SPOTLIGHT
November 21
Embedded Files
Head's Message
Head's Message
Next week we will take part in a new recognition tradition. The first ceremony of the year will highlight Term 1 athletics and students and staff who live our school values in their daily actions. The goal is simple, celebrate character and contribution, not academics. Academic recognition will come at the end of the year in a separate format.
Recognized students will receive a certificate and sticker that celebrates their achievement at our school assembly. Each of the categories is connected to our Seawolf spirit values.
The Explorer
This recognition honours students or staff members who show curiosity, courage, and steady effort in learning. They take thoughtful risks, handle challenge, and reflect on how they grow. They seek experiences that help them understand themselves and others.
The Pack
This recognition celebrates students or staff members who strengthen our community through caring actions and respect. They help others succeed and contribute to the wellbeing of the group.
The Leader
This recognition highlights students or staff members who act with integrity, courage, and initiative. They lead by example, inspire others, and take responsibility for their actions. They face challenges with confidence and uphold our community values, even when it is difficult.
Reading the student nominations was encouraging. Students notice when someone helps a friend, steps up without being asked, treats others fairly, or holds themselves to a high standard. The nominations showed clear judgement and fairness. Students also recognized teachers who show these same values, a reminder of the strong examples in our classrooms.
With report cards coming next Friday, academics will get their time. This week gives space to recognize qualities that shape character: courage, kindness, effort, respect, and service. These are the habits that strengthen our school community and guide personal growth.
We will celebrate these students next week and set expectations for others to aim for. It is a meaningful start to a tradition that highlights what matters in our school culture.
Josh Hart
Head of School
This Wednesday, the students got to create a “white lie” on a white shirt, the activity for this week was a fun one! All of the students got a fake coin in which they would flip, and whoever called the side that the coin landed on would get all of the other opponents coins.
It ended with Arbutus winning the Coin Toss Challenge and Delta taking the lead in the White Lie Competition. The final scores were 1600 for both Delta and Arbutus, 1400 for Gribbel, and 1200 for Tzouhalem. Tzouhalem also won the 500 bonus points for showing incredible spirit cheering everyone on, leaving them with a final score of 1700 from the competition. Overall it was a great competition and it was amazing seeing everyone showing house spirit and participating.
Write-up by: Madeline and Paige
Spotlight CCA: Journalism!
Spotlight CCA: Journalism!
This week’s spotlight, our last week, we will dive into what the journalism CCA has been doing this term! Journalism CCA is run by TCoy, students learn how to report, collaborate, and learn about different news stories, and analyze them. Two students from journalism have been interviewed. First, we have Lilya in grade 10. Lilya mentioned how journalism has helped her with her communication skills, and interviewing others, as well as with her writing skills through collecting different resources, and learning how to write in pairs. Mason in grade 9 mentioned how journalism has encouraged his creating writing skills when doing essays, and other article analysis, he just finished a project about the Shawnigan fire department, and what they do there, analyzing their article. Mason would love to do more video interviews in the future to allow for better communication skills not only online but in person as well. If you have something to say, or an opinion, journalism CCA allows you to say it loud, make every word count!
Photography and write-up by:
Makena, Elsie and Madeline.
Journalism CCA: Meet the Student!
Journalism CCA: Meet the Student!
Zane Korchinski, a member of Delta House here at Saint John’s Academy, has been part of the school for seven years. Born in Edmonton, Zane’s favourite subjects are Math and History, as he enjoys logical problem-solving and learning of the past. Outside the classroom, Zane loves judo, a sport he plays for its balance of physical skill, strategy, and discipline. He appreciates how judo challenges both the body and the mind, teaching skill and focus along the way. In addition to judo, he enjoys anime, video games, physics, and participating in cadets. One of his most cherished memories is playing video games with a good friend, a simple but meaningful experience that he holds dear. Finally his favourite colour is warm lilac. (Zane on the left)
Write-up by: Jack grade 12
Grade 9 Design Class Trip
Grade 9 Design Class Trip
Our Grade 9 Design students took a creative field trip to the local Salvation Army Thrift Store to gather materials for their Wearable Art / Fashion Design Project.
They browsed through clothing, fabrics, and unique items that will soon be transformed into original, meaningful fashion art pieces, inspired by personal stories and global issues.
We are proud to support our local Salvation Army by bringing business to our community, and even prouder to promote sustainability through reuse, creativity, and design thinking.
Stay tuned to see how these thrifted treasures turn into runway ready wearable art!
Grade 10 Field Trip
Grade 10 Field Trip
The Grade 10 class went on a field trip Wednesday. Their first stop was Goldstream Park to view Niagara Falls. This quick view was amazing! We then continued on to McCauley Point Park in Esquimalt, where the students got to see the 1895 artillery placements (similar to those at Fort Rodd Hill). The harbour view was lovely, as the sun popped out for a visit! Following this, we made our tour at the Naden Naval Museum at the Esquimalt Naval Base. Students were fortunate to have Lt. Paul give an amazing tour of Canadian naval history. The students enjoyed the displays and, models and mannequins, but most importantly, the stories. Luckily, we had enough time to stop for the best donuts in Victoria at Esquimalt Bakery. Thanks to Ron and the kitchen for our bagged lunches and to Bruce for driving us safely.
Photography by: Akira
Outdoor Eductation
Outdoor Eductation
For the final Outdoor Education trip of Term 1, students explored the lesser-known “Niagara Falls of the Island” in Goldstream Provincial Park. The hike gave them a chance to experience one of the region’s hidden gems while practicing trail skills in a beautiful forest setting. Students observed the last few salmon making their way up the river and visited the Goldstream Visitor Centre to learn more about the park’s ecology and history. The trip offered a meaningful connection to local ecosystems and a memorable end to the term’s outdoor adventures.
Grade 9 Mini-Golf Field Trip – Haunted Manor
Grade 9 Mini-Golf Field Trip – Haunted Manor
On Wednesday, December 9, the Grade 9 French class enjoyed an exciting and immersive outing to the Haunted Manor Mini Golf in Victoria. As part of their current unit on leisure activities, students applied their French vocabulary related to sports, movement, and preferences in a fun, real-world setting.
Working in small groups, students navigated the 18-hole course while communicating, collaborating, and reflecting on sport as an active way to support well-being - all key themes in their MYP French curriculum.
Hello from SJA Boarding
Hello from SJA Boarding
Last weekend was full of energy and excitement in boarding! On Friday night, we kicked things off with a lively Games Night in the Den, complete with lots of laughter, friendly competition, and of course, plenty of snacks. A few day students joined us as well, helping make the night even more fun. The runaway favourites of the evening were Mahjong and UNO, with students gathering around to cheer, strategize, and enjoy some classic rivalry.
On Saturday during the day, we took a large group into Mill Bay, where students enjoyed a mix of sushi, McDonald’s, and a bit of grocery shopping—a simple outing, but always a popular one!
Saturday evening brought even more excitement as we headed into Victoria to watch the UVic Vikes take on the University of Regina in basketball. The atmosphere was high-energy, and our students loved cheering from the stands. A special highlight: Phoebe won a t-shirt, and even got it signed by a few of the players! We’re already looking forward to our next UVic basketball outing in February, when the Vikes will face off against UBC—another game we know will be a student favourite.
It was a full, fun weekend of community, outings, and school spirit—just the way we like it in boarding!
Coming up…
November 22nd: Mayfair and H-Mart
November 28-29: Vancouver/Richmond overnight trip
December 5th: Holiday Fun Night in the Den
December 6th: Butchart Gardens Christmas Lights
December 7th: Ice Skating outdoors in Langford
Parent Committee Invitation
Parent Committee Invitation
You can help shape our school’s next steps. We are forming a parent committee to support the final phase of our strategic plan. The group will meet a few times over the year to give focused input on priorities that matter to your family, including teaching and learning, wellbeing, and community expectations.
If you want to join, email the main office by November 30 at info@sjasl.ca. Please include your name, your child’s grade, and the areas you want to discuss. We aim for a balanced group across grades and programs.
Your feedback will guide clear goals for the next five years and help us finalize our plan.
Donation: Creating a Calm Space for Students
Donation: Creating a Calm Space for Students
We are building a room where students can pause, settle their thoughts, and manage stress in a healthy way. Many students benefit from a short break in a quiet setting, and this space will support them so they can return to class ready to learn. To get us started and set it up properly, we are asking families to donate items that you may have around your house (or new!) that help create comfort, calm, and promote student wellbeing.
Comfort items
Pillows and beanbag chairs
Cozy blankets, including weighted blankets
Large, soft headphones
Disposable earplugs
Warm white lights that can be switched on or off
Visuals
Simple nature posters
String lighting
Soothing movement and sensory items
Lava lamp
Bubble light machine
Theraputty
Stress balls
Fidgets
Puzzles
Smooth tactile stones with short messages
You can drop items at the main office. If you want to confirm suitability before donating, email us at info@sjasl.ca and we can advise.
Fun B.C Wolves news!
Fun B.C Wolves news!
Researchers have captured video footage of wild wolves in British Columbia pulling crab traps out of the sea by their lines to eat the bait inside, in the first evidence of possible tool use by the animals.
>>News LINK<<
PCEG NEWS!
PCEG NEWS!
Purdy's fundraiser deadline is due.
December 5th: Official pick-up day (although it may arrive a day or two earlier)
Pickup will be at the St. John’s Academy office.
Other ongoing fundraising opportunities are, Country Grocer receipts, please save your receipts and put in the envelope at the office. You can drop your bottles to Island Return It on Fisher Road across from the main Depot (remember to specify you are donating to St John’s Academy Shawnigan Lake).
Our next meeting is Tuesday November 18, 2025, 6-7pm in the boardroom or online (typically meetings are held the third Tuesday of every month). Everyone is welcome, hope to see you there!
If you would like to reach out with any ideas, please contact us at sjaparentgroupshawnigan@gmail.com
School Uniform
School Uniform
A reminder that Free Fridays should always be SJA clothing. Non-SJA sweatpants, hoodies, and shirts will not be permitted and students will be asked to change or visit the front office to borrow SJA clothes.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
November 21 Last day of Term #1 - Nov.24 Term #2 begins
November 28 PD day (No classes)
November 28 Report Card (Term 2)
December 2-4 Parent-Teacher Conferences
December 12 Last Day of Classes Before WINTER BREAK
December 13 Travel Day for Boarding Students
December 15-2 Winter Break (no classes, boarding closed)
December 17-1 Office Closed
Next Week's Menu
Next Week's Menu
Monday Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Assorted French Fries, Tomato Soup
Tuesday Butter Chicken (with Vegetables), Naan, Coconut Rice, Assorted Salad | Vegetarian - Chick Pea & Halloumi Curry
Wednesday Pulled Pork Sandwich, Potato Salad, Green Salad, Potato Soup | Vegetarian - Fried Zucchini, Chick Pea & Parmesan Sandwich
Thursday Teriyaki Chicken, Stir Fried Vegetables, Rice, Assorted Salad | Vegetarian - Marinated Tofu
Friday PD-day (No classes)
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