Glenlyon Norfolk School
Pemberton Woods
Campus Renewal Charter.
Glenlyon Norfolk School (GNS) is a historic independent school in Victoria, British Columbia, with a tradition of educational excellence and student achievement. As we prepare for the future and the next generation of learners, we humbly acknowledge and respect the Straits Salish Peoples on whose traditional territory we gather. Specifically, we recognize the Lekwungen peoples known today as the Songhees Nation and the Esquimalt Nation whose historical relationships with the land existed long before the school and neighbourhood were established, and continue to this day.
At GNS, we are committed to meeting the evolving needs of our school while growing a strong connection with the broader community. Our team is focused on modernizing the infrastructure and resources at the Pemberton Woods Campus, both to address long-term seismic updates and facilities upgrades, as well as to ensure that our students have access to the latest resources and technologies needed to thrive as leaders in a constantly evolving world.
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We recognize that being a positive and active member of the Gonzales neighbourhood means listening to and engaging with the people who share this space. Our neighbourhood thrives when we create opportunities to connect and communicate. From the start of the Pemberton Woods Campus Renewal, this has been our promise. We pledge to continue engaging and collaborating with students, faculty, staff, parents, neighbours and the broader community through each phase of the renewal. Our goal is to create a healthy, vibrant, well-loved and enduring campus that drives connection and enriches life in Victoria.
This Project Charter is a "living document" that will be regularly reviewed to ensure that we exceed the expectations of the community throughout this process.
Guiding Principles.
The four guiding principles will be refined in dialogue with leaders within the school and our stakeholders in the broader community. This will provide an inclusive way for us to shape and inform our planning work and decision-making, enabling us to measure our progress collectively over the coming years.
Inclusion
Guiding Principle 1
We value an inclusive and respectful environment that also offers spaces conducive to connection.
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We commit to fostering a sense of inclusion and kinship within our school community and the neighbourhood, acknowledging the school can offer important places to gather, interact, create and share ideas.
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We value sustaining an environment that is vibrant and respectful so that each member of the school and every visitor has confidence that they are welcome and valued.
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We value the school’s unique history, and celebrate its community, contributions and connections to the broader city context and traditional territories of the Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation.
Health & Wellness
Guiding Principle 3
We value healthy, welcoming and accessible spaces that positively promote engagement for the school community, the neighbourhood, and the City.
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We value socio-emotional, physical and mental wellness for our students, teachers and our neighbourhood, and we will design teaching, learning and gathering spaces that are welcoming, inclusive and accessible.
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We will provide a safe and nurturing environment that supports positive human experiences through the built form and open spaces.
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We respect a values-enriched environment built on connections made within our extended community of students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and community stakeholders.
Innovation & Learning
Guiding Principle 2
As educational experiences become increasingly dynamic and collaborative, school learning environments will enhance and support opportunities for learners to nurture their curiosity, creativity and potential to embody excellence through the achievement of their goals.
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We value learning and co-curricular experiences that will be amplified through the creation of vital facilities as part of the renewal of the Pemberton Woods campus.
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We value preparing students to succeed in an ever-changing world through promoting critical thinking, creativity, resiliency and problem-solving.
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We will strive to create an atmosphere of discovery and creativity by fostering a culture of exploration and collaboration.
Sustainability
Guiding Principle 4
We value sustainable design in order to reduce negative impacts on the environment, on the health and comfort of those using the building(s) and on the surrounding community.
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We value a sustainable school design that offers inspiring, inclusive and adaptable spaces beneficial to connection.
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We will use sustainable design to create high-performance environments that ensure optimal health and productivity for all.
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We will develop a campus for the future that is ecologically responsible and economically sustainable inside and out.
How Will We Achieve This?
We dedicated one year to engaging with and listening to the different members of our community. From June 2023 through July 2024, we held 10 community briefings, workshops and feedback sessions, which provided valuable opportunities to share ideas and concerns. These meaningful discussions helped shape the renewal plan, reflecting the collective vision of the GNS community.
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In August 2024, we submitted our rezoning application to the City of Victoria. And after some technical feedback from City staff, a revised rezoning application was submitted in May 2025. As we move through the stages of this application, keeping the community informed will remain a priority.
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We are committed to maintaining transparent communication and providing regular updates as we progress. Your feedback and insights have been invaluable, and they will continue to guide us as we move forward with the Pemberton Woods Campus Renewal, shaping a future that benefits us all.
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In early 2023, we created a staff position to lead Community Engagement, again demonstrating our commitment to actively engage, listen and respond as an active member of the neighbourhood. Neighbours and stakeholders are invited to connect by email or phone anytime.