Service Learning | |
All students take part in the Service Learning Program. Service Learning is integrated into assemblies, Grade Level Collaboration, Advisor time and classroom learning.
Service activities can happen in a variety of ways, including participation in special events, weekly volunteer placements and special projects. Students are permitted to find their own placements and develop their own projects; however, the Service Learning Coordinator is a helpful resource for students wishing to find placements and opportunities to suit their interests. Opportunities organized by the school and others in the community, can be found through the Service Learning Coordinator. Examples of acceptable service include helping charitable agencies and organizations, hospitals and homes for seniors. Recreational and tutoring programs are also considered service work, provided that the student is not paid for her time. Middle School activities are designed to introduce students to service learning in the familiar group environment of their grade. Middle School students will have grade activities scheduled throughout the school year. Each activity will be organized and supervised by staff members. Other special events will be organized throughout the year. All students from Grades 7–12 are welcome to participate in these activities, e.g. Holiday Initiatives. Details of special events will be announced on a timely basis in assembly and in Advisor groups. | |
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) All IB Diploma students are required to participate in the CAS program. CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service) activities are designed to encourage students to develop skills and interests through experiential learning that complements the classroom environment. Students must complete the minimum of the equivalent of approximately three to four hours per week of activity with reasonable balance between Creativity, Activity and Service before the end of March in Diploma 2. With an emphasis on continuous involvement throughout the Diploma years and meeting learning outcomes (skills and strengths, challenge, initiative, collaboration, commitment, global importance, considering impact of actions, recording and reflecting on involvement), students involved in CAS activities will learn by doing real tasks that have real consequences and then they will reflect on these experiences over time. Students may not count towards service learning hours or CAS any work for which they are remunerated in any way (cash or privileges), nor service to family members, private clubs, or religious devotion; nor any activity that can be interpreted as proselytizing. Passive pursuits, simple or tedious and repetitive work are clearly not CAS. Fundraising with no clearly defined end in sight or work experience that benefits only the student is also not counted. Any activity without a leader or responsible adult onsite who can confirm student performance cannot be considered. | |
MYP CAS All students in Grades 7–10 are expected to complete MYP CAS and two programs are in place to assist them in meeting the requirements. The programs are designed to meet the developmental needs of each age group. | |
The Principal’s Award: Grades 7 and 8 The purpose of the Principal’s Award Program is to promote Middle School students’ awareness of community and the opportunities that exist for their participation. This is done through a flexible, non-competitive program of activities in which individual participants define challenge in four categories: adventurous journey; physical recreation; service learning (formerly community service); skills and interests. Students keep a log book throughout the year, recording their activities and reflecting on their learning. | |
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award Grades 9 and 10 This award is based on a challenging program of leisure- time activities. Its purpose is to broaden young Canadians’ interests and experience in four areas: public service, expeditions, skills and fitness. It is earned at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of excellence and open to anyone aged 14 years or older. All students will have the opportunity to complete their Bronze Award by the end of Grade 10. In Grades 11 and 12, this program provides a number of excellent opportunities for the achievement of the IB Diploma CAS requirement. | |
Best Buddies In this program, students work with physically and developmentally challenged young adults from Rosedale Heights Public school. Once per eight-day cycle, the students and their buddies eat lunch together play games and do activities together. The intent of the partnership is for Branksome students and their buddies to create lasting friendships over the course of a school year, and for all students to gain a better understanding of each other. | |
Reading Buddies As part of our Triangle of Hope partnership, senior Branksome Hall students travel to Rose Avenue Public School to work with elementary school-aged children. Branksome students support Rose Avenue students in developing their literacy skills and help foster a love of reading. Branksome students also practise and further develop their own skills, such as patience, creativity, empathy and time management. | |
Middle School Reading Buddies As part of our Triangle of Hope partnership, Middle School Branksome Hall students travel to Rose Avenue Public School to support Grade 1 students with their literacy skills and to help foster a love of reading. Branksome students also practise and further develop their own skills, such as patience, creativity, empathy and time management. | |
JUMP Junior Undiscovered Math Prodigies (JUMP) is a program at Rose Ave, our Triangle of Hope partner school, available to senior students wishing to support younger students in acquiring Math skills. Branksome students also practise and further develop their own skills, such as patience, organization, creativity and empathy. | |
Wandering Spirit School Reading Buddies Partnership Senior School students travel to Wandering Spirit School to support Kindergarten students with their literacy skills and to help foster a love of reading. Branksome students also practice and further develop their own skills, such as patience, intercultural understanding, creativity, empathy and time management. | |
Sunny View Public School Partnership Senior school students travel to Sunny View Public School a congregated special education setting for students with complex physical and health needs, to engage with students in their classes. The program is intended to provide an opportunity for Sunny View students to have more one-on-one support for class activities, and for Branksome students to develop their understanding and appreciation for the diversity of experiences people have. | |
Adaptive Technology Club Students from Grade 7-12 are invited to participate in this after-school club, which creates innovative and adaptive technology to support the special needs of students at our partner school, Sunny View Public School and the Rekai Centre. The program occurs once a week at Branksome Hall. Students have built communication boards, rewired stimulus response toys and are using the design cycle to innovate with adaptive technology. | |