Selwyn House turns 100, honours Mitchell, Wearing

On November 26, members of the Selwyn House School community gathered to mark three milestones in the school’s history.

Founder’s Day 2008 was the culmination of a year-long celebration of the school’s 100^th birthday. From its modest foundation in 1908 by Capt. Algernon Lucas, Selwyn House has grown to be widely recognized as one of the finest schools in Canada.

Starting with only seven students a century ago, Selwyn House now provides a world-class education to approximately 570 boys each year. Drawn from an increasingly diverse background, these students have gone on to make important academic, professional and humanitarian contributions to Canada and the world.

This year’s Founder’s Day was also the last major school event to be presided over by Headmaster Will Mitchell, who retires on January 1, after having led the school for 23 years. Mr. Mitchell directed Selwyn House through a period of dramatic growth, ensuring that the school entered its second century at the forefront of modern education.

Will Mitchell has made profound contributions to the evolution of the school. Under his stewardship, the school facilities have been enlarged nearly 40 per cent, with cutting-edge technology integrated into every classroom.

“Will Mitchell not only guided the capital campaigns that financed this project, but also kept a watchful eye on the construction and renovation that have revolutionized the school,” says Selwyn House Board Chairman Ted Claxton. “All of us—students, parents, teachers and alumni—benefit from his dedication.”

Mr. Mitchell has also brought the school into the modern era by insisting on increased endowment, which creates financial aid for deserving students. Through the generosity and hard work of countless volunteers and employees, the school is now able to offer the finest education to any deserving boy, regardless of his financial constraints.

Founder’s Day 2008 also gave the Selwyn House family an opportunity to honour one of its most beloved former faculty members, Rob Wearing. In addition to coaching and teaching, Mr. Wearing served as athletic director and head of the Senior School, even taking on the duties of acting co-headmaster during the transition period leading up to Mr. Mitchell’s start as school head.

Throughout his 33 years at Selwyn House, Rob Wearing was a mentor to hundreds of students who eagerly express their gratitude for the role he played in their schooling. By bestowing the Speirs Medal, the school community formally acknowledges his contribution to the growth and education of a generation of young men, many of whom have gone on to impressive achievements after leaving Selwyn House.

The Founder’s Day ceremonies began with an all-school assembly in the morning, followed by an evening cocktail with approximately 425 members of the school community in attendance to celebrate the school’s first century of academic excellence.