Coffee House 2025
When: Thursday December 18, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PST
Where: Island Pacific School
On the afternoon of December 18, the last day of school in 2025, we gather for one of the warmest and most enduring traditions at Island Pacific School: our Candlelight Assembly and Coffee House.
This event has deep roots. In the early years of IPS, the whole school travelled to Manning Park each December for a few days of cross-country skiing, a holiday dinner, and a student talent show. As the school grew, we brought the tradition home to Bowen while keeping its spirit intact: a time to pause, celebrate the season, and enjoy one another’s company.
We still begin in that same spirit. The afternoon opens with Candlelight, a reflective gathering for students and staff only. It’s quiet and intentional with music, readings, and a moment to acknowledge with joy a well-earned rest and the holidays ahead.
From there, the day gradually shifts gears. Students help reset the school, spend time with friends, and Bowen families host mainland students so everyone has a place to change into party-wear and get ready for the evening.
As night approaches, students and teachers share a festive dinner in the Chapel, prepared by parent volunteers, before the whole community comes together again.
Then, at 6:15 PM, families join students and staff in Cates Hill Chapel for Coffee House, our annual talent show. The performances are rehearsed and heartfelt—music, comedy, magic, and everything in between. It’s one of those nights where you see students stretch themselves and support one another in all the right ways.
We finish at 8:00 PM, with transportation provided to the 8:25pm ferry back to Horseshoe Bay for our mainland families.
The whole day—from Candlelight to the ferry home—is about marking the season with purpose and celebrating what it means to be part of this community. I look forward to sharing it with you.
| Students | Parents |
|---|---|
| 1:00 PM — Candlelight Assembly (students & staff only) | No event during this time |
| 2:00–3:15 PM — Reset school; spend time with friends | No event during this time |
| 3:15–4:45 PM — Flex time; Bowen families host mainland students to change for the evening | Bowen parents may be hosting; others free time |
| 5:00 PM — Festive student and staff dinner in the Chapel (prepared by parent volunteers) | No event during this time |
| 5:45 PM — Set up the Chapel for Coffee House | 5:20 PM — Mainland families ferry from Horseshoe Bay; school bus shuttle to the Chapel |
| 6:15 PM — Coffee House begins at Cates Hill Chapel | 6:15 PM — Join students and staff for Coffee House |
| 8:00 PM — Event ends; transportation to Cove for ferry | 8:00 PM — Event ends; school bus shuttles families to Snug Cove |
Island Pacific School is a small, independent middle school on Bowen Island where students are challenged to grow, discover and thrive. With the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program at its core, IPS nurtures curiosity, character and confidence during their student’s most pivotal years.
