[Taualumna]

This is a cool thread!!! Sorry for the late reply. Anyway, here goes

House initation: Every student from Grade 7 to high school graduation is a member of a house. At the time I was at BSS, there were 8 houses (it has since expanded to 12). There is friendly competition between these houses in terms of school spirit. At the end of the year, the house with the most points (i.e. the most spirited house) is awarded. Anyway, at the first house meeting in September, all new students are initated. Of course, there are different ceremonies in different houses as there are different colours and mascots.

Boys in Chapel: I went to an all girls' school, and once in a while, guys from guys only schools in Toronto would pay us a visit (the guys tend to come from Upper Canada College (yes, it's a elementary/high school. Lots of private schools in Canada have "College" in their name despite not offering anything at the college level beyond AP/IB classes), Crescent School and Royal St. George's College. These guys would sit through our service, and would do announcements. Sometimes they'd come up with some funky/hilarious skit. I would say that they came a few times a year, during our "theme" weeks.

Theme Weeks: They occur three or four times a year usually to raise money for various organizations or to honour a particular part of the school (e.g. boarding or the arts). There would be lunch time activities (such as video dance parties, air bands (lip synchs), coffee houses, etc) . The week almost always ends with a grub day.

Grub Day: Once every other month or so. Pay $1.00-2.00 and you don't have to wear your uniform for the day.

Grad Ties: Students in the graduating class are allowed to wear a differnt coloured tie. It is black with white and burgundy stripes.

Hell Night: Hell Night occurs the evening before the last day of classes. The graduating class would gather at classmate's home for dinner and then an evening of "disruction" on campus. I don't know what they do now, but when I was at BSS, they had pretty much the same thing each year. See next entry for details

Grad Chapel: Occurs the day after Hell Night. Before the chapel service, younger students are treated to a morning of "bouncey castles", pop corn, cotton candy, etc. Basically, there is a mini-carnival in the front lawn of the school. Chapel follows. It isn't a traditional chapel service, but a fun service that honours the grads. "Most Likely Tos" are read at this service

Leaving Girls' Luncheon: Hosted by a family near the school for the grad class. Usually occurs on the last day of school.

Folk Group Farewell Performance: The Folk Group is a branch of the Senior Choir that sings "light sounds" to an acoustic guitar. At the final "formal" chapel service (which occurs before Grad Chapel), they perform something for the Leaving Class. In my year, we sang "In The Wings" by Tara McLean. Other years have performed "The Wood Song" (Indigo Girls) and I'm pretty sure Sarah McLachlan's "I Will Remember You" was recently used as well)

Nativity: Annual holiday tradition since the 1920s when the chapel was built. The Senior Choir sings, a cappella from the dark chapel balcony while the Christmas story is mimed, in slow motion in the front. There are narrators as well, who speak very, very slowly.

Christmas Giving Skit: Done on the last day of school before the December break. Grad class does a parody skit of the teachers. Really fun.

Mother/Daughter Luncheon: Usually occurs early in the school year. There may be a fashion show, speeches, etc. Usually held on a Sunday.

Father/Daughter Dance: When I was there, it occured the Friday of March Break. That is, Friday was the last day of classes before we were let off for our two week long vacation (private schools have traditionally had an extra week off in March). Girls would be really dressed up (including the 12 year olds in Grade 7) and their Daddies (or stepdads or uncles) would be their dates. Dinner and dance.

Old Girls/U20 Basketball Game: Occurs each year during Harvest Games/Reunion Weekend. It's a friendly competition between grads (usually recent grads) and the current senior team.

Well, that's all I can think of right now. It's almost 2 am here!!

P.S. Cutiepie2000, you said you went to boarding school. Which one did you go to?

P.P.S: EDITED TO ADD: Oh my gosh!!!! How can I forget the tea receptions? During intermission of many of our performances and of course, after prize giving/graduation, there is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS a tea reception We always have these amazing brownies. Also, for the reception after prize day, there are these AMAZING frozen strawberries on a toothpick