Residence
Trafalgar Castle School has a residential boarding population of seventy enthusiastic girls, which is one third of the total school population. We feel this is an ideal mix that allows for a unique boarding identity while encouraging a healthy integration with the day school population. Our students will tell you that the friendships they make at the school both in the residential and day population are life-long and form a very strong network connection through their high school, university years and beyond. When asked why they are so fond of living at the school, many of the girls will focus on the tremendous academic advantage that boarding at the school presents. In addition to the daytime academic programme that is conveniently housed in the same building, the boarders have the added advantage of formal supervised study time each evening with extended access to the Resource Room and fully networked computer labs. The boarders cite lasting friendships with a culturally diverse group of students coupled with the outstanding academic advantages presented to them as their top reasons for loving life at the school.
It takes a special kind of girl to leave her family and country to follow her dream and we want to ensure that the experience is everything she hoped for and more. Our international students will tell you that they master English very quickly here because everyone interacts so well. After school and weekend activities take place locally and in Toronto to ensure that boarders enjoy a fulfilling and enriching stay at the Castle. Spain, Bermuda,
Mexico, Korea, Canada, wherever you are from, you will be embraced by both our boarders and day students with the genuine warmth that is Trafalgar Castle.
Our professionally staffed Health and Wellness Centre provides medical care and counseling whenever it is required.
Some commonly asked questions...
Who looks after the boarders in the residence?
The residence at Trafalgar Castle School has an outstanding Residential Boarding Staff. The "Resident Teachers" as they are affectionately known, live on the halls with the girls and also teach and coach in the regular school programme. Very often the boarders find that their "R.T." is also one of their teachers in the classroom during the school day. This offers tremendous opportunities for consistent communication between our students and teachers at any time of the day.
The Residential Boarding Staff is comprised of five fully qualified teachers who have a breadth of experience in both their teaching years and residential leadership experiences. They are very carefully chosen for their ability to relate closely to adolescent females, while at the same time to present themselves as relevant role models to the students. Each of the four residence halls has their own Resident Teacher who is responsible for supporting their emotional and social well- being while they are away from their homes. The Resident Teachers are in weekly contact with the families and/or guardians and are there to ensure the safety and security of all the girls. Experience has shown us that the boarding population and the Resident Teachers establish very precious bonds that have a lasting effect well beyond the high school years. Overseeing the Resident Teachers is a Senior Resident Teacher who lives in the Castle and reports directly to the Vice-Principal/School Life.
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What facilities are available at the school for the boarding students' use?
Trafalgar Castle School offers a wealth of facilities divided in a unique way between an 1859 Castle, newer school additions and classrooms, as well as a state- of- the- art Athletic Complex. Within the Castle walls there is our Resource Centre, fully equipped Science Labs and refurbished Concert Hall. The Castle also houses a Chapel, Swimming Pool and Art Studio with dark room. Within steps of the Castle is the new Athletic Complex with oversized double gymnasium, softball and soccer fields and three outdoor tennis courts – all available for the residential students' use.
The majority of our students share a double room. All of our residence rooms are completely networked with full Internet access and have recently been refurbished with new desk units specifically designed for computer use.
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What sports and arts activities can a boarder pursue?
It goes without saying that everything Trafalgar Castle School offers in the extra-curricular programme is available to boarders. We offer a variety of clubs and sports teams too numerous to mention, as well as an extensive Drama and Music programme. The girls are encouraged to get involved with activities of interest or to try something new. The convenience of living right on the school campus affords the boarders the added luxury of convenience and easy access to all programmes.
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Is there a specific weekend programme for boarders?
Because of the school's intricate involvement with other Independent Schools through the Conference of Independent Schools (C.I.S.), many of our boarders find themselves hosting or travelling on weekends to other schools for a variety of activities such as team sports, debating competitions or social activities initiated by Student Councils and/or Prefect Leaders. Every weekend the boarders have the option of participating in featured outdoor, athletic, social or cultural activities. Because of our close proximity to Toronto many unique opportunities present themselves to the boarders and their Residential Staff. Over the past few years, the following have been very popular events:
- Organized trips to Canada's Wonderland, Harbourfront and the Toronto Zoo.
- Cultural outings such as Toronto Symphony excursions and Theatre events.
- Professional sporting events to include viewing the Toronto Raptors Basketball team, Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey team and International Soccer matches.
- Day trips to local ski hills and skating rinks.
- Closer-to-home excursions to local attractions, movie theatres and shopping.
- In-school events such as pool parties, sports competitions, theme parties and movie nights
The weekend programme is constantly evolving and reflects the interests of the girls in residence.
The girls are encouraged to participate and help organize the activities of their choice. If necessary, when the school is closed on holiday weekends, we can assist our students with home-stay arrangements.
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What is the optional "Long-Weekend Programme"?
For many parents of international students who do not have Canadian guardians, holiday weekends present a challenge when the school closes and their daughters must make alternative arrangements. At Trafalgar Castle School, we have eliminated that challenge by introducing an optional programme which covers the five long-weekend closures throughout the academic year. Your daughter can be supervised by caring adults while enjoying the sights and activities in some of Canada's finest cities: Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Niagara Falls. The trips also add to the students' overall experience by offering further exposure to Canadian culture. There is a nominal charge for this programme which covers all travel, activities, meals and accommodations. The weekends are proving to be very successful, as evidenced by our students' comments:
- "So much fun."
- "Loved the different activities."
- "Really nice people."
- "Care about what we do."
Our parents are secure in the knowledge that their daughters are being looked after:
- "Excellent programme - really takes the stress out of the long weekends."
- "I feel so much better knowing my daughter is safely being looked after."
- "An excellent programme, not only for the students but also for the parents!"
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Does the boarding population at Trafalgar Castle have the opportunity to give their feedback concerning the residential life at the school?
Trafalgar Castle School values the input of all boarding students to ensure that the residential life at the school is the best it can be. Our Senior Resident Teacher works closely with Residence Council that has student representation from all grades and from each of the four residential halls. The Residence Council is an effective means through which all students are able to express their concerns, whether it be related to meal planning, planned activities or the necessary rules of the residence. In addition to the Residence Council, a student survey addressing residential life is given to the boarders annually. The survey results are then tabulated and prevalent issues are addressed by the Residence Council, Resident Teachers and the Vice-Principal/School Life. Our boarders are encouraged to keep an open communication between themselves and their Resident Teacher.
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How does Trafalgar Castle School ensure the Boarders' health, safety and wellness?
The safety of all boarders is the top priority in our residential environment. To this end a very organized and prescriptive set of rules for the residence is in place. Each parent is provided with a "Residence Manual" in the summer, which clearly outlines the Residence rules and student expectations. Curfews are set by grade and age and each Resident Teacher reviews the rules of the Residence with the girls at the beginning of the school year. All students are expected to understand and follow the Residential rules to ensure a safe and secure environment. Trafalgar Castle School has a keypad lock system that is activated around the clock. There is always residential staff on duty in the residence. During the school day the boarders have access to the school's Health Centre and the Whitby Hospital is a five-minute drive from the campus. The physical plant is maintained by a Maintenance Supervisor and staff who are available at all times through an on-call system. A Food Services/Housekeeping Manager, who has a wealth of experience in meal planning, dietary concerns and vegetarian alternatives, supervises housekeeping and all meal planning.
As we have a very multi-cultural boarding population, a concerted effort is made to address any cultural differences that may initially challenge adjustment. Trafalgar Castle School has instituted a student "Mentoring System" that pairs up new students with experienced boarders from the same culture. Very often this pairing ensures a comfort level for the new boarders, at the same time creating leadership responsibilities for the experienced boarders.
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What kind of girl boards at Trafalgar Castle School?
The seventy boarders at Trafalgar Castle School hail from many different countries – Ghana, China, Mexico, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Luxembourg, Korea, Taiwan, Turkey and Venezuela. There are also many Canadian boarders who reside in other parts of Ontario and Quebec. This vast diversity in the boarding population creates a very special opportunity for all students to learn other cultures and beliefs. All boarders, regardless of their background, share many qualities: an enthusiasm and dedication for acquiring an excellent education, an openness and curiosity to experience new situations, a desire to develop her own independence and an aptitude for hard work and great fun.
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