Orientation Week
All new boarding students, Canadian and international, attend our week-long Orientation Program in late August. Orientation Week is an essential time for students to get settled into life at Branksome Hall and helps girls transition into the community.
Program highlights:
- Individual meetings with each girl’s School Counsellor, language coordinator and the school nurse
- Assessments of each girl’s speaking, listening and writing skills
- Strategies to prepare each girl for academic success at Branksome Hall
- Immersion in an English-language environment and Canadian culture
- Appointments at the Uniform Shop for a personalized uniform fitting
- Excursions with Boarding Advisors to introduce students to their new home away from home and help them feel comfortable in Toronto
- Shopping trips to buy necessities such as a local cell phone, toiletries, cold-weather clothes and school supplies
- The opportunity to create strong friendships and remarkable memories!
Weekends
On Saturday afternoons, Boarding Advisors will lead excursions off-campus to help students explore Toronto and explore their own interests while also connecting students to each other, our local community and Canadian culture. Students and staff will experience local attractions such as museums, art galleries, nature trails or sporting events, and participate in community service activities.
On Sunday afternoons, Boarding Advisors will organise an on-campus stress-buster activity to encourage students to take a break from their homework and try something new and fun such as hula dancing, origami or yoga. Creative pursuits help to calm busy minds and give perspective as we come to the end of a busy weekend.
On long weekends, Boarding Advisors partner with Guidance to offer university campus visits to local post-secondary institutions such as University of Toronto, McGill University in Montreal and Queen’s University in Kingston. These day-trips are an invaluable way to experience university life and gain a better understanding of best match when making post-secondary choices.
Boarding Advisors
Boarding Advisors coordinate with local and international community service organizations to partner with service opportunities both on- and off-campus. Past partnerships include New Circles clothing bank, Canadian Breast Cancer Society pink ribbon campaign, Toronto Humane Society dog toy drive and the Children’s Peace Monument origami crane project.
Our youngest students in Grades 7 and 8, require additional support and programming. A dedicated Boarding Advisor is available every day to help with homework, organize activities on and off campus, and provide structure and guidance as they learn the skills to grow their independence.
During the winter months, Branksome Hall partners with Snowhawks Ski and Snowboard School to offer fun on the slopes on Blue Mountain, one hour north of Toronto, every Saturday or Sunday. Depending on age and ability level, students participate in lessons and free time with students from other local schools. Transportation to and from the mountain is included in this additional program.