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Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1425269
I N D E P E N D E N T S C H O O L S "This structure really provided us with the foundation to forge ahead and offer the boarding and school experience that we thought was so essential for young people," says Liam Sullivan, deputy head, student life "When you think of wellness and the mental health impacts many young people faced, we are so happy that we were able to offer a sense of community that wasn't available for many students in Canada." Bentwood is well positioned to manage change, regardless of a pandemic, because it is 100% committed to boarding. "Our boarding numbers far outweigh our day population, and our whole structure is devoted to the student experience all day, every day," Sullivan says. "Because of that if we need to talk about change or innovate, we are all here together." While the end of the pandemic can't come soon enough, the school is currently dealing with far fewer constraints than it was last year. The focus now is the vaccination program, which has been adapted and allows the rest of Brentwood's activities to flow freely. "There is a freedom that you feel across our campus that wasn't there last year," Sullivan says. "Just like everywhere, there was a depletion of positivity and energy because of what was happening, but this year feels much better and brighter." GLENLYON NORFOLK SCHOOL In the spring of 2020, when all schools had to shift to remote learning, Glenlyon Norfolk School in Victoria launched GNS GO! (Gryphons Online)—a platform that allowed students to continue their learning for the remainder of that year. PHOTO: BRENTWOOD COLLEGE