A Re mark able Future
S T R AT EGY F O R 2 01 4 A N D B E YO N D
Vision
To be the pre -e minent educ ational c ommunity of globally minded learne rs and leade rs.
ission
E ac h day, we c hallenge and inspire girls to love learning and to shape a be t t e r world.
If you know Branksome Hall well, you’ll know that we’ve been on an exciting journey over the past decade. With confidence and enthusiasm, our students and our employees have made our school mission come to life: Each day, we challenge and inspire girls to love learning and to shape a better world. Today, Branksome Hall’s reputation is unparalleled. Our students are recognized as globally minded learners and leaders; our faculty represent the finest educators in Canada; and our award-winning facilities, in Canada and in Asia, have positioned us on the world stage as a leader in education. Now, the time has come to look to the future—one where we will build on our stellar reputation and continue to embrace our mission. I am confident that we are prepared for this future. And, I am excited to share it with you. Our history and our past successes are the solid foundation on which we will build a strong future—a future where wellness, internationally recognized academic programs, global engagement opportunities, and transformational leadership feature prominently. In this document, A Remarkable Future: Strategy for 2014 and Beyond, our future comes to life. Our strategic aspirations transport us toward new horizons, open the door to new opportunities, and ensure that Branksome continues to lead the way for girls’ education in Canada and globally. On behalf of the Branksome Hall Board of Governors, it is my great pleasure to share our plan, A Remarkable Future: Strategy for 2014 and Beyond, with you—a plan that will ensure that our school continues to thrive for years to come. This is a strategy that capitalizes on our strengths and prepares us for a remarkable future.
Karen L. Jurjevich Principal and Strategy Committee Co-Chair
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“A great strat e gy is about
making clear c hoic e s of whe re
you will play and how you will win.
The Branksome Hall strat e gy is an e xciting e xample of what is possible when an organization
c hoose s to do some thing distinc tive with their strat e gy.”
R oge r Martin , Premier’s Research Chair in Productivity and Competitiveness, and
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Academic Director, Martin Prosperity Institute, Rotman School of Management
A Re markable Future Branksome Hall has a proud past and an ambitious future. We aspire to be the number one choice for girls and their families who seek a unique education with our distinct blend of wellness, outstanding academics and global engagement. We will continue to develop transformational leaders who give back to their local and global communities. This strategy will outline our commitment to offering a truly remarkable education by focusing on the following:
We llne ss
Out standing Ac a de mics
Transformational L ea de rs
Global E ngage me nt Opportunitie s
Our Unique Blend As students merge diverse facets of their lives, we help them develop as leaders. Our learning intentionally integrates wellness, academics and global engagement— through an approach that requires innovation, collaboration and creativity. Families who value a stimulating and well-rounded girls’ education select Branksome Hall.
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We llne ss: Being Your Be st Se lf We know that physical and emotional
Weekly Girls’ Circles and Advisor
well-being is invaluable to our girls. As
Groups provide the opportunity for
we challenge and inspire girls to love
our students to discuss issues that are
learning, we’re dedicated to helping
important to them.
them bring their best selves to school each day.
Already an integral part of Branksome life, wellness will now have an
Our supportive environment includes
increased daily focus. We offer our
skilled faculty, dedicated Learning
students a wide range of physical
Strategies teachers, a Social Worker,
fitness activities at all skill levels, and
several Guidance Counsellors, and a
we’re creating and expanding wellness
School Nurse.
programs to engage and benefit the entire Branksome community.
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This commitment to wellness is
providing high-quality, nutritious meals.
reflected in our new state-of-the-art
This world-class facility will support
Athletics and Wellness Centre. One
us as we make wellness one of the key
of the finest athletic facilities for girls
pillars of a Branksome education.
in Canada, it will become the hub of campus life and the heart of our wellness initiatives.
We llne ss Means:
It features two saltwater swimming
pools, a gymnasium, dance and yoga
studios, an erg room for rowers, and a high-performance fitness room. It also has a sophisticated dining venue,
aking healthy choices, M which include daily exercise and nutritional food Managing stress Ensuring good sleep
Developing resilience and organizational skills Achieving one’s own blend of academic, athletic, co-curricular, family and leisure activities
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“I love the opportunitie s that are
available to me at Branksome Hall, and I know that my IB educ ation
has he lped me to be a we ll-rounded pe rson who unde rstands the world around me. C ontributing to this
ne w strat e gy is one way in whic h
I’m able to give back to my sc hool.�
Je ssic a R a u , Grade 12 student and Strategy Committee member
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Outstanding Ac ade mics Our community of learners and leaders values outstanding academics. That’s why we offer the International Baccalaureate Program at all three levels, from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. Our IB advantage is well known, as top universities in North America and around the world consistently welcome our open-minded, engaged learners—most with scholarship offers. Branksome offers a liberal arts education that creates independent thinkers, strong writers and skilled communicators. We nurture creative and critical thinking, and cultivate a global mindset. Our girls graduate equipped with the knowledge and confidence needed to make a difference in the world. As we gather and conduct world-leading research in girls’ learning and well-being, we will enhance our academic programs and share our learning with others.
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“Through our ne w strat e gy,
Branksome Hall will c ontinue to
be an int e rnational leade r in girls’ educ ation-an outstanding sc hool that of fe rs a blend of top-tie r ac ade mics, global engage ment
and, increasingly, opportunitie s to ac hie ve and maintain pe rsonal we llne ss.�
R aj C handaria , Chair, Branksome Hall Board of Governors
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Global E ngage ment Opportunitie s Our commitment to community goes far beyond the walls of our school and the
Some of our key relationships include the following:
borders of our city and country. As an IB World School, located in the heart of
Branksome Hall Asia in South Korea Queenstown Get Ahead Project (QGAP) School in South Africa
Toronto, we foster a global mindset for all of our students, as well as our faculty and
Service learning partners in Costa Rica
staff. When our graduates proceed to careers in globally minded work environments,
Exchange partners in Australia, Bermuda, England, New Zealand, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, and Montreal, Quebec
their Branksome education proves invaluable.
Service learning opportunities within the City of Toronto, one of the world’s most multicultural cities
We see Branksome Hall as a global hub, based in Toronto, with an interconnected,
We’re committed to increasing our global partners in the years to come.
integrated network of partners. We will increase our immersive global engagement
opportunities in the years ahead.
NETHERLANDS DENMARK CANADA
Branksome Hall TORONTO
NORWAY
BERMUDA
CAYMAN ISLANDS MEXICO
JAMAICA
GUATEMALA COSTA RICA
VENEZUELA
COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU
GUYANA
ST. KITTS & NEVIS MONTSERRAT TURKS & CAICOS BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS DOMINICA ST. LUCIA ST. VINCENT BARBADOS NETHERLANDS ANTILLES TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
CZECH REPUBLIC AUSTRIA
FRANCE SPAIN
UNITED STATES
RUSSIA
POLAND GERMANY
SWITZERLAND
BAHAMAS
FINLAND SWEDEN
UNITED KINGDOM
ITALY MALTA
KAZAKHSTAN
MACEDONIA GREECE
JAPAN
Branksome Hall Asia
CHINA
TUNISIA EGYPT
BAHRAIN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
JEJU ISLAND, SOUTH KOREA
BANGLADESH TAIWAN
INDIA THAILAND
HONG KONG MACAU GUAM
NIGERIA UGANDA KENYA
MALAYSIA
SINGAPORE
BRAZIL
AUSTRALIA SOUTH AFRICA CHILE
ARGENTINA NEW ZEALAND
Branksome’s Global Ne twork *
We offer two- to eight-week international student exchanges for Grade 8–10 students. Grade 9 students have the opportunity to participate in our exchange program with Branksome Hall Asia, on Jeju Island, South Korea.
Branksome Hall was founded in 1903 in Toronto,
Canada. Our sister school, Branksome Hall Asia, opened on Jeju Island, South Korea, in 2012.
Globally Minded Branksome Hall
As an IB World School, we nurture a global mindset.
We welcome community members with diverse backgrounds and value our relationships with alumnae around the world. In addition, we strive to provide students with immersive global experiences.
Our alumnae are globally minded and living in more than 60 countries. Service learning opportunities are offered at the Queenstown Get Ahead Project (QGAP) School in South Africa, in Costa Rica and in Toronto, Canada.
Our Residence students come from almost 20 countries.
* As of Fall 2014
“We c hoose to lead in we llne ss,
ac ade mics and global engage ment
today, so that our girls c an be t t e r lead their familie s, c ommunitie s and organizations tomorrow.�
Heat he r Simmons , Strategy Committee Co-Chair and Branksome parent
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L eading the Way To cultivate leaders, our educators continually expand their knowledge and then use their expertise in girls’ learning. Already recognized as a leading IB World School, we’re committed to continuing our leadership in program and school design for girls. Research is key to Branksome providing the best-possible education for our girls. Many of our faculty are already involved in innovative action-research projects. In the coming years, we plan to gather and conduct world-leading research in girls’ learning and well-being. We will ensure that this research is integrated meaningfully, into both our classrooms and our communities—a testimony to our remarkable education.
L earne rs and L eade rs We will continue to nurture transformational leaders who will make a difference in their local and global communities. We will continue to develop students’ leadership skills in areas such as communications, self-efficacy, decision-making, and collaboration. We ensure that our girls are equipped to lead and give back to their communities.
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“Branksome Hall has a clear
vision for its future, based on
what girls will ne ed to be healthy, happy and suc c e ssful.�
K are n L. Jurje vic h , Principal and Strategy Committee Co-Chair
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What ’s Ne x t? To accomplish our strategy, our faculty and staff are developing new programs and approaches to bring these exciting ideas to life. We will continue to update you as we move forward. We hope you share our excitement for the future. Please join our ongoing conversation at www.branksome.on.ca/strategy
d i sc over our I B advantage
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