Each fall, Branksome Hall welcomes Grade 9 students from Branksome Hall Asia (BHA), our sister school on Jeju Island, South Korea, for a week of hands-on interdisciplinary learning. The week, which focused this year on the Arts and Health & Physical Education, provided a fantastic opportunity for students to deepen their interests while engaging in rich cultural exchange and collaborative learning.

The excitement for the arrival of our new friends from Branksome Asia was palpable, with Grade 9 students having created welcome signs the week prior. As students from both schools greeted each other warmly in the Senior School Gym, this anticipation quickly turned into a genuine connection. After icebreakers such as "two truths and a lie," it was clear this group of spirited Grade 9 students was destined to become fast friends.

In the Arts stream, students explored self-expression through multiple mediums. In Visual Art, they took on the challenge of weaving, a team effort that saw each student add their own part to a community tapestry. In the Music room, they composed original pieces, culminating in a talent show where many used ukuleles and guitars to accompany their performances. Theatre workshops and showcases provided another creative outlet, highlighted by a special visit from Bad Dog Theatre, a Toronto-based improv and comedy studio that helped students take their humour and spontaneity to the next level.

Meanwhile, the Dance studio was alive with energy as students mastered genres like Bollywood and Flamenco. They secretly rehearsed steps for a special flash mob performed during halftime of that week’s Flag Football game. The lively surprise dance may or may not have contributed to the Highlanders' thrilling 12-point victory against Trinity College School!

Beyond the dance floor, the week featured non-stop physical activity. From Volleyball to Tennis to Soccer, every student gave their all, especially during the fiercely competitive inter-Clan sports tournaments. The competition for Clan bragging rights—a universal Branksome experience—was fierce, proving that the passion for competition is strong whether students are from Toronto or Jeju Island.

When not in class or on the field, the students enjoyed off-campus excursions, including a visit to Activate, an immersive gaming facility, and a festive Fall Harvest Dinner with the Boarding community. A particularly special moment was when the BHA students met our youngest girls in the Junior School for a Big Sister, Little Sister session.

Time flies when you're having fun, and it felt like the week came to a close as soon as it began. All Grade 9 students gathered in the AWC Gym for a farewell celebration, complete with a delicious cake, friendship bracelet-making and a collaborative community mural. While their final moments together were marked by bittersweet farewells, by collaborating on projects and sharing meals and experiences, the two groups have forged friendships that will last a lifetime. We are already looking forward to the spring, when Branksome Hall Canada’s Grade 9 students will travel to Jeju Island for their annual study-abroad opportunity.

Special thanks to all our colleagues from Branksome Hall Toronto and Branksome Hall Asia who made this action-packed week a success!