Category: Bayview Glen News
BVG Student-Scientists Shine at Regional Competition
Bayview Glen News, Home page, Parent Association, Prep School
It is one for the school record books!
“Compared to previous years, this is the highest percentage of medal winners, and the most ‘awards’ as well,” says Andrew Vivian, Science teacher at Bayview Glen School (BVG), describing this year’s results at the Toronto Science Fair.
A contingent of five BVG Prep School students — all in Grade 8 — earned two gold, one silver and one bronze medal during the competition held in early April.
“The results are thrilling, but we didn’t ask these students to go in the hopes that they would win medals and earn awards, but rather because we thought it would be a great experience for them,” adds Vivian, who has been a teacher at BVG for more than 25 years. “The winning of stuff is just a bonus!”
Participants and results include:
Riya Varia: Gold medal, Ontario Water Environment Association Award, and the University of Toronto Department of Earth Sciences Mathew Shawn McConville Award (each $150).
Stefano Edwards: Gold medal, Young Scientist Award ($100)
Cindy (Xin Yu) Yan: Silver medal
Mikaela MacKinnon: Bronze medal
Armaan Chandarana: Participant
“When they called my name as one of the gold medal recipients, I was overjoyed,” says Riya Varia, Grade 8 student. “I really appreciate that my project was recognized and found interesting by not only me but by others as well!”
Riya began working on her project in October and was informed in late February that she would be participating in the competition.
“The students chosen to participate in the Toronto Science Fair all find science fascinating,” continues Vivian. “They all have that curiosity about how things work, and ‘why does this result in that’. They are also highly self-disciplined about being organized and detail-oriented. Additionally, their projects all had a novel practical application in today’s world.”
Project themes ranged from Filtering Heavy Metals from Water using Natural Materials to examining Wind Turbine Spin Speeds.
“My science project examined natural ways to filter heavy metals from water, specifically using seashells and cilantro,” says Riya. I’ve always been interested in the global water crisis especially since my mom is originally from Bangladesh and mentioned that many parts of her home country still lack access to clean water,” says Varia. “I learned that seashells and cilantro are natural ways to reduce heavy metal contaminants (specifically lead and iron) from lake water. Additionally, seashells were more effective than cilantro in filtration. I also learned the importance of following the scientific process, and I especially enjoyed diving deeper into the chemistry behind seashell filtration!”
After cancellation of the 2020 Toronto Science Fair due to the global pandemic, and experiencing an entirely virtual event in 2021, the in-person event held at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, was a welcome learning opportunity.
“What was also striking was the strong presentation skills of the students,” says Vivian, who also teaches French. “Due to circumstances these past few years, the presentation component of the Science Fair has become a more integral part of the unit. So, it isn’t just about knowing your science, it is also about developing the skills to clearly present your work to an audience.”
The organization behind the Toronto Science Fair is a combination of four different science fairs, each with a history of more than 30 years. The regional event brings together students and potential future scientists, divided by age group — from JK to Grade 12.
Adds Vivian, “I am proud of how they were all thrilled to be able to participate, found the workshops fascinating, and handled themselves so well with no parent or teacher presence allowed!”
Parents Face the Music During Grade 6 Music Night
Bayview Glen News, Events, Home page, Parent Association, Prep School
Darren Kennedy was looking forward to a spring evening filled with music, courtesy of his daughter and other Grade 6 students at Bayview Glen (BVG).
“I was expecting to file into the auditorium, sit down and listen to a few songs the students had learned, then leave,” says Kennedy.
He had no idea what would follow.
“I wasn’t the only parent surprised — the entire parent audience went silent,” he says.
About 20 minutes into the evening at the J.T.M. Guest Theatre at Moatfield Campus, the tables turned.
Prep School music teachers, Chris Hunsburger and Diane Drysdale made an announcement that suddenly thrust the parent audience into action.
For Kennedy, that meant a whole new experience, on a few fronts.
“My daughter was very excited to teach me how to play her instrument, the clarinet, knowing I had zero exposure to musical instruments,” he says.
Grade 6 Music Night featured a role reversal. Students became teachers for 15 minutes, tasked with teaching their parents a song on the students’ instrument.
“She taught me how to put the clarinet together, hold it, where to put my fingers for the three notes we learned, what a half and whole note were and how to read them on the music sheet,” says Kennedy referring to his daughter’s instruction. “She then taught me how to play Hot Cross Buns!”
Each parent-student pairing was dismissed to one of four nearby locations where mini, impromptu music lessons took place.
“I was very proud of how knowledgeable she was and her patience with me,” continues Kennedy. “She got the chance to make me do something I had never done before and call me by my first name, while I had to refer to her as Ms. Kennedy — transitioned to hilarity — as she watched me get red-faced as I couldn’t even get air into the instrument for the first five minutes, she sorted me out!”
The experiential learning evening for parents, however, was far from over. Another twist was on the way!
The student-teachers filed into the theatre seats, while their parents – more than 75 in all — assembled themselves on the stage for their debut performance.
“We NAILED it (at least in my head we did!),” says Kennedy.
And, as importantly, the performance met with his teacher’s approval.
“She was very proud that I ended up learning to play Hot Cross Buns with no squeaks and perfect timing, and that I was willing to go on stage and perform with the other parents.”
The evening also included other lessons learned for Darren Kennedy.
“It is obvious that the Bayview Glen instrumental music teachers take pride in having an exceptional music program that students enjoy participating in,” he says.
“Just to have the idea to have students teach their parents how to play their instrument AND have the parents come up to play what they learned, shows they are confident, fun, and not afraid to challenge those they teach — brilliant!”
And one more thing he says, “I also learned first-hand that playing the clarinet is not as easy as I thought it would be!”
Portrait of an Artist and Alumnae
Alumni, Bayview Glen News, Home page, Parent Association
The journey from concept to canvas featured many strokes. And a few twists and turns.
Doris Rose likely wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
“Creating this painting has reconnected me with the BVG community,” says the Class of 2009 graduate. “Collaborating with staff and the alumni team has been a wonderful experience!”
An accomplished figurative oil painter, Doris was chosen to paint a portrait of Eileen Daunt, former Head of School at Bayview Glen, who retired in August 2022, after more than 45 years at the school, as a teacher and administrator.
“My goal was to put the viewer in the shoes of a student meeting Mrs. Daunt in the stairwell – something I experienced myself as a student – capturing that warm smile and direct gaze,” says Doris. “Looking down on the subject is unusual, especially a leader, but in many ways, I think this suits her character and the way she puts students first. She is so interwoven with the fabric and growth of the school that it made sense to paint her in it — in the Crystal Staircase,” she says, referring to the main staircase in the Lower School building.
As an artist, whose style ranges from expressionism to realism, Doris had to navigate several obstacles from conception through the creation process.
“One of the main challenges was working from a low-resolution photo with backlit lighting,” she says. “Mrs. Daunt’s face was lit from behind, so I had to lighten the face and add detail using my imagination and knowledge of Mrs. Daunt.”
That deeper understanding of her subject was an added dimension that Doris relied on repeatedly throughout the creative process.
“As an artist, it’s rare to receive a commission to paint someone who means so much to you personally,” continues Doris. “Mrs. Daunt has truly been one of the most important influences in my life. Creating this painting gave me a way to express some of my love and respect for her and contribute to the celebration of her retirement.”
Doris’ ‘labour of love’ would stretch her even further.
“Once ready to paint, I first tested the composition and the surface material by painting a mini 9×12 version,” she says. “Then I started on the main painting with a charcoal under-drawing, followed by the first pass of paint to block everything in. The next few months were spent building layers of colour and refining details.”
Painstaking precision against a backdrop of multiple timelines.
“There were a few moments when I worried that I wouldn’t be able to work through these challenges for the deadline, so I’m glad I trusted that I’d eventually resolve the issues and capture the essence I was striving for in Mrs. Daunt’s expression.”
The portrait was turned into a photo in April 2022, before gracing the cover of ‘A Heartfelt Journey’, a commemorative magazine highlighting Mrs. Daunt’s history at Bayview Glen — in August 2022.
For Doris, whose hallmark is the use of classical techniques in her art, the work was still far from complete.
It would take several more months — until March 2023 — for the final artistic touch to leave its mark.
“Oil paintings take six months to dry completely as they cure through a chemical process when exposed to oxygen, unlike other paints that dry through evaporation,” explains Doris. “I had to wait another six months for it to fully dry before varnishing and delivering it!”
All told, painting Mrs. Daunt’s portrait was an 18-month journey for the artist, who personally delivered the final product to her alma mater in March.
“Bayview Glen has had a huge impact on me,” she says. “The school’s focus on individual mentorship and support meant I learned to take charge of my own learning and work ethic to get the best out of future environments. BVG’s emphasis on empathy, creativity, critical thinking, and community-building has helped me develop strong relationships with others and a deep understanding of different perspectives which are invaluable skills for me as an artist.”
The portrait will grace the walls of the school in the coming months, as a permanent, tangible tribute to Mrs. Daunt’s legacy.
And for the artist, the personal impact of her subject will continue to remain firmly etched.
“My own memories of Mrs. Daunt are ones where she removed barriers around me, making room so that I could get to where I wanted to go, and encouraging me to develop the confidence needed to get there,” recounts Doris. “School can be tough, but Mrs. Daunt was a supportive force for good in my life, and I will always be thankful for that.”
New Bayview Glen Day Camp Offering — A Slam Dunk!
Bayview Glen News, Home page, Lower School
The Prep School gymnasium at Bayview Glen (BVG) School will be buzzing with loud thumps and thuds over the next 10 weeks.
It’s all thanks to a new after-school offering being presented by Bayview Glen Day Camp, called The Gryphon Basketball Academy.
“Two important factors led to the creation of this camp,” says Daniel Garfinkel, Director of the Bayview Glen Day Camp,” describing the new, weekly basketball programme.
“The first is an opportunity to create more synergies between the Bayview Glen Camp program & Bayview Glen Lower and Upper Schools,” he says. “The second is to provide the BVG school community with more opportunities to build specific skills they are most interested in advancing, within a no-pressure recreational environment that camp programs organically create.”
Open to children from Grades 1 to 8, The Gryphon Basketball Academy is divided into four age groups of participants who take part in 45-minute sessions.
“Basketball was identified as an activity that many Lower School students were excited to participate in and build their skill sets,” continues Garfinkel. “Many Upper School students were interested in enhancing their chances at making one of the school basketball teams next year!”
With a staff to camper ratio of 1:3, the camp is open to the BVG community and beyond and runs Tuesday evenings until May 30th.
The camp debuted with 50 participants at the end of March and is facilitated by third-party supplier — TenTen Kids Sports, described on their website as, “Canada’s leading indoor and outdoor kids sports program provider.”
Garfinkel adds, “TenTen facilitate sports activities for our youngest campers as well as our basketball specialty camp for older campers in the summertime.”
And there is more to come, he says.
“This is just the first of many afterschool programs that Camp will be offering to the BVG school community in the future. Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting opportunities in the near future!”
Related links:
Bayview Glen Camp
Career Breakfast
Bayview Glen NewsBayview Glen School hosts Career Breakfast events several times a year, featuring school alumni as guest speakers.
These BVG graduates share highlights and lessons learned along their academic and professional journeys and how their time at Bayview Glen School may have impacted their lives.
Each Career Breakfast event focuses on a specific industry or theme, is held three times each academic year on the school campus. and is open to all current students, parents and staff.
Here are some of the past Career Breakfast events:
February 2023 – Innovation
December 2022 – Media
December 2021 – Management Consulting
October 2021 – Law
March 2021 – Psychology
October 2020 – Professional Athletics
Annual Report
Bayview Glen NewsClick on each image below to read past issues of Bayview Glen School’s Annual Report.
Viewpoint
Bayview Glen NewsRead the latest edition of Viewpoint Magazine.
Click on each image below to read past issues of Viewpoint, Bayview Glen School’s annual alumni magazine, from cover to cover.
Previous Issues
The Writers Block
Bayview Glen NewsThe Writers Block is a Bayview Glen School student-produced publication. Click on each link image to read past issues.
School Year 2022/2023
School Year 2021/2022
School Year 2020/2021
Charting Their Own Course: Final Career Breakfast Highlights Innovation
Alumni, Bayview Glen News, Home page, Parent Association, Prep School, Upper School
Each of their career pathways has been filled with multiple twists and turns — and one constant — key lessons learned during their time as students at Bayview Glen School (BVG).
“It is always great to have the chance to contribute back to the community that I benefited from when I was young,” says Daniel Mak ‘05, one of three invited BVG alumni to present at the final Career Breakfast of the school year. “It was an honour to be a guest speaker and thank you for your trust to deliver a note or two that might benefit the students.”
Daniel began at BVG as a Grade 8 student in 2000, recalling how he felt empowered to try new things during his time at the school, including creating an investment club when one didn’t exist.
“I was trusted by many teachers and especially Ms. [Dina] Astrella,” shared Daniel. “She gave me a lot of flexibility in leading extra-curricular activities that were not offered by the school back then. It also made me realize that I could do new things that are not part of the standard offerings and allowed me to have my own journey,” he says.
All of which has served him time and again in various professional experiences, including, helping run a family business selling carpet and wallpaper to casinos and hotels in his homeland of Macau, working in cybersecurity, deep tech and quantum computing, to his current role as General Partner, Strategic Growth at Awz Ventures, a multi-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Toronto.
“Fail early, fail fast and just try not to make the same mistake again,” Daniel told the packed audience of more than 100 students, faculty and staff who gathered in the Moatfield Campus Learning Commons for the event.
Reflecting on the high school version of himself, Daniel says he would offer today’s student this simple advice:
“Everyone’s path is different, hard skills on paper are only one part of qualifications and get you to the table/job interview, but soft skills, the human element, is what will actually land you the job or provide you with opportunity to lead. Be smart and not always right,” he says.
Saba Ketabchi Haghighat was the youngest BVG alum on the panel — having graduated in 2016. She was also the only one to join virtually — from California — where she is a hardware engineer who works on the Apple watch.
“I believe representation in every field matters, especially as a woman in engineering, and I would love to see more women in our field,” she says. “The Career Breakfast is a great opportunity to encourage more BVG students to pursue a similar career path if they’re interested and aren’t sure how they can get started.”
Following BVG and a degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Waterloo,
Saba has worked in Canada, France and the U.S. as a software developer, among other roles, in industries including healthcare and technology.
“Joining STEM-related clubs in high school allowed me to learn about some engineering-related concepts through hands-on projects and math/programming contests,” she says. “So when it came to looking into universities and applying for various programs, I had an idea of which engineering disciplines I liked more than others.”
Her advice to students stems in part from her own career trajectory, during which she has had to be resilient often.
“Don’t be afraid of failing or bad experiences,” says Saba. “They’re all experiences that lead you on the right path, and learning about what you don’t like is just as important as knowing what you’re passionate about.”
As a student at BVG, Konstantine Tsotsos says he “liked spaceships. I thought they were really cool!”
That passion has propelled him to a variety of experiences centered on cutting-edge technology, since graduating from BVG in 2007.
“I’ve been very lucky in having the right mentors and sponsors at the right times in my life, but not everyone has that,” he says. “If I can play that role for even one student [who is] unsure of how to tackle their future, then I consider that a huge success. That’s why it was important for me to join this event, to try to give back and support the growth of the next generation of engineers.”
Konstantine’s academic and career journey has included an internship at NASA, a PhD in Computer Science and his current role at Google in San Francisco, as a Staff Software Engineer and Manager, a role that involves working collaboratively to develop real-time 3D perception and sensor fusion technologies.
“STEM is an amazing path,” he says.
When it comes to offering words of wisdom to students, Konstantine says: “Keep working both harder and smarter. If you can’t figure out how, look for new people to learn from who are more successful than you. If you want to keep growing, avoid situations where you feel like you’re the smartest person in the room.”
Related stories:
Pathways to Professional Life: Career Breakfast Spotlights Media
The Order of the Gryphon
Alumni, Bayview Glen News, Home page
Friday, December 2, we celebrated significant milestones at Bayview Glen. A sincere congratulations to the faculty and staff members who have reached their 10th, 15th and 20th year milestones and to Frances Lambert – on her beloved retirement. It was a tremendous honour to celebrate this special moment together.
For those who were unable to attend the event, a new distinction will be recognized going forward called The Order of The Gryphon. You are all aware that the Gryphon is our School’s mascot. This mythical animal can be interpreted as a heroic symbol, that intersects the lion’s valour with the elegance of the eagle. The Order of the Gryphon will now be the distinction for those faculty/staff members who have served 25 outstanding years at The Bayview Glen School. Each recipient will be given a glass trophy (photograph attached) and the names will also be permanently engraved in our Alumni Hall with its own individual glass plaque. Congratulations to our most recent inductees into the Order of The Gryphon:
2000 Brigitte Chan, Michel Lambert
2001 Eileen Daunt
2004 Roger Curtis
2005 Janice Roberts
2013 Judith Maxwell
2014 Diane Mills
2018 James Chapman, Rita Iafrate
2019 Dina Astrella, Paul Smallbridge, Andrew Vivian, Katherine Weidner
2020 Wendy Hillier, Frances Lambert
2021 Melanie Deeks, Paul Freeman, Stephanie Hulan, Kevin Neville
2022 Robin Elliott, Dagmar Wilson
In mythical times, the Gryphon was said to be loyal and protective. They were believed to guard their treasures fiercely, whether that be a person, place or in this case, perhaps our School. Congratulations to our new inductees to The Order of the Gryphon. To all of our milestone recipients, congratulations and thank you sincerely for your commitment, your service and your dedication to our entire School community.