THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Bond Academy

REPORT CONTENTS

School Overview

Reviews

Analysis

School Leadership

What is the leadership style at Bond Academy? How do the school leaders shape the culture, priorities, and daily life of the community? How does this leadership style compare to that of other private and independent schools, and how might it influence your choice of school?

Page Contents

Facts and analysis
- Message from the school leadership
- Our interview with the school leader
Qualitative insights

Facts and analysis

MESSAGE FROM THE LEADERSHIP

We asked Phil Davies, Secondary School Principal at Bond Academy for their message.

They shared an overview of the vision, values, and guiding principles that shape both their leadership and the student experience at Bond Academy.

Phil Davies, Secondary School Principal

As Principal of the Bond Academy Secondary program, I would like to welcome our new and returning students, as well as their families to the 2023-2024 school year.

Bond provides an inclusive atmosphere that caters to all learning styles, while promoting the acquisition of the 21st-century competencies that our students require, such as collaboration, critical thinking, digital literacy, and social responsibility, to prepare them for their future vocations.

Therefore, it is essential that students, parents, and staff all work together to provide the optimal learning environment for our students, to maximize their potential for success in their post-secondary studies and eventually their chosen profession.

In addition, our Bond Girls Basketball team continues to grow as they compete in the elite OSBA league. The SSAF sports league also gives a chance for our Girls and Boys teams to compete in a variety of individual and team sports.

Bond delivers "education as it should be" as demonstrated by our student’s academic success. Good luck to all our students during the 2023-2024 school year and thanks to all students, staff, and parents for playing such an integral role in delivering another successful school year at Bond Academy.

Be Bold, Be Bond

Phil Davies

INTERVIEW WITH THE LEADERSHIP

We interviewed John Healey, Junior School Principal at Bond Academy.

We asked them about their approach to education, the mission of their school, and the vision guiding their decisions.

John Healey, Principal at Bond Academy since its start, champions a holistic educational approach, which is cultivated through the school’s strong academic, drama, and PE programs. Bond emphasises character growth and problem-solving, supported by dedicated teachers. Mr. Healey aims to nurture students' confidence, preparing them for real-world success.

Video Contents

0:47 - Three things the elementary principal loves about his job
1:06 - What are three things you love about your job?
2:07 - What the day to day role of elementary principal looks like
Show Full Video Contents
2:09 - What is the culture at Bond?
2:46 - How did you arrive at Bond in your career?
3:38 - Was there a change you wanted to make with a move into administration from teaching?
3:56 - The values of the elementary culture at Bond
4:57 - When did the elite basketball program start?
5:38 - Where did that program come from?
6:38 - Are there other examples of custom programs designed to suit specific student needs or desires?
7:19 - What is the balance between day and boarding and homestay students/
7:52 - How does Bond create a unified community atmosphere?
8:02 - Teaching through internal control rather than external control
9:18 - How do the elementary and secondary schools work together?
10:20 - What kind of student is drawn to Bond Academy?
11:19 - How this approach works with younger students in particular
11:30 - How are after-school activities and study hall work together?
12:14 - What kind of student wouldn’t do well at Bond?
12:49 - What kind of family is drawn to Bond?
13:42 - What surprised the elementary principal when he first came to Bond Academy
13:58 - Is there an expectation for parental involvement in the school?
14:38 - How do you address inter-student conflict?
15:48 - And what about parent conflict?
17:00 - What’s an example of a student you helped grow and mature in their time at Bond?
18:38 - Is there a typical trajectory for Bond students post-graduation?
19:05 - The benefit of having both elementary and high school years at Bond Academy
19:18 - Do you have any advice for parents in their private school search?
20:28 - Is there a red flag you would encourage parents to be aware of?
20:58 - Do you have any final thoughts?
22:44 - How the elementary principal sees Bond Academy's growth in the next 5-10 years
26:28 - Final thoughts

Highlights from the interview
- Bond Academy has a very strong character education program, which emphasizes treating people fairly, inclusiveness, and being a good person. Everything in Bond Academy’s discipline code revolves around treating people with respect, kindness, and dignity.
- The culture at Bond Academy is one of openness, friendliness, and welcoming. It's amazing how quickly new staff and students adapt to this culture. Some people describe Bond Academy’s culture as a family-like atmosphere, others as a very friendly community.
- Bond Academy wants children to become risk-takers, willing to make mistakes and learn from them. Our goal is to build confidence and self-esteem through positive reinforcement, essential tools for life. When I came to Bond Academy, they hired me to open the school. We don't build better students by only focusing on maths and English. We need to give them other opportunities to grow, such as music, drama, and sports.
- There's a lot of interaction between elementary and secondary staff and students at Bond Academy. The school isn't massive in size. Many times, we overlap or come in contact with each other. This provides continuity and familiarity among the staff and students.
- I'm a very hands-on principal. I try to get upstairs every day, walk the hallways, say ‘hello’ to everybody, speak to parents in the hallways, and talk to teachers. That's how my day usually starts with our national anthem. Every morning, once we come in, we have our before-school program.
- One thing I do not believe in is being elitist. I won't accept being called the Head of School at Bond Academy. I'm the principal, meaning ‘principal teacher.’
- Part of our program at Bond Academy is physical health. We have gym class every day. From 8:00 am to 8:40 am, students have access to the gym or schoolyard. To me, physical health is the most crucial aspect of life. So Bond Academy emphasizes a strong physical education program. Bond Academy has multiple sports programs. Basketball has taken a particular importance. We have a partnership with ‘Phase One’ for basketball training. And, we emphasize being well-rounded and not focusing solely on sports.
- Bond Academy’s goal is to prepare children for the real world. The goal is for each student to improve, to be the best they can be. If Bond Academy can make students better people, if we can improve them so they can be the best they can be, then we have achieved this important goal.
- It's not unusual for a parent to drop by and say, ‘Do you have a couple of minutes?’ We have a very open-door policy at Bond Academy. Communication is critical, and getting to know people is essential.We work with people, help people, and make their lives better.
  
  It's not unusual for a parent to drop by and say, ‘Do you have a couple of minutes?’ We have a very open-door policy at Bond Academy. Communication is critical, and getting to know people is essential. We work with people, help people, and make their lives better.
- If someone's interested in Bond Academy, I would say ‘come in and visit us.’ We offer two to three days for their children to attend our school at no charge, ensuring both child and parent can experience our environment and teaching style.
- When parents bring a child to Bond Academy with special needs or academic struggles, I assess if we're equipped to help. It's not about being a top student; it's about wanting to change, improve, and having parents supportive of that change. If I can help a student by bringing them into Bond Academy, I'll gladly welcome them.

Qualitative insights

These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.

It fosters a strong community and supportive relationships.

Observations from students, parents, and alumni suggest that the relationship-driven atmosphere and unique sense of community at Bond Academy provide a welcoming and supportive environment.

I immediately sensed that the Bond community was genuinely a community. I felt welcomed, and when my children started there, they echoed my sentiments. They were treated well by the principal, administrators, and teachers. It's about the relationship. Many parents, including myself, find that this relationship-driven atmosphere is a unique trait of Bond.

—Eileen, parent (see full discussion)

I feel I have a partnership with the teachers, who I can reach out to for support. I know that my son has the same feeling. But as with any partnership, you as a parent also need to be engaging and reach out to the teachers, to the counsellors, to the principal. And it does make a parent feel very comfortable that the construct around Bond is one that gives you that outcome.

—Eileen, parent (see full discussion)

The community experience at Bond Academy is unique. How you say hi to everyone, and everyone knows you. They know what you're doing. It's probably like the community experience with it. My whole university experience is online, so it's not really much, compared to the whole community vibe at Bond.

—Eileen, parent (see full discussion)

It's not unusual for a parent to drop by and say, ‘Do you have a couple of minutes?’ We have a very open-door policy at Bond Academy. Communication is critical, and getting to know people is essential. We work with people, help people, and make their lives better.

—John Healey, Junior School Principal (see full interview)

There's a lot of interaction between elementary and secondary staff and students at Bond Academy. The school isn't massive in size. Many times, we overlap or come in contact with each other. This provides continuity and familiarity among the staff and students.

—John Healey, Junior School Principal (see full interview)

The environment is familial and caring.

The sense of family and care at Bond Academy, highlighted by students and parents, fosters strong interpersonal connections that ensure everyone's well-being and educational success.

The personality traits of Bond Academy would be familial and caring. Even now, I go back now and then to see the teachers and see who's there and whatnot. Because of the sense of family at Bond Academy, and because it's so small, everyone gets to know you. They care about your education and your well-being, and they try to push you in different ways, and try to make you more of a complete person.

—Michael and Michelle Hack, alum (see full interview)

We were coming from another private school where two of my children were being severely bullied. I recall feeling so comforted by that when I visited Bond Academy. I recall walking into their office and explaining my situation, where I felt that my children were being threatened. And I remember they sat down with me and were being so warm and comforting, explaining to me that that's not the way things work at our school.

—Eileen, parent (see full discussion)

Since I was under age when I first came into Canada, Bond Academy offered different supports in locating accommodations prior to my arrival. This helped my family to have peace of mind, knowing that I had a place to stay and a school to go to and people who my parents could connect with.

—Jessica Ye, alum (see full interview)

The approach to student development is individualized.

Insider accounts emphasize Bond Academy’s unique ability to tailor education around individual students’ needs, helping them reach their maximum potential through customized learning experiences.

So Bond, especially in comparison to other private schools that I had seen, I would say it's very unique in regards to how they tend to handle everything. It's very open. So there's not so much in regards to... how do I put this properly? The way they handle things is based uniquely on the situation itself. So they see the needs of each individual student coming in, and they manage to take that and pretty much design something around it to help them meet their maximum potential, which is something that I understand a lot of schools do. But I do think that Bond tends to take that and elevate it to the next level, especially in my personal experience.

—Chelsea Campbell, alum (see full interview)

When parents bring a child to Bond Academy with special needs or academic struggles, I assess if we're equipped to help. It's not about being a top student; it's about wanting to change, improve, and having parents supportive of that change. If I can help a student by bringing them into Bond Academy, I'll gladly welcome them.

—John Healey, Junior School Principal (see full interview)

There is holistic development that goes beyond academics.

According to administrators and parents, Bond Academy emphasizes holistic development, encouraging students to engage in diverse activities and to cultivate skills in areas such as sports, arts, and personal growth.

Bond Academy provides a lot of teachings on behaviour, to ensure that the students understand what it means to bully, or what it means not to have biases, or what it means to respect each other. Students are human beings that are developing their character, their personality. I felt supported in having open, trusting discussions that involved the teachers, the principals, and the child so that we can all figure out how to support the child, to further grow, to further learn.

—Eileen, parent (see full discussion)

Bond Academy wants children to become risk-takers, willing to make mistakes and learn from them. Our goal is to build confidence and self-esteem through positive reinforcement, essential tools for life. When I came to Bond Academy, they hired me to open the school. We don't build better students by only focusing on maths and English. We need to give them other opportunities to grow, such as music, drama, and sports.

—John Healey, Junior School Principal (see full interview)

There are teams at Bond Academy, like cross country, basketball, volleyball, and others, promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. The head of our department really inspires students to be involved in the activities and teams.

—Eileen, parent (see full discussion)

Leadership is personalized and inclusive.

Insights from students, parents, and administrators highlight the personalized and inclusive leadership at Bond Academy, embodied by the principal's hands-on approach and the school's open-door policy.

I'm a very hands-on principal. I try to get upstairs every day, walk the hallways, say ‘hello’ to everybody, speak to parents in the hallways, and talk to teachers. That's how my day usually starts with our national anthem. Every morning, once we come in, we have our before-school program.

—John Healey, Junior School Principal (see full interview)

One thing I do not believe in is being elitist. I won't accept being called the Head of School at Bond Academy. I'm the principal, meaning ‘principal teacher.’

—John Healey, Junior School Principal (see full interview)

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