Selwyn House School, established in 1908 and located in Westmount, QC, is an all-boys K-12 institution committed to academic excellence. Selwyn House will join the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) for their first season in the Eastern U17 division in 2024/25.
Established in 1908, Selwyn House School is an English independent boys’ K-12 college and university preparatory school, providing students with an enriched education of exceptional depth, scope and rigour in English and French. While at Selwyn House, students develop their critical and creative thinking and the ability to communicate ideas well. Selwyn House offers small classes and a vast selection of athletic pursuits, extracurricular activities, visual and performing arts, and experiential education opportunities such as outdoor education, service learning, and hands-on labs. The first cohort of the Pre-University (Pre-U) Grade 12 year at Selwyn House School began in August 2023. This new Grade 12 year corresponds to the final year of secondary education in North America (outside Quebec), qualifying students for direct entry to university studies worldwide.
Selwyn House School provides an enriching, safe and positive hockey experience by educating, encouraging, and developing all participants at all levels of the program, with a special emphasis on the elite offering from Grade 7-12. Our student-athletes will be successful leaders in sport, in the classroom, in the community and in the world. Selwyn House School Hockey strives to balance success in competition and academics while building pride and school spirit.
2024/25 CSSHL TEAMS
- Eastern U17
EDUCATION
- School Partners
- Our school is divided into the following sections: Elementary School (Grades K-6), Middle School (Grades 7-8), Senior School (Grades 9-11), and Pre-University (Grade 12).
- As part of the Quebec Association of Independent Schools (QAIS), Fédération des établissements d’enseignement privés (FEEP), Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS), National Association (NAIS), the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), International Boys’ School Coalition (IBSC), and the Independent Schools Experiential Education Network (ISEEN), Selwyn House engages in partnerships and cooperative efforts with similar private schools and educational institutions throughout North America in both French and English.
- What are some of the things your program does to provide educational support?
- Our focus remains on academics and character development first, coupled with hockey development and elite competition in order for our players to be ready for their journey as student-athletes at the university level.
- How are grades monitored and how often?
- Our academic calendar is structured around trimesters. Each trimester, students receive midterm and end-of-term report cards detailing their grades and overall academic performance. We also offer access to Learning Strategists who work with students who have Student Success Plans (SSPs) and consult with staff and parents on organisational skills, work habits and academic goals.
- Do you have an academic probation policy?
- Our goal is to support student-athletes as they continue to refine their hockey skill and progress towards opportunities in post-secondary education. On a case by case basis, failure to meet expectations may result in academic probation.
- How are courses and the graduation path for student athletes chosen?
- We strive to create a culture of excellence in which all coaches and student-athletes achieve their targets for success. We work with other areas of the school (ie, admissions) to ensure that student-athletes are offered acceptance and financial aid to the school in a timely manner.
- The College and University Advisor provides comprehensive and customised guidance to meet each student’s post-secondary aspirations. The advisor works with teachers, counsellors, learning strategists, coaches, and administrators to ensure students are selecting courses at each grade level that suit their strengths and abilities and to incorporate Academic and Career Guidance Content (ACGC) and Post-Secondary readiness workshops into the classroom.
STUDENT ATHLETE HEALTH
- How are injuries and sick student athletes monitored?
- At Selwyn House School, we prioritise the physical and emotional well-being of our athletes by providing comprehensive support services. Our team includes certified on-site athletic therapists, dedicated to injury assessment, rehabilitation, and ensuring coverage during training and games.
- In conjunction with our skilled athletic therapists, our staff receives specialised training on brain health from physicians associated with the Concussion Legacy Foundation. This training equips them to offer vital support to students in the crucial 48 hours following an injury, as well as to assess long-term risk factors.
- For example, we follow a concussion protocol where once concussion symptoms have subsided, a student will follow a return-to-learn protocol. Once that is complete, he may then proceed through a return-to-play protocol. This process involves gradually increasing cognitive and physical challenges in a systematic, stepwise fashion over the course of one to three weeks. If the student has symptoms at any time, he rests again until the symptoms stop. Then the student can resume the protocol on the level at which he was symptom-free.
- Moreover, in addition to our on-site athletic therapists, Selwyn House offers athletes access to mental health coaching provided by trained staff members and our on-site counsellor. We are committed to fostering both physical and mental well-being throughout our athletic community.
SCHEDULE
- What does the daily schedule look like for an SHS student athlete?
- Selwyn House School facilitates a three-term preparatory athletic model, requiring all Senior School students to participate in sports or recreation as part of their yearly physical education program. Athletic programming begins at 2:50 p.m., at least three times per week, after students have completed a full day of academic coursework from 8:10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Commitment to athletics requires 6-15 hours of weekly practice and competition (excluding travel and tournaments).
- What does the on and off ice training look like?
- Our on-ice training consists of seasonal workloads. In season, we practice as a team 3-4 times per week working on systems, skills, special teams and opposition preparedness. In addition we continue to monitor strength and conditioning with in-season dry land workouts.
- On-Ice Highlights
- On-Ice Highlights include showcases, tournaments, rivalry games, European and coast to coast trips. In the past highlights include championships and provincial qualification.
- Off-Ice Strength and Conditioning Highlights
- Off-Ice conditioning is run through our strength and conditioning coaches. Our athletes at the Varsity level go through a series of combined tests. These scores determine the areas that need to be enhanced. All athletes are provided a rigorous nutritional and strength and conditioning program for the summer. Our strength and conditioning on-site facility is open throughout the summer with coaches available to supervise and monitor the training program. Also, the same coaches have predetermined check-ins to support the students who may be out of town in the summer. We encourage our hockey players to participate in multiple sports that provide skill benefits through cross training. The majority of our top student athletes are two sport athletes.
- Other off-season highlights include a pre-season, early August training camp, 3 on 3 and skill development sessions.
FACILITIES
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- Our urban campus boasts an extensive array of facilities tailored to support a vibrant academic and extracurricular life. Its four academic buildings house a multitude of resources, including a dining hall/auditorium, black box theatre, library, two gymnasiums, climbing wall, workout facility, sports therapy room, music technology/media studio, maker space, four science labs, art room, classical music room, Student Success Centre, Student Leadership Centre, international foyer, and a students’ agora (presentation space).
- The campus also caters to the Pre-University students, providing them with a college-like atmosphere within a wing of one of Selwyn House School’s buildings. Here, Pre-U students enjoy two, state-of-the-art classrooms, a lounge, and a teachers’ office.
- To further enhance athletic endeavours, Selwyn House School offers top-notch, on-campus facilities. These include a state-of-the-art weight room, two full gyms, a physiotherapy clinic, IT support, HUDL assist, and dedicated meeting rooms. Additionally, Selwyn House leverages premier arenas, such as the McConnell Arena at McGill University, the Westmount Recreation Center with two ice pads, the Saint Charles Hibernia Arena, and the Gadbois Centre, to accommodate ice-dependent sports during the season.
- In collaboration with Hockey Etcetera, Selwyn extends its resources, granting access to two smaller rinks, a fully-equipped weight training facility, an athletic therapy clinic, and advanced video facilities. These comprehensive facilities ensure that athletes have the optimal environment to excel in their respective sports.
- What other facilities do you offer?
- We offer dedicated locker rooms, a private full equipped fitness centre, two regulation sized gymnasiums and access to other recreational facilities. Our administration offices are also located on-site.
- Facility Highlights
- On-campus facilities:
- State of the art weight room
- Two full gyms
- Physiotherapy clinic
- IT support
- HUDL assist
- Meeting rooms
- Off-campus facilities:
- McGill University McConnell Arena
- Westmount Recreation Center
- Desmarais Rink
- Molson Rink
- Saint-Charles Arena
- Gadbois Centre
- Hockey Etcetera
- On-campus facilities:
KEY STAFF
- Who are some of the key staff at SHS?
- Mike Maurovich, Director of Athletics
- Neil Banerjee, Head of Senior School
- Sophie Drisdelle, Athletic Therapist
- Rhiana Kestenbaum, Athletic Therapist
- Jennifer Peterman, College & University Advisor
- Clara Schultz, Athletics Administrative Assistant
CONTACT
- What is the best way to contact Selwyn House School?
- Website: https://www.selwyn.ca/about/contact-us
- Phone: +1 514-931-9481
