By Melanie CHANDLER Jackson’74

Neat as a hoop shot on the Branksome basketball court, the philosopher Heraclitus scored the most accurate ever take on life: that the one constant is change. The ancient Greek’s insight is even more apt in our own time of rapid innovation.

A challenge to keep pace, for sure—but Branksome Hall students are putting their best collective foot forward to do just that. As alum Kimberly BROOKER Carter’96, the school’s new Interim Deputy Principal, says, “We are focusing on creating opportunities for critical thinking, active learning and resiliency.”

For Carter, formerly Executive Director, Enrolment Management, “the focus starts with three areas: academics, innovation, and student and employee well-being. All of these will positively impact the student experience.”

As Carter speaks, construction is underway on the Karen L. Jurjevich Innovation Centre and Studio Theatre (iCAST), a 35,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility with dedicated space for performing arts, fabrication, entrepreneurship, creativity and collaboration. Designed for use by all grades, iCAST will include a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEAM) studio.

Also in the motivational mix for learning: a wood/machine shop, robotics lab, design space and 200-seat black box studio theatre allowing flexible stage and seating configuration.

Then there’s Noodle, which Carter describes as “the secret sauce” on the BH innovation menu. Via the 38-week Noodle business-accelerator program, students get real-world experience as they are immersed in business and entrepreneurship.

All of the above add up to “a game-changer for girls’ schools—and for Toronto,” says Carter, a Queen’s grad whose former roles at Branksome also include Junior School teacher. “We’re doubling down on what innovation means for girls today, because the skills needed now are so different from the past… There is so much change in the world that we do not know for certain what types of jobs our graduates will have in the future.”

“What we can do is ensure Branksome stays responsive to the changing world, to today’s learner and today’s ever-evolving demands and possibilities. Whether our students are aged four or 17 or 18, they can fully explore their potential possibilities and skills, empowering them to see what’s out there—and to take an active part in it.”

One thing that hasn’t changed at Branksome, Carter says, is “the warmth I felt as a student, the shared sense of community.” As the mom of a Branksome-ite who started SK this fall, she appreciates that “Branksome continues to nurture individual learning and personal growth.”

Carter laughs as she recalls lip-syncing to ABBA onstage with friends as part of Spirit Week. Which, she adds, is still going loud, though perhaps with different music to lip-sync to, and strong.

On a further note, she points out the advantage of Branksome being an International Baccalaureate (IB) school. “As Branksome not only meets but exceeds Ontario Ministry of Education standards, we get to implement our IB curriculum to meet our students’ needs. We can pivot, we can enhance. For example, in our English department, we can decide what the readings should be, what voices we may have missed that need amplifying, both in modern writing and, of course, in the wonderful classics.”

Heraclitus would no doubt approve.