Prefects are the voice of the student body. They set the example for their peers, are approachable for advice and help organize whole-school events
Upper School Athletics and Co-Curriculars
Co-curricular programming fosters connection and creativity but also allows students to explore a passion outside of the classroom. We encourage all students to balance their academic life with one or more of our 75+ co-curricular offerings.
In addition to our fulsome arts and athletics programmes, our broad range of clubs and activities enable students to explore passions outside the classroom and discover new interests, develop creativity and build shared experiences with a new cohort of schoolmates.
The variety and uniqueness of these activities is where we really excel — all students are engaged in co-curricular pursuits and are empowered to introduce new clubs and activities to our programme. Our co-curriculars fit into three distinct categories of enrichment:
- Consumed in Service
- Building Leadership
- A Learning Community (Building Life Skills, Culture and Wellbeing)
A small sampling of our many activities and clubs include:
For a complete list of Upper School clubs and activities, please see our co-curricular handbook.
Arts and Music Co-Curriculars
In the Upper School Music program, students may take courses in Strings, Band and Voice and participate in various ensembles, including Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, Choir and Cadet Band.
In the Visual Arts program, students engage with traditional media such as painting, drawing and ceramics, as well as digital image creation using state-of-the-art digital imaging and printing technologies.
Beginning in Grade 10, students may take courses in film and theatre. These academic pursuits are complemented by co-curricular activities that culminate in a dramatic production, a school musical and a film club feature film, all of which are presented in Ridley’s 350-seat Mandeville Theatre.
| Activity | Grade | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Art Studio Monitors | Grades 11-12 | Terms 1-3 |
| Arts Council | Grades 11-12 | Terms 1-3 |
| Cadet Band | Grades 9-12 | Terms 1-3 |
| Cappies Theatre Criticism | Grades 9-12 | Terms 1-3 |
| Chapel Choir | Grades 9-12 | Terms 1-3 |
| Chinese Calligraphy | Grades 9-12 | Term 1 |
| Digital Studio | Grades 9-12 | Term 1 |
| Fall Dramatic Production | Grades 9-12 | Term 1 |
| Figure Drawing | Grades 11-12 | Term 2 |
| Film Production Club | Grades 11-12 | Term 1 |
| Jazz Band | Grades 9-12 | Terms 1-3 |
| Portfolio Development Group | Grades 11-12 | Term 1 |
| Ridley Rock Band | Grades 9-12 | Terms 1-2 |
| Senior Orchestra | Grades 9-12 | Terms 1-3 |
| Winter Musical Production | Grades 9-12 | Term 2 |
| Working With Clay Club | Grades 9-12 | Term 1 |
Athletics
Upper School students participate in sport throughout the school year. Our approach supports Sport for Life’s long-term development framework and is differentiated by interest and stage of development.
Sport for Life
Our Train to Train model supports Sport for Life’s long-term development framework and is focused on providing an environment that supports fun and friendship, cultivates life skills, and further develops sport-specific competencies and fitness. Competition, if any, takes place internally amongst peers.
Sample Sport for Life Offerings
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Cardio Club | Dance | Cardio Club |
| Pickleball | Futsal | Ultimate Frisbee |
| Ultimate Frisbee | Weight Training | Weight Training |
| Weight Training | Yoga | Yoga |
| Yoga |
Competitive Sport
Our Train to Train model supports Sport for Life’s long-term development framework and is focused on providing an environment that supports fun and friendship, cultivates life skills and further develops sport-specific competencies and fitness. Formalized competition for those choosing to participate in competitive sport takes place within the Canadian Independent School Athletic Association (CISAA) and focuses on the process of competing and applying learned skills, not on results. Furthermore, our association believes in meaningful competition, where competitors are matched with others of a similar level of ability and are challenged to be the best they can be at that moment in time.
Sample Competitive Sport Offerings
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Girls’ Basketball | Boys’ Basketball | Girls’ Soccer |
| Girls’ Field Hockey | Boys’ Hockey | Girls’ Softball |
| Boys’ Soccer | Girls’ Hockey | Girls’ Tennis |
| Co-Ed Cross Country | Girls’ Volleyball | Boys’ Rugby |
| Co-Ed Swimming | Co-Ed Badminton | Boys’ Tennis |
| Co-Ed Tennis | Co-Ed Swimming | Co-Ed Badminton |
| Co-Ed Rowing | Co-Ed Golf | |
| Co-Ed Squash | Co-Ed Track & Field |
Prep Sport
Our Train to Compete model supports Sport for Life’s long-term development framework but is focused on developing high-performance athletes. Formalized competition for Prep Sport takes place within various provincial leagues and international events (Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association, Ontario Women’s Hockey League, Midwest Prep Hockey League, etc.).
Sample Prep Sport Offerings
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Girls’ Hockey | Girls’ Hockey | Co-Ed Rowing |
| Boys’ Hockey | Boys’ Hockey | |
| Boys’ Basketball | Boys’ Basketball | |
| Co-Ed Rowing | Co-Ed Rowing |
Learn More About Our Athletics Programmes
Student Leadership
At the heart of the Ridley experience is a strong sense of community. In the Upper School, Ridleians are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to assist in personal growth in unexpected ways and make a positive impact on the school community. Students at all grade levels have a multitude of leadership opportunities.
Some student leadership opportunities include:
Officer & NCO Training is one of Ridley's largest formalized leadership training programmes. Involving over 60 students, this activity focuses on developing leadership skills as peers work together to progress through a variety of tasks and responsibilities relating to the overall Cadet programme. In Cadets - as in life - there are times when individuals are asked to follow and opportunities when they are asked to lead. This programme strives to develop these key attributes that are meaningful as a part of the Cadet programme as well as students' daily lives.
The Cadet Drill Team and Honour Guard instill values of leadership, confidence and civic duty into our cadets.
A select group of graduating students, appointed after an interview process, organizes events and helps out with daily routines in their House. They meet with their Head of House once a week to set goals, plan meetings and lead service initiatives. One of their primary responsibilities is to help new students settle into their House.
The IB Executive Council helps lead the IB Programme by planning and organizing events. They gather feedback and generate ideas for supporting peers through the programme.
Admission Ambassadors conduct campus tours for prospective students and their families and assist with Open House events.
Student leaders in the Arts Council serve as ambassadors for the arts at Ridley, organizing events, promoting shows and exhibitions and leading as champions of creativity and artistic expression at Ridley. The Art Council’s mandate is to increase the visibility and celebration of the arts on campus.
TAC’s mandate is to advocate for the athletic needs of all students, build positive culture, school spirit and sense of community. The council helps facilitate an inclusive sport environment where everyone sees participation as an integral (and vibrant!) part of their daily lives thus ensuring that everyone is encouraged and valued for their contribution to sport. Members are provided with the opportunity to develop volunteer and leadership skills.
Chapel Council includes student leaders from all faith backgrounds who help us make our Chapel services more inclusive and meaningful for all. Chapel Council students meet weekly to plan Upper School Chapel services, develop service themes, schedule readers, servers and presenters.
The Positive Space Group endeavours to encourage and support an informed community founded on mutual respect of orientation and identity, and to continue to build awareness and self-awareness of LGBTQ+ issues. Students of all identities are encouraged to attend our meetings to discuss current events and to join us as we lead special event weeks throughout the school year that are designed to educate and build awareness of topics related to the LGBTQ+ community.
