Staff Successes Over Summer Break

By Ms. M. MacMillan, Communications Director 

Congratulations to the following staff members (and honourary staff member) on their recent awards and accomplishments. WPGA is a talented community, for sure! 

Ms. Carolyn Thompson 
This summer, senior school receptionist Ms. Carolyn Thompson added more hardware to her collection of rowing medals. Competing at the World Masters Games in Lago di Candia, Italy, Ms. Thompson won gold medals in both her rowing events, singles 1000-metres and pairs 1000-metres. Ms. Thompson, who trains at the Vancouver Rowing Club in Coal Harbour, plans to compete at the next World Master Games in 2017 in New Zealand, but will take a break from intense training for the rest of the year. Ms. Thompson took up rowing in 2004, and despite the often arduous training, loves all aspects of the sport, from the physical and mental rewards to the collegiality among her teammates and fellow rowers. 

Ms. Heather Thompson 
From athlete to author, Ms. Heather Thompson, our primary PE teacher, had a chapter published in Playing It Forward: 50 Years of Women and Sport in Canada, a new book about women in sport. The book, which includes chapter submissions by Hayley Wickenheiser, Sylvie Beliveau and Silken Laumann, details the "struggles and successes of athletes and the many women working behind the scenes who created opportunities for girls and women to play." (source)

In her chapter, Ms. Thompson reflects on the role models who inspired her to push for women's lacrosse at the university level in Ontario. Thanks to Ms. Thompson's leadership, female lacrosse players in Ontario can now play (and coach) at Canadian universities or accept lacrosse scholarships at American colleges. She credits her mentors, Dr. Lori Livingston, now Dean of Physical Education at Lakehead University, and Joanne Stanga, former national lacrosse coach, with helping to raise Canada's profile in women's lacrosse on the international stage.

[Editor's Note: There must be something about the name "Thompson" that produces such athleticism, but no, our two "Thompson" staff members aren't related!]

Mr. Bramwell Tovey 

It's a hint someone is accomplished or notable when he has his own Wikipedia entry. Mr. Bramwell Tovey, music director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and longtime supporter of our fine and performing arts department, has made his Wikipedia page even longer with his recent appointment to the Order of Canada. (If the name seems even more familiar, Mr. Tovey is husband to Ms. Lana Penner-Tovey, our Fine and Performings Arts Director, and father to WPGA students Jessica and Emma.)