June 2019  
 

Thanks for a great year!

Word in the Hall is back with a wrap-up of another fantastic year at Branksome Hall. Celebrate the remarkable year our students and community had by reminiscing on some of the highlights below.
Best wishes for a warm and wonderful summer!

 

COMMUNITY

 
 
 
   
     
 
The entire Branksome community came together as we proudly hosted the 31st World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships. The week-long tournament began with an inspiring keynote speech by George Elliott Clarke and closed with an address by the Hon. Chrystia Freeland. The school welcomed Dr. Lisa Damour for a sold-out conversation with our community on stress and anxiety in girls. Junior School students had the incredible opportunity to gather together and speak with Col. Chris Hadfield about being an astronaut. Junior School students also had a fantastic time with their parents at the Junior School Bingo and at lunch with their friends at Generations Day. Middle School students enjoyed a visit with Kit Pearson, a Canadian award-winning author, while Grade 9 students visited our sister school, Branksome Hall Asia, for their Global Leaders Program.    

 
 

CREATIVITY

 
 
 
   
     
 
Our marvelous Grade 8 and Grade 9/10 Bands both won gold at the MusicFest Canada Nationals in Ottawa after performing stunning pieces. Some Grade 8 Band students also took to the stage in the PAC to play with special guests, The Heavyweights Brass Band. Students put on another fantastic Synthesis, Branksome's annual cultural performance and fashion show. The Middle School Theatre Ensemble production of Charlotte's Web was also a spellbinding success. Creativity was flowing at the annual Maker Faire, where students shared their creative and innovative projects. Spirit Week was a fun chance for many students to express themselves through cheers, dances and lip syncs. During assemblies, Junior School students performed cultural dances, while the Senior School Dance Company, Orchestra and Chamber Choir moved students on the east campus.  
           
 



MAKING A DIFFERENCE

 
 
 
   
     

Students advocated for many important causes this term, including Mental Health Matters Week, and Junior School students participated in the school-wide initiative by creating an art installation. Junior School students also took action by fundraising for numerous causes such as the Queenstown Get Ahead Project and supported endeavours like Pink Shirt Day to take a stand against bullying. The school celebrated Black History Month and members of Branksome's Afri-View Club created the first Toronto Black Youth Conference. The Senior School Stage Band performed at a local retirement centre for an audience that also included some Branksome alum. Students were inspired to make a difference by guest speakers, including Asmatullah (Asmat) Azizi Arab, our Green Carpet Celebration speaker and Hafsah Asadullah, who spoke about gender equality on boards.

 
 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 
 
 
   
     

Graduating Year students were celebrated for their outstanding accomplishments at the annual GY Breakfast and Graduation Ceremony. Our Robotics team did an excellent job preparing their designs and competing at the VEX Robotics Competition. The school was proudly represented at French Public Speaking competitions and at the Secondary Schools' United Nations Symposium by some remarkable Senior and Middle School students. Our hundreds of athletes on dozens of teams were superstars and Art students dazzled at the Senior and Middle School Art Exhibit. Grade 6 students ended their year with a thought-provoking PYP Exhibition, finding solutions to real-life problems.     
 
           

   
   
Support the 2018-19 Annual Appeal
Follow us on Social Media 
For up-to-the-minute school news, like us on Facebook, watch us on YouTube and follow our feeds on Twitter and Instagram.