Wake Up Kate

How a school’s story can inform your decision

In 1896 Henry Heinz came up with one of the most recognized slogans in advertising history: “57 Varieties.” This had nothing to do with the actual number of varieties produced. Rather, Heinz was riding an elevated train in New York when he spied an advertising placard in the train car promoting “21 styles” of shoes; struck by the concept, Heinz cast about for the perfect number to use for his own company’s version of the phrase. Settling on fifty-seven, Heinz soon put the number to work, and within a week the sign of the green Heinz pickle bearing the words “57 Varieties” was everywhere Heinz “could find a place to stick it.”

You may be wondering what Heinz 57 has to do with selecting a school for your child. It is quite simply this: while all private and independent schools offer excellent academic programs, the manner in which they go about doing so is equally, if not even more important. In a world where virtually every product imaginable has become commoditized something important has happened. It has created a market where emotional connection is critical and this means that stories are perhaps more important than products.

At the Wake Up Kate Agency we are privileged to work with the Oakville Independent Schools Association and three of the community’s leading schools - MacLachlan College, St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School, and Walden International School. Building on our experience working with the family founders of global enterprises such as Mars, Walmart, Bacardi and, yes, Heinz, we’re able to bring firsttier marketing and branding advice to our clients. Our expertise and passion revolve around working with organizations driven by purpose and a desire to share their stories with the world to make a difference.

Stories are important in your search for the ideal learning environment for your children. When you’re seeking the best situation for your child we encourage you to ask the school to share their stories with you.

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A selection of stories...

MacLachlan College: Since its founding, MAC challenged traditional approaches to education. By Re-Imagining Possibilities MacLachlan is re-imagining learning to create a school that provides a Kindergarten to Grade 12 experience that includes challenging students to become change makers, ready to thrive in a world of unprecedented complexity.

St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School: For over 125 years this school lead the way in inspiring girls to become empowered women. The SMLS story revolves around the process of emergence. It is a school where wonder, resilience and a love of learning emerges. Where young women discover what already lies within them and gain the experience and tools to become empowered, thriving women.

Walden International School: The Walden International School community has a big purpose - Making Good People. It’s a school dedicated to cultivating and preparing principled, compassionate and confident young people who will become globally responsible citizens. Walden is committed to the principle that from goodness arises greatness.

As you will learn, among the OIS 13 ‘varieties’ of schools there will be one which ideally meets your child’s specific requirements and personality. We encourage you to ask the schools you meet with to tell you their stories. It’s a great way to understand their core motivation and purpose.

After all, one of the best parts of school is story time.

How providing breadth of opportunity creates deep learning and empowered girls

There is a wonderful thing that happens at our school. From the moment a girl enters our program she begins a journey that will take her down many paths. Some of the destinations are planned and part of the regular curriculum. They provide fundamentals and foundations upon which each girl builds her personalized map to emerge as an empowered and thriving women.

What’s notable about the Millie’s journey though is how girls from Preschool to Grade 12 experience an enriched academic and co-curricular program delivered by teachers who are experts in educating girls. We support each girl’s interests, talents, learning needs and strengths, and our world-class facility and Signature Programs equip her to achieve excellence in whatever path she chooses.

One of our most remarkable Signature Programs is STEM & Robotics, which stimulates girls from Grades 1 through 12 to participate in science, technology, engineering, and math challenges.

In the younger years, students use LEGO® bricks to build a model that features a real-world scientific concept to be explored. At the secondary level, girls participate in FIRST Robotics to build and program robots that perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors.

Perhaps what is most extraordinary about our STEM & Robotics program is its long-term impact on SMLS students and their future career choices. While studies have shown that women are still underrepresented in STEM-related fields of study overall in Canada, more than 50% of our SMLS graduates go on to pursue STEM-related post-secondary education. We are also tremendously proud of our four other Signature Programs. They provide Millies with a breadth of choice to further explore those areas of the greatest interest to them.

Millies who choose to participate in the global studies program explore and connect with local and global communities through:

• Experiential learning trips • Community engagement and service learning • Cultural exchanges • National and international student leadership opportunities

If a Millie is more inclined toward pursuing her interest in the arts, our Arts and Design program offers her boundless opportunities in drama and theatre, instrumental and vocal music, visual art, communication technology, integrative arts and design.

For girls in Grade 11, our unique Professional Internship program provides the opportunity to explore personal career interests in a customized, OSSD credited, 4-week work placement across a wide range of specialized industries.

Hands-on work experience provides our girls with valuable insights into potential careers at the right time, as they plan their post-secondary education.

We invite you to explore all of the very special avenues our Millies follow as they emerge into the wonderfully capable women they choose to be.