Category: Newsletters and Publications
Upper School BVG Players Present Shakespeare’s Classic on Feb 19 & 20
Bayview Glen News, Events, Newsletters and Publications, The Glen, Upper School
Written by Amelie C.,
Grade 10 students, BVG Players Publicity Team
The BVG Upper School Players invite the Bayview Glen community into the enchanting, unpredictable world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where love is rarely simple, magic is always meddling, and nothing stays quite as it seems. This Shakespeare classic, in a new, modern verse translation by Jeff Whitty, weaves together the lives of four young lovers, a mischievous group of amateur performers, and a band of fairies.
This production highlights the play’s playful humour and emotional depth, balancing witty dialogue with moments of tenderness and chaos. The story explores how love can be irrational, powerful, and delightfully absurd.
Behind the scenes, students have been working since September to bring this world to life. Cast and crew have dedicated months to rehearsals – perfecting their characters, developing technical designs, and collaborating with the entire company to shape every detail. Their commitment and creativity shine through in a production that reflects both the timelessness of Shakespeare’s work and the energy of young performers bringing it to the stage.
Our production of Dream 2026 will be performed at 6 p.m. on February 19 and 20 in the J.T.M Guest Theatre, offering audiences an evening filled with imagination, laughter, and theatrical magic.
While tickets are complimentary, we encourage attendees to donate in support of Ontario’s Bill 7 Award, a registered charity that provides post-secondary education scholarships for 2SLGBTQIA+ students.
Please reserve spaces and note accessibility needs here.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Introducing the Reflection Room: A New Space for Quiet, Wellbeing, and Belonging at Bayview Glen
Bayview Glen News, Newsletters and Publications, The Glen
Written by Ryan Rodrigues,
Executive Director, Advancement and External Relations
Bayview Glen is pleased to announce the opening of the Reflection Room, a calm and welcoming space designed to support moments of reflection, prayer, meditation, or simply a quiet pause during the school day. Located on the 3rd floor of the Upper School, directly across from the bridge, this thoughtfully created environment will be open to all staff and faculty, as well as to Prep and Upper School students.
Available beginning February 9, the Reflection Room was shaped through meaningful conversations with our Grade 12 students and reflects our broader commitment to elevating student voice and supporting wellbeing. During consultations this Fall and ongoing dialogue with the graduating class, students emphasized the importance of having accessible spaces that support belonging. Their feedback, combined with our Strategic Plan commitment to Nurturing Belonging and Wellbeing, shaped the vision for this space.
This step represents progress within the broader wellbeing journey we have been building together. It is not the final destination, but rather an important and tangible expression of our commitment—and a foundation upon which future phases will continue to grow. As we continue working with our architects on purposebuilt belonging and wellbeing spaces across the school, the Reflection Room offers an immediate and meaningful resource for our community.
We look forward to seeing this space become a valued part of daily life at Bayview Glen, supporting moments of calm, connection, and care for all who use it.
We look forward to sharing more as this space opens and as our learning continues. If you would like to learn more or be part of this evolving work, please contact advancement@bayviewglen.ca.
What’s New at Bayview Glen Camp Summer 2026
Bayview Glen News, Newsletters and Publications, The Glen
Written by Kayley Core,
Interim Camp Director
It’s hard to believe that it’s already 2026 – and that summer camp is only five short months away! Here at the camp office, we are working hard behind the scenes to ensure that the upcoming summer is shaping up to be our biggest and best yet.
New Swim Programme
We are incredibly excited to introduce our New Swim Programme, made possible through access to Bayview Glen’s brand-new swimming pool this summer. Swimming will be a daily programme for all campers, across all age groups, allowing campers to build confidence, improve skills, and develop a lifelong love of the water.
What campers can expect this summer:
- Daily Instructional Swimming
Campers will participate in structured swim lessons each day, led by highly trained and certified swim instructors. Lessons will be tailored to each camper’s ability level—from beginner to advanced—to ensure meaningful progress and skill development. - Small Group, Level-Based Instruction
Campers will be grouped by swim ability to provide individualized instruction in a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment. - Fun Friday Recreational Swim
Fridays will feature recreational swimming focused on fun, games, and enjoyment—always under the close supervision of certified lifeguards and trained camp staff. - Swim Leadership & Certification Pathways
Older campers will have the opportunity to participate in leadership swim programming, including Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross, helping them build responsibility, leadership skills, and confidence in and around the water. - Specialty Stroke Improvement
For campers looking to take their swimming to the next level, we will offer stroke-improvement sessions, ideal for those preparing for swim teams or wanting to refine their technique.
Safety remains our top priority. All swim activities will be overseen by trained professionals, with clear safety protocols, appropriate camper-to-staff ratios, and consistent lifeguard supervision to ensure a positive experience for every child.
We can’t wait for a summer filled with splashing, skill-building, and unforgettable memories in the pool.
Beyond swimming, we are committed to providing well-rounded programming that supports a wide range of interests, abilities, and learning styles. Whether campers are drawn to STEM, the arts, or athletics, there is something for everyone at Bayview Glen Camp.
New & Expanded Programming for Summer 2026
- Cartooning
- Drama
- Ukulele
- Racquet Sports
Camp is about more than just having fun – it’s about growth. Through our programmes, campers will:
- Try new activities and step outside their comfort zones
- Build meaningful friendships
- Learn collaboration and teamwork skills
- Develop independence, confidence, and resilience
We are so excited to welcome families back – and to meet new ones – for Bayview Glen Camp Summer 2026. We look forward to another incredible season filled with learning, laughter, and lifelong memories.
Happy Camping!
Mapping Our World: Building Connections Through Inquiry in Preschool
Bayview Glen News, Newsletters and Publications, Preschool, The Glen
Written by Sarah Dillane and Terry Boyce,
BG3A Educators
As the saying goes, you have to walk before you run, and in preschool, this idea is fully embraced. Often, the power of everyday materials is taken for granted. BG3A began the year with the intention of learning the Language of Paper, a medium that impacts nearly every aspect of our lives. Paper was explored in many ways and eventually led the group in an unexpected direction, charting a new course on their map of learning.
A paper map of local bike lanes was added to the classroom materials, and soon opened a rich exploration of maps and map-making, sparking curiosity and inquiry. Interest evolved into representing places and spaces, prompting reflection on the locations that held special meaning to us and how each map told a story about how the world was seen and valued. Maps of Toronto, Durham Region, Ontario Treaties, Canada, and the world were eventually explored, inviting thoughtful reflection on the land and our place within it. Children shared stories of places they had visited or where family members live. Marks, drawings, and conversations transformed the maps into a living record of the classroom’s diverse experiences, showing that while homes and travels may differ, we are all connected and part of something bigger.
Children created their own maps, experimenting with lines, symbols, and colour to represent places and spaces important to them. These personal creations reflected the Reggio belief in the “hundred languages of children,” highlighting the many ways children can express ideas, thoughts, and understanding beyond words. Each child used their own style and choices to show what was meaningful to them, making their maps a unique form of expression.
Over time, these ideas came together in a three-dimensional topographic mural, with shared discussions guiding which landmarks to include, such as the CN Tower, Niagara Falls, Ripley’s Aquarium, and Bayview Glen, turning individual ideas into a map that tells the story of the whole community. Through trial and error, construction methods were explored and the project grew, with papier-mâché supporting the creation of structures and meaningful elements. Once the papier-mâché work was completed, it marked the start of an exciting journey into colour and light, as children studied reference photos and experimented with ways to bring their observations to life. The project offered opportunities for problem-solving, creative expression, and exploring spatial relationships, materials, and visual representation, inviting children to bring their ideas to life.
Throughout this ongoing inquiry, mapping connected children to one another, to their school, to their community and to the wider world. By honouring children’s ideas and allowing the project to evolve naturally, deep engagement, collaboration and a sense of identity and place were observed. In BG3, maps were not just about places, they became stories, connections and questions. This exploration shows how simple materials like paper can be transformed into complex ideas, turning curiosity into creation and reminding us that every idea can become a place worth exploring.
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
Growing Compassion in the Prep School
Bayview Glen News, Newsletters and Publications, Prep School, The Glen
The Impact of Philanthropy for Prepsters
Written by Emilie I., and Bianca M., Co-Heads of Community Outreach, Prep School Student Council
Making a Difference Has Made All the Difference
Written by Lizzie L., Timira M., Claire M., and Bianca P., Members of the Campaign of Compassion Delivery Team
The Impact of Philanthropy for Prepsters
Written by Emilie I., and Bianca M.,
Co-Heads of Community Outreach, Prep School Student Council
Why is philanthropy important? It can help provide a sense of reality for many people, especially children and people around our age. Giving and seeing the impact you make on people’s lives can completely change your world view. It is a meaningful, and necessary part of life. Doing so without a thank you is much better than receiving acknowledgement. If you don’t receive a thank you, it allows you to truly give without doing it for a reward.
Why is this important for young people? In learning the importance of service, the next generation will become a more inclusive, respectful, and compassionate group who truly have the opportunity to make a difference. Service during youth builds confidence and character and can lead to stronger communities in the future. It can also create many life skills that will help people significantly in the future, including teamwork, leadership, collaboration, and empathy.
In our recent experience at the Lumenus Community Centre and the North York Harvest Food Bank, we found the joy of giving without acknowledgment or thanks. We also learned truly just how lucky we are, and how meaningful true giving really is. Service is something that everyone should take part in. Giving back to your community can bring you one of the best kinds of feelings. It inspires you to make a difference in people’s lives and requires so little. Whether you are donating your time, your food, your money or anything else, it all makes a huge difference, in so many people’s lives.
Even if your donations seem small, the impact they make on people’s lives is greater than you can possibly imagine. As the school year continues, please keep donating and engaging in service, as every donation and act of kindness, no matter how small, can change a life.
Making a Difference Has Made All the Difference
Written by Lizzie L., Timira M., Claire M., and Bianca P.,
Members of the Campaign of Compassion Delivery Team
Hello everyone! We are the team that took part in the Better Beginnings donation drop off. On this trip, our mission was to help other people, give back to the community, and bring some warmth to their holiday season.
On December 15, we took a trip to the Lumenus Community Centre and the North York Harvest Food Bank to donate all your thoughtful items to the families each class was assigned. We got to see behind the scenes of how the donations are delivered. We will share our experiences with you and how we connected with the community.
We started the day by loading vans and buses with donation boxes from the Lower, Prep, and Upper Schools. Then, we took a bus to the Lumenus Community Centre to begin handing off the boxes to individuals and their families. We got to see the genuine and very heart-warming reactions of each person. Before we left, we got an in-depth tour of the community centre. We got to see their early-on program, the autism learning centres, and we learned about the residential program. We then took another bus to the North York Harvest Food Bank, where we met with staff who showed us how the sorting works. We learned some fascinating statistics helped by unloading all the Bayview Glen food donations, which was a lot! Great job everyone!
Here are some first-hand experiences that were reflected on after the trip:
“We met some of the families and staff there, and it was amazing to see the difference that community support makes in people’s lives.”
“Being there helped us understand that donating isn’t only about giving food. it’s about giving people comfort, stability, and hope.”
“When we visited North Harvest Food Bank, seeing the shelves filled with food donated by our school was such a proud moment. We learned how the donations are sorted and distributed, and just how many families rely on that food every day. It really opened our eyes to how important these drives are.”
We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this happen. Your generosity shows how powerful it is when our school comes together to care for others. Thank you for making a difference.
Spotlight on Performance: From Improv to Concert Stage
Bayview Glen News, Lower School, Newsletters and Publications, The Glen, Upper School
The Art of Improv at Upper School
Written by Liam E., Grade 9 Rep
Lower School Winter Concert Recap
Written by Ea-Ling Seun, Lower School Music Teacher
The Art of Improv at Upper School
Written by Liam E.,
Grade 9 Rep
Hi! I’m Liam, the founder of the Upper School’s Improv Club! My interest in improv started when I went downtown to watch a show at Second City. Fascinated by the complex back and forth and precise timing that the actors had mastered, I knew this mix of laughs and acting was the thing for me. Soon after, I signed up for a weeklong course at Second City. There, I learned the skills and techniques that lay underneath the craziness on the surface.
For improv to be successful, you need to be spontaneous and not afraid to go for it. Many can be reluctant to step in and really get involved, but in my experience, those who give more to improv get more out of it. There is a powerful joy that comes from going off script and sharing a laugh with your friends. This is why I started Improv Club, to let others enjoy this art as I do.
After talking to Mr. Clark, my mentor, during the Grade 9 trip to Camp Onondaga, I realized I could start an improv club. I started it early in the year, unsure whether anyone would sign up, and was delighted to see the eager faces that came into the room for our first meeting. During our meetings, we play improv games and experiment with different scenes. Improv Club now meets every week, and together we explore all that improv has to offer.
Lower School Winter Concert Recap
Created by Ea-Ling Seun,
Lower School Music Teacher
