Learning to Lead
At Crofton House, every girl learns to be a leader Crofton House girls have many opportunities to learn to lead. Beginning in the early grades, students start to see how they can have a positive impact through hands-on learning in classrooms, in nature and in the community. As they progress through the grades, older girls are supported to take on formal leadership roles and develop cross-grade relationships that develop responsibility and showcase leadership for younger students.
Girls are immersed in a culture that models our values of courage, creativity and citizenship so they are able to apply the skills of a leader – critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration and conflict resolution – during their time at Crofton House and beyond.
Junior School
Ivy Compass
Every Crofton House Girl from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 learns to be a leader through our signature program, Ivy Compass. The program fosters personal growth, leadership and engaged citizenship through real-life experiences inside and outside of the classroom.
Grade 6 Peer Mediation Program
This leadership program trains Grade 6 girls to support younger students in resolving interpersonal conflicts. Girls are available to their younger peers at certain times, and organize games and activities for them.
Grade 7 Leadership Captains
Leadership Captains work in the Early Childhood Education Centre, planning games and lessons for our youngest learners in Junior Kindergarten. They also plan and run assemblies for their peers.
House Captains
As part of their leadership growth and development, Grade 7 students have shared responsibility throughout the year as House Captains. House Captains plan fundraising events for Sports Day, Earth Day, UNICEF and other community initiatives. They stand out as school leaders by wearing a symbolic sash in the colour of their house and a Grade 7 pin.
“Peacekeepers is a really good way for us to be leaders to the younger kids. Three Grade 6 students will wear neon orange vests at lunch and if the younger girls have problems, they can come to us instead of going to a teacher first.”
Jenna ’23 | CHS Student
Senior School
Ivy Compass
Every Crofton House Girl from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 learns to be a leader through our signature program, Ivy Compass. The program fosters personal growth, leadership and engaged citizenship through real-life experiences inside and outside of the classroom.
Student Executive
Our student executive are elected annually to represent the Senior School student body. Made up of a Head Girl, Assistant Head Girl and Prefects, the executive are responsible for fostering school spirit by planning fun events, such as weekly student-run assemblies, Spirit Week and Wellness Wednesdays. They also engage our student voice, representing their peers in discussions with the Crofton House administration, bring new initiatives forward and demonstrate leadership in all aspects of school life.
Prefects
The seven Prefects have designated portfolios for which they are elected: Arts & Culture, Technology, Community & Special Events, Assemblies, Health & Wellness, Ivy Compass and Athletics. They meet weekly and work collaboratively with the House Captains, Head Girl and Assistant Head Girl to plan events, lead the student body in student voice and ensure that their area of the school has equity and recognition.
House Captains
House Captains work together to inspire school spirit, House loyalty and participation in School and House activities, including the Grade 8 Housewarming event and the Buddy Group System, a student-driven initiative designed to help girls transition to the Senior School and build relationships.
Club/Program Captains
Individual clubs and programs elect captains to represent the student body and work with a teacher sponsor on the ongoing development of the club.
Student Council
Grade 8 to 12 students elect Student Council representatives for their grade level. These leaders participate in regular meetings to discuss student issues and concerns, bring forward initiatives and coordinate events. They also lead planning sessions for grade assemblies and events.
House Council
House Council representatives are Grade 8 to 12 students who are elected by the members of each of the six Houses. They help foster school spirit by organizing House activities, such as Winter Games, House Plays and Sports Day.
Service Trips
Each year, students in Grade 10–12 may participate in a Spring Break service trip. In 2018, 24 students travelled to Ecuador to volunteer. Projects could include digging a well or constructing a school or medical clinic in local communities in the Andes and Amazon regions.
“Working on the Citizenship Ceremony, I definitely learned about how to engage people as a leader, and how to collaborate and communicate with those inside and outside the School.”
Saira ’19 | CHS Student
![Becoming Leaders]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1575328748/crofton/zh2druxmz9bnx6a4ci3e/careerconf.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1575328748/crofton/zh2druxmz9bnx6a4ci3e/careerconf.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1575328748/crofton/zh2druxmz9bnx6a4ci3e/careerconf.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1575328748/crofton/zh2druxmz9bnx6a4ci3e/careerconf.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1575328748/crofton/zh2druxmz9bnx6a4ci3e/careerconf.jpg","width":1440}])
From networking with professionals at the inaugural Career Conference to volunteering at a local shelter for at-risk youth, Senior School students had many hands-on learning experiences this year – in the workplace, on global trips, in volunteer roles and in nature – through the Ivy Compass Program.
![CAIS Leadership Conference]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1547145001/crofton/brimjbl3yasxtfdcdo5c/CAISStudentLeadershipConference.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1547145001/crofton/brimjbl3yasxtfdcdo5c/CAISStudentLeadershipConference.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1547145001/crofton/brimjbl3yasxtfdcdo5c/CAISStudentLeadershipConference.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1547145001/crofton/brimjbl3yasxtfdcdo5c/CAISStudentLeadershipConference.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1547145001/crofton/brimjbl3yasxtfdcdo5c/CAISStudentLeadershipConference.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1547145001/crofton/brimjbl3yasxtfdcdo5c/CAISStudentLeadershipConference.jpg","width":2200}])
Grade 10 students travelled to Lakefield, Ontario to attend the CAIS Student Leadership Conference.
![Grade 7s Welcome Crofton Manor Residents]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1547144567/crofton/icryjezcs7orr4sd2hw2/CroftonManorTea.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1547144567/crofton/icryjezcs7orr4sd2hw2/CroftonManorTea.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1547144567/crofton/icryjezcs7orr4sd2hw2/CroftonManorTea.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1547144567/crofton/icryjezcs7orr4sd2hw2/CroftonManorTea.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1547144567/crofton/icryjezcs7orr4sd2hw2/CroftonManorTea.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1547144567/crofton/icryjezcs7orr4sd2hw2/CroftonManorTea.jpg","width":2200}])
Grade 7 students welcomed Crofton Manor residents for an afternoon tea in the Junior School atrium.