MayneHome - Sundance

Details: Last Updated: 25 July 2026; Hits: 4

Book Reviews

Sundance School in the 1970s and1980s

Paul Palmer wrote: Your Sundance book arrived late today. It fell open at GROUPS and I felt so grateful to you for all the work that went into just that one chapter. When I've read the entire book I'll want to get together with just you, and then with our Sundance buddies. I was first struck by the feel of the book in my hand and realized I could receive it so much more easily that reading from the computer. Then I was really satisfied by you decisions around the page layout. The parts that were you speaking to me, the reader, then the parts you were quoting from others. {It was so very sweet to have Giles talking to me on the page. What a good writer he was, right?} I was way more swept by a wave of great feelings from those days. I realize I miss that pride in the basic daily work we did. Like you said, it was wonderful that "going to work" was the rich joy of going to Sundance. So lucky... My take away is that I want to notice when my own thoughts and behaviors come from that place of being careful about people and about holding friends in my heart. We were lucky to be together and I realize who I am now is in some part due to each one of you and our everyday lives. More later. XO Paul

From Jennifer Dusseault:I received your book! Life is busy so I've only made it about half way through, but I am so in love with it! You the captured the essence all of us and Sundance school so well. Your opinions, the schools' practices and values were salient and so enjoyable to read, especially as a past student. I am so pleased you kept and explained the 'language' of our li'l subculture. I was grinning as I was reminded of so many things. And yes, participating in the Macbeth play left a lasting imprint for me in so many ways far beyond what an English classroom often provides. I could go on, but perhaps we should meet for tea again someday and I will show you all the snippets I have bookmarked. My heart is full. Reading this made me realize where so many of my values as an educator/counsellor have come from. I had a pretty solid foundation! for the little bit of time I was there anyway. lol. Thanks for writing this, Amber!!!

Also from Jennifer D: I also really appreciated your encouragement of, and sense of hopefulness that people will carry this model forward. I sure hope so too.

Helen Demers wrote : The Sundance book arrived this morning! So many memories - so well captured. Thank you Amber for sticking with your vision of the book for all those years. Reading it made me laugh and cry - some hilarious but also touching testimonials from former students, staff, parents and teachers. I feel privileged that my family was part of this courageous time in BC education history. My family appreciates Amber for gathering and compiling the history of a special school.

Details: Last Updated: 05 July 2026; Hits: 22

Introduction

I know every scene by heart, they all went by so fast.

—Bob Dylan, “If You See Her, Say Hello”

One evening in September 1973, outside a small school building on Quadra Street in Victoria, a group of determined parents were waiting in line. They wanted to ensure that when the doors opened the next morning, they could register their children in Sundance School, the bold alternative experiment supported by the Greater Victoria School Board. Some parents brought chairs, and some brought bedrolls. Sharing their hopes and dreams for their children, along with snacks and coffee, it was the beginning of some beautiful, long-time friendships.

What was going on? Change was in the air. The NDP had won the provincial election in 1972. Young families, drawn to the vision of living in a more liberal province, had moved to BC. These families wanted a very different kind of school, one that guaranteed their children more freedom and a less authoritarian organization. But not everyone wanted more freedom for their children. Some families wanted even more structure. So a more structured experimental school, called Sentinel, also opened that fall.