Selwyn House School

Grade 11 students kicked off their graduation weekend on May 14 with the annual Heroes Breakfast, an opportunity to recognize and celebrate someone who has played an important role in supporting them throughout their academic journey. On the following Friday morning, the tradition of the Downey Brothers annual dodgeball game continued as students battled it out for bragging rights in a spirited and highly competitive matchup. Later that afternoon, students and staff gathered for a celebratory BBQ hosted by the Nadler family, enjoying great food and one final opportunity to spend time together before the evening festivities.

The community then came together at the Windsor Ballrooms for the class of 2026 graduation dinner dance. Beautiful floral arrangements and décor, generously provided by BLOEM Atelier Floral, helped transform the venue for the occasion. Parents, staff, students, and guests enjoyed an evening filled with heartfelt speeches, laughter, and reflection as they celebrated the graduates' time at Selwyn House and the brotherhood they have built along the way. The dance floor was enjoyed throughout the night as students marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next. The celebrations continued into Saturday with gathering in the countryside, providing one final opportunity for classmates to come together and create lasting memories before graduation.

The Selwyn House Elementary School had an amazing morning of showcasing school spirit and athleticism at this year’s Track and Field Day on May 15. Kindergarten to Grade 2 participated in different games of skill and fun. Grades 3 to 6 competed against one another in different track and field events, including long jump, relays, 100m, and 4x200m races. Grade 10 students helped organize all the events - Mr. Held, Physical Education teacher

The annual 'Til Next Time Assembly brought the Selwyn House community together to celebrate another memorable year. Led by the House Heads, the event reflected on the many highlights, accomplishments, and milestones that shaped the school year, while a heartfelt and humorous tribute video expressed the students’ gratitude to the dedicated faculty and staff who helped make it all possible.

The assembly also featured the official announcement of the 2026–2027 Prefects and House Heads, as well as the presentation of several prestigious awards. Lucas was awarded the House Cup Trophy on behalf of his House for earning the most house points throughout the year, while Vojtech B. received the inaugural Individual House Point Trophy, a new award recognizing students who excel through their academic, athletic, extracurricular, and community contributions under the school's new house point system.

A cherished tradition followed as the graduating class was celebrated through the annual Now & Then video, showcasing each graduate’s first-year photo alongside their graduation portrait and highlighting how much they have grown during their time at Selwyn. One of the most moving moments of the assembly came when Nathan Chen performed a beautiful piano rendition of See You Again, dedicating the piece to three close friends who had made his Selwyn journey even more meaningful. As the audience quietly sang along, the performance created a powerful sense of reflection and appreciation.

The celebration concluded with the Grade 11 gratitude circle, where students passed a football from friend to friend, sharing words of appreciation and thanking one another for the memories they had created together. It was a fitting end to a year marked by friendship, achievement, and community.

On the morning of June 4, the Selwyn House Parents' Volunteer Association (PVA) hosted a beautiful Volunteer Appreciation Tea and Coffee to celebrate the dedicated parents who give so much to our community. Volunteers were welcomed with a delicious breakfast, tea, and coffee, followed by a heartwarming presentation and performance by our Elementary Choir and Kindergarten class, wonderfully led by Ryan Kennedy. A special moment of the morning came when Ms. Laura Osborne and Ms. Anne Garschagen presented Ms. Danping Shi with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, recognizing her incredible years of work for the PVA as her son graduates this year. Headmaster Michael Downey concluded the event by expressing his deep gratitude, thanking everyone for their ongoing support and dedication to Selwyn House School. We are profoundly grateful for our volunteer community—thank you for everything you do!

The Elementary Athletic Celebration on May 26 proudly honoured the achievements of our Elementary School students-athletes. Throughout the year, our young Gryphons demonstrated incredible dedication, perseverance, and team spirit across a variety of sports. Congratulations to all the athletes recognized for their hard work and remarkable growth this season! We also want to extend a huge thank you to the coaches, athletic therapists, and families. Your unwavering support and encouragement made these successes possible.

On May 28, the Senior School gathered in Coristine Hall for the School Life Awards. Every year, the Awards recognize those students that have contributed to Selwyn House life through continuous dedication to extracurricular activities, clubs, and services to the community. During the ceremony, we also honour those who have received various levels of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. This year, the school recognized 120 students for School Life Awards, and 25 for Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Congratulations to all of our recipients, thank you to all of our ECA and Club Leaders for providing opportunities, and we sincerely hope that all Senior School students will participate in school life next year. For information on the awards and School Life, please contact Mr. Jon Bracewell, the Senior School ECA Coordinator.

Our first Kindergarten and Grade 1 sleep-under was a huge success! We hosted 30 families in Coristine Hall, where the boys ate popcorn and pizza while watching a movie on the big screen and parents connected over charcuterie and wine. New friendships were made inside the giant fort made out of mini-tents, blankets and oversized stuffed animals — and everyone went home with a huge smile. Thanks to everyone who attended and helped make it a magical evening! - Ms. Laura Osborne, PVA Co-Chair

Selwyn House School alumni gathered on both sides of the border this April for two memorable chapter reunions. More than forty Old Boys from the Toronto area, representing the classes of 1971 to 2021, joined staff at Jump Restaurant for an evening of reconnecting, sharing stories, and celebrating their continued ties to the Selwyn community. The following night, alumni spanning the classes of 1972 to 2017, along with a few welcomed guests, came together at Bond 45 in New York's Times Square. The evening was filled with laughter, reminiscing, and stories from Selwyn days and beyond, including engaging reflections from Michel Le Gall ’72 about his time at the School and growing up in Montreal. Adding to the spirit of the week, Zac Merhi ’18 attended both reunions, making it a true two-city Selwyn celebration. These gatherings highlighted the lasting connections that unite Old Boys across generations and across North America. For a full list of attendees please visit the news section on our website. – Ms. Kim Auclair, Alumni Relations Officer

The Selwyn House Rowing Team is making waves. Following an impressive showing at the Défi Lachine, our athletes are now preparing to compete at the Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association (CSSRA) Championships, Canada's premier high school rowing event. This weekend, our rowers will travel to St. Catharines, Ontario, to race against some of the top scholastic programs from across Canada and the United States. More than 150 schools and thousands of student-athletes are expected to take part in the championship regatta.

The momentum comes on the heels of a successful weekend in Lachine. In the U17 Double, Zack K. and Edward Y. captured bronze while posting the eighth-fastest double time of the day. Our U19 Senior Quad of Jasper O., Jackson B., Calvin H., and William L. raced to a first-place finish, while the Junior Quad of Alex C., Theodore S., Erwan A., and Rockley Q. impressed in their first full-course race together, earning second place. Xavier B.O. rounded out the podium performances with a silver medal in the U19 Single and the eighth-fastest single time of the day.

These results are a testament to the dedication and growth of our athletes. Race organizers noted how much the Selwyn crews have improved over the past two years, praising both their confidence and comfort on the water. Qualifying for the CSSRA Championships marks another major milestone for the program. Looking ahead, the team plans to compete in several fall regattas, including Head of the Rideau, the Dawson Invitational, Contre Courant, and Head of the Trent, with hopes of expanding our competitive sculling entries in singles, doubles, and quads. Students interested in rowing over the summer are encouraged to reach out for information on recreational and competitive training opportunities with Ms. Donivan.

Good luck to our rowers as they represent Selwyn House this weekend. Go Gryphons!

On May 21, the Selwyn House community gathered in Coristine Hall for the Senior School Athletic Awards Celebration, celebrating a year of outstanding athletic achievement. After a lively cocktail reception and the presentation of awards, the celebration continued with a special twist. With Game 1 of the Montreal Canadiens' Eastern Division Finals playoff run landing on the same night, guests stayed to watch the game together on the big screen. We extend our deepest gratitude to the staff, coaches, athletic therapists, and families whose dedication and support make athletics at this level such a success.