“Generally, inter-House is a community builder,” said Mr. Matt Clinton-Baker, Assistant Head – Student Life. “It’s a really good representation of what makes Shawnigan special, with the whole school doing the same thing at the same time.”

Although the focus is on the competition between Houses, the real value, says Mr. Clinton-Baker, comes from the spirit kindled within the Houses as students dress up in their House colours and paint their faces to match. Spirit Captains are tasked with leading the charge at inter-House events.

Inter-House competition covers a diverse group of events that allow all students to participate and contribute to the success of their Houses. In addition to sports — nearly every sport that Shawnigan competes in is included on the inter-House schedule — the slate also features puzzles, air band and esports competitions, and the final points of the year come from the Houses’ respective academic success.

It isn’t by accident that the School holds inter-House events on back-to-back weekends as soon as the students are on campus in September, nor that they are different kinds of events. While both are centered around sports activities, volleyball is a little more casual in nature, with only six players per House competing as their Housemates enjoy ice cream while cheering them on. Track and field, meanwhile, is a bit more intense, as nearly everyone has at least one chance to represent their House.

Among boys’ Houses, Lonsdale’s won both of the first two inter-House competitions, with second place going to Duxbury in volleyball and Copeman’s in track and field. Strathcona was the top girls’ House in volleyball, followed by Kaye’s, and Renfrew took first in track and field, edging out Strathcona.