The Giles School offers a variety of in-school activities to stimulate the intellect and promote emotional growth.

Pizza Day

The last Friday of each month is Pizza Day. At the beginning of each term a memo is sent home for ordering the number of slices desired. The payment is charged to the child's activity account. Pizza Day has two purposes: first, the students really enjoy it; second, it is a fundraising effort for the individual classes. Money raised by Pizza Days goes towards items such as performance rewards or material for class projects. On Pizza Day, there is no uniform required.

Holiday Celebrations

Most holiday celebrations are arranged within each class separately, to suit the age of the students and their educational programme. Occasions for which students may make decorations or have a party include Thanksgiving, Halloween and Valentine's Day.

As a non-sectarian school we do not promote religious celebrations. We may recognize and discuss different religious and cultural customs, but will not encourage one over another. The goal of The Giles School is to be inclusive and suitable for students of diverse backgrounds. Third language teachers may celebrate cultural customs such as Chinese New Year within the class.

Winter Fete

In the last week of the fall term the school holds its Fete. This is a variety show put on by the students for their families. Each class prepares songs, dances, recitations or skits appropriate to their age level. At the show each class, from the youngest to the eldest, performs in turn. The Fete is a group project in which the members of each class work together. It introduces children to the experience of preparing for and presenting their work to an audience.

Science Fair

To encourage interest in and facility with science, the school holds annual Science Fairs, the older grades in early spring and the younger grades at the end of the school year. The date is announced on the school calendar and reminder memos are sent out close to the event. Participation begins in Senior Kindergarten or Grade One. Projects in younger classes are managed by teachers, with students taking on increasing responsibility as they progress through school. Parents are encouraged to attend the exhibition. Projects are judged according to grade level and winning students receive certificates to recognize their work.

A select group of students from the higher grades will then participate in the Toronto Sci-Tech fair. The medalists from the Toronto fair will be invited to participate in the National fair.

Spring Music Concert

This is an afternoon of song, dance and recitations by all students. It takes place in May.

School Trips

Throughout the school year a variety of school trips are available to the students. In the lower grades, trips include museums, culture and community centre plays, shows, galleries and sporting events. Older students study a play by Shakespeare early in the school year and go to Stratford, Ontario to see it on stage. Trips to an opera and other musical productions have been arranged when appropriate. School outings are chosen to support the school's educational programme and are tailored to the age and areas of study of students.

From Grade 4 and up, students are able to participate in longer trips. They are planned by the Homeroom teacher and are specific to supporting the learning that has taken or will take place in that classroom.

School trips require a reasonable number of adult supervisors to ensure student safety. The school much appreciates parent volunteers who help staff on school trips and asks that any parent who can accompany a class trip inform the school.

Waivers: When a class trip off-site is planned parents are asked to sign a waiver permitting their children to participate. This form must be returned to the appropriate teacher. If parents will not permit their child to accompany the class they must discuss alternative supervision arrangements with school staff before the day of the trip.

Student of the Week

The Student of the Week programme is the lastest inspiration of Mr. Giles. Being named the "student of the week" is not about academics. It's all about character building. Each week, one student from each class - Junior Kindergarten through Grade 3 - is selected. He/she must be recommended by his or her homeroom teacher, classmates, subject teachers and childcare staff as one who displays the social qualities of a caring and responsible person. Certificates are presented and parents are invited to the presentation.