Branksome Hall News

At Branksome Hall, we strive to create a community where the fundamental dignity of each person is respected and everyone feels included.

It’s hard to say who had more fun—the kids on the bouncy castles or the grown-ups who brought them.

Each year, Branksome students participate in Holocaust Education Week as a way to meaningfully learn about the Holocaust.

To learn history out of a textbook is one thing, but to learn it through stories and shared experiences is another thing entirely.

Pride Week at Branksome Hall was a fun-filled and important week, celebrating the personal expression and diversity that makes our community strong.

It was an evening of values, virtual reality and very genuine thanks. On Thursday, October 3, Branksome Hall hosted our annual Circle Reception, where we recognized those supporters who have generously given leadership contributions to the school over the past year.

While our Athletics programs are kicking off on campus this fall, some students have been hard at work over the summer developing their skills and competing in national and international competitions.

Back-to-school at Branksome Hall has never felt more futuristic. Over the summer, a number of exciting upgrades were made across campus, including the development of innovative new spaces that will enable students to bring their creativity to the table in novel ways. These include the new iHUB in the Senior and Middle School and additional ‘classrooms of the future’ in the Junior School.

This year, Branksome Hall was the proud recipient of a Silver Circle of Excellence Award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in the category of Digital Communications: Websites. With more than 2,800 entries submitted from some of the top educational institutions around the world, the award is especially noteworthy.

“I congratulate everyone in the Junior School—students, staff and parents—on your daily contributions to making this year such a remarkable place to learn and grow every day,” said Amanda Kennedy, Head of the Junior School, at the joyful Junior School Closing Ceremony on June 12, 2019.

“What an incredible year it has been!” exclaimed Principal Karen Jurjevich at Branksome’s annual year-end Green Carpet Celebration.

Walking through the ornate wooden doors of the porte-cochère at 10 Elm Avenue immediately transports alum back to their fondest Branksome days – regardless if they graduated 10 or 75 years ago.

Move over, Don Draper — there is a new advertising firm in town. Grade 6 students Scarlett, Ellen, Grace and Chloe have created a custom advertising campaign promoting girls in sports as part of their culminating IB Primary Years Program (PYP) exhibition.

With the striking and stirring sounds of a bagpipe radiating through St. Paul’s Bloor Street, 109 Graduating Year (GY) students proudly waved at family and friends as they took their seats at this spring’s graduation ceremony.

The 47th MusicFest Canada Nationals in Ottawa were a marvelous victory for Branksome’s Grade 8 and Grade 9/10 Bands, who both won gold!

Each year, our Grade 12 students are celebrated at an intimate GY Breakfast for students and their families. The annual gathering is a time to honour the achievements of the graduating class and to celebrate this important milestone.

Students at Branksome Hall Asia recently performed an incredible rendition of RISE–The Story of a Woman for students of the Marymount School of New York and the Nightingale-Bamford School.

“Without question, stress and anxiety are on the rise for all kids, and especially for girls,” said Dr. Lisa Damour, at a sold-out presentation at Branksome. “Here’s the good news—there’s a huge amount we can do to address this.”

Public speaking can be an intimidating skill to master, especially when it’s in your second language. That’s why our French public speakers deserve honourable mention for their tremendous hard work at various competitions this term.

The 31st World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships (Worlds) was a resounding success. “It’s been absolutely amazing!” said competitor Tawongaishe Nhawu from South Africa.

Branksome Hall is proud to host the 31st World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships (Worlds 2019) from April 11-17. This is the first time a Canadian school has hosted this prestigious international event, which will draw more than 150 high school students and their coaches from Canada, Australia, Bermuda, China, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Lithuania, South Africa, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States – all seeking the ultimate prize: the title of world champion.

A major winter snowstorm, which shut down most of Toronto last month, couldn’t put a damper on this year’s Spirit Week, as the Senior and Middle School grade-friendly competition showcased Service Learning initiatives, hilarious Grade Cheers and inspired Lip Syncs.

Across North America, February’s Black History Month is a time to honour and remember the legacy of the black community. “We celebrate Black History Month not only because of Canada’s diversity but because learning about a different culture helps expose all of us to different perspectives,” said Kendal, a Grade 11 student.

Mental health matters at Branksome every day, but each year we designate a week for focused thinking, learning and discussion in an effort to increase our knowledge and reduce the stigma that so often accompanies mental illness.

This month, the Junior School was pleased to welcome Dr. Wendy Craig to speak to the parent community about how girls can build healthy relationships.

The 2018 fall Athletics season was another slam dunk, with all of our teams celebrating amazing achievements. Hundreds of students participated on our 19 teams, including Basketball, Soccer, Field Hockey, Cross Country Running, Swimming and Rowing.