There’s a debate going on in many schools across North America.  Educators, students, and parents are questioning the value of Advanced Placement (AP) courses.   The debate, long taken up by educators, is gaining broader momentum, spurred on by a recent Washington Post article jointly written by the heads of eight, elite Washington-area private schools.  The […]

Dr. Leanne Foster’s Commencement Address to the Class of 2018 on Trafalgar Day: Dear Graduates of 2018, What an exciting time this is, as you prepare to say goodbye.  As you venture forth from these dear old Castle walls, you will take with you many memories – memories of Camp Kilcoo and air bands, of […]

I listened to a political podcast on Saturday morning where the panelists discussed whether or not we had fully entered a post-truth era.  The concept isn’t new.  “Post-truth” was Oxford Dictionary’s international word of the year for 2016, meaning it was the word that most reflected “the passing year in language.”  I’m not sure things […]

Fail big.  Fail hard.  Fail bravely.  Isn’t that what we tell students?  We inspire with quotes from famous athletes, legendary inventors, and successful business leaders whose failures led to eventual success.  We tell our girls to take risks, be daring, step outside their comfort zone.  We encourage them to take a chance in spite of […]

First there was Humboldt.  And when it seemed that the nation’s heart could bear no more grief, Toronto happened.  One a horrible accident, the other a hate-filled act.  Both left the country reeling in disbelief and sadness.  But even while shock still lingered, consecutive waves of support and love rose up and washed across our […]

With dignity, a quiet voice, and shaking hands, Mary Kelly shared her story in Chapel.  It was a story of immeasurable trauma and lasting scars.  It was a story of loss and suffering.  But it was also a story of truth and reconciliation. Mary Kelly is from the Ojibways of Onigaming.  She is a citizen […]

Hurricane Haddie has arrived at the Castle.  She’s 15 lbs. of fluff, able to produce 7,400 newton metres of torque – the same as a Tesla Roadster.  My March Break was spent house training, leash training, and puppy wrangling.  It also involved coaxing “big brother” Hugo out of the corner of the living room after […]

We had a good giggle in Chapel last week, watching a video of the Czech Olympic skier Ester Ledecka’s gold medal-winning race. The look of absolute incredulity and mild confusion on her face when she saw her winning time appear on the clock was something to behold. No one was more shocked by her victory […]

Mental health does not equal happiness.  Those were not the words I expected to hear from Dr. Stan Kutcher, Chair in Adolescent Mental Health and the Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre in Mental Health Policy and Training at Dalhousie University.  Dr. Kutcher spent the day at Trafalgar Castle last week, working with […]

Blame it on Disney. Or on the miniature-sized bejeweled crowns, sparkly gowns, and tiny glass slippers that magically find their way into the dress-up chests and tickle trunks of little girls.  Or simply call it inevitable. Whatever the reason, there’s no denying the allure of princesses for many young girls. Even for some grown women, […]