Learning Strategies support is an integral part of Branksome’s academic program. Our goal is to work with students, their families, School Counsellors and teachers to support the academic success of each student. More information can be found in the Accessibility and Learning Diversity Policy.

The Learning Strategies Centre, situated on the second floor of Buccleuch, operates as the hub of learning support for all Senior School students and is open all day, including before and after school for drop-in support. The Middle School Learning Strategies teacher is located with the School Counsellors on the upper floor of the Middle School.

Students with exceptional learning needs have individual Learning Strategies Plans developed for them. Each plan is updated annually and identifies areas of strength and areas to target for growth. Students with Learning Strategies Plans are provided with an additional level of support through regularly scheduled meetings with Learning Strategies Teachers, as required. The Learning Strategies Plan is shared with the students’ teachers to provide them with strategies for differentiated instruction in the classroom. Students are encouraged to become familiar with their Learning Strategies Plan to understand how they best learn, adopt an approach to studying that will be most effective for their learning style and learn to self-advocate constructively and effectively.

From time to time, students or their families may feel that additional assistance in a subject is required through either peer tutoring or professional tutoring. Please note that professional tutoring has an additional cost (charged to the student’s account) and takes place in-person in the AWC or virtually.

Advisor

The Advisor is an adult mentor who supports, guides and assists students in remaining accountable to their goals and to the school’s expectations. Advisors help students balance their co-curricular commitments in relation to their academic program. Advisor groups are organized by grade and Clan, and Advisors usually remain with their assigned advisees until their graduation.

Once a week, Advisors meet with students to implement a planned 30-minute program. These sessions are used as a vehicle to support the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) program, which complements academic life: the MS Commitment to Community Portfolio in Grades 7 and 8, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Grades 9 and 10, and the IB Diploma CAS requirement for Diploma 1 and Diploma 2 students. Advisor group sessions provide an opportunity for students to: learn and practise social-emotional learning (SEL) skills and strategies; and stay informed about school and student life events and issues, Clan meetings or periodic one-on-one time for Advisors and advisees. The Advisor assists the School Counsellors and CAS Coordinator with supporting and monitoring student involvement in co-curricular and leadership activities. Final summative Advisor comments are included in the June report card.

Grades 7–10 Advisors

The Advisor ensures that students are engaged in balanced co-curricular activities through their involvement in the Middle Years Programme Creativity, Activity and Service (MYP-CAS), including the Principal’s Award and Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Grades 11–12 Advisors
Through their Advisors, Grades 11 and 12 students receive additional assistance that supports all aspects of the Ontario and IB Diplomas and prepares them for their post-secondary decisions. This includes Advisors supporting the School Counsellors in monitoring CAS during Grades 11 and 12 and assisting students in meeting their overall goals in achieving success in the IB Diploma Programme. 

English Language Learners (ELL)

The English Language Learners Program includes additional support in reading, writing, listening and speaking in English. In consultation with the ELL Coordinator, students may be offered various academic accommodations depending on their level of proficiency through Grade 11. Our program also improves students’ social and cultural understanding and confidence. In the Senior and Middle Schools, English language support is offered for all subject areas, in consultation with your child’s subject teachers. This support is offered on an individualized basis within the school day. Students may also choose to work with a peer tutor for assistance with their homework. Branksome Hall supports English Language Learners (ELL) and offers many courses and methods to enable students to deepen their language proficiency in their home language as well. 

International & Home Languages Program

Branksome Hall’s International Languages Program offers students with home languages other than English the opportunity to obtain Language A: Language and Literature credits in their home language as part of the IB Diploma Programme. A half-credit each in Grades 9 and 10 can also be obtained. The study of home languages is also available to Junior and Middle School students from Grades 3–8. There is an additional fee for these after-school courses. Learn more about the International Languages Program here.

Subject Teacher

Subject teachers support students’ academic success. Parents will have the opportunity to connect with teachers at Curriculum Night. One-on-one meetings take place twice each year, in October and February. Formal written reports will be posted to the Portal four times a year. When you or your child(ren) has an academic concern related to a specific subject, please direct your queries to the individual subject teacher. Teachers’ email addresses are available on the MyBranksome Portal under Directories. Should a concern arise from the teacher, you will receive a phone call or an email.

Extra help is available for students in each subject area of the school’s curriculum. Subject teachers give additional academic support at regularly scheduled “sittings” and ask that students reach out to request alternate times as needed as well. The Math Clinic hours will be available at the beginning of September. Students are recommended to seek extra help from teachers before turning to a tutor.

Our School Counsellors and Social Workers work closely and collaboratively in supporting our students by providing front-line counselling and well-being support.

School Counselling

Each student at Branksome Hall has a dedicated School Counsellor for key developmental cohorts: Middle School (Grades 7 and 8), Grades 9 and 10, and Grades 11 and 12.

All new students in Grades 7–12 will meet with their Counsellors within the first few weeks of school. Counsellors will meet with students at regular intervals during the academic year. Parents may contact their daughter’s Counsellor at any time throughout the year if they have any questions about academic or social-emotional progress, courses of study or future plans. Counsellors provide short-term counselling, are involved in classroom instruction, postsecondary, co-curricular and career exploration activities, and coordinate care for students with other educators and school supports. A timetabled class in Grades 11 and 12, as well as numerous workshops, additionally support the postsecondary planning and applications process.

Each Counsellor takes responsibility for a different group of students (typically, by the student’s last name).

Social Work

We have four school Social Workers. Our two Middle and Senior School Social Workers provide Grades 7 to 12 students (one for Grades 7–9, the other for Grades 10–12) and their families support for positive mental health and well-being. They are located in the Counselling Wing of the Senior School or the second floor of the Middle School. Services include assessment of presenting concerns, short-term counselling, consultation and coaching, group work, workshops, capacity-building and liaising with and referring to community professionals. Our two Junior School Social Workers provide similar support to our JK–Grade 6 students. At any time, students and parents may consult confidentially with the school Social Workers.

GuardMe Student Support Program

Students aged 15 and over have access to an innovative Student Support Program (SSP) that aims to offer 24/7 access to mental health support online. GuardMe Student Support Program is an online support program that matches linguistic and cultural needs of students with professional clinicians, providing students with access to a counsellor who understands their culture in their preferred language. The support is immediate and fully confidential through chat, telephone and the free TELUS Health Student Support app. To learn more, visit the GuardMe Student Support Program.

Branksome Hall recognizes the ever-evolving landscape of university admissions. To be in front of this rapidly changing world, we have sought out world-leading expertise to advise our students and families as they navigate the endless post-secondary opportunities that await our students.

Branksome Hall’s University Counselling Department facilitates a student-centred approach throughout the university research and application process. The University Counsellor places the needs, interests and goals of the student at the forefront of the university counselling process. This approach recognizes that each Branksome Hall student has unique strength and aspirations, and with their Counsellor’s support, each is empowered in making informed decisions about their future academic and post-secondary pathway. The student’s Counsellor takes into account all aspects of a student’s life including personal interests and extracurricular activities, as well as their academic performance.

Our Counsellors have built relationships with universities around the world in order to be able to deliver current and cutting-edge information presentations to the wider school community on university admissions, ensuring our constituents are informed of the latest admission processes used by universities globally.

Additionally, our Counsellors lead small, student-focused classes and workshops, engaging students in understanding high school prerequisite requirements through course selection and in researching university programs to discover the multitude of potential university experiences and environments. The goal is to ensure that students are positioned to present their best selves and unique strengths in their applications. Ultimately, our Counsellors most value individualized time with each student and their family, to provide personalized support as their post-Branksome journey evolves.

University Counselling Snapshot
Snapshot is a weekly email newsletter sent to Grades 9–12 students each Thursday with timely dates, deadlines and bits of information that are helpful in supporting students as they prepare for the university admissions journey.