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.

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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&.

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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-

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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. Ac- nity volunteering with each other, and also discuss cultural similari- cording to a statement on their website, Roots & Shoots is all about ties and differences. “making positive change happen—for our communities, for animals At a BSS assembly this year, the recipient of the 2009 Jane Good- and for the environment.” all Youth Leadership Award, Shadrach Meshach from Tanzania, an- The girls at BSS took this approach to heart and developed three swered the girls’ questions about Roots & Shoots and other volun- groups: one to focus on animals, one to focus on people and another teering initiatives. The girls from younger grades, the ones who have to focus on the environment. They take on the responsibility of the yet to become pen pals with a Nganza student, were abuzz with ques- entire process, from deciding where they want to help, to organizing tions, wiggling their fingers at the end of raised hands for Meshach to a plan, and finally to following through. The girls must learn how to take notice. They wanted to know, “How long does it take for a letter lead others and how to work together to accomplish a common goal. to reach Tanzania?” “What’s different there?” “Why do they need A three-year (and counting) partnership with the Anglican min- our help?” “Do you like Canada?” Their excitement was palpable. istry at Flemingdon Park is a part of the focus on making positive Angela Terpstra, Assistant Head of the Senior School, believes change and relationships with people, and the relationship began the next crucial step for service learning at BSS is forming the con- with a simple question: “What do you need?” Reverend Helena of nections between service learning and the curriculum, a development Flemingdon Park initially asked for help with the Thanksgiving food that is already taking place at the Middle School level. drive that has now become an annual service learning opportunity “What we want to do is actually shift and say that it’s not just for the students. This year, the Junior School girls organized two about giving back, as many girls assume, but it has more to do with home-cooked dinners for the Flemingdon Park community. And they what the girls themselves are willing to learn. What do you learn didn’t just cook; they shared the meal with community members and when you’re involved in these things?” explains Dr. Terpstra. The also shared stories, laughs and thoughts. shift Dr. Terpstra speaks of is from seeing oneself as a giver, to seeing Patti MacDonald, Assistant Head of the Junior School, has seen oneself as the receiver in a volunteer position. “Girls need to realize

the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10  inside bss that their presence on projects actually may detract from [the project itself] but other people are willing to work with [them] in order for [them] to learn and be a change in the world,” she says. The focus of the service learning experiences for the Grade 7 girls is, ‘What am I doing and what is my attitude towards certain things?’ This year, as part of that focus, and also as a demonstration of the connectedness of their studies, the Grade 7s were taken to an organic farm and experienced what it was like to work there. The experience exposed them to a part of their community that many of them were unaware of. It also gave them an opportunity to learn about environmentalism, the food supply, agriculture and the impact they have on the food chain in society. That’s geography, sociology, science and some wholesome hard work all rolled into one. The Grade 8 program takes the next step after self-realization and turns to the theme of social justice. The girls are encouraged to figure out what they are passionate about and to follow through on that in some manifestation, and though it seems an easy charge, it can be tricky to find a specific calling, no matter your age. “A lot of girls don’t know what they’re passionate about yet,” says Ms. Fleming, “or what impact they can actually have.” She explains that it’s only by doing that they can discover what truly motivates them. “One of my goals is to make [service] exciting and then leave them.” When you speak with the students, it seems Ms. Fleming has achieved her goal. Alexandra Sisam, Service Learning prefect, says the reason she relishes her position is because she gets to help people “It is important that our girls learn fall in love with volunteering. Having taken the skills associated with service on the responsibilities of prefect, Sisam has had an opportunity to become a leader in her work because meaningful service school community and she uses her role to in- experiences contribute to the spire others in the area of service. “I want to be able to provide girls with the opportuni- development of our girls into ties that they need to get involved,” she says, responsible and empathetic citizens. “because it is really fun and rewarding.” Sisam works with the Service Learning The girls are our future leaders.” Council to organize and promote different service learning initiatives throughout BSS, including GAS days (Go sible and empathetic citizens. The girls are our future leaders.” and Serve) and long term volunteer opportunities. She hopes the The Horizons program helps BSS students develop as leaders girls will not only have fun volunteering, but will learn something through tutoring. For the past five years, BSS girls have regularly too. “I believe that service learning helps people to be thankful and visited other schools in diverse Toronto neighbourhoods to provide appreciate what they have,” says Sisam. one-on-one tutoring. This year the program was expanded from In Grade 9, the service learning component focuses on steward- Grades 9 to 12 to include Grade 8 also. These students work as liter- ship—the responsibility one has to protect and support a community. acy coaches, working on puzzles, alphabet games and the like, with At this age, the girls begin to be more financially responsible, perhaps kindergarten students. The older girls visit schools on a regular basis earning their own money, and they begin to make their own purchas- alternating weekly between facilitating discussions on global issues es and social decisions. Focusing on stewardship is about educating and leadership and providing one-on-one tutoring and mentoring. them as to the repercussions their decisions may have on things such Pairs of a BSS girl and a student from another school will often be as the environment or socio-economic atmosphere of a community. given a task to complete which requires them to work together and Though Grades 10 and 11 have yet to have specific curricular learn from each other. There are four separate Horizons programs implementation of service learning initiatives, those students are still that run throughout the year, one of which involves BSS students being exposed everyday to the philosophy of benefiting themselves interested in robotics. Last year they introduced the students at one by benefiting others. school to computer programming, robot building and presentation It’s these connections that create awareness and an understand- skills in order for the group to compete in First Lego League, a ing that will hopefully fuel the girls to be socially informed and re- world wide Lego-based robotics competition. sponsible. “I do feel that service learning is essential to development BSS prides itself on creating an environment that fosters intelli- of youth,” states Ms. Fleming. “It is important that our girls learn gent, successful women who will be positive contributors to society. the skills associated with service work because meaningful service As the current ad campaign states, “With the right education, girls experiences contribute to the development of our girls into respon- who want to change the world become women who do.” This is not

 the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 staff spotlight a witty slogan in the eyes of the School’s faculty and staff, it is a true goal; one that can be consistently and constantly achieved. Incorpo- rating service learning further into the educational experience is just The Winning Formula: one way of obtaining that goal. “We’re really taking the notion of citizenship and global citizen- The dedicated ship very seriously—what does it mean to be a citizen of the world, a citizen of Canada and a citizen locally, and in what ways do citizens coaches of BSS have roles and responsibilities?” says Dr. Terpstra. Trips abroad are By Megan Griffith-Greene an intense service learning experience and there are several oppor- tunities for every student at BSS to take part. For seven years the Photo by Caitlin CRONENBERG ’02 School has been running an annual trip to Jamaica. The trip is open to Grade 11 and 12 students. Ms. Fleming, the main coordinator of On any given day, in the wee morning hours, walk around BSS this and the other service learning trips, never tires of seeing the girls and you’ll see signs of life—field hockey and soccer teams training learn while travelling. “A highlight for me is that we are all growing on the field; volleyball and basketball drills echoing through the together through these experiences. It is incredible to watch the girls gyms. The pool is filled with girls moving swiftly through the wa- discover themselves through the service of others and that I get to be ter—girls at all stages of their BSS careers, training for the Bishop’s a part of their learning and grow with them,” she states. Cup (which they have dominated for ten years), and helping one Grade 12 student, DeeDee Tardiff, went on the trip to Jamaica another get better, faster, stronger. last year and found it to be an invaluable experience. “I’d like to Track and field, hockey, badminton, archery, skipping, gymnas- think that I have always been socially aware, but this really opened tics—it all adds up to a winning athletic program that keeps the my eyes and let me see first hand the poverty in the world and the student body strong, focused and confident. What keeps everything amount that other people really need our help; whether that help moving? BSS’s excellent team of dedicated coaches—about 40 peo- comes in the form of time, money, or even awareness,” she says. ple who push students past what they thought was possible. There’s BSS girls also travel to Ecuador during March Break, in partner- an old joke: those who can’t do, teach. Those who can’t teach, teach ship with the Me to We program. Me to We aims to “provide youth phys ed. Whoever said that obviously never met the coaches at BSS. the unique opportunity to not just visit a community—but to get to To hear the BSS coaches talk about sport is to hear them tell their know the people, the issues and to be a part of the work that is being stories of family and friendship, camaraderie and teamwork. They done to provide youth with worldly understanding.” speak with true admiration of the students they feel lucky to coach, “Every year I’d say girls come away from the trips with a new and with enormous gratitude of the coaches who made a difference outlook and appreciation for their own lives,” says Ms. Fleming. in their lives. For Senior School Athletic Director Katie Flynn and Although the international trips are intense experiences in service Student Services counsellor and soccer coach Sharon Djordjevic, learning, there are opportunities to be involved in service learning that means some of the women who are now their peers. Both wom- initiatives nearly every day at the School. en were student athletes at BSS before they became teachers, and BSS has created a reciprocal relationship with the Russell Hill their coaches are now their colleagues. Retirement Residence. The communities come together to enjoy a It’s part of the life cycle that makes BSS such a strong communi- walking club and BSS girls have undertaken the creation of scrap- ty; young students who grow up and become mentors, then alumni, book memoirs of the lives of individual Russell Hill residents. then parents or teachers of the next generation of young, promising Monthly, girls are encouraged to Go and Serve at GAS day. BSS girls. That spirit is a huge part of the School’s sport community, Each month a different community establishment or cause is ben- which is about more than just amassing trophies (although, they do efited. There are many non-profit organizations that partner with have plenty of those, too). the School so that girls can get involved, including Out of the Cold, Pinky McAllister has coached generations of BSS students in her Right to Play and Churches on-the-Hill Food Bank. 35 years as a teacher and coach at the School. What makes Ms. Ms. Fleming emphasizes that the initiatives being undertaken fo- McAllister proud? Having a former student, who she’d seen excel cus on reciprocal relationships. “We are giving them these opportu- on the swim team years earlier, pick up her own daughter from swim nities to let them know what’s out there and make them more aware practice. “We both started crying.” and more responsible,” she says. “The reciprocal relationship is the key—so they’re learning and they’re learning about themselves and BUILDING A STRONG ATHLETICS COMMUNITY about the people they’re interacting with.” Building a thriving athletic community also means offering a va- Ms. Fleming is currently consulting with a University of Toronto riety of activities that appeals to all students, says Ms. Flynn. “Not professional on developing more curricular connections between everyone wants to play team sports, so we have a lot of individual service learning and academia at BSS. Integrating the approach of sport as well. There’s something for everyone. We try to give as many service learning into the curriculum is not something that happens girls as possible an opportunity to get involved.” overnight. Instead, it is a process that Dr. Terpstra believes involves In addition to helping individual students reach their goals, the asking and answering an important question: “What’s an authentic coaches and teachers at BSS are also helping the sports program way to make it all come together?” Ultimately, service learning ini- grow—not only in the number of teams available to students, but tiatives like the ones currently in effect and in development at BSS also the number of sports offered. Ms. McAllister’s current passion? create a wildly rich environment for leadership, growth, awareness, The new skipping team, which has grown from five girls in the first knowledge and self-confidence—attributes that make an empow- year to more than 30 girls, spanning Grades 4 to 12. ered and successful woman.  “I’m loving it; I’m absolutely loving it,” Ms. McAllister says.

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“It’s amazing how skipping can build about themselves and teach them about sportsmanship and working speed and power. Three minutes of skip- with other people, whether it’s a coach or teammates or their op- ping is equal to about 10 minutes of jog- ponents. Success isn’t just about winning, it’s about helping students ging. And it helps students develop agility reach their own goals.” and coordination, too.” Those individual goals, and helping students meet them, is what Ms. Flynn says that the variety is a real makes coaching so satisfying, says math and business teacher and strength. “It’s not always about being on gymnastics coach Ann Shen. “One year, I had a student who had a championship team; it’s giving the girls never done gymnastics before. At first, she was so scared of just get- experiences that make them feel good ting up and walking on the beam that I had to hold her hand the

 the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 profile student whole time. But by the end of the year, she could complete a full beam is purely social. And that’s why I continue to be so involved. The routine, and started competing. The look of accomplishment on her relationships you build with your teammates are a huge reason I face at the end of her routine is really why I’m still coaching.” stayed in sports. You build bonds, and these are some of the most important friendships you make.” TEAMMATE TEAMWORK According to Ms. Djordjevic, that balance is essential. “My phi- But ask any coach, and individual achievement is only part of the losophy is that no matter how much someone is going to play on my equation. It’s also about teamwork and camaraderie. team, I try to make everyone better and make sure everyone has a Ask soccer coach Sharon Djordjevic. “Sports really has two main positive experience. I make my students work hard, but we also have functions for me. First, I love the competition. But the second reason a lot of fun.”

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What makes her proud? When even injured girls are so commit- ted to their team, they turn up to practice to watch. “They want to Building be there.” Ms. McAllister says that seeing that teamwork in action has been Leadership from one of the most memorable experiences of coaching. “Watching the swim team has been one of the greatest rewards. What I love is that the Ground Up the Grade 12 students help coach the Grade 5 students, and every- By Rachel Hahn one competes together. It’s like a big family: everybody helps each other.” mass of forest green and red tartan has settled onto the LIFE LESSONS hardwood floor of the Great Hall. These are the colours Sport is more than about success, ultimately, says Director of of the Matthews Hall uniform. Junior school students Outdoor Education, Linda Leckie: it’s about life. Ms. Leckie, who’s Ahave travelled from the London, Ontario, independent been coaching at BSS since 1988, has seen how teamwork can have school to hear from the student leaders at BSS. Each of the students an impact on every aspect of her students’ lives. And she’s had a lot in the group, who have come from Matthews Hall, is an ambassador of chances to witness this: “I think I’ve coached almost everything in their school community. Their trip to BSS serves two purposes: except skiing and basketball,” she laughs. to build community with another independent school and to learn What does she want the students to take away from their experi- some new ways to practise leadership. ence? “I want them to learn to be passionate about something, and They wait patiently in Great Hall until Grade 6 students Katrina to learn some of the life skills that you get through sport, like taking Marsden, Avery Domi and Alexa Meretsky arrive. The girls have responsibility for yourself, being organized, being prepared and fo- prepared short speeches about their leadership roles. Alexa is an cused, and working together.” Academic Advisor, Avery is on the Sports Squad and Katrina is a Ms. Leckie has seen these life skills in action, and no example Global Ambassador. They share ideas and initiatives with the Mat- could demonstrate that more than the death of hockey coach, Dave thews Hall students, outlining their roles in the School. McMaster, in 2003. In addition to dealing with the tragic loss of a “My leadership job lets me talk to people around the world,” trusted coach and mentor, the hockey team was just about to leave says Katrina, “and help them do things to improve other’s lives.” for a major competition: the Confederation Cup in Newfoundland. Leaders from the Senior School also speak with the students before “It was incredible to see how the girls rallied and worked together they are taken on a tour of the campus. through the experience,” Ms. Leckie says, recounting the incred- Janet Frame, Associate Head of Matthews Hall, takes notes ible leadership she witnessed as the older girls helped their younger throughout the assembly. There are many things for the leaders of teammates. That’s enough to honour the memory of a coach, but the each school to learn from each other, including ideas for school spirit team did one better: they won the tournament, Ms. Leckie tells me days and ways to organize leadership groups. “I think they will be proudly. inspired,” she excitedly says of her students once the assembly has ended. CROSSING THE FINISH The Grade 6 leadership program at BSS is relatively new. Two For swim coach Andrew Moffat, the most enduring memory years ago, Grade 6 teacher, Judy Garay, approached Patti MacDon- of his coaches was knowing someone was rooting for you. “You ald, Assistant Head, Junior School, about the leadership curriculum knew that they believed in you and wanted to see you succeed.” in place. Ms. Garay felt it promoted more listening skills than lead- He says it’s been incredibly rewarding to be on the other side of the ing skills. “They were being told to put an announcement together coaching experience. “When a swimmer works hard, progresses and or do this or do that,” says Ms. Garay. “We didn’t feel they were sees the results of her hard work, it’s so exciting to see them achieve actually learning any leadership skills.” that. Their performances really make me proud.” Moffat, like many Ms. MacDonald agreed, and the Junior School began research- other coaches, balances his athletic schedule with academics (he ing models from different educational institutions in order to form a also teaches math at BSS). But he gets something quite unique from new approach. The result is an inquiry-based program that puts the coaching that makes it meaningful. He hopes his students leave the onus on the students to plan and execute initiatives. Instead of being field with a passionate and positive attitude. “The most important told what to do, the girls decide what to do for themselves and their thing is a love of being active and getting involved. You carry that interests and queries are what guide them. with you though life.” Each of the 44 Grade 6 students holds a leadership position in This is how Ms. Flynn puts it: “I just feel proud that the coaches the Junior School. There are 11 leadership groups (four girls to a are willing to step outside of their classrooms to give the girls these group) and they were formed in order to emulate the values and experiences, and they’re so dedicated and devoted. They really go aspects of BSS. These include Academic Advisors, Arts Council, Stu- above and beyond. I feel really grateful.” dent Council, Sport Squad, House Spirit Leaders, Global Ambas- Because, ultimately, the results are bigger than the outcome of in- sadors, Environment Council, Junior School Ambassadors, Wellness dividual races. Ms. Flynn has not only watched her own students get Council, Community Guild and Media Information and Technology stronger and the BSS program grow and thrive, but she has watched Leaders, affectionately referred to as the MITs. as women’s sport in general reaches greater and greater heights. Though each girl belongs to a group, she is often involved in “We’re just taken more seriously now; I think we’ve really proven activities with other leadership groups. For instance, the Academic that we’re just as capable as any boys’ program. We can make it Advisors and the MITs paired up to create The Spool, a website in- happen.”  spired by The Thread, a website for BSS parents. The Spool is meant

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to be a resource for the Junior School students just as The Thread is a resource for their par- The result is an inquiry-based ents. “The website we made has most of the program that puts the onus on the things we worked on this year,” explains Al- exa. “Homework tips, past and present, cal- students to plan and execute endar, book reviews, student work, pictures initiatives. Instead of being told what and jokes!” to do, the girls decide what to do Only in the second year of practice, the new program is still being refined and tweaked, for themselves and their interests but Ms. Garay already sees a lot of positive and queries are what guide them. results. “I’ve noticed a change in the Grade 6s because it gives them an opportunity to step up and come up with “Their most important attribute for a leader that they’ve decided ideas and develop initiatives, and they’re enjoying it,” she says. for this year is knowing when to step up and when to step back,” Each group has one or two teacher mentors who help guide the says Ms. Garay, who thinks their choice is “actually really cool” girls in their endeavours. The mentors meet with the girls once a because it demonstrates a difficult concept to grasp: leadership isn’t week and once a month there is a leadership session held for all 44 always about being the one in the spotlight. students. “While it’s okay to work yourself and do all the things that you Because the students are the driving force behind the leadership have to do, part of leadership is that whole piece about stepping initiatives in the Junior School now, each year will be different from back and empowering other people, because if you do things for the next. There is a general structure laid out at the beginning of the people all the time they’re not going to get it,” Ms. Garay explains. school term, but it is not set in stone—it’s all part of the beauty and An example of stepping back and giving others an opportunity to difficulty of this particular approach to fostering leadership. The lead can be seen in the Junior School Ambassadors. These girls give Grade 6 girls have really begun to grow and develop a strong sense tours of the School to parents and girls interested in becoming a part of community and responsibility over the past year. of BSS. Instead of this responsibility falling on just the four girls who “This year, actually, the whole program started to take on a life of are the Ambassadors, they have begun to teach other students how its own,” explains Ms. Garay. “This group of Grade 6s is just all over to tour the campus. Developing this type of effective and communal this. There are so many initiatives and so many ideas going on.” leadership in the girls of BSS is essential. Senior School prefect Brooke Freeman held a workshop with the “Educating women in leadership is what’s going to change the whole group of Grade 6 girls that aimed to help them explore the world,” says Ms. Garay. She refers to the works of Nobel peace prize meaning of leadership. Together they brainstormed a myriad of good nominee, Greg Mortenson, and “The Leadership Gap” by Marie leadership characteristics and qualities. Among them were empathy, C. Wilson, as examples of experts who highlight the importance of being approachable and listening. The girls were then challenged to female leadership. “We need a balance of male and female leader- narrow down their long list to just one single most important quality. ship,” says Ms. Garay. “Women need to be in there.” 

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1800s, Students in the late 1800s, 1915 The middy blouse, a few 1920s A portrait of 1937 Student Kay Hastie before the uniform was implemented. years after its introduction. student Dorothy McMichael. models her uniform

All Unnecessary Etceteras A History of the BSS Uniform By Sue ALLEN Dutton ’79

Since its establishment in about 1910, the BSS uniform has middies made at home. Although these middies were “completed undergone several transformations. Although some elements have with the BSS monogram on the sleeve, all copied apparently by some endured, changes in school colours and social conventions have maker in St. Catharines…no one is authorized to make the school modified uniform regulations over time. When the School began in uniform except ‘Dresses, Ltd.’” The 1938 Pupil’s Register Analysis 1867, girls did not attend wearing a uniform. Guidelines for stu- Form lists a charge for middies, skirts and sweaters, along with the dents’ dress is first mentioned in the 1868 Prospectus, “Strict sim- expected charges for piano lessons, telegrams and School supplies. plicity and economy in dress, as well as a general moderation in Later on, students purchased their uniforms in downtown Toronto expenditure, will be enforced with a view to both the moral benefit from Northway’s and then from Simpson’s stores. of the Pupils, and a saving of expense to their parents.” Early photo- In 1938, and then again in 1954, a summer uniform was intro- graphs show girls wearing either dresses or long skirts and a blouse. duced for wearing in the warmer months. The 1938 version consist- By 1898, boarders were requested to bring only three winter dresses, ed of a matching blue cotton shirt and skirt with large white buttons with one or two extra to wear in the warmer months and a white running down the front. This uniform was unpopular with the girls, dress which was required to be worn to the closing concert. and in 1954 an updated summer uniform was brought in; a light The most enduring and recognizable part of the BSS uniform, the blue blouse and dark blue skirt “not less than 3 inches below the middy blouse, is an accident of fashion. At the beginning of the last knee” that came in a wrap-around or a zippered style. It was worn century, these blouses had become stylish and photographs show with blue socks and, although regulations called for brown oxfords, students wearing “middies”, as they were called, in a variety of co- Old Girls report they continued to wear their black shoes as this lours, paired with a dark skirt of their own choosing. Beginning in looked much more fashionable. 1911, an Outfit List is mentioned in the School’s prospectus and Although blazers have been a part of the uniform since the 1920s, reflecting societal norms and the reserved nature of the School. This they were considered an optional item until the 1960s. The first blaz- earliest uniform consisted of a white middy blouse with a blue collar, ers were made of black wool embellished with red and white striped a loose scarf-like black tie, a mid-calf length dark skirt, black stock- piping on the lapels, cuffs and pockets. By 1941, Headmistress Miss ings and black shoes. Staff meeting minutes from this time indicate Lowe reported to Council that the black blazers would no longer be that this uniform was mandatory only for Drill (exercises performed worn as they were made in England, and would be both expensive as a group) and were worn on the days of Drill instruction. Within and difficult to acquire during the war. Prefects’ white blazers are a few years, it had become the regular day uniform and remained also evident from the 1920s but were often passed from girl to girl essentially unchanged for the next 50 years. rather than purchased annually by the new prefect. In the early days, uniforms were manufactured by an official Social changes in the 1960s and 70s ushered in several uniform source and purchased through the School. A 1926 letter from Head- changes. In a 1961 letter from Headmistress Miss Griffith to par- mistress Miss Walsh reprimands a parent for having her daughter’s ents, she indicates that “The uniform must be brought up to date

10 the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 1941 During the war years, from the 1962 The new uniform. 1973 By the 70s, more changes Betty MUMFORD collection. to the uniform. in light of the times and development of fashion.” The expensive forms, having only removed their ties and changed their shoes and second summer uniform was disbanded and the new uniform was socks. In 1968 a separate gym uniform was launched, consisting of a introduced the following year: gray flannel skirt, pearl gray middy crested white short-sleeved blouse, a short pleated gray skirt and an blouse, and maroon tie which could be worn with the school blaz- optional maroon sweatshirt. Shorts and track pants were not worn er, a gray sweater or a matching gray suit jacket. In 1972, another for gym until the 1980s. uniform was ushered in. BSS students now wore long sleeved gray Patterns in school regulations are evident from the School’s re- blouses, a gray box-pleated skirt and a striped gray and maroon tie. cords and such examples are evidence that girls continue to express When, by 1974 the manufacturer could no longer supply this blouse, their individuality through minor adjustments in their uniform. In the students were polled and they overwhelmingly voted to return to 1874, school authorities state that “excessive trimmings in dress will a middy blouse. This new version of the middy was made of “white be prohibited and all unnecessary etceteras, as well as any extremes of fashion or style”. Similarly in 1927, “all extremes of fashion must 1914 A drill demonstration, be avoided, e.g., short sleeves, low neck, short skirts”. In 1999, from Miss Walsh’s scrapbook. girls were directed to “wear modest and appropriate attire on ‘grub days’”and in 2003 “underwear should be an appropriate colour for wearing under a white blouse”. Jewelry is an ongoing issue that is mentioned in many letters to parents. A document from 1901 requests that, “All showy or expen- sive articles of jewelry be left at home” and from 1970, “No jewelry, other than school pins, school rings and small gold ‘keepers’”. Al- though skirt length and footwear cause continued problems, girls’ de- sires to sport new fashion trends can be seen in additions to uniform regulations. The 1986 Senior School Handbook directs that “Notice- able nail polish and cosmetics are not to be worn”, and by 1999, this had evolved to, “the Uniform does not include visible make-up, vis- drip-dry sailcloth, middy style with a burgundy trim on the pocket ible tattoos and body piercings, wild hair colours or nail polish”. and collar” and was intended to be tucked into the skirt. While the BSS uniform has undergone several transformations A separate gym uniform was not introduced until the late 1960s. during the School’s history, certain key element, such as the middy Before this time, girls changed only their shoes and stockings to collar, the School crest and the white prefect’s blazer are now consid- white socks and white canvas shoes and exchanged their black tie ered institutional traditions. They maintain our institutional mem- for a coloured version for Form Games. The 1918 Outfit List in- ory and are an important link to our past. Future versions of the cludes a “Ferris Waist for athletics and drill”. This corset, manufac- uniform will most likely continue to include these elements, modi- tured for both children and women, was considered healthier than fied only as new textiles and additional demands and requirements the traditional heavily boned version, while offering support for ath- of our students arise.  letic pursuits such as tennis and golf. The summer uniforms included matching shorts intended to be worn for games, but photos from the Sue ALLEN Dutton ’79 is a BSS Archivist. 1940s and 1950s also show girls playing sports in their regular uni- Photos courtesy of the BSS Museum and Archives.

the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 11 feature

Joan GALL Tak IE McDonald ’62 es Aim a t Life By Sharon Gregg

12 the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 student profile

archery school nearby and took her there two nights a week, allow- ing her to keep up with what she’d learned at camp. While attending two all-girls’ schools in the 1950s and 60s, Ms. McDonald observes with the benefit of hindsight, that even though “It concerns us to know the feminism was still a distance from becoming part of the public con- sciousness, and even though the BSS basketball rules dictated play- purposes we seek in life, for then, ing only two thirds of the court, and Balmoral Hall was teaching girls how to iron men’s shirts in Home Economics, Joan McDonald like archers aiming at a definite and many girls like her, had begun questioning these assigned roles for women. In these schools, they could find their voices in an en- mark, we shall be more likely to vironment that gave girls freedom to excel and express themselves. When asked if her rejection of these stereotypes for women (she re- attain what we want.” –Aristotle fused to iron the shirts), was enabled by the all-girls environment, her response was, “I’m sure of it.” he bow and arrow is perhaps one of the oldest surviving Describing her childhood in Lynn Lake, Ms. McDonald reveals links to our earliest ancestors. In fact, evidence suggests the origins of her strong, independent nature. “We spent hours in that it might have been invented as early as 50,000 BC. It the bush, and learned to look after ourselves in that environment. was, in its time, a weapon of mass destruction, as well as T We were on the tree line and the high winds in winter would harden the means to hunt food and protect one’s family. The ability to wield the surface of the snow. Ptarmigans, snowbirds, get trapped under- a bow and arrow was shared by people across the planet throughout neath and you could hear them flapping, trying to get out. My sister time, and remains to this day, an elegant symbol of the past. and I regarded it as our raison d’etre to rescue the Ptarmigan. If Archery was part of the Olympic games as early as 1900 and there was a storm, we’d wait for it to stop so we could go out and right from the start, it was a sport that welcomed women. Archery’s rescue the birds.” presence at the Games came and went, and after a 50-year absence, Now, you can’t take a girl who had grown up rescuing Ptarmigan reappeared for good at the 1972 Olympics. under tundra and expect she’ll be content ironing men’s shirts. For world-class archer and this year’s Distinguished Old Girl, After graduating from BSS, Ms. McDonald spent a restless year Joan GALLIE McDonald ’62, the bow and arrow came into her life travelling and trying to figure out her future. All the while, she at summer camp. Not one for the whole “arts and crafts” camp kept up with archery. With several competition wins, she knew she scene, Ms. McDonald, a fervent athlete, sought the sports offerings was good, but the sport hadn’t yet become her passion. Everything and came across archery. Or perhaps archery came across her. In any changed after she broke the Canadian record at the 1962 Canadian event, it was a marriage made in heaven. Tassles were handed out as Championships in Vancouver. She finally fell in love with archery, young archers passed successfully through all the stages and by age her greatest passion to this day. 16, Joan had earned her first gold. But given the tenor of the times, she followed the expected course Ms. McDonald was born in Toronto and raised in Lynn Lake, for women and took a job in the secretarial pool, or ‘ghetto’ as she Manitoba, a mining town 800 miles north of Winnipeg, population calls it, with the anachronistically named temp agency, Manpower. 500. Her father, who was a mining engineer, shared her perfection- ist tendencies or, as she puts it, ‘obsessiveness’. He imbued in her a desire to do things the right way and to perform with precision, not a bad combination for a future archer. Her mother, a strong, com- petent woman, took care of the home, which included home-school- ing her three daughters and managing the radio for the community that connected the tiny enclave to the outside world where groceries came over the ice once a year. In Grade 6, Ms. McDonald was sent out of the remote town to the more congenial environs of Balmoral Hall in Winnipeg. Here, sports were highly prized and Ms. McDonald, who marvels that her parents might have detected these leanings in her, found her- self in the kind of atmosphere that fed her predilection for athletics. Academics weren’t the first thing on her mind, but ever the practi- cal one, she knew she had to maintain a 70% average to enjoy the privilege of playing sports, so she maintained a 70.1% average, and played basketball. Her family moved to Toronto in 1958 when she attended BSS. At the time, BSS did not offer the range of sports and athletics it has now, and the absence of it drove home how much Ms. McDonald needed sport in her life. The swimming pool became her athletic ha- ven and she played basketball, even though at the time it was ‘girls’ rules basketball’ which meant covering only two thirds of the court, an affront to her ‘do it right’ mentality. Her parents also found an feature

Her dreams of winning gold as a world- class archer were dashed when the Canadian team, along with 64 other countries, boycot- ted the Games in 1980. Politics and public opinion conspired to use the Olympics as the territory on which to protest the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. Countless athletes’ hopes were extinguished along with Joan Macdonald’s only opportunity to com- pete at this level. Athletes devote their lives to their sport, undergoing grueling training regimes and a single-minded focus that engulfs them in the lead up to the Games. One could not imag- ine how it must feel to have the Olympics in sight and then pulled out from under you. “It’s something you never get over,” says Ms. McDonald. She didn’t make the team in 1984. As she explains, “it wasn’t that I was getting poorer, In this way, she could arrange not to work in the summer when she but the others were getting better.” After this experience, she made needed to compete. the decision to retire from competitive sport. But Olympic dreams She also married her long-time boyfriend from their BSS/UCC still haunted her and as she watched the Canadian Olympic team days and settled into the role of wife and mother of two boys, David go off to Seoul in 1988, she thought, “How am I ever going to get and Christopher. She’d kept up with archery but mostly as a hobby there?” while she busied herself with the domestic duties that defined the Her solution was to turn her talents to helping others. She be- role of wife in the 1960s. However, the rosy picture ended with the gan by creating a much-needed practice centre for archers. Then, in demise of her marriage and the desertion of her husband, leaving 1990, she spotted a teenaged boy at a tournament who had, “$5,000 her with the responsibility of raising two sons on her own. Partly for worth of equipment and 10 cents’ worth of technique.” But there her own sanity and partly because her passion for archery could no was something about him and soon, they began working together. longer be ignored, she returned to shooting and tried to figure out a Rob Rusnov opted to stay with Ms. McDonald to continue his train- way to survive. ing rather than go away to university, and with that, she officially “I cannot, in hindsight, figure out how we survived. We were became a coach. In 1996 they went to the Olympics together. beyond poor. I was terrified because in those days, [1973], there “We weren’t prepared,” she says of that experience. “The Olym- was no hope for kids from divorced families, according to all the pics are an animal like no other. Until you’ve done it, you can’t know. literature.” We knew we had to be better. We had been waiting, relying on the Ms. McDonald tried everything possible to stay home with the ‘system’ to help us, and there isn’t one.” And though Rob Rusnov boys. But she needed money. She struck a deal with a figure skating didn’t win in 1996, the journey cemented for both of them, a lifelong coach to provide room and board for skaters who were coming in friendship, and confirmed her passion for coaching. from all over Canada to train. They would help with the kids at She is now the personal coach for more than 30 archers. Since night, and she could go out and work. 1999, Ms. McDonald’s archers have consistently held top spots in According to Joan, “archery saved my soul” during those rough Canada and internationally. She has been head coach at three more and tumble times. She and her sons created a practice target inside Olympic Games and six World Target Championships. As the Feder- their house, where the arrow would start at the kitchen and pass ation of Canadian Archers Ontario Regional Coach, she also trains through the dining room, giving her a seven metre shot. Mercifully, the trainers in preparation for head coach positions with various no one strayed in the path of the arrow during practice time. teams. And she has returned to BSS to coach girls who want to learn When archery had returned to the Olympics in 1972, she had just archery, providing for them not only lessons in technique, but les- given birth to David. In 1976, she went to the Games as an alternate, sons in life. claiming that she didn’t make the team because she ‘wanted it too “Can’t is a big word. Get rid of it. If you don’t believe in yourself, much’. “It’s a mental game,” she explains. “My head was focusing the word ‘can’t’ will win. The most important thing is being aware on outcome and not process. Everything you do in your life is pro- of how you feel, honouring that, and believing in your ability to cess.” This is a theme that pervades Ms. McDonald’s approach to succeed.” winning and what she tries to impart to her students as the mindset Joan McDonald might not have won gold at the Olympics, but you need to succeed. she has grappled with loss and disappointment, got back up, and In the intervening years leading up to the 1980 Games, Ms. Mc- found a way to keep moving forward. More remarkably, she found a Donald would practice like a Trojan, and her boys would be right way to pursue her passion while giving back to her community and at her side as she prepared for her big moment. She was at the top helping young people achieve their dreams. If the Olympics were of her form and proud to be representing Canada as the Olympic handing out medals for resilience, spirit and compassion, there is no archery team was assembled, and she a star on it. doubt Joan McDonald would win gold. 

14 the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 reader survey

The Link Reader Survey, June 2010 ALL ABOUT THE LINK and YOU Please help us improve The Link! Take a few moments to complete this Reader Survey and not only will we deliver to you an im- proved version of the magazine, but you will automatically be entered into a draw to win BSS swag! Prefer to complete this survey online? Visit bss.on.ca/thelink. Thank you for helping make your Link experience even better.

1) Compared to other alumni/alumnae 8) Please rate the quality of the following: 13) The Link comes out in December, April magazines you might receive, how does Excellent / good / average / poor / and June. As far as you are concerned, this The Link compare? very poor / no opinion timing is:  Not as good Content  Fine  Don’t care  Almost as good Cover  Not convenient, I would  The same Ease of reading prefer to receive my issues  A bit better Layout and design ALL ABOUT YOU  A lot better Photography According to official readership survey eti- Writing 2) How long do you typically keep an issue quette, it is perfectly okay to ask you the of The Link? 9) What are the three sections of the maga- following questions with the understanding  I scan it briefly and then discard it zine that you like the best? (Rank in order) that this information will be STRICTLY confi-  Up to one week Opening Notes dential. No fear.  Up to one month Inside BSS 1) How would you categorize yourself as a  More than one month Feature Story member of the BSS community? Select all Staff Profile 3) How many people do you think read your that apply. Old Girl Profile copy of The Link besides you?  Old Girl Student Profile  No one else. I’m the only one  Current Parent Parent Profile I know who reads it  Past Parent Old Girl News  Usually two people read each issue  Student Family Album  Three people  Staff Other  Four people  Other  Way more than four 10) What are the three sections you like 2) Please list the five magazines you read  Other least? (Rank in order) most frequently. Opening Notes 4) I currently read ____ of the total number Inside BSS of articles in a typical issue of The Link: Feature Story  100%  75%  50%  25% Staff Profile 5) Have you ever accessed the online ver- Old Girl Profile sion of The Link to read the current issue or Student Profile read older articles? Parent Profile  Yes  No Old Girl News  I didn’t know there was an Family Album 3) Are you: online version of The Link Other  Male  Female  I only read the online version 11) What is missing from The Link that you’d and discard the paper version. 4) What is your age group? like to see in the magazine?  Under 18  18-24  25-34 6) Would you visit a website to read back  35-44  45-54  55-64 issues and/or reference older articles?  65-74  Over 74  Yes, I would  I might  Not sure  Probably not 5) What is your postal code?  No, I wouldn’t Comments: 7) Please indicate your agreement with this statement “The Link strengthens my 12) Right now, The Link is published three personal connection to bss”: times a year. As far as you are concerned,  Strongly agree  Agree is this:  Disagree  Strongly disagree  More than enough  No opinion  Just enough  Not enough

the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 15 community

Heritage Dinner On April 21, 2010, the Heritage Dinner was reintroduced to the BSS community with a stunning musical tribute to the power of believing in yourself, the rewards of hard work and the satisfaction of pursuing your dream. The event featured special guests of honour, Alan Frew and Stephan Moccio, current BSS parents and the mu- sicians responsible for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games anthem, ‘I Believe’. The evening, hosted by the dynamic duo of Deryn Lavell, Head of School, and Director of Parent and Community Relations, Patti CARMICHAEL Pilon ’74 with Marcy Mihalcheon, husband Alan Sarah Clark, 2010 Head Girl, began in the Frew, and Head of School Deryn Lavell Student Centre, which was abuzz with animated conversation, punctuated by music from the BSS Jazz Ensemble. Over 260 parents, Old Girls, staff, friends, Gov- ernors and Trustees—both present and past—gathered in the Russell Hill Gym to enjoy dinner and a stirring version of ‘I Be- lieve’, featuring the powerful vocals of Mr. Frew and the BSS Jazz Choir, accompa- nied by composer and pianist Mr. Moccio. BSS Music Teacher, Debbie Piotrowski, worked with the jazz choir for weeks prior to the event, helping the girls put their own creative spin on the now iconic song. Caitlin IMRIE ’02 and mother Adele Imrie, BSS Board 2010 Heritage Dinner special guest of honour Stephan The girls were thrilled to be a part of this of Governors. Moccio and wife Hilary special tribute and to work with such well- respected Canadian artists. Long-time friends and collaborators Mr. Frew and Mr. Moccio engaged guests with their stories of the impressive mu- sical journey behind the song ‘I Believe’, as well as personal, and often humorous, stories of risk-taking and boldly follow- ing what seemed like impossible dreams. The evening ended with a special video thank you to Mr. Frew and Mr. Moccio by our Grade 6 Student Council and Art Council. Student leaders went grade by grade through the Junior School, ask- ing the girls what they believed in. These thoughts and insights became the lyrics to their very own composition of ‘We Be- lieve’, which was recorded and filmed by Junior School students. Thank you to all those who helped cel- (l-r) Current parent Andrew Delzotto, staff members Mary Murray and Pinky McAllister, current parents Tanya ebrate our incredible BSS community.  DJELWEL ’91, Marcy Mihalcheon and Alan Frew, staff member and Old Girl Patti CARMICHAEL Pilon ’74.

Class of 1990 is well represented with Old Girls Liane Current parent Aaron Regent and wife Heather THOMAS ’90, Martha ROGERS ’90, Amoryn ENGEL ’90 Regent, BSS Board of Trustees Current parents Erin Ashby, Stephanie Crawley 2002 DOGA recipient Mary and Laura Bayer Louise DICKSON ’58

April Old Girls’ Luncheon As a gesture of gratitude, BSS hosts the annual Old Girls’ Lun- cheon for its more senior alumnae. On April 13, eighty Old Girls from the Classes 1930 to 1960 gathered in the Great Hall on a beautiful spring day to reconnect and celebrate lifelong friend- ships that began at BSS. Following lunch, guests were shown a video clip from the Veterans’ Day oral history project filmed last fall by BSS student Emma Hughes (Grade 12). One of the BSS values is to ‘honour the past, live in the pres- ent, and plan for the future’. Legacy bursaries, such as the Old Girls’ Association Bursary and the Barbara JONES ’39 Bursary, celebrate these enduring, multi-generational relationships with Stephan Moccio signs a guest’s program Below, left: Current parents and special guests of honour Stephan Moccio (at the School, by enabling the daughter or granddaughter of an piano) and Alan Frew Old Girl to attend BSS in the future. A number of our guests who attended the luncheon have granddaughters at the School, and forty of our current parents are Old Girls. Thank you to all of the women who joined us at the April Old Girls’ Luncheon this year; we were so pleased to see you! 

Ruth Woods, Vice-Chair, Board of Governors, with Catherine SMALLMAN Grant ’84 and husband John Grant

Above, right: Music teacher Debbie Piotrowski leads the BSS Jazz Choir in song Below: Cocktail reception in Student Centre

Above and below: BSS Alumnae gather for the Old Girls’ Luncheon

the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 17 family album DOGA 2010 The ninth annual Distinguished Old Girl Award reception, honouring Joan GAL- LIE McDonald ’62, took place in the BSS Student Centre on May 12, 2010. It was an intimate evening, and provided a wonder- ful opportunity for guests to learn about Ms. McDonald’s passion for sport, and subsequent achievements as the Cana- dian Olympic Archery Coach (1996—pres- ent). Pinky McAllister, Phys-Ed Faculty, introduced Ms. McDonald and shared with guests a special quote from one of our young BSS athletes, Tiffany Lee, Grade 12: “Joan is an incredibly determined and a forever optimistic woman who has achieved more than one may imagine in a single lifetime. She is the type of woman who would try Plan A and if it doesn’t work, have a Plan B. If Plan B doesn’t work, she would find a way to get around it. No one feels excluded in her class—she is attentive to everyone in the group and gives person- al advice to all of the students. She’s under- standing and gives her students as much liberty as she can while keeping the group under control. I think she is an extremely accomplished coach and it’s an absolute privilege to be working with her. ” We were delighted to see Ms. McDon- Joan’s induction to Centennial Hall ald’s family in attendance (sisters Brenda GALLIE Jewett ’63 and Ann GALLIE ’68 were present), as well as a group of alum- nae from the Class of 1962, and mem- bers of the Old Girls’ Executive Commit- tee. Following Ms. McDonald’s address, guests moved to Centennial Hall (outside the Drawing Room and Development Of- fice) to view her portrait, taken by Caitlin CRONENBERG ’03. Centennial Hall is a dedicated place in the School that show- cases the recipients of the Distinguished

Old Girl Awards. The Hall also permanent- Joan greeting friends and classmates Marion Seretis (past faculty) ly recognizes our donors who have con- tributed $1,000 or more to the Old Girls’ Association Bursary, which enables the daughter or granddaughter of an Old Girl to attend BSS (to learn more, visit www. bss.on.ca). 

DOGA award dinner in the Student Centre Members of the Class of 1962

18 the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 Members of the Class of 1962

Friends and classmates gather to say congratulations to Joan Pinky McAllister (faculty) and Joan

Joan showing how to hold a modern bow, previously used in the Olympic Games in Beijing, 2008

the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 19 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.

add to our class list, please contact the Devel- tional account. Anne spoke to the entire Grade CLASS NEWS opment Office at 416 483 4325 ext. 1877 or de- 7 class and then met with smaller groups in their [email protected]. Looking forward to see- English classes to discuss the novel and to help 1940 70 Year Reunion ing you—Sally ELLSWORTH Cameron (416 494 students with their own creative writing. Save the date! Harvest Reunion events will take 7368, [email protected]), Nan HAM Blair place at BSS on September 23 to 25, 2010. For (416 934 1436), Mary PATHY (416 968 0658, 1959 more information or to update your contact de- [email protected]), Donnie SADLEIR Miranda DAVIES is retired from tails, contact the Development Office at 416 483 Farley ([email protected]) and Jane WE- her career as a child psycho- 4325, ext. 1841, or [email protected]. BER Bunting ([email protected]). therapist in the Health Service Industry. Her clinical papers 1945 65 Year Reunion 1956 have been published in the Save the date! Harvest Reunion events will take Adrienne ALLEN Dubois writes, “Currently, I am Journal of Child Psychotherapy, place at BSS on September 23 to 25, 2010. For working in the field of environmental sustain- the Journal of Analytical Psy- more information or to update your contact de- ability at the local level here in Hingham, MA. chology, Analysis: Rivista Inter- tails, please be in touch with Flora MULLIGAN During the last year I have co-authored a hand- natzionale di Psicoterapia Clinica, Analytische Agnew at 416 920 0742 or woodlawn@sym- book detailing how to test soil and water, de- Psychologie, and Analytische Kinder- und Ju- patico.ca. scribing what recycling systems are necessary gendlichen- Psychotherapie. She is enjoying a and available, and set up an environmentally quiet village life near Stroud in Gloucestershire. 1950 60 Year Reunion sensitive demonstration plot to prove that toxic She sings in a small solo singing group and in the Have you bookmarked lunch at Jane WOOL- chemicals in pesticides and fertilizers used by Gloucester Choral Society, which recently per- LEY Carruthers’ on Thursday, September 23 our lawn care company all over our condo as- formed the St. Matthew Passion in Gloucester as the start-off to our 60th anniversary Re- sociation (as well as many others) are unneces- Cathedral. She is preparing for the Lieder, Mezzo union? Joyce CARTWRIGHT Lewis, 416 483 sary, unhealthy and that organic lawn care is the Solo, Folksong (Canadian of course), and duet 7879, [email protected], Ann GREEY way to go. My goal is to make a difference in a classes in the upcoming competitive Chelten- Richmond, 416 485 6167 and Jane WOOLLEY new field after 38 years of working in the field ham Festival of the Performing Arts. She wel- Carruthers, 416 489 1322, plan a rogue’s gallery of education and the last 20 running my own comes visitors to ‘Hillslie’, her house with a view. of snapshots. Come and be a virtual part of the educational consulting business in CT, NY and show! Don’t forget—Reunion events will also NJ, helping families relocating to the U.S. find 1960 50 Year Reunion take place at the School on Friday, September schools for their children.” Save the date! Our 50 year Reunion will take 24, and Saturday, September 25. place at BSS on September 23 to 25, 2010. For 1957 more information or to update your contact de- 1954 Anne JONES Hume visited BSS in December, tails, please be in touch with Jane DALTON Bald- Ros MURRAY Bradford has a new address and 2009, to speak with Rita Gravina’s Grade 10 win at 519 938 8838 or [email protected]. telephone number: 34 Boustead Ave, Toronto, history classes about a personal project she is ON M6R 1Y9, telephone 416 766 0821. currently working on. She shared with the stu- 1963 dents her father’s and uncle’s World War I dia- Dr. Jonquil BURNFORD Covello received her 1955 55 Year Reunion ries. As the girls had just finished studying the PhD in English Literature from the University of This a reminder that it is 55 years since we First World War, this offered a perfect real-life British Columbia in November 2009. Her dis- graduated from BSS and the Reunion weekend connection to the Great War. In January 2010, sertation is on the Literature of the Northwest will take place from Thursday, September 23 to Anne was invited back to speak with the Grade Territories. Jonquil lives with her husband, Lou, Saturday, September 25, 2010. We had such a 7 girls about her first young adult historical in Yellowknife, NWT. successful 50th gathering and we hope you will novel, Against All Disaster. The novel, set in 1837 be able to attend this 55th. So please mark the Toronto, tells the story of a country girl’s adven- 1965 45 Year Reunion dates on your calendar and, even better, con- tures as she searches for her missing father. Part Pencil it in! Harvest Reunion events will take tact a classmate and come together. For those of the Grade 7 curriculum examines the Rebel- place at BSS on September 23 to 25, 2010. For interested, a small donation to the School will lions of 1837; students were able to understand more information or to update your contact be requested. If you have an email address to this time period through Anne’s captivating fic- details, contact Alana BLACK Kotler ’65 at kot-

20 the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 [email protected]. Still desperately seek- Family Squeeze. For more information, please 1985 25 Year Reunion ing: Margaret ADAMS Bent, Frances BARNETT, visit Suzanne’s website at www.suzannekings- Classmates of 1985: This year is the 25th year Julia ERDMAN, Candace FRASER Yao, Helena mill.com. following our graduation from BSS. We’re sure GARNER, Joan GREEN, Geraldine GROSART that the news from all of you is exciting, uplift- Hubble, Helen GUROFSKY, Elizabeth HE- 1975 35 Year Reunion ing, and fantastic, and we all want to hear about INICKE, Frances LAWSON, Susan MACNEILL, The Class of 1975 invites you to celebrate our it. Please join us for cocktails and much celebra- Philinda MASTERS, Michael MERRILL, Kristen 35th Reunion! Please mark your calendar and tion of our accomplishments, trials, endeavours, NEWELL Clifton, Heather PENTLAND, Janet plan to join us: and plans yet to unfold. We look forward to see- PLAYER, Elizabeth RORKE, Harriet SMITH Pat- Thursday, September 23: Boarders’ Dinner and ing you over the reunion weekend (September tison, Susan STREB, Ann SWEENY, Elizabeth Tour at BSS (5:00 to 7:00 pm); 23 to 25, 2010), and will reach out to connect VAN WYCK Rockefort, Norma VINCENT, Lind- Friday, September 24: Old Girls’ Chapel Service with you and remind you of our upcoming cel- say WALKER, M. WARREN Lang, Victoria WI- and Cocktail Party at BSS (6:00 to 8:30 pm); ebration in the months that follow. For more in- ESE, and Alexa WOOD Pratt. Saturday, September 25: 1975 dinner in down- formation or to update your contact details, be town Toronto; in touch with one of us: Paisley HILL (danpais@ June BIBBY owns and runs a bed and breakfast Sunday, September 26: optional breakfast, for sympatico.ca), Sandra MEREDITH (meredith- in France. The La Tour Experience (www.latour- those who are still in town! [email protected]) or Mimi WOOD (wood- bandb.com) is an 18th century farmhouse situ- For more information or to update your con- [email protected]). ated deep in the Charolais countryside, a half tact details, be in touch with Vicki WELSTEAD hour west of Macon, ten minutes from Charolles. at [email protected] or 416 693 1501. 1989 Guests have access to a nearby swimming pool Emanuela DE BERARDINIS Marcello is relocat- and riding stables, or can enjoy a peaceful walk 1980 30 Year Reunion ing to Grand Cayman in July, with her husband on country lanes through unspoilt landscapes. Save the date! Our 30 Year Reunion will be tak- and son, and would be interested in connecting The Charolais region is conveniently located ing place at BSS on September 23 to 25, 2010. with other Old Girls in the area. Email edeberar- half-way between Paris and the Mediterranean, For more information or to update your contact [email protected]. a land of 12th century Romanesque churches details, please be in touch with Cori WOOLLEY and impressive chateaux. ([email protected]), Cathy 1990 20 Year Reunion BONGARD ([email protected]) or Where did you go for university? What have 1970 40 Year Reunion Mary Anne LEEMING Ballantyne (maryanne@ you been DOING for the last 20 years?? Come Margot SAINSBURY Mills and her posse are caddetails.com). out the weekend of September 24 and 25, 2010, planning to gather the Class of ’70 on Friday, and share your news! Your class of 1990 reps are September 24, 2010, after the BSS Old Girls’ Christina MEIPOOM Tamm writes, “BSS taught starting to make plans for our 20 year reunion. Cocktail Party! Any suggestions or updates … me the vision, strength and intellect to have the Friday, September 24, is the Old Girls’ Cocktail please email Margot at mignonmargot@hot- courage to be great. Hence, I always go for the Party at the School; tickets are only $20. Satur- mail.com. adventure. I have bought a farm, and will reha- day, September 25, is Family Day at BSS—your bilitate and raise race horses and herd sheep in chance to bring your spouse, kids and friends 1971 the pioneer Icelandic Community of Hekkla near to experience what BSS has to offer. Saturday Sally HULL’s company, The Artemis Group the Village of Rosseau (Estonians are big on night an event will be hosted by Amoryn EN- (Vancouver), hosted a very successful half-day the whole Viking thing). My talent? To carry on GEL and Martha ROGERS. Stay tuned for more workshop entitled “The Future of Leadership! where Tom Thompson and the Group of Seven details! For more information or to update your What needs to Change?” in the beautiful and left off, so a gallery show is in the works. I must contact details, be in touch with Laura SHAW historic Hycroft. Sixty-seven women and one succeed and failure is not an option. Thank you ([email protected]) or Amanda GUIL- man met to engage in a lively dialogue. Rayona for all the great work you are doing to keep it all FOYLE ([email protected]). Sharpnack (The Institute for Women’s Leader- alive and inspirational at BSS.” ship) facilitated the distinguished leader panel 1991 of Diana Theman (BC Hydro), Barbara Ross 1982 Tara DAWOOD, CEO of Dawood Capital Man- Denroche (The Refinery of Leadership), Lorna Nadia CRISANTE Rochon, Tannis TOPPING Mc- agement Ltd., managers of LADIESFUND™, Howes (Coastal Health, Jean Slick (Royal Roads Donald and Alix AZIZ MacDonald got together University), and Lis Petersen (YWCA), who for drinks at Lizard Creek Lodge in Fernie, BC. shared their experiences and ideas for the fu- Tannis, who is back from Australia, is living in ture. By taking the time to reflect and engage Fernie, Alix has a holiday home there, and Na- with others in an open learning environment, dia was on a ski vacation with her family. It was participants left inspired. Another event, The fun to catch up after so many years and share Alchemy of Leadership was held on June 29, stories about our great time together at BSS. 2010. To join the dialogue, visit www.theart- You just never know where you’ll run into a BSS emisgroup.net. Old Girl!

Suzanne KINGSMILL has written a second Cordi O’Callaghan mystery, Inno- cent Murderer, published by The Dundurn Group. Su- zanne is the author of nu- merous magazine articles and five other books, includ- hosted the 2nd LADIESFUND™ Women’s Entre- ing Forever Dead, a prequel preneurship Awards on March 12, 2010, in Ka- to her latest book, and non- rachi, Pakistan, during International Women’s fiction books, Breaking up Solvent and The Week. Tara is deeply committed to the financial

the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 21 old girl news security and development of women and chil- 1993 gathers the European B-schools for three days dren in Pakistan. The awards were founded to Ira CYMBALSKI Alexandra recently completed of athletic events in May. Stacey writes, “Life celebrate success and to encourage those in a Masters degree in Liberal Studies at Simon continues to be grand. B-school seems to be need of inspiration. Nominations were received Fraser University. really agreeing with me, despite the vicious (or from across the country. The award ceremony virtuous, depending on how you look at it) cir- was attended by hundreds of eminent women 1995 15 Year Reunion cle of tiredness. As my new friends and I secure from different backgrounds, professions and Hey 95ers! Scary but true—we’re approaching our summer internships, and plan for the year ages, and successfully served as a platform for 15 years. We’re hoping to get everyone out to ahead, we’re reminded that our time together is their interaction and fellowship. Shazia MO- the Old Girls’ Reunion, September 23 to 25, limited. As we count down the last six weeks of HAMED ’91 was also in attendance. 2010. Stay tuned for more details but please our First Year of the Full Time MBA at ESADE, reach out to Andrea JANCELEWICZ Cook (416 it’s hard to believe we’re “here” already…carpe Shazia MOHAMED is currently practising as an 5612718, [email protected]) OR Robin diem! Cheers from Barcelona.” art therapist for children and families, and is a KESTER (416 540 7734, robinkester@gmail. personal counsellor for high school teens at a com) and make sure your contact details are 1999 college in Karachi, Pakistan. up to date. You can also find us on Facebook. Nadya WASYLKO is currently based in New Anyone who wants to help with planning, let us York City and shoots editorial fashion, portrait 1992 know. See you soon!—Andrea and Robin. and fine art photography.T o view her work, visit Christine BENSE writes, “Following three years www.nadyawasylko.com. living and working for Kraft in Chicago, I was 1998 moved to the UK on a three-year work assign- Stacey YUEN is working towards her MBA at Lee-Ann CAMERON was recently promoted at ment with my partner and our two boys. I am ESADE in Barcelona, Spain. This summer, she Sotheby’s to the role of Business Manager in the currently the Plant Director of a soluble coffee will spend 12 weeks in Haiti on an internship Contemporary Art department and is still hap- factory and I am making good use of my chemi- with The Clinton Foundation’s HIV/AIDS Initia- pily living in London. cal engineering background! Over the last 18 tive. As the Vice-President of the MBA Student months, we’ve been adapting to English cul- Association, Stacey travelled to Washington, 2000 10 Year Reunion ture and exploring our new surroundings. In an DC, in April to attend the Graduate Business Hi Class of 2000! Our 10-Year Reunion is coming effort to take full advantage of our time here, Conference, which brought together the stu- up—can you believe it?! Let’s start re-connect- we’re actively making our way down the list of dent leaders of the Top 50 Business Schools to ing so we can plan a great Reunion for our class. things to see and do in the UK and have already share best practices, exchange ideas, and learn It’ll be a time to reminisce, celebrate (whether visited a number of other wonderful European from each other. She and her team are looking it’s new babies or business adventures!), and locations. In the coming year, I hope to do much forward to hosting the GBC at ESADE in 2011. build ties. Feel free to email us at BSS.2000. more of the same…” Stacey has been working hard to secure spon- [email protected] if you want to help plan/ sorship for the MBA Tournament in Paris, which host an event during the Reunion Weekend, September 23 to 25, 2010. Be sure to update your email address with us as well, so that you don’t miss out on the details! We look forward to hearing from you. Get ready for some serious fun!—Angela HO and Courtney JOLLIFFE. 2003 Jessica CHAN, event coordinator at the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario, was recently involved in naming the Toronto branch of their ‘Hockey for Heart’ program after David Mc- Master, former BSS hockey coach. For more information, visit www.hockeyforheart.com. In 2003, BSS established the David McMaster Me- morial Bursary Fund and the David McMaster Hockey Achievement Award through the gen- erosity of David’s many colleagues, friends, and the families of the girls he coached, as well as the players themselves. The Bursary and Award encourage current and prospective members of the BSS hockey team to pursue their passion for sport. To honour David or another staff member by making a donation to BSS, please visit www. bss.on.ca. 2000 2004 Rendy NG writes, “I was admitted as a solicitor of Hong Kong in November 2009 and am now Kate WHITELAW is working in New York City practising as a M&A (mergers and acquisition) and funds lawyer at Baker & McKenzie. Continu- at the US Council for International Business on ing my commitment to community service, I am also sitting as a committee member of the Hong climate change and corporate human rights Kong Law Society’s Pro Bono Committee, implementing new programs to increase opportuni- policy. ties for law students and lawyers to serve on pro bono legal matters for the community. Here is a photo of me with Connie NG ’01 and Cora LAI ’01 at my solicitor qualification ceremony in No- 2005 5 Year Reunion vember 2009 in front of the Hong Kong High Court. Connie and Cora have been very supportive Save the date! We are celebrating our five-year of me over the years and attended the ceremony with joy.” reunion at BSS on September 23 to 25, 2010.

22 the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 For more information or to update your contact A group of Old Girls gathered together to bid details, please be in touch with one of the 2005 farewell to Alex LINDS ’07, who was leaving on Year Reps: Stephanie CORK (happy_clumsy@ an exchange to England for the semester. From hotmail.com), Safia HAQ (safia.haq@gmail. left: Ellen WILDER ’09, Robin HACKER-TEPER com), Sarah KAWAGUCHI ([email protected]), ’09, Samantha NADAL ‘09, Jordana LINDS ’09, Karen WILTSHIRE ([email protected]), Alex LINDS ’07, Lauren RAUSCH ’07, Danielle Sara MEHLENBACHER-MOFFAT (sara.mehlen- ARONOVITCH ’07, Broke THEISSEN ’07. [email protected]), and Alison SHORT ([email protected]). 2006 Tanya KOLOLIAN graduated from Queen’s Uni- versity in the spring and spent some time back- packing in Europe with Laura REISMAN and Katherine ANGUS. In August, she plans to move

2008 Jennifer WALLACE ’96 married Chris Moad on Madelaine EDMONDS writes, “The Don Quix- November 7, 2009, at the Rosewater Room in ote Award provided me with the opportunity Toronto. Jenn and Chris spent their three-week to travel to Europe and study Photography and honeymoon travelling through India and loved the Italian language before heading off for uni- every minute of it! versity. At the moment I am based in the UK just outside of London studying at the Arts Univer- sity College at Bournemouth in my second year to South Korea for 12 months to teach English of the BA (Hons) Photography programme. For overseas, before starting Teacher’s College in the past three months, I have been undertaking September 2011 at Queen’s University. Pictured a work placement at Sprüth Magers, a leading here (from left) are Katherine, Laura and Tan- contemporary art gallery in London which has ya at the Canadian monument at Vimy Ridge, complemented my studies and allowed me to France. begin networking in the art world. I am finishing off second year and am excited to complete my 2007 degree next year. I am so grateful to BSS and Molly ALLGOOD ran with the Olympic Torch in all of the opportunities, such as the Don Quix- Waterloo on December 27, 2009. She writes, “It ote Award, that the School provides for its stu- was just such an unbelievable experience. It be- dents.” Melania MACCISE ’98 was married to Luis came my Olympic experience; I have dreamed Lomelin on October 17, 2009 in Xcaret, México. of being on the Olympic hockey team, but I in- jured my back during the summer of ‘08 and MARRIAGES since then I haven’t been able to play hockey for the University. Not sure I will be able to play at that level again, so no more Olympic Hockey for me, at least as a player. However, I am always hopeful and continually training and strength- ening.”

On March 6, 2010, Melissa DI DONATO ’99 mar- Carol SWANSON Chitwood ’81 married Mar- ried her best friend, Ryan Joseph Attard. The tin D. Chitwood in Casa Loma on November 21, couple was married by long-time family friend, 2009. Sonia SWANSON Moore ’81, Carol’s twin Father Danielle Bertoli, before heading to Ea- sister, was the Matron of Honour. Carol and Mar- gle’s Nest Golf and Country Club to celebrate tin now reside in Atlanta, Georgia. with their family and friends.

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their third child, a daughter, Madeleine Anne sured her many friends. Barbara was a cherished Blake Marcotte, on August 18, 2009. She is BSS Old Girl Veteran; Old Girl relatives include welcomed by her big sister Claire (6) and big nieces Sandra MCCLELLAND ’78 and Heather brother Tim (4). MCCLELLAND Willey ’81.

Marjorie RUTLAND Livingston ’38 passed away in Toronto on January 14, 2010, in her 91st year. After graduating from BSS and then the Univer- sity of Toronto, Marjorie served with the Wrens during WWII. She was married in the BSS Cha- pel in 1945. Marjorie will be fondly remembered by family and friends. Her daughter, Virginia Chell STEPHEN married Elijah Ocean in Jeffer- , and late sister, son, Maine, in the woods on Broken Acres Farm LIVINGSTON ’69 Virginia RUT- on September 6, 2009. In attendance were BSS LAND Ross ’40 are BSS Old Girls. Old Girls Katie SMEENK ’02, Simone SUPERINA ’02, Lisa GRASSA ’03, Caitlin IMRIE ’02, Quinn Betty BLACKWELL Robinette ’38 passed away Liza OVERS ’84 and her husband, Paul Goddard, SIMPSON ’03, and Vanessa GRAVINA ’02. in her 91st year surrounded by her devoted are thrilled to announce the arrival of their sec- family after a long illness. As an example to all, ond child, Michael David Paul, on December 22, Betty lived life to the fullest. She was thought- BIRTHS 2009. Big sister, Sophia, adores her new baby ful, charitable and had an amazing, outgoing brother and can’t hug and kiss him enough. personality. She was a long standing member of the Jr. League of Toronto and then later the Big Sister Association (now Youthlink). She worked tirelessly at the Big Sister Thrift Shop for many years. In 2008, she received a 70 year pin from Youthlink for her contribution over the years. In her 60s she took up oil painting and produced some fine work. Many of her friends and all her family own a “Betty Robinette” painting. Betty Another Pitter Patter for the Patersons. Maxi- had many close friends and over the years en- milian (Max) Paterson was born on January 27, joyed playing bridge twice a week. She was 2010, to Scott Paterson and Tamara BAHRY also passionate about her flower gardens and Paterson ’91. Adeline (Grade 7) and Catherine was an accomplished cook. She is survived by (Grade 6) are thrilled to have another baby Old Girl relatives, daughter Ginny ROBINETTE brother. Gillian WOOLLINGS Dalton ’95 and Stephen Jennings ’67, and granddaughters Katie ROBI- Dalton are so excited to announce the birth of NETTE ’90, Alison ROBINETTE ’92, and Julie their second child, Bennett James Dalton, born ROBINETTE ’97. March 11, 2009. He is a little brother to Grace Patricia Dalton (4 yrs) and the nephew to Mi- Mary Ellen MULLIGAN Prendergast ’42 died chelle WOOLLINGS Magee ’88 and Lori Ann at home on October 22, 2009, following a long WOOLLINGS Costello ’91. Stephen and Gillian illness borne with courage and dignity. Follow- have moved to Aurora, and Gillian has taken an ing graduation from BSS (she was Head Prefect extended leave from her job at IBM to raise their in her final year), she attended the University children. of Toronto and went on to become a teacher. Before marrying, she taught at several schools, including her alma mater. She married in 1949 Shann COULSON Sutherland ’92 and Joel DEATHS and raised five children, two of whom A ( nn Sutherland are proud to announce the birth Elizabeth (Betsy) WATTS Carter ’35 died PRENDERGAST ’71 and Clare PRENDERGAST of their son, Coulson Andrew Sutherland, on peacefully on March 1, 2010, in Ottawa at the ’73) attended BSS. Mary was a very active vol- December 21, 2009, in New York City at NYU age of 92. She was predeceased by her sister, unteer with leadership positions at the ROM, Langone Medical Center. The picture is of proud Barbara WATTS Edmonds ’38, who was also a the West End Creche and other organizations. older sister, April, holding her new brother. graduate of BSS. She is greatly missed by her husband of over 60 years, Dr. W.F. Prendergast, her five children, Wendy KENNISH ’87 and her husband, Bernie Jean AITKEN Lyles ’37 passed away on March four grandchildren, and her sister, Flora MUL- Marcotte, are pleased to announce the birth of 23, 2009, surrounded by family and friends on LIGAN Agnew ’46. Her nieces, Sarah AGNEW her beloved island of Bermuda. She was 91 years ’73 and Elizabeth (Biz) AGNEW ’78, are also old. She led a full life that included 55 years of BSS Old Girls; her great niece, Michelle Agnew marriage to A.C. Lyles, Jr., three children, and a (Class of 2012), is a current student at BSS. career as a Navy wife that spanned three conti- nents. She was active in community and church Barbara Anne KELK Abel ’44 passed away qui- affairs in all the places she lived and maintained etly on March 12, 2010, in North York. She was a lively interest in current events until the end. predeceased by her Old Girl relatives, sister Su- zanne KELK Hutchison ’51, and mother Audrey Barbara MCCLELLAND Mabee ’38 passed away KIRKPATRICK Kelk ’1917. peacefully at home on December 11, 2009. Her family described Barb as elegant, gracious, in- Molly Elizabeth DAVIS Logan ’54 passed away dependent, fun-loving and a woman who trea- gently at home in Cobourg in the comfort of her

24 the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 family, on February 14, 2010. Molly was forever the Philippines gain momentum. grateful for her gift of life and cherished each Notes I extend tremendous appreciation to Greg day. Molly enjoyed painting in her small studio, a Mortenson for sharing a moment of his journey wonderful outlet for her creative nature. Writing Val Stock Speaker: with us, to BSS for exposing all those bright gave Molly pleasure; she wrote her life story to Devin CONNELL ’01 young minds to the potential capacity of their be a gift to later generations. Molly was blessed The Val Stock Memorial Speak- actions, and to my parents for giving me the gift to have many close friends who, together with ers Series was created in 1996 of BSS and all those that have followed because her children, lovingly helped Molly overcome by the Stock and Sievwright of it. —By Elisabeth PILON ’04 some of the hurdles in her life’s journey. Molly families (the late Georgia lived her life with grace, dignity, humility and an KNOWLES Stock ’49 and Bar- Dish it Out, Help Haiti innate certainty of purpose. bara KNOWLES Sievwright Julia BELLUZ ’02 and Adriana POLICARO ’02 ’45, as well as Barbara STOCK organized an event in Toronto on January 28, It is with profound sadness that we announce ’86, Julia SIEVWRIGHT ’77, 2010, to raise money for Haiti’s disaster relief. the death of Finola SHANKAR ’93 on February Georgia SIEVWRIGHT ’75, and Erica Funds raised were donated to the Humanitarian 16, 2010. Beloved daughter of Dhiru and Eithne, SIEVWRIGHT Allen ’80) in memory of former Coalition, a network of Canadian NGOs dedicat- loving wife of Rene Marroquin, devoted mother Canada Packers CEO, Val Stock, who believed ed to a united response in cases of humanitar- of Ciamha, dear sister of Gauri (Jane) and Deir- strongly in promoting women in business. The ian crises. In addition to collecting over $3,000 dre SHANKAR ’91 (Jason), and doting aunt to series is intended to enhance the curriculum for for the cause, which was matched by the gov- Zachary, Jacob, Jessica, Dermott, Darby and BSS students and focuses on Business, Law, En- ernment, these Old Girls worked in conjunction Bronwyn. trepreneurship and Economics. In April, Devin with New Circles, a Toronto clothing bank that CONNELL ’01 spoke with the Grade 11 and 12 counts Haitian refugees among their top four Maya Datta, a much loved former BSS math Business students at BSS about her entrepre- needed groups. New Circles was founded by teacher passed away in March 2010, while in In- neurial pursuits. Devin recently opened a bak- social worker Cindy GARDINER Blakely ’68 dia. Mrs. Datta joined the faculty at BSS in 1968 ery in midtown Toronto: Delica Kitchen serves and offers new and gently used clothing at no in her first teaching job. In 1977, she became up hearty sandwiches, along with soups, salads charge to families and individuals of all ages Head of the Math Department and remained in and sweet pastries (www.delicakitchen.ca). living in poverty, while ensuring they receive a that role for 12 years. Mrs. Datta was responsible Last year, Devin and her mother, Linda Haynes, dignified, individualized and productive shop- for the establishment of Advanced Placement released a cookbook called Two Dishes, which ping experience. BSS is proud of its Old Girls Calculus at BSS. She was admired for her high gives a mother and daughter’s distinctive takes who value and acknowledge the needs of oth- curriculum standards, and fondly remembered on a similar theme: one using timeless tech- ers to work towards improving our local and by students for the countless hours of extra help niques, the other embracing an improvisational, global communities. she gave while tutoring. Mrs. Datta contributed budget-conscious approach. The recipes range a great deal to widening the cultural and eth- from tempting comfort food and last-minute Grad Panel Day nic diversity of BSS. Following retirement in snacks to elegant brunch and dinner-party On February 23, 2010, we were delighted to 1998 after thirty years as a member of faculty, dishes, all complemented by gorgeous, full co- have a group of Old Girls from the Classes 2006 she worked as a consultant in the Admissions lour photography throughout. to 2009 drop into the School and share their Office, and served as a wonderful international university experiences with our Grade 12 class. ambassador for the School. Students, staff and Greg Mortenson Visits BSS Our Old Girls did a fantastic job answering ques- parents loved and respected Mrs. Datta; in 2004 During our time at BSS I trust those funding tions about academic life—living situations; ex- she was honoured at the BSS Heritage Dinner. our enrolment may have remarked, ‘If you don’t tracurricular involvement; work-life balance, thank me now, you’ll thank me later’. One might and more. In addition to sharing their valuable Katherine E. Wicks, BSS Headmistress from passively or doubtfully have responded during perspective on the important transition from 1976 to 1981, passed away peacefully on April the challenging essay and exam filled times as high school to university life, participants dem- 26, 2010. Miss Wicks was educated at Alma Col- I did. But just six years into my Old Girl status, onstrated that one’s relationship with BSS con- lege in St. Thomas, the University of Toronto and I find an immeasurably grateful, demure smile tinues well after graduation from the School. the University of Wisconsin. During her time as slipping onto my lips with the thought of Deryn Our alumnae contribute their support to our Headmistress, Miss Wicks most notably worked Lavell welcoming me into the Drawing Room to current student body in many different ways; to improve academic salaries, to update the fee shake hands with the man who has comically, we were so pleased to have an overwhelming structure for day students, and to make signifi- yet quite accurately, been called my ‘Michael response from Old Girls who were interested in cant curriculum enhancements. Photo courtesy Jackson’. participating this year, and we look forward to of the BSS Museum and Archives. Greg Mortenson, as is shared with us in doing it again in the future. Stones Into Schools, has established over 130 schools through the Central Asia Institute in ru- Hill Speaker, ral Pakistan and Afghanistan with an elevated Marina ENDICOTT ’76 focus on girls’ education as a method of pro- Over the years, BSS has hosted an increasingly moting peace. Greg brought this simple yet re- diverse group of outstanding Canadian writers. markably impacting truth to the BSS gymnasi- um to offer us all, especially the young girls and boys from BSS and the neighbouring schools, a glimpse into a ‘world apart’, and to understand the power of a single voice, certain of a basic right we can all share. Greg’s immensely gentle and humble ap- proach to each interaction is ever-present, whether it be speaking to a crowd of 500 or pa- tiently listening to the story of how Three Cups of Tea helped my own educational mission to

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These have included novelists, dramatists, po- ets, journalists and memoirists. This year’s Hill Speaker was award winning author and BSS Old Girl, Marina ENDICOTT ’76. Ms. Endicott’s latest novel, Good to a Fault, was released in 2008 and won the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Canada and the Caribbean, and was a finalist for the 2008G iller Prize. Good to a Fault was also selected for CBC’s Canada Reads 2010 competition. On February 18, 2010, Ms. Endicott gave a reading for guests in the BSS Student Centre. A wine and cheese reception and book signing followed. The Hill Canadian Authors Fund was estab- lished in 1985 by Harry and Alverna Hill in hon- our of their four daughters, Meredith HILL Ro- bitaille ’76, Megan HILL ’78, Marta HILL ’81 and Paisley HILL Garvey ’85. Denim for Dreams On April 19, staff dressed in denim and made a donation to the BSS Endowment, to raise Reflections on the Don QuixoteA ward By Jenny SMITH ’04 awareness about Scholarship and Bursaries. Prizes were awarded to staff members with the The Don Quixote Award for the Pursuit of a improvising to deal with situations. I was of- most outrageous outfit; the best vintage attire; Dream was established by Michele WATT Cas- ten in charge of the Paediatric ward with many and the outfit comprised of the most articles of sidy ’75 in honour of the leaving class of 1975. very ill children suffering from meningitis, TB, denim clothing. Together, 117 staff contributed Ms. Cassidy passed away on July 2, 2000 and HIV and communicating with the few words of throughout her lifetime she always believed it Chichewa I picked up (one of my favourites, was important to follow one’s dreams. “chifuwa” meaning cough). While the resourc- es were extremely limited, I was continually I am deeply grateful for the truly life altering astounded by the perseverance and strength opportunity that the Don Quixote Award af- of the Malawian people. I left Malawi knowing forded me. In the summer of 2004, the Award why it is called ‘the warm heart of Africa’ and enabled me to travel to volunteer with children knowing I would return. living in the impoverished outskirts of Cusco, Currently, I am employed as a doctor in Peru. It was an experience that had a profound a hospital in London in the UK where I have impact on me not only because there were completed the first year of my two-year medi- homeless children who lived as orphans on cal residency. I often think of the nurturing en- the street and children who were coping with vironment at BSS, and I will always be grateful deafness and other conditions with no treat- for the transformative opportunity the Don ment or accommodation to their needs, but Quixote award gave me to follow my dreams. because of the strength of the human spirit I witnessed everywhere despite conditions that Before she died, Leslie BOYD Ryan ’75 and most of us as Canadians can only imagine. For Vicki WELSTEAD Lilleyman ’75 promised me, this was the start of a very great interest in Michele they would steward the Don Quixote international matters related to health and the Award, giving BSS graduates the opportunity well being of people in general. to fulfill their dreams. For the past ten years, Last year I graduated from the University Leslie and Vicki have visited the School to of Nottingham with degrees in science, medi- make a presentation to the leaving class where cine and surgery and once again I took the op- they share information about the award and portunity to serve in a developing country. I invite the grads to apply. The award is open to travelled to rural Malawi in Africa to volunteer any member of the leaving class and present- at Nkhoma Hospital. Patients often come near ed at Closing Ceremonies. This year marks the death after long trips on foot so there is a high tenth anniversary of the Don Quixote Award loss of patients and holding dying babies re- for the Pursuit of a Dream. $1,076 toward the Endowment and learned as a ally puts life in perspective and makes a lot Our girls dream big and their thoughtful, community that a healthy Endowment makes a of our every day concerns seem pretty mun- well-crafted applications reflect their soaring difference in the life of our School. dane. The Hospital, which dates back to 1889, ambitions. It is always an exciting, but very dif- Last year, many girls were passionate about has 230 beds and an ever-increasing demand ficult decision for the jury to make. With more attending BSS. In some cases, had we been able from the population of Central Malawi. The capital, more than one deserving graduate to extend offers of admission with promises of country is ravaged by hunger, poverty, HIV/ could be given the award and the opportunity financial aid, we are confident that those girls AIDS and malaria and the Hospital counts on of a lifetime. would have chosen to come to BSS. The En- volunteer help to shore up their two staff doc- To learn more about the Don Quixote dowment creates greater access so that, as a tors. I quickly assumed a great deal of respon- Award please contact Sharon Howell, Director School, we continue to embrace diversity both sibility in the Hospital, which does not have of Annual Giving and Donor Relations at 416 locally and globally. Photo: Maria Dias and Liz full facilities, and where the staff is continually 483 4325 ext. 1874 or [email protected]. Woolley.

26 the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 profile student

Historical Author, Alison Pearce a wide variety of industries: fashion, finance, The BSS Magazine is Alison Pearce, former prin- education, the arts, journalism, politics, and published three times a cipal of the BSS Junior international development, amongst the mix. School, published a book This was the second alumnae reception host- year by The Bishop Strachan last summer enitled The ed in conjunction with Upper Canada College. School Community. Pearces of “Little Ireland” We are fortunate to have incredible ambas- Chair of the Board: Sarah Kavanagh Tyrconnell 1809-2009. The sadors for BSS living and working all over the 650-page book provides globe. Our US Foundation Board was estab- Head of School: Deryn Lavell lished with the purpose to fundraise, to bring insight into the heritage Director of Development: Moira Dossetor together US-based Old Girls, and to act as and legacies of the four founding families and Director of Marketing and ambassadors for BSS, and is headed by Lisa other early settlers of the Talbot Settlement— Communications: Rachel Yeager Pearce, Storey, Patterson, and Backus families— STEWART ’88 in Washington, DC. Associate, Old Girl Relations and and also features numerous historical photo- To get involved with our branch activities, Alumnae Programs: Jill BLAKEY ’02 graphs. Alison is a great-great granddaughter please contact [email protected]. of John Pearce. Information was gathered in the Executive Editor: Sharon Gregg Elgin County region through local people and Corrections: Please note the following cor- Managing Editor: Darby Briggs rections to the BSS 2008/09 Annual Report, historians, the libraries of London, St. Thomas Editor: Rachel Yeager and Dutton, the Elgin County Archives and the Sustainability and Growth. Assistant Editors: Moira Dossetor, local churches and cemeteries. July 2009 LANGTRY SOCIETY Catherine Marostica marked the bicentennial of the settling of the BENEFACTORS · $10,000–$99,999 Copy Editors: Jill BLAKEY ’02, Suzi Leonard, four families under Colonel Talbot in 1809; a re- Liz Lundell and Guy Burry Sarah Scandrett, Elda Scott union was held to celebrate the family’s heri- Sarah and Thomas Milroy ** Art Director: Stephen Gregory tage, and a commemorative stone was unveiled PATRONS · $5,000–$9,999 at the Pearce Homestead. Two previous family Richard and Jennifer Bradlow Photographers: Caitlin CRONENBERG ’02, reunions, in 1909 and 1959, also paid tribute to CONTRIBUTORS · Up to $999 Alexandra Hazisavvas, Garry Madlung, the first settlers of theT albot Settlement. Alison Margaret WHEALY Duncan ’46 *** Emma MCINTYRE ’97 moved to London ten years ago where family Joyce CARTWRIGHT Lewis ’50 *** research was made easier by living close to her OLD GIRLS Elgin County ‘roots’. She can be reached at al- CLASS OF 1946 [email protected]. Margaret WHEALY Duncan *** BSS and UCC in New York City CLASS OF 1950 Joyce CARTWRIGHT Lewis *** On February 4, BSS and UCC alumnae in the Tri-State region gathered at the home of Dan- CURRENT PARENTS BY GRADE iel F. Sullivan, Consul General of Canada in CLASS OF 2012 ∙ GRADE 9 New York. In attendance on behalf of BSS were Peter Daniels and Eleanor Barlin-Daniels Sarah Kavanagh (Chair, Board of Governors), PAST PARENTS Deryn Lavell (Head of School), Liz Woolley Margaret WHEALY Duncan ’46 *** (Faculty) and Jill BLAKEY ’02 (Development). Donors who have supported BSS consecutively We were so pleased to connect with this dy- are highlighted as follows: *5–9 years of giving • The Link Editorial Guidelines namic group of Old Girls, who are involved in **10–19 years of giving • ***20+ years of giving • Submissions to Old Girl News are encouraged. Please send your submission to Jill BLAKEY ’02 at [email protected]. We will accommodate as many as space will allow and ask that you try to keep content to approximately 50 words. Photographs are also invited and will be published depending on available space. • Letters: We’d love to hear what you think about any of the articles in The Link. Please send letters to Sharon Gregg at [email protected]. We will run as many as we can and letters will not be edited, though we ask that you keep them to approximately 50 words. • Corrections: Every effort is made to Hong Kong: Skype Conference ensure accuracy but from time to time, errors occur. Please send any errors On March 4, Deryn Lavell, Head of School, gathered with the Friends of BSS in Hong Kong and you notice to Sharon Gregg at arranged a Skype video-conference between our Old Girls in Asia and their beloved teachers [email protected]. in Toronto. Thanks to advances in technology, our Old Girls were able to reconnect with Cathie Pfaff (English), Debbie Piotrowski (Music), and Liz Woolley (Canada, Business and World Stud- • Old Girl Portal: The Link is posted on ies) from across continents. We are grateful to our Friends of BSS in Hong Kong for their con- the BSS website (www.bss.on.ca), and tinued support and enthusiasm for BSS. To get involved with our branch activities, contact on The Thread (thethread.bss.on.ca). [email protected], or join the “Friends of BSS (Hong Kong)” Facebook group to stay in Some items that are time sensitive and touch with our community in Hong Kong. cannot be accommodated in The Link will appear on The Thread.

the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 27 old girl news Request for Nominations! Distinguished Old Girl Award 2011 The Distinguished Old Girl Award is presented annually to an extraordinary Old Girl. This wom- an has made a difference in the lives of others by giving back to the community, contributing a great deal to her profession, showing tremen- dous leadership, or by leading through excep- tional contributions to the arts. Recipients to date include Mary Louise DICK- SON ’58, lawyer and champion for the rights of the disabled; Margot ANDREW ’79, founder of Camp Laurel for children with HIV and AIDS; Jalynn ROGERS Bennett ’62, respected leader in the Canadian business community; Bishop Victoria MATTHEWS ’72, the first female Bish- Art and Activism on Wheels op in Canada; Tara SUTTON ’88, award-winning video journalist; Dr. Joan WHITTEN Miller ’76, Award Winning Artist Iain Baxter& pioneering medical researcher and educator; Margaret WENTE ’68, celebrated columnist for Brings His Travelling Gallery to BSS the Globe & Mail; Valerie WHITTINGHAM Prin- gle ’71, broadcaster, adventurer and philanthro- On April 22, iconic Canadian contemporary artist, Iain Baxter&, brought his unique take pist; and Canada’s Olympic archery coach, Joan on art and the environment, in the form of the ECOARTVAN, to BSS. GALLIE McDonald ’62. A glassed-in cube van running on biodiesel fuel, the ECOARTVAN travelled around Toronto throughout the spring, visiting schools and libraries. The interior of the van How to Nominate an Old Girl featured artwork inspired by Mr. Baxter’s long-standing interest in the environment. If you know an Old Girl who has made a signifi- Lauded as “Canada’s first conceptual artist,” Mr. Baxter, 73, a Governor General’s cant contribution to her profession, the com- Award winner and recipient of the Order of Canada, built the travelling gallery to “in- munity, or the arts, please consider nominating her for the 2011 Distinguished Old Girl Award. troduce a new generation to the power of contemporary art and its ability to stimulate Nominations should include the following infor- awareness and positive social and environmental change.” mation: Mr. Baxter addressed the Grade 4 students, as well as the Senior School art classes, 1. Why is this Old Girl worthy of consideration? who were enthralled by the unlikely sight stationed on the School’s lawn.  Describe her outstanding accomplishments in any or all of the following areas: leader- ship, community involvement, personal ac- complishments, and professional accom- plishments. 2. provide your personal perspective on the candidate. Please feel free to include any other supporting articles, links etc. 3. Your name, graduation year, contact details, and relationship to the nominee. 4. the name, graduation year, and contact de- tails of the Old Girl being nominated.

It is important to be as specific as possible in or- der to best present your nominee. Decisions will be based on the information you provide. The deadline for nominations is December 1, 2010. A committee comprised of Old Girls, BSS faculty and staff will choose the 2011 recipient from the pool of candidates. Where to send your nomination: email us at [email protected], send it by fax to 416 483 0949, or mail it to The Bishop Strachan School, Attn: The Distinguished Old Girl Award Committee, 298 Lonsdale Road, Toronto, ON M4V 1X2.

28 the LINK Vol. 3 · 2009/10 Your legacycan change her world.

You can make a lasting contribution to the education of girls by leaving a bequest to e Bishop Strachan School in your Will.

Young women from generation to generation will know the value of a BSS education. What better legacy could you leave?

For more information about bequests please contact: Moira Dossetor, Ph.D, Director of Development at 416 483 4325 ext. 1875 or [email protected]

bss_ad_v3.indd 1 4/8/10 10:59:58 AM Old Girls’ Events Calendar BSS Student September: Recruiting Harvest Reunion 2010: Celebrated years end in 0 and 5… BSS continues to attract talented young September 23 Harvest Reunion: Old Girl Boarders’ Evening women to our school, locally, nationally September 24 Harvest Reunion: Old Girls’ Cocktail Party for celebrated and internationally. To assist in our years 0 and 5 recruiting efforts, our extended BSS September 25 Harvest Reunion: Family Day and Harvest Games community, which includes Old Girls, For more information, contact Jill BLAKEY ’02 at 416 483 4325 ext. 1871, or email Current and Past Parents and Students, [email protected]. Stay tuned for details about these events posted online at: act as ambassadors on our behalf. Should thethread.bss.on.ca. you be interested in attending any of our events during our travels, or would like to recommend a prospective family, please contact the Student Recruiting Office directly at 416 483 4325 ext. 1220 or [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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