Student Well-Being

Crofton House puts student well-being at the heart of its approach to education.

Here, educating the whole girl means valuing equally the intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical development and well-being is seen as the foundation for educational growth and achievement.

Social and emotional learning is developed through dedicated teaching time through all grades, allowing students to develop their self and social awareness, form positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and set goals.

A dedicated team of specialists and trained teachers oversee the well-being of every student. From personal counsellors to Learning Resources specialists to homeroom teachers or advisors, there is a wealth of resources to support the needs of every student and ensure she can flourish.

We believe in the importance of partnerships with parents to support the development and well-being of our students and hold parent information and education sessions throughout the year, led by both external speakers and CHS specialists.

Junior School
Senior School

Junior School

Social and Emotional Learning: A focus on social and emotional learning (SEL) is an essential part of our educational approach. SEL helps students develop positive relationships, feel and show empathy for others, make responsible decisions and stay open to learning throughout their lives. In addition to being central to student well-being, it is the foundation for academic achievement. To embed SEL across campus, the school has a coordinator of student wellbeing and SEL in both the Junior School and Senior School. Together, they develop an SEL curriculum and provide ongoing support to students and teachers.
Learning Resources: Learning Resources provides support for students who are experiencing academic and learning challenges and stresses with their schoolwork. Teachers work with students to enhance study skills, develop personalized approaches to academic success, and build confidence and self-advocacy. They work as a cohesive team with the student, parents, teachers and sometimes community professionals (e.g., speech or occupational therapists) to develop the best possible approach for each girl to achieve her personal learning goals.
Counselling Services: Dedicated counsellors work with students and teachers in the classrooms to educate girls about topics such as mindfulness, health, well-being and nutrition, in addition to meeting with individual students to help them navigate issues. Counsellors also work with girls in the counselling room, a child-centred place with inviting chairs and soft cushions to make girls feel comfortable.
Lunchtime Drop-Ins: Facilitated by counsellors, these sessions cover topics like stress-reducing strategies and mindfulness through activities such as stress-ball making, crafts, yoga and movement, and nature walks.
Coffee Mornings with Parents: The Director of the Junior School hosts conversations with parents that include discussions about topics of interest and readings to help parents best support their daughters’ growth, development and well-being.
Parent Evenings: Parent Evenings are offered each term to discuss topics of interest, expand on current themes in education, engage with community speakers and other parents, and get involved in the School.
Houses: The House system promotes a strong sense of community, fun and competition. Every student in the Junior School belongs to one of four Houses: Hummingbirds (yellow), Robins (red), Swallows (blue) or Wrens (purple). Girls can collect house points daily for demonstrating citizenship, courage, kindness, helpfulness and generosity. Each House includes House Captains, older girls who are role models to younger girls and who plan fun activities that promote cross-grade relationships.

“Coffee Mornings are a great way to share lessons and resources with parents. They’ve helped me to think differently and to be a better parent.”

CHS Parent | Junior School

Senior School

Social and Emotional Learning: A focus on social and emotional learning (SEL) is an essential part of our educational approach. SEL helps students develop positive relationships, feel and show empathy for others, make responsible decisions and stay open to learning throughout their lives. In addition to being central to student well-being, it is the foundation for academic achievement. To embed SEL across campus, the School has a coordinator of student well-being and SEL in both the Junior School and Senior School. Together, they develop an SEL curriculum and provide ongoing support to students and teachers.
Learning Resources: Students on Individual Education Plans are supported by learning strategists who are knowledgeable about diverse learning needs and effective strategies to scaffold student thinking and learning. After school, all students can access support from the learning strategies teachers, including a focus on organization, time management, study skills and test-writing strategies.
Advisors: Each girl in Senior School is supported by a carefully selected advisor who will support her throughout her high school experience. From Grade 8, girls meet with their same advisor three times a week with a small group of their peers. This group encourages, supports and challenges each other. Advisors also monitor each girl’s progress and workload, check in on how they are managing, help coordinate their schedules, act as parents’ first point of contact at the School and advocate on the student’s behalf with their teachers.
Head of Grade: Heads of Grade are responsible for giving oversight to the pastoral care of students. This includes creating grade-specific programs designed to build community and foster citizenship. Advisors are knowledgeable and proactive in supporting the development of girls and are available to support parents in better understanding the developmental attributes and needs of the students.
Personal Counsellors: Clinical counsellors offer one-to-one and group counselling, and run wellness workshops, and parent and staff education groups.
Student Services Resource Lounge: A safe and quiet space for students who need a minute to take a deep breath and catch up on work.
Parent Evenings: Parent Evenings, which happen throughout the year, provide an opportunity to develop a shared understanding of topics of interest by exploring current themes in education and adolescent development related to girls. A variety of topics are covered, including Curriculum Nights and Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences.
Houses: The House System promotes a strong sense of community, fun and competition. Every student in the Senior School belongs to one of six Houses: Douglas (green), Gordon (yellow), Stuart (red), Wallace (light blue), Fraser (purple) and McDougall (dark blue). Each House Captains leads her House and oversees her House Council made up of representatives from each grade. Together, they plan fun activities to build House spirit. Part of the House system, the Grade 8 Housewarming event and the Buddy Group System are designed to help girls transition to the Senior School.

“Through the Advisory Program, one person has the full picture of your daughter if there’s any concern across subjects. The advisor acts as an advocate, providing support and direction.”

CHS Parent | Senior School

“If you need extra support in a subject, there are always places you can go. The teachers and student services are really open to helping you.”

Allie ’22 | Grade 8 Student