Selwyn House School
Encyclopedia
Selwyn House School is a private independent boys' school located in Westmount, Quebec
. Boys can attend from Kindergarten through to Grade 11. The school was founded in 1908 by Englishman Captain Algernon Lucas. It is named after Selwyn College
, University of Cambridge
, which Lucas attended.
Tuition fees for attending Selwyn as of the 2009-10 school year range from $15,210 to $19,070.
In recent years, the school underwent substantial renovations in its two main buildings on campus, in addition to the construction of a third building. All three are connected to one another by means of both underground and overground tunnels, ensuring protection against Montreal's harsh winters. A laptop program is in place ensuring that every student in Grades 7-11 has a portable computer for use in both school, where they are tightly integrated into the curriculum, and at home.
Students are divided into four houses, which serve intramural athletics purposes within the primary school. The houses, named after the first four headmasters of the school, are Lucas (yellow), Macaulay (red), Speirs (blue) and Wanstall (green).
The Selwyn House Gryphon
s have fielded strong athletic teams in recent decades and their traditional rivals in sports are Lower Canada College
and Loyola High School
.
were in need of a suitable preparatory school
, and a certain Captain Algernon Lucas was seeking a career. A graduate of Selwyn College
, Cambridge University
, he was given the job of educating seven boys. He had immediate success, and within two years, Lucas School had to move from Lucas' Crescent Street apartment to a larger house on Mackay Street. In 1912, Lucas turned to the business world and Colin Macaulay, whom was a classmate of Lucas' at Selwyn College, took his place at the helm.
The School quickly developed a character of its own and relocated two more times. Its aim was to provide a solid grounding in basic subjects, and to equip boys for the boarding schools from which they would proceed to university. The School was modeled after English preparatory schools
, and the staff was largely recruited from the United Kingdom
. The caliber of students from Selwyn House was highly respected at their subsequent schools and scholarships were won regularly.
In 1985, William Mitchell became the headmaster. The School's needs and demands for added facilities reached a point where one building was no longer sufficient. When St. Andrew's United Church
across the street closed, Selwyn House purchased and renovated it, where it is now currently known as the Macaulay Building. In 2002, the School built the Speirs Building which housed a new double-sized gym
, a spacious high-tech library
, numerous classrooms, offices and an Agora for student assemblies and various other functions. This was followed by a massive renovation of the original Lucas Building, including converting its gymnasium into a large, modern dining hall
and fully equipped auditorium
, dubbed Coristine Hall.
In January 2009, Hal Hannaford took over as the school's new headmaster. Mitchell, a member of the Bishop's University Sports Hall of Fame, retired after the school's hundredth year came to a close. In the winter of 2010, the school completed renovations of the aging Macaulay Building. There is now a wall, on the main floor, of students dating back 100 years ago.
In September 2005, an alumnus of the school launched a lawsuit against Selwyn House claiming that he had been molested
by a former teacher, Leigh Seville. Allegations regarding misconduct were made in 1991, and the school administration confronted Seville. Soon after, he committed suicide along with his father, and no further action on the issue was taken by the school administration.
Allegations that two former teachers had also abused students were filed as part of a class action lawsuit on February 3, 2006. The school agreed to a 5 million dollar compensation fund in January 2009. The fund was approved by the Quebec Superior Court
as a settlement for former students, their partners, and their parents.
under the charges of soliciting underage sex from a 13-year old boy and possessing child pornography
, although the charges did not relate to any of his activities at the school. In August 2009, Doucet was sentenced to two consecutive sentences of 14 years in Virginia prison.
Westmount, Quebec
Westmount is a city on the Island of Montreal, an enclave of the city of Montreal, in southwestern Quebec, Canada; pop. 20,494; area 4.02 km²; population density of 5,092.56 inhabitants/km²....
. Boys can attend from Kindergarten through to Grade 11. The school was founded in 1908 by Englishman Captain Algernon Lucas. It is named after Selwyn College
Selwyn College, Cambridge
Selwyn College is a constituent college in the University of Cambridge in England, United Kingdom.The college was founded by the Selwyn Memorial Committee in memory of the Rt Reverend George Selwyn , who rowed on the Cambridge crew in the first Varsity Boat Race in 1829, and went on to become the...
, University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, which Lucas attended.
Tuition fees for attending Selwyn as of the 2009-10 school year range from $15,210 to $19,070.
In recent years, the school underwent substantial renovations in its two main buildings on campus, in addition to the construction of a third building. All three are connected to one another by means of both underground and overground tunnels, ensuring protection against Montreal's harsh winters. A laptop program is in place ensuring that every student in Grades 7-11 has a portable computer for use in both school, where they are tightly integrated into the curriculum, and at home.
Students are divided into four houses, which serve intramural athletics purposes within the primary school. The houses, named after the first four headmasters of the school, are Lucas (yellow), Macaulay (red), Speirs (blue) and Wanstall (green).
The Selwyn House Gryphon
Gryphon
-Businesses:* Gryphon Airlines, an American-owned airline based in Vienna, Virginia* Gryphon Audio Designs, a Danish maker of audio components* Golden Gryphon Press, an American independent publishing company...
s have fielded strong athletic teams in recent decades and their traditional rivals in sports are Lower Canada College
Lower Canada College
Lower Canada College of Montreal is an elementary and secondary level private school.The college was founded by the Church of St John the Evangelist in 1861 as St. John's School and changed its name to Lower Canada College in 1909, replacing an older school by that name that was founded in...
and Loyola High School
Loyola High School (Montreal)
Loyola High School is a private Catholic school for boys in grades 7–11 located in Montreal . The School was established in 1896 by the Society of Jesus as part of Loyola College, at the request of the English Catholic community in Montreal. It is named after St...
.
History
In 1908, the English-speaking elite of MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
were in need of a suitable preparatory school
University-preparatory school
A university-preparatory school or college-preparatory school is a secondary school, usually private, designed to prepare students for a college or university education...
, and a certain Captain Algernon Lucas was seeking a career. A graduate of Selwyn College
Selwyn College, Cambridge
Selwyn College is a constituent college in the University of Cambridge in England, United Kingdom.The college was founded by the Selwyn Memorial Committee in memory of the Rt Reverend George Selwyn , who rowed on the Cambridge crew in the first Varsity Boat Race in 1829, and went on to become the...
, Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, he was given the job of educating seven boys. He had immediate success, and within two years, Lucas School had to move from Lucas' Crescent Street apartment to a larger house on Mackay Street. In 1912, Lucas turned to the business world and Colin Macaulay, whom was a classmate of Lucas' at Selwyn College, took his place at the helm.
The School quickly developed a character of its own and relocated two more times. Its aim was to provide a solid grounding in basic subjects, and to equip boys for the boarding schools from which they would proceed to university. The School was modeled after English preparatory schools
Preparatory school (UK)
In English language usage in the former British Empire, the present-day Commonwealth, a preparatory school is an independent school preparing children up to the age of eleven or thirteen for entry into fee-paying, secondary independent schools, some of which are known as public schools...
, and the staff was largely recruited from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The caliber of students from Selwyn House was highly respected at their subsequent schools and scholarships were won regularly.
In 1985, William Mitchell became the headmaster. The School's needs and demands for added facilities reached a point where one building was no longer sufficient. When St. Andrew's United Church
St. Andrew's United Church
St. Andrew's United Church is an historic congregation of the United Church of Canada in Toronto, Canada. Located downtown near the intersection of Yonge and Bloor it is a combination of five other downtown Toronto congregations. The church originated from St. Andrew's Church, founded in 1830 as...
across the street closed, Selwyn House purchased and renovated it, where it is now currently known as the Macaulay Building. In 2002, the School built the Speirs Building which housed a new double-sized gym
Gym
The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, that mean a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
, a spacious high-tech library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
, numerous classrooms, offices and an Agora for student assemblies and various other functions. This was followed by a massive renovation of the original Lucas Building, including converting its gymnasium into a large, modern dining hall
Cafeteria
A cafeteria is a type of food service location in which there is little or no waiting staff table service, whether a restaurant or within an institution such as a large office building or school; a school dining location is also referred to as a dining hall or canteen...
and fully equipped auditorium
Auditorium
An auditorium is a room built to enable an audience to hear and watch performances at venues such as theatres. For movie theaters, the number of auditoriums is expressed as the number of screens.- Etymology :...
, dubbed Coristine Hall.
In January 2009, Hal Hannaford took over as the school's new headmaster. Mitchell, a member of the Bishop's University Sports Hall of Fame, retired after the school's hundredth year came to a close. In the winter of 2010, the school completed renovations of the aging Macaulay Building. There is now a wall, on the main floor, of students dating back 100 years ago.
Recent athletic events
- Bantam Football - 2002, 2006 (undefeated), 2007 (undefeated), 2009 (undefeated) GMAAGreater Montreal Athletics AssociationThe Greater Montreal Athletics Association is an inter-mural sporting league in the Greater Montreal Area. It arranges inter-school sports events....
champions. - Senior Football - 2003 FQSA "AA" champions.
- Curling - 2006, 2010 GMAA champions.
- Bantam Hockey - 2007, 2009 GMAA champions.
- Wrestling - 2007 GMAA champions, dethroning Kahnawake Survival School who held the Championship for the previous 17 years.
- Senior Rugby - 2010 GMAA Div. 3, 2011 GMAA Div. 1 champions
Sexual abuse scandal
The sexual abuse scandal involved allegations that various teachers, none of whom were still present at the school, committed sexual abuse of over 30 minors during the 1970s to early 1980s.In September 2005, an alumnus of the school launched a lawsuit against Selwyn House claiming that he had been molested
Child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
by a former teacher, Leigh Seville. Allegations regarding misconduct were made in 1991, and the school administration confronted Seville. Soon after, he committed suicide along with his father, and no further action on the issue was taken by the school administration.
Allegations that two former teachers had also abused students were filed as part of a class action lawsuit on February 3, 2006. The school agreed to a 5 million dollar compensation fund in January 2009. The fund was approved by the Quebec Superior Court
Quebec Superior Court
Quebec Superior Court is the highest trial Court in the Province of Quebec, Canada. It consists of 144 judges who are appointed by the federal government.Chief Justices : [partial listing]* Edward Bowen...
as a settlement for former students, their partners, and their parents.
Doucet scandal
On May 10, 2008, one of the school teachers, Richard Doucet, was arrested by John Chapman of the Dumfries Police in VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
under the charges of soliciting underage sex from a 13-year old boy and possessing child pornography
Child pornography
Child pornography refers to images or films and, in some cases, writings depicting sexually explicit activities involving a child...
, although the charges did not relate to any of his activities at the school. In August 2009, Doucet was sentenced to two consecutive sentences of 14 years in Virginia prison.
Notable alumni
- Joel AnthonyJoel AnthonyJoel Vincent Anthony is a Canadian professional basketball player in the NBA who is currently a member of the Miami Heat. He is also a key member of the Canadian national men's basketball team.-High school career:...
- Charles BronfmanCharles BronfmanCharles Rosner Bronfman, is a Canadian businessman and philanthropist. With an estimated net worth of $US 2.0 billion , Bronfman was ranked by Forbes as the 15th wealthiest Canadian and 595th in the world....
- David CulverDavid CulverDavid Michael Culver, is a Canadian businessman and former Chairman and CEO of Alcan Aluminum Limited, from 1979 to 1989....
- Torrey MitchellTorrey MitchellTorrey C. Mitchell is a Canadian ice hockey centre for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. He was drafted by the Sharks in the 4th round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft .-Pre-NHL:...
- Angelo EspositoAngelo EspositoAngelo Esposito is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League and is a prospect for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...
- Teddy Kyres
- Michael MeighenMichael MeighenMichael Arthur Meighen, QC is a Canadian senator, lawyer and cultural patron. A litigation and commercial lawyer who has practiced in Montreal and Toronto, he is a member of the Bars of both Ontario and Quebec....
- TigaTiga (musician)Tiga is the stage name of Montreal-born DJ/producer Tiga James Sontag . His album Sexor won the 2007 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year.-Career:He graduated from Selwyn House School, a prestigious school in Westmount...
- Several members of the MolsonMolsonMolson-Coors Canada Inc. is the Canadian division of the world's fifth-largest brewing company, the Molson Coors Brewing Company. It is the second oldest company in Canada after the Hudson's Bay Company. Molson's first brewery was located on the St...
family, including Hartland MolsonHartland MolsonHartland de Montarville Molson, was an Anglo-Quebecer statesman, Canadian Senator and a member of the prominent Molson family of brewers.-Education:...
- Devon SoltendieckDevon SoltendieckDevon Soltendieck is a former MuchMusic VJ from the city of Dorval, on the island of Montreal. He has been an anchor and reporter on CP24 since early 2010.-Early Life:...
- Donald StevenDonald StevenDonald Steven is a Canadian-American composer, music educator, and academic administrator. A member of the Canadian League of Composers and an associate of the Canadian Music Centre, he won a BMI Student Composer Award in 1970, the Canadian Federation of University Women's Golden Jubilee Creative...
- Victor GoldbloomVictor GoldbloomVictor Charles Goldbloom, is a Canadian pediatrician, lecturer, and politician.He was born in Montreal, the son of Alton Goldbloom and Annie Ballon. He studied at Selwyn House and Lower Canada College. He studied at McGill University receiving his BSc in 1944, his MD in 1945, his DipEd in 1950...
- Edgar Bronfman Sr.
- Jonathan KayJonathan KayJonathan Hillel Kay is Comment Pages Editor for the Toronto-based Canadian daily newspaper National Post, a columnist for the Post op-ed page, a blogger for the Post web site, a book author and editor, and a public speaker. He is also a regular contributor to Commentary Magazine and the New York...
- Max Niederhofer
Mentions in popular culture
- The movie Prom WarsProm WarsProm Wars is a comedy featuring Ricky Ullman, Alia Shawkat, Rachelle Lefèvre, and Nicolas Wright.- Cast :*Ricky Ullman as Percy Collins*Alia Shawkat as Diana Riggs*Rachelle Lefèvre as Sabina*Nicolas Wright as Joseph*Kevin Coughlin as Geoffrey...
is based on Selwyn House. In the movie, Selby House battle Lancaster College (allegories for Selwyn House and Lower Canada College, respectively, historically "arch-rival" schools) over the right to take ACS (ECSMiss Edgar's and Miss Cramp's SchoolMiss Edgar's and Miss Cramp's School is an all girls' school located in Westmount, Quebec. It is near many other QAIS schools such as The Study and Selwyn House. It is commonly abbreviated as ECS. The school teaches grades Kindergarten to 11. Their colours are green and white...
) girls, the nearby girls school, to their respective proms. - The school has been mentioned in Mordecai RichlerMordecai RichlerMordecai Richler, CC was a Canadian Jewish author, screenwriter and essayist. A leading critic called him "the great shining star of his Canadian literary generation" and a pivotal figure in the country's history. His best known works are The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, Barney's Version,...
's novel, Barney's Version. - The school is part of the basis for Richler's Jacob Two-TwoJacob Two-TwoJacob Two-Two is the central character in a series of children's books, Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang , Jacob Two-Two and the Dinosaur and Jacob Two-Two's First Spy Case written by Mordecai Richler, and Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas written by Cary Fagan.Jacob is the youngest child of...
adventure series. Richler's son JacobJacob RichlerJacob Richler is a Canadian newspaper and magazine journalist, and the son of novelist Mordecai Richler and Florence Isabel Wood. He was the inspiration for his father's Jacob Two-Two trilogy of children's books....
was a student at Selwyn House.