Bss Magazine | Vol

The LinkTHE BSS MAGAZINE | VOL. 2 · 2008/09 SPECIAL BSSISSUE! BY THE NUMBERS 4 BOARD 10 STUDENT 6 ASSISTANT

FEATURING MEMBERS LEADERS HEADS 1 ANNUAL REPORT + KIM GORDON HAS A COUPLE MORE THINGS TO SAY! A Report to Shareholders. By Kim Gordon

hile we don’t exactly have shareholders in the technical sense, we do have a Wcommunity that financially supports our activities through tuition, donations, and volunteering time and expertise to help us be the best we can be. That’s why we believe it’s important to keep you informed about our progress on the strategic plan as well as provide you with our audited financial data. We are accountable to you and want you to take an active role in understanding how your investment is being used in the service of educating your daughters. Our mission is to provide your daughters with a superior academic and life experience during these most formative years. Achiev- ing that means setting the bar higher every year, reaching beyond the tried and true and tackling new ideas and ways of doing things that keep BSS on the cutting edge in education circles, and delivering on our promise to you. You will see in this issue of The Link, our progress to date as we reach the halfway point on the strategic plan. You’ll also meet some of the people behind our success, the drivers of our innovative approaches that extend throughout the School. The 2007/08 Annual Report is also included that will give you the financial statements as well as an opportunity to see how vital your donations to the School have been. We’ve put a spotlight on the Rogers family who have, throughout many years and generations, provided stal- wart support, innovative ideas and incredible loyalty to BSS that continues with the appointment of Martha ROGERS ’90 to our Board of Trustees this year. I’m pleased to give you this snapshot of how we’re doing at BSS and invite any comments or questions you might have. Enjoy! 

2 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 TABLE OF CONTENTS

9 2 OPENING NOTES A report to our shareholders. 16 4 LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT Taking Charge. Students learn the complexities of leadership and develop lifelong skills.

6 INSIDE BSS What’s the difference between a Governor and a Trustee? These and many other questions answered as The Link takes us inside the BSS Boards.

9 FEATURE We’re halfway through and it’s time to take stock. BSS’s Assistant Heads give us a Strategic Plan update.

1 2 KIM GORDON: THE FINAL INTERVIEW At least, as Head of BSS that is. Who knows what tomorrow will bring for this dynamo.

1 5 FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Professional Learning Communities at BSS.

1 6 COMMUNITY Family Values. Canada’s first family of media suffered a staggering loss when patriarch and media genius Ted Rogers died last year. But the family carries on a legacy 6 of innovation, community spirit and philanthropy that would leave others gasping.

1 9 SPECIAL FEATURE Annual Report 2008. BSS by the Numbers.

2 9 OLD GIRL NEWS Find out where your classmates are these days.

THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 3 SPOTLIGHT | STUDENTS

10 BSS Students Share Their Leadership Lessons

Lessonsthing, I can take the initiative to pursue it and I will have the School, Learned Emily Kalatzis my peers and my teachers behind me. Leadership, is not just a word GRADE: 11 or description of a position, it’s a feeling you get when you watch the LEADERSHIP POSITION: Prism Editor eight girls you’ve been spending every day after school rehearsing WHAT HAS BSS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT with jump up and down like lunatics when they win second place at LEADERSHIP? Coming to the School in their first Improv competition. If it were not for BSS, I would have Grade 7, I always looked up to the pre- never had the opportunity to have this feeling, or work with these fects. The crisp white blazers, the official amazing girls. Leadership is about inspiring one another, and that is name badges, and the privilege to wish the what BSS has taught me. entire School good morning in Chapel. FAVOURITE PUBLIC LEADER AND WHY? My favorite public leader Needless to say, I have matured from my would have to be Tina Fey. No, she isn’t the president or the head of Grade 7 year and discovered what leader- a world-renowned charity, however she is an awe-inspiring leader. ship really means to me. BSS has taught me that you can be a leader Tina Fey sees a public issue, and uses her talent of comedy and writ- at any age. It’s the ability to inspire others and motivate them into ing to address it and spread awareness. When she felt it was neces- action. Whether this takes place at the next Prism club meeting or in sary to shine a light on teenage issues she made the movie Mean the lineup for the microwave at lunch, if I can assist someone in any Girls. When she saw problems in the American election she per- way or get them to try something new, I feel that I have shown traits formed as Palin on Saturday Night Live, to bring a sense of levity to of leadership. It has been in my Grade 11 year that I have discovered the situation, but also to point out some serious issues that needed to that you don’t need a white jacket to be a leader. be addressed. Not only is she is hilarious, but she commits herself to FAVOURITE PUBLIC LEADER AND WHY? I consider Oprah to be a every role and every decision she makes. public leader that I admire. Her ability to motivate others is outstanding. She talks about her favorite book and within the next day 100 million copies have been sold and waitlisted across Canada and Kristin Vesely America. It is truly a sensation that one person can posses such a GRADE: 12 heavy influence on others. In addition, she is much more than mo- LEADERSHIP POSITION: Environmental tivational, she is inspirational. To some, her monthly published O Council Chair magazine is looked at as a bible. She has shaped the way the world WHAT HAS BSS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT views women, current issues, and success. She has shown us that LEADERSHIP? BSS has taught me that be- anyone has the ability to turn their dreams into reality if they pursue ing a successful leader isn’t having a title their passions. nor is it about recognition. Leadership is the willingness to go the extra mile and the desire to reach beyond expectations. Emily Kassie When you aim for something new or dif- GRADE: 11 ferent, others become inspired and start to follow your lead. LEADERSHIP POSITION: Improv Team FAVOURITE PUBLIC LEADER AND WHY? I would have to say that Head Elizabeth May is my favourite public leader. Although she did not WHAT HAS BSS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT win her seat in parliament this past election, Elizabeth May has de- LEADERSHIP? Who ever thought that a veloped political awareness for environmental issues and has really girl who hardly spoke until she was in put the Green Party of Canada on the political stage. Her remark- middle school could become the head of able ambition and determination are qualities I can only hope to a team that improvises and performs in emulate in my own leadership initiatives. front of huge audiences? BSS has taught me that if I am passionate about some- 14 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 0 Lessons10 BSS Students Share Their Leadership Lessons Learned Kelly Damp Julie Park GRADE: 12 GRADE: 12 LEADERSHIP POSITION: Head Ambassador LEADERSHIP POSITION: 8A Form Advisor WHAT HAS BSS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT WHAT HAS BSS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT LEADERSHIP? BSS has taught me a lot LEADERSHIP? BSS taught me that anyone about leadership. I think leadership is can be a leader and that everyone at BSS something that everybody possesses and IS a leader—even the students without the BSS has given me the opportunity to learn leadership pins or the white blazer. about this quality as well as develop my FAVOURITE PUBLIC LEADER AND WHY? skills in this area. We are all leaders in Martin Luther King. Because to me, he our own way and at this School we are seems like a true leader—he inspired and given countless opportunities to learn how this word applies to each motivated many people through his words and actions. After being unique individual. Through my experiences, my accomplishments positioned as a form advisor, I realized that the hardest part of this and mistakes, I have learned about the importance of taking risks responsibility was to engage the Grade 8s and to be a good role and that I must have confidence in myself. model for them. Martin Luther King was able to easily engage his WORDS OF WISDOM Mistakes happen. You have to take everything audience and build relationships with the audience. He worked ex- stride and learn from your experiences. tremely hard and was willing to do anything to prove his point. WORDS OF WISDOM It’s okay to make mistakes. Kyra Azzopardi GRADE: 12 Erica Li LEADERSHIP POSITION: Arts and Clubs GRADE: 12 Prefect LEADERSHIP POSITION: Social Services WHAT HAS BSS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT Prefect LEADERSHIP? BSS has taught me two im- WHAT HAS BSS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT portant lessons about leadership: 1. have LEADERSHIP? BSS has taught me that integrity and 2. the gift of leadership does leadership comes in many different forms. not come from what benefits the leader It’s important to lead but also to know but from what the community gains; lead- when to take a step back. Most impor- ership is a service. tantly, I’ve learned to take advantage of FAVOURITE PUBLIC LEADER AND WHY? Without a doubt, my fa- the opportunities I have around me and vourite public leader would have to be Barack Obama. He is an take risks. inspiring politician, and the world has been in dire need of such FAVOURITE PUBLIC LEADER AND WHY? My favourite public leader individuals for some time. Obama has championed the concept of is Pierre Trudeau, a former Prime Minister of Canada. As I learned change and hope as he challenges not only America, but the whole in many of my classes, Pierre Trudeau was unafraid to speak his world, to better themselves. His perseverance, intelligence, strength mind and make bold decisions. I admire his courage to lead Cana- and optimism is inspirational, and my admiration for him even led dians through difficult times while staying true to his beliefs. As a me to travel to Washington with my sister and stand in the Mall for result, he redefined Canada and left a lasting impact. his inauguration. WORDS OF WISDOM Always remember that no matter what happens, keep your head up high and keep trekking through. 10THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 5 SPOTLIGHT | STUDENTS

Kim Chen GRADE: 12 LEADERSHIP POSITION: Head of BSS’BO and member of the Academic Student Council WHAT HAS BSS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT LEADERSHIP? It’s a skill that is useful everywhere, within school or outside of school, and especially beneficial in the fu- What it takes to be a ture—it’s good that there are opportunities to make mistakes now and learn from them and become a better leader than later on in life when mistakes could have far more detrimental effects. FAVOURITE PUBLIC LEADER AND WHY? Truthfully, I don’t really see why I have to name a public leader. Many people within the School do things that come naturally to them every day—some smile all the time, some fight for what they believe is right, some are considerate of others, others are full-out passionate about what they do—these BSSThey give at the office...then Board they start th eir second shift. By Rachel member. Hahn are just some qualities that truly make someone a leader and I admire them all. or more than 140 years, BSS has been empowering, edu- WORDS OF WISDOM Sleep lots! It’s more useful than it seems. cating and encouraging girls. It is, quite arguably, the best girls’ school in all of Canada and much of this credit is due Elizabeth F to the School’s skilled and committed leadership. Behind the scenes and after hours, the dedicated members of the Board of Grace Sermol Governors and the Board of Trustees propel the School forward in GRADE: 12 terms of support, strategy and financial oversight. LEADERSHIP POSITION: Fair Trade Club Kim Gordon, Head of BSS, can’t emphasize enough how impor- Head tant the Boards are to the functioning of the School. “Having these WHAT HAS BSS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT Boards allows me to have Bay Street financial experts, marketing LEADERSHIP? BSS has taught me that gurus, entrepreneurs, and lawyers at my fingertips. I have access to leadership, in its truest sense, is not a des- the top talent in Canada and North America who I can turn to for ignated role, but rather an attitude and an their expertise, and all of it, pro bono. They’re always just a phone ability to interact and inspire those around call away and the generosity they’ve shown, both of their time and you. If you are able to do this, then you are a successful leader. It also their talent is extraordinary.” taught me that you need to be able to recognize flaws in yourself, The Board of Governors, chaired by Kate BERGHUIS Stevenson and to correct them—laughing helps. ’81, has three main responsibilities: to hire and support the Head of FAVOURITE PUBLIC LEADER AND WHY? My favorite public leader the School, to oversee and approve the School’s mission and strat- is, as many people at the moment, Obama. But my favorite unof- egy, and to maintain financial oversight of the School’s operations. ficial leader was Anita Roddick, who founded The Body Shop. Her The Board of Trustees, chaired by Sarah Kavanagh, is charged with story is incredible, and her book Take It Personally—How to Make the responsibility of overseeing the health of the BSS Foundation in Conscious Choices To Change The World inspired me to continue a fundraising capacity, as well as managing the Foundation’s invest- on with my project and the Fair Trade Club. ment growth strategy and its disbursements to the School. Kate Stevenson has nearly 25 years of experience as a senior finance executive for large, multinational corporations. Sarah Kava- Gillian Hannon nagh is Vice Chair of Investment Banking at Scotia Capital. On aver- GRADE: 12 age, they each spend at least four days of every month working for LEADERSHIP POSITION: Head Girl the BSS Boards. Both Boards have multiple subcommittees devoted WHAT HAS BSS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT to ensuring the School is in a position of strength to achieve its goals. LEADERSHIP? BSS has taught me most Bruce Rothney and Ruth Woods, both Vice Chairs of the Board of of what I know about leadership. Three Governors, also volunteer similar amounts of time to the Boards and of the most important leadership les- various subcommittees. All members of the Boards contribute their sons I have learned at BSS, however, are time, talents and often show incredible leadership in the School’s teamwork and cooperation, how to plan fundraising activities. ahead, and the importance of time management. “It’s a commitment to be on the Board,” says Ms Woods. The FAVOURITE PUBLIC LEADER AND WHY? My favourite public leader Boards are self perpetuating, which means members are often on the is Nelson Mandela, primarily because he has displayed such im- lookout for new volunteers, and selecting Board members requires mense leadership amidst such difficult conditions. much consideration in order to diversify the Boards’ talents. “They WORDS OF WISDOM Write absolutely everything in your agenda!  can’t all be lawyers,” she laughs. It is also important to select people 6 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 4 INSIDE BSS What it takes to be a

BSSThey give at the office...then Board they start th eir second shift. By Rachel member. Hahn

who have, in other ways, demonstrated their dedication to BSS. It is from Kim.” a demanding volunteer role and Board members need to be willing Ms Stevenson says that BSS is unusual among independent and able to carve out the time required from their busy lives. schools in this regard. “Attracting and cultivating top talent, and There are many issues that the Boards tackle and this year es- to have chosen two Heads of School in succession from our own pecially presented a host of challenges such as managing budgets ranks is a rare feat,” she writes. The strength of the staff and Board within the context of an increasingly tumultuous economy and ma- members ensure BSS is a standout school on the continent, as does jor leadership changes in the School with the announcement of Kim the reputation of the academic and co-curricular program—yet an- Gordon’s retirement. “I’m particularly proud of how smoothly the other aspect of BSS’s vision and mission that the Board is involved transition between Kim as outgoing Head and Deryn Lavell as in- in stewarding. coming Head has been handled,” says Ms Woods who, along with Bruce Rothney is, in his words, “fully engaged” in BSS. All three Board member, John Barford, managed the Head selection process. of his daughters—Mackenzie, Stephanie and Katelyn—are enrolled BSS has a history of effective succession planning and smooth tran- at the School. Part of the reason he enthusiastically volunteers on the sitions of key staff, including the Head’s position. The importance Board is because he wants only the best for his girls. “The passion of a strong and talented Head of School cannot be underestimated, stems from your hopes and aspirations for your daughters to get the and Ms Stevenson agrees that the process was an accomplishment to best education they possibly can. That’s really what drives me,” says take pride in. “Managing the Head succession process was undoubt- Mr. Rothney. edly the activity that will have the greatest impact on BSS for years “UCC and the other great boys’ schools have always had a unique to come,” she writes in an email, adding that “we are exceptionally advantage and a unique place in society, and, in my own mind, I fortunate to have such a talented internal candidate to take over think that hasn’t been as much the case with the girls’ schools. I

Ruth Woods Bruce Rothney Kate BERGHUIS Stevenson ’81 Vice Chair, Board of Governors Vice Chair, Board of Governors Chair, Board of Governors 4THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 7 INSIDE BSS think that’s fundamentally wrong,” Mr. ment would enable BSS to achieve its goal of Rothney explains. increasing diversity and making the School “It’s time for the world to wake up and “If Ms Gordon more accessible to a variety of girls. really create a balance and an attitude that drills into us to According to Deryn Lavell, who is cur- says…girls can do anything if we create the rently the Assistant Head of Institutional right institution. If Ms Gordon drills into us teach girls in a Advancement, “the importance of the en- to teach girls in the way that they naturally dowment is more evident now, in these tough learn more effectively, and then really un- way that they economic times, than ever before. The School leash that power, I think it’s almost an un- is committed to doing everything possible to stoppable force.” naturally learn help its families in need through bursaries This passion for quality girls’ education more effectively, and financial aid.” contributes to the program strategy that the Ultimately, the Boards of BSS are pre- Board oversees. A recent programming ac- and then really pared to meet an uncertain environment with complishment has been ushering in the Reg- thoughtful, intelligent planning based on gio-inspired approach in the Junior School. unleash that power, their collaborative approach and immense “The Reggio-inspired program, in my view, experience. “We’ve been thinking about has created a renaissance school which is it’s almost an the worst thing that could happen to us and unlike most others in Canada, if not North unstoppable force.” have planned for it. We have a plan. We’re America,” says Mr. Rothney. not expecting the worst, but we’re planning One of the most important responsibili- Sarah Kavanagh for it,” assures Ms Woods. “The great news Chair, Board of Trustees ties of the Board of Trustees is to manage the is that we’re not seeing any change in the School’s endowment. Managing the invest- number of people interested in the School,” ments and various other monetary concerns she adds. “We don’t see any foreshadowing of any institution in the current economic cli- that enrolment is going to be down. Our mate is a delicate and difficult thing, but BSS admissions numbers are extremely strong is more than prepared. “Certainly this econ- and we expect to have the revenue that we omy has impacted both the Boards,” says Ms need. If unusual attrition happens, we have Woods. “We have contingency plans in place. plans in place for how we would manage We’re managing our costs at as low a level as the School through a time when enrolment we can and are making sure that we’re de- was down slightly.” ferring capital expenditures that we wouldn’t Though prudent planning is necessary in otherwise have to make,” she explains. any economic climate, Ms Stevenson notes “As Governors, we are very sensitive to that, “BSS still has a great opportunity to the hardship that families of all shapes and make a difference in the lives of each of its sizes are going through with the economy students. With the School in excellent finan- turning very sour and the capital markets cial shape and continuing to invest in its turning incredibly sour,” says Mr. Rothney. strategic priorities, it is in a strong position In times like these, he says, there are two to distinguish itself in today’s uncertain en- main areas of focus for the Board: to be very vironment.” thoughtful about expenditures and to continue providing financial Ms Gordon practically beams when she discusses the Board aid as much as possible. A result of the Board’s efforts was reflected of Governors and the Board of Trustees, and rightly so. Even in a in the very minimal tuition increase recently announced (2.9 per time of market turmoil they continue to plan and strategize ways to cent). “I think the 2.9 per cent is really good evidence of us trying to make the School better than it was the day before. In essence, these be extra cautious and careful about raising costs and tuition prices behind-the-scenes strategists are always looking ahead and always when everybody is feeling the pinch,” says Mr. Rothney, adding that seeking improvement. “I’ve been so blessed to have had the support it is also of the utmost importance to maintain the quality of the and talent of the people working with me on these Boards,” says Ms School’s programming. “We want to make sure that we don’t deliver Gordon. “I have felt supported from day one and they have never let a less than fantastic product which people are obviously expecting me down, no matter what the challenge. They are a very big reason and deserve.” why BSS is so strong and we all owe them a debt of gratitude.” Ms Kavanagh, too, is quick to point out that often improving “In the near term, supporting our Head transition is our top pri- the School through program changes is not necessarily a costly en- ority,” writes Ms Stevenson. “Over the longer term, without a doubt, deavour. “Some of the kinds of changes that we think are innovative building the endowment will be the key to our success in ensuring and improve the program may not cost a lot. They might be about that we have access to the very best talent. Great schools have great teachers doing things a little differently, collaborating, or design- endowments. It’s my dream that every deserving girl could have the ing interdisciplinary programming,” she says. Alternately, the types opportunity I have had with a BSS education. It’s as simple as that!” of projects that are being delayed or interrupted are large capital She adds, “With a culture committed to the best way to motivate and projects and extensive fundraising plans for the endowment, which teach girls, our leaders, faculty, staff and community are all bound instead will remain an ongoing priority for the School as a driver of by the goal that our students graduate with the confidence to pursue overall fundraising initiatives. For example, having a larger endow- their hopes and dreams with passion.”  8 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 6 FEATURE We have the plan. Now, how to make it work? Six Assistant Heads make the vision a reality at BSS. By Julia LeConte

very Wednesday morning, the six Assistant Heads at within—someone who is already familiar with the approach and its The Bishop Strachan School come together with Head of principles—is beneficial to the School, and to the students. School, Kim Gordon, to strategize, problem solve, share For Ms McLean, the weekly meetings with the other Assistant E successes and challenges, and to obtain perspective and Heads are an efficient way to make informed decisions and keep ev- feedback. Individually, the Assistant Heads are incredibly focused eryone on the team up to speed on the different areas of the School. women, heading very different departments with a singular common She says that, although for any given issue some individuals are more goal: to provide the best education possible for the students. Collec- involved than others, it’s valuable to have everyone present. “There tively they represent three branches of BSS’s strategic plan: People, are many, many decisions that affect different portfolios, so it’s a Program and Sustainability. great opportunity for us to minimize the requirements for individual meetings. Meeting together as Assistant Heads means that we know People what the next steps are and [you’re making] a much more informed BSS is a unique place. It has a large full-time staff, including over decision.” 100 teachers. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For The Assistant Head model isn’t brand new; rather, it’s new ter- any school, succession planning and smooth transitioning of staff is minology for a system that was more or less already in place. “I’m important, but for an institution as comprehensive as BSS, it’s vital. not sure that it was a huge change as much as a formalizing of what These issues, among many other priorities, are top-of-mind for Bar- was actually happening,” says Ms McLean. “The Assistant Head bara McLean, Assistant Head, Human Resources and Professional organization really formalized the people who were running the or- Growth. ganization with Ms Gordon. It really just brought everything under “Professional growth is everything from the orientation compo- one umbrella.” nent at the hiring, all the way through to teacher evaluation, per- It’s not difficult for Ms McLean to pinpoint exactly what drives formance reviews and the mentoring program,” says Ms McLean. her. “There are two questions that we ask a lot: Is this in the best “You need to be sustaining the level of expertise. Part of it is hiring interest of the girls, and is this teaching them what they need to be the right people, and then making sure that the skills are there,” she successful in the future?” she says. “Then we think, how does this says. Ms McLean sites Ms Gordon as a prime example—she was impact the staff? And what do we need to do for the staff?” already at BSS when she was named Head. Similarly, when Deryn Lavell left her role as Principal of the Junior School, Jennifer Arm- Program strong, who was Vice Principal at the time, was promoted to Princi- Jennifer Armstrong has been with the Junior School for seven years pal. “You have to grow your own talent in many areas. Our teachers (four years as Principal, aka Assistant Head, Junior School) and has at BSS are much farther ahead of the curve than they are at many seen it completely revamped based on the Reggio-inspired approach, other places,” says Ms McLean. “They step into leadership posi- which, she explains, is based on three central tenets: transparency, tions and they have an opportunity to grow and develop.” reciprocity and relationships. “And those three things are ultimately Clearly BSS has laid a strong foundation of talent, but it’s not what the Assistant Head team is all about,” she says. “It has been re- always easy to find the right candidates in the first place. “There is ally exciting and an intensive period of growth and development for not a shortage of teachers from a demographic perspective,” says all of us, but it’s also about recognizing what this School is in context Ms McLean, adding however, that there are few teachers with the with the community; what is its relationship with the bigger institu- necessary skills to fulfill BSS’s standards. To that end, it’s even more tion?” says Ms Armstrong. “How do these all interconnect and how important to cultivate the School’s existing talent. The Junior School do we all focus our energies here on the children? That’s been seven follows a Reggio-inspired program—an approach to learning that years of work.” isn’t common in many North American institutions. Promoting from Needless to say, the other five Assistant Heads have been mas- 6THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 9 FEATURE sively helpful when it comes to seeing the bigger picture. “It’s easy to “Above all, one thing we do when things get overwhelming is get swallowed by minutia,” says Ms Armstrong. She likens the As- constantly remind ourselves of why we’re here—we’re here for the sistant Heads to a group of critically thinking friends. “If you have girls,” she says. “That’s where it all starts.” an idea or a problem, you have this incredibly intelligent group of And the girls are certainly doing their parts, too. When Mary people who are still committed to the same strategic objective with Anne Ballantyne arrived at the School seven and a half years ago, one their eyes and expertise,” she says. But Ms Armstrong notes that fo- of the first things she did was lobby for an IT prefect and an IT coun- cusing on the grand scheme doesn’t mean losing sight of the human cil. Today, the council is in full swing and taking on myriad tasks and aspect of what they do. “Our daily business is dealing with kids and responsibilities. “They’re an amazing group of girls,” says Ms Bal- their families. To have those discussions with that group of people lantyne, Assistant Head, Technology and Innovation. “They’re not keeps reality on the table.” only training and helping other girls around the School, but they’re Just as Ms McLean focuses on transitioning teachers and staff, definitely leaders in terms of ethical use in technology. One of the Ms Armstrong is concerned about a fluid transition as her students things they’re working on right now is a code of ethics.” go on to attend the Senior School. “The level of connectivity is im- Ms Ballantyne’s role is multi-faceted. She manages a department

Angela Terpstra, Assistant Head, Senior School Deryn Lavell chats with BSS Boarders

portant; there’s no hiving off the Junior School,” she says. “You can hive it off physically but it’s not a separate silo. In a big institution, the voice of the Junior School could be drowned out. “But not at “Above all, one thing BSS. Ms Armstrong credits the Assistant Head team, which she says we do when things is very committed to staying connected. “That’s the biggest difference. In the past, we all proposed ideas and all had responsibilities get overwhelming is for certain things. We got feedback and went back and worked on it ourselves. Now we sit around the table to create the first idea to- constantly remind gether. That’s a much richer way of moving forward.” ourselves of why we’re It’s a philosophy that the Assistant Heads try to pass on to the classroom level, and, for the girls, it’s definitely working. “We’re here—we’re here for the actually modelling for the girls,” says Angela Terpstra, Assistant Head, Senior School. “One of the things we are really strong about girls,” she says. “That’s is teaching leadership, and what leadership is really about is how where it all starts.” well you delegate and motivate; how well you understand from the smallest detail to the larger picture.” that supports the School in terms of pure technical support, and This is Ms Terpstra’s fourth year at BSS. She came as Principal of also develops technology-based programming alongside teachers in the Senior School, a position that has since been renamed Assistant the classroom. She’s also in charge of all the databases and the data Head, Senior School. The titles may be new to BSS, but are actually management. Ms Ballantyne is very focused on the education aspect, common in other institutions. More important is the functionality and making sure that BSS is not at the bleeding edge, but at the lead- that they represent. One of Ms Terpstra’s guiding principles is to ing edge, of teaching and learning and using technology to enable make sure people are listened to, and that their “highest priority that. “Technology”, Ms Ballantyne says, “plays a role in everything needs are being served.” The team of Assistant Heads helps facilitate BSS does, right down to the nuts and bolts.” that. And helping the IT aspect of the School to remain free of techni-

10 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 cal difficulties, is the team of Assistant Heads. They’re “a smaller and making this a great experience for the girls. At the end of the team of senior people who report to [Ms Gordon], who can work at day, I’ve done my most to ensure that the families get value for their a more strategic level, and help carry out a very ambitious strategic money, and that I’ve helped to make this a great place for the girls.” plan,” says Ms Ballantyne. Ms Lavell will replace Ms Gordon as Head of School in the summer of 2009. But her current role in Institutional Advancement is Sustainability certainly not without its challenges. “Part of our strategic plan was The third branch of that aggressive plan is sustainability. Leading its to raise our endowment to unprecedented levels, and we set a target charge are Janet Ainslie, Assistant Head, Finance and Facility, and of an additional 15 million over and above what we have now,” Deryn Lavell, Assistant Head, Institutional Advancement. says Ms Lavell. That plan included reorganizing a number of depart- Ms Ainslie tackles sustainability in terms of one of life’s most ments in order to synergize effectively. “We’re starting to get a much practical aspects: dollars and cents. “As you hear about the program better, coherent model together that can help us to really reach our initiatives and people initiatives, my challenge is to be able to fund goals,” she says. “What it’s allowed us to do now is really be able them,” she says. One of the things the strategic plan hadn’t antici- to focus on our families even before they get in the door—from that

Barb McLean, Assistant Head, Human Resources and Professional Growth Janet Ainslie with members of her Finance team; Irina Klenkin, Susan Douglas and Olya Beaupre

pated is the current economic climate. A major coup for Ms Ainslie first inquiry right through to when they’re Old Girls”. has been her ability to dramatically lessen the School’s increase in But, like Ms Ainslie, Ms Lavell is also reacting to the economy. fees this year. “Over the last decade, we’ve increased our fees, on “In fact, an opportunity has arisen in that we are able to look at how average, six per cent, and some years as high as nine per cent,” she we are sending the message about our endowment to our commu- says. “We knew that was not sustainable at a time when we want nity,” she says. “We’re widening our lens a little bit. The endowment diversity in our student base.” will always be the engine that drives us, but we need to be sure that The struggle lies in continuing to advance the curriculum at the during these times we’re sensitive to the families and cultivating our pace that the School is accustomed to—and at the pace BSS’s lead- relationships, while still driving forward with the strategic plan.” ers would like—and to maintain and improve the School’s physical It’s that kind of flexibility and innovation that define BSS. “As facilities, all without putting financial strain on families during these an institution we understand the incredible rate of change in the difficult times. Rolling back fees at a time like this would jeopardize world,” says Ms Lavell. She stresses the importance of “taking a the quality of the School, but increasing them at the rate they had in good look at what you’re doing and why you’re doing it, and asking the past isn’t realistic either. yourself what are the next practices out there?” As a team, those are Luckily, with an incredibly talented team, Ms Ainslie has man- things that the Assistant Heads examine weekly. aged. “We are pleased that we were able to keep the increase to 2.9 “We’re incredibly fortunate to have really strong teams within per cent for 2009/10,” she says, adding that the success is a reflec- teams at this School,” says Ms Lavell. “The idea of having the As- tion of the team of Assistant Heads and the teams who report to sistant Heads for a senior executive is that each Assistant Head over- them. To achieve this feat, Ms Ainslie and her team found alternative sees significant areas of the School. It’s a wise crowd as opposed to revenue streams, such as renting out some of the School’s facilities working in a silo.” during off hours. They’re also planning for the future. “[The Board’s So what keeps these six women going? Easy. “Our students are Finance Committee] has been pushing us to make sure that we’re at the heart of everything we do,” says Ms Lavell. On a recent trip doing scenario planning and contingency analysis, and that we also to Calgary, she met up with an Old Girl who was an executive with network with other schools to compare strategies,” says Ms Ainslie. a very big Canadian company. “She said ‘all the leadership skills I “My sense of fulfillment comes from taking my business experience brought to this position I learned from BSS.’” 

THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 11 FEATURE

SETTLING IN TO the too-squishy sofa in Kim Gordon’s office, we take position for the ‘final interview’, but the door constantly swings open with eager visitors—parents, stu- Kim Gordon dents, Old Girls, staff, all dropping by to say hi or deliver a problem on the doorstep of BSS’s unflappable leader. In good humour and with the deftness of a Cirque du Soleil The Last Interview performance, Ms Gordon balances three problems with two hello’s, four ‘we’ll deal with that laters’ and finally, a By Sharon Gregg plea to close the door so we can begin our chat.

12 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 This is the typical day in the life of Kim Gordon, BSS Head for and opens the door to new challenges all the time. I think I share five years and VP of Curriculum for six years before that. Her en- with most educators, the passion to see the growth and development ergy is infectious without being disorienting. She stands at the centre of the young, fertile minds around us. The difference we can make of the ongoing storm of activity at BSS, her manner neither calm in the lives of our students is both awesome and daunting. It’s a big nor flustered, she dives in to the chaos with enthusiasm, giving new responsibility and I take it very seriously. meaning to the term ‘multi-tasking.’ She’s always thinking, always SG: How do you think BSS differs from other independent quick to connect the dots. Every day on the job she takes in a tsu- schools? If I were a parent in Toronto contemplating a school for nami of information that gets synthesized and redistributed as a co- my daughter, I’d have lots to choose from. Why BSS? herent plan. And all of that performed on three-inch heels. KG: We are fortunate in this city to have such choice in education Running a $23 million organization, which BSS is, is as complex and there are many top quality schools with great strengths. That a job as any CEO position in a large company. Long gone are the makes it tough for all of us because we know that there is another days when the title ‘Head of School’ evoked images of the pleasant choice just down the street. It certainly ensures for parents that we former academic enjoying languid teas and chit chats in leafy quad- are all working very hard! rangles. Today’s Head must be adept at managing large, complicated I think BSS shines as a beacon of innovation. There is a distinct budgets and organizational structures. She must be thoroughly im- “BSS way,” that sets us apart. We are a culture that is not afraid to mersed in cutting edge technologies, curriculum breakthroughs, and try new things, that is as gutsy and assertive as it is warm and nur- brain research, while being the go-to person for the big fundraising turing. Everything we do has the BSS twist on it from adapting the challenges, manage the School’s public relations, be highly skilled at Reggio approach to our Junior School, to getting technology like troop motivation, problem solving, strategic planning, sales, mar- our 3-D printer into the hands of our students to learn sophisticated keting, and…you get the picture. The days begin at dawn and last engineering and industrial design just as they do it in the profession- until well past sundown, and for much of the past 11 years, would al world. We see no limits and we take chances. We’re not always on continue with the other fulltime job Ms Gordon had as the mother the money, but wherever we land, it’s bound to be a few feet further of two delightful young women, Kelly and Christie, both Old Girls than if we’d played it safe. who have gone on to enriching careers and lives of their own. SG: You mention innovation a lot. Another favourite word of Now as the ever-vibrant Ms Gordon contemplates a new chap- yours is creativity. You’ve often said that you need creativity as a ter, saying farewell to BSS and welcoming life with future husband basic life skill to be successful in the future economy—agreeing Marv MaGee in California, one cannot imagine this woman ever in many ways with the thinking of academics like Roger Mar- contenting herself with sailing and golf. No, there will be more yet. tin, Richard Florida and others who talk of intellectual and emo- But in the meantime, she has much to feel proud of in the life she’s tional flexibility as the keys to success as our economic base led to-date. moves from industrial towards knowledge. What innovations or SG: What are you most proud of in your tenure at BSS? initiatives have you authored to make BSS an environment that KG: The team. I will take credit for recognizing and nurturing celebrates and inspires creativity? great talent; but the rest is up to them. And boy have they come KG: Creativity in schools has been defined in the past as the abil- through. My Senior Admin Team consists of professionals who are ity to make art. We put areas of learning in silos so there were divi- at the top of their respective fields. They work together collabora- sions among skills required to do math or science versus literature, tively, but have strong individual viewpoints that they’re not afraid history or art. What that did is it robbed students of the opportunity to voice. They are creative, passionate and just so, so smart. I have to apply a creative mind to problem solving of all kinds and made been incredibly lucky to have such talent around me and because things like math formulaic. That alienated a lot of girls from those of that, we have such a depth of talent, skill and commitment that subjects because they are not linear thinkers. Unleashing creativity reaches right through all aspects of the school. That’s why BSS is so in girls and celebrating it as a highly prized skill that is not neces- strong. sarily just linked to the arts, encourages them to tackle math and SG: Any job, no matter how great, has its frustrations. What engineering problems with enthusiasm…and great success. have been the biggest for you during your time here? So when we implemented the Reggio-inspired approach in the KG: We don’t have the capacity to do everything we want to do. Junior School, I knew that would revolutionize learning approaches It’s a problem of our reach being greater than our grasp. It is frus- for girls at the earliest stages, planting the seeds for the kind of cre- trating when you have to dampen the enthusiasm of hard-working, ativity that would support them throughout their academic careers. innovative colleagues because we don’t have the resources to carry They learn how to think about problems using their own curiosity out their dream. We’ve had to make tough decisions, stay true to our and imagination to figure out solutions. Just look at the documen- strategic plan, respect our resources, both human and financial, and tation coming out of the Junior School and you can’t help but be put some great ideas on hold. That’s never something that would sit amazed at what these young minds are capable of. well with me. Putting technology in the hands of our students when we intro- SG: Were you born for this? Was education in the blood or duced the laptop program during my tenure as VP Curriculum, was was it something you stumbled into? without question, one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced, but one KG: Oh I was definitely born for it. I used to hold phys ed classes that clearly paid off because we enabled girls to get really comfort- at my house when I was a kid. The neighbourhood parents loved able with technology and to use it as a tool to expand learning. Their me! I love teaching and learning and this career has given me ample level of computer literacy now is remarkable and we were ahead of opportunity to do both. At BSS I’ve really been able to mentor other the curve on that initiative. The explosion that’s happened since with educators and administrators in ways that have been incredibly ful- the software programs we use in film studies and other art courses, filling for me. At the same time, I’m in a place that breathes learning as well as the technology in robotics, engineering, math and science,

THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 13 FEATURE is just breathtaking and BSS students are running with it to the point friends—it was a Board member who introduced me to my fiancé, that they are well beyond the skill level of most of their peers going for goodness’ sake! The community, from the students to their par- into post-secondary levels. ents, the teachers and staff to the admin team, the Old Girls who SG: We are facing some tough economic times now and for stay in touch and the Boards whom I’ve loved working with, it is the foreseeable future. As Deryn Lavell prepares to take the such a family and I will truly miss that. helm on your retirement in an environment that could be even SG: What does your future hold? You’re getting married this more challenging than usual, what advice would you give her spring, moving to California with your husband. Your daughters and the BSS community? are grown and launched into their lives with great success. And KG: Well first, I am even more thankful that we had the good you’re leaving a career you’ve had since you started out over 35 sense to hire Deryn for this job because we are going to need her en- years ago. That’s a big part of your identity. All this change must ergy, savvy, and breadth of experience to help navigate these waters. be a bit nerve wracking? She has the skills to guide BSS through, and I know I’m leaving the KG: It is. No question. I’ve had many a sleepless night as I turned School in a position of great strength to weather the storm. We’ve over all those thoughts in my mind. But I have learned in my life had an upward trajectory of admissions stats over the past several that change comes at you, whether you want it or not—change that years; we’ve built a realistic budget that gives us the room to stay can mean redefining your whole life. I’ve done it before. I can do it true to our culture of innovation and growth without jeopardizing again. I’m not afraid of it because through it, I’ve discovered aspects our financial stability; and perhaps most important of all, we have of myself I might never have known. It’s growth and that can only a Board of Governors and Trustees that represents the best and the be good. brightest across a variety of professions giving us a constant and So, as I look to the future I know that I will be with a wonderful very reassuring source of knowledge from which to draw. I can’t say man and partner for life and that’s irreplaceable. My daughters have enough about how wonderful these Boards have been for me and I had a good start to life and the rest is up to them, though my moth- know they will be there just as powerfully for Deryn. ering days are far from over! And my career with BSS has been the So with that, I’d advise Deryn to dream big. The trouble our jewel in the crown, one of the best things that ever happened to me. economy is facing will pass, but BSS has been around for over 140 But it’s a tough, demanding job and I think a leader ought to know years and has a long journey ahead. I know she’ll keep her eye on the when it’s best for the organization to bring in new blood and new prize and continue to push forward with an exciting and dynamic energy. That time is now and whatever happens down the road for leadership style that will inspire everyone to be their best. That’s me, I know I’ll have done the right thing at the right time for BSS and what BSS needs right now. myself. I kind of like not knowing precisely where the path will lead. SG: What will you miss most about BSS? I’m looking forward to sleeping past 5:30 am and having some time KG: Well it certainly won’t be the long hours! Without hesita- to read, and think and pursue new learning. It’s exciting! tion it will be the people. I work with extraordinary people whom SG: I say you’ll be bored in two weeks. I respect and genuinely care about. Many have become personal KG: That’s probably true! But I’ll give it three…then we’ll see. 

14 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 PROFILE | FACULTY

Above the treetops Teacher’s ‘think tank’ lets BSS educators get above the fray. By Rachel Yeager

ver the past few years, BSS had been looking for a way to incorporate time for formal group discussion into Senior School teachers’ busy O schedules. Monthly staff meetings, where the entire faculty was present, were not proving to be effective mediums for in-depth examination of issues across the curriculum. “In these large, group meetings, teachers weren’t able to have substantive conversations about real issues in the Senior School,” says Angela Terpstra, Assistant Head, Se- nior School. “Some of my colleagues and I attended a conference in the U.S. called Best Practices for 21st Century Learning, and heard about schools who had abandoned afterschool meetings and moved to daytime meetings,” says Sian Jones, Vice Principal, Academic Program. The result was the formation of Professional Learning Communities, or PLCs, implemented in the Senior School this year. PLCS are heterogeneous groups of ten to fifteen teachers across departments and grades. PLC groups meet bi-weekly to discuss curriculum, exchange ideas on assign- ments and evaluation, and even visit one another’s classrooms to share methodologies and best practices. “It’s a good way to hear varying viewpoints on issues Jan Sullivan, Vice Principal of Student Life and Sian Jones, Vice Principal, Academic Program around the School,” says Rita Gravina, Head of the Learn- ing Commons and Canada/World Studies teacher. “We can bring riculum issues can be examined much more in-depth.” a topic of discussion that we feel is useful. It’s a good way to dis- Adds Ms Jones, “there is a huge difference between the conversa- cuss educational issues that are hot at the moment. And I like hear- tions we would have had in our staff meetings versus the conversa- ing how various departments are responding to the issues that the tions we have in the PLC. I hope that people feel that’s valuable.” School is dealing with.” Students also benefit from the PLC model because, as Ms Jones The end goal is to build a tightly-knit group of teachers who can puts it, “the more their teachers are talking to each other, the more be open and honest, and can grow together to build a common un- streamlined their learning experience will be.” derstanding of each other’s teaching practice. Says Ms Jones, “one In a high school where everyone is divided up by subject and of the struggles with education is that teachers are in the classrooms, discipline, the structure is not built for teachers to collaborate. Says behind doors, working alone. That’s how school life is scheduled. Ms Jones, “that’s just how education has been for such a long time Having time to converse with colleagues, and to work with col- at the high school level—and at the university level. So it’s really a leagues, is not a natural part of a high school system.” shift for those people to think about putting together the skills and According to Jan Sullivan, Vice Principal of Student Life, “a lot the knowledge that’s common and enables the kids to come together more can be accomplished in a meeting with a small group, and cur- to build something even bigger.” 

THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 15 TABLECOMMUNITY OF CONTENTS

Thank you, Mr. Rogers. A great family legacy continues. By Rachel Hahn

e is a household name that is synonymous with busi- do the trick. He donned an outdated powder-blue suit and bold shirt, ness titan, a man of vision, a dreamer and a doer. It’s both with extreme 70s lapels, and gladly wore them to work and hard to resist the allure of his underdog story: A five- around the house. Despite his children’s cries about the fashion crisis H year-old boy loses his father and the family business, being committed, he insisted it made Loretta feel better. leaving him with almost nothing but a burning desire to reclaim the Loretta was his match in many ways. Married in 1963, the two prestige and success once attached to his name. were supposed to spend three weeks on a honeymoon in Kenya. That is the Ted Rogers the public knows, infamous for his work Predictably, Ted had to cut the trip short for business reasons and ethic. However, for those who were a part of Ted’s family and Ted’s promised he’d take Loretta away for a full month in the following community he was much more than all that. He loved to give and he year to make up for it. loved to joke. “People want to make him into something else, but in “Which month?” Loretta had asked her new husband. the end he was just a guy who thought he was a little dorky,” says “February,” he replied. Ted’s youngest, Martha. He was a man who would leave a mess in “That’ll now cost you six weeks for choosing the shortest the kitchen after making a late night snack (usually his favourite—a month,” she quipped. peanut butter and banana sandwich). He would spend hours playing Her next move was to pick their destinations and she selected with the kids in the family pool. He loved Hallowe’en, family, travel them with the question in mind, “Where can’t he live on the tele- and business, and his love of these things came easily and naturally. phone?” Ted was an innate entrepreneur. While boarding at UCC, he strung They went to Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti, all about a wire from an antenna on the roof down into his dorm room and at- a 12-hour time difference from Toronto, so Ted couldn’t talk to the tached it to a small TV, which he charged his schoolmates to watch. office all the time. Ironically, it was this trip that got Ted started in Compassion was also in Ted’s nature. When his father-in-law passed cable. away in the 1990s he wanted to comfort his beloved wife, Loretta, The entrepreneurial Ted and the compassionate Ted were not and decided that wearing some of his father-in-law’s clothes would two different manifestations of one man. They were not even two

16 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 PROFILE | STUDENT

above: Ted Rogers, his stepfather and Ron Turnpenny

above: 1963 Engagement. above, right: Ted and family at the Rogers Centre, May 2008, his 75th birthday party hosted for and by the Rogers employees: Melinda ’89, Lisa ’86, Ted, Loretta, Martha ’90, Edward and son in law, Eric Hixon sides of a coin. They were traits that truly existed, all rolled into it shouldn’t be if you can afford it or not and he hated that concept,” one with no discernable separation. Family, philanthropy, commu- says Martha. “Education should be a right for all people and he re- nity and career were all part of one full life. “He wanted to be in the ally did believe that you can reach your full potential if you have it. thick of things. What he would hate is if he was in the study with the So the idea that only certain people got an education; he hated that. doors closed,” explains Martha. “It wasn’t work to him. He loved it It didn’t make any sense.” and that concept is strange to a lot of people. A lot of people divide Ted’s business sense and passion for BSS combined with the idea [work and home] but it wasn’t divided with him. He would find that of a beneficial partnership. He believed strongly that BSS and UCC a peculiar statement.” should collaborate and he found an eager ear with Kim Gordon. Education was one of Ted’s passions and he gave of his time and Early in her tenure as Head, Kim met with Ted to discuss the busi- money to many educational institutions including Ryerson Univer- ness side of the School. “He challenged me to look for opportunities sity, University of Toronto, UCC and, of course, BSS, where all four to work smarter and said there were untapped opportunities and of his children (Lisa, Melinda, Martha and even Edward) attended, cost savings in a potential back-room partnership with UCC,” writes as well as his sister, Ann, and currently his grandchild, Chloe. Ms Gordon in an email. That initial conversation put in motion a Loretta served on the BSS Board of Trustees for 27 years and partnering that will continue to blossom. “Four years later we share headed many capital campaigns to improve the School. “I was there a strategic vision with UCC around sustainability and several goals forever,” laughs Loretta, about her time with the Board of Trustees. to tap opportunities for shared services. Mr. Rogers’ advice will con- She wanted to be involved in giving her children a quality education. tinue to impact the future of our two schools,” says Ms Gordon. “When you have four kids, you do want the best education you can Creating opportunities for people was an important part of life get, and BSS was always very highly rated,” she says. in Ted’s eyes and is part of the reason he gave so willingly to educa- Among the many projects the pair was involved in at BSS, was tion and also to the health care system. “For people to do well in life the new Junior School built in 2003, and the Rogers wing, which you need an education,” explains Loretta. “It opens up a lot of op- officially opened in 1988. The wing houses a 250-seat theatre, two portunities for careers and whatever else, and if you’re going to do libraries, science labs and classrooms. The BSS fitness room named anything you need your health.” for the Rogers children is another project of Loretta and Ted’s. The Ted’s life was shrouded in health problems, whether they were family also established the Edward S. Rogers Family Scholarships his own or his family’s. His father’s sudden death due to a ruptured that are awarded annually to one Grade 9 student and retained (if aneurysm shook Ted to the core. His mother was very ill for the specific criteria are met) until that student leaves BSS. last years of her life and eventually died of cancer. Ted, himself, was “He just really believed that everyone has a right to education— almost completely blind in one eye since a very young age, and suf-

THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 17 COMMUNITY

above: Ted and Loretta Rogers at BSS Heritage Dinner, 2006. below: Ann GRAHAM ’62 with Rogers Scholarship recipients at Prize Day fered from several ailments throughout his life, you’ll be thrilled to see him and to meet him requiring dozens of surgeries. It was this close and to get to know him because you’ve built contact with sickness that instilled in Ted the a company bigger than he did.” Re-telling the belief that everyone deserves healthcare wheth- story of the last laugh shared between her and er they can afford it or not. “It would physical- her brother brings a smile to Ann’s face and a ly pain him to hear of people who had medical soft glaze of tears to her eyes. problems and couldn’t see a doctor or couldn’t That December night Ann said good-bye to afford it,” says Martha. She tells the story of her brother and walked home in the sleet. By a cleaning staff member at Rogers whose wife the time she had sat down, the phone rang. It had cancer and they couldn’t afford the opera- was Melinda and all she could say was, “he’s tion for her. Ted paid for it and was applauded gone.” by his peers, to which he replied, “Why are Ted’s funeral was attended by hundreds you applauding me? If my wife was dying and of people from all walks of life: businessmen someone could have helped her I would have and women, family members, politicians and done anything.” friends. Loretta asked that in lieu of flowers It’s that attitude that Martha is most proud people give to the Loretta Anne Rogers Critical of. “A lot of people help someone if they know Care Centre at Toronto Western Hospital. It them…but that’s where it ends. His definition stands as a testament to the amount of respect of people wasn’t exclusive to those who worked at Rogers or if you Ted earned as a businessman and an individual that about $2.5 mil- were a family member or if you were a friend of his daughter. It was lion has been donated in his name so far with large amounts given by literally anybody and I loved that about him. There was no ‘us and competitors, such as Shaw Communications and Bell. them’ perception. It was ‘we’re all one,’” she says. BSS has changed a lot over the past few decades, both in pro- Ted left this earth on December 2, 2008, at home with family at gramming and in capital. Ted, along with his family, deserves a lot of his side. He kept his winning spirit through it all, recalls his sister, credit for those positive changes. Unlike many businessmen, Ted de- Ann. Their last conversation, which was about whom he’d see in fined value not by monetary amounts but by how much something heaven, brought him a smile and a laugh. “All you have to do, Ted, is used and by how many people. By improving the facilities and is look at mother and say, ‘Is it all right, mom, or do you think there’s fiduciary capacity at BSS, he and Loretta were able to make it more anything else I should have done?’” Ann said. “As for your father, accessible for more girls and that legacy outlives Ted Rogers. 

18 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 ------BSS ------annual ------report ------2007/08 ------THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 19 ANNUAL REPORT | 2007/08

The School appreciates the work of the Foundation to provide Message from Janet Ainslie, endowment funds to help support bursaries, scholarships and Assistant Head, Finance and Facilities awards for outstanding students. This year, the Foundation funded $456,000 for this purpose, and transferred an additional $436,000 am pleased to report that BSS remains in a strong financial for other designated purposes, including Head’s Discretionary and position. The School enjoyed a very successful year in 2007/08, Academic Enrichment funds, as well as $424,000 collected on ending with a surplus of $1.6 Million before transfers of $1.44 pledges from recent capital campaigns. I Million to surplus invested in capital assets. Total revenue In 2008 the School renovated the library space to build the increases of $1.93 Million resulted primarily from increased fee new Learning Commons. These renovations were funded by the revenue of $1.73 Million from increases of 5.9% in day fees and operating surplus in 2007/08, together with $50,000 donated by 4.2% in boarder fees, combined with an increase in day students, the BSS Parent Association, thanks to their fundraising efforts. The as a result of higher acceptance on offers for the Senior School. Parent Association also continued their support for the endowment As well, there was $199,000 in additional revenues from interest by directing a further $20,000 to the Parent Association Bursary. income and alternative revenue streams. Total expenses increased Should any members of the BSS community have questions or $974,000 (4.7%) due to increases in faculty and staff salaries and wish to discuss the School’s financial position, I encourage you to related benefits, and other operating expenses pursuant to the contact me at 416 483 4325 ext. 4205. strategic plan. —Janet Ainslie, Assistant Head, Finance and Facilities

THE BISHOP STRACHAN SCHOOL FOUNDATION Statement of Financial Activities and Capital Year ended June 30 2008 2007 Donor Donor Designated Designated Endowment Endowed Unrestricted Flowthrough Total Total revenue Donations $ 2,490,330 $ 56,532 $ — $ 833,598 $ 3,380,460 $ 2,585,603 Realized income 399,070 92,978 22,561 — 514,609 411,729 Gain on disposal 364,811 80,157 18,979 — 463,947 369,651 Change in fair value (1,724,346) (366,876) (82,976) — (2,174,198) 1,590,770 Total revenue 1,529,865 (137,209) (41,436) 833,598 2,184,818 4,957,753 expenditures Transfers to school 456,484 25,982 — 833,598 1,316,064 2,349,928 Marketing development — — 60,000 — 60,000 60,000 Investment agent fees 64,753 14,256 3,624 — 82,633 82,249 Professional fees — — 11,873 — 11,873 13,128 Life insurance premiums (15,019) — — — (15,019) — Total expenditures 506,218 40,238 75,497 833,598 1,455,551 2,505,305

Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenditures 1,023,647 (177,447) (116,933) — 729,267 2,452,448

Capital, beginning of year 11,179,675 2,403,852 559,102 — 14,142,629 11,690,181

Capital, end of year $ 12,203,322 $ 2,226,405 $ 442,169 $ — $ 14,871,896 $ 14,142,629 Statement of Financial Position June 30 2008 2007 Donor Designated Endowment Endowed Unrestricted Total Total assets Cash $ 18,994 $ — $ 317,026 $ 336,020 $ 184,877 Other 15,019 — — 15,019 — Investments at market value 12,169,309 2,226,405 519,165 14,914,879 14,098,090

$ 12,203,322 $ 2,226,405 $ 836,191 $ 15,265,918 $ 14,282,967 liabilities Payables and accruals $ — $ — $ 16,837 $ 16,837 $ 18,045 Payable to The Bishop Strachan School — — 377,185 377,185 122,293 — — 394,022 394,022 140,338

Capital 12,203,322 2,226,405 442,169 14,871,896 14,142,629

$ 12,203,322 $ 2,226,405 $ 836,191 $ 15,265,918 $ 14,282,967

20 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 THE BISHOP STRACHAN SCHOOL Statement of Operations Year ended June 30 2008 2007 revenue Fees Boarders $ 3,931,650 $ 3,859,500 Day pupils 18,687,365 17,030,674 22,619,015 20,890,174

Other income 108,425 140,287 Summer usage (net of expenses of $120,995; 2007 - $115,019) 123,234 96,698 Bookstore and uniform shop (net of expenses of $185,912; 2007 - $141,084) 68,018 55,303 Interest 328,525 136,959 628,202 429,247

23,247,217 21,319,421 expenses Salaries and wages 12,476,030 11,893,355 Staff benefits 2,360,300 2,275,652 Academic 616,855 574,300 Information technology 807,868 743,601 Building 1,243,438 1,118,588 Household 1,570,694 1,505,898 General 1,620,652 1,608,456 Interest 22,302 58,211 Depreciation 1,561,443 1,510,175 Amortization of deferred contributions (628,435) (610,679) 21,651,147 20,677,557

Excess of revenue over expenses $ 1,596,070 $ 641,864

Transferred to surplus invested in capital assets 1,440,000 337,500

To unrestricted deficit $ 156,070 $ 304,364 Statement of Financial Position June 30 2008 2007 assets Current Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,999,731 $ 2,189,195 Receivables Student accounts 2,813,013 4,924,920 The Bishop Strachan School Foundation 377,185 122,293 Other 49,071 85,781 Inventory, at cost 14,068 15,521 Prepaids 23,735 59,721 10,276,803 7,397,431

Cash relating to continuing deposits 514,000 520,500 Capital assets 32,523,632 33,374,996

$ 43,314,435 $ 41,292,927 liabilities Current Payables and accruals $ 3,098,071 $ 3,018,201 Unearned revenue 14,327,739 14,089,304 Deferred contributions 1,244,480 970,223 Current portion of obligations under capital leases 83,017 77,182 18,753,307 18,154,910

Continuing deposits 514,000 520,500 Obligations under capital leases 33,845 116,708 Deferred contributions relating to capital assets 17,344,444 17,428,040 36,645,596 36,220,158 net assets Surplus invested in capital assets 17,073,448 17,022,131 Reserve for future capital projects 1,000,000 — Unrestricted deficit (11,404,609) (11,949,362) 6,668,839 5,072,769

$ 43,314,435 $ 41,292,927

THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 21 ANNUAL REPORT | 2007/08 -- Congratulations to the Class The Gaudeamus Society of 2008 who achieved 100% -- celebrates those who participation toward their have made provisions Leaving Class Gift—the -- for a future gift to The Class of 2008 Bursary. -- Bishop Strachan School. Leigh Anderson Geneva Kliman H. A. Arrell Zoe Band Emma Krause Alexandra BABCOCK 1987 Caitlyn Barford Sally Kwok Carroll NICHOLLS Baker 1972 Rachel Beck Natalie Kwong -- Alice WEST Bastedo 1957 Olya Bilyk Rachel Law Katherine BEATTIE 1983 Madeline Bourgeois Jessica Lee Gail BERMAN 1975 Alex Bruce Tara Lengyel -- Merle OVERHOLT Bezoff 1955 Jessica Bu Renee Lesperance Nan HAM Blair 1955 Caroline Cameron Vivian Leung Carolyn BOX 1948 Amanda Chan Angela Leung -- Pamela BROOK 1964 Maggie Chasmar Fiona Li Latham Burns Jennifer Chau Krystal Lung Ann GRAHAM Calderisi 1962 Stephanie Chen Julia McCurdy Sally ELLSWORTH Cameron 1955 Sarah Chiu Loren Morrone -- Jane WOOLLEY Carruthers 1950 Alle Choi Kimberly Ng Suzanne IVEY Cook 1979 Melissa Chu Lucia Ng Janet COTTRELLE 1971 Raven Comery Rosa Ng -- Honor BONNYCASTLE de Pencier 1955 Kerry Cousins Wendy Ng Marni LITHGOW de Pencier 1950 Kirstie Creber Melissa Oliphant Ebie SNIVELY Dunbar 1940 Shannon Curley Carolann Parks Donnie SADLEIR Farley 1955 Alessia De Gasperis Sara Phelan -- Sherry CARRUTHERS Fleming 1946 Rafaella D’Elia Emily Phillips Michael R. Gouinlock Allie Dennis Simran Poole Stephanie HERDER 1973 Angelica Dimopoulos Monica Pulec -- Patricia HULL 1977 Mary-Katherine Dimou Shaunn Rabinovich Nancy PARK Ivory 1952 Anna Douchanova Lauren Ramsay Barbara JONES 1939 Amy Dutton Ruth Roberts -- Janet Kennish Madelaine Edmonds Kathryn Ross Jodi KNIGHT 1975 Simone Estrin Talia Rotman Laura LANNING 1985 Jaclyn Evans Katya Shabanova Virginia BEATTY Leach 1943 Emily Farrow Robyn Short -- Joyce CARTWRIGHT Lewis 1950 Julia Fazari Samantha Sinn Anne LINDSEY 1973 Charlotte Fu Molly Skelly Rosalind HEATH Logue 1942 Laura Fullerton Maggie Skelton -- Margaret MACHELL 1937 Liesa Fullerton Hilary Smith Margaret BLACKMORE Maclure 1940 Salina Ghebrat Kerry Smith Annie FRASER McClelland 1970 Jessica Gibbons Ka Yee So Isobel MOON 1940 Jou Glasheen Sofia Soni -- The Duchess Elaine DAVIS Morgan de Clermont 1962 Abby Greenbloom Nikki St. George-Hyslop Hilary WARREN Nicholls 1955 Hannah Gross Rebecca Stein Andrea ODETTE-Federer 1979 & Andrew Federer Meredith Harbinson Sarah Stewart -- Pilar PARDUCCI 1985 Natalie Ho Taylor Stokes Mary PATHY 1955 Maddie Holland Hannah Tolkin Dianne PERKIN 1979 Natalie Hu Athena Tse -- Jennifer Rainbird Mary Lou Hugessen Tubi Tse Leslie STEPHENSON 1985 Angelina Hui Roxanne Voidonicolas Kate BERGHUIS Stevenson 1981 Chloe Hung Robyn Walter Bishop Ann E. Tottenham Natasha Hunt Vivian Wan -- Cindy TRIPP 1982 Andria Ihnatowycz Hally Woszczyna Erika TURNARETSCHER van Dam 1995 Esther Joo Jesse Wright Anonymous—5 Sally Kavanagh Claire Wunker -- Maryam Khalid Angela Yoo Sonya Kim Victoria Yow Rebecca Kirby Nancy Zheng -- 22 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 ------Annual Report 1867 CIRCLE - Anonymous Donor Categories Vahan and Susan Kololian The Bishop Strachan Circle - $1,000,000+ LEVEL I LEVEL II 1867 Circle $500,000–$999,999 DISTINGUISHED DISTINGUISHED - distinguished patrons PATRONS PATRONS Level I Distinguished Patrons Michael MacMillan and Cathy Spoel Jocelyn and John Barford - $250,000–$499,999 Ann Horton Chapman and Tony Chapman Level II Distinguished Patrons Ken Huggesen and Jennifer Connolly $100,000–$249,999 Andrea ODETTE-Federer 1979 Patrons and Andrew Federer - $50,000–$99,999 Marilena Fuda and Timothy Lazaris Blake and Belinda Goldring distinguished benefactors Catherine and Rob Grundleger - Level I Distinguished Benefactors Terry and Sarah Kavanagh $25,000–$49,999 Rajiv and Zarine Silgardo Level II Distinguished Benefactors - $10,000–$24,999 Benefactors PATRONS $5,000–$9,999 Apotex Foundation—Honey and Barry Sherman Karen and Ray Arbesman - Partners $1,000–$4,999 Brendan and Sandra Caldwell Associates $500–$999 Peter J. Devine Contributors $1–$499 Donald Johnson and Anna McCowan Johnson - Dee Patterson and Tony Gaffney The Midloch Foundation Bruce and Lisa Rothney Arvind and Julie Sanmugam ----- Kate BERGHUIS Stevenson 1981 and John Stevenson ELizabeth THOMSON 1967 ----- Kimberlee and Peter Wallace Tom and Ruth Woods ----- LEVEL I LEVEL II ----- DISTINGUISHED DISTINGUISHED BENEFACTORS BENEFACTORS The Cheuk Family Jalynn ROGERS Bennett 1962 ----- Niall Finnegan and Erin Hogan Diane Blake and Stephen Smith Chris Morgan and Jan Innes BSS Parent Association Sarah and Thomas Milroy Samuel and Claire Duboc ----- Angela and David Feldman The Godsoe Family Susan and David Howard ----- Daniel Hung Cynthia LAM 2000 Lind Family Foundation Anita and Michael Mah ----- Mariel and Irwin Michael Miles Nadal Edward and Suzanne Rogers ----- Janna and William Tatham ------THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 23 ANNUAL REPORT | 2007/08

Tracy GLYNN Elder 1983 and Robert Elder nspired by her first year in the Senior School, Elizabeth ESTEVES 1979 Grade 7 student Gabriella Gilpin Beck, daughter Nancy and Robert Evans Lynn Factor and Sheldon Inwentash of teacher and Old Girl Wendy BECK ’80, Lihua Fong and Shuzhong Bu Sybil LOGIER Foote 1952 spearheaded the Class of 2013 Bursary with a Noah Blackstein and Wendy Geller Ian de Verteuil and Linda Glover Icontribution to honour her teachers and coaches. Janet and Gerard Glynn Kimberly Gordon Gabriella’s initiative was matched by her mother’s Michael and Susan Gouinlock generosity to her daughter’s class bursary. Daniel and Maria Guizzetti Eric Windeler and Sandra Hanington Cynthia and Michael Hansen BENEFACTORS PARTNERS Jan Harkness and Robert Samek Aqueduct Foundation—Lind Family Fund Mary Johnston Abbott and Neil Abbott Faryl Hausman and Ronald McCloskey Barclays Global Investor Kim and Martin Abell Alasdair and Katherine Hayes Kelly and Andrew Barnicke Deborah and James Aber Elena MATHER Heard 1956 Jean and James Baumgartner Antonia Accettola-Fuda Alverna and Harry Hill Estate of Eugenie I. Beatty Rosemary and Souren Agemian Norine Weiss and Bernard Hillick The Catherine and Fredrik Eaton Christine and Dean Anderson Meegan Hinds and Marc Letourneau Charitable Foundation Robin and Darryl Anthony Nancy and Matt Holland Janet COTTRELLE 1971 Jennifer Armstrong and Eric Cockshutt Harland and Robin Horner Michelle DATHORNE 1985 Tony and Suzanne Arrell Patricia HULL 1977 Rennie MCCARTHY Humphries 1959 Denis Gubert and Luisa Di Iulio Salvatore Badali and Kim McInnes Adele and David Imrie Laura Dinner and Richard Rooney Tamara BAHRY-Paterson 1991 Judy and Craig Jarvis Nancy and Tom Eisenhauer Ingrid and Garo Baler Jill and Marc Kadonoff Catherine SMALLMAN Grant 1984 Janet Bateman-Fullerton and Terry Fullerton Ola and Funmi Kassim and John Grant Willa BERGHUIS Baynard 1984 Doug and Kathleen Keller-Hobson The Hope Charitable Foundation The Bederman Family Jane KELLY 1982 Alex and Roberta Jarlette Faith and William Berghuis Wendy KENNISH 1987 Roland Keiper Richard and Jennifer Bradlow Robin Kerbel and Jordan Slatt Ron and Lucinda Kogan David Bruce The Kololian Foundation The Lawrence and Judith Tanenbaum Brooke BUNSTON 2006 Family Foundation Nives and Dennis Krmec Gail BURNETT-Rumack 1984 The Lee Family Nancie and Alex Kwong and Daniel Rumack Sai Sung Tse and Kai Ye Lee Blanche and John Lam Martha Burns and Paul Gross Christina Mauro-Manget and Joe Manget Kate and Ted Larkin Winifrede ROGERS Burry 1954 Martha OSLER 1973 and Greg Hannon Greg and Susan Latremoille CAE Inc. Danise and Jeffrey Phillips Margaret and Hon Lee Ann MARTIN Calder 1959 Kim and Adrian Pope Inna and Val Levitan Dorothy BOYLEN Caldwell 1962 Gillian Riley and Chris Thompson Loan Le and Nguu Nguyen Don and Jane Cameron Loretta and Ted Rogers Mary LEWIS 1965 Hong Yang Cao and Hua Qiao Lois PARKER Ross 1966 and Donald Ross Doris and Edmund Li Margaret CAMERON Case 1960 Debi and Robert Schacter Phyllis SCANDRETT Lill 1970 and John Lill Benjamin Fu and Catherine Chan Tom and Marjorie Schwartz Tanya LOW Luder 1983 Gilbert and Daphne Chan Marta Witer and Ian Ihnatowycz Liz Lundell and Guy Burry The Chandaria Family YanPing Xu and Robin Hibberd Nancy Lyons and Barry Campbell Li-Mei and Kuen-Chu Chang Angelo Zaccheo Constance MARLATT 1982 Betty Chee and Michael Kaufman Claire and Martin McConnell Charles and Karen Chiu Lucia and William McCurdy Helen and Kevin Cho Barbara McLean and Mort Mitchnick Brenda and Daniel Chornous Carolina and Arjen Melis Swati and Dae Chung Karen and Bradley Meredith Jessica Chutter and Derek Berghuis Corry and Jason Meretsky Sandy and John Clarke Catherine Morelli and Nicholas Brearton Toni and Kevin Clark Linda KOLBERT Mountford 1987 Ellen KOLBERT Cornelissen 1984 Sarah NEILSON 1984 Bob and Flora Courteau Victor Lee and Courtney Ng Wanda Ann and Mark Cowie Melissa NIXON 1984 Sara and Peter Creaghan Old Girls Association Bryn CURRIE 1986 Kevin and Linda O’Leary Lee CURRIE 1983 Laurel and Randall Oliphant Paul and Lynn Damp Pilar PARDUCCI 1985 Maureen MANNIX Eberts 1963 Joan DIXON Parkes 1959 Paul and Kimberly Edwards Mary PATHY 1955

24 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 Calvin and Suzanne Pon Jason and Marci Kroft Leal Quarrington ASSOCIATES Deryn Lavell and Steve Johnson Sharon and Steven Ranson Roger Ali Delores Lawrence Pamela WARD Rennie 1964 Lori Angle and Jeff Houslander Anny Li and Edmond Siu Kwok Ng Jane and Kenneth Reucassel Mary Anne Ballantyne Sharyn and Mitchell Linds Amy and David Richardson Susan TEMPLE Bassett 1966 Kathy and Mike Lombardo Maria and Domingos Rites Alice WEST Bastedo 1957 Maryanna Lui and Gabriel Leung Elaine ROBERTS 1968 Willa Black and Donald Jarvis Catherine Lyons and Ian Smith Meghan ROBERTSON 1980 Lisa BALFOUR Bowen 1957 Margie HUNTER McCallum 1970 Barbara and Jonathan Rose Heather and Edward Bryant Mary NAGLER Meyer Foote 1935 Kate SADLEIR Rowley 1982 Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. The Myles-Coffin Family Abigail DOOLITTLE Ruhlman 1975 Jill Cannon and Kevin McCafferty Rosa Panettieri-Morrone and Neil and Christina Selfe Man Kuen Lai and Ping Choi Rudy Morrone The Sermol Family Jill Curtis Philippa DUMOULIN Pemberton 1955 Anna and Daniel Sgro Adri DEN BROEDER 1987 Barbara and Roy Rastrick Sandy and Robert Short Margaret DEROCHE Derry 1964 Mary CAMPBELL Richardson 1948 Nan SHUTTLEWORTH 1961 The Small-Wainstein Family Gilda SMART 1989 uintessential Old Girl (and current BSS Sofia Soni Family Trust April Solman Great Aunt) Pat HALL Cassels ’63 can Guela Solow-Ruda and Harry Ruda easily account for the unflagging generosity Gary and Carole Solway Joseph Sorbara she has shown BSS. “One night in March David Leith and Jacqueline Spayne Cynthia and Donald Stewart Q of ’81, the phone rang. I think I was Jeremy Sturgeon already in bed, but I answered. It was my classmate, Jennifer and Kenneth Tanenbaum Jordan Gnat and Lisa Tanenbaum-Gnat Jennifer ROGERS ’63 on the other end, raising money Hak-Keung Yow and Wai-Sim Tang Anna and Giovanni Tassone for the Foundation. That phone call got me thinking. Sandra Teperman Goldlist and Harley Goldlist Angela Terpstra When I went in to see Nan Aitchison, I decided to Mary Thanh and Michael Tan become a Lifetime Member. Later, when I was invited Lisa Thomasos and Alan Harris The TowerBrook Foundation to a luncheon hosted by ‘Chairman’ of the Foundation, Cindy and Gary Travis Jennifer Trent and Douglas Scott Loretta Rogers, I thought, ‘These women really know Cindy TRIPP 1982 Elizabeth Trotter and Thomas Kennedy what they’re talking about, and I want to support what Tina Cheung Tse and Sam Tse they’re doing.’” Dawei Zheng and Yung Tsui Shannon and Darcy Tucker Mary Louise DICKSON 1958 R. James Robertson Stefan and Marica Varga Arlene Dougall Richard Rotman Stanley and Susan Viezner Margaret WHEALY Duncan 1946 Meredith ROBINSON Saunderson 1952 Nancy Viner and Raymond Stein Michael and Alison Dyson George Sharp Dino and Dora Voidonicolas Wendy CHONG Edgell 1994 Rebecca-Anne SHEPPARD-HICKEY 2007 Dennis Kwong and Angela Wai Sherry CARRUTHERS Fleming 1946 Tillie Shuster Cheryl and Keith Walter Yan Fu and Jiang Ding Donna MOTTERSHEAD Sisam 1979 Joan DAVIDSON Watson 1943 Britanni FUBLER 2007 Robert Smith Linell and John Watson Judith and R.D. Fullerton Lisa STEWART 1988 Beth CURRIE Watt 1988 Lorne Gertner Heather LORIMER Thomson 1955 Judith OSLER Weeks 1957 Ginny MEDLAND Green 1972 Bishop Ann E. Tottenham Judith Wilder Kathleen Sheilah Hanly and Hugh Chasmar Diana ELLIS Trent 1952 Natalie Williams and Alek Krstajic Patrick Garver and Judith Hinchman Liz TURNER 1981 Joyce WILSON 1971 Jane PATTEN Hourihan 1986 Sandra and Lionel Waldman Lynne Wolfson-Bond and Ira Bond Sharon Howell Sharon and Alan West Tina FULTON Woodside 1982 Connie and Bryce Hunter Janet ANDERSON Wilson 1959 Joan JENNISON Wright 1951 Dominique HUSSEY 1991 Kitty and Richard Wu Andrew and Silvy Wright Nuala and Sidney Kennedy Miae and Byung Yoo Arnold Ye and Lucy Yang Helen and Cal Kogan Stacey YUEN 1998 Lorna YATES 1992 Alejo Mariano and Flora Yee Christine Young John and Agnes Yuen

THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 25 ANNUAL REPORT | 2007/08

Cynthia CHENG 1998 Elizabeth MCPHEDRAN Gibson 1942 CONTRIBUTORS Eunice CHEUNG 1989 Jan Gillespie Sally DENNY Adamson 1953 Elaine RUSSELL Christensen 1985 Rachel GILLESPIE 1996 Janet WRIGHT Ainslie 1951 Nancy-Helen ERICKSON Clifford 1947 Mike and Branka Glavan Rowena ANDRADE 1997 Jennifer CLUMPUS 1982 Gayle and Willy Gnat Luba Andrews Robin HUBBS Comery 1984 Sheila TATE Goering 1946 Valerie YOUNG Argue 1957 Anne GARDINER Conlin 1943 Carolyn GRANT 1975 Tania DARCY Archdekin 1987 Sarah MORRIS Connor 1987 Connie and Larry Green Evelyn COWAN Archibald 1928 Coordinations Sara GREEN 1992 Ariane AREND 1986 Dara COWPER 1986 Carolyn Greenberg Susan MAGYAR Ades 1986 Linda GRILLS Cox 1957 Theodora WHATMOUGH Greene 1949 Gwendolyn BALL Arnoldi 1946 Cynthia Cragg Susan GRUENBERGER 1974 Yvonne LEE Attard 1985 Nancy MOORE Cresswell 1955 Michelle GUERRERO 1985 Ann MCMASTER Bacque 1953 Joan CROCKER 1976 Kira GULLANE 2007 Sandra ANDERSON Baird 1956 Mary LONG Crowley 1949 The Guttman-Slater Family Mary Elizabeth BARBER 2007 Therese CULNAN 1975 Emma GUTTMAN-SLATER 2007 Winifred WELCH Barclay 1960 Pat JONES Dalton 1951 Elizabeth HAMILTON 1946 Carroll NICHOLLS Baker 1972 Mary MCGIVERIN Daniher 1976 Ellen Hanbidge Heather BARNES 1996 Betsy MACLEAN-HOWARD Davidson 1949 Dora and Lief Hansen Barbara ALLEN Barnett 1942 Miranda DAVIES 1959 Diana COOPER Ham 1989 Claire BARRON 1983 Glady De Guzman Katie HARRIGAN 1998 James Keating and Mary Bartlett-Keating Theda DEVITT Deacon 1954 Winifred Hawks Katherine BEATTIE 1983 Beth BEATTIE 1986 Gabriella BECK 2013 lake Goldring, BSS parent and Member of Lydia BECK 2007 the Board of Trustees, and his wife Belinda, Wendy BECK 1980 Sarah Behl an active parent volunteer, established The Mary Lea KENLY Bell 1951 Merle OVERHOLT Bezoff 1955 Goldring Family STEM Fund to help Elaine BARRETT Billings 1954 Ron Skelton and Nancy Birnbaum Bstrengthen BSS’s commitment to an innovative girls’ Sheelagh ORR-MCAULEY Black 1984 education which prepares young women to be leaders Martin and Harriet Blackstein Jillian BLAKEY 2002 in all professions. A passionate advocate of a BSS Lyndall CADBURY Boal 1953 Jenny ENNIS Bon 1992 education, Blake’s vision is inspiring: “We are planting Ellen PANTZIRIS Bowlin 1987 seeds today for a rich harvest of incredibly accomplished Barbara LOW Boyer 1958 Marian HAHN Bradshaw 1940 young women in business, politics, engineering, science Helen PEPALL Bradfield 1956 Roz MURRAY Bradford 1954 and medicine. I am looking forward to it.” Lisa BRADLEY 1987 Carolyn GALBRAITH Brieger 1958 Catherine MCDERMOTT DeLenardo 1986 Goodith FEILDING Heeney 1955 Heather GORDON Brodeur 1955 Alessia DI CECCO 1997 Winnifred HERINGTON 1942 Allison BROWN 2005 Cynthia ALLEN Dinsmore 1947 Rives DALLEY Hewitt 1968 Pamela WEDD Brown 1946 Natascha DJELWEH 1994 Jane STRATHY Hill 1953 Cynthia POPE Bruce 1976 Johanne HINTERSEER Dotsikas 1982 Shraddha KOTHARI 2002 BSS Faculty Association Caroline MARTIN Duncanson 1975 Nancy CREAN Hotson 1996 Jane PETERSEN Burfield 1967 Jennifer DYMENT 1987 Daphne CARRUTHERS Howard 1967 Hilary COOK Burgess 1949 Beej BARNETT Edgar 1982 Mildred STROTHER Howson 1946 Barbara Burton-Williams and Desmond Williams Jennifer BALDWIN Eielson 1984 Elizabeth HOWSON 1970 Elizabeth LEPPARD Burton 1960 Whitney ELLIS 1989 Naomi KIRKWOOD Kuhn 1945 Mary GILL Byers 1951 Carly ELY 1994 Mary DEWDNEY Hume 1948 Deirdre Sian CAMERON 1986 Sandy ENGLAND 1967 Naomi IWASHITA 2007 Djenane CAMERON 1987 Jane ERRINGTON 1970 Elizabeth JACOB 1958 Margaret Campbell Enid EASTERBROOK Fanning 1957 Catherine JARMAIN 1987 Pat HALL Cassels 1963 Lisa FAWCETT 1992 Janet HOWELL Karn 1966 Briony CAYLEY 1968 John Flanagan Diane Karnay and Stuarte Bollefer Deborah BAKER Chalmers 1957 Joan LANGS Flye 1961 Anne ODETTE Kaye 1976 Lai Ching Chan and Alan Leung Marie and Drew Foss Janet and Tim Kennish Alexandra CHAPMAN 2007 Joan ALLEN Fox-Revett 1942 Connie PAYTON Kiellor 1972 Stella and Benson Chen Haile Ghebrat and Tsighereda Yosief Margaret SMITH Kingstone 1952 Elaine HO Cheng 1983 Caroline CASEY Gibbons 1985 E. Ruth HETHRINGTON Kitchen 1955

26 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 Julie KIZEMCHUK 2003 Jeanette Lambie ur priority in choosing the best Loya LAMBIE 2007 Edith EDDIS Land 1947 education for Maggie was to find a Nora Lanning school which could deliver a strong Brenda BENDIXSEN Lawler 1939 “ Virginia BEATTY Leach 1943 education in academics, athletics Michael Leranbaum Joyce CARTWRIGHT Lewis 1950 andO the arts. BSS fulfilled this mission on all three Shirley TRUSSELL Lewis 1938 Vicki WELSTEAD Lilleyman 1975 fronts. The ancillary appeal of BSS is the spirit of the Jane LIND 1957 Catherine PALMER Littlejohn 1957 community and the camaraderie the girls share. We The Lockyer-Cotter Family feel fortunate to provide Maggie with an excellent Lynda and Rand Lomas Lise HUBER Longlade 1986 education. But we realize that it’s a capital contribution Alice KETCHUM Lurie 1987 Margaret PIRIE Luxton 1958 that enhances this program we love, even more.” Ginny BOYD MacDonald 1982 Carol WELLS Macfarlane 1958 —Sharon and Steven Ranson, Current Parents Kendra MacFARLANE 2007 Marilee and Richard MacFarlane Yvonne DAY Poupore 1939 Pinkle Sturgeon Ana MACMILLAN 1982 Judith LUNDY Powell 1957 Larysa SZANC-SMARSH 1995 Maria Madero and Guillermo Jasso Phyllis ANDERSON Pringle 1942 Hadley TAYLOR 2007 Gillian GUEST Marwick 1958 Huma and Shafiq Qaadri Sandy TECIMER 1995 Janine VARCO Mason 1986 Laura Rachlin and Morry Edelstein Sabrina TEITEL 2007 Suzanne ALLEN Mayhew 1982 Wendy MACLACHLAN Reddy 1945 Kathleen CAMPBELL Thomas 1964 Cynthia McCall Gail PHELAN Regan 1962 Meredith Thompson Tannis TOPPING McDonald 1982 Stephanie HEWITT Reid 1986 Mary SELBY Thurgood 1957 Janice MCDOUGALL 1976 Patricia HYLAND Remillard 1958 Nancy HUNGERFORD Titley 1958 Janet MCGEER 1977 Adelaide WATSON Revnyak 1948 Julia TREMAIN 1983 Diana LISTER McHardy 1957 Andrea Robertson Jennifer TRIPP 1986 Catherine TURNBULL McKenty 1948 Elizabeth MORTIMER Roberts 1939 Sally and John Tripp Leslie and Neil McLean Britta MECHLINSKI Robinson 1982 Mary REIFFENSTEIN Ursel 1948 Margery MCLEOD 1943 John Aquino and Lisa Robinson Erica CHMEL Viezner 1952 Karen MCLEAN 1983 Brenda MOORE Robinson 1965 Susan TURNER Walker 1951 Elizabeth STAPLES McLeod 1949 Nadia CRISANTE Rochon 1982 Sheilah Wallin and Gary Bourgeois Robin MEDCALF 1957 The Rogan Foundation Jennifer WALLACE 1996 Mary MISHEFF Memedova 1952 Melinda ROGERS 1989 Jane Cole Walton and Hugh Walton Lindsay MEREDITH 2007 Alana ROMOFF 2007 Mary Ethel THOMPSON Weatherseed 1943 Betty BROOK Messier 1947 Wendy NIMMO Ross 1960 Cathie CARRUTHERS Weaver 1980 Lauren MIFFLIN 2007 Anne DELAMERE Ross 1954 Jennifer MAYNARD Weekes 1967 Ruth MARTIN Miller 1985 Katherine ROUP 1991 Andrea BROUGHALL Weller 1958 Elizabeth COOPER Miller 1975 Sheila NORTHEY Royce 1964 and Michael Royce Sophie WELSMAN 2007 Aileen BOECKH Morris 1938 Leanne RUTTAN 1983 Mary WRIGHT Wemp 1965 Andrea Mozarowski Kelley DWYER Ruys de Perez 1987 Mary CLARKSON Whitten 1944 Dan Mulock Kat SALLOUM 2001 Marianne FAIRGRIEVE Whitten 1947 Laurel SANDERSON Ness 1941 Juliana GIANELLI Saxton 1950 Noreen MCFARLANE Wigle 1947 Corinne NG 2004 Jan de PENCIER Seaborn 1975 Martha WILDER 1974 Gretchen NG 1997 Wendy HORSFALL Secord 1961 Sherry WILDING 1967 Hilary WARREN Nicholls 1955 Ralph and June Shaw Peggie CHAN Wong 1982 Charlotte HOLMES Norcop 1951 Mary COLBECK Sinclair 1955 Barbara KINDERSLEY Wood 1953 Margot NUNNS Northey 1957 Lise and Luke Sklar Elizabeth Woolley Julie TRICARICO Nunez 1982 Laverne and Ian Smith Katherine STEWART Wotherspoon 1960 Lisa WILLMOT Nutting 1989 Jasmin SOOBRIAN 2007 Deanne Wren Mary FREYSENG O’Flynn 1952 Victoria COOMBS Sos 1987 Janice WU 1996 Robyn VAREY O’Hare 1994 Timothy Spain Rachel Yeager and Mark Alexander Julia HIGGINS Ormsby 1949 Nell FARMER Spicer 1985 Sook-Kyung Yeo and D.K. Seo Joan ROLPH Osler 1952 Helen A. and Basil Stevenson Helen STEERS Young 1950 Liza OVERS 1984 Julie ALEXANDER Stevens 1986 Natascha ZEITLER 1988 Ann SKAITH Paterson 1949 Lindsay STILES 1999 Anne ZELLER 1966 Jennen PHELAN 1997 Ilse BENJAMIN Stockwood 1961 Hongquan Liu and Jianguo Zhu Victoria PILON 2007 Suzanne HAAS Stohn 1942 Dana Zosky and Adam Kronick Lauren-Elle PON 2007 Jane THORNTON Strathy 1954 Jenna ZUCKER 2007

THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 27 ANNUAL REPORT | 2007/08

Ebie SNIVELY Dunbar 1940 Denise and Frederick Mifflin BSS also thanks the Jennifer WATSON Durham 1985 Susanne and Murray Miller Susan ALLEN Dutton 1979 and Brian Dutton Martha SAUNDERS Moore 1961 generosity of the Joan EDDIS-Topolski 1947 Catherine and John Moore Susan DALTON Farrow 1980 and Craig Farrow Deborah MORRIS Morrison 1971 following donors. Megan and Andrew Foote Brenda MINHINNICK Moroz 1957 Linda Frum and Howard Sokolowski Glenn Mullan These names represent Frances Marie COPPA Gabriele 1987 Edward San and Lucia Ng The Gallucci Family Alexandra BURGESS Norris 1989 Sandra Geddes and Robert Morrow annual gifts and active Debra O’Rourke and Paul Curley Roman and Julie Gofman Virginia PRISCUS Padfield 1988 pledges made to BSS Jonathan and Hannah Graff Elizabeth Palatics and Frank Archibald Jill MAIER Graham 1982 Donna Paterson between July 1, 2007 Beverly MINHINNICK Graham 1952 Catherine PEARCE 1981 Kathleen ADAMS Gray 1974 and June 30, 2008. Keith Laushway and Wendy Hannam Nick and Nicki Perpick Elizabeth UNDERHILL Harfenist 1941 Judy and Larry Phillips Flora MULLIGAN Agnew 1945 Wendy MCCART Porritt 1958 Diana HOOPER Ainslie 1950 Naomi Harris and Boulaye Traore Mary MULLIGAN Prendergast 1942 Roberta MAROCCO Ajmera 1996 Frank Burke and Nancy Hartry Leslie PRINGLE 1977 and Donald Wright The Amber Family John and Christine Hawkrigg Valerie WHITTINGHAM Pringle 1971 Leah ANDREWS 1996 Mary MCLEOD Henderson 1955 Barbara GRAYDON Priscus 1958 Jeanette RIGG Arthurs 1947 Roy and Joan Hintsa Alexandra BABCOCK 1987 Mary Ann Hood Isobel RIGG 1938 Madeleine ARMOUR Bain 1941 Kenneth and Pauline Hood Lindsay and Brian Rittenberg Jane DALTON Baldwin 1960 Greg Reed and Heather Howe Jennifer ROGERS 1963 Milton and Shirley Barry Katharine MCFARLAND Howland 1938 Mary Ann Sabatino-Romeo and Carmelo Romeo Ruth Ann GILPIN Beck 1955 The Hrycko Family Heather SAMPSON 1972 Susan Watson Beckerman and Arnold Beckerman Janice JACKSON Hughes 1952 The Santaguida Family Heather MENZIES Beecroft 1967 Peggy Hull Lorna HUNGERFORD Scott 1954 Ann WALKER Bell 1942 Lois HURST 1941 Marion Seretis Judith POYNTZ Benson 1955 Susan HUYCKE 1958 Lynda and Albert Sinyor Gail BERMAN 1975 Rosemary REID Iggulden 1971 Juliana Soares Nancy PARK Ivory 1952 Nan HAM Blair 1955 The Solomon Family Jennifer JACKSON 1987 Robert Boeckner Maureen and Warren Spitz Stephanie WALLACE Johnston 1957 Lee ROWLAND Booth 1951 Michaele DEL ZOTTO Sproul 1983 and Barbara JONES 1939 Nelly and Hagop Boyrazian Robert Sproul Ruth and Robert Keilty Michael and Janice Brent Caroline STEGER 1984 Melanie-Ann Kirby-Allen and Upton Allen Pamela BROOK 1964 Marina Stephens and Leonard Homeniuk Tibbie TURNBULL Brooks 1937 Mary and Spiro Koumoudouros Amy STODDART 1996 Derek BROWN Carmen LAI 2003 Helen Little Strasser Brenda BROWNLEE 1965 Susan Lambie and Roger Dent Rob Douglas and Joanne Sutherland Terri Bulger and David Honderich Jill STEPHENS Lavine 1964 Jane WEBER Bunting 1955 Victoria MACKENZIE Lazier 1973 Jacqueline and William Sutton Leslie Buskard and Stephen Harris Catherine DAUPHINEE Leak 1955 Joy RIDDEL Telfer 1938 Dorelle MACKELLAR Cameron 1935 Beth MCILROY Lech 1945 Nicola Tory Betty BEATON Cameron 1941 Patricia BELSHAM Leggett 1958 Fion Tran and Francis Wat Sally ELLSWORTH Cameron 1955 Jacqueline Leung and James Tsui Erin and Timothy Trapp Bruce Harbinson and Gillian Cameron Kathryn SMITH Lewis 1970 Diana DUNBAR Tremain 1959 Mary MUSKE Campbell 1949 Anne LINDSEY 1973 Carol PURDY Trusler 1952 Judith PIERCE Campbell 1953 The Loszak Family Deborah and Tom Tutsch Jane WOOLLEY Carruthers 1950 Jane EASTERBROOK Louey 1963 Nancy TUTTLE 1951 Susan HARRISON Carter 1981 Jane and Don Luck Marion DEMPSEY Tuttle 1945 Marion and Hugh Chambers Cheuk and Yvonne Lung Lois URQUHART 1971 Denise CHAN 1996 Patricia MACDONALD 1948 Deborah SMITH Vernon 1947 Lianne BRAWN Chumley 1988 Mary Jane MacDonald Nancy DOUGLAS Watt 1939 Connie KINNEAR MacDougall 1954 Ashley CLARK 1999 Lucienne Watt Margaret BLACKMORE Maclure 1940 Paddy BOYER Clark 1939 Ken Manget and Susan Watt Rosemary WHEALY Clewes 1954 Frances MACLEAN Macnaughton 1935 Joanne Weaver and James Mountain Tami and George Cope Aimee LEE Malcolm 1937 Victoria WEBSTER 1994 Susan CORRIGAN 1972 Mary CRUISE Malloy 1940 Victoria WHITMORE 1970 Norma Costa Anne Marriott and David Wunker Harriet GERRISH Whynacht 1951 Nancy and Ken Croitoru Cecily TAYLOR Martin 1938 Hilary and Andrew Cumming Annie FRASER McClelland 1970 Mary WILLIAMSON 1951 Wendy DAKIN 1958 Mary McGowan and Michael Levine Sally WATT Williams 1940 Sergio and Sandra De Zen John and Aileen McGrath Kathleen Willing Jennifer JEFFREY Deacon 1971 Mary MCKEE 1993 Gwyne MCCABE Willmot 1962 Sylvia and Max D’Elia Heather HATCH Meltzer 1973 Blythe WINTERS 2007 The Dimopoulos Family Michele and Paul Mendelson Diana WOOD 1985 Susan Drake Allison and Peter Menkes Sydney MACHELL Woollcombe 1954 Margaret FARNSWORTH Dube 1955 Margaret SHOTTON Meynell 1952 Lasanda YU Yuen 1983

28 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 Old Girl News We want to hear from you. Please email [email protected] or write to us with an update. You can also contact your year rep or update your news on The Thread at thethread.bss.on.ca.

Cynthia ALLEN Dinsmore writes, “So far we are Phyllis MANNING Creighton of Toronto writes, REUNION 2009 fine and love where we live in Montreal. We still “I had a marvellous weekend in Halifax (Fall Year Reps are hard at work with their commit- have our small house in Sutton and are there al- 2008), my first trip there! After the Voice of the tees and hope to see you over Reunion Week- most every weekend. I have a large garden there Women Conference, at which I showed the film end, Thursday, September 24 to Saturday and in the winter, John skis and I catch up with I’m in, Veterans Against Nuclear War, I attended September 26, 2009. If you have questions indoor things. Busy this year as President of the Muriel Duckworth’s fourth, last, and real 100th or would like to get involved, please contact ‘Digger’s and Weeder’s Garden Club.’ I also took birthday party, as all of Halifax did.” Jill BLAKEY ’02 (416 483 4325 ext. 1871 or a seminar at the Thomas More Institute about [email protected]). Celebrated years end in Helen of Troy and the concept of beauty. Next Special thank you to Joan EDDIS-Topolski for 4s and 9s! term is Urban Montreal in conjunction with the collecting these special updates. Museum of Architecture. With a very good background from my Concordia studies, and 1949 60 YEAR REUNION CLASS NEWS from teaching Grade 8s (Architecture of Mon- Hilary COOK Burgess writes: Tarantara, Taran- treal), should be interesting.” tara. Drum roll. Trumpet fanfare. The 60th an- 1939 70 YEAR REUNION niversary year has arrived. Gulp. Save the date: Please save the date! BSS will be hosting a Debby SMITH Vernon, now a widow, continues September 24 to 26, 2009. Reunion Weekend from September 24 to 26 to live in her family home in Toronto “climbing to recognize and honour the Old Girls of the five sets of stairs.” She writes, “I still drive, thank- 1954 55 YEAR REUNION School. This year marks our 70th Reunion. fully, and get around to lectures, Ballet, and Save the date for Reunion Weekend: Septem- How would you like to celebrate this special Symphony, to which I book seasons tickets. Have ber 24 to 26 (details to follow). This year marks milestone? Please contact Jill BLAKEY ’02 explored the wonderful new AGO, galleries and our 55th Reunion! To get involved or update us (416 483 4325 ext. 1871 or [email protected]). restaurants, and the ROM. Last Spring, I travelled on your whereabouts, please contact Braire with my daughter, Kathy, and son, Geoff, for a SHERATON Biggin: [email protected]. 1944 65 YEAR REUNION visit with cousins in my home town, Wilming- Save the date! Reunion Weekend September 24 ton, Delaware. Spring was in its glory. We visited 1958 to 26. Winterthur and the Dupont estates, and enjoyed Mary Louise DICKSON was seafood down by the Delaware River.” appointed to the Order of 1947 Ontario on January 15, 2009, Many of us are celebrating 80th birthdays In Ottawa, Jeanette RIGG Arthurs and husband, for her important work as a Friends and family gathered at a Queen Street Bill, volunteer with the British Isles Family His- lawyer, educator, and cham- restaurant on January 30, 2009, to wish Pau- tory Society. Bill’s specialty is tracing ancestry pion for the rights of the dis- line SMITH Kingston many happy returns. Last via DNA. Riggy also helps Bill with yard work abled. In 2002, Mary Louise June, family came from Toronto and from as far on their beautiful treed property and the neigh- received the first ever Dis- as Ottawa to a buffet lunch in Guelph for Edith bouring NCC (federal government) shoreline tinguished Old Girl Award EDDIS Land. on the bank of the Rideau Canal near Carleton (DOGA). University, and minutes away from downtown Grace CALVIN Dow of Minnesota writes, “I re- Ottawa. Each spring they watch the little duck- 1959 50 YEAR REUNION tired from real estate last May and have not lings hatch and then paddle about in their gold- Plans are underway for our 50th Reunion this fall! regretted it for a second. My life is full. I have fish pond until the ducks mature and move to Save the date for celebrations: September 24 to two Border Terrier show dogs who keep me the inlet beside the Arthurs land. In September, 26 (details to follow). To get involved or update busy. Fourteen grandchildren keep me in touch Riggy showed Joan EDDIS-Topolski the site us on your whereabouts, please contact Jenny with the world. Three have graduated and have where Archibald Lampman had a small cot- JONES Trebilcock at [email protected] or Joan good jobs in Toronto. One is in her last year at tage near their house. The poet’s parents once DIXON Parkes ([email protected]). McGill, two at Western, one at U of Minnesota, owned the Arthurs’ property. three in high school and two in grade school. I 1961 have travelled a lot in 2008, to Asia (Singapore, Noreen MCFARLANE Wigle of Hamilton, by Our condolences and warm wishes go to Ilse Hong Kong, South Vietnam, China and Japan). happenstance, became related by marriage to BENJAMIN Stockwood. Her husband, David, I also travelled to England, to Canada, Oregon, a classmate. Her eldest son, Ian, is married to died on March 7, 2008. The David Stockwood, Hawaii, Texas and Wisconsin. I am blessed with Barb Crowther, whose brother, Hugh, is married QC, LSM (Law Society Medal) Scholarship in good health, still playing a lot of tennis and Du- to Edith EDDIS Land’s daughter, Mary LAND Advocacy has been established at the Univer- plicate Bridge.” Crowther ’80, who lives in Georgetown, Ontario. sity of Toronto Law School. He will be deeply

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missed by his two daughters, Kristina STOCK- by the American Chamber of Commerce in The BSS Magazine WOOD ’85 and Kathryn STOCKWOOD ’92, and Hong Kong and the South China Morning Post. is published three his nieces, Liisa BENJAMIN Rugelis ’89, Ruta The Women of Influence awards, started in BENJAMIN ’88, and Danae BENJAMIN ’02. Da- 2003, recognize Asian-based female profes- times a year by vid was the son of the late Anne JONES Stock- sionals for achieving career excellence, and in- wood ’32. spiring and motivating other women to reach The Bishop Strachan the top of their professions. Diana HUNT Inselberg lives in Enderby, BC, and School Community. Ilse had a very happy visit this summer with Di- Chair of the Board: ana and her husband, Alex Inselberg, at their Kate BERGHUIS Stevenson ’81 splendid log home. Head of School: Kim Gordon Judy RAYMER Ivkoff continues to sculpt and Associate, Old Girl Relations and has had shows in provincial galleries in Ontario, Alumnae Programs: Jill BLAKEY ’02 and solo exhibitions in Toronto. She just finished Director of Marketing and her third solo show in Montreal. Judy enjoyed Communications: Rachel Yeager their daughter Catherine’s visit from Moscow, Editor: Sharon Gregg where she has a diplomatic posting with the Ca- nadian Embassy. Assistant Editors: Darby Briggs, Andrea Mozarowski, Rachel Yeager Susan NASH Brandino and Judi BOLLMAN Har- Copy editor: Suzi Leonard, Elda Scott rower get together for lunch periodically and Art Director: Stephen Gregory have also seen Jennifer DAVIES Surridge, who is co-ordinating her father’s literary works. Photos: Caitlin CRONENBERG ’02, Garry Madlung, Stephanie Weiner We would love to hear about where you are, and some news. Please contact Susan WOOD Broll at [email protected]. 1968 1964 45 YEAR REUNION Members of the Class of ’68 gathered at ’s house over the It’s hard to believe, we know, but 2009 is the Cynthia GILLESPIE Webb Reunion Weekend last September to cel- year of the 45th anniversary of our graduation ebrate the 40th Reunion. from BSS. Please mark the weekend of Septem- below: , and ber 24 to 26, 2009, on your calendars and join Peggy WENTE Briony CAYLEY . us in celebrating this milestone. If you would Sue GRANGER Tallman consider being part of the organizing committee, please contact Sheila NORTHEY Royce: [email protected] or 416 486 7126. If you THE LINK EDITORIAL GUIDELINES have an email address to add to our class list, • Submissions to Old Girl News are please send that along to Sheila. It’s so easy to encouraged. Please send your keep you informed that way, but some of the submission to Jillian BLAKEY ’02 at ones we had from the last reunion seem to be [email protected]. We will out of date. More details will follow with the accommodate as many as space will next issue of The Link. Please plan to join us. allow and ask that you try to keep content to approximately 50 words. 1965 1969 40 YEAR REUNION Photographs are also invited and will be Brenda MOORE Robinson writes, “For Potent Believe it or not, our 40th Reunion is on the way published depending on available space. Pen, my editorial services business, I’m editing this Fall! Save the date for celebrations: Septem- a new diet book called GET TOUGH OR DIE FAT: ber 24 to 26 (details to follow). Celia CHASSELS • Letters: We’d love to hear what you think 101 Differences in Thinking between Fat People is collecting contact information. Please send about any of the articles in The Link. and Fit People. The author is Steve Siebold, a your updates to: [email protected]. Please send letters to Sharon Gregg at mental toughness expert. He is a co-star with [email protected]. We will run as many Canada’s Bob Proctor in Beyond the Secret, the 1974 35 YEAR REUNION as we can and letters will not be edited, recently released motivational film that follows 35 years have passed and much has happened though we ask that you keep them to up the lessons taught in The Secret movie of since our final days at BSS. Let’s gather and take approximately 50 words. two years ago. Any Old Girls in South Florida that trip down memory lane together. Reunion • Corrections: Every effort is made to please send me an email; would love to hear Weekend will be held on September 24 to 26, ensure accuracy but from time to time, from you, [email protected].” 2009. Should you have any suggestions on how errors occur. Please send any errors we can mark this milestone, please contact Pat- you notice to Sharon Gregg at 1965 ti CARMICHAEL Pilon at [email protected] or [email protected]. Elizabeth L. Thomson ’67, Presi- [email protected]. • Old Girl Portal: The Link is posted on dent and Founder of ICS TRUST the BSS website (www.bss.on.ca), and (Asia) Limited, has been named 1976 on The Thread (thethread.bss.on.ca). “Entrepreneur of the Year,” one Marina ENDICOTT has published a second nov- Some items that are time sensitive and of the four categories in the an- el, Good to a Fault. The novel was Shortlisted for cannot be accommodated in The Link nual Woman of Influence (WOI) the 2008 Giller Prize. Marina’s first novel, Open will appear on The Thread. Awards 2008, organized jointly Arms, was a finalist for the Amazon/Books in

30 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 Canada First Novel Award and was broadcast to have people send me their pictures which I Danae HARVEY is still living in Australia. She on CBC Radio’s Between the Covers in 2003; can then post onto the site. Maybe I will even be wanted to clarify that she is not a judge; she sits a new edition was released in February 2009. able to figure out a way to post what everyone as a magistrate in the civil division of the Local Marina now lives in Edmonton and teaches cre- is doing with themselves. Please contact me if Court, “lowest court in the state! And I only get ative writing at the University of Alberta. you would like a classmate’s information or if to traipse around NSW. We do robe in the local you would like to update your own information court, but no wigs (thank goodness) and I’m on 1983 at [email protected]. Keep in mind a couple of Tribunals...”(We are still impressed The class of 1983 has always had fun together that our 30th reunion is in 2013. Keep Septem- Danae!) and the reunion was no exception. It was great ber open! Cheers, Michaele DELZOTTO to see everyone over our reunion weekend. And As a division to her creative event’s firm (Back- now the results that everyone has been waiting Elaine HO Cheng graduated from U of T with a stage Inc.), Leandra RUTTAN recently estab- for…the results of our class survey. degree in History and Sociology. She returned lished Eirelea Wellness (www.eirelea.com), 1. Most likely to have a BSS crest tattooed on to Hong Kong to work in the banking field. She which offers wellness renewal seminars and re- their behind: quit so she could stay at home when her son, treats to corporate executives. These seminars Katherine BEATTIE…the loyalty runs deep. Jason, was born in 1995. She also has a daugh- are held across Canada, as well as the exclu- 2. The person who has changed the least: ter Alison in Grade 7. sive Leadership Renewal Program, held in the Claire BARRON…surely some money changed breathtaking Virgin Islands. hands for this category. Wendy CHAMBERS Melton is married and liv- 3. The person in a career that you would have ing in Germany. She and her husband set up a 1984 25 YEAR REUNION never expected: company for language services. She has two 25 years ago, wearing our grey, white and bur- Anne MARTIN…man, she knows how to drink. sons, Philip (12) and Matthew (3). gundy, we said ‘Goodbye’ for the last time as 4. Most likely to still look good in their uniform: we exited the Chapel with all sorts of precon- Michaele DELZOTTO and Margaret Anne Kara BUE is one of five founding partners of Ar- ceived ideas about what lay ahead. That was HODGES….I guess we know what they are wear- mitage International, L.C., a consulting firm that June, 1984. Since then, ‘Life’ has happened to ing to the next reunion. specializes in international business develop- all of us. 2009 is our big year and the time for all 5. The person who should have been on Ritalin ment, strategic planning, and problem solving. of us to share, compare, laugh and cry together while we were at school: She says hello to everyone and has stated that at the BSS Reunion Weekend (September 24 to Jenny HUNTER…. perhaps we should have some she is a very talented tour guide of Washington, 26, 2009) and in particular, at our Class of ’84 available for her at our 30th. DC and would love to welcome any visitors. She Bash. We are going to try to make this reunion 6. Most likely to feel remorse for the way they has asked that I pass along her contact informa- accessible to everyone so please ensure that tormented their teachers: tion to anyone interested in getting in touch. your contact information (especially your email Jenny HUNTER (see above!), Frances LATCH- address) is current. You can send updates to FORD (where is she now?) and Angela GRANT Maisie KO studied architecture and interior de- Kim WALCOTT Kelly at kwalcottkelly@rogers. (but don’t let her kids know) sign and is running a studio in Hong Kong with com. You can also stay informed by joining the 7. Most likely to be married in the next year: her husband who is also an architect. BSS Class of ’84 group on Facebook. Julia TREMAIN…what a lucky man her fiancé is; she’s a catch. Romana KASPAR Kraft has been living in Cal- 1989 20 YEAR REUNION 8. Most likely to be a grandmother at our 30th gary for over 15 years. She owns an art gallery Hard to believe it’s been 20 years! Plans are un- reunion: and she and her husband have two boys, Jacob derway for our Reunion so please save the date Renee SMITH….although she is convinced oth- (6) and Joshua (3). She visits Toronto several for celebrations: September 24 to 26 (details erwise, I am afraid the tribe has spoken. times a year to visit family. She also sends her to follow). To get involved or to update us your 9. Person who travelled the greatest distance to greetings to everyone and is happy to share her whereabouts, please contact Meryl BARON come to reunion: email with any classmates who desire it. Witkin at [email protected]. Marie VIEZNER 10. Most likely to still be coordinating our BSS 1985 reunion in 25 years: Giselle HADEED Maginley runs three stores in the Duty Free Mall in Anti- Claire BARRON, Michaele DELZOTTO and Ju- gua, and is involved with school boards and sports activities on the Island. lia TREMAIN….it’s important to have a role in life She and Nicole SHOUL Coghlan ’88 hosted an Old Girl reunion in Anti- even from our walkers. gua, in the Fall of 2008. Love, Claire below left: June Abbott, Kimberley HALL ’07, Nicole SHOUL Coglan ’88, Joanna Nunes, Giselle HADEED Maginley ’85, Sarah Scandrett (BSS For those of you who attended our 25th Re- staff), Tony Armstrong, Salwa Saeed union in the fall, I hope you had as great a time below right: Kimberley HALL ’07, Brian Nunes, Jennifer HALL ’03, as I did. It was exciting to see so many class- Joanna Nunes. mates come from quite a distance out of town: left: Giselle HADEED Maginley ’85 sporting her BSS uniform! Deborah KIRBY Stockhausen (New Jersey), Debbie MONK (New York), Margaret Anne HODGES Willett (Regina), Renee SMITH (Ber- muda), Edurne AGUAYO De Cortina (Mexico) and Marie VIEZNER Manzac (Prague). I have been asked by a few classmates if they can see some of the pictures from the Reunion. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to make a website using my Mac, with which I am still familiariz- ing myself, in order to post the pictures. I am sure it will happen; just don’t hold your breath for its imminent completion. I hope to be able

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January. Also of note: OG Michelle GIROUX ’94 1998 appears as Ellen, alongside UCC Old Boy, Philip Cynthia CHENG launched an online-only life- Graeme. In 1992, Michelle, Kate and Philip co- style/career site, Prospere Magazine (www. starred in a BSS/UCC production of Nicholas prospere-magazine.com) in January 2008. The Nickleby appearing as Mrs. Squeers, Kate and site targets hip, professional women in their 20s Ralph Nickleby respectively. Great to see them and 30s, featuring topics on fashion and beauty, trodding the boards together, 17 years later. career, event coverage, interviews and profiles of other professional women (though men pop 1996 up in sometimes as well), food (restaurant and Cristin PENNACHETTI Lazier has recently gourmet food shop reviews), travel and news. 1988 launched a swimwear line, destineau, inspired New material is posted every week-day. A group of ’88s gathered at BSS over the Re- by her favourite travel destinations. Courtney union Weekend in September to celebrate WOTHERSPOON ’00 and Devin CONNELL ’00 1999 10 YEAR REUNION the 20th milestone! have also contributed to the unique design. Save the date! Reunion Weekend September 24 View the launch collection of suits for women to 26. 1990 and children online at www.destineau.com. Kristy CIRUNA recently moved from a position 2003 with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, to Vic- 1997 Quinn SIMPSON has toria, to pursue a position with the BC Govern- Rochelle DE GOIAS was featured on the cover started a business as a ment, developing an environmental research of Women’s Post in November 2008, for her Youth Life Coach work- program for the province. work as a climate change specialist, ‘Lending a ing with 14 to 24 year- Global View to Environmental Issues.’ Read the olds. Through in-depth 1992 article online at thethread.bss.on.ca, or www. conversation and ques- Jenny ENNIS Bon lives in Ottawa and is the womenspost.ca. tioning, she helps them Executive Assistant to the Publisher of Pres- identify their vision and ton Catalogue, a luxury lifestyle publication for Natasha LASIUK writes, “After finishing BSS, I find a way to achieve it. women and men, engaging enthusiasts of art, stayed in Toronto and was probably one of the Coaching begins with questioning, leading the fashion, dining and design. www.prestoncata- only BSS grads EVER to receive her undergrad client to greater self-awareness, and a shift in logue.com. from York University AND go to community col- perspective, allowing for bold action to be lege (*gasp* the horror!). I’m currently living in taken. Quinn spoke to the BSS students during 1994 15 YEAR REUNION sin with my boyfriend and if he ever does pro- the morning Chapel service in December 2008. Save the date! Reunion Weekend September 24 pose, I likely won’t have the money to get mar- Coach Quinn is looking for clients; to read more to 26. ried in either the BSS Chapel or Casa Loma. I about life coaching and Quinn’s qualifications may never have kids, but if I do, I will pray to win visit www.coachquinn.com. 1995 the lottery, or that they be geniuses and receive Kate HEWLETT’s witty, award-winning play, a scholarship, so I could send them to a school Akosia is a unique initiative that provides sum- , remounted after a HUMANS ANONYMOUS like BSS, but with a decent job in this tanking mer projects for street children all over the successful New York off-Broadway run, met economy and no financial support from my par- world. It was organized by two BSS Old Girls, with an enthusiastic reception in Toronto this ents, that’s highly unlikely!” Lisa GRASSA and Quinn SIMPSON. This summer the Akosia team is going to Accra, Ghana to make a movie with the children. Please check out the website for more information: www. akosia.org.

Jennifer HALL is living in Antigua and working as an interior designer at OBM. She recently became engaged and is planning her wedding for the summer of 2009. 2004 5 YEAR REUNION Save the date! Reunion Weekend September 24 to 26. 2006 Emma KNIGHT writes, “I’m in Buenos Aires at the moment, practicing my Spanish and writing for a newspaper as part of my third year abroad from Edinburgh. I’ll be back in Toronto in Janu- ary before heading to Paris to begin a semester at the Sorbonne in February. Yes, life is treating me terribly!” 2007 Kimberley HALL is living in Antigua, and work- BSS Old Girls in London, England, gather in Covent Garden, November 2008. From left: Julia ing as an assistant teacher for a kindergarten BELLUZ ’02, Julia CAMERON ’03, Quinn SIMPSON ’03, Courtney LAWRENCE ’03, and Jackie class. She is thinking about studying Graphics PEPALL ’01. at a university in Miami.

32 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 travelled from various corners of North Amer- Sarah DICKSON and MARRIAGES ica to stand up for her, and Lisa FAWCETT ’92, husband, Andrew Mof- On June 15, 2009, at St. Dunstan-in-the-west in Janet BROWN ’92, Sarah DOYLE ’91, and Mary fat (present staff), Fleet Street, London, Margaret PHILLIPS Lum- MESAGLIO ’94 were in attendance from North would like to announce ley-Savile ’62 will marry French international America and Europe. Elizabeth O’MAHONY ’92 the birth of their first lawyer, Ghislain Pastré. They will live in London, was unable to attend. It was a truly magical day, child, Allison Elizabeth Yorkshire, and Combloux, France. Margaret and it would not have been the same without Dickson Moffat, born continues to give concerts, but was very ill with some of Shanti’s oldest and dearest friends. on September 3, 2008. pneumonia this winter. She is healthy and hap- Kimiko TANAKA ’98 and Jamison Arimoto were py, and the family is thrilled. Sarah is niece to On July 19, 2008, Catherine CRISPO ’86 married married on August 14, 2008, in Pittsburgh, PA. Mary Louise DICKSON ’58. Scott Pagett in the BSS Chapel. The wedding was attended by numerous family and friends from across North America and abroad. Former DEATHS students Patricia (Patsy) OLIVER Phin ’55 and Andrea BROUGHALL Weller ’58 were in atten- 1939 dance. The weather cooperated for a lovely re- Mary Louise MCRUER Gaby died peacefully in ception at the Rosedale Golf Club. The food was her own home in Toronto on April 13, 2008, in delicious and many guests commented that it her 87th year. She is survived by her sister, Kath- erine MCRUER McIntyre ’40. 1940 Mary GRAHAM Allen died peacefully on No- vember 11, 2008, in Vancouver, British Colum- bia. Mary received an M.A. in psychology from the University of Toronto in 1944, and was an avid skier, golfer, traveller, gardener, volunteer and dog lover. 1941 Madeleine ARMOUR Bain died on October 8, 2008. She will be missed by her daughter, Peg- gy BAIN Kruger ’67. She was the sister of the late Anne ARMOUR Owen ’38 and Mollie AR- MOUR McMurrich ’42. She now works as a postdoc at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 1945 Margaret MCGUINNESS Burka died on January 4, 2009, in her 81st year. A business and sports BIRTHS woman all her life, Margaret was a director of McGuinness Distillers and a founding partner of 1987 The Answer Salon, a successful women’s spe- was the best wedding they had ever attended. Catherine JARMAIN writes, “On November 12, cialty store. She was also active in a number of The happy couple then spent their honeymoon 2008, my husband, David Knechtel, and I were charitable organizations. cruising the Mediterranean seeing many beau- delighted by the birth of our third child, Char- tiful, historic sites. Upon returning from their lotte Catherine Jarmain Knechtel. Charlotte is 1946 honeymoon they were content to arrive home an adored new baby sister for Elizabeth (6) and Nancy YOUNG Proulx of Stamford, Connecti- in Kitchener. Catherine and Scott will continue James (3). She is also niece to Ellen JARMAIN cut, died on December 13, 2008. She was cousin to reside in the Kitchener/Waterloo area and ’91 and Anne JARMAIN ’90. I am currently on to Mary CAMPBELL Richardson ’48 and Joyce would welcome hearing from any former fellow maternity leave from my position of marketing CAMPBELL Morden ’53, daughter of Helen students. director at Sportball, where we teach non-com- GARROW Young ’26, and niece of Esther GAR- petitive sports to young children.” ROW ’27. Shanti GIDWANI ’92 married Kalan David Mil- ley (of West Vancouver) in Vancouver on June 1997 1947 21, 2008. Her bridesmaids, Natalie CONLIN ’92, Alyssa BOYD and Rob- Ann WHILLANS Ellis died peacefully on De- Anne MESAGLIO ’92 and Nina BARTON ’92 ert Henry are thrilled cember 21, 2008, in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Ann to announce the birth is survived by her daughters, Mary Ann ELLIS of Toby (Robert Tobias Bertram ’72 and Cathy ELLIS McCord ’79. Henry) in Collingwood on March 4, 2008. Toby 1955 is the first grandson for Tass TORY Wright died peacefully on October Linda Robinson (past 18, 2008, in Victoria, British Columbia. staff) and Harry Boyd, and godson to Sarah After 70 wonderful and fulfilling years, Philippa DICKSON ’97 and An- DUMOULIN Pemberton of London, Ontario drew Moffat (present died peacefully on November 16, 2008, sur- staff). rounded by her family.

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1967 Jinny MAYNARD Weekes ’67 died peacefully at A Report from the Old Girls’ home (surrounded by beautiful Christmas mu- sic) at the age of 59 on December 28, 2008, of Executive Committee a brain tumour which she had valiantly fought for 15 months. Jinny taught high school Math- As the Old Girls’ Association celebrates its 100th number of Old Girls attended various events anniversary, we are happy to report that the over the weekend, and we are always striving current Old Girls’ Executive Committee (OGEC) to increase those numbers. Old Girl registra- is working to keep the Association going strong tion online (which is currently at 2,620) is an for another 100 years and beyond. The OGEC is important part of our communication efforts so designing programs that we hope will bring our please login to The Thread now (thethread.bss. national and international alumnae networks on.ca) and update your contact information. closer together. This year, the OGEC is devel- Increasing the number of Old Girls registered oping outreach programs to increase Old Girl is one of our key initiatives, so please encour- participation in various school events, promote age your friends and classmates to let us know mentorship among Old Girls, and make a mean- where they are and what they are doing. ingful contribution to the school’s ambitious In addition, maintaining and growing our endowment growth strategy. constituents’ participation in the School’s an- ematics in Gravenhurst for more than 30 years. Our Committee includes Old Girls from the nual fundraising efforts remains a key part of She is survived by her wonderful husband, Bob Class of 1948 to the 2002/03 double cohort, our mandate. Old Girls have traditionally been Weekes, who gave up being an Ontario Su- who all share a fondness for the School and very strong supporters of the School’s named perior Court Judge to nurse Jinny in her final commitment to preserving its traditions. Keep- year, as well as her children of whom she was so ing Old Girls involved in the School remains one proud; Andy and Vicky Weekes. She had many of our primary objectives. The 170 Year and relatives who attended BSS: her mother, Mar- Decade Reps are an important part of this out- garet MCCLELLAND Maynard ’42, sister, Judy reach initiative, as they help us keep in touch MAYNARD Wilson ’73, and aunts, Joan MC- with the School’s over 4,000 Old Girls. CLELLAND Brautigam ’44, Lois MCCLELLAND The School hosts a number of Old Girl Batten ’45 and Mary Louise MCCLELLAND ’52. events throughout the school year, which are Myrna SHARDT Magnan ’67, life-long friend, regularly attended by Old Girls of all vintages. wrote a eulogy which Vicky delivered, and Mar- This year, over 200 Old Girls attended the Re- tha DINNICK Peterson ’67, Sue BAXTER ’67, union Weekend, which also celebrated the Old Nikki HOLWELL ’72 and Barb WHITEHEAD Girl Association’s 100th anniversary. A record Gordon ’72 were among those who attended the funeral. Jinny was elected the Games Cap- VETERANS’ DAY 2008 tain in her final year at BSS. She loved her time On November 11, 2008, our BSS Old Girl Veterans gathered with members of the Gaudeamus at the School and her reunions with classmates. Society for a Remembrance Day Service and lunch in the Great Hall. Following the meal, our Pictured are Jinny and her husband, and one Veterans shared stories about their wartime experiences with the Grade Seven students over of their Labrador retrievers named Saltie (who cake and refreshments. is making her laugh hysterically) at their hide- away cottage, just prior to her diagnosis. above: WWII Veterans and lifelong BSS friends, Joan DAVIDSON Watson ’43 and Suzie HAAS Stohn ’42. 1969 below: Joan DAVIDSON Watson ’43, Suzanne HAAS Stohn ’42, Aimee LEE Malcolm ’37, Naomi Liss JEFFREY died peacefully at home, a fight- BRISTOL Mallovy ’41, Judy HOPE Poynton ’39, Margaret FOULDS Coburn ’38, Frances MA- er to the end, on Tuesday, December 16, 2008. CLEAN Macnaughton ’35, Sally WATT Williams ’40. Dorion KINGSMILL delivered a eulogy, and wrote the following about Liss: “She was a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a godmother to Jeremy and Jenny who is best friends with our daughter Rita, a friend, a scholar, mentor, writ- er, macho maiden, igniter of people and ideas, fiercely curious, a Canadian, a radical, a styl- ish dresser, and an avid reader, a debater/ora- tor/speaker, a frontier woman, and an outdoors maiden. We were classmates, soul mates, and strong willed women who wanted to make a difference. Liss led me and many friends to incorporate real changes for women. She showed us the way. We are professional and sophisticated. We are accomplished in our own fields. We owe this to Liss. It is to Liss that I can give credit for giving me the confidence to go out into the male dominated business world and get the job done. Jane said to me this morning that Liss lived 80 years in 57! Every minute of her life was spent searching, questioning. To this end, I will give Liss a hip hip hurray! And many thanks friend.”

34 THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 LETTERS

and its potential to impact, worldwide, practi- tioners’ understanding of healing practices. She is interested in supporting the pioneering work of the book’s author, Rosita Arvigo. To find out more, please contact [email protected]. FRIENDS OF BSS Mingling in Manhattan On a crisp winter evening in New York City’s Up- per East Side, BSS and UCC alumnae gathered together for a special reception hosted by the Consul General of Canada, Daniel F. Sullivan. Over one hundred alumnae from both schools arrived in style at this special Manhattan resi- dence to visit with old friends and meet new ones. Also in attendance on behalf of BSS were Kim Gordon (Head of School), Deryn Lavell (As- sistant Head, Institutional Advancement), Liz Woolley (Faculty), Willa BERGHUIS Baynard ’84 (Chair, US Foundation), Sarah Kavanagh HONG KONG 2008 (Chair, Board of Trustees), Kate BERGHUIS Stevenson ’81 (Chair, Board of Governors) and The Friends of BSS in Hong Kong gathered the Old Girls together for a cocktail party at The Kanak BAL ’03 (Old Girls’ Executive). We had Foreign Correspondents’ Club on October 10, 2008. Deryn Lavell, Assistant Head, Institutional great fun meeting this animated and talented Advancement, and Catherine Hant, Director of Admissions, were delighted to meet this group group of Old Girls, who are doing fascinating of Old Girls. To hear the latest news and attend HK branch activities, join the Facebook group work in the areas of fashion design, finance, mu- ‘Friends of BSS (Hong Kong)’ and send your updated contact information to advancement@ sic production, medicine, and politics, to name bss.on.ca a few. This was the first alumnae reception host- bursary program, and we would like to see this with BSS. She has recently come across a book ed in conjunction with Upper Canada College, a trend continue and grow. As part of the 100th that tells the story of a Mayan healer, whom this unique initiative inspired by the 100th anniver- anniversary celebration, we have launched group of girls encountered on the journey. Once sary celebration of the Old Girls’ Association. a campaign to grow the Old Girls’ Bursary by Susan began reading the book, she realized that The School is grateful to our US Foundation for $100,000. With more than 4,000 current Old its purpose was to celebrate the healing prac- uniting this group of international Old Girls. We Girls, we can achieve this goal. tices of the very woman that had made a poul- look forward to seeing you again soon! —Michelle DATHORNE ’85 and Stacey YUEN ’98 tice for Amoryn ENGEL’s ’90 leg and provided Let us know how we can help you facilitate a package of skunk root, other roots and leaves BSS gatherings in your area. To get involved 1988 Belize for Susan to brew when she got home. The book with our branch activities, please contact ad- Susan Collacott (past staff) would like to reach reawakened in Susan the hope and happiness [email protected]. those Old Girls who ventured to Belize in 1988 she first felt for the work being done in Belize —Jill BLAKEY ’02 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I JUST RECEIVED the magazine The Link. It’s really good. Thank I was privileged enough to be able to move to Canada to learn you for sending it. In return, I’m sending you one of my fondest English. memories at BSS. The time froze. So much wandering was going on inside my It was December of 1979. Mrs. Duarte, our English teacher, head. The sight was so beautiful, and strange. After I finally figured was explaining some facts about our reading assignment. She was out the kind of precipitation, it took me a while to switch to real- one of the few teachers that had knowledge of my background and ity and feel my chair again, in this very, very uncomfortably silent understood my stressful situation: I just had arrived from Venezu- classroom. Because I’ve always been a polite person, I quickly re- ela and spoke almost no English. She had recently married to a sumed my attentive English-speaking student’s posture, but obvi- Spanish man, so she knew what a language disadvantage felt like, ously it was too late: everyone was staring at me. Through my among other things. embarrassment I managed to look at Mrs. Duarte with my “please As the class fluently progressed, something from the corner of remember I’m a disadvantaged student” eyes, hoping for her to my eye caught my attention; I slowly turned to face the window. soften the inevitable complaint. To my relief, she just smiled, my I was dazed. There were these small white messages from above classmates acted naturally, and the lesson continued. slowly falling in a feather-like fashion and kind of dancing around I’ll never forget this day. —Ingrid PONCE McNaughton ’84 each other. In Venezuela there’s summer all year long with a rainy season that lasts a couple of months, so my knowledge of the “IT WAS MRS. DATTA, when I was in an advanced Grade 10 math snowing process was probably obtained from text books. That’s class, who taught me that I could do anything. I remember her why until this moment, I thought that snow was supposed to fall response to me when I complained I couldn’t do one of the prob- like the rain falls in Venezuela: straight, speedy and fierce, rather lems. She said, “Of course you can do it. You just haven’t figured than heavenly, gentle, and captivating. I felt miserably privileged out how yet.” I live by those words whenever I come up against because I couldn’t share this amazing experience with the friends something that seems impossible. Thanks to all of you there, who that I had just left behind and missed so much, due to the fact that do what you do!”—Diana WALKER MacKay ’87

THE LINK VOL. 2 · 2008/09 35 BSS Admissions Old Girls’ Events Calendar BSS Continues to attract talented young women to MAY our School, locally, national and internationally. To May 6 Distinguished Old Girl Award (DOGA) Dinner and assist in our recruiting efforts, our extended BSS Grande Finale of the 100th Anniversary of the Old community, which includes Old Girls, Current and Girls’ Association (6:15 pm at BSS) Past Parents and Students, act as ambassadors on May 26 Old Girl Pub Night our behalf. Should you be interested in attending any of our events during our travels, or would like to AUGUST recommend a prospective family, please contact the August 28 Submission deadline—Fall Issue of The Link Admissions Office directly at 416 483 4325 ext. 1220 or [email protected]. SEPTEMBER September 24 to 26 Reunion Weekend (celebrated years end in 4 and 9)

Stay tuned for event details posted on The Thread at thethread.bss.on.ca. Register online for BSS events at www.bss.on.ca or email [email protected].

Want more? The Link magazine is now online at: bss.on.ca/thelink

THE BISHOP STRACHAN SCHOOL 298 LONSDALE ROAD, TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA M4V 1X2 · T 416 483 4325 · F 416 481 5632 · [email protected] · BSS.ON.CA

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