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Principal Announcement
Principal Announcement
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Mona Malone
Chair, Branksome Hall Board of Governors
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On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Grace McCallum as the 8th Principal of Branksome Hall.
Grace’s appointment follows a comprehensive international search process, informed by extensive community consultations. With the full support of the Principal Search Committee and the Board of Governors, Grace will join us on July 1, 2024 as the next visionary leader for Branksome Hall.
Grace is a Canadian with nearly two decades of experience teaching in and leading International Baccalaureate schools across four continents. She has an extensive track record in the areas of academic excellence, strategic planning, fund development, partnerships, master planning and building projects. She is also a strong community-builder, forward-thinker and an educator at heart, with a passion for girls’ education.
In Grace, we have found the extraordinary leader our community was seeking when we began the global search process that attracted the best, most experienced educators. She has the vision, energy and strategic leadership experience necessary to move Branksome Hall towards achieving our highest aspirations and goals for the future, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Branksome community.
Grace is coming to Branksome from the role of Principal at the American School of Brasilia in Brazil, an IB school with nearly 700 students. Prior to joining the American School of Brasilia, Grace held senior academic leadership roles at the Frankfurt International School, a founding and leading IB school; at the Canadian International School of Beijing, China; and she began her career as a public school teacher in New Brunswick. She is a board member of Pioneering Schools and the Association of American Schools in Brazil (AASB).
“I am honoured to have been chosen as Branksome Hall’s 8th Principal,” says Grace McCallum. “Branksome has a proud history as a girls’ independent school leader, nationally and internationally. While I may have the mindset of a leader, I am a teacher at heart – students will always be at the centre of my decision-making and purpose. I am looking forward to returning to Canada and joining this strong community in shaping the school’s innovative and bold plans for the future.”
Grace holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master’s of Education in Educational Administration and Leadership from the University of New Brunswick, and a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in English from St. Thomas University. She has significant experience in teaching and leadership from JK to Grade 12, in IB education, and in boarding schools. In her previous roles, she has fostered academic excellence, well-being, and built strong and collaborative relationships within school communities. She has deep knowledge of IB and experience in PYP, MYP and DP and the use of IB with other curriculums in a variety of countries. With a passion for girls’ and women’s leadership and a commitment to coaching and mentorship, Grace also brings extensive experience with master planning and building projects, having overseen the development of a new arts and innovation building on her current campus in Brazil as well as the establishment of a new campus at her previous school in China.
Grace will succeed Karen Jurjevich as Principal and will lead a deeply experienced, passionate and talented team. The leadership team will ensure Branksome advances our mission and strategy in a dynamic and changing educational landscape that builds on this strong foundation of leadership.
In appointing Grace, Branksome is also welcoming her husband Chris and their two daughters, Lila and Avery. Grace and her husband Chris are excited about their return to Canada – they are from New Brunswick and proud Maritimers.
We are planning several opportunities for the broader Branksome community to meet Grace prior to her arrival next year and look forward to welcoming her to campus in July 2024. If you would like to share a message with our new Principal to welcome her to the Branksome community, please feel free to add it here.
The Board of Governors thanks the entire community for participating in the search process. Your input and contributions through extensive consultations ensured we benefited from the development of a clear and inspirational Principal role profile. In particular, thank you to the Principal Search Committee members for their extensive efforts and commitment throughout the process and to our search consultant Heather Ring at Caldwell Partners.
Sincerely,
Mona Malone
Chair, Branksome Hall Board of Governors
Learn More
From the Search Committee
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Kurankye Sekyi-Otu
Board Member and Parent
“We are delighted that Grace McCallum has accepted the position of Principal at Branksome Hall. Grace’s extensive international experience and leadership across several continents will be a tremendous asset to our school. Throughout her career, Grace has demonstrated an aptitude for making thoughtful, critical decisions and leadership through periods of transition. We welcome Grace and her family to the Branksome Hall community.” -
Karen CORDES Woods’99
Board Member and Alum
“We are so excited to welcome Grace as our next Principal of Branksome Hall. She is a warm, energetic and passionate person who has a genuine interest in student, employee and community well-being. Grace’s vast global teaching experience, bold leadership, and deep understanding of IB and inquiry-based approach will serve Branksome Hall well as we continue to grow and face new and unexpected challenges. Please join me in welcoming Grace to our Branksome Hall community.”
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Karrie Weinstock
Head, Centre for Strategic Leadership
“Our new Principal embodies all the qualities we hoped to find in our next leader. Grace combines warmth, care and experience with a bold, visionary approach. She is deeply interested in teaching, learning and the well-being of our community. I am confident that Branksome will continue to thrive as, together, we build on Karen’s outstanding leadership.” -
Michael Gans
Parent and Chair, Governance Committee of the Board
“It's a great pleasure to welcome Grace to Branksome Hall. Her deep Canadian roots, extensive international experience, warmth and desire to forge strong connections with our community make her an ideal next leader for the school. I'm looking forward to Branksome's next chapter.”
Share Your Message of Welcome
Share a message with our new Principal to welcome her to the Branksome community!
Please submit it here.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
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.
*The Land Acknowledgement may evolve as we honour our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with Indigenous communities.
Setting the new standard for girls' education everywhere takes collective action. From all of us.
