GNS Homecoming

Opportunities for alumni to return to their alma mater to reconnect with friends, classmates and staff and celebrate their memories, school history and spirit are very important for everyone concerned.

During the long history of GNS that includes Norfolk House and Glenlyon schools, events held to bring Alumni together have included Reunions in Victoria and across the world, Carnivals, Seaside Fairs, Anniversaries, Summer Garden Parties, Luncheons and Holiday Pub Nights. These events have always successfully fostered school pride, good memories and GNS community engagement.

One such event is the GNS Homecoming. It has always been set up as a two-day, multi-venue event that includes a variety of activities to target an all-inclusive participation of past and present members of the School.

The first of these Homecomings was held on May 3rd & 4th 1996. It coincided with the 10th Anniversary of the amalgamated Glenlyon Norfolk School. On that occasion there was a Beach Drive Social, a Bank Street Pancake Breakfast, ‘highly competitive games’ of Field Hockey, Soccer and Basketball between Alumni and School teams and an Anniversary Dinner at the Union Club highlighted with an entertaining performance from the “Bowker Creek Ramblers”.

Following the success of this inaugural event, further Homecomings ran annually from 1997 through to 2006, following a similar format of Friday night social, often at the Beach Campus, sports events at PW on the Saturday together with an Alumni Association meeting and occasionally a dinner event at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel or Union Club as well.

Homecoming 2006 coincided with the 20th GNS Anniversary and was organized as a very special affair. It included a NHS Alumnae Luncheon, Alumni vs. Students Athletic Competitions, a Celebration Dinner at the University Club, an Oceanfront Barbecue party with volleyball and croquet activities, a Middle School Jazz Band presentation and an Alumni House Challenge. It was truly a wonderful extravaganza but as several reunions and many other events were to appear in the following years, a lull in the annual Homecoming event ensued. The only exception being the many 2013-14 events organized for the Centennial Celebrations of greater GNS community, that included the Opening of the Hall, the Alumni Pub Night, Alumni Games, The Gala Dinner in the Gudewill Gym, Tea & Tours, and an Alumni Reception at the Victoria Yacht Club.

And so we come to 2025 and the ‘rebirth’ of Homecoming on May 3 and 4 which looks like it will be a great time for all those attending. If you haven’t already signed up and are interested to attend, the plan for the weekend is:

Saturday May 3 12:00 p.m. A BBQ at the Junior Campus (1701 Beach Drive) for all Alumni together with current and former faculty enjoying a Memory Lane atmosphere and tours of the “new” Campus.

Sunday May 4 1:00 p.m. Games of Alumni Basketball, Soccer and Field Hockey at the Pemberton Woods Campus together with tours of the “old stomping grounds” and a refreshment break in the Dining Hall.

Both days offer the perfect opportunity to reconnect, relive old memories and enjoy some spirited fun!

For further information please contact Zan Plews—Alumni Engagement Coordinator at [email protected] or for tickets and schedule details, click here: https://www.mygns.ca/community/alumni/homecoming/