Roundtable Q&A Discussion About The Bishop Strachan School (2022)

One of the things I noticed right off the bat was the willingness from all the staff, teachers, and even the student leadership community to support people not as used to Canadian culture. There was a lot of cultural shock, but BSS being a boarding school with experience in supporting students from diverse backgrounds and cultural experiences really helped me. Even with all the support, cultural shift is hard, especially when there's a language barrier, but the school provided the environment and resources that made it easier for me.

The school set a cycle of leadership that grows within the school, and that experience has stayed with me 10 years down the line. A lot of the skills I use today, even at my current job as a federal government employee, started while I was at BSS. I participated in debating club and public speaking competitions, where the school gave me significant support, both in coaching and financial resources. Through that experience, I gained confidence and learned to be comfortable speaking in front of others. ... The school ended up helping me in ways that allowed me to start giving back by the end of my time at BSS, which I think is really important. 

Something I really appreciated was the arts program at BSS. I'm a very creative person, and music was a big part of my life. BSS had a wide variety of opportunities in the arts, and everything was housed under one roof, making it my playground. I would stay at school from 7:15 AM until 7 or 8 PM, and I was there willingly. Music became a universal language that helped me integrate, as it allowed me to connect with others despite cultural and language barriers. The arts program got me through high school and remains one of the most unique aspects of BSS for me.

BSS proactively seeks ways to support its students and families. We didn’t know what financial assistance was when I joined BSS. One of the staff approached me and mentioned the school's financial assistance program, which was information my parents wouldn’t have had otherwise due to their limited English. The school's willingness to find ways to offer us support first meant a lot. Quite honestly, it was the only thing that enabled me to finish my time at BSS. The fact that BSS was willing to provide financial support to students who needed and deserved it is a unique strength of the school.

The first thing I noticed about BSS was the open door policy that the principal had. This was significant to me, especially coming from a culture with more hierarchy. The principal would greet everyone with a smile on Monday mornings, along with the vice principal, who left a lasting impression. This warmth carried through other facets of the BSS experience. The daily interactions with teachers, some of whom would have sidebar conversations outside of class, were very impactful. These conversations often provided me with the encouragement and guidance I needed.

BSS offers its students a wide range of experiences, many of which are quite eye-opening. For example, our choir didn’t just perform at school events like Christmas concerts and Remembrance Day but also sang at venues like Roy Thompson Hall and even performed the National Anthem for the Raptors. The school constantly found ways to expose students to experiences they wouldn’t have access to elsewhere. This exposure wasn't limited to academics; it also extended to extracurricular activities, giving us opportunities to engage with the world beyond the school.

One area I think BSS could improve is by increasing opportunities for interaction with other private schools, not in a competitive setting but in a more collaborative environment. While we worked with schools like UCC for events like musical theater and jazz, most of our interactions with other schools happened during competitions. I believe more non-competitive interactions would help students expand their networks and get a better understanding of what makes BSS unique, as well as build lasting connections with peers from other schools.

What was most surprising to me about BSS was how approachable the school actually is. Initially, I felt intimidated by the idea of attending a prestigious private school with a long history, a chapel, and a boarding program. But once I walked through the doors, it was clear that both students and parents were welcomed with open arms. Although there are learning curves, as in any community, BSS is an environment where everyone wants to see you succeed and participate in whatever capacity you feel comfortable. It’s about getting involved and exploring your interests without fear of judgment.

For new students, my advice would be to get involved in everything you can. Even if you think you won’t like something, give it a try because BSS offers so many opportunities. Whether it's joining a club, trying out for a team, or starting something new, there’s no penalty for experimenting. Some of the most fun experiences and friendships come from trying new things, even if they don’t lead to awards or accolades. The key is to be open-minded and take advantage of the opportunities BSS provides.

One of my fondest memories at BSS was ringing the chapel bell before services, a small but memorable activity. It wasn’t an award-winning or competitive experience, but it was something that made my time at BSS special. I also got to play around on the chapel organ when everyone had left for the day. These little moments weren’t part of any curriculum or structured activity, but they are the things I remember most fondly. BSS provided a lot of these opportunities that made the experience unique and unforgettable.

I was slightly worried about whether my daughter would be able to adjust or not. But when she came in, the way she was embraced—and so was I—it was amazing. I was volunteering a lot at the school, and the way the school helped us adjust to the new environment was incredible. Everybody, whether teachers, staff, her classmates, or school leadership, made an effort. Even today, if you ask my daughter about her best period in life, she would say it was her time at BSS. 

I feel that my daughter has grown so much, both academically as well as in terms of soft skills. BSS has made her really independent and fearless, but also compassionate, which is such a unique combination. She is strong-headed but very compassionate. When she feels strongly about something, she’s not afraid to speak out her opinions, and that characteristic has come from what she experienced at the school. Fearless, independent, yet compassionate—there cannot be a better combination than this. That’s what BSS has really contributed.

Even today, if my daughter hears even a small mention of BSS, she gets all excited and thrilled. She cannot stop talking about it. She goes to university now, but she still wants to wear her BSS hoodie, her BSS track pants, and carry her BSS bag. She says that's the best part of her life. She keeps on telling her elder sister, "I wish I had come here earlier." She loves being a part of the BSS community, whether as a student or an alumna. Recently, she was talking to a family friend in India who wanted their daughters to study here, and her enthusiasm for the school was clear.

When talking to our family friends, my daughter went on about how good her teachers were, how supportive the school was, and how much infrastructure the school has. Whether you want to go into arts, science, or sports, the facilities are amazing. Whether it was academic support, personal support, or adjusting to a new culture, BSS was there. Coming from a different culture, that was our biggest challenge, but everyone made an extra effort to adjust her into the environment and make her comfortable with the weather, studies, and new education style. She just loves BSS.

It’s amazing how much the school left a mark on her in such a short span of time. Normally, it takes years for an institution to have that level of impact. But in just a short period, BSS has left such a big impression on her, and on me as well.

When we experienced our first snow, so many people guided us on how to survive in a new climate, coming from a country like India where the temperature goes up to 50 degrees. Everyone made an extra effort to tell us what we needed, like good jackets and shoes, to feel comfortable. That sense of being cared for made a big difference. The way the school and its community welcomed us helped us adjust to life here and made us feel like we were part of something bigger.

I noticed that, irrespective of where you belong—whether India or Canada—the family value systems remain the same. You want your family to be loving, respectful, compassionate, and to understand right from wrong. While interacting with other parents and students, I saw that one thread was fairly similar: everyone was respectful, regardless of their background. Whether I was helping at the uniform store or interacting with families, I saw that the value systems in the school mirrored the values we wanted for our own family. There was no conflict; everything gelled together, whether from school, family, or surroundings.

My daughter used to play the trumpet in India as part of the school band. When she moved here, she wasn’t actively involved in music, but she spoke to the music teacher at BSS. The teacher encouraged her to take the trumpet home during the two-week break and play to her heart’s content. Nobody does that normally in schools, and that small act made her feel so comfortable and cared for. That’s how BSS is—just small acts of kindness that go a long way in making you feel part of the community.