Boarding Handbook 2020-21

Policies

Please note that the term girl is broadly conceptualized as referring to cisgender, transitioning, transgender or gender diverse identities.

Acknowledgement of Traditional Land

We wish to acknowledge this land on which Branksome Hall operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and go to school on this land.

Director, Boarding Responsibilities

The Director of Boarding, or her designate, has responsibilities as “in loco parentis" for all Boarding students meaning that she will act in the best interests of the student as a caring and responsible adult. Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Director of Boarding for information and support.

Citizenship and Community Expectations

Branksome Hall strives to create an inclusive, caring, safe school community that values the diversity of each person's lived experience and believes that each person has the right to equal treatment without prejudice, discrimination and harassment.

To be a good citizen means to be a good person to every member in the Branksome Hall community: helpful, kind, honest, inclusive, respectful and understanding of others while upholding the values and traditions of our community.

In order to create and maintain an inclusive, safe, healthy and positive living environment for all, it is important for staff and students to uphold the School Values: Sense of Community, Inclusiveness, Creativity and Making a Difference. It is expected that all members of the Boarding community treat each other with understanding and kindness at all times.

School Values

Sense of Community

As we fulfill Branksome’s mission and vision, we build a community where we value and respect each other’s needs, contributions and well-being. We create a supportive environment where we feel that we belong, and are inspired to do our most meaningful and impactful work.

Behaviour Statements:

We build relationships based on empathy and trust and find opportunities for meaningful connection and for face-to-face conversation.

When making decisions and creating new projects, we pause to consider their impact on the well-being of the school community.

We support each other by recognizing our unique contributions and by giving direct, honest and timely feedback to build on each person’s strengths.

As a community of learners and leaders, we respect diverse opinions and perspectives and create opportunities to engage in open and trusting dialogue.

Inclusiveness

As an inclusive community, our world view respects the fundamental dignity of each person. We create an inspiring, dynamic and caring environment where we champion diversity in its broadest sense.

Behaviour Statements:

We seek and honour diverse voices and perspectives.

We listen actively and take time to understand and connect with each other.

We create and engage in meaningful opportunities for dialogue.

We aspire to treat others the way they want to be treated.

Creativity

Creativity encourages us to be unafraid to approach new ideas and opportunities, confidently, enthusiastically and passionately. Building on our strengths and authentic selves, we acknowledge and appreciate imperfection as part of the learning and creative processes. We persist through challenges and take risks, creating space for innovation and expression.

Behaviour Statements:

We have agency-voice, choice and ownership-for our learning and individual passions.

We engage enthusiastically with others in creative collaboration.

We ask questions and are open to new ideas and approaches.

We identify new thinking and are inspired by existing ideas and concepts.

We create space and time to take risks, experiment and explore.

Making a Difference

As learners and leaders we inspire each other to shape a better world and have meaningful impact. We believe in each other, and we are mindful of our words, actions, assumptions and biases. We know that at Branksome we can contribute to making a difference and in so doing there is mutual benefit and growth.

Behaviour Statements:

With compassion and humility, we ask ourselves and each other what positive impact we are having in shaping a better world.

We empower and uplift each other to engage authentically and collaboratively with the Branksome community and to more broadly effect change.

We seek feedback from the communities with whom we collaborate and engage to understand our impact.