Canadian Boarding Schools

CANADIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS A GULF NEWS SPONSORED SUPPLEMENT

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019

Continuous improvement is a promise delivered Boarding schools that are members of the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools offer amazing campuses for students to live and learn from a range of academic pursuits anadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) is a non-profit, voluntary, membership association that boasts of more than 90 member schools.

CAIS members provide unmatched educational experiences and share an ongoing commitment to the continuous improvement of every aspect of school life.

CAIS helps its members achieve this through a reflective and collaborative accreditation process, exemplary leadership training, research, and national collaborative initiatives.

It is through CAIS’ professional development opportunities and international standards of educational excellence, relevant resources, the Canadian Boarding Collective, as well as national student leadership conferences and athletic tournaments that our national association fulfils its vision of being the standard of excellence in learning and leadership, shaping the future of education.

the opportunity to develop a greater sense of confidence, independence, resilience and leadership.

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their programmes operate to ensure a balanced, enriched and mission-consistent experience for students and are integrated into total school life. Students are challenged to take risks and be responsible for their actions. When immersed in a safe and nurturing environment, students develop strong characters and become successful global leaders.

Simple tasks like doing the laundry, waking up for class on time, and ensuring homework is done and deadlines met, require students to hold themselves accountable and take care of themselves.

Attending a boarding school, away from their parents, allows students

Nothing but the best CAIS boarding school graduates attend the best universities in Canada, the US and around the world.

Up to 99 per cent of our students attend university. Studies have shown that boarding school graduates not only excel at some of the leading universities in the world, but also advance rapidly in their professional careers, and are more engaged than their peers in the issues affecting our broader society.

A boarding school provides students with the essential skills required to be successful in today’s shifting

global economy. Perhaps more importantly, students are immersed in a setting that promotes friendship, support and the shared experience, where students develop lifelong relationships with friends from around the world.

By attending a CAIS boarding school, students are enriched by a superior education that balances innovation with tradition, international standards with individual support, and fun experiences alongside serious university preparation.

All of this and more is possible at a Canadian boarding school, where students are continuously challenged to learn more, be more and to ex perience more.

Why boarding? The advantages of a Canadian Boarding School At CAIS boarding schools students live and learn on amazing campuses. CAIS boarding schools have day and boarding students, allowing students to get to know all types of people, whether from down the street or halfway around the world.

CAIS boarding schools provide a rigorous academic programme and extra learning support. Small class sizes, collaborative learning environments, the latest technology and great teachers all contribute to the best educational experience for students.

These schools offer a 24-7 immersive learning environment,

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Helping girls to thrive in a constantly changing world

Well-rounded education translates to first-choice univeristy placements

Realising individual student potential in mind, body and spirit

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CANADIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS

January 15, 2019

CANADA

The new educational destination A safe and stable environment, excellent weather and a well-entrenched education system make the country a popular destination for higher education

Although Canada has long been a favourite destination for high school students in the Middle East, there has been significant growth in its popularity in recent years with a combination of world-class education and the beauty and safety that Canada stands to offer.

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EDUCATION In terms of education itself, it would be difficult to find a better one in the English speaking world. A 2018 US News and World Report ranked Canadian education 5th in the world (behind Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland). A round of international Pisa tests in 2017, a major international study of educational performance conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development or OECD, had Canada among a handful of countries appearing in the top 10 for maths, science and reading, proving Canada's teenagers as among the best educated in the world.

Typically, between 95-100 per cent of boarding school students in Canada are accepted into universities around the world. They are renowned for the quality of their educational foundation, and for the myriad of interests they bring along with them.

Besides, at the university level, Canada has the world's highest proportion of working-age adults who have received higher education, standing at 55 per cent compared with an average of 35 per cent in OECD countries.

Canada's success in school tests is also considered unusual when compared with other international trends. Past top performers on the Pisa test are often cohesive, compact societies with the current highest achiever, Singapore, being seen as a model of systematic progress, with each part of the education system integrated into an overarching national strategy.

However, what is not widely recognised is Canada’s high level of migrants in its school population.

More than a third of young adults in Canada are from families where both parents hail from another country.

But what's also true that the children of newly-arrived, migrant families seem to integrate rapidly enough to perform at the same high level as their classmates.

ENVIRONMENT There are 27 boarding schools in Canada. The choice of educational environments is as vast as the country itself, with urban

schools, suburban schools and schools in rural settings.

Students can choose from either more traditional British-styled schools or ultramodern options. All of them provide an education that is recognised globally.

SAFETY Canada is recognised globally as a safe, clean and friendly country. There has been a noticeable growth of international students (including American students) seeking a high school education in Canada. Parents and students alike are well-pleased with the quality of care and the stimulating, wholesome

environments Canadian boarding schools provide.

THE CANADIAN WAY Perceptions are shifting globally and students and families are looking beyond the traditional boarding markets in the US, the UK, Europe and Australia. It is becoming quite clear that Canada, in many ways, is the obvious choice to students looking forward to receive a quality education in a safe, friendly and awe-inspiring environment.

For more information about Canadian boarding schools, please visit www. boardingschoools.ca

CANADIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS

January 15, 2019

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BRANKSOME HALL

Teaching girls the skills to thrive in a changing world

By Latha Krishnan ranksome Hall, founded in 1903 is a unique school situated in Toronto, Canada and is the only all-girls, all-years International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in the city. It offers students an academically excellent programme in tandem with unmatched commitments to global engagement and well-being.

Kimberly Carter, Executive Director, Enrolment Management at Branksome Hall, says, “Branksome Hall provides a unique integration of well-being, outstanding academics and international mindedness that prepare our students to become impactful leaders, who take initiative, create opportunities, reinforce change and generate enthusiasm for their vision.

“As a boarder in a board-

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Kimberly Carter Executive Director, Enrolment Management, Branksome Hall

ing community of 64 girls in our school, students are not only going to have a wonderful experience in a different culture, they will also learn about different cultures and the Canadian way of learning in an international IB curriculum, setting our students up for success through high school, university and in life.”

A 100 per cent of Branksome Hall graduates received placement in leading universities; in the class of 2018, 87 per cent were offered scholarships in across global universities.

Branksome Hall has about 900 students from kindergarten to grade 12 with a boarding programme that runs from grade 7 to grade 12, making it about 10 per cent of the Middle and Senior school. Students from Dubai are also benefitting from the boarding experience at Branksome Hall.

“This year, 70 per cent of our boarders are international and 30 per cent are Canadian. Our boarding houses stay open for all three- and four-day-long weekends, with activities on campus in and outside of Toronto, another unique Branksome Hall feature. Put together the advantages and the girls are

getting a gold star education plus having the Canadian experience,” informs Carter.

“My objective is to introduce Branksome Hall to families in the UAE, reinforce our programmes and tell them about the wonderful opportunity for their girls to come to school in Toronto as boarding students.

We want to entice families to consider sending their daughters to the best all-girls, IB World school in Toronto.”

Toronto is one of Canada’s most multicultural cities and Branksome reflects this. Creativity, physical activity and service towards others are all part of the fun and healthy living that students go through in addition to academics. They participate in various clubs, athletic teams, and learn about the spirit of teamwork as well as leadership and service.

For more details on Branksome and admissions visit www.branksome.on.ca

STUDENT SPEAK

Lavanya Mehndiratta Grade 11 / IB Diploma 1 student, Branksome Hall

“Branksome Hall offers an inclusive and diverse environment that encourages a benefit mindset over and above a growth mindset. It provides a strong web of support to every student tailored to individual needs.

Branksome Boarding is a multinational community with boarders like me sharing cultural ties that are respected and valued.

I love Branksome Hall because it promotes independence and selfmanagement, which are essential for success.”

CANADIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS

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January 15, 2019

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BRENTWOOD COLLEGE SCHOOL

Well-rounded education helps with first-choice university placements

By Latha Krishnan ocated on the Pacific West Coast of Canada along the pristine coastline of Vancouver Island, Brentwood College School is a coeducational boarding school for grades 9 to 12. The 77-acre school campus has over one kilometre of waterfront, offering stunning views of a snowcapped Mount Baker.

“What makes Brentwood stand out among 27 boarding schools in Canada is that we have the largest full-time boarding population in Can-

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“We assure students from the Gulf that that at Brentwood they will get a world-class, wellrounded education through our school’s innovative approach and university preparatory programmes.”

Clayton Johnston Director of Admissions, Brentwood College School

ada. Boarding is the very heart of this school. We are a boarding school, not a school with boarding, 60 per cent of our teachers live on campus and it feels like a village. Boarders enjoy a sevenday-a-week programme that keeps them fully engaged,” informs Clayton Johnston, Director of Admissions at Brentwood College School.

Brentwood’s Tripartite Programme engages students with a well-balanced programme containing academ-

ics and extracurricular activities. Brentwood students participate in Peer Academics from 8.15am to 1.15pm and spend the rest of the day engaged in various activities. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays they have four onehour Art Blocks, where every student has to choose two of the blocks. These could be

visual arts, performing arts, technical arts and speech arts. There are 37 choices in each block to choose from and students can even do all four blocks if they want.

On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays they have 24 sports to choose from and every student has to select a sport, whether it is to just get

fit or to get scholarships to universities.

“A 100 per cent of our graduates are accepted to university. Last year, 86 per cent received offers from their first choice of universities around the world, says Johnston who travels around the world to participate in education fairs and finds the best-fit students

for Brentwood. “For the last 50 years, we are one of the world’s top rowing schools and have had 26 Olympians come out of Brentwood. In fact, there has been a Brentwood rower in the last 11 Olympics.”

“Currently we have 35 students from the Gulf countries, including the UAE, in our school. We participate annually in the ARAMCO fair in Saudi Arabia and visit other countries in the region. Once at Brentwood, all students have a valuable North American experience, as 83 per cent of the student population is North American and the remaining 17 per cent are from almost 40 countries. We assure students in the Gulf region that at Brentwood they will get a world-class, wellrounded education through our school’s innovative approach, university preparatory programmes and extracurricular activities,” says Johnston. “It is a truly remarkable experience for any student who chooses to be here.”

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CANADIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS

January 15, 2019

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LAKEFIELD COLLEGE SCHOOL

Realising students’ individual potential in mind, body and spirit

By Latha Krishnan akefield College School (LCS), a private, co-educational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada, provides a caring community and a warm, supportive, wellrounded student experience.

Kirsten Johnston, Associate Director of Guidance, and Heather Avery, Associate Head, Strategy, at Lakefield College School, say, “We have become a positive education school as we combine well-being and the aspects of positive psychology alongside academic excellence, sleep, nutrition, exercise and social engagements, helping students do better. This results in students becoming more resilient and being able to

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take on challenges with confidence and hope, while taking care of each other. They are trained to look for meaning and purpose in what they are doing, mentally, physically and socially.”

Staying and studying in Lakefield is special, as there are really strong relationships that students and staff members foster across the 12 boarding houses and two day

houses, lending a true familylike environment to students.

The beautiful waterfront campus of LCS is another special feature as students can use the waterfront every day during the spring and fall terms while engaging in sailing, kayaking, canoeing and paddle boating. In winter they go ice skating in the outdoor ice rink, as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. On a

day off the entire school goes downhill skiing.

“We believe in the power of nature to promote academic excellence as much as getting the health benefits of the outdoors. Lakefield has this holistic approach to educating students and their getting into top universities is the result of the excellent academic experience they gain here, and the opportunity to embrace athletics and the arts in myriad clubs,” explains Johnston.

Co-curricular activities are myriad, ranging from culinary courses to huge musical theatre productions and leadership components, all contributing to the holistic education. Nevertheless, continuous research on the well-being of adolescents will aid in the experiential learning that LCS provides its students, who hail from 40 countries, adding to a diverse and valuable

Canadian experience.

“Senior students also get international learning opportunities through our network of schools as we prepare them for universities by instilling in them not only positive education practices but also health practices that will help them achieve better academic results. We see the result of that in them on campus when they are here and later in their lives after they graduate and become successful and still stay strongly connected to us at LCS,” affirms Avery.

LCS leads Canadian independent schools in terms of alumni donations. Up to 38 per cent of alumni made a donation last year. The next closest school had a donation rate of 14 per cent, which alone speaks volumes about the transformative experience Lakefield offers its students.

CANADIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS

January 15, 2019

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ST MARGARET’S SCHOOL

From Dhahran to Victoria: How we found the best boarding school for our daughter

By Carmen Campbell-Hewitt hoosing the right school for your daughter’s boarding adventure can be difficult for parents. Just three years ago, when our family was based in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, we were facing that decision. Fortunately, Aramco, the company where my husband worked at the time, organises a school fair and brings in prescreened, top-class schools. We met with three recruiters at the fair and then travelled to Canada to visit all three campuses. Our daughter chose St Margaret’s School herself.

“It feels right,” Jessica said, “I know this is the best place for me.”

As her parents, we really liked the safe environment and individualised attention each student receives. That is particularly important for students who are transitioning from another curriculum. SMS definitely had the best learning support and I say that

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“Founded in 1908, St Margaret’s School is the only all-girls school on Vancouver Island and was the first girls-only school to launch a STEM focused curriculum... we also liked the intimate family atmosphere of the campus, comprising 22 acres of green space in a peaceful, residential area.”

Carmen Campbell-Hewitt

with some authority as I am a special education teacher by training.

We also liked the intimate, family atmosphere of the campus, comprising 22 acres of green space in a peaceful, residential area that is just 15 minutes’ drive from downtown Victoria, and the international airport a short drive away. The dormitories were the best of all the schools we visited and were head and shoulders above the rest. Each double room has an en suite

bathroom for the two girls to use. The floor space is quite generous and each girl has plenty of storage room. What’s more, the food is delicious, nutritious and varied, supplied by Sage Dining Services.

Founded in 1908, St Margaret’s School is the only all-girls school on Vancouver Island and was the first girls-only school to launch a STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) focused curriculum. Our daughter loves science, and her Grade 7 teacher nicknamed her Science Girl – and it stuck!

Jessica was so well cared for in the dorm that she quickly felt safe, comfortable and at home. What impressed me the most was how well prepared Jessica was for university, not just academically but as a person. Jessica has many happy memories of all the exciting opportunities she had at SMS, such as participating in Outweek, a week of experiential learning outdoors, where she learned how to dive.

I still remember how hard it was to say goodbye when I dropped off my daughter and promised myself I would not cry until I was in the car park.

While it is difficult to say goodbye, if you do choose to send your daughter to SMS, you can be sure that she will receive exemplary care, an excellent education and extraordinary experiences at this wonderful school that has been putting girls first for over 110 years.

— The writer is a SMS past parent and Chair of SMS Board of Governors

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January 15, 2019

Focusing on girls’ empowerment

All-girls schools build on confidence and provide its students opportunities that are hard to find elsewhere ll-girls independent schools offer an alternative to the traditional coed public school system and provide a single-sex educational environment where young women can thrive and gain confidence.

One of the many benefits of all-girls schools is a structured, safe and empowering environment, free from potential pressures of the co-ed classroom. At all-girls schools, girls get every opportunity to shine and take leadership positions. Young women can build meaningful, life-long relationships with other like-minded students and excel both academically and personally.

Graduates of all-girls schools often show higher achievement, higher self-esteem and a greater sense of accomplishment than graduates from typical co-ed high schools.

Drawing upon the

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strengths of girls, all-girls schools seek to build confidence and raise expectations by providing opportunities that they simply won’t find anywhere else.

Programming is often designed to provide girls with the skills, attitudes and self-knowledge

required to recognise her own interests, set her own course and shape her own dreams while traditional attitudes about girls’ subjects, career choices and sports are lost. Self-motivated students succeed as they take full advantage of the ample oppor-

tunities available, including the opportunity to focus on their own goals.

Most internationally accessible single-gendered schools in Canada offer English as a second language (ESL), and various schools also offer boarding options. Boarding allows girls from all over the world to intersect in the classroom and gain global competence.

Above all, the all-girls learning environment strives to create an empowering environment for every student.

Girls have the freedom to be daring and try new roles.

They excel academically because they participate fully and enthusiastically in the classroom. They make challenging career choices because they are confident in their ability to succeed in any subject; and they believe in their futures because they are certain of their worth and their potential.

A focus on female empowerment is the real all-girls advantage, and confident girls become inspiring women.

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KELLS ACADEMY

Offering sterling opportunities to grow with confidence ince 1978, Kells Academy has led and accompanied students on a rewarding journey that defines its most particular educational experience. A private, non-denominational English school, offering co-educational classes from kindergarten through grade 12, Kells Academy provides a tutorial approach in a classroom setting, excellent programmes, high-quality educators, small class sizes, and an enriching learning environment with many of today’s most advanced learning tools.

Students have the opportunity to participate in a range of extracurricular activities and sports teams, as well as our top-notch arts programme.

Kells encourages and inspires students to achieve their best, empowering them with knowledge, self-esteem, and the capability to progress confidently in pursuit of their dreams.

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Students at Kells Academy have the opportunity to participate in a range of extracurricular activities including a variety of sports and theatre

CANADIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS

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APPLEBY COLLEGE

Offering a rich experiential and innovative education

By Latha Krishnan

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ppleby College, located in Oakville, Toronto is one of the top schools in Canada, offering a range of opportunities and engaging experiences that blend academic excellence, athletic achievement and creative expression, with leadership opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

“Our emphasis on experiential learning includes learning at our northern campus on an island six hours north of Toronto. All our students are required to participate at some point in their high school in a global learning experience. This could constitute an exchange programme with a school in Peru or South Africa, or participation in a service project in Mongolia, Romania or Costa Rica, or intercultural experiences in Thailand, India or China,” informs Michael O'Connor, Chief Marketing and Enrolment Officer at Appleby College, who has

“UAE families should know that Appleby is like Dubai, with a multicultural student population.”

Michael O’Connor Chief Marketing and Enrolment Officer, Appleby College

lived and worked in Dubai.

“Dubai is a global city and a beacon that attracts people from all over the world. It is a multicultural melting pot of different peoples and cultures. Families in the UAE should know that Appleby is in many respects like Dubai in its multicultural student population, who come from 50 different countries. Ours is a very unique community that includes boarders residing in four boarding houses and day students as well as our broader alumni,” says O’Connor.

Another unique Appleby feature is it is the only school in North America where it is mandatory for all Grade 12 students to be boarders. In addition to making this a rich experience for students, it helps immensely in their prepara-

tion for university. Over 130 different universities from the UK, US and Canada visit Appleby during the course

of the academic year to give presentations to students in grades 10, 11 and 12 . They can then decide what they want to

study in university and list the prospective universities that would prepare them for life ahead. According to O’Connor, 100 per cent of Appleby Grade 12 students get into university and 95 per cent get their first choice programme.

Roughly 7,500 Appleby alumni worldwide give their alma mater a global footprint. The College has a robust alumni mentor programme, specifically for new boarders.

“When a new boarder registers with Appleby, a mentor who is a recent graduate is assigned to you.

He/she is usually from the same region as you — in this case Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and will help you navigate through the first few months of being in Appleby. Starting in September 2019, we will have nine additional Emirati students joining us of who eight are from Dubai and are going to be day students in grades 7, 9, and 10, with their families moving to Oakville to give them the Appleby experience,” remarks O’Connor.