MEDIA RELEASE
Attention: News Directors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 22nd, 2009

HILLFIELD STRATHALLAN COLLEGE ANNOUNCES $10.5 MILLION DOLLAR DONATION FROM
INTERNATIONALLY-RENOWNED INDUSTRIALIST AND PHILANTHROPIST, MICHAEL G. DEGROOTE.

This donation, the largest single gift ever made to an Independent School in Canada, is the anchor contribution towards its Transformation HSC Campaign: a $34 million investment to create new learning spaces at its Fennell Street West Campus.

Hamilton, ON - Hillfield Strathallan College announced today a $10.5 million donation from
internationally-renowned industrialist and philanthropist, Michael G. DeGroote, as the anchor contribution
towards its Transformation HSC Campaign: a $34 million investment to create new learning spaces at its
Fennell Street West Campus. These facilities will be unique in all of Canada, and will support a dynamic and
innovative educational vision shifting the focus from teaching to learning.

This donation, the largest single gift ever made to an Independent School in Canada, the College hopes
will encourage an outpouring of similar gestures from alumni, current families and community leaders,
boosting philanthropic support for 21st century learning in the Greater Hamilton area.

Mr. DeGroote has deep-rooted connections to the College spanning more than 40 years. His four children
and fi ve of his grandchildren are alumni of HSC, and his granddaughter is a current student. As a Patron
of HSC, he is one of four current guardians of the College’s history, traditions and future directions; this is
the highest honour bestowed by the College on its supporters. Mr. DeGroote was also made an honourary
graduate of the Class of 2009 at its closing ceremonies last Saturday.

The Transformation Project will enable HSC to create varied and customized learning environments
promoting optimal learning for all of its students. This model refl ects recent advances in brain research that
prove empirically that every student has unique learning styles, and that today’s students are graduating into
a world characterized by rapid and unpredictable change. This 21st century world will require them to learn,
unlearn and relearn new knowledge, skills and abilities for the rest of their lives. “Transformation HSC is a
vision which will ensure that our students are encouraged in each of their individual passions, and that they
learn how to adapt, and change in a truly dynamic world,” said Headmaster, Dr. Tom Matthews.

The Transformation HSC capital campaign is a $34 million project to build a completely new Senior School
with dynamic, multi-purpose learning spaces and tools, as well as a major community Athletic facility, which
will position Hillfi eld Strathallan College as the leading independent school in Canada. “Learning spaces
matter, and the success to date of this breathtaking campaign will ensure that Hillfi eld Strathallan College
continues to contribute bright, passionate and unique leaders to this city and to Canada for decades to
come,” added Adrienne Davidson, Director of College Advancement and the Campaign Director.

The College also announced that the new Senior School will be known as the “Michael G. DeGroote” Senior
School. “Mr. DeGroote’s extraordinary support of this fi ne College for so many years is an example to
us all,” commented Mr. Ron Foxcroft, Chair of the Transformation HSC Campaign. “As a parent and
a grandparent of students attending HSC, I believe that an HSC education is the fi nest gift a parent can
present to a child.”

Hillfield Strathallan College is a not-for-profi t, independent day school, governed by an arm’s length Board
of Governors, and affi liated with the Conference of Independent Schools (CIS), the Canadian Association of
Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA). In addition
to meeting Ministry of Education requirements, the College offers the Advanced Placement program which
is comparable to fi rst year university studies. It adheres to all CIS and CAIS standards and undergoes an
exhaustive evaluation, on a regular basis, by the Canadian Educational Standards Institute (CESI), the main
accrediting agency for independent schools in Canada.

Since 1901, Hillfi eld Strathallan College has served the Hamilton and Golden Horseshoe area by providing
young people with extraordinary educational opportunities. It offers an enriched academic, arts and athletic
program, through its four schools, from early Montessori ages and JK to Grade 12.

Now in its second century, Hillfi eld Strathallan College remains committed to excellence achieved through a
broad approach to education that integrates academic training, character development, and social skills to
nurture the whole student.

A successful blending of tradition and innovation, together with a strong partnership between home
and school, has created a dynamic learning environment and a cohesive community where students are
encouraged to become good citizens, strong leaders, and lifelong learners.
For more information, visit: www.hsc.on.ca


Media Contact:
Marianne Matthews
Communications Manager
P. 905-389-1367, Ext. 192
marianne.matthews@hsc.on.ca

Transformation HSC Contact:
Adrienne Davidson
Director of College Advancement
P. 905-389-1367, Ext. 162
adrienne.davidson@hsc.on.ca