Living and learning at Pickering College

Surrounded by 42 acres of green in Newmarket, Ont., is Pickering College, an independent co-educational boarding and day school home to 400 students. Founded in 1842 and built on Quaker values, Pickering College is one of Canada’s longest running boarding schools.

“Our Quaker heritage shaped our philosophical approach to education,” says headmaster Peter Sturrup. “We like to say that there is good in every student. Our job as educators is to let that light shine.” 

Pickering teachers dedicate themselves to educating the “whole child” from a very young age, and fellow students serve as role models to younger grades. This, according to Sturrup, is one of the reasons why students in all grades share the same campus.

“We instill things very young and build on that as they go,” Sturrup says. “There is special interaction between younger and older students.” Programs such as “reading buddies” allow students in Grades 11 and 12 to read to their younger schoolmates in Grades 1 and 2.

At school, during lunch periods, students and teachers enjoy what is referred to as a “family–style lunch.” Students are assigned to sit in groups with a teacher, who serves them as they would be served at a family table. 

These lunches, among many other opportunities, create an unparalleled level of comfort between student and teacher-mentors.

This sense of community is furthered off-campus locally and internationally. Pickering students are appreciated by the Newmarket community and beyond for being dedicated service contributors. In fact, Pickering students perform so well that the school is often approached by different clubs and groups who need an extra set (or 10) of hands.

“We ask our students to complete 60 hours of community service during high school, which is above the provincial requirements. And most of our students go well beyond that,” says Sturrup. 

Students also have the opportunity to travel abroad on service projects, such as Habitat for Humanity. This international exposure isn’t restricted to service — Pickering students also get it in everyday life thanks to the school’s boarding students.

“The international culture and experience makes the day students stronger,” Sturrup explains. “Grade 2’s and 3’s get to meet [international] students, [and] they get to hear many languages and learn [about] many cultures.”

“You get a real sense of the different cultures — it’s really inspiring,” agrees Alex Gillespie, a Grade 12 day student. Gillespie recently completed his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and has performed a notable 200 hours of community service.

Nour Ouenniche, a fellow senior, stops for a quick word before she is called to present one of her poems at a student-run Poetry Saloon. As a boarding student, she says that her only regret is not having attended sooner. “We’re perfect roommates,” says the St. Maarten native, who is currently living with a student from Mexico. 

Gillespie and Ouenniche regularly work together on service projects, where they are able to take full advantage of the international culture of the school. 

Most recently, Ouenniche was able to provide invaluable insight into the lives of Haitians while she and Gillespie were raising funds and awareness for the quake-stricken country. Their dedication to the cause is palpable and sincere. 

“Everybody from Pickering gives,” says Gillespie.•

Photo courtesy of Pickering College