Alumnae Involvement in School Life

Career Studies…

On January 12 and 13, we were delighted to welcome Kelly DRINKWATER’00, Meg MACNICOL’04, Darci MacPHEE’99, Sarah MERRY’89, Kayla RADKE’00 and Stephanie VERMEULEN’99 back to Branksome.

The Grade 10 students were riveted by the honest and heartfelt stories of alumnae experiences in the working world. They talked about listening to your heart, setting your priorities, the importance of maintaining personal connections, and the satisfaction that comes from commitment and hard work.

University Preparation…

Sharing their experiences of university life at a Grade 10 career studies class on December 17 are: Sabina MARTYN’05 (Guelph), Liz SOUTTER’08 (Harvard), and Brady HENDERSON’08 (Queen’s).

The alumnae work in every field: from a yoga and holistic centre, to owning a clothing boutique, to maintaining a successful international art career. They emphasized that not everything

Art…

comes easily and sometimes the path that you take doesn’t lead to the place you think it will.

The girls were excited and inspired to hear “real-world” stories from graduates who had put their learning into practice. This is by far one of the favourite classes of the entire Career Studies course!

On February 20, Sarah MERRY’89, left, was guest speaker in Bernadette Badali’s Grade 11 art class. She shared some tales and insights about her art education at Branksome, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Ontario College of Art and Design, and the Slade School of Fine Art. She spoke about her professional experience that included teaching children, teens and adults, directing a gallery for emerging artists, exhibiting in Toronto, Bogota, London and New York; and curating the Parca Biennale of Canadian art in New York.

Laura Bincik Guidance Counsellor

Science…

On October 8, as part of their ecology unit, Grade 10 students were treated to a special presentation by architect Terrell BOND Wong’87, above right, who spoke about her work on a sustainable housing project. Terrell is joined by Julia Malcolm, Sustainability Coordinator and Biology teacher.