We are very excited to welcome Anna Baird from the Class of 2003 to York House on April 18th. Join Anna, Global Client Executive at LinkedIn to learn about the digital guidance she gives her clients when it comes to LinkedIn and using the power of your network.
Anna will explore the ways that you can brand, educate and position yourself for your career aspirations.
Yorkies, this is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to get a job, get the next job, get a client, keep a client, or just to understand how to best present yourself on LinkedIn.
Presentation will be from 7-8pm followed by a networking reception.
Click here to read more about Anna and the conference she’s speaking at in Whistler on Thursday, April 20th.
The annual long table dinner at the Irish Heather pub hosted by the YHS Alumnae Association was held on Wednesday evening, March 29th and attracted alumnae from as recent as 2016 all the way back to 1975. It was a very enjoyable evening with many conversations and new connections made.
Dr. Robyn Woodward ‘72 in Sevilla la Nueva, the 16th century capital of Jamaica, excavating a sculptor’s workshop, which she describes as a “16,000 piece jigsaw puzzle with no picture on the box!”
Dr. Robyn Woodward ’72 recently came back to York House to share her amazing and evolving career path in Senior School Assembly. A fourth generation Vancouverite and a second generation Yorkie, Robyn is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Archaeology Department at Simon Fraser University where she frequently teachers a third year course in Maritime Archaeology and numerous courses in continuing education.
After only a few minutes into her presentation, it was evident that Robyn has taken lifelong learning to new heights. Driven by her passion for archaeology, art and adventure, she has chartered her course to be able to explore these all over the world. At least two months a year, she can be found lecturing on expedition ships from the Canadian Arctic to the Mediterranean while also directing work at archaeological sites in Jamaica.
“I graduated from Queens University in 1977 with a BA (Hons) in the History of Art with a minor in Classical Studies. The interdisciplinary nature of humanities, the study of philosophy, religion, history, art and culture, have been a huge influence throughout my career. As I loved art and archaeology, I pursued a second undergraduate degree, a BSc (Hons) in Art Conservation and Restoration of Archaeological Materials at the University College in Cardiff, Wales.”
Robin as a conservation intern working in Bodrum, Turkey
Robyn shared that after graduation in 1979, she ran up against the age old conundrum ‘You can’t get a job unless you have experience and you can’t get experience unless you have a job.’ Her solution was to volunteer. “I took up an internship with the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA) in Bodrum, Turkey. The experience was invaluable. Internships open doors to a whole network of people and possibilities. In my case it sent me off along a slightly different career path, the study of maritime archaeology.”
In 1980 Robyn enrolled at Texas A & M University in a new master’s program in Nautical Archaeology, which at the time was the only place in the world that offered such a degree. There are now a number of such programs (see links below).
“In the summer of 1981, I joined a team of fellow graduate students in Jamaica. This turned into a 12-year project to excavate the submerged pirate city of Port Royal, Jamaica. Several years later, I returned to Jamaica to do my research for my doctoral studies at the same site that I studied for my MA. Sevilla la Nueva is the early 16th century Spanish capital of Jamaica, which was founded by Christopher Columbus’ son, Diego Colon in 1509 and was abandoned in 1534. I excavated the first sugar mill in the New World, sugar being the industry that changed the demographics of the Americas, as it was the driver for the African slave trade. I still direct the work at this site and over the past 10 years have excavated an abbey, settler’s houses, a butchery and a 16th century sculptor’s workshop.”
An exciting five-year stint followed where Robyn worked in the Grand Caymans in the submarine tourism business. In 1989, she returned to Vancouver to restart her career. “I did so by first volunteering with organizations which had an affinity with my interests in maritime history and archaeology, the Vancouver Maritime Museum (VMM), and the Underwater Archaeological Society of BC (UASBC).” Robyn went on to serve on many boards including MOSAIC, the York House School Foundation, and the Vancouver Richmond Health Board (now part of Vancouver Coastal Health). In 2000, Robyn was awarded the YWCA Women of Distinction Community Volunteer Award.
Robyn carrying out an Institute of Nautical Archaeology survey of the paddle ships of the Klondike Gold Rush that she has been working on for the past 10 years
“Throughout my career, I have embraced the notion that learning is a lifelong activity. I had began a PhD at Simon Fraser University in Archaeology in late 1999 and re-focused my volunteer activities to serve on committees and boards of the professional societies in my own discipline, the Archaeological Institute of America and the Society for Historical Archaeology, and its Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology. I completed my PhD in 2007.
Pursuing volunteering opportunities has always opened doors to a vast array of new possibilities. While serving on the board of Vancouver Maritime Museum 20 years ago, I volunteered to do a one-week cruise up the coast of BC to present a few talks on the history of the province and Canada. When the company Lindblad Expeditions needed a historian/archaeologist to lecture on their first cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean, I raised my hand again. Over the last 16 years, I have become the company’s Mediterranean/maritime expert. I now spend two months a year lecturing on their many small expedition ships. As Lindblad also does all the cruises for National Geographic, it is safe to say that I am constantly challenged with new learning opportunities. In addition to my work with Lindblad Expeditions, I have a speaker’s agent who offers me opportunities to travel as an enrichment speaker on a number of different cruise lines, which enables me to travel the world for free – kind of a dream job!”
Robyn leading a tour on a camel
In closing, Robyn offered a few tips to charter a dream career:
Dare to be bold and take chances by trying something new;
Volunteer as a means to try out a career in a new field or profession before committing to a four-year degree in a subject;
Learn to write well! Regardless if you study sciences, engineering, accounting or humanities, if you are unable to describe, interpret or clarify what you have designed or discovered clearly and concisely, you will be at a disadvantage; and,
Pursue the field or profession that you are passionate about!
In 2010, Robyn was awarded the YHS Janet Ruth Mitchell Founders Spirit Award, which is presented to an alumna who has demonstrated significant and outstanding spirit and passion in her life’s work. In 2012, she received the Archaeological Institute of America’s McCann Taggart Distinguished Lectureship in Underwater Archaeology.
To learn more about underwater archaeology go to the Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology, especially the tab on Education and Careers http://acuaonline.org and the
Institute of Nautical Archaeology http://nauticalarch.org
For careers in expedition travel go to Lindblad Expeditions http://expeditions.com
The Yorkies in Kingston were delighted to see us and it was great to catch up with everyone over a delicious dinner. The new grads are settling in well and thankful to have each other. Our Chapter Chair, Vanessa Samuel ’13 has done a fabulous job of hosting events over the past few years for the new grads and it was great to see her. Vanessa has plans to apply to medical school at UBC so this is most likely her last term as chapter chair.
The train journey to London seemed very long the following day and it was a relief to get there and enjoy dinner with our small group of Yorkies. Skylar Gordon from the Class of 2014 has kindly taken on the role of chapter chair and we’re very grateful to her. The new grads haven’t had a get-together yet but Skylar is planning one very soon. Skylar talked about her community service work with the Habitat for Humanity organization and her annual trips to New Orleans with a group of students from Western.
From London, we headed to Toronto and to Golnar Khosrowshahi’s home for the YHS reunion. Golnar from the Class of 1989 always does an amazing job hosting this event and we always feel very welcomed and cared for. She’s a very humble person and doesn’t like to talk about herself. We had to fill in the gaps for everyone!
Laura Edwards ’74, Executive Director Advancement joined us in Toronto and it was also wonderful to see Maxine Bass ’65 and everyone else who came along that evening. The Class of 2016 girls bravely paid tribute to their friend Kendra who had passed away recently.
Onto Halifax I went for the very first get-together of the YHS Alumnae Chapter – Maritimes. Alix Lammie ’11 kindly met me at the hotel before heading to our gathering and we were able to catch up. Alix is doing a Master of Science, Pharmacology and enjoying it. It was fantastic to see the girls and hear about their lives in Nova Scotia. Miranda MacDonald ’14 talked about her interest in applying for the veterinarian program at the University of Saskatchewan while Janet Suen ’13 is looking forward to finishing her degree and moving back to Vancouver. It was also so lovely to chat with Laura Abrioux ’14, who talked about her interest in public health policy. It was a short and sweet visit but a very worthwhile one.
This month, as we’ve been celebrating love in all its forms through Valentine’s Day and Pink Shirt Day, it’s heartening to remember that our school was founded on the values of kindness, friendship and appreciation of others.
When York House opened on September 7, 1932, Vice-Principal Janet Mitchell’s address from the founders to the students included the following words:
“We are particularly hopeful that you will be a friendly group, and that you will cultivate friendships with one another. This is essential to the growth of a school spirit. Let there be no lonely girls in our midst. Be kind to one another. Look for the best in each other — and you will be surprised how much happier you will be yourself.”
Janet Mitchell’s handwritten 1932 address
These words have just as much, if not more, relevance now as they did 85 years ago. Here’s to the enduring wisdom of our founders in emphasizing the importance of values that act as glue for our strong community and a recipe for happiness!
Ita Kane-Wilson and Ellie Zygmunt, admissions counsellor/mentorship coordinator travelled to Ottawa on January 23rd for dinner with alumnae. Chapter Chair Gillian (Johnson) Cartwright ’03 and Madeleine Lyons also from the Class of 2003 hadn’t seen each other since graduation so they had a lot to catch up on.
Madeleine was in flying form and regaled us with fascinating stories about her work with the Red Cross. She talked about her emergency preparedness kits and how she has three backpacks ready to go at all times; one in her car, one at home and one at work. She talked about how little containers of skin cream and lip balm are important as they make you feel semi-normal even though you’re in a crisis. Helen Cassie ’16 also joined us and she’s enjoying life in Ottawa and interning currently with Dr. Hedy Fry, MP for Vancouver Centre. It was also wonderful to see Taneisha Dunham ’15 and hear about her continued involvement with her sorority at Carleton. She also loves her volunteer work and feels blessed to have found her community there.
Onto Montreal from Ottawa and the weather was starting to deteriorate. The city endured a winter blizzard that morning but we were impressed with how quickly streets get cleared there. We met our recent grads at an Indian restaurant on Boulevard St. Laurent and after a delicious meal (along with the necessary leftover takeout bags!) and lots of chatter, we bundled ourselves back out into the cold and onto Kingston.
The Yorkies in Kingston were delighted to see us and it was great to catch up with everyone over a delicious dinner. The new grads are settling in well and thankful to have each other. Our Chapter Chair, Vanessa Samuel ’13 has done a fabulous job of hosting events over the past few years for the new grads and it was great to see her. Vanessa has plans to apply to medical school at UBC so this is most likely her last term as chapter chair.
The train journey to London seemed very long the following day and it was a relief to get there and enjoy dinner with our small group of Yorkies. Skylar Gordon from the Class of 2014 has kindly taken on the role of chapter chair and we’re very grateful to her. The new grads haven’t had a get-together yet but Skylar is planning one very soon. Skylar talked about her community service work with the Habitat for Humanity organization and her annual trips to New Orleans with a group of students from Western.
From London, we headed to Toronto and to Golnar Khosrowshahi’s home for the YHS reunion. Golnar from the Class of 1989 always does an amazing job hosting this event and we always feel very welcomed and cared for. She’s a very humble person and doesn’t like to talk about herself. We had to fill in the gaps for everyone.
Laura Edwards ’74, Executive Director Advancement joined us in Toronto and it was also wonderful to see Maxine Bass ’65 and everyone else who came along that evening. The Class of 2016 girls bravely paid tribute to their friend Kendra who had passed away recently.
Onto Halifax I went for the very first get-together of the YHS Alumnae Chapter – Maritimes. Alix Lammie ’11 kindly met me at the hotel before heading to our gathering and we were able to catch up. Alix is doing a Master of Science, Pharmacology and enjoying it. It was fantastic to see the girls and hear about their lives in Nova Scotia. Miranda MacDonald ’14 talked about her interest in applying for the veterinarian program at the University of Saskatchewan while Janet Suen ’13 is looking forward to finishing her degree and moving back to Vancouver. It was also so lovely to chat with Laura Abrioux ’14, who talked about her interest in public health policy. It was a short and sweet visit but a very worthwhile one.
Come and have breakfast with your fellow alumni parents! This is the YHS Alumnae Association’s 2nd annual alumni parents’ breakfast event and they are excited to see you.
If you’re a current parent and also a Yorkie, an alumna/alumnus who went to school here, you’re invited. Check your email. The invitation is there.
Send your RSVP to [email protected]
Time is ticking and it won’t be very long before the alumnae team heads east to the cold and snowy weather once again! Starting in Ottawa on January 23rd, we will also visit our alumnae in Montreal, Kingston, London, Toronto and for the first time in a long time, Halifax. We are looking forward to seeing as many alumnae for dinner as possible. Hurry up! If you haven’t sent us in your RSVP, please do so now to [email protected]
The train journey to London seemed very long the following day and it was a relief to get there and enjoy dinner with our small group of Yorkies. Skylar Gordon from the Class of 2014 has kindly taken on the role of chapter chair and we’re very grateful to her. The new grads haven’t had a get-together yet but Skylar is planning one very soon. Skylar talked about her community service work with the 
Onto Halifax I went for the very first get-together of the YHS Alumnae Chapter – Maritimes. Alix Lammie ’11 kindly met me at the hotel before heading to our gathering and we were able to catch up. Alix is doing a Master of Science, Pharmacology and enjoying it. It was fantastic to see the girls and hear about their lives in Nova Scotia. Miranda MacDonald ’14 talked about her interest in applying for the veterinarian program at the University of Saskatchewan while Janet Suen ’13 is looking forward to finishing her degree and moving back to Vancouver. It was also so lovely to chat with Laura Abrioux ’14, who talked about her interest in public health policy. It was a short and sweet visit but a very worthwhile one.
Onto Halifax I went for the very first get-together of the YHS Alumnae Chapter – Maritimes. Alix Lammie ’11 kindly met me at the hotel before heading to our gathering and we were able to catch up. Alix is doing a Master of Science, Pharmacology and enjoying it. It was fantastic to see the girls and hear about their lives in Nova Scotia. Miranda MacDonald ’14 talked about her interest in applying for the veterinarian program at the University of Saskatchewan while Janet Suen ’13 is looking forward to finishing her degree and moving back to Vancouver. It was also so lovely to chat with Laura Abrioux ’14, who talked about her interest in public health policy. It was a short and sweet visit but a very worthwhile one.
