Collingwood School
Encyclopedia
Collingwood School is an independent, co-educational, university-preparatory school founded in 1984. Located in West Vancouver, British Columbia
, Canada
, it delivers the British Columbia
Ministry of Education curriculum from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.
which was commanded by the father of one of the founding members.
The school occupied the buildings that formerly made up Glenmore Elementary School, which was closed the previous year along with several other schools in West Vancouver. Parents, students and teachers protested against the closure of Glenmore, but were unsuccessful in keeping the school open in the face of declining enrollment and a reduced education budget.
Subsequently, they carried out a series of renovations, and the school has since undergone two major expansion projects, including the addition of the wing where most of the Upper School is housed. In 1997, Collingwood constructed the Wentworth campus to house grades Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5.
The senior campus – also known as the "Morven" campus – is the oldest campus of Collingwood School. It is located at 70 Morven Drive in the British Properties
residential area of West Vancouver, and houses most students in the Middle and all students in the Upper Schools, ranging from Grade 7 to Grade 12. The buildings previously made up Glenmore Elementary School, but have since seen several expansions and improvements, including a full-size grass field, and a new wing which houses the gymnasium, the lecture theatre and the Upper School. It is adjacent to Glenmore Park, and in walking distance of North Vancouver via the Cleveland Dam
across the Capilano River
.
Opened in 1997, the junior campus – also known as the "Wentworth" campus – is located at 2605 Wentworth Avenue, in the Cypress area of West Vancouver. It is located right below Cypress Provincial Park
. This campus houses all students in the Junior School, which ranges from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5.
Ministry of Education Kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum. In addition to the Ministry of Education requirements, Collingwood also requires that students partake in the Collingwood Certificate program (and the Four Strands approach) and offers an extensive selection of Advanced Placement courses.
champion Sarah Mortazavi and two-time champion, Shakir Rahim. Additionally, each student (from Grade 1 to Grade 12) is required to write and present a persuasive speech, a humorous speech, or a dramatic monologue
each year in the school's annual public speaking competition.
network of schools. "Round Square is a worldwide association of schools, which share a commitment, beyond academic excellence, to personal development and responsibility through service, challenge, adventure, and international understanding."
In October 2008, Collingwood School co-hosted the international senior Round Square conference with Glenlyon Norfolk School
. Delegates from every Round Square school were billeted with Collingwood families. The theme of this conference was "Creating Sustainable Communities – Local to Global".
and necktie
to be worn. The necktie depends on the grade, with different designs for middle school, senior school, and the graduating class.
Graham Baldwin : Graham Baldwin was Collingwood's headmaster during its formative years. Although he left under questionable circumstances and false allegations made against him. Graham was well regarded by a number of the staff and was responsible for setting the tone of the school.
Jim Burnett : Jim Burnett was appointed acting Headmaster after the departure of Graham Baldwin. Jim Burnett was previously a member of the US Olympic
track & field team.
Rodger Wright: Rodger Wright is the current headmaster of Collingwood School, appointed in 2004. He previously served as the Headmaster of Trinity College School
in Port Hope, Ontario. He currently works with Roger Hatch and Mandy Richmond as Co-Heads
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, it delivers the British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
Ministry of Education curriculum from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.
History
Collingwood School was officially opened in 1984. A group of West Vancouver and North Vancouver parents who sought a locally accessible private school education gathered to create an independent school on the North Shore. The school was named in honour of the HMCS Collingwood, a flower class corvetteFlower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
which was commanded by the father of one of the founding members.
The school occupied the buildings that formerly made up Glenmore Elementary School, which was closed the previous year along with several other schools in West Vancouver. Parents, students and teachers protested against the closure of Glenmore, but were unsuccessful in keeping the school open in the face of declining enrollment and a reduced education budget.
Subsequently, they carried out a series of renovations, and the school has since undergone two major expansion projects, including the addition of the wing where most of the Upper School is housed. In 1997, Collingwood constructed the Wentworth campus to house grades Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5.
Morven Campus
Located at 49.3606°N 123.1201°W.The senior campus – also known as the "Morven" campus – is the oldest campus of Collingwood School. It is located at 70 Morven Drive in the British Properties
British Properties
The British Properties is a residential area in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was purchased by A.R. Guinness-Br. Pacific Properties in 1932 and developed as the British Properties. were purchased at a cost of $50 per acre. The British Properties helped finance the development and...
residential area of West Vancouver, and houses most students in the Middle and all students in the Upper Schools, ranging from Grade 7 to Grade 12. The buildings previously made up Glenmore Elementary School, but have since seen several expansions and improvements, including a full-size grass field, and a new wing which houses the gymnasium, the lecture theatre and the Upper School. It is adjacent to Glenmore Park, and in walking distance of North Vancouver via the Cleveland Dam
Cleveland Dam
The Cleveland Dam is a concrete dam at the head of the Capilano River in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada that holds back Capilano Lake. Part of the Capilano River Regional Park, it is not used for generating hydroelectricity, but rather for storing a portion of the Lower Mainland's...
across the Capilano River
Capilano River
The Capilano River flows from north to south through the Coast Mountains on Vancouver's North Shore and empties into Burrard Inlet, opposite Stanley Park. The river is one of three primary sources of drinking water for residents of Greater Vancouver. The Cleveland Dam, built in 1954, impounds a...
.
Wentworth Campus
Located at 49.3478°N 123.1854°W.Opened in 1997, the junior campus – also known as the "Wentworth" campus – is located at 2605 Wentworth Avenue, in the Cypress area of West Vancouver. It is located right below Cypress Provincial Park
Cypress Provincial Park
Cypress Provincial Park is a Provincial Park on the North Shore of Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. The park has two sections: a 21 km² southern section which is accessible by road, and a 9 km² northern section which is only accessible by hiking trails...
. This campus houses all students in the Junior School, which ranges from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5.
Proposed Improvements
With the arrival of Headmaster Rodger Wright, several facility improvements and expansions were proposed to parents and contributors as part of the "Room to Excel" facility planning initiative. Plans to upgrade the Wentworth campus facilities were proposed in 2006. These plans were voted on twice and neither time did the plan meet the required 75% vote. Instead, it was decided that the construction of a separate middle school would be the best way to expand. Collingwood has taken several steps to ease this transition, including the reorganization of the Morven Campus into an Upper School (Grades 9-12) and a Middle School (Grades 6-8).Curriculum
Collingwood School delivers the British ColumbiaBritish Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
Ministry of Education Kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum. In addition to the Ministry of Education requirements, Collingwood also requires that students partake in the Collingwood Certificate program (and the Four Strands approach) and offers an extensive selection of Advanced Placement courses.
Four Strands
Collingwood emphasizes a concept known as the Four Strands. The Four Strands are Academics, Athletics, Service, and the Arts. It is compulsory to participate in the Four Strands and many extracurricular activities are offered to fulfill the requirements. Students are recognized by awards known as grade colours and school colours if they excel in any of the four.Collingwood Certificate
The Collingwood Certificate program is a set of higher standards in addition to the BC Ministry of Education's requirements. The Collingwood Certificate program accompanies the unique Four Strands approach at Collingwood School. The Collingwood Certificate challenges students with respect to academic achievement, compulsory athletic participation, continued arts enrollment, participation in community service, the graduation portfolio, and overall citizenship at the school. Upon graduation, the Collingwood Certificate diploma is awarded to all those that meet the requirements.Debating & Public Speaking
Collingwood has a highly successful debating and public speaking program, led by debating coach Julia Clarke, which has won dozens of provincial, national and international tournaments. The program's alumni include World Individual Debating and Public Speaking ChampionshipsWorld Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships
The World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships is an annual international English language debating and public speaking tournament for individual high school-level students representing different countries. It occurs during a five-day period in late March and involves 180 to 200...
champion Sarah Mortazavi and two-time champion, Shakir Rahim. Additionally, each student (from Grade 1 to Grade 12) is required to write and present a persuasive speech, a humorous speech, or a dramatic monologue
Dramatic monologue
M. H. Abrams notes the following three features of the dramatic monologue as it applies to poetry:-Types of monologues:One of the most important influences on the development of the dramatic monologue is the Romantic poets...
each year in the school's annual public speaking competition.
Round Square
Collingwood is a member of the international Round SquareRound Square
The Round Square Conference of Schools is a worldwide association of more than 80 schools that allows students to travel between schools,tour foreign countries, involve themselves in community service and discover cultures along the way.-History:...
network of schools. "Round Square is a worldwide association of schools, which share a commitment, beyond academic excellence, to personal development and responsibility through service, challenge, adventure, and international understanding."
In October 2008, Collingwood School co-hosted the international senior Round Square conference with Glenlyon Norfolk School
Glenlyon Norfolk School
Glenlyon Norfolk School is an independent, co-ed, university preparatory school in Victoria, British Columbia. It was formed in 1986 with the amalgamation of Glenlyon School and Norfolk House. The school offers instruction from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, and teaches according to the...
. Delegates from every Round Square school were billeted with Collingwood families. The theme of this conference was "Creating Sustainable Communities – Local to Global".
Uniform
All Collingwood School students are required to wear uniforms. Each school has its own uniform: the kindergarten uniform is unique, as is the lower school uniform, for grades 1 to 5. Grades 6-8 wear the middle school uniform, and the upper school- grades 9-12, have their own uniform. The students in grade 12 have a special "grad tie." Both campuses require two sets of uniform: a formal dress (called the "#1 Uniform") for assemblies and special events, as well as a more casual outfit (the "#2 Uniform") for everyday wear. In the Morven Campus, the #1 Uniform requires a school blazerBlazer
A blazer is a type of jacket. The term blazer occasionally is synonymous with boating jacket and sports jacket, two different garments. A blazer resembles a suit coat cut more casually — sometimes with flap-less patch pockets and metal buttons. A blazer's cloth is usually durable , because it is an...
and necktie
Necktie
A necktie is a long piece of cloth worn for decorative purposes around the neck or shoulders, resting under the shirt collar and knotted at the throat. Variants include the ascot tie, bow tie, bolo tie, and the clip-on tie. The modern necktie, ascot, and bow tie are descended from the cravat. Neck...
to be worn. The necktie depends on the grade, with different designs for middle school, senior school, and the graduating class.
Headmasters of Collingwood School
David Mackenzie : David Mackenzie was Collingwood School's original headmaster. A former member of the British Navy and an avid rugby fan, he also re-founded Brentwood College on Vancouver Island.Graham Baldwin : Graham Baldwin was Collingwood's headmaster during its formative years. Although he left under questionable circumstances and false allegations made against him. Graham was well regarded by a number of the staff and was responsible for setting the tone of the school.
Jim Burnett : Jim Burnett was appointed acting Headmaster after the departure of Graham Baldwin. Jim Burnett was previously a member of the US Olympic
United States at the Olympics
The United States of America has sent athletes to every celebration of the modern Olympic Games, except the 1980 Summer Olympics, which it boycotted.The United States Olympic Committee is the National Olympic Committee for the United States....
track & field team.
Rodger Wright: Rodger Wright is the current headmaster of Collingwood School, appointed in 2004. He previously served as the Headmaster of Trinity College School
Trinity College School
Trinity College School is a coeducational, independent boarding/day school located in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada. TCS was founded on May 1, 1865, more than 2 years prior to Canadian Confederation. It includes a Senior School for grades 9 to 12 and a Junior School for grades 5 to 8.Among its...
in Port Hope, Ontario. He currently works with Roger Hatch and Mandy Richmond as Co-Heads