Annual Report 2015–16
What do parents value about an
Ashbury education? Ashbury is developing the child as a learner, leader, contributor, and citizen.
Diversity of the student body, quality of teachers.
The fact that students get the chance to focus on what they are interested in, and choose their subjects based on those interests. Ashbury also offers a lot of programs and co-curriculars that no other school has available.
A global perspective and high academic standards. Students know they will be the leaders of tomorrow.
I value the small class sizes, the individual attention and support provided by the dedicated teachers and the excellent preparation for university. Comments from the 2016 Constituent Survey
Message from the Head of School
The 2015–16 retrospective is one for which we can all take some measure of pride. Student achievement, broadened perspectives and community engagement were all a part of an impressive year. Whether it is new families coming on board, students progressing from Junior to Senior School, or graduates navigating their pathway to university studies, students remain at the centre of the Ashbury experience. As a school, we are also tasked with stewarding our resources in responsible ways, and developing our facilities for future students. Here we have also made headway with prudent financial management and continued improvements to our beautiful campus. Chaque année, nous nous rassemblons en juin afin de souligner les progrès de nos élèves—une fois encore nous avons vécu une année pleine d’activités : dans les salles de classe, avec les équipes sportives, dans les arts et par nos engagements communautaires. The spirit of a year at Ashbury is captured in a number of ways: challenging academics, vibrant arts and culture, fierce and friendly athletic competition, and an outward view of the world. Record IB enrollment, increased course offerings, Ashbury’s first ever TEDx event with its theme of the pursuit of progress, the sponsoring of a Syrian refugee family to Ottawa, a SMART Science research team pursuing the potential of P19 as a suppressor of protein diseases, national math contests, an international debating competition, youth philanthropy. and many guest speakers are just a sampling of our growing intellectual culture. This annual report provides a snapshot of progress made on our strategic priorities and a sense for where we are heading in the current school year. The success of any school is attributed to many in its community: students, teachers, leadership and administrative teams, board, foundation, donors, parents and alumni. Merci à tous et à toutes! Probitas, Comitas, Virtus, Norman Southward Head of School
Message from the Board Chair
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to report that the school is thriving with full enrollment, growing waiting lists, record retention, and an enviable boarding program that draws high achievers from 26 countries. We have a 100% graduation and university acceptance rate, as in past years. Our finances are strong, with no debt, and a growing endowment and fundraising program. Educating our children is part science, part art and not everything we do is visible or can be readily counted. The full value of what we achieve rests, in part, in how we achieve it, and the culture of continuous improvement we bring to each school day. Our enrollment is enviable, but our true achievement is in how we have grown our financial aid program so every boy or girl with merit and potential can access an Ashbury education. We track value and efficiency in everything we do. We are halfway through the implementation of our 2014–2019 Strategic Plan. In it, we made a commitment to becoming the recognized home of excellent teachers and teaching. Plans are underway to enhance our science labs and strengthen targeted school programs. Financial strength and leadership strength, including governance, will remain on the Board’s agenda, as always. From a two-room school with 17 students in 1891, mostly English boys from establishment homes, we have become one of Canada’s leading independent schools with 700 boys and girls from over 60 countries. It befits us as a school in the nation’s capital to model the best in Canadian pioneering spirit and multicultural outlook. This, we do. I want to thank our Head, leadership team, faculty, staff, my Board colleagues, and all the parent and alumni volunteers for another successful year. Meena Roberts Chair, Ashbury Board of Governors
Message from the Foundation Chair
The Ashbury College Foundation is proud to oversee a growth plan for our endowment that will support an enriched aid program to expand access to students. We are pleased to report that Ashbury’s endowment fund is being stewarded well. Last year, Ashbury offered half a million dollars to prospective and current students, and we are moving toward our goal of having 10% of the student body on financial assistance. These strengths would not be possible without the hard work of many Ashbury volunteers, staff and the Advancement team. Thank you to everyone who supports the school—and thereby its students. Your confidence will allow us to build on our 125 years of excellence, and will allow us to flourish far into the future. David Pigott ’79 Chair, Ashbury College Foundation Board
The Ashbury College Foundation invests in school improvements, including the new fitness centre, which opened for student use last year.
$981,541 in annual gifts received $11.5 million endowment fund
Students are immersed in a culture where it is “cool” to do well. – Ashbury faculty member
Graduates with their diplomas at Closing.
Strategic Plan Goal: One
Develop our culture of excellence and innovation in teaching and learning 100% of graduates entering university; 86% of graduates admitted to their first-choice university; 78% of graduates received post-secondary scholarships 94% of Ashbury community would recommend school to others 65% of graduating class received either a full IB diploma or certificate Average IB score of 33 (compared to world average of 30) 40% of graduates headed into the arts; 35% science; 23% business; 2% fine art Top university choices: University of Toronto (28), Queen’s University (17), UK and international (17), McGill University (16), U.S. (12) Development of new timetable based on leading practices in teaching & learning PD focus on Ministry compliance / Assessment & Evaluation Practices Extension of innovative classroom practices through 1-1 program Marketing of ”Option Bilingue” in Junior School effective 2016–17
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Having well-rounded students is very important, particularly in the way it helps them foster empathy for a wider range of people. – Ashbury faculty member
School co-captains Jasmine Mussani and Anthony Cui.
Strategic Plan Goal: Two
Enrich each student’s unique personal growth and character development within our coeducational environment 26 nationalities represented in boarding population Over 50 nationalities in student body 54 / 46 split of male and female students Emphasis on IB Learner Profile across Junior and Senior School programs and framework for character development initiatives 9 NCSAA championship medals; 7 OFSAA medals Round Square membership opportunities expanded school wide Student leadership model and opportunities expanded CAS (Creativity, Action & Service) extended beyond IB to include service learning for all grade levels
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[Financial assistance] kids enrich Ashbury and truly make it a better place to grow up and a better institution of learning. – Ashbury student
Student volunteers at an admissions information session.
Strategic Plan Goal: Three
Expand access to an Ashbury education for students with merit and potential through a meaningful financial assistance program $500,000 of financial assistance offered to students from multiple sources, including endowment, flow-throughs and operations Moving towards goal of 10% of students on meaningful financial assistance Regularly reviewed admissions and marketing strategies and positive admissions results 125th Advancement priority on financial assistance
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The experience of living with so many different cultures and the commitment of the teachers and the Ashbury staff to support the students was exceptional. – Ashbury alumnus
Global Politics students attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Trudeau.
Strategic Plan Goal: Four
Leverage our stakeholder and community connections to enrich the student experience 31% of teachers with international experience 23% of students participated in an international exchange or service 20% of parent population volunteers at school 12 alumni receptions at locations around the globe to celebrate our 125th anniversary; active 125th outreach to alumni and community Partnerships established with Uniterra Volunteer Program, Students on Ice and the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (RSI) launched
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It was practical, at a good standard and there was a good ambiance and environment for working. – Parent of Ashbury summer program student
Bubble soccer at Ashbury’s summer camp.
Strategic Plan Goal: Five
Manage our resources for long-term sustainability Expanded summer program offerings New focus areas for facilities renewal identified, including science and innovation and heritage elements Opening of The Chris and Mary Taggart Fitness Centre Global Financial Plan developed for long-range planning and program assessment conducted for sustainability Maple Residence aquisition Risk management oversight at board and operational levels
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Ashbury Donors
We thank our donors and partners for their ongoing support of our programs over the past year. Founders Circle $10,000+
Headmasters Circle $1,000+
Anonymous Ashbury College Guild Rob Ashe and Sandra Herrick Brown’s Fine Food Services Inc. Doherty & Associates Co. Ltd. Philip and Beata Garel-Jones John and Crickett Lindgren Duncan MacTavish ’66 Anil and Monica Mital Sean Murray ’82 and Jamilah Taib-Murray Anthony and Rosemary Nichols Scott ’88 and Tracy Parkes Ned ’55 and Liz Rhodes John and Jennifer Ruddy Richard and Michelle Sachs The Shi Family Chris and Mary Taggart Mike ’90 and Angela Taggart Dr. George Tawagi and Francine Belleau Teron Family Foundation Kathryn Tremblay and Antonio Guimaraes Debbie and David Weinstein Michael and Jacqui Wilson Gary and Lisa Zed
Anonymous Dogan and Elizabeth Akman Beverley Armitage and Ian Rhodes Steven and Krista Barban John and Maria Bassi C. Winston Bennett ’99 William ’57 and Joan Birbeck Stephen Bleeker and Janice McDonald Guy and Elspeth Blondin Drs. James Carere and Nathalie Teboul Chow Family Foundation Stephen and Kerry deBlois Yanping and Chuankun Deng Carol Devenny and Grant McDonald Jill and David Dickinson Richard and Michelle Dixon John ’82 and Martha Drake Parmoun Eatemadi and Shahram Zolfaghari Dr. Margaret Ann Fraser Sandy Fusaro and Dr. William Butterfield Elizabeth Giles Ken and Jacqueline Guarisco Christopher Hampson ’48 David Henley and Nadine Sandercock Rick and Catherine Hunter Douglas Kennedy and Lynn Beckett Ryan and Cindy Keon Andrew Kriegler ’82 Dennis and Andrea Laurin Dr. Minh Leha and Anh Tuyet Nguyen Albert Lightstone and Kirsten Torgersrud
Governors Circle $5,000+ Anonymous Bryan Altshuller and Sheryl Blumenthal Kevin Bon ’92 Dr. John and Gloria Connelly Drs. Michael and Karen Fung Kee Fung Lisa Hunt Sir Michael ’51 and Sibyl Marshall Jim Smellie ’67 and Cathy Fulton
Kim Ling Drs. Anne Lui and David Schramm Charlie Maclaren ’71 Manulife Financial Maxway Education Group Limited Karen McAndrew Michael and Heidi McSweeney Benjamin Merkley ’95 and Véronique French Merkley Claudine Michaud and Dr. Adnan Hadziomerovic Leslie Miles and Greg Kozlowski Aniz Mussani and Candy Wu Timothy Orr and Lori O’Neill David ’79 and Janet Pigott Roen President and Lucia Fevrier-President Leslie and Meredithe Rechan Michael Robinson and M.L. Walsh Marcel and Leanne Ruzicka Scotiabank Charles Sezlik ’86 Dr. Maneesh and Menisha Sharma Norman and Anna Southward Randy Stringer ’88 Ahmed and Mashooda Syed Onari and Gregory Tafri Ronald and Amy Tomlinson Top Marks Ross and Mary Ann Varley Sarah and Michael Waters Steven Williams and Dr. Melissa Forgie Mr. Yi Hao Yang and Ms. Fang Fang Chen Noriko Yoshizawa and Jose Urena
Housemasters Circle $500+ Alison and John Baizana Neil Charbonneau ’94 Anton Cheng
Dr. Omer and Fedwa Choudhri Sarah Connelly ’95 and Duong Nguyen Dan and Liz Craigen Jacques and Iris Daigle Margot and Karl-Heinz Frank Alan Gill ’62 John H. Gill ’52 David Graham and E. Ann Moran Lorenzo Hernandez and Virginia Villalobos Bruce Hillary ’57 Peggy Joyce Paul Kadziora ’80 Tai ge Li ’16 Rob Marland and Jane Forsyth Tam and Jan Matthews Janet McKeage and Mike Pennell Alex Milroy Bruce and Kelly Mutch Bryan and Cathy McLean Terrence and Jennifer Ratigan Alice Sears Patrick Smith and Lori Assheton-Smith Denise and Eugene Wai Yuchun and Jianyong Zhang Guoqing Zhao and Xiaohui Hu Li and Zhicheng Zhou Min Zhu
Donors Anonymous Shahram Akhavan and Banafcheh Youssefi Andre Albinati Dr. David Allan and Dr. Lisa Becker Allan Armen Ashekian ’97 Jannine Atkinson Carolina Baars
Juhong Bai and Kai Zhang Dave Beedell ’80 Jeff Beedell Andres Beltran ’96 and Kerry Starr ’96 John and Aline Bethune Ole Book ’54 Carol and John Boone ’56 Pierre Boulet and Rosemary Thompson Ingrid Boyd W. Ross Brown ’79 and Toni Tothill-Brown Dr. Chris and Donna Carruthers Guang and Feng Chen Kent Cook ’61 Timothy Coristine ’62 Qiao Di and Yanhong Xu Robert ’62 and Mary Pat Dickson Dr. George and Luminita Dumitrascu Eagle Eye Entertainment Earnscliffe Strategy Group Dina and Ahmed El Demellawy Estate of Kevin C Pendergrast David Fair ’48 Mostafa and Yassaman Fallah Terence Finlay ’56 Sabrina and Kin Fong Fabricio and Carola Foresti Pedram Fouladirad and Fatemeh Ladan Zoka Steven and Jennifer Garland Aurelie and Fabien Gaussorgues Drs. Alain and Stephanie Gauthier Lee Goodwin Cathy, Joshua ’99 and Stuart ’03 Gray Jeffrey and Karen Haebe Imtiaz and Andleeb Haider Brad Hampson ’82 Sarah-Jane Harriz Ross and Michelle Holman Kari and Eugene Howard Col. Richard Humbert ’52
James Hyjek and Anna Kwiatkowska Ranbir Jande and Vinita Chauhan Hugh Johnson ’64 Craig Kamcke ’55 Bob Kenny ’72 James A. Kenny ’02 Michael King and Family Eiko and Tadashi Komori Stanley and Lynda Kurylowicz Jon and Monica Landon Michel Landry Lan and Gang Li Alana Lobb Tessa Lyons-Laing Minghe and Shujuan Lyu Bryan MacKinnon Rev. Arthur MacRae ’49 Satoko Matsumoto Beverley and James McMillan Laura Miles Paul and Isabelle Moen Chantal and St-Juste Momprevil Shauna Monaghan Andy and Tori Moore Sean and Tracy Murphy Roy, Dorothy, Jillian ’90 and Julie ’92 Napier Jonathan David Nelson Tui Noonan and Alex ’02 Noonan Geoff Norquay Anthony Paish ’50 Robert and Flavia Perrin Betty and Myron Pinnell Jeremy Pottinger Dr. Jane Prud’homme and Paul Lepsoe Kazi Tauhidur and Rowena Rahman Padme Raina John and Megan Richardson Kaveh ’82 and Caroline ’83 Rikhtegar Victor Rivers ’58 Conor Robertson
Nobina and Keith Robinson Hugh ’88 and Sally Scott Tait Simpson ’00 Marilynne Sinclair Alexander Smirnov and Ekaterina Smirnova Marla and John Smith Arthur and Adrienne Smith-Windsor Jacqui Squires Dejan and Danijela Stojanovic Stephen Suh ’79 Bo and Xiaodong Sun Ian Tattersfield ’06 Matthew Tattersfield ’96 Tony and Sharleen Tattersfield and Family Ross Tavel Greg Taylor ’96 Chris ’76 and Dr. Louisa Teron Rick and Christine Tordon Chapman, Victorine and Illesha ’10 Uko Natalya and Vladimir Ustimenko Guy and Elizabeth Valentine
J. Herman Van Roijen ’82 Paul Vandenberg Phil Ventura and Élise Dhaussy Donna and Obbe Vermeij Ling and Weidong Wang Xiao Mei and Alex Wang Matt Wearring George Weber William Weeks ’51 Bruce Weiner ’71 Patrick Welsh ’02 Gerry Wharton ’52 Mike Widdrington ’56 Vicky Wilgress and Tyler Wilgress’03 Olusegun and Olaposi Williams Todd Williamson ’82 John Woods ’48 Stephen Woollcombe ’57 Jennifer Wright and Neale Gillespie Kendal Young
Ashbury Partners
OTTAWA LUXURY PROPERTIES
Mark of Excellence !
The universities that will benefit from the global perspectives of our 2016 graduates
Our Vision We strive to embrace innovation in teaching and learning; to create new opportunities for students to connect with others within Canada’s capital region, nationally and internationally; to attract students ready to be challenged by an enriched curriculum; and to prepare students to contribute to a better world.
Our Mission Our mission is to engage students in a dynamic learning environment and inspire them to become intellectually curious, compassionate and responsible citizens.
Our Values Academic Excellence Our enriched academic programs promote critical thinking, creativity and the pursuit of knowledge in preparing students for success in university and in life. Our teachers thrive within a culture of innovation and creativity in teaching and learning excellence and are committed to continuous improvement.
Community The spirit of Ashbury is characterized by enthusiasm and cooperation and based on strong and productive relationships among students, staff, alumni and parents. Our caring coeducational community offers a safe, structured environment in which students and staff members are encouraged to reach their potential.
Character Development We foster ethical and spiritual growth in a community founded on mutual respect. Our students and staff act with integrity and compassion. Ashbury provides an environment that supports constructive debate, allows time for reflection, and encourages community involvement and personal responsibility.
Personal Growth Athletics, the arts, outdoor education, spirituality and service to others drive our students to take risks and to strive for excellence. They learn about the importance of commitment and collaboration. Participation leads to the development of healthy, self-confident, resilient individuals with strong leadership skills and balanced lives.
International Engagement As an IB World School located in the heart of Canada’s bilingual capital city and profiting from a culturally diverse community, we foster students who are open-minded to the perspectives, values and traditions of all cultures and who act with international understanding and global responsibility. We share a spirit of outreach locally, nationally and globally and seek partnerships to enhance our learning.
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