Skip to content

Branksome Hall

A Vibrant Welcome Back Carnival and Start to the Year

Published On:

Two young girls with face paint and curly hair smile and hug at an outdoor event. They wear matching yellow shirts and hold inflatable batons. People in colorful outfits gather in the blurred background.
Junior School students in Gordon Clan pose for a photo.
A woman wearing a "MAKE WAY" hat and shirt speaks enthusiastically at an outdoor podium labeled "Branksome Hall," with trees and greenery visible in the background.
Principal Grace McCallum addresses the community.

The Branksome Hall campus was alive with colour, music and excitement as students, parents, employees and alums gathered for a spectacular Brazilian Carnival-themed Welcome Back event on September 13, 2024. The festivities not only marked the beginning of the 2024–25 school year, but also gave everyone a chance to warmly welcome Principal Grace McCallum and her family to the Branksome community.

A woman in a white cap speaks at a podium labeled "Branksome Hall" outdoors, with trees and a building in the background. Several people watch her from the audience.
Claire MacNamara announces the update on the Make Way Campaign.
Two smiling children pose together in front of a dartboard. One wears glasses and holds colorful beanbags, while the other wears a decorative mask and hugs her friend enthusiastically.
Two Junior School students enjoy carnival games.

The event was a feast for the senses, with a spread of scrumptious treats, engaging games and lively entertainment that kept the crowd smiling all afternoon. Complete with bouncy castles, face painting, claw machines and a photo booth, the Welcome Back Carnival was truly an event to remember, filled with joy, connection and a shared sense of anticipation for the year ahead. 

After a colourful and lively Clan pep rally, Mrs. McCallum delivered a heart-warming speech introducing herself and her family to the entire community for the first time. Grace detailed her journey to Branksome and her hopes for the upcoming school year, sharing that she is eager to learn and participate in Branksome’s many traditions and events and excited to create connections with everyone in the community. 

A group of smiling girls stands outdoors, each wearing decorated shirts or capes and holding colorful flags or banners, posing together on a sunny day with trees and tents in the background.
The Clans Prefect and Clan Heads led an exciting pep rally.
Four students in green blazers and ties stand together indoors, holding string instruments including cellos and a violin. The focus is on a smiling girl in front holding a cello near a music stand.
Branksome student musicians played beautiful music at the Donor Reception.

But the excitement didn’t stop there. Another highlight of the afternoon was the much-anticipated update on the Make Way campaign. When Campaign Co-Chair Claire MacNamara took the stage, the crowd eagerly awaited the big news. Applause erupted as she revealed that the campaign had reached an incredible milestone: $32,728,325 raised so far! This includes the record-breaking $5-million gift from last June. Even with this extraordinary achievement, the message was clear: the journey isn’t over yet. With the support of 1,800 generous community members already on board, the campaign is aiming to raise an additional $5 million this year. Opportunities to get involved include securing a Stepping Stone on the donor wall of the Karen L. Jurjevich Innovation Centre and Studio Theatre (iCAST).

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the dedicated students, parents, employees and alums who volunteered their time to make this event such a success, and to the Campaign Cabinet for their inspiring leadership. Another huge thank you goes out to our generous sponsors who made the day exceptional:

  • BHPA
  • Bay Bloor Radio
  • Forest Hill Orthodontics
  • Paris Dentistry
  • Prodigy
  • Pizza Pizza
  • Yorkshire Pudding Catering
Three smiling women stand behind a jewelry display table outdoors, showing off bracelets on their hands. Jewelry items are arranged on stands and trays, with a visible price list and greenery in the background.
Grace McCallum visits Noodle companies.
Five dancers in pink costumes perform on an outdoor stage for a large, diverse crowd on a sunny day. The audience stands in front of tents and trees, enjoying the lively event.
The Dance Company dazzled the crowd with their moves.
A woman in a yellow feathered headdress and costume dances beside a smiling person in a rainbow jacket, both with arms raised, during a lively outdoor parade with people watching in the background.
The community formed a giant conga line through the campus!

 And, of course, immense gratitude to the donors whose generosity continues to drive this unprecedented campaign forward.

It was a day of celebration, community spirit and optimism for the future—the perfect start to what promises to be an exciting year at Branksome Hall!

Address

Branksome Hall
10 Elm Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada
M4W 1N4

Contact

1-416-920-9741
admissions@branksome.on.ca

Land Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge this land on which Branksome operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Wendat, the Seneca and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and go to school on this land.*


*The Land Acknowledgement may evolve as we honour our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with Indigenous communities.

© 2025 Branksome Hall. All rights reserved.