This is the last posting for the 2015-16 Bolton House Update. We wanted to end with some images from the last moments at the school this year…
One of the big traditions is the Bolton-Timmis Year End BBQ. This happened a few weeks before the end, in order to make sure everyone could enjoy the sun, music food and each other’s company. The volleyball net and slip-and-slide were perfect for the warm weather.
That same weekedn we celebrated the whole community with the annual SMOscers Dinner. Goofy awards were handed out and David X ran the photo booth; here are some Bolton Bros and their friends, hamming it up.
That Monday we had yet another gathering, this time just Bolton House. This was our last chance to say good bye to the boys and Houseparents not returning. Each grade 11 gave a personal speech about a particular grade 12. The boys also all chipped in to get a personalized gift for Mr. McCloskey, who is leaving Bolton House to pursue his Master’s full-time next year.
At the final Boarding Chapel, Mr. Driscoll honored our Boarding Lifers, who have been ni Bolton since Grade 8. Here are some photos of a few of them shaking his hand as well as a photo of the standing ovation Mr. McCloskey received form the boys when we said goodbye to him!
As the younger grades completed exams and moved out, the grade 12s began their preparation for the Grad Gala, held at the Empress, downtown. Families and teachers gathered to celebrate the Grads and it was a very fun evening. Mr. Bateman got a little carried away taking selfies with the Bolton Grads and it was a rare opportunity to photograph Riley, Christian and David B together. These three young men were (or will be) School Head Boy – and all three are from Bolton House. We are very proud to say that of the past 5 Head Boys, 3 have been from Bolton.
I’ll end this post with a few parting shots. The first is Adrian participating in the Soccer Fundraiser. The next is Hank receiving the Provincial placement award as Badminton Captain. The third is a shot of the Grads waiting to enter the Graduation Ceremony. The fourth are the grade 8s waiting to take a limo to their own “grad” dinner. The fifth are the Bolton Grads, going out of late-night wings as a thank-you for all the work they put into leading the house this year.
The last two images take a little explaining: at the end of the year the boys must clean their rooms completely. Many end up donating clothes they no longer want to local charities. The houseparents put a great deal of work into organizing these donations as well as all the waste and recycling that ends up coming out of the dorms. Above are three of us horsing around and goofing off with of of the donated items.
The dorms were all quiet for about a week and it is strange to long longer have knocks on the door at night or prep-time to supervise. We’ll miss those who have moved on but look forward to meeting all the new boys that will join this great house in September – and the returning boys are going to be the best ones to do that welcoming of our new Bolton Brothers. It is going to be another amazing year! Go Bo!