Saints eNews
Senior School Updates — November 28, 2025
Hoops For Hampers
November 27—December 5 | Dixon Gym
This past Thursday, November 27th at lunchtime, the Hoops for Hampers Basketball Tournament had its first round of games with lots of talent and flair on display. The tournament will continue next week with the finals taking place on Friday, December 5th at lunch in Dixon Gym. In 3v3 half-court games, student teams will battle it out for the championship title, showcasing their skills and teamwork on the court. At $5 per player, students are asked to build teams of five to compete in a 16-team bracket-style tournament. Encourage your boys to take part in this festive, competitive, and fun-spirited event in support of the Hamper Drive!
Recap Of Our Senior School Tree Lighting
Today, the Senior School kicked off this year’s Hamper Drive with the Inaugural Tree Lighting Ceremony. During our Whole School Assembly, a festive tree was lit in Princeps Hall for all to enjoy, accompanied by a wonderful performance from our very own Junior School Choir. Starting next week, students will have the opportunity to design and decorate our community tree with ornaments representing the entire Senior School community. As part of an effort to create opportunities for everyone in our community to participate, we encourage all students to decorate an ornament to hang on the tree to showcase during our Community Day!
Recap Of Our Senior School Tree Lighting
Ceremony & Ornament Decoration
November 28 | Princeps Hall | Senior School Assembly
Today, the Senior School kicked off this year’s Hamper Drive with the Inaugural Tree Lighting Ceremony. During our Whole School Assembly, a festive tree was lit in Princeps Hall for all to enjoy, accompanied by a wonderful performance from our very own Junior School Choir. Starting next week, students will have the opportunity to design and decorate our community tree with ornaments representing the entire Senior School community. As part of an effort to create opportunities for everyone in our community to participate, we encourage all students to decorate an ornament to hang on the tree to showcase during our Community Day! 
Delivery Of Senior School Hamper Items
December 2 | Room 210 In The Original Senior School
Today, the Senior School kicked off this year’s Hamper Drive with the Inaugural Tree Lighting Ceremony. During our Whole School Assembly, a tall festive tree was lit in Princeps Hall for all to enjoy, accompanied by a wonderful performance from our very own Junior School Choir. Starting next week, students will have the opportunity to design and decorate our community tree with ornaments representing the entire Senior School community. As part of an effort to create opportunities for everyone in our community to participate, we encourage all students to decorate an ornament to hang on the tree to showcase during our Community Day!
Saints Book Club Meeting Recap
“The world is full of miracles, but none is greater than how far a young person can be carried by someone else’s belief in them.” — Frederik Backman, from My Friends
On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the largest-ever Saints Book Club gathered for the first meeting of the year. Our choice this term was Frederik Backman’s new novel, My Friends.
42 students from Grades 8–12 and five teachers met over pizza to share their thoughts on the novel. After a group reading and icebreaker, students split into smaller groups and answered questions on their own. Our discussion questions can be accessed here.
The novel follows the lives of four teenagers who form an intense bond during the summer they turn 15. Twenty-five years later, the story of their friendship becomes the subject of a famous painting, discovered by an aspiring artist, who then embarks on a journey to understand the painting’s origins. The novel is a poignant exploration of friendship, love, trauma, art, and healing, often balancing dark and emotional moments with humour and hope.
Reminder:
It’s a massive week ahead, especially for our U15 Prep Squad, who are gearing up for the U15 Canadian Crown Tournament from Thursday, December 4th—Sunday, December 7th in Edmonton. They open the tourney on Thursday against Edge (2:00 pm puck drop), followed by a busy Friday with matchups against Bishop Kearney at 9:30 am and the Bisons at 4:30 pm. Additional games on Saturday and Sunday will be determined by tournament standings. Best of luck to the boys as they take on some very strong teams!
Our U-15 Varsity Team is in Kelowna this weekend for games. The U-17 Prep Team is on Vancouver Island for their games this weekend. Meanwhile, the U-18 Prep Team is also in the Okanagan for a full weekend of games. All the games are on the CSSHL website!
Basketball
Basketball season is officially underway. The Senior Varsity Team played their first game of the year on Monday at Handsworth and got the W to lead off their season, kicking off what promises to be an exciting campaign.
Energy is building on campus ahead of the first home game this Friday, November 28th, when the Saints take on Oak Bay at 12:15 pm in Dixon Gym. The team will then host Kitsilano on Monday, December 1st in another strong early-season matchup.
Across all age groups, the team selections are now final, and training sessions are in full swing. It’s great to see the courts buzzing once again. There is plenty to look forward to this season.
Rowing
Our Novice Rowing Team has officially joined the full training rotation and is now working alongside the rest of the Saints Rowing Program. The group has shown strong early enthusiasm and is steadily building technical skills and fitness as they prepare for the competition phase. Their integration into the broader program has added great energy to the Boathouse, and the weeks ahead look promising as they gain confidence on the water.
Soccer
It’s been a historic season for the Saints Soccer Program. Huge congratulations to our 1st XI, who captured Provincial Gold at Burnaby Lake last week, becoming the first Saints Team in the School's history to win the AAA title. This happened during Coach Doc Mercer’s 50th year at our School, which made it extra special!
This achievement is even more remarkable given the squad’s youth, with many players coming from Grades 10 and 11. A truly special group, and a championship run that everyone in our community will remember for years to come!
Volleyball
Our Junior Volleyball Team wrapped up their season with an Invitational Tournament across Burnaby and New Westminster. This event brought together several of the Province’s strongest programs.
The boys represented Saints with pride, earning the Fair Play Award in their Tier 4 Tournament for rotating all players through matches and demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship. Coach Ed Taylor praised the group for an exceptional run this year, which included competing against 34 impressive schools. This was a tremendous finish and a fantastic effort from our Juniors!
Ski & Snowboard
With winter quickly approaching, our Ski & Snowboard athletes are preparing for another exciting season on the mountains. Team tryouts on Blackcomb Mountain will be announced shortly, with details on timing, meeting points, and requirements to follow. Stay tuned, this year’s program is shaping up to be an excellent one, with more information coming soon as we get ready to carve into the season!
Sport Climbing
Our Sport Climbing athletes kicked things off with their first event on Thursday, giving students the chance to try the sport and test themselves on the wall. Formal season training begins on Thursday, December 4th, so keep an ear out for further updates as the team gets ready to scale new heights this year.
Table Tennis
Tryouts have finished, and training in the Lower Great Hall is underway. Contact Coach Schwandt for more information.
Curling
Tryouts are finished, and training sessions have started. Contact Coach Chapman or Coach Moens for more information.
Please follow the Saints Athletics Instagram account as we post frequently, and it’s a great way to see recent scores and upcoming games!
Highlights From The Senior School
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Reminder:
Last Chance To Sign Up & Volunteer Today, November 28, For Our Grade 11 Careers Day On January 28 & Grade 10 Work Shadowing Day On April 22
The Career-Life Team is seeking Guest Presenters, Workshop Leaders, and Professional Hosts for our Grade 11 Careers Day on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, and our Grade 10 Work Shadowing Day on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. All parents, alumni, neighbours, and local organizations who are interested in participating in one or both events are encouraged to sign up via the following form here by Friday, November 28th.
Careers Day | January 28
Volunteer To Be A Careers Day Presenter Or Workshop Leader:
Do you work in an interesting career? Have you intentionally made career choices that align with your values and beliefs? Are you in an industry that is making a positive local or global impact? Are you a woman in leadership, or working in a niche market? Do you have a great career story to tell? If yes, we would love to hear from you as we develop our presentation schedule.
If you would like to contribute or have a contact to suggest, please reach out to Ms. Gillian Ani, Career-Life Team Member, at: [email protected], or Mr. Pat Palmer '80, Head of Alumni Relations at: [email protected].
Grade 10 Work Shadowing Day At St. George’s School | April 22
Volunteer To Be A Host Employer For Our Work Shadow Day:
Following the success of our Inaugural Work Shadow Day last year, where over half of the Grade 10 students spent the day at 15 local employers, we hope to expand the program to place the entire Grade 10 class in a Work Shadow Placement for the day. We are reaching out to our parents, alumni, neighbours, and local organizations to help.
Students will be looking to:
- Experience what a typical workday looks and feels like.
- Connect with employees to discuss the company, industry and career pathways.
- Learn about the education and career-life journey of employees.
- Understand workplace safety skills, emergency procedures, and workplace rights and responsibilities.
All potential Host Employers will be invited to a Virtual Orientation and will have support from
St. George’s School teachers through the process.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Sarah McLean, Head of Global Stewardship and CLE Department Head, at: [email protected].
Please express your interest by completing this form by November 28, 2025.
We hope you will be able to take part in one or both of these exciting programs!
Athletics Updates
CSSHL HockeyIt’s a massive week ahead, especially for our U15 Prep Squad, who are gearing up for the U15 Canadian Crown Tournament from Thursday, December 4th—Sunday, December 7th in Edmonton. They open the tourney on Thursday against Edge (2:00 pm puck drop), followed by a busy Friday with matchups against Bishop Kearney at 9:30 am and the Bisons at 4:30 pm. Additional games on Saturday and Sunday will be determined by tournament standings. Best of luck to the boys as they take on some very strong teams!
Our U-15 Varsity Team is in Kelowna this weekend for games. The U-17 Prep Team is on Vancouver Island for their games this weekend. Meanwhile, the U-18 Prep Team is also in the Okanagan for a full weekend of games. All the games are on the CSSHL website!
Basketball
Basketball season is officially underway. The Senior Varsity Team played their first game of the year on Monday at Handsworth and got the W to lead off their season, kicking off what promises to be an exciting campaign.
Energy is building on campus ahead of the first home game this Friday, November 28th, when the Saints take on Oak Bay at 12:15 pm in Dixon Gym. The team will then host Kitsilano on Monday, December 1st in another strong early-season matchup.
Across all age groups, the team selections are now final, and training sessions are in full swing. It’s great to see the courts buzzing once again. There is plenty to look forward to this season.
Rowing
Our Novice Rowing Team has officially joined the full training rotation and is now working alongside the rest of the Saints Rowing Program. The group has shown strong early enthusiasm and is steadily building technical skills and fitness as they prepare for the competition phase. Their integration into the broader program has added great energy to the Boathouse, and the weeks ahead look promising as they gain confidence on the water.
Soccer
It’s been a historic season for the Saints Soccer Program. Huge congratulations to our 1st XI, who captured Provincial Gold at Burnaby Lake last week, becoming the first Saints Team in the School's history to win the AAA title. This happened during Coach Doc Mercer’s 50th year at our School, which made it extra special!
This achievement is even more remarkable given the squad’s youth, with many players coming from Grades 10 and 11. A truly special group, and a championship run that everyone in our community will remember for years to come!
Volleyball
Our Junior Volleyball Team wrapped up their season with an Invitational Tournament across Burnaby and New Westminster. This event brought together several of the Province’s strongest programs.
The boys represented Saints with pride, earning the Fair Play Award in their Tier 4 Tournament for rotating all players through matches and demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship. Coach Ed Taylor praised the group for an exceptional run this year, which included competing against 34 impressive schools. This was a tremendous finish and a fantastic effort from our Juniors!
Ski & Snowboard
With winter quickly approaching, our Ski & Snowboard athletes are preparing for another exciting season on the mountains. Team tryouts on Blackcomb Mountain will be announced shortly, with details on timing, meeting points, and requirements to follow. Stay tuned, this year’s program is shaping up to be an excellent one, with more information coming soon as we get ready to carve into the season!
Sport Climbing
Our Sport Climbing athletes kicked things off with their first event on Thursday, giving students the chance to try the sport and test themselves on the wall. Formal season training begins on Thursday, December 4th, so keep an ear out for further updates as the team gets ready to scale new heights this year.
Table Tennis
Tryouts have finished, and training in the Lower Great Hall is underway. Contact Coach Schwandt for more information.
Curling
Tryouts are finished, and training sessions have started. Contact Coach Chapman or Coach Moens for more information.
Please follow the Saints Athletics Instagram account as we post frequently, and it’s a great way to see recent scores and upcoming games!
Highlights From The Senior School
Have A Great Weekend!
Junior School
Senior School
St. George’s School acknowledges that we are situated on the unceded traditional territory of the Musqueam First Nation.
Contributions to St. George's School Foundation are eligible for tax receipts as prescribed by Canadian law. St. George's School Foundation's Charitable Registration Number is: 11917-5511 RR0001.
Contributions to St. George's School Foundation are eligible for tax receipts as prescribed by Canadian law. St. George's School Foundation's Charitable Registration Number is: 11917-5511 RR0001.
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