The Middle School Programme at HNMCS

Life at Holy Name, especially in our Middle School, is driven by our school Core Values of respect, compassion, justice and transformation. While our academic programme helps students achieve a strong foundation in the basics of reading, writing, math and science, we know the importance of inquiry and experimentation in learning. We provide an environment where students can grow and begin to take age and stage appropriate ownership of their learning through our many co-curricular, interdisciplinary, project- based learning and design- thinking activities.

In our Middle School programme, which encompasses grades 5 through 8, our students benefit from small classes where their individual learning needs are met by dynamic and caring teachers who create a friendly and cooperative classroom environment. Students are challenged to develop themselves as young Catholic women, to become critical, reflective thinkers, to strive for academic excellence, to develop personal leadership skills and responsible citizenship.

Travel is one place we know students gain experiences that cannot be replicated in a classroom. We have carefully considered the needs of our students, and each grade in the Middle School has an overnight outdoor education trip, with stay ranging from 2-3 nights. Whether in spring, fall or winter, students experience outdoor activities, challenges and fun together in groups.

The Grade 7 and 8 students also have the opportunity to travel to Boston and Washington D.C. While they will experience visits to museums, historical re-enactments and cultural events, the overarching experience is one of a bit of independence, money management, responsibility of oneself and one’s behaviour all in a safe and monitored environment.

We know that our students have the capability to be great leaders. But being a great leader is not only about having an idea and making it happen, like organizing an event, it is about what we call service leadership. We know that true leaders understand that they are serving others in their community. Leadership skills and the skills of serving others are taught and developed through our Junior Leadership Programme. The Ivory and Pearl Awards help students work on developing their own skills and provides a vehicle and guidance to allow them to work in the school to develop skills serving others. Similarly, the Junior Ambassador Programme trains interested students to promote our school at various events and provides opportunities for public speaking, in service of their school.

Our girls are also provided with opportunities to work in collaborative teams. While we have many competitive athletic teams, we also have teams that compete in non-athletic fields to meet other interests such as robotics, drama, Model UN and Destination Imagination (combining elements of visual and performance arts, along with design thinking).

At HNMCS, our focus is developing the whole girl, and our goal is to nurture healthy, well-adjusted, young women who are prepared to make a difference in the world.