If you have questions about giving, want to learn more about specific funds, or would like to share your feedback on this newsletter or anything else, we’d love to hear from you in person or at advancement@mulgrave.com

Upcoming Excitement On The Horizon

We are so excited to invite you to this year’s premier fundraising event, Cirque de Nuit! Set against a stunning city backdrop, Cirque de Nuit promises to be an unforgettable evening where the elegance of Cirque du Soleil meets the playful spirit of a French cabaret. After years of anticipation, we can’t wait to gather our community for a night of celebration, connection, and surprise on May 9th at 6:00pm at The Park At the PARQ Rooftop & D/6

This signature event includes a fundraising component in support of Mulgrave’s Momentum Annual Fund, which directly supports the programmes and initiatives that enrich the Mulgrave experience for every learner. Tickets are on sale now! We hope you will join us. 

As we begin 2026 and welcome the Year of the Horse, we want to express our immense gratitude for your ongoing support. Your generosity has been instrumental, laying the strong groundwork that ensures another exciting year of advancement and success.​​​​

We are incredibly proud to celebrate two of our Grade 12 students from Afghanistan who recently received news of well-deserved scholarships to post-secondary institutions! Both joined Mulgrave in Grade 10, coming from varied backgrounds that led them through countries such as Pakistan and Turkey on challenging journeys, before ending up in Vancouver. From families deeply committed to the education of their daughters, both students have demonstrated incredible resiliency and determination as they settled into a new school and learning environment. As they graduate and launch into an exciting new phase of life, we congratulate them on their accomplishments. 

We extend a sincere thank you to all Mulgrave families who have supported these students, and others, through Momentum Financial Assistance Fund contributions. This collective effort has been vital in helping to make these educational dreams a reality.

Afghan Students Update​

Mulgrave Robotics is a team that competes in the FRC competition. The First Robotics Competition unites teams across the world and brings them together in different venues to battle it out in 3V3 style matches. Robots are designed, built, and coded by students and mentors to complete different tasks that earn them points in the competition. The specifics of the competition changes every year and are announced to students worldwide in January. Before the game has been revealed to the team, time is spent reaching out to different companies in search of support. Once the game for this year is revealed to the world, the team has 2-3 months to build and code a robot from the ground up, with the capability to score during matches. 

Last year, the Mulgrave Team competed in the following competitions:

• Canadian Pacific Regional (2025)
• Idaho Regional (2025)

This year, we are planning to enter the Canadian Pacific Regional competition again, and our results will determine our next entry. 

STP Course Update

As one of only four schools globally offering the groundbreaking IB Systems Transformation course, Mulgrave is pioneering a new way to solve real-world problems. This 300-hour transdisciplinary programme replaces two Standard Level courses, using systems thinking to bridge the gap between classroom theory and global impact. This year has been defined by a powerful blend of traditional learning and immersive, real-world engagement. 

In the classroom, students have gained valuable insight into global systems from experts within the Mulgrave parent community, including Rona Datta (Health Canada), Dr. Souvik Mitra (BC Children's/Women's Hospital), and Dr. Kevin Sabet (US drug policy advisor). These visits have provided unique perspectives on pressing issues, and underscored the importance of tapping into community wisdom.​

Virtual and in-person presentations from external experts have also added to the students’ appreciation of systemic complexities: Dr. Ruth Simons (Executive Director of the UNESCO Howe Sound Biosphere Society) highlighted how ecological and cultural revitalisation can happen through cross-sector collaboration, while Prof. Carlos Sucre (Energy Security at Georgetown University) explored the intersections of resource extraction, geopolitics, and sustainability in the Western Hemisphere. 

Beyond the classroom, experiential learning remains the heartbeat of the course. Students participated in extended stays designed for unscripted exposure to diverse environments and perspectives; this year’s journeys included five days in Rivers Inlet and three days in the Howe Sound. Looking ahead, the programme will expand further with a planned three-day immersion in the Fraser Valley in 2026.

By connecting with experts and immersing themselves in local issues and environments, our Systems Transformation students are not just studying theories; they are developing the collaborative skills and holistic mindsets required to navigate and shape the future.​

The new recording booth is officially set up in the PYP Makerspace! This dedicated, multi-use space marks a fantastic new avenue for our young creators. In addition to facilitating the recording of unique voiceovers and sound effects for green screen movie-making and animation, the booth will be central to our new podcasting initiatives. Students in Grades 3-5 will explore podcasting during their Units of Inquiry, and a collective Junior School podcast is currently in the works, empowering students to practice collaborative storytelling and master valuable production skills.

This project was made possible through the generosity of our community, specifically Momentum's Head's Priority Fund. Thanks to this vital support, our students now have access to this incredible resource, significantly expanding their creative and technological learning opportunities.
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In November, we welcomed Professor Po-Shen Loh from Carnegie Mellon University for a day of deep engagement that challenged our students, faculty, and families to rethink what it means to thrive in an AI-driven world.

His visit began with a presentation for faculty and staff centered on the idea that our society must shift away from the pursuit of material things toward the reinforcement of community. He also spent significant time in our Grade 9 and Grade 11 HL math classrooms demonstrating how to leverage problem-solving as a tool for innovation. He pushed our Senior School students to look beyond university admissions and toward the future of work, where success is defined by the ability to build authentic relationships and solve complex problems that uplift others.

His keynote address to our parent community at the end of the day underscored that the value of human intelligence lies in its caring for humanity and the pursuit of meaning. He stressed that success won't come from working harder or mastering content (which AI can handle) but from cultivating authentic relationships and combining intellectual curiosity with a genuine desire to uplift others. This further validates Mulgrave's commitment to developing globally-minded, empathetic leaders, and aligns with our Strategic Direction 2025+.

Professor Loh's visit was made possible by the Head's Priority Fund. It's an example of how Momentum supports opportunities for our community to be enriched by experts like him. Your contributions allow us to bring in people who challenge our status quo, ensuring Mulgrave remains at the forefront of educational innovation.
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Academics

The new projector for the theatre was a much-needed and long-overdue upgrade. It replaced a unit that had served us well but was many years beyond its end-of-life. The manufacturer had discontinued the model in 2016 and no longer made parts for it. A portion of the projected image had begun to become discoloured due to a failing internal component, so it was time to upgrade.

The new unit is a modern Epson Large Venue Projector with 16k lumen output - a perfect replacement to support the many different presentations, film screenings, theatre productions and other performances in the space.

Theatre Projector Upgrade

The new unit also brings the peace of mind of three years of manufacturer warranty, as well as future support and compatibility with modern technology. This model also uses laser phosphor lamp technology - as opposed to the dual arc lamps in the previous unit - reducing heat generation, energy usage and eliminating the cost, necessity and trouble of periodically replacing lamps.

Being one of the most frequently used pieces of technology in the theatre, it will support learning here for many years to come.

Reflection prepared by Barry Flynn,

Theatre Production and A/V Technician.

Turf Field Upgrade

In early October, we placed an order for two 18-foot field shelters and benches that would provide our athletes and their rivals with covered spaces for the team members supporting from the sidelines. Given rainy Vancouver weather conditions, this is a long-desired upgrade to our playing field. 

The typical turnaround is just a few weeks, but with the upcoming World Cup tournament set to take place across North America this summer, Kwik Goal was impacted by an influx of new orders. 

We look forward to seeing our new shelters installed in late winter,  just in time for spring soccer, rugby, and ultimate frisbee!
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JS Playground

Since we last shared our vision for The Hill, the plans for the redevelopment of this beloved play space have taken an exciting step forward. We now have a custom playground design and landscape plan, created using detailed 3D scans of the site itself. This technology has allowed designers to work directly with the Hill’s natural slopes, tree canopy, and terrain, ensuring the final result feels deeply rooted in place, rather than imposed upon it.

Designed with Nature and Children in Mind

The plan includes an urgently required environmental restoration and regeneration plan. One which will transform the Hill into a lush, forested environment that will thrive for generations. Thoughtful landscaping will restore soil health, support tree longevity, and introduce new plantings that strengthen biodiversity across the site.

For students, this means cool, shaded spaces for play, rich opportunities for nature-based learning, and an environment that supports physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. Research consistently shows that regular access to natural play environments supports self-regulation, focus, resilience, and overall mental health in children as they grow and develop.

A Living Classroom 

Beyond play, The Hill is designed as a learning landscape, a place where children can explore physical abilities, collaboration, creativity, and engage in environmental stewardship. From quiet forest nooks to dynamic climbing elements and loose-parts play, the space will invite curiosity and imagination while supporting a wide range of developmental needs.

We are excited to provide you and our other Mulgrave donors early access to a video showing the vision for the new Nature Playground. Click the video below to experience a fly through of the reimagined Hill!

Looking Ahead

With design and planning complete, the project is moving steadily toward construction. Approximately $500,000 remains to be raised to bring The Hill to life over the coming summer, ensuring it is ready for our Kindergarten to Grade 5 students at the start of the next school year. Thanks to early donors and support through the Head’s Priority Fund, a strong foundation is already in place. Each contribution moves us closer to realising a revitalized Hill - one that preserves and enhances a treasured green space while expanding what’s possible for learning and play at Mulgrave.

We look forward to sharing more updates, visuals, and milestones as this extraordinary project continues to unfold - keep your eyes peeled for some unique experiential activities around school in the coming months.

Donor Profile: The Stedham Family

Finding the right school is often about more than just academics; it’s about finding a place that feels like home. For the Stedham family, that ‘click’ happened almost instantly. Drawn by Mulgrave’s inclusive global mindset and the rigor of the IB programme, Chad and his family knew they had found the right environment for their son, Miles, to begin his PK4 journey this past September. After hearing glowing reviews from current families and experiencing the warmth of our community firsthand, they were so inspired that they happily donated their family deposit at our very first parent reception. 

Momentum funding supports projects that directly benefit both students and teachers, turning innovative ideas into meaningful learning experiences. Every contribution from our community helps move these ideas from concept to classroom, ultimately enriching the range and depth of educational opportunities available to Mulgrave students.

With several months still ahead in the school year, we look forward to continuing this journey, bringing more of our community together and building on the progress already underway.

Momentum Update

At the halfway point of the school year, Momentum continues to reflect the strength of our shared commitment as a community. Thanks to the generosity of families, staff, and faculty, this year’s support is already making a meaningful impact and building toward future opportunities for students across all areas of the school.

Every gift, at every level, helps advance the ideas, programmes, and learning experiences that define a Mulgrave education.

Momentum is powered by participation from all parts of our community, and this year our staff and faculty have set an extraordinary example.

During our staff fundraising campaign in the fall, 100% of school leadership and 91% of our staff and faculty made a personal gift, marking a new participation record. The majority of Momentum-supported initiatives originate from ideas put forward by Mulgrave faculty so these gifts from staff and teachers represent their support both for their colleagues and our students - strengthening teaching, learning, and innovation across the school.

We are deeply inspired by this commitment and hope families feel encouraged by the leadership our staff and faculty continue to show.

Our Family Grade Challenge highlights the collective impact that comes from broad participation. Families raise their children’s grade standings in this fun philanthropic league simply by opting in and making a donation of any amount during the school year. At this mid-year point, PK4 are leading the pack with more than 58% of families having made a donation to Momentum so far this year, warming our hearts with their demonstration of community spirit.

This same group of families were also the eventual winners of last year’s Grade Challenge, during their PK3 year. As a result, their children enjoyed a special experiential reward arranged by Mulgrave’s Advancement team: a visit from the Ocean Wise marine education team and their 360° Sea Dome Cinema. 

In recognition of their own remarkable progress, Kindergarten families, who increased their participation by 10% over the previous year, were also invited to join the experience. Students travelled beneath the waves inside the dome cinema and explored hands-on artefacts, including whale bones and sea otter furs.

The Grade Challenge reminds us that, within Mulgrave’s diverse community, the success of our Momentum Fund is not dependent on equal giving but on shared involvement. As participation grows, so does our collective impact.

Our Heartfelt Appreciation

A message from Nadine Pettman, Executive Director of Development and Engagement and Rupi Samra-Gynane, Deputy Head of School, to all of our supporters. 

Welcome to the newest issue of Advancing Education!