Shawnigan and the Environment

For many years, the School's environmental awareness has been increasingly high. Between each House, the competition to be at the top of the charts continues to rise as students work together to become the best "Environmental House" at the School. Each House has garbage, recycling and compost expectations, and failure to meet those expectations will result in a decrease of "points." After each term, the points are tallied and put together as a whole, where they can then determine which House has the most points. Aside from sorting garbage, compost and recycling each week, the Houses are given the opportunity to expand their environmental thoughts by coming forward with numerous ideas on how to reduce the carbon footprint at Shawnigan. These points are awarded as Random Acts of Green (RAG) points.

With creative ideas from each of the Houses on how to become more environmentally friendly, Shawnigan Lake School's carbon footprint is diminishing as we speak. Since the start of the year, each House has come together to not only make a difference at the School but also to improve the environment in our community.

Here are some examples of how each House played an active role in reducing our carbon footprint:

Groves': A little while ago, the girls in Groves’ decided to have "meatless Thursdays" for the rest of the year.

Kaye's: The House introduced "Enviro Week" where the lights and heaters in the House were turned off during the day, laundry was being washed with cold water and dishes were washed by hand.

Strathcona: During Christmas time, Strathcona bought a second-hand tree and used recycled ornaments made from pop cans and recycled paper.

Renfrew North: They have been saving energy by using drying racks instead of drying machines.

Renfrew South: The House is signing in to Sunday Brunch with their reusable lunch bags and sandwich containers. Their packaging eliminates all paper and wax paper wrapping.

Ripley's: They brought a worthy environmental cause to our attention - a petition to encourage Norwegians to stop whaling.

Duxbury: Mike, Head of House, has brought a website to his fellow housemate's attention. A number of different causes are supported, including one protecting marine mammals by saying no (in a petition) to Arctic Ocean drilling that he and Mr. Noble both signed.

Lonsdale's: Their daily inspections include turning off the lights and they have done many garbage clean-ups around campus.

Copeman's: They completed an environment project that took almost half the year. Sacrificing a few hours out of the boys' weekends, they took turns working away at clearing the Copeman's hill that was once filled with garbage and out-of-control juniper. The project is nearly finished and is ready for the planting of flowers and grass seed. Not only did this project help the environment but it created a visually appealing embankment where the Copeman's sign can rest.

Lake's: The boys not only wash their clothes in cold water, but they also take cold water showers every morning.

"The manner in which the Houses have embraced the R.A.G. initiative has further demonstrated the commitment of the students to making SLS a greener place to live." - Mr. Noble (Enviro Man)

As the School year is coming to an end, the race in the competition is still underway.

– Savannah H., Yearbook