school alumni
association. He particularly
enjoyed his contact with the
students and was pleased to be
able to contribute to the progress
of the school.
His wife, Norma; his sister,
Sheila Kingham; his brother,
Bruce; his daughters Heather
Kingham and Jill Harrell, and his
grandson Jake Harrell survive Ian.
His family, friends and former
classmates sorely miss him.
- Bruce Kingham (US ’57)
PHILLIP C. (TOOEY ) M EYER
JR. (US ’60-’65) (January 5, 1947December 24, 2001). His longtime friend and University School
classmate, Gary Simonson, wrote
the following obituary.
Tooey passed away on
Christmas Eve, twelve days shy of
his fifty-fifth year, after a short
battle with cancer. His family,
friends, and all that knew him feel
this loss.
Tooey was an athlete. While at
the school, he excelled in rugby,
track and basketball. He was a
house prefect and member of the
XX Club.
Tooey will be remembered for
his wonderful stories, humor and
kindness. Above all, Tooey was a
gentleman.
Tooey was at the school in the
early sixties. In those days, it was
not unusual, on long weekends, to
fill two airplanes bound for the
Seattle-Tacoma area. There were
so many Americans. Friendships
that were made in those early days
have remained solid for more than
forty years. We are all still close.
We greet each other, not with
given names, but with nicknames
earned proudly, or with some
chagrin at the school. Phil-Flex,
Tortoise-Brain, Banana- Legs,
Chestie, Weasel, the Ear, Louis
the Pig, and many others are used
as fond greetings. We remain good
friends and our bonds with the
Phillip C. (Tooey) Meyer Jr.
school are strong. Tooey was a
member of this group, and in our
hearts he will remain with us.
SCHUBERT WILSON (SM ’62)
died September 29, 2001 in Lac
La Hache, BC.
G EORGE A BEL (US ’63)
(September 18,1943 – January
23, 2002). He was a generous,
well-read, educated man who
graduated from University School
in 1963 in Victoria, British
Columbia, then received a
Bachelor of Arts and Masters
degree in Business Administration
from the University of Puget
Sound, Tacoma, Washington. He
received a further graduate degree
from the Thunderbird School of
International Management in
Phoenix, Arizona.
George owned the Lake City
Tavern in Lakewood, Washington
for over 23 years. Through the
tavern, many who knew him
came to know and love this
unique individual. George loved
all sports, especially if the event
could lead to a “road trip.”
He is survived by his four
children, Ian, Kelsey, Erin and
George, two brothers – Douglas
and Richard – and will be missed
by the hundreds who knew and
respected him.
These are the basic biographical
details of George Abel:
He was at University School
1958-1963; his main achievements
included: captain of basketball,
1st XV rugby, prefect and a
committee member during
construction of the School
Chapel. George was intelligent
and genial: well liked and well
respected. He was successful in
his academic pursuits and also
used a photographic memory to
absorb sports news, particularly
US college football, and major
league basketball, baseball and
football.
He was proud of his four
children, all of whom received a
college/university education. In
his chosen food and beverage
industry, George became an icon,
much loved by his patrons as
caring, generous and genuine.
George was a free spirit, and
the “road trips” mentioned
usually meant travelling a
considerable distance to attend a
sports event. One of these
spontaneous visits, in 1989, took
him to a seat in San Francisco’s
Candlestick Park for the World
Series game that suffered the
frightening earthquake just as it
was about to start. On another
occasion, he and Bob Kelley were
all set to go to Indiana to collect a
school bus, but at the time of
departure they had a change of
heart and decided to spend the
five days in England and
Scotland!
A larger-than-life character,
George was totally at ease with
people from all walks of life.
He will be greatly missed by his
huge circle of friends, including
many from his days at University
School.
George Abel (US ’63)
1943 – 2002
31
32
alumni updates
Come and See Ups and Downs
At this Year’s Alumni Reunion
Join 1982 alumni for a special screening of the SMUS made
movie, Ups and Downs. Twenty years ago, these students
appeared in the movie as it was filmed at the school. The
SMUS archives will feature a special screening at this
year’s Alumni Weekend Reunion in School House –
Saturday, May 4 at 2:30 pm. Look for the signs!
The making of the full-length feature movie, Ups and
Downs, was a major drama project, and was directed and
produced by Paul Almond of Montreal. The movie starred
a number of SMUS students and teachers.
The movie is a comedy-drama centred on the adventures
of five teenage students set in a co-ed boarding school
during a two-week period.
Various scenes from the filming of
Ups and Downs.
This feature-length screenplay was
shot on campus in 1982. Many students
who appeared in the film will be
returning to SMUS during this year's
Alumni Reunion 2002. Join them at a
special archive screening at the School
House on May 4 at 2:30 pm.
Fun & Games!
The Velcro Bouncy Wall
Spring Fair 2002!
APRIL 20th 10 am - 4 pm
A Family Event Not to be Missed!
• Used Goods
• International Foods
• Silent Auction
• Raffle (win a big screen tv)
• Arts and Crafts
• Children’s Games
• Midway’s Games of Chance
• Entertainment by SMUS students!
• Tea Garden
• Garden Stall
Check the web site for more info
and the listing of fabulous silent
auction items.
www.smus.bc.ca
Publications
Mail Agreement
#40063624
St. Michaels University School
3400 Richmond Road
Victoria, BC, CANADA V8P 4P5
If undeliverable, return to
Horsing Around in Chinatown
2002 – It’s the year of the Black Horse. As part of an
annual trek to explore Victoria’s colourful Chinatown and
celebrate the Chinese New Year, kindergarten and grade 1
students from the Junior School, (l-r) Jenna Erwin, Anna
Willms, Christopher Rae, and Christian Sharp, stop to
investigate the busy marketplace along Fisgard Street,
lined with an array of fresh fruits and vegetables. The
students were able to visit the Chinese School, herbalist
shop, and Buddhist temple, travel down the famous Fan
Tan Alley for an abbreviated history lesson, and dine out
at one of Chinatown’s authentic Cantonese restaurants
for lunch.