Nancy Campbell Academy - Review #2

I was bullied a lot in the schools I went to as a child. At Nancy Campbell, I actually felt like I fit in. I don't remember there ever being a point I felt like I was out of place. We gathered daily in the cafeteria together before school started to have a morning attendance speech. This was usually accompanied by some sort of ice breaker activity. After, students would volunteer to say inspirational and motivational quotes at the microphone, to start the mood for the day. It really gave me a sense of community.

The best thing that happened to me at NCA was probably being exposed to new cultures. Being from a demographically homogenous town, I had no idea about the many things other cultures and peoples did. Not only was I able to learn about cultures, languages, foods and geographical locations I'd never heard of, but I was actively invited to participate in their customs, learn their languages and ask any questions I wanted. Going to NCA directly influenced my personal feeling of being a world citizen.

I think I would have tried not to act so stand-offish and like the cool kid. I'd never been to a private school before and was expecting the cold shoulder you get whenever you move and attend a new public school. Looking back now, I'm cringing at how I initially acted. The fact I didn't get bullied at all and acted like I was the bee's knees is a testament to the non-bullying and kind atmosphere of the school itself.My advice is to be yourself - they love you for it, truly!

My favourite part about attending NCA was definitely the community. You actually felt like you were part of this big community and never felt like an outcast. I've never felt that feeling anywhere else, and I wish I could go back in time and experience it all over again.

The curry may look weird, but it tastes absolutely incredible. Don't be afraid to try to international foods in the cafeteria! I ate rice for 6 months before I gave the other food a try to instantly wanted to teleport back in time and enjoy the amazing things I'd ignored from ignorance!

I really liked World Citizenship class. We'd put on mock trials and debate about controversial and historical global issues. It really made me feel like I had a voice that mattered, and that's something very essential to a young teenager.

I'm not going to lie - I was not a thin teenager. I was pretty fat. Even being able to say that, I loved that we went on field trips to the public pool, and although I hated it then, the mandatory laps at the beginning of gym class were probably good for me.

Nancy Campbell Academy has a program where older students go abroad and to inter-cities to perform dances that raise awareness about a variety of subjects (mental illness, drug abuse, domestic abuse, etc). I think the dance workshop was one of the most fun things I've done in school (other than art). They really made you feel like you can change the world with your own two hands, as a youth.

At NCA, students are required to do 50 hours of community service a year. This may seem daunting for kids that were super shy and awkward (me!), and especially those with disabilities (me as well, with aspergers and ADHD). For me, this was a great experience looking back on it though. It helped me overcome some of that shyness and awkwardness by knowing that the world isn't out to get you - in fact, the kinder you are to others, the more forgiving they are of your own personal flaws! I volunteered at a veterinarian clinic for my hours while I attended NCA.There were other things we did as a group too, we fasted for 24 hours to raise money for charity and had a sleepover at the school to help motivate one another to continue through with it! Afterwards we all went to a buffet and stuffed our faces - it made for quite the memory! I remembered being able to spend as much time as I wanted in the art room - even during lunch and after school (until the teacher left, of course). The best part about it was that kids I'd never met would join in, and we'd already feel like family!

I was a day student at Nancy Campbell, but I remember there being an extreme sense of community between those boarding. I was invited to the dorms quite a few times to hang out and I remember them being clean, spacious and very relaxing.

I liked that the day students also ate with the boarding students. The cafeteria was located in the school for both groups, and the food was amazing! I'll never forget the one cook that used to sneak me extra sugar cookies because she knew I loved them so much.Another thing I liked was that the teachers sat down and ate with the students. It wasn't separate like how schools usually are - everyone did everything together!

When I attended Nancy Campbell, it was in London, Ontario (it has since moved to Stratford, Ontario). Since I've also lived in Stratford, Ontario, and I can speak for the town the school currently resides in. The city is nice and quaint, but still has lots of going-on. There is a big town square where markets happen every weekend (most notably the Christmas markets). The architecture of the town is very Victorian-esque. It's beautiful and gives you a sense you're walking somewhere from a long time ago. The downtown is filled with little boutiques that carry all sorts of items. The biggest attraction, however, which is my favourite, is the theatre. Stratford is internationally famous for the Shakespeare festival, held from spring to fall yearly, and some of my favourite memories are watching the musicals and plays there in absolute awe. The talent is unbelievable.

The best part of the social life at NCA is you are free to drop in and out of whatever is happening and everyone welcomes it. You never feel like a stranger - the attitude was always "the more, the merrier!". In fact, if people found you sitting by yourself, strangers would come up and ask if you wanted to join in with what they were doing and actively try to engage you. It's hard to not have friends at Nancy Campbell.