Deryn Lavell Head of ScHool

“Since our founding aS an all

girlS ScHool in 1867, a time wHen

tHere were very few optionS

for women in education, BSS HaS

developed a profound level of

expertiSe in tHe particular learn-

ing needS of girlS. tHat expertiSe

HaS evolved over time tHrougH

our own living laBoratory of

educating more tHan 50,000 girlS

over 145 yearS, aS well aS tHe

continuing evidence emerging from Science and Brain

reSearcH, advanceS in pedagogy, and our conStant col-

laBoration witH peer educatorS. it iS faScinating to See

now tHat tHe natural learning StyleS of girlS SucH aS

collaBoration, real-world aSSociationS, creativity and

curioSity, coincide perfectly witH tHe 21St century learn-

ing SkillS all ScHoolS are currently purSuing. we’re aHead

of tHe curve By at leaSt a decade and puSHing tHe BoundarieS

of tHoSe frontierS tHat will Set a new Standard in program

excellence. tHat’S our goal.”

The Bishop sTrachan school knows how girls

learn and Believes They can

do anyThing.

2

BSS will Be an inSpirational force for women

to reach their full potential

aS tranSformative leaderS.

VISIONOUR

founded in 1867, BSS is a canadian independent school for girls whose mission is to provide each student the opportunity to develop her unique voice, confidence and sense of purpose by:

• Exceptional teachers delivering an outstanding academic program;

• Creating an environment that celebrates innovation;

• Specializing in the learning needs of girls with an approach that integrates each student’s intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, physical and ethical growth.

MISSIONOUR

VALUESOUR

PURSUE EXCELLENCEStrive to be the best in all that we do.

TAKE RISKSBe willing to take risks, challenge convention and support a nurturing environment where it’s safe to fail.

BE CREATIVELook at a challenge from all angles and fearlessly explore.

LEARN FROM OURDIFFERENCESCelebrate the unique voice in all individuals to expand our worldview.

HONOUR OUR HERITAGEHonour the past, live in the present, own the future.

EMBRACE CHANGE Embrace change and uncertainty in order to grow.

BE CURIOUSLive with a thirst for learning.

The Brain is connected to the knee Bone

remember the old song we sang in grade school to learn all the parts of the human anatomy? it stressed that everything in the human body was connected to each other, working in harmony, each piece an in-tegral part of the whole. to imagine that an education should focus on one part – the brain – would be to woefully misunderstand how human beings, and especially girls, learn. it used to be okay to ‘know’ something. to be successful in today’s world, you have to ‘understand’ it. and that’s where the rest of the parts come into play.

Since its founding in 1867, the very first school leaders at BSS believed that girls would flourish most by approaching learning from all angles, including their intellectual, emotional, ethical, physical and spiritual lives, which, taken together, form the ‘whole girl’. teaching was meant to address all of these pillars of a growing girl’s development so that not only did she emerge intellectually powerful, but she would also have the confidence and lasting joy of learning, to carry her through all of her endeavours.

Mrs. A.ThomsonBSS principal, 1872-1875

that founding philosophy is alive and well today and the one aspect of a BSS education that our community cites most often as a critical factor in the decision to join us. Students and their families who choose BSS hold firm the belief that for girls, learning must include exploring creativity, honouring the emotional life, encouraging risk in a safe and caring environment, and allowing girls to tackle problems in their own style, collaboratively and connected to real-world situations.

7

“rememBer girlS, you are not going Home to Be

SelfiSH ButterflieS of faSHion. tHe BiSHop StracHan

ScHool HaS Been endeavouring to fit you to Become

uSeful and courageouS women. i Believe you will

yet See our univerSitieS open to women. work out

your freedom, girlS! knowledge iS now no more

a fountain SEal’d; drink dEEp!”

Based on the BSS philosophy of teaching the ‘whole girl’, it is a clear priority of the School to augment classroom learning with ample opportunities for authentic learning outside of the classroom. These include a staggering array of the more traditional co-curricular activities such as athletic teams, music, drama and dance, outdoor education, and leadership opportunities; along with an equally abundant selectionof unique endeavours such as international learning excursions including a three week long study tour with our partners in asia, a multitude of innovative clubs from robotics to fair trade, and perhaps most importantly, the openness to explore other activities that the girls themselves express interest in.

among the most popular examples of our ‘beyond the classroom’ approach is the BSS Service learning program. Here, students are ex-posed to life-changing experiences through their involvement in local and global communities, where the challenges that they read about in textbooks become reality before their eyes.

whether it’s in classroom activities, on the sports field, camping in the wilderness, on an overseas exchange or in their day-to-day dealings with one another, girls are encouraged to develop the qualities that make a good leader and a good citizen: integrity, initiative, responsibility, inclusivity, self-awareness, organization, confidence and a positive approach to problem solving.

Robyn WalterBSS claSS of 2008 and former Social ServiceS prefect

“a gloBal citizen iS one wHo knowS tHat country BorderS are only lineS to contain governmentS, not tHemSelveS.aS a reSult, tHey know tHat tHeir reSponSiBilitieS are to all people, everywHere. tHiS SHould tranSlate into tHeir daily liveS and tHe deciSionS tHat tHey make. i perSonally Strive to Be a gloBal citizen BecauSe i know tHat my reSponSiBilitieS extend Beyond my own Self-intereStS.”

learning

is everywhere

9

our only complaint from parents in the Junior School is that the girls seem to be having so much fun and are so happy when they get home, that they must not be working hard enough! older generations were trained to believe that school had to be tough to be good. But we’ve since come to understand that developing at the earli-est stages a sense of joy when learning new things and experiencing the tremendous reward of tackling and solving a problem are the things a child needs most as she develops her academic confidence. with confidence comes the belief that she can do anything, and that leads to the willingness to try, even if it’s tough. what better way is there to approach a grade 12 math problem than with that attitude? They learn it in the Junior School.

Deryn Lavell Head of ScHool

The right

School for all Stages

of learning

“at BSS, we want StudentS to cHallenge tHemSelveS. tHe motivation really needS to Be in tHe learning.”

JUNIORTHE

SCHOOL

10

“tHere are diStinct StageS

of development and learning

tHat are age-appropriate,

wHicH iS wHy we Have a

Junior, middle and Senior

ScHool, eacH providing tHe

rigHt approacH at tHe rigHt

time. But tHey are not diS-

connected from eacH otHer. we are Building a

dynamic culture of powerful learning wHere eacH

pHaSe BuildS on tHe previouS uSing tHe Same BaSic

principle of inquiry learning and our Special

BSS wHole girl approacH. no matter wHat part

of tHe ScHool you are in, you will Be part of tHiS

larger picture.”

Patti MacDonald, aSSiStant Head, Junior ScHool Patti MacDonald, aSSiStant Head, Junior ScHool

inquiry learning, inspired by reggio emilia – The unique BSS Junior School environment.

The families of a small, war-torn village in italy came together at the end of world war ii to create a new way of learning for their children. They were driven by an intense desire to undo the emotional devastation of the vio-lence and unleash a new generation’s ability to create a better world. un-der the direction of a brilliant educator, loris Malaguzzi, the little village in reggio emilia became the epicenter of a movement in education that would profoundly change the landscape for early learning the world over.

The ‘reggio approach’ continues to be centred in the belief that within each child lays a wealth of competencies and inner complexities. no more ‘blank slates’ as children were once thought of. in reggio, children arrive at school already filled to bursting with thoughts, ideas, feelings and knowl-edge that can trigger vast realms of learning, and more importantly, retain the joy of discovery and curiosity.

BSS has rooted its own unique approach in the principles of reggio and applied it to a robust curriculum that prepares girls not only with the aca-demic skills they’ll need to succeed in higher grades, but with great confi-dence in their own abilities and a deep love of learning.

Patti MacDonaldaSSiStant Head, Junior ScHool

“BSS HaS worked cloSely

witH reggio cHildren

to develop one of tHe

moSt innovative reggio-

inSpired programS

in nortH america.

teacHerS come to uS

BecauSe of tHe Special opportunity

to apply tHeir expertiSe in tHiS very

SopHiSticated and dynamic way. and

tHe girlS tHrive, academically,

emotionally and Socially.”

13

we’ve all been there. Those tenderyears around 12 and 13, the ‘tweens’, where you just don’t quite know

where you belong. one foot is still in the Junior School where there is comfort and familiarity, and the other is in the Senior School, which can feel pretty intimidating. the learning needs of girls at these ages are quite distinct, not to mention their emotional needs, the support of which isessential to their ability to focus intellectuallyand develop confidence. that’s why BSS has created a homespecifically for our middle School students. after a great deal ofresearch and ongoing reflection, we’ve designed a distinct academic, social, and physical approach offering a nurturing and age-appropriate environment while still empowering these students to integrate within the larger school.

“you

don’t have to

suffer to be a poet.

adolescence is

enough suffering

for anyone.”

John Ciardi

THEMIDDLE

SCHOOL

Simone Marsdenentered BSS in grade 7

15

“tHe teacHerS in middle ScHool really care aBout wHat you’re tHinking, and we Had a lot of one on one time witH tHem. our claSSeS can Be cHallenging, But BSS operateS at a mucH HigHer level academically.”

a lot of people think that a Senior School has one job to do: prepare students for the rigours of higher education.

if only it were that simple.

to prepare students for the challenges of top uni-versities around the world, they must not only have the academic capacity, they must be able to stand up to the massive change that moving away from home, navigating complex campuses and schedules, meeting new people and making friends, adjusting to independence and dealing with perhaps less than nurturing professors, entails. all at the tender age of 18.

they’ll need a lot more than just great marks to sail through all of that. this is where BSS graduates tell us they have the advantage. Successfully making the transition to univer-sity is one of our key benchmarks as a school and we pay close attention to not only how well our students fare academically, but how happy and confident they feel in their new worlds.

we have many ways of fostering that preparedness, both academ-ically and emotionally, once again, embracing our unique whole girl approach at this crucial stage of development.

Kim Galliganparent of Baye galligan, BSS claSS of 2006

SENIORTHE

SCHOOL

16

“after graduating from

BSS, Baye HaS completed

a five year, dual degree program at uwo,

earning Her BSc in cHemiStry and HBa from

tHe ricHard ivey ScHool of BuSineSS, wHile

working for Several SummerS in laBS at

u of t. SHe iS now Studying towardS a pHd

in organic cHemiStry at Harvard after

Being accepted witH full ScHolarSHip and

living expenSeS to pHd programS at Harvard,

mit, yale, princeton, Berkeley and caltecH.

we are extremely proud parentS, of courSe!

BSS nurtured a paSSion and look wHere

it HaS taken Her.”

“wHat BSS really gave me in termS of academicS waS tHe diScipline tHat i needed to Stay focuSed on my work.”Claire Wunker, BSS claSS of 2008, queen’S engineering

advanced placement The advanced placement program, an internationally recognized form of student enrichment developed in the u.S., allows Senior School students to take advanced level courses and exams that will give them university-level academic experience.

at BSS, the ap program creates a community of students and educa-tors who are passionate, curious and committed to academic excel-lence. ap course work has shown to improve writing skills, sharpen problem solving abilities and develop better study habits. The ap re-sults of BSS students continue to far exceed provincial, national and global averages at every level.

HigHligHtS of tHe advanced placement program

• The ap program provides academically prepared high school students with the opportunity to study and learn at the university level.• Each ap course is modeled on comparable university content. • ap courses culminate in university-level assessments.• Students can earn university credit, advanced placement or both, giving them a head start in their post-secondary education.• universities in more than 55 countries recognize ap Exam scores in the admission process, for credit and advanced placement.• The ap program provides students with opportunities for deeper learning, challenging engagement and higher expectations for reading, writing, and independent study – all which make a more confident university student.

UNIVERSITY 101

Erin GreenglassBSS claSS of 2010, univerSity of St. andrewS, Scotland

“i feel like i can walk into my univerSity claSSeS and know wHat to expect and riSe aBove tHe claSS. apS take more dedication, But tHe end reSult outweigHS it all.”

Dr. Angela TerpstraaSSiStant Head, Senior ScHool

university preparation

with so many universities to choose from, how do you find the best one for you? our Student Services counsellors are ready to help students negotiate these uncharted waters to identify the school and program that will put them on the path to fulfilling their dreams and goals. although the university application process happens in grade 12, planning begins as early as grades 9 and 10, when our girls focus on understanding their interests and who they are as students and learners. in grades 11 and 12, university planning is at the forefront of students, parents and counsellors’ minds. BSS offers many oppor-tunities and resources to help guide the university investigation and application process.

“we are aware of tHe Huge Scope of tHe poSt-Secondary offeringS and know tHat we need to provide a variety of experienceS tHat will prepare different StudentS for different tHingS.”

21

Yu Rong FanBSS claSS of 2009, mcgill commerce

“BSS prepareS you not JuSt for univerSity, But tHe real world aS well, wHere you will Be conStantly facedwitH cHallengeS, no matter wHat field you go into. wHen you are conStantly cHallenged in HigH ScHool, you Become confident in facing tHeSe cHallengeS-you know wHat to do and How do to it well.”

LIGHTS

HIGH

Margaret Wente, BSS claSS of 1968, columniSt, tHe gloBe and mail

“BSS waS an environment for me wHere it waS all rigHt to Be Smart. i met otHer Smart girlS, wHicH waS faBulouS BecauSe it Said i’m not alone in tHe world.”

22

design technology is integrated into curriculum. Students engineer and build prototypes to solve real world problems and explore the science of robotics.

art is an integral component of the reggio-inspired classroom. Students are encouraged to express them-selves through different media, revising their work to achieve excellence in the communication of their ideas.

Swimming is an important part of the Junior School program. instruction starts in Junior kindergarten and continues through to grade 6 as part of our dedication to daily physical activity.

french language instruction begins in Junior kindergarten. in the early grades, the students are introduced to the gesture approach. The development of oral language is augmented by a greater emphasis on written language in the junior division.

music starts in Junior kindergarten (vocal), and instru-mental music instruction begins in grade 5. all girls in grades 2 to 6 also sing in the Junior School choirs.

Students are provided a healthy lunch and snacks each day.

Service learning is valued in the Junior School. The students participate in classroom based and whole school initiatives, which focus on issues in local communities.

Girls have an opportunity to explore and experience all disciplines: science, design tech-nology, music, visual art, drama, dance, french, literature, outdoor education, athletics, robotics and more.

an accelerated mathematics program provides girls with the opportunity to achieve ontario’s grade 9 mathematics credit at the end of grade 8.

Extra time is scheduled allowing students to investigate, research and consider issues relevant to them and work toward deeper understanding.

a part of nurturing the whole girl, physical activity is integrated into the curriculum to enhance well being and academic performance.

a dedicated team of teachers skilled in the learning and social needs of this age group work exclusively within the Grade 7 and 8 program to ensure that each girl is supported academically, emotionally and spiritually during these pivotal years of development.

community gathering in the forms of House, teacher advisor groups and chapel is valued and integrated into the daily schedule so all girls participate and have opportunities for meaningful interaction with a consistent group of peers and faculty throughout their Senior School years.

physical activity is valued and many oppor-tunities, including all levels of competition as well as a fitness centre for those who prefer individual workouts, are provided to enhance well being and academic performance.

curriculum integrates real-world and interdis-ciplinary connections.

open scheduling allows girls to take a wide range of courses at different levels.

contemporary academic skills such as collabo-ration, project-based learning, critical thinking, scientific literacy, environmental awareness and a global perspective support and deepen students’ mastery of the academic program, as well as competencies required for the 21st century.

BSS Boarding is a safe and nurturing environment with staff on duty 24/7.

a maximum of 80 students from over 21 different countries live in Boarding.

Housing for Boarders is conveniently located in the heart of the School in a safe, secure, warm and friendly environment.

a high level of academic support is part of the Boarding program. The Boarding staff is comprised of dedicated teachers, leaders and adults who work closely with the School’s learning resource centre to ensure girls are receiving support necessary for success.

The Boarding curriculum includes regular evening study supervised by expert teachers, tutorial support and struc-tured activities throughout the week and on weekends.

technology is integrated into aspects of school life; Grade 7 and 8 Boarding students have full access to mac laptops throughout the evening and day. all grade 9 to 12 students purchase a personal laptop computer.

Boarders have full reign of the School’s amazing athletic facilities including an indoor pool, three tennis courts, two gymnasiums, a rock climbing wall, a dance studio and fitness centre, in addition to the city of toronto and all that it has to offer.

our food services staff works closely with Boarding stu-dents and staff to offer meals representative of our many cultures, and accommodates dietary needs or restrictions to give the girls the comfort of home.

Junior School

Middle SchoolSenior School

Boarding School

21 countries. 1 home.

BSS Boarding is a unique, boutique boarding program with a limited number of spots up to a maximum of 80 available from Grades 7 to 12. girls from around the globe come together in a close-knit community that celebrates diversity in all our students. BSS is a place that encour-ages our Boarders to gain their independence in a safe and nurturing environment. Here, our girls forge lifelong friendships. They become global thinkers and establish a firm foundation upon which to build their futures.

our teachers and Boarding staff are always ready to give guidance and support. Experienced staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer questions, give advice or help out in any way possible.

our unique curriculum, based on the foundations of wellness, Exploration, leadership and diversity, encourages respect for and understanding of one another, and allows our girls to form the kind of bonds that no other type of schooling can.

By the time they graduate from BSS, our girls have matured into self-reliant individuals who have honed the skills and global mindset necessary to thrive in the 21st century.

Shannon DoyleBSS claSS of 2010 & BSS Boarder 2009/10, colgate univerSity

“tHe teacHer Support iSreally wHat ’S amazing. you’re not on your own. of courSe, tHey Have HigH StandardS and expect you to get your work done. But tHere’S a Huge Support group Here.”

BSSBOARDING

life in Boarding

our Boarders can literally try anything at BSS. They can work with a personal trainer at the gym, take dance lessons in our studio, play on one of our many sports teams, swim in the indoor pool, and audition for school plays and musicals – and that’s just on weekdays.

on weekends, our girls can take part in community activities, or par-ticipate in creatively planned excursions. Each excursion is designed to give our Boarders a chance to explore the world around them and see what life is like outside of BSS.

our campus is nestled in a safe and beautiful neighbourhood in a world-class, culturally diverse city. we encourage our Boarders to take advantage of all that toronto has to offer.

Dana Shum Boarder captain, 2009/10

“wHat’S really Special aBout Boarding iS tHe fact tHat 78different girlS from So many different BackgroundS can get along... you don’t only learn aBout living witH people or accommodating otHer people, you learn a lot aBout yourSelf and How you can make yourSelf Better for otHer people, and How you can make yourSelf Better for yourSelf.”

29

LIFE AFTER BSS

ontario

Brock universitycarleton universitymcmaster universityontario college of art and designqueen’s universityryerson universitytrent universityuniversity of guelphuniversity of ottawauniversity of torontouniversity of waterloouniversity of western ontariowilfrid laurier universityyork university

canada

acadia universityconcordia universitydalhousie universityemily carr university of art and designmcgill universitymount allison universitynova Scotia School of art and design

Simon fraser universitySt. francis xavier universitySt. mary’s university university of albertauniversity of British columbiauniversity of king’s collegeuniversity of victoria

united kingdom

The art institute of Bournemouthimperial college london king’s college londonlondon School of economics and political Scienceuniversity college london university of edinburgh university of Birmingham university of Bristoluniversity of leedsuniversity of londonuniversity of manchester university of St. andrews university of Southampton university of warwick

united StateS

american academy of dramatic artsamerican universityamerican university of parisBabson collegeBates collegeBates universityBerklee college of musicBoston universityBowdoin collegeBrown universitycase western reservecolumbia universitycornell universitydartmouth collegeduke universityemerson collegeflorida international universityfranklin and marshall collegeHarvard university indiana universitynew york universitynortheastern universityparsons The new School for designpeabody institute (Johns Hopkins university)pomona college

princeton universityrensselaer polytechnic universityrhode island School of designSchool of the art institute of chicagoSt. lawrence university Syracuse university tufts universityuniversity of california, Berkeleyuniversity of california, los angeles university of pennsylvaniauniversity of carolinauniversity of californiauniversity of washingtonuniversity of madisonuniversity of miamiuniversity of michigan wheaton college yale university

international

chinese university of Hong kongroyal college of Surgeons in irelandtrinity college, university of dublin, irelanduniversity of Hong kong

accreditationontario ministry of education canadian accredited independent Schools (caiS)conference of independent Schools of ontario (ciS)national association of independent Schools (naiS) national coalition of girls Schools (ncgS)College Board authorized advanced placement course provider

our graduates are accepted into the finest post-secondary institutions in canada, the u.S. and abroad.

Some of tHe ScHoolS tHat offered BSS StudentS admiSSionin recent yearS include:

31

a community of inspiring role models when choosing a school, one has only to look at its graduates to determine the truth about its claims. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. at BSS, we could not be more proud of our old girls. we’d like to take all the credit, but the fact is we have been the launch pad for extraordinary women throughout our history, and it is the synergy created when great young women encounter an inspiring environment filled with like-minded people, which begets the kind of graduate you’ll see emerging from these halls. They are the kind of women all young girls would want to become and their commitment to mentoring their fellow-BSSers is one of the most special aspects of belonging to this community.

Christina SorbaraBSS claSS of 1997, Brown univerSity claSS of 2001

“after BSS, i waS uSed to Being involved in anytHing i waS intereSted in. and i already Hadlearned tHe HardeSt part: i Had time management andorganization SkillS and drive.”

Dr. Joan Whitten Miller, BSS claSS of 1976, Harvard medical ScHool Professor of Ophthalmology, Chair of the department of ophthalmology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, internationally recognized expert in the field of macular degeneration.

“follow your paSSionS. if you really want to do SometHing tHere’S notHing tHat SHouldprevent you. anytHing iS wortH trying.”

Valerie PringleBSS claSS of 1971, canadian BroadcaSter

“time at BSS made all tHe differencein tHe world. tHe friendSHipS i madetHere are one of many laSting tHingS… tHe otHer tHing tHat waS So Signifi-cant waS all tHe leaderSHip Stuff,BecauSe all tHe poSitionS Had to Befilled By girlS and you Had to Step upto tHe plate… like anytHing in life, tHeSe are muScleS tHat need to Beflexed and you need practice. every-Body’S nervouS at any new JoB, But tHoSe were tHe firSt StepS i took wHere i tried to Be reSponSiBle for SometHing and it made tHingS So mucH eaSier after tHat.”

The BSS DifferenceWords fail when trying to describe what makes BSS so unique. You

simply have to experience it. And there is no better way than visiting

the School and meeting the girls. That’s where you’ll find the truth

and be able to determine if this is the right environment for you.

And it won’t be for everyone. We are not a school that aims to be all

things to all people. We are very clear about who we are, what we

believe in and what drives our approach. If it sounds like that might

be for you, let us show you what we’ve got. But be prepared: when

you get 900 smart, outspoken, and confident girls in a building,

it can be a whirlwind. A wonderful whirlwind.

tHe BiSHop StracHan ScHool298 lonsdale road toronto on canada m4v 1x2

studentrecruiting@bss.on.ca416 483 4325 ext. 1220

Kate Lyons, Parent of Katherine Snell, BSS claSS of 2011, pomona college

and Rosemary Snell, BSS claSS of 2015

“we read all tHe Bumpf, went to tHe weBSiteS, talked to otHer people, and to tell you tHe trutH, it waS tougH to really diStinguiSH one ScHool from tHe otHer. at tHiS level, tHey’re all Strong academically and offer a great variety of optionS. it waS tHe moment we walked tHrougH tHe front doorS at BSS and were Swept up in tHiS unBe-lievaBle current of energy, tHat we knew we’d found our Home. tHe HallS were literally Buzzing witH life. you could JuSt SenSe How empowered and free Spirited tHeSe girlS were. i wanted tHiS for my daugHter. SHe wanted it for HerSelf. we’ve never looked Back.”