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The Linkthe BSS magazine | vol. 3 · 2009/10 The Zen of Archery Joan McDONALD ’62 Coach, mentor, world-class athlete and this year’s Distinguished Old Girl. Plus: Tell us what you think: our first Reader’ss urvey, student leaders, Heritage Dinner, and more! BSS Ads 2010 - Vote Pub: Link Magazine Colours: CMYK Trim: 8.5”x11” Bleed: .125 Material Due: Feb 25, 2010 Send your daughter to BSS. e world needs her. With the right education, girls who want to change the world become women who do. bss.on.ca Iran_4C_8.5x11_Feb25.indd 1 25/02/10 12:01 PM taBle of contentS 2 OPening Notes: Coach’s Corner: Deryn Lavell on the value of mentoring. 2 INside Bss: A survey of Service Learning. BSS girls give back, but receive so much more. 5 Staff SpotlIght: Meet the Coaches—a Dream Team of our own. 8 StuDent SpotlIght: Young learners grow into leaders— the Grade 6 Leadership Program. 10 Heritage: BSS uniforms through the ages. 13 feaTuRe: 2010 Distinguished Old Girl—Archer, Olympic coach and model of resilience. Joan GALLIE McDonald ’62 has had her share of wins and losses, and is passing on her wisdom to the girls at BSS. 15 ReaDeR suRvey: Take a moment to tell us what you “Strict simplicity and economy think of The Link! We want to hear from you so that we can keep delivering the magazine you want to read. in dress, as well as a general 16 COmmunity: Coverage of our glamorous Heritage moderation in expenditure, will Dinner, 2010. A very special night to celebrate the BSS community. be enforced with a view to both 17 famIly alBum: Old Girl lunches and distinguished the moral benefit of the Pupils, dinners—BSS Old Girls stay connected. and a saving of expense to their 20 OlD Girl News: As always, lots to check out about your friends and former classmates! parents.” –Heritage, p. 10 28 THe Back Page: Roving art and a green message from Iain Baxter&. the lINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 1 opening noteS the mentoring Spirit By Deryn lavell ONe Of the distinct advantages of attending BSS is its network of incredible parents, pres- ent and past, staff and faculty, and, of course, Old Girls. This community is comprised of some of the most talented, interesting, and successful people in Canada. For our girls, that means access to the kind of learning that happens beyond the classroom. Learning from the people who have had the experi- ences, who know the pitfalls, and who can guide young students towards their goals, is an invaluable opportunity for BSS girls. We have an incredibly generous commu- nity, whose members are willing to give their time and energy to offer our girls the insight and encouragement they need as they begin to form an idea of themselves in the future. Our Old Girls are an outstanding resource in this respect, not only for the value of their experience, but for what they symbolize to our students: girls really can do anything. And BSS girls have gone on to Service learning such great heights in a vast array of careers. Our current students can look at them and see themselves in those shoes. A dream becomes a in Action at BSS possibility when you can see others who have achieved theirs. That’s why this year’s Distinguished Old Girl, Joan GALLIE Mc- By Rachel Hahn Donald ’62, is so special. She epitomizes the pioneering spirit and inspiring focus of a female athlete competing at the elite levels of her THe concept Of Service Learning was born around the same time sport. But she’s also dedicated her post-competition life to coaching as a man who would prove to be one of history’s greatest proponents others, helping them to achieve their dreams. Whether it’s working of self-sacrifice, non-violence and service to others. Mahatma Gan- with tomorrow’s Olympic stars in archery, or working with young dhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the ser- people who are interested in learning the sport simply because of vice of others.” Charlotte Fleming, Director of Service Learning at its grace, skill and illustrious history, Joan McDonald imparts the BSS, refers to this quote by Gandhi when articulating the importance wisdom of a winner. She brings a Zen sensibility into her coaching, of service learning. She wants the girls to discover themselves, stating helping students experience the mind-body connection and under- “authentic, meaningful experience deepens the learning and growth stand the essential role that their attitudes and thoughts play, wheth- that takes place.” Ms. Fleming has the responsibility of integrating er they win or lose. As she claims, the ability to master the sport of service learning even more deeply into the lives of the girls at BSS. archery, like mastering most things in life, comes from having the This is Ms. Fleming’s second year as Director of Service Learning, right attitude, respecting ourselves, and making room for error that a position formerly referred to as Director of Community Service. doesn’t disable our enthusiasm to keep moving forward. In short, With the change of title has come a philosophical switch through- she is helping students develop the all-important trait of resilience, out the School, not away from volunteering but rather to includ- one of the most critical aspects of success in anything we choose. ing reciprocal relationships and promoting student involvement in Joan’s work with the students at BSS has made a real difference in all aspects of service—from concept to completion. This approach their lives, whether they choose to go on in archery or not. necessitates that students take on leadership roles and learn how to And that’s what is so important. People like Joan, or the BSS foster successful and functional group dynamics. coaches you’ll meet in this issue of The Link, and the girls them- Ms. Fleming and her fellow faculty members hope that by devel- selves who spend time helping others and providing support for one oping an atmosphere of service learning within BSS they will instill another; they are what make BSS so unique. This is an essential part three main components of the educational approach into the core of of what we can provide our students and something they will take courses and programs. These components involve personal growth, with them as they pursue their dreams and goals. academic enhancement and hands-on community service. Of course, I hope they’ll also bring it back to the girls coming “The idea of service learning is what we’re hoping the program along behind them, so that we can keep strong the spirit of mentor- will evolve into,” explains an enthusiastic Ms. Fleming. “Ideally, ship at BSS. each of the initiatives will connect something from class to some- 2 the lINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 inSide bss the girls have life altering experiences during their service learning endeavours. This year, one Grade 6 student (who has been involved with the food bank at Flemingdon Park since her Grade 4 year) was meeting with Rever- end Helena when a woman had to be turned away from the food bank. It was an emotion- al experience for the student to realize that, even when someone needs to eat, they can’t always find instant aid. “I’m convinced now that for this one girl specifically, her life is going to be different,” says Ms. MacDonald of the Grade 6 student. “She’s going to look at her role in society differently having had that experience and so that’s our goal for all of the girls—to find ways to allow them to have that personal mo- ment where they see the potential for them to save the world.” It’s the combination of awareness and a passion to make change with the ability to create action and lead others in action that is the key to effective service learning. The Junior School students are involved in a pro- gram that balances service with leadership. thing within our community and then to reflection and personal They have reached far beyond the GTA in their quest to improve growth in the students.” the world and improve themselves by becoming heavily involved in BSS has a rich history of volunteerism—during World War II, the ACACIA Female Leadership Initiative, a program that not only girls volunteered at veterans’ hospitals in the city. Now a large part operates under the umbrella of the Jane Goodall Institute, but is co- of the organizational and planning onus has shifted to the girls. This founded by Julia Coburn, the daughter of Junior School Administra- immerses them in projects and allows them to claim ownership of tive Assistant, Ellen Palmer. ACACIA believes in nurturing leader- their own actions and initiatives. There is an emphasis on providing ship, stating on their website that the program “connects people to every girl with the opportunity to take on leadership positions in people, ideas and resources in order to create effective future leaders, order to foster their leadership skills through practical applications. build understanding and facilitate sustainable solutions to problems The service learning experience begins in the Junior School where locally and internationally.” developing reciprocal relationships with other communities, near As part of their involvement with this program, the BSS girls are and far, is of the utmost importance. Many of the service learning pen pals with Nganza High School students in Mwanza, Tanzania. endeavours that the Junior School students undertake are inspired They share their experiences involving service learning and commu- by Roots & Shoots, a program of the Jane Goodall Institute.

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