Back-to-School Message from Head of School, Mrs. Catherine Hant

At the end of the school year in June, I had the privilege of attending the International Coalition of Girls Schools (ICGS) conference in Baltimore along with two of my colleagues. With over 600 girls’ school educators, advocates and allies from 12 countries and 175 different schools and organizations, this was an inspiring experience and one that fuelled our personal and professional commitment to SMLS. 

As a community of educators we have continued to explore and deepen our understanding of what it means to be a school for girls, in all that we do. Over the summer our faculty and staff engaged in learning opportunities that focused on our strategy of being a school for girls. These articles, podcasts, academic reports and research papers were provocations that challenged our misconceptions and strengthened our understanding of girls’ development, what they value in schools and being aware of the challenges that they encounter as young women who are finding their place in the world. 

As a school, we are curating experiences in our classrooms, on the playing field, at the podium and in community, that will engage and challenge our students to be the best that they can be. At SMLS, we have an unwavering commitment to build upon our already rich history of educating girls and young women, creating spaces where they find their voice, are motivated to try new challenges, where being smart and excelling is valued and encouraged and where they are contributing to a community beyond themselves. 

We look forward to a positive and exciting year ahead and the opportunity to partner with our families as we create the conditions for our students to strive to be their best selves as learners and human beings.