Branksome Hall
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Boarding Supports
School Support Systems
To best support student well-being and learning, the Senior & Middle School has a Student Support Team, with members including:
- Assistant Heads and Deputy Principal
- Advisors
- Aquatics and Fitness Centre Staff
- Boarding Advisors
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team
- Learning Strategies Team
- Peer Support
- School Nurses
- School Counsellors and Social Workers
- University Counselling Team
The team uses a consultative model to identify best practices and strategies to effectively address student needs, whether they be academic, physical or social-emotional
Girls are encouraged to stay mentally well by finding a balance in their daily life of academics, co-curricular activities, social connections and relaxation, making reference to Dr. Daniel Siegel’s “Healthy Mind Platter” diagram. Students learn to advocate for themselves and are encouraged to seek out supports both within and outside the school community.
The Advisor Program matches each student with a faculty Advisor who acts as a mentor, taking a special interest in their personal growth.
The Head, Research and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) leads the development and ongoing implementation of a strategic vision and plan for research and diversity, equity and inclusion at Branksome Hall. The Head and the DEI Coordinator develop programs and activities that embed the vision and principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, including curriculum design and delivery, student engagement and education initiatives. As a resource at the school, the team collaborates with community members, including students, to develop systems and practices with the aim of integrating and strengthening the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
An integral part of the International Baccalaureate is the CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service) program, which requires students to be physically active on a regular basis for good health. To support student well-being, the Fitness Centre and Aquatics (swimming pools) are both open and supervised regularly, before and after school and on weekends, by professional staff who are able to design personal fitness programs, explain and demonstrate exercises, and support students to meet their well-being goals.
Learning Strategies is an integral part of the academic program, working with students, their families, School Counsellors and teachers to support the academic success of students. Learn more here.
Peer Support is a peer-led, skills-based program that empowers students to support each other, fostering resiliency and well-being. Grades 10 and 11 Peer Supporters, trained in leadership skills, play two major roles: Circle Facilitators lead monthly Peer Circles for girls in Grades 6, 7 and 8 with a focus on small-group activities and discussions, while Peer Promoters plan and facilitate school-wide initiatives in support of community values of care, inclusion and belonging. Peer Promoters provide care and social-emotional support to their cohort through grade-wide activities and peer-to-peer support.
Beginning in Grade 7, students are assigned a School Counsellor. The School Counsellor helps them with their social and emotional well-being, course selection and follows their academic progress throughout the school year.
Our two Senior & Middle School Social Workers provide Grades 7–12 (one for Grades 7–9, the other for Grades 10–12) students and their families support for positive mental health and well-being. Learn more about School Counselling and Social Work here.
In addition to School Counselling, as students enter DP1 and DP2 (Grades 11 and 12), our University Counsellors provide students with support for the post-secondary planning process and eventually assist with the university application process.
Circle of Care
Branksome Hall has a deep commitment to supporting the mental health and well-being of our students and uses a Circle of Car” model when supporting young people to manage their mental and physical health.
This Circle of Care is an interdisciplinary approach that includes the student, members of the Boarding Team, Branksome Hall Nursing Staff and Branksome Hall Social Workers, as required. Other trusted adults such as parents and guardians, teachers and School Counsellors, may also be included at the discretion of the Director of Boarding.
Being part of Boarding means we are part of the Branksome Hall community. Each of us must take all necessary steps to stay well and consistently protect ourselves and each other in the 2025–26 academic year. To ensure the health and safety of community members and provide everyone on campus with a reasonable sense of security, we must all agree—and know that everyone else on campus has agreed—to take responsibility for our own health.
These guidelines and protocols, based on our Branksome values of Inclusiveness and Sense of Community, may be modified throughout the year based on the needs of the community. Branksome Hall abides by health and safety regulations put forward by Toronto Public Health, as well as the advice of the Branksome Hall Health Centre team.
Boarding Support
Boarding Advisors
The Boarding Team is a professional and caring group of adults who are experienced in the areas of residential living and the development of young people.
Contact email: boarding@branksome.on.ca
Health Centre: Nurse & Physician Support
All Boarding students will have an individual appointment with a School Nurse within the first two weeks of school to assess their health-care needs and to review their medical records. The Nurse must be notified of all medication being taken and any major past or ongoing medical concerns so that we can best support each student.
The Health Centre has partnered with the WELL Health Clinic to provide the Boarding community with access to physician assessment and care, as needed. Necessary appointments can be booked through the Health Centre and the Boarding Team.
Note: If an appointment is booked and missed, a cancellation fee will be applied to the student’s account.
Social Workers
Social Workers are available in the Counselling Wing of the Senior School or the second floor of the Middle School to provide social and emotional support to individual students and their families. Learn more here.
Guard.me Student Support Program – Online Student Support for Mental Well-Being
Boarding students aged 15 and over have access to an innovative Student Support Program (SSP) that offers 24/7 access to mental health support online. Learn more here.
