Read more details about Bodwell High School on their 2025 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
Like any other person, change always makes one anxious as it is unknown what's to come. There is nothing constant in life except change itself. Moving halfway around the globe did not make my case any different especially travelling solo as a minor for the very first time. Mixed feelings of anticipation were a strong bother. However, the support that came through from the Bodwell Homestay team really eased a lot for me. I remember I had arrived at the school for the first time a week later than I was expected so everyone had already gone through orientation and I was sort of the odd one out. Honestly speaking after being taken to my Homestay, and left in the comfort of my new host family I could sense a warm feeling and it gave me hope for what was to come. In a couple days, I was already roaming around with some of the students showing me around. The "international family" spirit really did the thing for me. I was the first Zimbabwean student to attend there and up to today I wouldn't change a thing about the experience as it helped my global network grow and to this day I use those skills and connections in my almost everyday life. Going into Bodwell is unlike most schools. I'm sure it's a feeling when superheroes get called to Avengers. We all come there from different backgrounds, culture and ethnicities but with one goal in mind. To develop, grow and connect.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
I would say the best thing that happened to me was just attending boarding school. Everything else was a plus. I was friends with people from all over the world, learning different cultures and understanding backgrounds. it surely gave me an insight of what the world really is about and i learnt that Love is above all and its the only universal Language. I have become more accepting and open minded about peoples perceptions.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
1. Be grateful. Many students wish they had the resources to be at a boarding school. It is an impossibility for most. You are lucky. Remember that.2. Remember that you become like the 5 people with whom you spend most of your time. Choose wisely.3. Keep in touch with your family and share your ups and downs as often as possible. Don’t isolate yourself; they love you. Keep in touch with school counselors, too. The academic pressure is very real; don’t be self-conscious about having a regular sit-down with professionals at the school in order to decompress.4. Get involved. Find your people - the other students with whom you have things in common. Join stuff. Look into the faces of the other students and smile and say hello each day.5. Have fun. These should be the best years of your life. Don’t miss chances to make memories, so take those weekend trips!
4.) What did you like most about your school?
I like how diverse my school is. In total there are over thirty different languages spoken and many different clubs, including the gay straight alliance, foreign exchange club, French club, sign language club, Christian athletes, etc. There is also an extensive special education department that works hard to integrate the students as much as possible and teach them life skills. In addition, Bodwell had a free and reduced lunch program, a donation center, and a backpack program where kids in need are given enough food to last them over the weekend when school isn’t in session, as well as proper clothing and coats, hats, and gloves during the winter. I feel my school goes above and beyond in providing its students with everything they need to be successful,
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
I would strongly recommend taking Mr Chius classes including the electives. To me that man was brilliant, besides being my basketball coach, i took Economics and Business studies with him. He made learning easier and understandable. We did actual projects in both classes illustrating what we were learning in class. Also, whenever you can, always visit the counsellors Ms Kim or Ms Dalziel, even when there is nothing pressing to discuss, most conversations would spark from there and they were life changing.
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
Academics at Bodwell were taken seriously both by students and the staff. There is an easily accessible library and teachers have an open-door policy whereby whenever you need assistance you can easily approach. I remember we even had clubs for subjects that would also assist those struggling and sharpen those who want to get better. In class, most of the projects if not all were done in groups and pairs so as to improve dialogue. I find it better working in groups because it improves a lot, i.e., push motivation factor, peer-to-peer learning and most people understood post-class discussions. I can almost say most of the stuff we did in university first year we had somewhat covered it previous year in some of the Advanced Placement classes offered and they were not mandatory. A customized schedule was curated with the help of both the staff and the counsellor to best suit their needs.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
The Athletics program was pretty dominant at Bodwell after academics ofcourse. I myself was in the Basketball team, Go Bruins!. We went for provincials for AA school while we were a A school. Recently just before covid the Basketball Bruins made it to the AAA provincials showing the program is growing. Swimming came after basketball in terms of achievements and the soccer team was pretty good too. Physical Education was also a pre requisite for graduation so it was compulsory to enroll and participate. There was the Volleyball team as well which was coached by Mr Burnett, who also coached the Girls Basketball team and was an olympian. Some of the alum athletes would also come by usually during weekend practice to help out and cheer on the teams.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
The Visual Arts, Music and Theatre programs were not as much of a big thing. In a school then with 500 students ounly a handful would be talented enough to even form a proper band with proper rotations. However, there were some good patrons for each program though, during the monthly assembly we would have the music teacher and a few students perform. I would like to give it to the visual arts team, they really worked hard, i remember we were the first school in North Vancouver to shoot a Lipdub which went viral. The whole crew behind it are some big directors in the entertainment industry and have even had their work screened at TIFF.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
Extracurricular activities were taken seriously at Bodwell for student development mostly. It wasn't any different from how they saw academics. I'm sure everyone had to sign up for at least one extracurricular and would have to have a minimum of certain hours to graduate. It would show the different side of life rather than just academics so as to appreciate some of the small things we might have. I was on the basketball team and we were competitive for a school that had 500 students playing against 2000 pupil schools and we still made playoffs and the provincials thanks to Mr. Chiu who even ended up going 2 leagues up to play in AAA league. Go Bruins Go. A wide variety of activities are offered. I'm not sure which ones they don't have because there are just so many.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
The rooms were nice, it was a room of 2 students in each room with 2 single beds, a desk and a chair. There were fitted cabinets as well btu the bathrooms were shared. Cafeteria food was good, they really tried to spice it up so that it doesnt get broing. Students were able to grab meals till 9 pm and snacks till midnight. Room selection was done randomly by the school so as to encourage intergration and avoid creating cliques of students from same origin country.
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
Cafeteria started running at 6:30 in the morning serving cereal then breakfast, then tea break. Lunch would follow from 12-1 and then dinner opened early around 5 pm. Cafeteria is basically in the middle of the school and people sat randomly. it would become like a convergence center but usually people would just come eat quick and go out to the grounds to play ro sun bask. some would even eat outside or on the top balcony. The food was a mix of different international cuisines so as to cater for different students, they really did their research as to how they could intergrate the dishes.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
The school is located on a beautiful north shore. It is quiet and peaceful and has a dog park. North Vancouver is a low-density place. I would often walk to school rather than take the bus. It was just peaceful and inspiring for a morning walk meditation. A really famous coffee shop is close too; don't try Thomas Haas or else you'll miss some of your classes haha. Its mostly retirees who live there it was self sustainable town with everything within proximity. Capilano mall is just in the school backyard. Metrotown and downtown was just a busride away and that was the busy part, movies being shot and a lot of tourists and activity going. There was also a ferry from North Vancouver to Downtown that was 15 minutes.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
Bodwell is quite spontaneous so as to make life more interesting and comfortable. The first few weeks were hard for me in terms of being homesick but staying occupied got my mind off it. I won't forget how I fell on ice in a rink. To me, it was definitely a highlight as I come from a landlocked Sahara country. Living in Homestay also eased it: as time went by they got accustomed to what I like and might like. They filled the gap.
Daily Schedule:
Weekday
6:15 AM
Breakfast
7:15 AM
Classes begin
9:30 AM
tea break
6:30 AM
Classes resume
12:30 AM
Lunch
1:00 PM
Classes resume
2:45 PM
Classes end
3:00 PM
Extra curricular
5:30 PM
Dinner
6:30 PM
Study time
Weekend
7:30 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM
Freetime
10:00 AM
Tea break
11:00 AM
Dormitory activity/Trip to downtown
12:30 AM
Lunch
4:30 PM
Night bus to Downtown
1:00 AM
Dinner
Read more details about Bodwell High School on their 2025 profile page.
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Prep: Every evening we have supervised study at 6:30 . It was mandatory. We all sat on our own separate tables in assigned seats in a big hall, and did our homework or study. We. . .
Like any other person, change always makes one anxious as it is unknown what's to come. There is nothing constant in life except change itself. Moving halfway around the globe did not make my case. . .
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