Inspired Girls. Empowered Women.

From the moment a student enters St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School, a leading independent school for girls in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12, she begins a journey of discovery to emerge empowered to challenge and transform the world.
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Experience Our School

List of 4 news stories.

  • SMLS Announces 2023-24 Community Award Winners

    Each year, SMLS is proud to recognize members of our school community who have gone above and beyond in their contributions to our school, their professions, and the greater community. This year we recognize three such individuals.

    The Nadine Farran-Gatti Distinguished Service Award celebrates and honours SMLS volunteers for their significant contributions to our school community over many years. This year’s winner is Jackie Maunula. Since 2016, Jackie has been an enthusiastic volunteer and leader. She has held countless roles through the Parent Association including Gala Co-Chair, and Learning Commons Convenor where she is broadening our Library’s inventory of books for current and future students to enjoy. Through her extensive contributions and unwavering dedication, Jackie has been the driving force behind many of our community events and initiatives, including Millie Christmas, Movie Night, Parent Socials and Junior School Bingo, just to name a few. Her passion for our school community is infectious and her efforts have brought joy and cherished memories to the entire SMLS community. Jackie and her husband Ryan have two daughters at SMLS.

    The Outstanding Alumna Award recognizes alumnae for significant achievement in their field and positive impact on the local, national or global community while upholding the principles and values of SMLS. This year’s winner is Miranda Plant Byers ‘03. Miranda is an award-winning actress, and producer of theatre and film. Her work centers around stories created by women which promote equality and diversity, and advocacy of women in the arts. She works with several not-for-profit organizations and amongst being the recipient of several grants for women in film, she was also recognized with the "Editha Award for Women's Empowerment" in 2021 by the Hudson International Film Festival. She has been a judge for several film festivals including the 2021 Emmy Awards, and mentors aspiring artists with StateraArts. As an alumna, Miranda has remained connected and supportive of SMLS and her fellow alumnae. She is the mom of two boys, William and Andrew, and currently lives in New York City with her husband Todd.

    The Life Governor Award is the school’s highest honour and recognizes the extraordinary lifetime achievements and contributions of individuals who have been leaders in service to the school, as visionaries and/or ongoing ambassadors for SMLS and as positive role models in our local communities. This year’s winner is Daniela Hampton-Davies ‘89. Daniela joined SMLS as a student in 1977 and has been an active member of our school community ever since. Daniela is an executive coach and governance professional with an outstanding record in business development, advisory and culture transformation. As the Principal and Co-Founder of Balsam Advisory Group, she provides advisory services for investor relations, capital markets and governance.  Daniela has held senior executive roles globally in both corporate and governance settings, has built dynamic and high-performing teams, and developed and executed strong strategic growth plans. At SMLS, Daniela was an active and long-time volunteer through our Board of Directors and Parent Association. Daniela brings an impressive and extensive list of community contributions including former Board Chair of Sheridan College and Oakville Senior Citizens Residence, and former Board Member at Start2Finish and the Oakville Community Foundation. Daniela and her husband Blake remain active members of the SMLS and Oakville community and are proud parents of four children, including one who currently attends SMLS and two who have graduated from SMLS in the past. 

    SMLS is thrilled to recognize the incredible accomplishments of Jackie, Miranda and Daniela and we invite you to join us as we celebrate them at the following upcoming school events:

    Volunteer Appreciation Celebration 
    Monday, April 15 at 9:00 a.m.
    Recognizing the Nadine Farran-Gatti Distinguished Service Award and Life Governor Award Winners

    Alumnae Brunch and Reunion
    Saturday, May 4 at 11:00 a.m.
    Recognizing the Outstanding Alumna Award Winner

    We continue to be impressed by the quality of nominations put forward and the accomplished and caring people who make up our community. We invite and encourage all members of the SMLS community to consider nominating a worthy candidate for next year’s awards. Submissions for 2024-2025 will open in November 2024. Learn more about the SMLS Community Awards.
  • "The Descendants" Delivers

    Our tight-knit community is a hallmark of the SMLS experience, and we are extremely proud of our community because of the positive way it enriches our students’ educational journeys. We see this in action across the school in many ways each and every day, and it was especially during our Senior School’s recent theatre production of Disney’s “The Descendants” (view the photo gallery here).

    Our Senior School students, faculty and staff put on four incredible performances, and the entire school rallied behind them to make the production a success. Seeing Junior and Middle School families attend the performances, having parents volunteer for hair and makeup, watching students gift the grads with flowers after their last-ever SMLS performance are all examples of how this community supports and uplifts one another. 

    We extend our warm appreciation to each and every member of our community for the value you bring to SMLS. 
  • Girls' Schools Celebrate International Women's Day Everyday

    Recently, a group of students led an inspiring all-school assembly in honour of tomorrow’s International Women’s Day. Together, we talked about the idea that when women and girls are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment. 

    At SMLS, we often talk about the value of being at an all-girls school. The confidence, the engagement, the leadership skills and aspirations, that an all-girls environment fosters and nurtures are well documented in research. We are fortunate to be part of this inspiring community, and as International Women’s Day comes around, it is an important reminder that we are part of something bigger than ourselves here at SMLS. We are part of a movement that is critical to the future. Together, we are breaking down barriers, challenging assumptions and ensuring that women world over can be their true selves without worry. Thank you for being a part of this movement. 

    In a quote I borrowed from the Confidence Code for Girls, my wish for every Millie and for all the inspired girls and empowered women around the world is that you may “continue to take risks, messing up and becoming your amazingly imperfect, totally powerful self.” Our Millies accomplish incredible things, and we are proud to offer them the kind of 

    In celebration of inspired girls and empowered women, 
    Catherine
  • KIDS' LIT QUIZ TEAMS COMPETE AT REGIONALS AND NATIONALS

    Three Middle School Kids’ Lit Quiz teams recently competed in a regional competition at Hamilton Public Library. Kids’ Lit Quiz is an annual literary competition for students aged 10-13 held in a number of countries worldwide. Each of our three teams got the most correct answers in at least one category at the regional heat. Congratulations to our “Babysitters Club” team who finished first overall at the Hamilton heat and moved on to compete in the National Final at McMaster University, placing second overall. 

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