Life at SMLS

Global Citizenship

Experience Authentic Learning through a Global Perspective

Established in 1999, our internationally recognized Global Citizenship Program is an integral part of the SMLS student experience. It offers students from every grade the opportunity to engage meaningfully with the world beyond our school walls. Rooted in the belief that each Millie is unique, the Global Citizenship Program provides a thoughtfully designed and dynamic pathways program that meets students where they are—nurturing their individual strengths, passions, and potential. Through these transformative programs, students are empowered to see themselves as citizens capable of challenging and transforming the world.

Pathways Program

The Global Citizenship Pathways Program is intentionally designed to nurture the character and life skills every Millie needs to become an empathetic, dynamic, and future-ready leader.

Spanning the SMLS journey—from JS2 to SS12—the program provides consistent, age-appropriate opportunities that grow with each student. Through a purposeful blend of community engagement, personal growth, and the pursuit of meaningful impact, we curate transformative experiences across four key pillars:
  • Outdoor education
  • Global engagement
  • Experiential learning
  • Learning service
At every step of the journey, the Global Citizenship team and SMLS Faculty walks alongside each Millie—guiding, supporting, and inspiring them as they discover their passions and shape their unique path toward purposeful leadership.
          

Round Square

SMLS has proudly been a Round Square International School for over 10 years. Our school received its official certificate and flag in October 2014, marking an important milestone in SMLS' history. 
 
Our Round Square International membership connects students to a global network, providing distinctive opportunities such as international conferences, student exchanges, and active participation in a dynamic community of schools. These experiences serve to deepen and expand learning beyond the traditional classroom setting.
 
Round Square, based on the ideals espoused by Kurt Hahn and founded in the 1960’s, brings a focus to six pillars: internationalism, democracy, environmentalism, adventure, leadership, and service which create the acronym IDEALS. These pillars, in turn, support the development of: understanding, empathy, courage, stewardship and activism, curricular connections, and collaboration with a global community of like-minded educators, to celebrate and embrace diversity on a personal, national and global perspective. There is also a close tie to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Program, which also supports the ideals.


Duke of Edinburgh Award Program

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Program is an essential feature of the Global Citizenship pathway that encourages perseverance, self-reliance, and community service. SMLS students must complete the requirements for the Bronze level before graduation, and are encouraged to continue on to the Silver and Gold levels, which a record number of our girls are choosing to achieve. 
 
This innovative Award program motivates young people in a variety of personal development activities, including community service, physical recreation, skills development, and  adventurous journey, all designed to advance the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the whole person.


Millie 100 and Junior Duke Award

Stepping stones to the Duke of Edinburgh Award are the Millie 100 and the Junior Duke Award Programs. In the “Millie 100”, Millies in JS3, JS4, and JS5 begin their Global Citizenship journey. Millies are challenged on adventures which include overnight camping, high ropes courses, winter survival skills, and learning to paddle a variety of watercraft.  The goal of the Millie 100 is for each student to complete a minimum of 100 activities before the end of JS5.  These activities must include a combination of the four PASS components: Physical, Activity, Service, Skill.

Building on the foundation of the Millie 100, the Junior Duke Award offers Middle School students a unique opportunity to deepen their commitment to personal growth, leadership, and community engagement.

Exclusive to SMLS, this program recognizes extracurricular achievement and meaningful service, encouraging students to explore new interests, build on existing passions, and make a positive impact within and beyond the school community. Students complete specific challenges aligned with the PASS framework—Physical activity, Adventure, Service, and Skill development—across three progressive levels: MS6: Earth, MS7: Moon, and MS8: Star. As part of the program, all Middle School Millies participate in a four-day outdoor education experience with our partners ALIVE Outdoors, combining unplugged time in nature with intentional, character-building workshops.



Global Citizenship Contacts

List of 4 items.

  • Mrs. Anastasia Wowk

    Director of Global Citizenship
  

  • Ms. Kathryn Anderson

    Global Citizenship Duke of Edinburgh's Award Leader and Cooperative Education Teacher ext. 905.845.5830 ext. 890

  • Mr. Brian Dittmer

    Global Citizenship & Cooperative Education Teacher 905.845.5830 ext. 890

  • Mrs. Sarah McNelly

    Global Citizenship Administrative Assistant  905.845.5830 ext. 890

St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School

1080 Linbrook Road, Oakville, ON L6J2L1
T: 905-845-2386   |   F: 905-845-4799

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