Selwyn House School celebrates 114 years!

This week we celebrated our community, our Selwyn House family, and what it means to be part of a school that is 114 years old. In doing so, we took a trip back to the 80s to learn more about the time when this year’s Speirs medalist began teaching at Selwyn House.

On November 24, the entire school gathered in the Macaulay Gym for a morning assembly to honour some very special people. Headmaster Michael Downey, Head of Elementary School Kathy Funamoto, and Old Boy David Skinner ‘82, painted a picture of what life at Selwyn House was like over four decades ago. Lunch, recess games, buildings, sports and extracurricular activities were quite different back then yet many things have remained constant. “Certain members of the faculty and staff from my time are still here,” said David Skinner, “and the consistency and stability that come from “sameness” are good. Other things HAVE, however, changed, and that’s also good.”

In honouring this year’s Nancy Pitfield Volunteer Award recipient, Grade 6 student Ryan Pitfield spoke about his grandmother, for whom the award is named, describing her as “kind of a super volunteer when my father (Tom Pitfield ’93) was a student at Selwyn.” Current parent Leila Roiter is the 2022 award recipient and was thanked for her dedication to the Selwyn House School community.

Prefect Nate Mitelman introduced his former teacher Carol Manning, this year's Speirs Medalist. He spoke about the care and attention she gave to her students when he was in Middle School and over her 38-year career at Selwyn House. Ms. Manning, retired Head of Middle School, gave 10 fun facts about how she came to join Selwyn House and how she made her mark on the School. Her parting words to the students were: “to take advantage of the opportunities the school has to offer, be proud to be part of this community and live Veritas every day.” Michael Avedesian ’88, parent and Chairman of the Selwyn House Board, unveiled Ms. Manning's portrait that will be displayed in the Lucas Building stairwell with those of previous Speirs medalists.

All week long, students and staff were transported back in time: 80s music and slideshows at lunch, hackysacks at recess and Rubik’s cubes and Trivial Pursuit in the library. Students visited the 80s themed exhibit built by Drama teacher Lucy Martin, Courtney Prieur, Director of Experiential Education, and volunteers. Items included old Mac computers, typewriters, and rotary phones, along with a timeline of the 80s.

In the evening, over 200 guests filled Coristine Hall, happy to be reunited in person once again, and happy to celebrate this year's award recipients. PVA co-chairs Joyce McCauley and Laura Osborne introduced Leila Roiter, this year’s Nancy Pitfield Volunteer Award recipient. Selwyn alumnus, parent and Board member Tom Pitfield '93 presented the award. Old Boys’ Association President Josh Wisenthal '99 presented Honorary Old Boy pins to former staff Geoff Dowd, Barry Williams and Matilde Codina. Kathy Funamoto and retired Dean of Students, Minna Shulman introduced Carol Manning, the Speirs Medalist. Michael Avedesian presented the guest of honour with the Speirs Medal, for her contributions to the school. Past Speirs medalists met with the Headmaster prior to the event: Jonathan Goldbloom '72, Lorna Denham, Michael Denham, William Daly '52, Carol Manning, Minna Shulman, Bryan Fitzpatrick '74, and former Headmaster Hal Hannaford.

A wonderful occasion for all! Enjoy the photos and videos here!