School Life

Global Citizenship

Learning Happens Everywhere!

Our world-renowned Global Citizenship program enriches the standard curriculum with lessons outside the classroom. It integrates academic studies with relevant career and life experiences in the real world, allowing students to graduate with enriched personal understanding, more curriculum credits and impressive academic achievements.

Girls develop leadership skills and gain confidence while experiencing international cultures. And it’s a wonderful way for girls to bond and become good friends, making local and global connections.


The Round Square Program

 
SMLS has proudly been an RSI School for nearly 10 years. Our school received its official certificate and flag in October 2014, marking an important milestone in SMLS's history. 

Our RSI membership enhances learning opportunities for our students. Our involvement with Round Square continues to provide service learning for our students around the globe, conference opportunities, and engagement in a vibrant community of schools.

Round Square, based on the ideals espoused by Kurt Hahn and founded in the 1960’s, brings a focus to five 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's Award Program

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Program is an essential feature of Global Citizenship 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.

All Middle School students work toward the Junior Duke Award, focusing on many of the skills of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award program. Girls in JS3, 4 and 5 begin their Global Citizenship journey through participation in the "Millie 100" Program. As early as JS4, students experience their first overnight trip with the school. In JS4 and beyond, girls are challenged on near and far adventures which include overnight camping, high ropes courses, winter survival skills, and learning to paddle a variety of water craft.     

All Middle School students take part in a 4 day outdoor integrated educational experience with A.L.I.V.E. Outdoors. This organization blends the benefits of working outdoors in a natural "unplugged" environment with intentionally planned, character-building workshops.

Professional Internship

Girls in Grade 11 participate in a four-week compulsory work experience program in May, either locally or internationally. They can earn co-op credit while gaining workplace experience, and at the same time learn to apply, practice and refine the skills and knowledge they acquired to access helpful resources for post-secondary preparation and career exploration.

Student Exchange Opportunities

Our students have the opportunity to travel abroad on exchanges with our sister schools in Australia, our partner schools in England, Scotland, China, Sweden, France, Chile, and Japan, along with any of the 150+ Round Square member schools across the globe. Hosting students from many of these countries also contributes to the richness of the global experience.

Contacts

Mrs. Kristin Read Director of Global Citizenship
  905.845.5830 ext. 828

Ms Courtney Pickering Global Citizenship Duke of Edinburgh's Award Leader and Cooperative Education Teacher ext. 886

Mr Brian Dittmer Global Citizenship & Cooperative Education Teacher ext. 890

Mrs. Sarah McNelly Global Citizenship Admin Assistant

St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School


1080 Linbrook Road, Oakville, ON L6J 2L1

T: 905-845-2386 | F: 905-845-4799
www.smls.on.ca

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Discover how your daughter will benefit from SMLS's superior academic program, our attention to each girl's social, emotional and physical wellbeing, and student leadership development - all designed for girls.