Students - Crofton House School

The Class of '21 Blackjack

Each one of our girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 comes to Crofton House School with a unique life experience. What they share while here is a transformative experience that allows them to discover and reach their true potential.

The Class of 2021 have played the cards they were dealt with grace and resilience. Though far from an ordinary year, the creativity, courage, and citizenship they anted up was nothing short of extraordinary. They found creative ways to uphold our traditions, the courage to embrace big changes, and were upstanding citizens in their communities, even from six feet apart. We’d bet on each one of them, and we know they’re going all-in on their next chapter. We asked the Class of 2021 to share their plans for next year and some reflections on their time at Crofton House. We hope you enjoy!

"These are the girls who will be the future leaders, the girls who will make the difference. They can do anything. That’s what we need girls and women to do. To make it a better world for everyone." Ena Harrop | Head of School

Olivia Dunstan ’21
**What are your plans for next year?**
I am heading to Western University to study Business and Social Science.

**What will you remember most about your time at Crofton House?**
Friends and how long I’ve spent here.

**What was the best lunch served in Community Dining?**
The butter chicken.

**Are there any COVID-19 protocols you’d happily keep in your life, post-pandemic?**
Sanitizing my hands all the time.

**What was the hardest change because of COVID-19?**
All of the changes made to Grad and not being able to do much.

**Did you take part in any athletics?**
Volleyball through most of high school. Absolutely loved it and taught me so much over the years, how to work with older students being the youngest on the team, what dedicated and hard work meant, and team skills. Some of my fondest memories are at volleyball.

Sarah Grech ’21
**What are your plans for next year?**
I am going to McGill University to study Sociology/ General Arts.

**What will you remember most about your time at Crofton House?**
Grade 11 Bamfield, Winning ISAs in Grade 9, Peru/Bakersfield Units in Jr. School, All of my time running laps on Kent field.

**What was your favourite class at Crofton House?**
History 12 with Ms. Bruce or Law 12 with Mr. G - both super fun, smart and kind teachers with super interesting coursework and the best class environments!

**If you could go back in time, what would you tell the younger you starting at Crofton House?**
Buy bitcoin

Anne Zhou’ 21
**What are your plans for next year?**
Attending UBC to study Economics and Mathematics.

**What will you remember most about your time at Crofton House?**
AP Calculus and AP Physics classes

**What was your favourite class at Crofton House?**
History 12 because Mr Matheson gave the best lectures.

**What was the best lunch served in Community Dining?**
Mac and cheese

**Are there any COVID-19 protocols you’d happily keep in your life, post-pandemic?**
Online classes

Vivienne Li’ 21
**What are your plans for next year?**
I am going to the University of Toronto to study Humanities.

**What will you remember most about your time at Crofton House?**
I will remember the hectic days, the calm days, the stressful days, the peaceful days, the tearful days, the joyful days, the busy days, the lazy days, the rainy days, the sunny days, and all the other days in between.

**Did you try something new this year?**
There are so many new things that happened this year it's hard to choose just one. However, my favourite has been going to my friends' classes because not only did I get to take classes with old teachers, but I also got to learn cool stuff like the French Revolution and how to dissect a pig!

**What has “21 Blackjack” meant to you in your graduating year?**
Not every risk is meant to be taken, but never let yourself miss the ones that are.

Lauren Meikle ’21
**What are your plans for next year?**
Attending Western University to study Social Sciences with Advanced Entry Opportunity to the Richard Ivey School of Business (two years Social Sciences, two years Commerce).

**What will you remember most about your time at Crofton House?**
Counting down to summer vacation with Ms. Hutchison in the Junior School after her special year-end song.

**What was your favourite class at Crofton House?**
My favourite class at Crofton House was Law Studies 12. I loved Law because it allowed me to collaborate with my peers to address real world problems and analyze multiple perspectives.

**Do you have any final thoughts or advice for students coming behind you?**
High school is about building your self-confidence and developing a sense of self, not stressing about tests and spending all your time studying. Have fun and enjoy it while it lasts!

Elisa Neilly ’21
**What are your plans for next year?**
Attending Western University in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies.

**What will you remember most about your time at Crofton House?**
Outdoor Education in Grade 9.

**What was your favourite class at Crofton House?**
My favourite class at Crofton House was Economics and Entrepreneurship.

**What was the best Community Dining lunch?**
Perogies!!!

**What was the hardest change because of COVID-19?**
Keeping myself motivated.

**Did you take part in any athletics?**
Volleyball.

Sunny Sun ’21
**What are your plans for next year?**
I am going to New York University in Abu Dhabi to study Arts and Humanities.

**What will you remember most about your time at Crofton House?**
Classes at the Harkness tables.

**What was your favourite class at Crofton House?**
My favourite class was English because I had some incredible teachers that helped me recognize my passion for the subject.

**If you could go back in time, what would you tell the younger you starting at Crofton House?**
Stop thinking about the future!

**What has “21 Blackjack” meant to you in your graduating year?**
I believe this is a grade full of hardworking people who don't rely much on luck, similar to the game Blackjack as there is more skill involved than luck.

Rebecca Sy ’21
**What are your plans for next year?**
Heading to Ontario to study Health Sciences.

**Did you take part in any athletics?**
I competed in Cross Country and Track (since Grade 3), Basketball (since Grade 4), and this year, badminton. Sports have taught me to persevere, not be afraid to fail, have confidence in my abilities, develop time-management, communication, and collaboration skills, and most of all, have fun.

**If you could go back in time, what would you tell the younger you starting at Crofton House?**
I would tell myself to make mistakes and enjoy the freedom you have. Be yourself and never doubt your worth, because you were meant to be here.

**What has “21 Blackjack” meant to you in your graduating year?**
It means to make the most of the year, despite all the challenges. Take calculated risks and play to win. Do not play to avoid losing.

Maddie Wood ’21
**What are your plans for next year?**
Attending the University of Victoria to study something in the humanities (but I'm not sure exactly what yet).

**What will you remember most about your time at Crofton House?**
All the people, teachers included.

**What was your favourite class at Crofton House?**
I really enjoyed Textiles class. It’s nice to have time in my school day where I can wind down and work on something with my hands to give my brain a rest.

**Did you participate in any clubs, councils or activities?**
I've been most consistently involved in the robotics club. I really like it because we get to work together to solve the problems that we come into and it's always been a really good community to spend time in.

**What kinds of skills do you think you might need to succeed?**
Being flexible and willing to change the way you do something to be more efficient or adapt better to new environments.

Model UN 2019-20

A group of 52 CHS students attended the 14th annual Vancouver Youth Model United Nations (VYMUN) conference from Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27 at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

Read More about Model UN 2019-20

Blankets for Downtown Eastside Women's Centre

As part of the Ivy Compass program, Junior and Senior School students were invited to sign-up to help make “no sew” blankets with fabric donated from local company Lunapads. The soft, colourful blankets will be donated to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.

IISC Public Speaking

Three Crofton House students participated in the International Independent Schools' Competition (IISPSC), an annual public speaking event open to member schools from across the world.