Branksome Hall Alumnae

02/13/2024

Join us for a magical musical journey at our Rainbow Songs sing-along on Sunday, March 3rd, 9:30 a.m. Nurture your child's growth and joy through the power of music!

Led by the fantastic Joanna Kellam, this event is designed for kids aged 1-2, promising a morning of laughter, learning, and bonding.

Space is limited, so don't miss out! Register here before the deadline to secure your spot in this harmonious adventure: https://bit.ly/48liSQa

Let the music play and the laughter flow—join us for a symphony of fun and growth!

10/31/2023

Calling all Branksome business owners! 📢

You’re invited to showcase your company’s products in the 2023 Branksome Holiday Gift Guide, inspiring those looking for memorable gifts.

To have your business promoted, please send an email to [email protected]

01/30/2023

The Branksome Hall Alumnae Association introduces the Cafe and Play event series, where we offer family-focused events to our alum community.

Get your swimsuits ready and save the date for Family Swim Day on February 26 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join us for a fun and casual afternoon of reconnecting and swimming 🏊‍♀️

Alum and their families are invited to enjoy and experience the Athletics & Wellness Centre, and have the opportunity to experience our state-of-the-art facilities.

Our event is limited to 80 swimmers so please be sure to register and confirm your spot here. We look forward to welcoming you!

The BHAA is excited to announce Branksome’s first Alum Family Swim Day! Get your swimsuits ready and register now.

10/24/2022

We'd like to wish our Branksome Hall community a joyful and bright Diwali. For those celebrating Diwali, may this mark the start of a happy and prosperous year!

10/19/2022

Since opening our doors in 1903, strong leadership has been at the heart of this venerable institution. On October 17, the Board of Governors announced the search process to select the 8th Principal of Branksome Hall.

The Board has approved a Search Committee that represents the school community and we appreciate their commitment to this important work. The Committee members look forward to hearing from our school community through a series of in-person and virtual Community Consultations and an online survey. Our aim is to have the search completed by June 2023. The new Principal will transition to Branksome on July 1, 2024.

Learn more about the Community Consultations, important dates and search process here: http://ow.ly/MY9e50LecWj

10/18/2022

Announcing the guest speaker for our October 27 parent, alum and employees event: Rachel Simmons!

Rachel Simmons is an internationally recognized educator and author of the New York Times bestsellers "Odd Girl Out, The Curse of the Good Girl" and "Enough As She Is."

Rachel guides and empowers leaders worldwide to lead with purpose, courage and emotional intelligence. She serves on the faculty of the Google School for Leaders and was, until recently, the Director of the Lewis Leadership Program at Smith College. She co-founded the NGO Girls Leadership and has served as an advisor to Oprah Winfrey and Sheryl Sandberg.

As a speaker, she's renowned for her ability to weave humour with social science research artfully. We couldn't be more excited to learn from this brilliant thought leader next week!

10/17/2022

Principal Karen Jurjevich to retire June 2024:

"Following many thoughtful conversations with the Board of Governors, I am excited today to share news with you that will ensure continued success for our school, over the next two years and beyond. As I enter my 25th year as Principal, I have made the decision to transition out of the role.

Together, with the Board, we have mapped out a two-year plan for leadership succession, which will allow me to move forward with confidence and anticipation for the future of Branksome Hall. To this end, the Board of Governors will immediately commence the search for the new Principal, whose tenure will begin on July 1, 2024.

The opportunity to announce my plans with a two-year window was important for me and the school to ensure a strong and stable leadership transition. I shall pass the torch to Branksome Hall’s 8th Principal, who will inherit a school that believes strongly in thoughtful succession planning and influential leadership."

Learn more and read Principal Jurjevich’s full message here: http://ow.ly/zSBj50LbK7B

📷: Caley Taylor

10/05/2022

What better way to mark World Teachers' Day than to celebrate teachers Jill Strimas (Director of Boarding and Instructional Leader, Language A, ESL & International Languages) and Jordan Small (formerly Branksome Hall, recently appointed Chair of English at Upper Canada College) for being selected as recipients of the Regional Certificate of Achievement for the 2022 Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence.

The Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence recognize exceptional elementary and secondary school teachers in all disciplines. Teaching Excellence Awards recipients are honoured for their remarkable achievements in education and for their commitment to preparing their students for a digital and innovation-based economy.

While working together, Ms. Strimas and Mr. Small became a trailblazing team that defied the status quo. With student well-being at the centre of their approach, the two became advocates for transparent course design. This empowered students to help curate content and engage with themes within the syllabus.

We're so grateful for Ms. Strimas's and Mr. Small's contributions to Branksome Hall. Please join us in celebrating their incredible achievements!

Read the full story here at: http://ow.ly/wEvk50L2mGc

Photo: Daniel Ehrenworth

Science canadienne Canadian Science

09/25/2022

Shanah tovah umetukah—may you have a good and sweet new year. Wishing our Branksome Hall community members who begin their Rosh Hashanah celebrations at sundown tonight a wonderful new year and celebration.

09/23/2022

The Branksome Hall community is saddened to learn of the passing, on September 21, 2022, of Peter Oliver, Oliver and Bonacini co-founder and longtime Branksome Hall friend and partner. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and to the Leacock Foundation community, with whom Branksome shares a more than 20-year history.

We acknowledge Peter's leadership, which has had a positive impact on thousands of lives, both in Toronto and South Africa. His vision deeply impacted Branksome Hall, creating opportunities for us to have meaningful connections with communities both in Toronto and South Africa.

Peter believed in a Triangle of Hope, where all children would learn and benefit. As part of this vision, Branksome Hall connected with The Get Ahead (GAP) School in Queenstown, South Africa and Rose Avenue Public School in St. James Town, Toronto.

For the past 15 years, Branksome students and staff have visited the Get Ahead Project (GAP) School in Queenstown, South Africa to deliver programs, share learning and form friendships. Peter Oliver came regularly to speak to the Branksome students and staff who were traveling to the GAP School. He inspired them with his educational vision and his belief in their potential to make a difference in the lives of others.

Peter will be greatly missed and his legacy will continue.

09/19/2022

Today, as we continue to mourn the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, our Junior School took some time during this morning's Community Circle to reflect on her inspiring life. The Middle and Senior School had their moments of reflection embedded in their afternoon assemblies.

Students discussed what it means to be a good leader, as well as the Queen's connection to Canada.

This afternoon, we joined the country in observing a moment of silence just after 1:00 PM.

We continue to share our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, the people of Britain and the Commonwealth, as well as our British alum and community members.

09/12/2022

Tonight, three of our students, accompanied by teachers and the head of our Centre for Strategic Leadership will attend PEN America's Words on Fire forum in New York City.

The Words on Fire forum brings awareness to both historical and modern-day instances of silencing writing and free expression through book bans, educational gag orders, online harassment, self-censorship, and the detention of journalists and artists worldwide.

Our students will have the opportunity to hear firsthand from world-renowned authors and trailblazing advocates for free speech, including Margaret Atwood and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

📸: PEN America