Mulgrave School

Mulgrave School
Address
2330 Cypress Bowl Lane West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Information
Headmaster	John Wray
School type	Independent
Grades	PreK-12
Language	English
Motto	Abeunt Studia in Mores Studies Build One's Character
Mascot	Titans (Upper School) Thunderbolts (Junior School)
Colours	Red (Curie), Green (Smith), Blue (Luther King), Yellow (Churchill)
Founded	1993
Enrollment	830
Homepage	http://www.mulgrave.com

Mulgrave School, located in West Vancouver, British Columbia, is a co-educational, independent IB World School for students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 (ages 3–18).

The academic programme at Mulgrave is based on the mission statement put forward by the International Baccalaureate Organization that states as follows: The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

The school also has its own mission statement: “Inspiring Excellence in Education and life.” The statement is further supported by the school’s vision, which asserts that “by inspiring excellence – the continuous pursuit of personal best – in education and life, Mulgrave strives to equip lifelong learners to thrive in a culturally diverse and interdependent world and to embrace, with passion and confidence, their responsibility always to do their best to support others and to make a difference by serving their communities, both locally and in the world at large.” ^[1]

Mulgrave Motto

The motto of Mulgrave is Abeunt studia in mores.

School Name

The name Mulgrave was selected for its singularity, strength, and a certain degree of serendipity. The school’s original site was close to Mulgrave Place in West Vancouver. The school subsequently developed a special relationship with the Earl of Mulgrave, Marques of Normandy. He has visited his namesake school on four occasions and was present at the official opening of the school in the fall of 2001.

Mulgrave School History

Mulgrave School sprang to life in 1993, when the Board of Directors responsible for operating the West Vancouver Montessori School envisioned the creation of a new, independent, non-denominational school on the North Shore. In September 1993, Mulgrave School opened in a portable classroom on property adjacent to the Montessori facilities. During the school year of 1994/95, the student population expanded into a split Grade 1/2. In September 1995, Mulgrave School opened in newly designed facilities at the North Shore Winter Club, providing a secure home for the next five years while the Board worked to fulfill its mandate of securing a permanent site. After an extended search, the school purchased the new site at Cypress Lane and moved into its permanent home in September 2001.^[2]

Facilities

Located just off the main road that leads to Cypress Mountain, Mulgrave School faces south toward the ocean and has exquisite views of Vancouver, the Burrard Inlet, and the Strait of Georgia. The 100,000 square foot campus features spacious and well-equipped classrooms, cutting-edge science labs, a double gym, a cafeteria, a library with access to over 38,000 titles, and a 400-seat theatre. There is a building annex that is used for the secondary language and mathematics programmes as well as university counseling; it also houses a Senior School study lounge. In 2010, a separate Early Learning Centre (for the 3- and 4-year-old Early Years IB programme) was completed just north of the large athletic field.^[3]

Heads of School

• Linda Hamer (Founder) – 1992-2003
• Simon Bruce-Lockhart – 2003-2004
• Tony McCoun – 2004-2010
• John Wray – 2010–Present

House Teams

Mulgrave School has four House Teams to which each student is assigned. The houses are named after Nobel Prize Winners.^[4]

Churchill

The Churchill House is named after Winston Churchill who was twice Prime Minister of England as well as a master military strategist, a gifted orator, and a prolific writer. He received the 1953 Nobel Prize in Literature. The House’s main colour is yellow.

Luther King

The Luther King House is named after Martin Luther King, Jr. He was known for being at the forefront of the American civil rights movement and is best remembered for his stirring speeches advocating freedom for all and the eradication of injustice. Dr. King was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize (1964). The House’s main colour is blue.

Curie

The Curie House is named after Marie Curie, a researcher and scientist who was lauded for her work in helping to isolate radium and discover therapeutic properties for it. She received the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics along with her husband, Pierre Curie, and their partner, Henri Becquerel, for discovering radioactivity. In 1911, Marie Curie received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her work in radioactivity. The House’s main colour is red.

Smith

The Smith House is named after Michael Smith, a British chemist who was recognized for his work in furthering the fields of genetics and protein studies. He spent the majority of his career in various positions at the University of British Columbia where he established the UBS Biotechnical Laboratories, now renamed the Michael Smith Laboratories in his honour. He received the 1993 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The House’s main colour is green.

House Competitions

House competitions and events are arranged in the Junior, Middle, and Senior Schools throughout the year. One House Captain and two Deputy House Captains from Grades 11 or 12 are selected in June to promote spirit and lead each house in its goal to win the House Cup. In the Junior School, two House Captains are chosen from each house after competitions each fall whereby interested students present speeches to their peers and a panel of teachers. These leaders promote spirit and make plans to raise money to help sponsored children in the SOS Children’s Village in Galle, Sri Lanka.

Academics

Junior School

Mulgrave Junior School offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students in Kindergarten to Grade 6. This programme aims to develop the whole child as an inquirer, both within the classroom and the outside world, instilling a curiosity and passion for learning. It is based upon research and ’best practice’, and combines knowledge and experience from a range of national and international systems to create a relevant, engaging and challenging educational framework for all students. The curriculum framework is guided by six transdisciplinary themes of global significance and incorporates five essential elements: concepts, knowledge, skills, attitude, and action. During the course of the year, each grade level explores six in-depth, integrated Units of Inquiry that relate to each of the transdisciplinary themes. Through an inquiry process, students gain essential knowledge and skills from a variety of different subject areas by exploring globally-relevant concepts, and by engaging in appropriate action, thus allowing them to be actively involved in their learning. The transdisciplinary nature of the programme enables students to learn the skills, explore the knowledge and develop conceptual understanding within a relevant and authentic context. Teachers strive to create and maintain classroom climates that foster the development of positive attitudes and international-mindedness.^[5]

Middle School

As an IB World School, Mulgrave has adopted the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) as a way to meet the needs of adolescent students and to create a continuum between the Primary Years Programme (K-6) and the Diploma Programme (11 and 12). In the Middle School, the goal is to nurture in students a lifelong sense of curiosity and a joy towards learning. A vibrant model of the MYP, where experiential learning is central, is offered to all students. Within the MYP, the students are provided with an inspiring and supportive environment where courage, creativity and character are celebrated. Through the individual laptop programme, the school supports the broad use of computer technology to help students develop academic skills, augment the curriculum, motivate learning, and prepare students for future life experiences in our technologically-based world.^[6]

Senior School

Mulgrave's rigorous Senior School programme prepares students for post-secondary education and beyond. The students benefit from an educational environment that stresses higher-level critical thinking, inquiry and research skills, allowing them to develop a broad basis of knowledge and abilities while gaining an in-depth understanding in the subjects that most interest them. In their Grade 10 year, students learn the following core subjects: English, Languages (French or Mandarin), Social Studies, Science, Math and Physical Education. Students may choose two electives from the following: Academic Creative Enrichment (A.C.E.), Visual Arts, Theatre Arts, Film Studies and Band. Students write three provincial exams including English 10, Science 10 and Foundations of Mathematics 10, which are worth 20% of the student's overall grade. In addition, students are able to complete a Personal Project and to attain the MYP certificate, providing they have met all the criteria. Mulgrave offers a single programme in Grades 11 and 12 that integrates the requirements of the BC curriculum and the IB Diploma Programme (DP). Consistent with the International Baccalaureate Organisation philosophy to provide equal opportunity to all students in IB diploma schools, the DP is open to all Mulgrave students in Grades 11 and 12. As the emphasis is on inclusion, all students are provided the opportunity to earn an IB Diploma, internationally recognised by post-secondary institutions. Many universities actively seek out full IB Diploma students in their recruitment strategies, offering incentives such as early acceptance, scholarships and credit for first year courses. Moreover, the curriculum in the Senior School fulfils the BC Ministry of Education graduation requirements, allowing students to also obtain the Ministry of Education Dogwood diploma.^[7]

Athletics

Mulgrave offers a rich variety of athletic opportunities. School teams play in leagues with both local and other independent schools and belong to a number of different organisations, including BC School Sports, the Independent Schools Athletic Association (ISAA), and the Independent Schools Elementary Association (ISEA). Mulgrave coaches support students as they strive for individual excellence. At the same time, great emphasis is placed on sportsmanship, leadership, team play, and respect for others. Mulgrave School typically offers the following athletic programs:^[8]

• Cross Country
• Soccer
• Rugby
• Swimming
• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Badminton
• Golf
• Tennis

Fine & Performing Arts

Mulgrave’s fine and performing arts programme is based on the idea that passion inspires curiosity and depth. Mulgrave offers Comprehensive Music, Theatre Arts, Choir, Vocal Ensembles, Band, Film and Visual Arts in this strand. The Arts faculty believes that learning through the arts helps the students to explore, shape and communicate their sense of identity and understanding of the world, while providing opportunities to develop self-confidence, resilience and adaptability. Mulgrave typically offers the following programmes:^[9]

• Open Art Studio
• Zoom Film Festival
• Jazz Band
• Concert Band
• String Ensemble
• Musical Pit Band
• Theatre Arts Production
• Technical Theatre Crew
• Middle and Senior School Vocal Jazz Ensemble
• Upper School Choir

Global Education and Outreach

Mulgrave’s Global Education & Outreach programme (GEO) is a K-12 global citizenship organisation that facilitates global awareness, engagement, and experiential service learning through the classroom, community, and excursions, including international trips. It is driven by the 21st century ideal of “global citizenshift” – the need for greater mindful, active, and compassionate engagement in social and environmental responsibility and true world citizens. GEO seeks to empower youth as “changemakers,” global stewards, social innovators and humanitarian leaders who learn, collaborate and act with others to do social good, to make our world a better and more peaceful place, locally and internationally. The programme embodies the ethos of holistic education. It is firmly grounded in Mulgrave’s core values and intertwined within the International Baccalaureate philosophy and IB Learner Profile. GEO programmes also support the Mulgrave MYP and CAS eFolio programmes as well as the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. GEO’s core educational programmes encompass the following six key elements:

• Global education curricular and student life links;
• Community engagement and action (at school and beyond);
• Global citizenship (Oxfam);
• Authentic, experiential service learning through local and international excursions;
• Student-centred learning and connections, particularly with schools;
• Integration of 21st century skills.

Mulgrave has forged a partnership with Free the Children’s Me to We, a sister social enterprise of Free the Children, that creates innovative service learning programming for youth to make a difference in the world, with 50% of all profits from their ventures reinvested in Free the Children charitable programming.^[10]

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Founded in 1956 by Prince Philip, this worldwide programme allows youths to develop a sense of responsibility to themselves and to their community. Over 30,000 Canadians between the ages of 14 and 25 are currently participating in this Young Canadians Challenge. Three levels of awards are available depending on the age of the entrant: Bronze level is 14 years, Silver is 15 years, and 16 years for Gold. The four fundamental requirements that students must fulfill to receive the awards are: 1. Service; 2. Adventurous Journey; 3. Skill; 4. Physical Activity.

At Mulgrave, the faculty strives to provide students with numerous opportunities to fulfill the requirements of their chosen level by using school-based activities in the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. It is an exciting opportunity for students to combine their service hours, athletics, and sense of adventure. Expeditions connected to the award are chosen, planned, and conducted by the students with guidance from staff. Prior to these trips, the students gain skills and experience to successfully plan and complete each expedition. While out on the trips, the students satisfy the required hours of activity and are self-sufficient, cooking their own food and setting up/taking down the camp each day. The students return with a sense of accomplishment, new bonds created with fellow schoolmates, and a desire to follow the Duke of Edinburgh continuum to the Gold Level. Expeditions are organised at all three skill levels annually. There are currently over 40 Mulgrave students enrolled in the Duke of Edinburgh Programme.^[11]

Outdoor Education

Mulgrave offers a vibrant Outdoor Education Programme that engages all K-12 students in experiences outside of the classroom as this type of learning allows students to make links between outdoor education and their classroom learning experiences. The school thus offers activities throughout the year for students to engage in these “experiential” learning opportunities. The Mulgrave Outdoor Education programme is based on the following tenets and the belief that all students should have:

• Opportunities to develop an individual connection with nature;
• Opportunities to develop an individual connection with their peers and with their teachers inside and outside of the classroom;
• Outdoor experiences that are authentically connected to the areas of Academics, Athletics, the Arts and Citizenship;
• Classroom learning experiences that are enhanced by direct curriculum links to “real life” outdoor experiences;
• The choice to further their involvement in Outdoor Education beyond grade-wide experiences;
• Outdoor skills that are taught in a sequential manner so that when they leave Mulgrave they have a well-rounded skill set that allows them to continue to pursue outdoor opportunities as part of their personal lives.

Outdoor Education at Mulgrave is highly valued because of the way it connects the students to a Canadian tradition of exploration and desire for adventure. As well, the programme is designed to take students through a progression of physical and mental challenges that are authentic and age-appropriate, which enrich their learning and inspire them to develop new skills and qualities.^[12]

Affiliations & Accreditations

Mulgrave is an accredited, co-ed International Baccalaureate World School and is affiliated with the following institutions:^[13]

• CAIS: Canadian Accredited Independent Schools
• British Columbia’s Ministry of Education
• NAIS: National Association of Independent Schools
• ISABC: Independent Schools Association of British Columbia

References

External links

• Mulgrave School website

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