The Boarding community consists of more than 50 students in Grades 7–12 from Canada and countries around the world. Life in the cozy Boarding houses enables students to mingle, learn from one another and create lifelong friendships. From movie nights to cultural feasts, every activity is thoughtfully planned by the Boarding Student Council, dedicated Boarding Advisors and other community members for whom these celebrations hold meaning. “The Monday before special dinners, the Boarding Council’s meeting is all about the dinner. We assign people to do presentations and think of ideas for crafts or other activities,” shares Alexa, Boarding Prefect. “My favourite celebration so far has been the Mid-Autumn Festival dinner. The food was so good and we had a musical performance from two of my fellow Boarders!” 

Victoria Lock, Boarding Life Coordinator, also loves these events, as they give students a chance to share meaningful insights into their own traditions and experiences. “I personally love trying the different foods and appreciate when there is a craft, presentation or performance led by students during the celebration. These dinners have become a huge part of Boarding over the past few years, fostering cultural awareness and bringing the community closer together!” 

Boarding hosts more than 10 cultural dinners per year. These evenings are a sensory delight, complete with mouth-watering meals curated by Chef Peter Domaradzki. “When deciding what's on the menu, I try to make it special by researching foods that are culturally appropriate for each celebration,” he says. “That way, I can understand the cultural connection and symbolism of the ingredients and traditions behind the dishes. For example, Longevity Noodles are often served during Chinese New Year because the unbroken noodles represent longevity, with their length signifying a long and prosperous life. Aside from our own research, we also encourage Boarding students to share their ideas for celebrations that are meaningful to them. It is important that they are represented and this also makes the meals more personal and inclusive.” 

Sheryl Al Khatib, Assistant Director, Boarding, enjoys collaborating on the menu with Chef Peter and providing the festive decor, which often includes flowers arranged by Boarding. “I love collaborating with the community on these dinners, as these celebrations demonstrate how diverse our community is and allows our members to feel respected, valued and included.”

Employees often join the festivities, leading activities, giving presentations or even performing. Shelley Gopal, School Counsellor for Grades 11–12, is a frequent attendee. The colourful Diwali celebration in particular left a lasting impression on her: “What stuck out to me about the Diwali celebration is the sense of warmth and togetherness that filled the AWC. The vibrant decorations and delicious food created an atmosphere that felt both festive and intimate. I loved that the students were able to share traditions, celebrations and activities—like the mehndi—that were important to them.”

Kalista Clement, Director of Boarding, knows the true value of these events lies in their ability to unite the entire school community. By inviting both Day and Boarding students, as well as employees, these dinners create a space where everyone can feel connected and celebrated. “Our special dinners allow our community to come together and celebrate outside of the normal school day. It allows everyone who attends to just connect with each other, human to human, celebrating both our similarities and differences.”

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who makes these events so spectacular. With each dinner, the Boarding community proves that sharing a meal is about so much more than food—it’s about sharing stories, traditions and joy.