Albert College’s Bermuda connection

Since it opened its doors in 1857, Albert College has educated more than 300 young Bermudians, beginning with Winona Robinson from Hamilton in 1903. Located in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, the school provides an enriched education in the form of the “5As:” Academics, Athletics, Arts, Active Citizenship and Adventure. 

A supportive family environment combined with encouragement to try new things — singing a solo, public speaking or taking a Duke of Edinburgh canoe trip into the Canadian wilderness — challenges students to move beyond their comfort zone. It’s a formula that builds confidence and opens a world of possibilities.

“One look at our graduates tells you that Albert College provides the perfect environment for students to discover the potential within themselves,” says Keith Stansfield, head of School. “As their range of experiences broadens, students become more confident in their ability to approach each new challenge.”

When you ask Bermudian students what makes Albert College such a great place to learn and grow, they have no problem telling you exactly what they think. “Albert College is an experience of a lifetime.” says Chardonae Rawlins, a Grade 11 student who hails from Southampton. “It’s a place that is welcoming and friendly with no cliques. It’s truly ELE (Everybody Loves Everybody),” she says, simply.

For Alex Davis, a Grade 12 student from Hamilton, the first thing he learned at Albert College is that it’s “a home away from home. I visited the school and straight on I knew I was coming to a place that is very open and very accepting of everyone who comes here.” 

University

Davis has been accepted to Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, where he will be enrolled in the BAA Honours Business Administration programme. Rawlins, who will be graduating from Albert College in 2014, says she eventually wants to get her PhD. 

At present, students from 24 countries attend Albert College, which offers residency to both male and female students from grades seven to grade 12/post graduate (the latter refers to the year following graduation prior to entering university or college). An Albert College day school, called the Parrott Junior School, also offers an enriched programme for students from pre-kindergarten to grade six. 

Davis, who has taken some of his classmates from Germany back home to Bermuda to visit, says he enjoys getting to know people from all over the world. “Getting to really understand what it’s like to be from Taiwan or Brazil is something I will always remember.”

Heather Kidd, Director of Admission at Albert College, says the small family environment (total enrollment is just under 300 students) is a particularly good fit for Bermudian students who “…move from their family-oriented culture right into ours. With smaller residences, it’s a nurturing home environment where the house director’s door is always open.” 

Kidd should know. She also plays a role as the house director of Victoria Manor, the girls’ residence. “We open our homes to the international students,” says Kidd or “Kiddie” as she is affectionately known by her girls. “They become an extension of our family.” 

Heather Kidd will be at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel on Wednesday May 29.

Kristin Jenkins is the Director of Advancement at Albert College.