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Message from the Head of School & Chair of the Board of Governors
We write this report at the conclusion of a positive and exciting school year. In 2023-2024, students were challenged and engaged in the classroom, and voluntary involvement in co-curricular activities was at an all-time high. There was a vibrant and infectious energy on campus. Students’ words of gratitude at graduation ceremonies reflected a deep appreciation for our school’s high standards and broad slate of interesting opportunities that help them grow, flourish, and thrive.
Significant efforts were undertaken by the school’s Board of Governors and senior leadership team to define the pathway to full independence, which included establishing a new private pension for our faculty and staff. Additionally, they were tasked with conducting a thorough selection process for a new head of school for the 2025-2026 academic year. The selection committee, led by former Board chair Doug Lewin ’87, worked with a professional firm experienced in international head of school searches. Fittingly, our sitting deputy head, Mark Salkeld, clearly demonstrated that he is the best person to become LCC’s eighth head of school starting in July 2025. With over 20 years of experience at LCC as a teacher and administrator, he is a natural fit for this position.
The decision to become fully independent came after much analysis, planning and reflection. Although the school will forego significant government funding, this is the price of true independence. For the first time in 30 years, we will choose who we accept based on our own admission standards; we will no longer be constrained by government language regulations. This will allow the school to promote greater diversity in our student body, including welcoming francophones and allophones who were previously blocked from applying.
In October, the world and the school were significantly impacted by the massacre carried out by Hamas in Israel. In the months following, as the war escalated, we helped our students navigate the complexities of this global conflict. These disturbing events reinforced the important connection between local and international communities. As a global school, continuing to develop awareness and empathy are integral to meeting our educational mission.
The Board also worked closely with the senior leadership team to deliver key elements of our 2022–2027 strategic plan, Stride Forward Boldly. Details of our achievements are outlined at lcc.ca/strideforwardboldly. Together, the elements in this plan are key enhancements that differentiate LCC from other schools in Montreal.
On the academic front, the bilingual Junior School focused on literacy, collaboration skills and foundational learning skills. In Middle School, students were introduced to the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP), an enriching global framework for learning that goes well beyond the Quebec curriculum. The MYP is completed in grade 10 and students continue on to the IB Diploma Programme in grades 11 and 12, with external global IB exams in grade 12. After a full decade as an IB World School, we are confident that teaching and learning at LCC reflect best practices and are integral to our commitment to be Montreal’s leading global school.
On the co-curricular landscape, students flourished at a level not witnessed since before the pandemic. We won a record number of boys’ and girls’ athletic championships, including Juvenile Football, RSEQ Juvenile Boys Hockey, Bantam Boys Basketball, and both Montreal and Quebec Provincial Juvenile Girls Basketball titles (see pp. 42–45 of the athletic highlights). It was truly an outstanding year in competitive sports! Student involvement in the arts was also notable and memorable. This included several colourful and creative plays, an art vernissage at the Alan Klinkhoff Gallery hosted by Alan ’70 and Craig Klinkhoff ’06 in downtown Montreal featuring works by our grade 11 and Pre-U students, and an impressive Senior Band of more that 100 committed musicians. On the east side of the street, the Centre for Discovery and Fab Lab also provided a unique venue for student inventiveness. It is a true pleasure to watch the level of student creativity that our programs have inspired on our campus.
With our motto of Non Nobis Solum, service is a key part of every student’s experience. Tens of thousands of dollars were raised by students to fight cancer and hunger, and support a host of international causes. Students were also involved in active service, volunteering and exploring the non-profit sector in our city. Special thanks to faculty, staff, students, and parents for engaging in communityoriented initiatives that reflect our core value of kindness.
LCC continued to carry out its DEI action plan through a deeper exploration and understanding of many diverse cultures that make up the fabric of our school, city, and nation. This was reinforced by the ever-present global lens which is a key part of the IB framework in all classes from grades 7 to Pre-U. A special focus on better understanding First Nations’ heritage and reconciliation with First Peoples also remains a key part of our commitment to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at LCC. Working more closely with leaders and elders from Kahnawake has made all the difference.
On the advancement front, we held many events that helped to strengthen our community in Montreal and beyond. Our commitment to enriching our school community through philanthropy was evident with significant participation in the annual fund and our third Rock Your House Giving Challenge, which raised funds for an outdoor learning and social space on the east side of Royal.
Our Power of Possibilities Bursary Campaign has added 47 named bursaries since its launch in 2017, including three new bursaries initiated in 2023–2024 by generous donors in our LCC community. This has helped to broaden our applicant pool and significantly diversify our school.
Our personal thanks to the many professionals and volunteers for their invaluable dedication, creativity, and ingenuity. We also thank the Board of Governors for their deep commitment to the school and, in particular, John Antoniou ’84, Constance Guindo and Caitlin Rose ’99 who completed their service to the Board at the end of the last school year. These three individuals have made outstanding contributions to LCC.
All the elements outlined here have contributed to strengthening a positive and supportive school culture. LCC students have access to a wide array of ageappropriate opportunities that help to build skills, confidence, character, and cultural awareness.
DAVID BENSADOUN ’87, Pre-U ’88 Chair, Board of Governors
CHRISTOPHER SHANNON, Pre-U ’76 Head of School
THE LCC BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2023–2024
Chair
David Bensadoun ’87, Pre-U ’88
Members
Jason Ades ’02
David Amiel
John Antoniou ’84
Andrea Arthurs
Kristina Ashqar ’02, Pre-U ’03
Ryan Blatt ’89
Pascale Boyer
Keren Dolan
Laurence Duguay
Sheri Elefant
Harley Greenspoon ’90
Constance Guindo
Karyn Lassner
Mark Pascal ’92
Costa Ragas ’01, Pre-U ’02
Caitlin Rose ’99