Joy in the Senior School

Welcome to the GNS Senior School, Where We Put the ‘JOY’ in EnJOYment!

We are not like other high schools. We are a place where you are known and seen. At GNS, I have always said that the Senior School library is like the ‘kitchen table’ of the school. It is a place to do homework, connect with peers, read, colour, play a game or simply just ‘be’ and belong. 

Last year, our theme in the Senior School was joy. This year we wanted to continue with joy and we also added gratitude. We know that it is all about perspective and attitude. Student happiness and wellness is one of our top priorities and, in addition to supporting our students in their academic goals, we want them to experience a fulfilling and happy high school life. Research has shown that “consciously practicing gratitude can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety” (Chowdhury, 2019). By fostering a culture of positivity, connection and appreciation, we help students build meaningful experiences that stay with them long after they graduate. Ms. Green purchased a bubble machine for the Senior School, and we have brought it out on a few occasions because bubbles bring joy.

Let’s face it, high school is a place where kids learn to be grown-ups, a place where students take a deep dive into their academics, and a place where they get ready to launch into post-secondary and eventually adulthood. One of our priorities in the Senior School is finding that sweet spot, the balance where hard work and play come together. We wanted to share a few highlights and examples of the fun we are having in Senior School. We strive to be a light-hearted place with a serious purpose. We love the IB and all of our rigorous academic program, but we also love our fun!

In the Fall Term, the Gryphon Government and Athletic Leadership Council co-led the annual Terry Fox Run for the entire Pemberton Woods Campus. Students and staff in Grades 6-12 were divided up into their houses and ran a relay-style Terry Fox run.

Folks donned their house colours to compete for a worthy cause. The bubble machine and the music were in full swing to motivate the Gryphons to run as many laps as they could in a friendly house competition where we ran together and raised money for the Terry Fox Foundation. 

We also organized an activity morning and as one of the activities, we took a group of Senior School students ice skating! We celebrated Halloween in the Senior School with student-led events with staff and students dressed up for costume contests, trick-or-treating at the principal’s window, and the annual grad pumpkin carving contest. The Grade 9 and 10 theatre students created a haunted experience in Denford Hall. 

Fall wouldn’t be complete without pumpkins. Our very own local farmer, Jim Irvine, brought in a pumpkin for a homeform competition where everyone guessed how much the pumpkin actually weighed. The Giommi/Colibaba homeform were the lucky winners, not only winning a prize, but the pumpkin too!

Spirit week this year was a hit and culminated with a Western-themed dance in the Dining Hall that was DJ’d by one of our Grade 11 students. The week also featured twin days and sibling games in assembly! There were some fierce battles in the sibling games, but the Webbs came out victorious! Fun fact: did you know we have 6 sets of twins in the grad class this year?

In December we held the Grade 12 an amazing race where the grads raced across the city in teams using only public transit to complete challenges. Pictured below is the winning team!

We went to the Beach Drive Campus and Jingle-Bell Jogged with the JK to Grade 5 students— an event that filled all of our buckets! Senior School students LOVE working with the younger students. 

Just before the Winter Break, we had a holiday brunch, gift exchanges and games with our homeforms, and enjoyed a surprise Eras-inspired tour put together by the amazing talented prefect team. 

One of the most joyful aspects of high school is celebrating achievements—big and small. From science fair to outdoor ed, our Gryphons learn to recognize and appreciate their own successes and those of their peers. Events like assemblies, Instagram posts, sports and the arts showcases highlight students’ hard work and dedication, instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Traditions are the heartbeat of any school, and GNS is no exception. Annual events like Spirit Week, the trike race, and the Grad Farewell Assembly bring our school community together in shared celebration. These moments of collective joy foster school spirit and create a sense of belonging, helping Gryphons feel connected to something greater than themselves.

Sometimes, joy is found in the simplest moments—laughing with friends during lunch, getting candy in class, finally understanding a tough concept and getting a good grade, or cheering on a teammate during a game. When I asked students what brought them joy at school, some told me “Assemblies, minute-to-win-it games, and the prize box!” In the Senior School, we emphasize the importance of being present and appreciating these everyday experiences. By encouraging gratitude, we help students savour the little things that make Senior School special.

By weaving joy and gratitude into the fabric of our school culture, we create an environment where Senior School students can thrive. These values help our students build meaningful relationships, celebrate their achievements, and find purpose in serving others. As they carry these lessons forward, they leave our halls not only as successful students but as compassionate, joyful individuals ready to make a positive impact on the world.

We can’t wait to experience more JOY during the next two terms. Thank you to all the students who shared with me about what brings them joy in the Senior School!