[BLOG] Making connections

By Rita Globa, Counsellor, and Brenda McConaghy, Middle and Senior School Resource Teacher

Middle School BH girls shared their experiences with new students at a welcome gathering in early September.

The idea for a welcome gathering was inspired by the fact that enrolling at a new school is often difficult.

Last year, newly enrolled Middle School students expressed interest in welcoming new Middle School students this fall in a positive way. They filmed a video with tidbits of information as well as assurances. Together, we met during flex to watch it recently.

Students reflected on the emotions that go along with starting classes at a new school, including nervousness, worry, anxiety, excitement, and more. These feelings, the returning BH girls said, are totally normal (to be expected); and so they gave advice about joining clubs to connect, noting that things usually improve once friendships have been established. The importance of asking for help was a recurring theme throughout the video. Balmoral Hall is a unique learning environment with terms such as Mufti Day, No. 1 uniform, and our Houses (Braemar, Ballater, Craig Gowan, and Glen Gairn). These terms are specific to life at BH, and it can take some time to get accustomed to traditions, routines, etc. Lastly, students noted that Balmoral Hall faculty/staff are very helpful in terms of offering their support.

Following that, the returning students shared more about their experiences. They offered to assist new students should they have any concerns. And, of course, we concluded the welcome gathering with a round of cupcakes!

Hopefully, the video and the girls' ongoing encouragement, will make this time of transition a peaceful one.

PEARLS OF WISDOM

In June 2016, grades 6, 7, and 8 students were asked to write letters reflecting on the past year at Balmoral Hall School. This was an opportunity for each of them to share their experiences by writing a letter to a BH girl entering their grade in September. The letters, known as "pearls of wisdom," included their favourite memories, things they were grateful for, important lessons learned, what to consider to make it a great year ahead, and much more. Last week, all of these pearls of wisdom were distributed to newly enrolled grades 6, 7, and 8 students – a beautiful connection between BH girls.
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  • Brenda Boonstra
    This is such a great idea! It's a wonderful way to get the girls in middle school to reflect on their experiences at BH and to put the new students at ease. What was the response from the new students?
  • ruth schellenberg
    Great ideas. One class of Grade 3 students wrote a letter to 'future Grade 3 student' with similar focus. The current Grade 3 class really appreciated receiving this in fall.

Balmoral Hall School

630 Westminster Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada  R3C 3S1
Tel: (204) 784-1600 | Fax: (204) 774-5534 | info@balmoralhall.ca
Charitable Registration No. 12994 3932 RR0001
Our mission at Balmoral Hall School is to inspire girls’ imagination and the courage to excel, to reach, to lead, to care.

We are a nondenominational independent day and boarding school, educating students from Junior Nursery to Grade 12.