Back to The Future

By Ms. Jen Horrigan '99

On Thursday, April 14, students, alumni, staff, and friends of The Grove gathered at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto to celebrate the school's 20 years of co-education. The theme of the night was “Back to the Future.” With representatives from classes throughout the 80s and 90s, the evening was part reunion, part socializing, part dinner theatre, and all fun!

The Back to the Future planning committee included Patrick Marshall ’90, Nicole Groves '93, Tracey Morley ’90, Richard Life, and Theresa Butler-Porter, along with support from John Runza, Manal Stamboulie, Amy Hollingsworth, and Greg MacPherson, created an evening to remember. Tracey Blodgett and three Fleming College students (Heather Peacock, Kendra Eisel, and Dayna Himan) beautifully decorated the Westin’s Regatta Room with Grove memorabilia, showcasing the school’s journey of co-education. The evening was not just an anniversary of co-education, but a celebration of the visionaries who sought to move Lakefield College School to co-education, the staff who helped support the transition, the alumni who persevered through the awkward first days of co-education, and the students who continue the traditions today.

Head of School David Thompson welcomed the guests on behalf of The Grove and shared his personal support of the decision to turn to co-education 20 years ago. While many people endorsed The Grove’s move to co-education, he commented on the tensions that surrounded this decision. In a community as well loved as The Grove, monumental changes are often met with passionate discussion. Mr. Thompson read some of the letters of concern written to then Head of School David Hadden. The “Save Lakefield” campaign had vocal supporters, some of whom prophesized that the end was near for Lakefield College School. The countless students who have thrived in Lakefield’s co-ed environment are certainly proof that this prophesy was, thankfully, not fulfilled.

While the crowd of over 100 guests enjoyed a scrumptious dinner prepared by the Harbour Castle, former Head Student Patrick Marshall ’90 shared his memories of early days of co-education. Patrick recalled the awkward first senior dinner at the Head Master’s house. With girls on one side and boys on the other, literally ignoring each other; it appeared as though the journey could be rough. Patrick summed up the reaction as being afraid of change: "In the face of change, even though we may feel it will be positive, we retreat to the familiar." Patrick mentioned that when he visits the school now and sees all the beautiful buildings and wonderful improvements, he still chooses to visit the dingey, but unchanged, tunnels beneath the school. While the new additions to the school are impressive and can certainly be deemed as improvements, it is the familiarity of the tunnels that makes them appealing. It seems that while those early pioneers of co-education saw the value in co-education, it still took a while to emerge from their “tunnels.”

The boys and girls who led during those first years of co-education helped to ensure that LCS had a bright future, but maintained the important values of the past. By the time Lauren Allen ’03 became the first female co-head of school, the struggles of the past were largely forgotten. Lauren admitted that as a student, she never really gave co-education much thought. Champion athletes, Rhodes Scholars, Gold Duke of Edinburgh award winners ... on many occasions Lakefield’s female students have done the school proud. Lauren commented that there were many fine examples, both male and female, for new students to look up to and that values of trust, leadership, and challenge remain a part of Lakefield, much as they seem to have been throughout the school’s history.

The highlight of the night was most certainly the student involvement. Co-Head students Marshall Slipp and Cameron Boland accompanied fellow students Emily Keating, Ryan Kinslow, Christine Davidson, James MacDonald, Michael Casson, and Anna Heffernan to the event. The students mingled and updated alumni and parents with what was happening at Lakefield these days.

When Assistant Head: School Life, John Runza took to the podium to “announce” that Lakefield would soon be adding a co-ed residence, it was the students who lead the crowd in a passionate debate. Providing arguments ranging from boys’ inability to concentrate on studies with girls in the residence to the need for girls to have a civilizing influence on boys’ behaviour, the students passionately argued their sides. While only the students were invited to speak, the audience had their voices heard when they overwhelmingly voted in favour of co-ed residences. The debate was all in good fun and there are no real plans for a co-ed residence, but it was interesting to note that the arguments used in the debate were almost exactly the same as the arguments for and against co-education some 20 years ago.

I’ve heard it said that LCS stands for Let’s Change Something. What will the next big change at LCS be? Only time will tell, but much as the decision to turn to co-education, all changes come with excitement, trepidation, and challenges. One thing is certain, The Grove is a place where students gain the confidence and skills needed to defend what they believe in, face challenges head on and adapt to change. Without a doubt the integrity of The Grove will always be protected by those who have felt the Lakefield Difference.