Welcome
History
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St. George's School was founded in 1930, and has, as such, accumulated a wealth of history. Many students, teachers, and headmasters have passed through the School's classrooms and halls, each with their own stories to tell.
Douglas E. Harker, one of St. George's past Headmasters, committed his own story regarding the School to the pages of a book, The Story of St. George's School for Boys. The following is an excerpt from the book's first chapter:
"This is the story of a School, of the ventures and traditions, the laughs and heartbreaks that went into the building of it, the men and women who gave their time and talents to its development."
"This is the story of a School, of the ventures and traditions, the laughs and heartbreaks that went into the building of it, the men and women who gave their time and talents to its development."
Today, St. George's School is one of the largest independent schools in Canada. At first, and for a number of years, it was no more than a collection of boys housed in or coming daily to a private residence on the outskirts of the city. Erstwhile, sitting-rooms and bedrooms were made to do duty as classrooms and games rooms.
The School survived and flourished because, over the years, a number of men and women gave it devoted service. Some were businessmen and professionals who found themselves fascinated by the many sides of life in a school and worked for it as governors or directors, fund-raisers, lawyers, or accountants. Some were parents of boys, or boys who allowed the School to become a major part of their lives, both during and after their time there.
John G. Lawrence also gives an account of the School's story spanning from 1930–2005 in the book, Without Fear Or Favour. Having been invited to write a history of St. George's School for its 75th anniversary, Mr. Lawrence, in his own words...
"...went digging through the many old Georgians and the mass of papers that constitutes the St. George's archive that [he] became excited about telling the school's rags-to-riches story through some of the yearbook's eloquent voices and the archive's wonderful photographs. After much thought [he] decided to tell the story chronologically, decade by decade, using a timeline to place the activities of the school community in a wider context. This approach allowed [him] to concentrate on the significant events and the procession of visionary, energetic, and colourful characters who took the school forward and whose influence lingers on in the memories of the boys and their families."
The Junior School campus is also rich in history. The spectacular and historic building was constructed in 1912 in a Gothic revival style for the Convent of the Sacred Heart, who ran a girls’ boarding school there until 1979 when St. George's acquired the building. Interestingly, there used to be an outside walkway on the third floor, which became known as the "Nun's Gallery." Unfortunately, after 100 years, the metal on the gallery became too rusted and had to be removed.
In 2015, the School received a Heritage Award from the City of Vancouver to acknowledge the extraordinary effort and resources that it has put into the Junior School main building and the associated Boiler House.
The Crest
In recognition of the broad contribution of St. George's School to Canada since 1930, we are proud to profile the Armorial Bearings granted to the School by the College of Heralds in London in 1984. The crest incorporates many aspects of the story of the School but, at its heart, is a red and white shield that is derived from the St. George Cross, a design that can be traced to the very first crest the School used when it was founded.
Motto: Sine Timore aut Favore (Without Fear or Favour)
Crest: St. George slewing a dragon
Mantling: Red and white
Helmet: Reference to St. George the Knight
Shield of Arms: Red cross on white, with a green maple leaf
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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