Fueling aspirations of passionate athletes, artists
students at Holy name of mary do not have to choose between academics and passions
When Hanna Henderson broke the record for most medals won by an athlete at a single Canada Games with 11, her school was among those cheering her on. In turn, the swimmer credits Holy Name of Mary College School (HNMCS) with giving her the support needed to be successful both in the water and in the classroom.
Hanna’s intense training and competitions proved a challenge when she attended public school, where she struggled under the weight of uncompromising deadlines. She transferred to HNMCS, where she is thriving in an innovative Elite Athlete/Artist Programme. “We want to support students as they strive for excellence in their athletic and artistic passions outside of school, while allowing them to achieve strong academic grades and personal balance,” says Marilena Tesoro, Head of School.
Under a personalized academic system, advisors work with students’ coaches, families and teachers to schedule tests and assignments around training, rehearsals and competitions, alleviating the pressure of expectations and deadlines. “We’re very adaptable in helping them meet all of the expectations they need to achieve at a high level of rigour – project-based and personalized learning is tailored to their individual needs to optimize their full potential,” Tesoro says.
Emily Roman dances 25 to 30 hours a week and appreciates her weekly meetings with her advisor. She chose to begin high school at HNMCS. “We wanted to make sure I was going to a school that understands how busy I am,” she says.
Her mom, Lori Ann, agrees. “Having one point person is the biggest benefit so far, outside the flexibility of needing to move a test or an assignment,” she says. “It gets down to minutes when Emily’s schedule gets busy and it can also be day by day. For her to contact eight different teachers would be challenging. Her teachers are very supportive.”
The private Catholic girls’ school for students in Grades 5 to 12 doesn’t believe its stu- dents should have to choose between academics and athletic or artistic passions. Often, those passions give them direction while helping them develop valuable life skills, such as stamina, time
We want to support students as they strive for excellence in their athletic and artistic passions.
management and confidence that will help them successfully transition to university and beyond.
“We want students to be able to achieve their personal best,” says Tesoro. “As a university preparatory school, we know that gives them more opportunities to meet the criteria of prestigious programs at revered universities and on scholarships.”
Thanks to that innovative philosophy, HNMCS attracts students who excel in everything from dance and other performing arts to hockey, basketball, rowing and soccer. Maddy O’Brien, for example, was able to play on one of Canada’s U14 teams at the World Select Invitational, held in Finland last spring. In addition to playing with girls from across Canada, she experienced Nordic culture and cuisine. “It was so great to get to play with people from all over the world,” Maddy says. “To be around girls who love hockey as much as I do was a highlight of my hockey career so far.”