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Lakefield College School

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Lakefield College School
Image (school seal or photo)
Headmaster David Hadden
School type Private Day/Boarding Co-Ed
Religious affiliation Anglican
Founded 1879
Location Lakefield, Ontario, Canada
Enrollment 365
Campus Surroundings 155-acre Waterfront Campus
Grades 7 to 12
Graduates Accepted to University 100 percent
Laptop Computers Grades 9 to 12

Lakefield College School (LCS, affectionately called 'The Grove') is a coeducational boarding school located north of the village of Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.

As an educational institution, it prides itself on its reputation for offering students a high-quality, well-rounded education. The school's motto is Mens Sana In Corpore Sano ("A sound mind in a sound body"). It was the first Canadian member of the international affiliation of schools called Round Square.

History

LCS was founded in 1879 as Sparham Sheldrake's Preparatory School for Boys or The Grove and was later named Lakefield Preparatory School. The current name was given following the Second World War. In 1989 it became coeducational, after much disagreement among its alumni, Board of Govenors, and trustees.

Timeline

  • 1879 - The Grove - Preparatory School for Boys was founded by Sam Strickland and Sparham Sheldrake in Strickland's home. It was initially located on 25 acres land consisted of a large farmhouse with several rooms, a shed, and a kitchen; enough room to accommodate about 15 boys.
  • 1895 - Reverend Alexander Mackenzie, teacher at the school, bought the school from Sheldrake. Dr. Mackenzie, who would remain as Headmaster until 1938, established the school's educational philosophy of combining a rigorous academic curriculum with a full and enriching program of sports, arts and outdoor education. During his time at the school, new classrooms, dormitories and dining room were added.
  • 1924 - A Chapel was built at the school.
  • 1938 - Mackenzie died and his son Kenneth became the school's third Headmaster—a position he held until joining the navy two years later.
  • 1940 - Gordon Winder Smith, a master at the school, was appointed Headmaster in 1940. The school was faced with a mounting debt, buildings in poor condition and very little property surrounding the school. Working closely with the school's Board of Governors, Winder Smith or "Boodie" as he was known, worked diligently to retire the debt. He then embarked on a program of upgrading the facilities and adding new buildings and residences.
  • 1964 - Mr. Smith retired and Winder Smith Dining Hall was opened in his honour. Jack Matthews was appointed as Headmaster and over the next 7 years the school expanded in numbers and in international acclaim.
  • 1966 - The school was renamed Lakefield College School to better reflect its mission.
  • 1969 - The Duke of Edinburgh visited in 1969 and the school became the first member of the Round Square Conference of Schools—an international association of schools with similar values and beliefs.
  • 1970 - The funds for a new theatre were donated and construction began.
  • 1971 - Mr. Matthews went on to found Lester B. Pearson College in British Columbia. Terry Guest was appointed Lakefield's next Headmaster and during his tenure the school continued to grow. Ashelworth House and a considerable amount of property surrounding the school were purchased, extending the campus considerably.
  • 1978 - Prince Andrew attended the school for a term as an exchange student from Gordonstoun School, starting a long lasting relationship that continues to this day.
  • 1979 - LCS celebrated its centennial.
  • 1985 - Current Head of School David Hadden took over the reins. Perhaps more changes have taken place in the last years than in any time in the school's history.
  • 1989 - LCS went co-educational, responding to changing times and enrollment and financial pressures
  • 1990-present - The school's academic program has improved and technology is now embedded throughout the curriculum. Construction projects have totally changed the campus landscape. A new library, music and art building, three residences, a Chapel and an academic building have been added and extensive renovations have been undertaken to all other buildings.

More than 125 years later, the school motto, mens sana in corpore sano ("a sound mind in a sound body"), remains central to the way the school operates today.

Campus

LCS has a 155-acre wooded, waterfront, campus on the east shore of Lake Katchewanooka in rural Ontario. It is just north of the village of Lakefield, an hour and a half north of Toronto.

It contains ten boarding houses, with an average of just over 20 students per house. The main building contains a chapel, dining hall, modern theatre, music room, art room, day student locker rooms, science labs, large library, computer lab, and classrooms. An outdoor artificial ice surface is currently under construction and will be operational in November of 2005. A boathouse at the waterfront contains sailboats, kayaks, and canoes. Other buildings contain the dance studio and weightroom.

Students

LCS currently enrolls 365 students; 232 in boarding (grades 9–12) and 133 in day (grades 7–12) status.

The boarding students are divided into houses, each with an adult 'Head of House' who acts as a parent and a 'Don' who acts like an older brother or sister while the student is away from home. There are five boys' boarding houses and five girls' boarding houses which contain student dormitories, washrooms, common areas, a Head of House apartment, and a Don apartment. With an average of 23 students and 2 adults, the houses become like a large family away from home.

The day students are also divided into houses, however with no actual physical building. There are two senior houses (grades 9-12) and one junior (grades 7 and 8) house, each with a 'Head of Houses'. These students get together for social events and the Head of House acts as a mentor and liason between the administrative aspect of the school.

All students also have an academic advisor, who helps with course selection, university admission, and arranging extra help (including tutoring) if necessary.

Faculty

Extracurricular Activities

Curriculum

Notable alumni


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