
Grace McCallum on the LearnIt Podcast
- category
- All News
- topic
- Principal
- duration
- 2 min read
In a recent episode of the LearnIt Podcast, Branksome Hall Principal Grace McCallum shared the story behind her leadership journey.
We are Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. Our curriculum is globally focused. Our faculty, international. And our technology and facilities, state-of-the-art. We believe that intellectual curiosity and advanced problem-solving are key to thriving in a complex, changing world.
WHY BRANKSOME HALLExplore all that Branksome has to offer. Learn about our school, join one of our events or take a virtual tour.
Every Branksome Hall student from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 benefits from the IB curriculum. Cultivating curiosity, creative and critical thinking, and facilitating regular assessments and feedback, the IB offers unparalleled university preparation.
Based on their post-secondary goals, students will choose to enter one of two Diploma program options. We believe choice offers agency and control, and a personalized course selection plays to each student’s unique strengths and assets.
Our IB AdvantageThe Primary Years Programme is designed to nurture a lifelong love of learning. Students are challenged to think critically, research deeply and develop globally minded perspectives on a broad range of issues.
The Middle Years Programme focuses on the development of the whole girl. Students use inquiry to discover content and knowledge, as well as to explore real-world applications, create new meaning and solve problems.
An emphasis on international-mindedness and intercultural understanding, providing context for young women to lead in a complex, interdisciplinary, globally connected adult world.
1903 Branksome established
16–22 Average class size
$1.5 M Available in financial assistance
249+ Employees (26 per cent have been at Branksome for over 10 years)
910 Total enrolment, including 54 Boarding students
13 Countries represented by Boarding students
80+ Clubs, Athletic teams and community engagement opportunities
$6 M+ In scholarships awarded to 2025 grads
We are building the Branksome of tomorrow for our community of creative innovators. The Karen L. Jurjevich Innovation Centre and Studio Theatre (iCAST), currently under construction, will extend into the school community and beyond, offering a space where arts and innovation are integrated, and ideas are realized.
About iCAST Support The CampaignMeet the Branksome Hall students and alums learning the skills to change the world.
Each day, more than 900 students benefit from your generosity.
At Branksome Hall, we’re not just enriching students’ minds – we’re giving them minds of their own, so they can challenge the status quo, set new standards and carve their own path to success.
Make A DonationFollow BH across our socials for all the latest news and innovations in girls' education.
While students are gone over the summer, many hardworking colleagues are on campus preparing for the upcoming school year! Thank you to everyone for your work over the summer—you`re our little soda pop! 💚🥤
#branksomehall #thankyoucolleagues! #behindthescenes #yourock
Girls just wanna have sun! Celebrate the start of a new school year and the bright days ahead.
From live entertainment and an AI photobooth, to a dunk tank and delicious food, there’s something for everyone. We can’t wait to see you there! 😎☀️
✉️ Check your inboxes for your link to RSVP!
#branksomehall #MakeWay #BranksomeSpirit #WelcomeBack
This summer, we proudly launched our newly redesigned website, marking a major milestone in our digital evolution. The new site is our first major web refresh in seven years. Developed in collaboration with creative partners at Takt, the redesign features:
✅ An enhanced user experience with mobile-first design
✅ Vibrant multimedia content
✅ Tailored sections for prospective and current community members
This 18-month project was deeply collaborative, informed by interviews with students, faculty, staff, parents and alums. Our goal: to build a site that not only informs—but inspires.
What’s new?
-Student and alum video profiles offering a candid look into the passions and post-graduate destinations of Branksome girls.
-New photography capturing the vibrant energy of our community in action.
-Compelling videos highlighting key offerings such as our Boarding program and Arts offerings.
-Dedicated sections for prospective families, current parents, educators and alums, showcasing the Branksome Hall Difference, highlighting signature student programs, global learning and our innovative approach to education.
-A new space for Toronto-based families to discover community programming—with new pages coming soon for swim, dance, camp and Slingshot Innovation Academy offerings.
We are grateful to everyone who contributed their time, ideas and feedback.
🔗 Explore the new site at the link in bio.
#BranksomeHall #Branksomeinnovation #WebsiteLaunch #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #CommunityDrivenDesign
It was so wonderful having all of our colleagues back on campus for an incredible first day back! After grabbing refreshments from @fleetscoffee, we sat down to listen to the incredible @gcouros, who motivated us for the upcoming school year. We then reconnected over a delicious BBQ lunch and wrapped up the day with department and campus updates.
Looking forward to a stellar school year! 💚
#branksomehall #torontoschool #EmpoweringGirls #MondayMotivation #WelcomeBack
Our first-ever Slingshot Innovation Academy summer programs have wrapped up, and what an incredible journey it has been!
From bold ventures to AI-powered solutions, our innovators embraced every challenge with creativity and collaboration. A heartfelt thank you to our amazing partners and instructors for guiding and inspiring students throughout these two sessions.
#innovation #BranksomeHall #SlingshotIA #STEMeducation #NextGenLeaders #FutureFounders
@dmzhq @mysurestart
No one is more excited for the first day of school than Ms. MacLean`s pup Nanaimo! Looking good in that uniform, bud! 🐶💚
#branksomehall #dogsofinstagram #backtoschool #branksomespirit
Yesterday, new employees joined together on campus for the first day of their Orientation Week. Welcome, everyone! We look forward to a great school year ahead. 💚
#branksomehall #torontoschool #BehindTheScenes #makingadifference #welcomefriends
Session two of our Slingshot Innovation Academy is on! Our innovators have been busy this week generating amazing ideas and coming up with bold solutions in the Venture Lab and AI Lab. 💡
@ourkidsnet #BranksomeHall #SlingshotIA #STEMeducation #NextGenLeaders #FutureFounders #innovation
We are so excited to have more than 15 Branksome Hall alums working at Branksome Hall Day Camps this summer! From the Class of 2017 to our most recent graduating class, every single alum helped make this summer one of the best. 💚
☀️ Top row ☀️
Tara DECKHA`25
Lauren BOLGER`25
Mackenzie WILLIAMS`25
Natalie MacMILLAN`17
Leah GANS`24
Lola RILEY`24
Mackenzie CALHOUN`21
Norah Jordan BERNSTEIN`24
Catherine DAWSON`24
☀️ Bottom row ☀️
Karesa ARORA`25
Ariana NI`25
Reese ROTHERHAM`25
Marisa HUEBEL`25
Danuta TROJNIAK`24
Ella ROTHERHAM`22
#branksomehallalum #keepwelltheroad #branksomehall #summercamp #makingadifference #squadgoals #behindthescenes
Calling all alums! Join us back on campus for our first-ever alum tennis tournament. Whether you’re in it to win or just to reconnect, join us for a morning of tennis, music, prizes and fun.
Open to all skill levels. Mixed doubles welcome and teams can include non-alum players. Price is $20/player.
Register now at the link in bio. See you on the courts! 🎾
#branksomehallalum #keepwelltheroad #branksomehall #rallytogether