Lynne Grass

Veteran boarding school teacher Lynne Grass is Chair of the Social Studies Department, teaches Social Studies 9 and Geography 12, coaches squash, and has been a duty person in Groves’ House since it became a girls’ house 1995. (She was in School House for five years prior to that.)

She came from South Africa to spend one year on Vancouver Island – over 25 years ago! When Lynne first arrived on the island she taught at nearby Queen Margaret’s School (a girls school) for seven years. During this time Lynne got to know many of the staff at Shawnigan, which was then a boys school.

When Shawnigan became co-educational, Lynne was lured to teach here by Derek Hyde-Lay for whom she had enormous respect. Lynne’s passion for teaching and advising students is well known and it is not surprising that when asked what she likes most about Shawnigan her answer is, “the students.”

Fellow socials teacher Sue Newns describes Lynne as, “. . . completely dedicated and committed to both students and staff.” She added, “Lynne models good teaching in everything that she does—and is known for her matter-of-fact approach and for her ability to clearly communicate expectations.” Lynne and her husband Rolf are passionate about the outdoors and about desert landscapes. During school vacations the Grass’ are most likely to be found traveling around southern California and Arizona desert areas.