A World of Opportunities: New Students Maia and Hayden Artwork

PrincipalED: Conversations with Grace McCallum

Interested in girls’ and women’s success? And in hearing from people who are invested in advancing girls’ education today and helping to shape its future? Then the PrincipalED podcast is for you! We’ll take you inside the halls of a girls’ school, where you’ll hear candid conversations with educators and students, friends of the school and experts in their fields. We’ll also highlight the incredible stories of people in our Branksome Hall community, sharing what's on their minds—and why it matters.

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PrincipalED: Conversations with Grace McCallum

A World of Opportunities: New Students Maia and Hayden

April 24, 2026 • Grace McCallum/Branksome Hall • Season 2 • Episode 7

0:00 | 30:22

What does it feel like to walk through the gates of Branksome Hall for the first time? For Hayden (Grade 6) and Maia (Grade 4), the transition from "the tour" to the classroom has been a whirlwind of new friendships, trying out co-curricular opportunities and learning how to put themselves out there.

In this episode of PrincipalED, Grace sits down with two of our newest Junior School students to discuss their first year on campus. From Hayden’s deep family roots at the school to Maia finding her best friends in Aftercare, they share the moments that turned nerves into excitement.

We dive into:

The "feel" of Branksome: Why the welcoming atmosphere and world-class facilities—like the iHub and the art room’s kiln—make all the difference.
The IB unpacked: Giving a student’s perspective on the International Baccalaureate, Hayden and Maia debunk misconceptions and explain why a "mix of disciplines" is simply how the real world works.
Future ready: The girls share their excitement about the upcoming iCAST building, envisioning new heights for theatre performances and trying out the woodworking shop.
Noodle Jr. and beyond: From track, volleyball and soccer to "Noodle" business goals (including a plan to take over the cosmetics industry!), Hayden and Maia agree that Branksome is truly a world of opportunities.

Their top advice for students starting at Branksome? Be open and have fun—the community is waiting to invite you in.

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The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: International Baccalaureate, Primary Years Programme, interdisciplinary learning, STEAM education, new students, elementary school, junior school

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership