Each spring, the parents and alumnae of Elmwood School come together, with many of their friends and neighbours, to the all-girls private school in Rockcliffe Park to celebrate the school and the bright futures that lie ahead for many of its 365 students.
This year, that big night took place Saturday, hours after the coronation of King Charles III. Up at 4:30 a.m. to watch the ceremony was Elmwood head of school James Whitehouse. He’s British, after all.
“I was going to suggest a rendition of God Save the King but I’m not going to, I’m not going to,” joked Whitehouse at the podium as he welcomed the 200-plus attendees to the 32nd annual Elmwood Gala: Branches of Success held in the gymnasium-turned-grand ballroom.
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It took a little while to coax the chatty crowds into taking their seats for dinner (the hand-held school bell rung by Andrea Thomson, director of development and alumnae relations, helped move things along).
Whitehouse, who’s a fun, affable and caring chap, touched on what a “remarkable” year it’s been for Elmwood. Enrolment is so strong that it has a waiting list. This year’s graduation class is being offered more than $11 million in scholarship money. The school has more extracurricular activities and sports than ever. He spoke about the students with a sense of pride, admiration and respect. “What I really want is for these young people to be the best version of themselves,” said Whitehouse.
The head of the school turned his attention to the fundraising cause of building better outdoor spaces at Elmwood for the younger students to learn and play. It’s not just about high marks and top universities but also about “creating the whole person,” the former professional rugby player said of the need for children to be physically active outdoors.
Elmwood has plans to “reimagine” its kindergarten area for its youngest students and to replace the old playground equipment used by its Grade 1 to Grade 8 students.
The recent pandemic helped to highlight how beneficial outdoor learning and play is to children’s physical and mental health, Thomson told OBJ.social. “Just to be outside, breathing fresh air, is so important.”
Elmwood has been working with Ottawa professional playground planner Maryanne Swinimer and her team. It’s also been gathering input from its students, through workshops and conversations, said Thomson.
Playground equipment and outdoor yards don’t just entertain kids at recess; they can help them to build physical strength, social skills and problem solving approaches, she pointed out.
Recently, Elmwood opened its new outdoor learning space, complete with shade sails to protect the students on hot days. The Boushey, Carruthers, Hudson and McLaughlin families financially contributed to the project. Each family has a daughter that graduated from Elmwood in 2022. Bytown Paving, owned by Giuseppe Maniaci, prepared and installed the site.
“Honestly, this school is a community, and you feel it,” Elmwood parent and gala committee chair Clara Francis-Nehme told OBJ.social. “You feel the support from everybody, whether they’re a parent at the school or even if they’re businesses from around or a neighbour.
“Everyone pitches in, everybody joins in.”
Attendees included honorary patron, school alumna and Ottawa businesswoman Jamilah Taib Murray. She was joined by her husband Sean Murray and his family, including parents Jane Murray and retired Ottawa architect Tim Murray, who turned 93 that day.
Chairing the school’s board of governors is Jacqueline Palumbo-Sugunasiri, senior general counsel and head of treaty negotiations at Justice Canada (her daughter, head girl Bianca Sugunasiri, 17, is graduating this year). She was joined by many of her fellow board members, including David Wu, president of the new Altea Active wellness and social club that’s opening in Ottawa in late 2024. It’s moving into the 129,000-square-foot vacant space on Carling Avenue, just off the highway, that was formerly home to a Canadian Tire.
Guests included Mark Carney, former governor of the Bank of Canada and of the Bank of England, with his wife, Diana. He’s now chair of Brookfield Asset Management and heads the transition investing, and is also a UN special envoy.
British High Commissioner Susannah Goshko and U.S. Ambassador David Cohen were among the foreign diplomats in attendance that night. Business sponsors included the mother-and-daughter residential real estate team of Marilyn Wilson and Reba Wilson from Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties; Dentons Canada lawyers David Little and Andrea Johnson; former chief regulatory officer and government affairs Ted Woodhead from Rogers Communications, and Rahul Kochar and Simran Kochar from Phoenix Homes, to name a few.
Deserving of a special shout-out is Elmwood alumna Ginger Bertrand, president of Gab Group. The publicist in the food and entertainment industry is among this year’s Forty Under 40 award recipients.
Later in the evening, live auctioneer Ryan E. Watson from Raising the Bid got everyone’s paddles in the air, raising money that reached six figures.
Live auction items included an opportunity to fill James Whitehouse’s very big shoes for the day. The top bidder does everything from greet arriving parents and students at the school in the morning, host the assembly and teach a session of senior history. The VIP perks include one-on-one meetings and a catered lunch with Whitehouse.
Jacobsons Fine Foods owner and gala sponsor Dominique Jacobson donated an evening of French cheeses and champagne for up to 12 people. Peter Nicholson and Anabel Bane from WCPD offered a week at their Grand Isle Resort and Spa on the island of Great Exuma in The Bahamas.
As well, there was a $3,500 gift certificate from Howard Fine Jewellers & Custom Designers.
Chef Adam Vettorel donated a four-course tasting menu, paired with fine wines, for up to eight people at Northern Italian restaurant North & Navy. There was also a dinner for eight, paired with wines, to be prepared by Chef Michael Korn and his team at Harmon’s Steakhouse, to be served in the private dining room.
Butcher shop Muckleston & Brockwell offered up a backyard BBQ for 12 guests, with craft beer by Stray Dog Brewing Company. There was a broadway show package at the National Arts Centre, with dinner and a stay at Cocotte Bistro/Metcalfe Hotel.
New this year was a primo pair of tickets to see the English football team Manchester United play in a home game of the top bidder’s choice, donated by Chris Brennan and Stephanie James-Brennan. The package included lunch or dinner in the Manchester Suite, plus a three-night stay in a Manchester hotel of the highest bidder’s choice.
With the donors’ consent, the trip to The Bahamas and the Manchester United package were each sold three times – to the top three highest bidders, thereby tripling the amount raised.
Needless to say, the gala reached its $300,000 fundraising goal for its playground renewal project.
caroline@obj.ca
