Balmoral Hall School

Balmoral Hall School is a private school for girls in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

History

Balmoral Hall was founded in 1901 as Havergal College, located at 122 Carlton Street. The name was changed in 1917 to Rupert's Land College.^[1] Sir James Aikins gave his home, known as Aikins House, to the United Church of Canada upon his death in 1929. In his will, he requested it be used as a girls' school and bestowed further funding to be used to that end. The school was named Riverbend School and opened in September 1929 at Balmoral Hall's present site.^[1] In 1950, due to declining enrollment at both schools, Rupert's Land College amalgamated with the Riverbend School at its site on Westminster Avenue. The school was christened Balmoral Hall School, after Balmoral Castle, and classes began in September 1950.^[1]

The two schools' mottos, Ad Meliora, or "To Better Things," and Alta Petens, "Seeking New Heights," were combined to form the school's new motto, Meliora Petens, which meant "Seeking Better Things."^[1]

In 1955, the Senior School Wing was opened, and in 1967 the school expanded to include the Richardson Building, which housed a new gymnasium as well as new science labs and facilities.^[1]

Since then, there have been several other expansions which brought new computer and science laboratories and classrooms, as well as athletic facilities, a theatre and a communications technology centre.^[1]

Curriculum

Balmoral Hall School adheres to the educational guidelines set out by the Province of Manitoba. Additionally, the school is accredited by the Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS). From Kindergarten through Grade 5, the school follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP).

Beginning in Grade 6, the school teaches to its proprietary Capstone curriculum. CAPSTONE is a student-centred curriculum, with a strong focus on STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math). The CAPSTONE education model represents over two years of research, consultation and discussion. Based in part on findings from Project Zero at Harvard University, the program uses the best educational resources available to ensure the school is teaching students to be confident, empowered, lifelong learners.

The CAPSTONE education model is designed to dovetail seamlessly with Advanced Placement courses offered in Grade 11 and Grade 12, which in turn may assist students in their post-secondary education by providing course credits as well as marks of academic distinction on their transcripts.^[2]

Boarding

Balmoral Hall School offers a live-in residence for students from around the world. Up to 75 students at a time may live and study at Balmoral Hall.

The boarding program offers an additional component to the schools' curriculum for international students, in that residents have the opportunity to immerse and take part in many Canadian cultural activities, as well as learning life skill necessary to living away from home. Students also take part in athletic activities both at school and at the Winnipeg Winter Club.

Students have come to BH from the USA, Mexico, Japan, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, the Bahamas, Sweden, Taiwan, UAE, China and Russia.^[3]

Athletics

Balmoral Hall's school team is called the Blazers.^[4]

The school offers such sports as:^[4]

• Hockey - A varsity prep team that plays in the Junior Women's Hockey League (JWHL)

→ 17 Balmoral Hall hockey players have been named to the Canada Women's National Ice Hockey Team (U22 and U18) rosters since the Blazer Hockey program's inception in 2006.

→ Senior players have frequently been drafted to teams in the NCAA and CIS university leagues, often on scholarship.^[5]

• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Badminton
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Curling
• Cross-country
• Track and field^[6]

As well, the school has four Houses, named Ballater, Braemar, Craig Gowan, and Glen Gairn, after the districts which surround Balmoral Castle. Each new student is assigned a House and receives a House pin. Houses compete in athletics, debating and various competitions and receive points which accumulate throughout the year. The House Trophy is presented to the winning House at the end of the year.^[7]

Notable alumnae

• Ashleigh Banfield - journalist, anchor for Court TV.
• Chantal Kreviazuk - singer
• Sarah Carter - actress
• Loreena McKennitt - singer
• Colleen Furlan - singer

References