Category: Bayview Glen News
Learning to Serve, Serving to Learn: Rethinking Service in Global Education
Bayview Glen News, Lower School, Newsletters and Publications, The Glen, Upper School
Written by Dr. Angela Mantie,
Director of Global Education and Strategic Partnerships
Learning Service at Bayview Glen
Guided by compassion, curiosity, and courage, Global Education at Bayview Glen prepares students to engage the world with empathy, purpose, and meaningful action. Learning is rooted in real-world experiences that emphasize pluralism, global citizenship, and long-term sustainability—encouraging students to make choices that matter not just today, but for future generations.
Service learning has long been a cornerstone of Bayview Glen. Over time, we’ve reflected more deeply on its meaning and impact. That reflection has led to a shift toward what we now call learning service.
Learning service prioritizes relationships, reciprocity, and community-defined priorities. Unlike traditional service models that often center student outcomes, this approach asks deeper questions: Who defines the need? Who benefits? What are the unintended consequences?
This shift flips the lens. Students engage with communities as co-educators, working with them rather than for them. Community voice is central, and learning is mutual. The focus is on shared responsibility, long-term collaboration, and sustainable impact.
Critical self-reflection is essential. Students examine assumptions, explore cultural dynamics, and consider their positionality within systems of privilege and power. Through this process, service becomes a practice rooted in humility, accountability, and insight.
In practice, global education partnerships are codesigned with local and global communities. Students listen ethically and act with intention. Impact is measured not only by student growth, but by community benefit, relationship longevity, and progress toward a world where service is no longer needed.
By embracing learning service, Bayview Glen prepares students not just to act—but to act thoughtfully, recognizing the deep interdependence of people and places across our shared global landscape.
Upper School Joins Round Square Virtual Postcards
A small cohort of Bayview Glen Upper School students joined 158 Round Square students from around the world for the virtual Postcard “AI: Friend or Foe?”, hosted by Inventure Academy in India.
Through guided discussion, students explored AI’s role in friendship and mental health, weighed its pros and cons, and considered how to create healthy balance. In breakout rooms, a shared message emerged: AI should never replace human-to-human connection and guidance.
During our post-session debrief, students shared that they hadn’t realized everyone on the call would have access to AI tools—an insight that broadened their worldview and reinforced that, regardless of geography, young people their age are navigating many of the same challenges.
Lower School Joins Round Square “Show and Tell”
Our Lower School Grade 5 Robotics team, alongside some other grade 5 cohorts, also participated in a Round Square virtual “Show and Tell,” sharing their work as part of “Genius Inventions from Our Regions.”
Small Lessons, Big Skills: Financial Literacy Week in the Lower School
Bayview Glen News, Lower School, Newsletters and Publications, The Glen
Written by Erika Gillespie,
Director of Teaching and Learning, Lower School and Preschool
The Lower School celebrated our annual Financial Literacy Week with a series of learning experiences designed to build students’ understanding of money, decision-making, and responsible financial habits. The week began on January 16 with our Financial Literacy Week Assembly, where we welcomed guest speaker Justin Chung, host of the MoneyDad Podcast, who shared insights about the skill of giving and the four jobs of money (save, invest, spend, and give).
Classroom activities at each grade level took place throughout the week of January 19 to 23, with students exploring a variety of financial concepts.
In Junior Kindergarten, students explored big ideas such as how money is used to get things, the importance of making choices when spending, and keeping money safe. Through read-alouds, dramatic play in the classroom store, coin-counting activities, needs-versus-wants discussions, and the creation of personal wallets, students developed early financial awareness in meaningful and developmentally appropriate ways.
Senior Kindergarten students deepened their understanding of the value of coins and bills and practised using money in everyday situations through play. They also collaborated with Grade 5 students to support the promotion of a school charity initiative, connecting their financial learning to real-world community impact. A creative piggy bank design project further reinforced the concept of saving.
In Grade 1, students participated in All About Money, a virtual presentation from the Bank of Canada Museum. This interactive session explored what money was, why it was used, how it had changed over time, and the value and symbols of Canadian coins and bank notes.
Grade 2 students worked alongside the wonderful Deborah McMillan and her Knowledge Makes Cents company to complete the Making Cent™ – LITE program. Students discussed earned income, deposits, withdraws, and interest through play-based scenarios.
Our Grade 3 students also engaged in a workshop with Knowledge Makes Cents and discussed the concept of ‘Pay My-Future Self First’. Students explored good saving habits, how to budget, and the importance of giving back.
Grade 4 students took part in The Awesome Stuff Classroom Experience, an engaging, discussion-based activity that encouraged critical thinking about needs versus wants, saving for goals, charitable giving, and making thoughtful choices about money.
Finally, Grade 5 students engaged in a “Giving Back” unit, applying the skills they have gathered through their yearlong Classroom Economy signature programme as they planned a student-led hot chocolate stand fundraiser in support of North York Harvest Food Bank. After meeting with a representative from the organization, students applied budgeting, cost analysis, and marketing skills for their fundraiser. The culminating fundraiser will take place on Thursday, February 12, during our Valentine’s Day Civvies Day, with all proceeds being donated to the organization.
Financial Literacy Week is always a special week of learning in the Lower School that provides meaningful opportunities for students to be curious and develop essential life skills while connecting learning to real-world contexts and community involvement.
We, as Bayview Glen students, enjoy learning about Financial Literacy skills. Starting in Grade 4, we received our own Bank of Bayview Glen bank accounts and are challenged to spend and save our money wisely. We have learned that saving money for ourselves is important, but giving to others in need is also an important money skill to develop in life as well. To recognize giving, us Grade 5 students created a Hot Chocolate Stand business to raise money for our partners at North York Harvest Food Bank. The Hot Chocolate Stand will be operating on Thursday, February 12. We really value and enjoy the learning we do around financial literacy at Bayview Glen and know it will help our future selves.
Ellise and Sianna, Grade 5 Students
Planning Ahead: Supporting Upper School Course Selection
Bayview Glen News, Newsletters and Publications, The Glen, Upper School
Written by Leen-Jan van ‘t Hof,
Director of Teaching and Learning, Upper School
While it feels as though the next school year is still far in the distance, students in the Upper School are already thinking ahead about the choices they are planning to make for their next academic year. We started 2026 with Course Selection Evenings that support our students and their families in making these important choices.
We believe that providing clear and practical information is crucial for making informed decisions, so during these evenings, Faculty provided information and answered questions. Students were available to share their experiences in the wide variety of courses that Bayview Glen offers in the Upper School.
At Bayview Glen, we offer the Ontario curriculum, and students in Grades 11 and 12 have the option of choosing one or more AP courses that prepare them to take the Collegeboard AP exams. We are proud that our AP student results at Bayview Glen exceed the Ontario and global averages across all core subjects.
Building a strong partnership ensures our students are set up for success in pursuing their post-secondary pathways. That is why students in the Upper School are assigned a University Guidance Counsellor at the start of Grade 9 who will stay with them all the way through the Upper School. Our University Guidance Counsellors have access to all current information needed to maximize success for university acceptance. They guide students in making choices in the Upper School that will advance acceptance into the post-secondary programmes of their choice.
Please reach out to Mr. David Zutautas, Director of University Counselling (dzutautas@bayviewglen.ca), or Mr. Leen-Jan van ‘t Hof, Director of Teaching and Learning, Upper School (ljvanthof@bayviewglen.ca) if you have questions about post-secondary planning or our curriculum in the Upper School.
Athletic Updates: CISAA & OFSAA Fall Championships
Athletics, Bayview Glen News, Newsletters and Publications, The Glen, Upper School
Written by Kevin Neville,
Director of Athletics, Upper School
What an amazing fall term for our Gryphon athletes!
Congratulations to all the teams and individuals who won medals, and thank you to the coaches for making these experiences possible.
CISAA Sr Boys DII Soccer
GOLD
CISAA Jr Boys DII Soccer
GOLD
CISAA Jr Boys DII Volleyball
GOLD
CISAA Sr Girls XC 5K – Brianna L.
GOLD
CISAA Novice Boys XC 3K – Kyle L.
SILVER
OFSAA Sr Tennis Open Mixed Doubles – Isabella W. & Luke B.
SILVER
Join Us for the Parent Association Parent Cocktail Social
Bayview Glen News, Events, Home page, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Sibel Restaurant (1997 Avenue Rd, Toronto)
Calling all parents! Join the Bayview Glen Parent Association for a special evening of connection and fun at our school’s exclusive cocktail-style reception at Sibel restaurant.
Enjoy a selection of delicious food and wine as you mingle with fellow parents. This is a fantastic opportunity to relax, meet new friends, and strengthen our school community.
Please complete the online registration form on the PA Events webpage to get your tickets today before they sell out! Limited spots available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ticket Price: $95 per person
What’s Included:
- A selection of delicious food stations
- A lively atmosphere to mingle and meet new people
- Red, white, and sparkling wine and soft drinks included in ticket price
- A fantastic opportunity to network, mingle, and enjoy quality conversation with fellow parents
If you have any questions, please contact pasocial@bayviewglen.ca. We can’t wait to see you there!
Parent Association Annual General Meeting and Breakfast 2026
Bayview Glen News, Events, Home page, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School
The Parent Association (PA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on January 21, 2026 in the Daunt Dining Hall at our Moatfield Campus. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who braved the cold to attend this event. It was wonderful to see many of you there, and hear great updates from all divisions, highlighting the exciting initiatives being put in place at our school this year.
The PA Executive team proudly introduced their new members: Khati Nathoo, our new Vice President; Maria Tsopelas, our new Parent Volunteer Co-Director; and Ruby Cha, our new Civvies Day Co-ordinator. We are thrilled to have them on board and look forward to their contributions.
We also shared details about the upcoming PA events you can look forward to, such as our Parent Cocktail Social in February and the Family Bowling Day in April. These gatherings promise to be fun and engaging opportunities to connect with other parents and strengthen our community.
Our PA Treasurer presented the annual financials, along with an overview of the Parent Association’s $1 million pledge and previous contributions to the school. It was inspiring to see how our collective efforts have made a significant impact at the school.
Mr. Rodrigues from the Advancement and External Relations team provided an insightful overview of the Advancement and Community Engagement initiatives. He also shared the results of the Better Beginnings campaign, which has been instrumental in supporting our school’s growth and development.
We look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming PA events and continuing to work together to make this year a memorable one for our school community.
If you couldn’t join us or would like to recap the presentations, the event recording is available for viewing via our post on Edsby news river.
To keep up-to-date with PA events, please visit the PA Events webpage, and check your email and Edsby news river for more details on each event.
Parent Association Merry Market 2025
Bayview Glen News, Events, Home page, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School
The Bayview Glen community came together on November 21, 2025, for a joyful afternoon at the annual Parent Association Merry Market! From 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Moatfield Campus was alive with holiday spirit, laughter, and creativity.
Families and friends enjoyed a fantastic shopping experience with local vendors, Bayview Glen community members, and our talented student entrepreneurs. Highlights included the class basket auction, a bake sale, cozy hot chocolate, festive live music, and the return of holiday photos with Santa, spreading smiles all afternoon.
A heartfelt thank you to the Parent Association team, the Merry Market committees, and the many parent and student volunteers whose hard work and dedication made the day possible. Your support helped create a truly magical start to the holiday season!
Thank you all for joining us this year. We look forward to seeing everyone again at upcoming events.
A Season of Growth and Gratitude
Bayview Glen News, Newsletters and Publications, The Glen
Written by James Lee,
Head of School
It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming new and returning students and staff to Bayview Glen, and already the halls and fields are filled with the rhythm of another busy and exciting school year.
From spirited sports games and cross-country meets to play rehearsals, picture days, grade breakfasts, celebrations, and important days of recognition and reflection, there’s an unmistakable energy in the air. I want to thank all of you — our students, staff, faculty, and families — for the time, enthusiasm, and heart you bring to Bayview Glen every day. You are the fabric of this community, and I couldn’t be prouder of the way you lift one another up and make this such a special place to learn and grow.
Our enrolment is strong this year at 1,150 students, and with that growth comes exciting progress. Over the summer and into the fall, tremendous strides have been made on our New Build. The defining features of the gymnasium and indoor aquatics centre are now taking shape, with exterior work continuing through December. As we move into 2026, we’ll see the finishing touches — painting, flooring, and pool tiling — bringing this extraordinary project to life.
This project is about more than a new building. It represents expanded opportunities for our students in athletics, wellness, health, and community connection. It’s a tangible expression of our mission: Whole Child. Purposeful Life. Better World. and reflects our ongoing commitment to creating spaces where every student can thrive physically, emotionally, and intellectually.
Equally important to our growth as a school is our continued focus on wellbeing. In October, our staff and faculty participated in professional development centred on mental health first aid, aligning with our third strategic pillar: Nurturing Belonging and Wellbeing. This shared learning reminds us that our strength as a community lies not only in what we achieve but also in how we care for one another.
As we approach the mid-term break, I hope that everyone finds a chance to rest, recharge, and spend time with family and friends. Thank you once again for your partnership, your passion, and your belief in what we are building together.
Wishing you all a restorative and joy-filled break.
Respectfully,
James Lee
Head of School
A Space for Belonging and Wellbeing: Shaping our Inclusive Community
Bayview Glen News, Lower School, Newsletters and Publications, Prep School, The Glen, Upper School
Written by Ryan Rodrigues,
Executive Director, Advancement and External Relations
Bayview Glen recently hosted a consultative session to explore the creation of a dedicated space for belonging and wellbeing. This initiative reflects our commitment to nurturing inclusive environments where students feel seen, heard, and supported.
The session invited families, students, alumni, and staff to share ideas for a space that encourages quiet reflection, spiritual pluralism, and shared wellbeing. Together, we imagined a place where empathy, curiosity, and respectful dialogue are part of everyday life.
This work is part of a broader effort to strengthen our culture of belonging. If you’d like to support this initiative or offer further feedback, we welcome your voice – and your generosity.
To learn more or contribute, please contact the Advancement & External Relations team at advancement@bayviewglen.ca.
Student Leadership in Upper School: Building Confidence and Community
Bayview Glen News, Newsletters and Publications, The Glen, Upper School
Courage in Action – The Outdoor Leadership Journey at Bayview Glen
By Charlotte M., Grade 12 Co-Head of Student Executive Council
Leading with Heart – Student Leadership at the Upper School
By Greg Winson, Faculty Advisor to the Student Executive Council
Courage in Action – The Outdoor Leadership Journey at Bayview Glen
Written by Charlotte M.,
Grade 12 Co-Head of Student Executive Council
I have been fortunate to be a part of the Bayview Glen community, where I have had a number of valuable experiences and opportunities to grow and develop. Some of the most memorable experiences have been our Upper School outdoor education trips.
Reflecting on my time at camp, I was challenged beyond my comfort zone. Whether it was canoeing, rock climbing, or building fires in the middle of winter, it instilled a sense of confidence not just in me, but in everyone around me.
Each outdoor success, even the small ones, proved that we could handle more than we thought possible. Every activity strengthened our teamwork and collaboration while also developing the leader in each of us, as we all found opportunities to lead in our own way.
Those moments of challenge and teamwork encouraged me to take on new responsibilities back at school, ultimately giving me the confidence to run for the position of House Head in Grade 11 and then Co-Head of Council in Grade 12.
Most importantly, these experiences deepened my sense of belonging within the Bayview Glen community. Working together toward common goals and supporting one another through challenges, reminds me that true belonging comes from shared effort, trust, and knowing that every voice matters.
Coming back to school after outdoor education, we felt like we were part of something bigger than ourselves; our grade had grown closer together through special moments that went far beyond the regular classroom.
Those lessons continue to shape my views, valuing collaboration over competition, empathy over judgement, and striving to help others feel that same sense of community and belonging that the outdoor education trips have given me.
Leading with Heart – Student Leadership at the Upper School
Written by Greg Winson,
Faculty Advisor to the Student Executive Council
The Student Executive Council (SEC) is the driving force behind school spirit and community at our school. Made up of passionate student leaders, the SEC works to bring fresh ideas to life — whether it’s planning exciting events, promoting collaboration, or creating opportunities for everyone to get involved. Through our weekly meetings, student representatives brainstorm, organize, and lead initiatives that make our school a more vibrant and connected place.
With the guidance and support of our dedicated faculty advisors, the SEC has successfully hosted a wide range of activities including movie nights, school dances, spirit weeks, house leagues, and coffee houses. Each event is designed to celebrate our school community, encourage participation, and give students a chance to make lasting memories.
As we continue to grow, the SEC remains committed to listening to student voices and building on our tradition of fun, inclusive, and creative events — making every year better than the last.
