Spark Day: Bridging Classrooms and Community

At York House School, we believe in the power of connection and community. Our inaugural Spark Day on January 21 brought this to life, as the entire Senior School buzzed with excitement and hands-on learning.

For our Grades 10-11 students, Spark Day was all about exploring possibilities for their future. They got the chance to dive into diverse career paths through our keynote speaker and alum, Manpreet Deol ‘15, as well as career spotlights, speed networking, and panel discussions. The day featured professionals from a wide range of fields such as aviation, education, medicine, technology, arts and culture, international relations, and more.

“It’s really interesting to learn how each person got to do what they are doing now and it’s not always a straight path,” Bella ‘26 commented.

“I learned the importance of networking and what a network is. People were always talking about a network and I actually never knew what it was. Now I learned,” Nic ‘25 said.

Meanwhile, our Grade 8-9 students immersed themselves in community learning on and off campus, engaging with local non-profits to understand their missions and discover ways to contribute meaningfully.

Our remarkable Grade 12 students learned through leadership roles by moderating activities for students in younger grades, for both career workshops and community learning.

Spark Day also brought some of our YHS alums back on campus. Prathna Batra ‘06 connected with Grade 8 and 9 students through a community learning workshop. 

“Engaging with the next generation of leaders committed to making a meaningful impact is a key part of my role at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. Spark Day provided that opportunity as I guided students through a think tank exercise, where they developed creative fundraising ideas to grow our annual Milk & Cookies fundraiser—offering fresh perspectives and inspiration for student-led giving. I’m grateful to my fellow Yorkies for their thoughtful contributions!” Prathna reflected.

Spark Day concluded with thought-provoking discussions led by Justice and Nia Faith of Revolutionnaire, encouraging students to continue their journey in community learning.

“Truly so many sparks are ignited today and just beautiful [to see] the local impact the students at York House are having, and we are so excited to see how you all step out in the world as leaders that you are,” Justice and Nia Faith shared.

Spark Day highlighted York House School's commitment in diversifying voices and experiences, fostering discourse, and broadening students’ perspectives. It was designed to provide practical learning opportunities that connect the classroom with the surrounding community, helping students see the world in new viewpoints. This is one of many ways we are pursuing educational excellence while sparking joy in learning for students.

We extend heartfelt thanks to our YHS alums, parents, community members, and friends for their invaluable contributions and mentorship. Their presence and expertise enriched the day, offering York House students an invaluable time to see the real-world impact of their education.

A special thank you to Ms. Tulloch, Ms. Carragher, and Ms. Gregory, and the entire community for their dedication and enthusiasm, making Spark Day a resounding success. Together with our students, we are making strides towards transformational and meaningful learning for the future.