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Coaching at Bayview Glen

June 13, 2025
By: bvg
Athletics, BVG News, Home page, Lower School, Prep School, Upper School

At Bayview Glen, our coaches play a pivotal role in shaping student-athletes who exemplify resilience, teamwork, and leadership. In the reflections below, two long-time coaches share how Bayview Glen athletes bring our school values to life through resilience, teamwork, and leadership.

Sharing from Coach Andrew Vivian

At the heart of every school lies a set of core values that guide both the educational and social experiences of students. Compassion, courage, and curiosity form the pillars that support our mission to foster well-rounded individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also emotionally and socially conscious. One of the most powerful ways to nurture these values is through sports.

Compassion is about understanding and caring for others, and sports provide a natural environment for students to develop this quality. As athletes work together to achieve a common goal, they learn the value of supporting one another – whether through encouragement after a mistake or celebrating a teammate’s success.

Coaches have the unique opportunity to model compassion, teaching athletes how to be empathetic, patient, and understanding of each other’s struggles and triumphs. In a sports setting, athletes are often placed in situations where they must put the team’s needs ahead of their own, like a softball player being asked to play catcher when they really would prefer first base. This can be an experience that helps students understand the importance of collaboration and selflessness.

Courage is often perceived as the ability to face challenges despite fear, and sports provide endless opportunities for students to develop this virtue. Whether it’s overcoming the fear of failure, standing up after a tough loss, or pushing through physical exhaustion, students learn that courage is not the absence of fear but the determination to face it head-on. A coach’s role in cultivating courage is crucial; by creating a supportive environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities to grow, athletes are encouraged to take risks, step out of their comfort zones, and persevere through adversity. In swimming, learning the flip-turn can be very scary as the chance of hitting your head on the wall is very real. The courage to try something new instills resilience and a sense of accomplishment. Coaches, by offering guidance and positive reinforcement, help students develop the inner strength needed to overcome obstacles both physical and mental.

At first thought, curiosity doesn’t seem like a value that is obviously connected to sports. However, curiosity is more than just asking questions – it’s the desire to explore new ideas, discover unknown talents, and challenge one’s limits. Coaching sports encourages students to be curious about their abilities, strategies, and the nuances of the game or activity. In older students, sports can also spark curiosity about broader topics such as teamwork, psychology, and physiology. Students may wonder how teamwork influences performance or why certain training regimens are effective.

Coaching sports in school goes beyond teaching students how to win or improve their athletic performance. It is about shaping individuals who are curious, compassionate, and courageous. Through sports, students learn to ask questions, support one another, and face challenges with confidence and resolve.

Andrew Vivian has taught and coached at Bayview Glen for over 30 years. (Swimming, Softball, Hockey, Rugby, Cross-Country Running, Volleyball, and Soccer)

Sharing from Coach Kristin Carpenter

The athletics programme is one of the many aspects at Bayview Glen that sets us apart. I have been coaching at the school for many years and over this time I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of student athletes. Throughout this, I have come to realize that our athletes truly embody our core values. These values show up in how our athletes train, compete, and treat each other.

One thing that stands out immediately to me is resilience. I coach cross country running and track and field – sports that demand a lot. There is no quick path to success in these sports, just a lot of early mornings, tough workouts, and learning to show up, rain or shine. Whether it is muddy trails in October or a beating sun on the track in June, our athletes put their heads down and get it done. They take ownership of their goals, and they understand that real growth comes from a consistent work ethic.

Even though running and throwing and jumping are often seen as individual sports, as seen in all Gryphons sports, teamwork plays a huge role in what we do. I have seen athletes pace each other through tough workouts, cheer louder for their peers than for themselves, and put a teammate’s success ahead of their own. That kind of support, compassion, and selflessness says a lot about who they are as individuals. Integrity is another core value that comes across in every practice. Our athletes don’t cut corners. They show up, put in the work and hold each other accountable. In competition, they show respect for the sport, their competitors, and for themselves. And no matter the outcome, Bayview Glen Gryphons carry themselves with pride and humility, and are often recognized by other schools for the spirit and respect that they consistently display.

Bayview Glen is a busy place and many of our students have a lot on their plates – academics, clubs, music, leadership roles, and athletics. Our students work hard to maintain balance and manage to make it to early practices and late games. It’s not always easy but they learn to make it all work and to ask for help when they need it. Through athletics, our Gryphons learn how to manage their time, look after themselves, and stay grounded. These life skills are things they can take forward and will stick with them well beyond their years at Bayview Glen.

After all these years, what keeps me motivated and engaged with coaching is our students. They are not just athletes, they are kind, thoughtful, and driven. Watching them grow – not just as athletes but as individuals – is one of the most rewarding parts of being a coach. More than just talk, Gryphon Athletics put our values into action ever day!

Join us on Thursday, May 2, 2024 for Bayview Glen Parent Book Club and Parent Association Speaker Series with Dr. Alex Russell

March 18, 2024
By: bvg
Athletics, BVG News, Events, Home page, Lower School, Newsletters and Publications, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School

Bayview Glen Student Well-Being and the Bayview Glen Parent Association warmly invite our parent community to come together for an inspiring evening of learning and connection at our Parent Book Club and Parent Association Speaker Series on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Register online: bayviewglen.ca/pa-events

Bayview Glen Parent Book Club
Book: “Drop The Worry Ball” by Dr. Alex Russell and Tim Falconer
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Moatfield Campus Learning Commons and Microsoft Teams
Format: In Person and Virtual (Online link will be sent via Edsby message and available for access via Edsby news river). Meeting will not be recorded.
More info: bayviewglen.ca/parent-book-club

Bayview Glen Parent Association Speaker Series
Speaker: Dr. Alex Russell
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: J.T.M. Guest Theatre, Moatfield Campus
Format: In Person (This is a complimentary, parents/alumni-only event for the Bayview Glen community). This event will not be live-streamed or recorded.
More info: bayviewglen.ca/speakerseries

Join us for the Bayview Glen Parent Book Club from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the cozy surroundings of the Moatfield Campus Learning Commons. In conversation facilitated by our Director of Student Well-Being, Antoinette Morgan, we will delve into the pages of “Drop The Worry Ball” by Dr. Alex Russell and Tim Falconer. It is not solely about the book but also about the valuable and engaging conversations and connections fostered when we come together as parents and caregivers.

Following the Parent Book Club, we are honoured to host the renowned Dr. Alex Russell for our Parent Association Speaker Series in the J.T.M. Guest Theatre. As a clinical psychologist, consultant, researcher, and trainer with a profound understanding of child development, Dr. Russell brings a fresh perspective on parenting that empowers parents to navigate the challenges with confidence. His insights into the importance of embracing failure as part of the growth process are invaluable.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with our vibrant Bayview Glen parent community.

Seating is limited. Please register online for both events if you are planning to attend. We can’t wait to see you!

If you have any questions, please contact Antoinette Morgan, Director of Student Well-Being, at amorgan@bayviewglen.ca.

Reaching New Heights: Bayview Glen Student sets sights on The Worlds 

December 7, 2022
By: bvg
Athletics, BVG News, Home page, Parent Association, Upper School

There was plenty on the line as she navigated the winding terrain over six kilometres at the 2022 Canadian Cross Country Championships in Ottawa in late November. 

Still, Muriel Lovshin, a Grade11 student at Bayview Glen took it all in stride. 

“My mindset for this race was to give it my all and race every moment as hard as I could, to end my season strong,” says the 16-year-old, who was running in an older age category — u20 — against 98 competitors. 

“I thought about all the training and hard work this season and trusted my training to carry me through the race,” she says reflecting on running against some of the top high school and university female distance runners from Canada and the US. 

The stakes were high for all competitors, with a potential berth in the World Cross-Country Championships in Australia in 2023, awaiting. 
 
“She ran a very smart race the whole way, and executed her race plan perfectly,” says Brian Lovshin, Muriel’s Dad, who watched it all unfold live. “She pushed the pace on the final lap and had a very strong finishing kick.”  

Her plan and perseverance paid off. Lovshin finished 5th at the Nationals, earning a spot at the upcoming Worlds and making it into Bayview Glen Athletics’ record books!

“This is far and away the best result we have had in BVG history,” says Kristin Carpenter, teacher at BVG, and one of Lovshin’s cross country and track coaches at the school since Grade 9. 

“We have had a few students medal at OFSAA in track in the past, but we have never had a medal in both cross country and track in running, from the same student, and definitely never had a world qualifier,” says Carpenter. “For the Canadian Championships she ran up a level (u20 rather than u18) in order to try for a spot on Team Canada. Her 5th place finish is especially impressive as a result of that, and she was the second 16-year-old to cross the line at nationals,” she says. 

“I am so proud of Muriel,” adds Colleen Hennessy, Upper School Social Sciences and Physical Education teacher, who has also coached Lovshin in track at Bayview Glen over the past two years. 

“This is a huge accomplishment and shows her immense dedication to her sport,” says Hennessy. “With every race this season, she has made improvements to her strategy and time. She understands what it means to work hard, set big goals, and be a supportive teammate all while being an incredibly kind and thoughtful student and friend – we are incredibly proud of Muriel’s achievements this season and are excited to see her wear the red maple leaf!” 

 
A biology and psychology teacher at BVG, Carpenter adds, “she has learned a lot about running a smart race – she sticks with the front pack and doesn’t always need to run in first place. She has learned to be patient and waits to make her move and has worked on her finishing kick as well. Race strategy is a big part of distance running and Muriel has improved a lot in that regard in conjunction with her strength and speed,” she says. 

This latest accomplishment propels Lovshin to a new level. 

“I was very surprised about how I finished the race and the overall result, but I was extremely excited about my placing,” says Lovshin, who trains at the Toronto Olympic Track Club in addition to Bayview Glen.  

“My week is usually split between managing my schoolwork, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities outside of school with my training,” says Lovshin, whose parents and sister are also runners. “Though my training does take a lot of time out of my week with running and strength workouts, time management is an essential part of being able to keep up with the activities that I am part of. BVG has allowed me to continue to train at a high level while supporting me to achieve highly in my academics. All my coaches have had a huge impact on my workouts and races and have helped me to believe in what I can achieve if I put in the hard work,” she says. 

After a short week off following the fall season, Lovshin’s preparation for the biggest competition of her young life is well underway.  
 
She will be a member of Team Canada at the 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia in February — taking the lessons learned on and off the track at Bayview Glen with her to a global stage. 

“I am very grateful for all the support from all my teachers, friends and classmates at BVG,” she 
says. “It means the world to me!”