Spotlight on World School
Building Global Connections, One Student at a Time
Trafalgar Students Continue Canada’s 27-Year Legacy at the World School International Forum
This October, three Trafalgar students will embark on an extraordinary journey: representing Canada at the World School International Forum 2025, hosted by Newton Grammar School in Hanoi, Vietnam.
For 27 years, Trafalgar has proudly carried Canada’s voice onto the global stage at this prestigious event. Year after year, our students have stood shoulder to shoulder with peers from around the world — learning, debating, and building friendships that transcend borders. In doing so, they have carried forward a tradition of leadership and connection that is as old as the school itself.
Founded in 1887, Trafalgar has spent nearly 140 years preparing young women to lead with courage, intellect, and compassion. The World School International Forum is a natural extension of that mission. Since its beginnings in 1997, the forum — created by Masaki Matsudaira — has brought together schools from across continents, united by the belief that the world is stronger when young people learn from one another. This year’s theme, “Sayings, Proverbs, and Folklore — Life lessons from the wisdom of the world”, invites students to share cultural traditions that shape their understanding of life and leadership.
The ten-day program will take our delegates far beyond the classroom. They will tour Hanoi’s historic sites, present cultural lessons to Vietnamese students, showcase Canadian traditions in a global festival, and spend precious time living with host families. Later, in Ha Long Bay, they will collaborate with peers from over 20 nations on group projects and presentations, building the skills of communication, empathy, and diplomacy that future leaders need most.
But perhaps the most powerful lessons will be found in friendship and growth. Past delegates describe the experience as transformative — a chance to discover that while culture, language, and traditions differ, laughter, kindness, and courage are universal.
One Trafalgar student reflected:
For 27 years, Trafalgar has proudly carried Canada’s voice onto the global stage at this prestigious event. Year after year, our students have stood shoulder to shoulder with peers from around the world — learning, debating, and building friendships that transcend borders. In doing so, they have carried forward a tradition of leadership and connection that is as old as the school itself.
Founded in 1887, Trafalgar has spent nearly 140 years preparing young women to lead with courage, intellect, and compassion. The World School International Forum is a natural extension of that mission. Since its beginnings in 1997, the forum — created by Masaki Matsudaira — has brought together schools from across continents, united by the belief that the world is stronger when young people learn from one another. This year’s theme, “Sayings, Proverbs, and Folklore — Life lessons from the wisdom of the world”, invites students to share cultural traditions that shape their understanding of life and leadership.
The ten-day program will take our delegates far beyond the classroom. They will tour Hanoi’s historic sites, present cultural lessons to Vietnamese students, showcase Canadian traditions in a global festival, and spend precious time living with host families. Later, in Ha Long Bay, they will collaborate with peers from over 20 nations on group projects and presentations, building the skills of communication, empathy, and diplomacy that future leaders need most.
But perhaps the most powerful lessons will be found in friendship and growth. Past delegates describe the experience as transformative — a chance to discover that while culture, language, and traditions differ, laughter, kindness, and courage are universal.
One Trafalgar student reflected:
"Even though we were only together for two weeks, by the end it felt as if I knew you all for my whole life. This experience opened my eyes to how we are each unique in our own way, but also how similar we are no matter where we come from."
Another added:
"World School pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. Standing on a stage, sharing my ideas, and listening to voices from every corner of the globe made me realize that leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about having the courage to speak, the humility to listen, and the heart to connect."
Behind every delegation stands a dedicated mentor. For Trafalgar, that guiding light has been Mme Fanzone, whose encouragement and vision have sustained the school’s participation and relationship within World School. From coaching students through rigorous debates to helping them navigate cultural nuances, Mme Fanzone ensures that every delegate is ready not only to represent Canada, but also to think and act as global citizens. Her commitment is a living example of the values Trafalgar seeks to instill: courage to speak, curiosity to listen, and compassion to connect.
Over the years, World School forums have tackled some of the most urgent themes of our time: the future of food and water, rebuilding after disaster, consumption and sustainability, and imagining a connected world. In each of these discussions, Trafalgar students have carried Canada’s values of inclusivity, resilience, and hope — offering fresh ideas shaped by both tradition and innovation.
As we look ahead to October, we celebrate not only the three young women preparing to travel to Vietnam, but also the generations of Trafalgar students who came before them and the generations yet to come. For every girl who dreams of changing the world, their story is a reminder: leadership is not just about standing on a stage — it’s about building bridges, listening with an open heart, and daring to imagine a future where we all stand as one.
Follow our journey in the weeks ahead as we introduce the delegates, share their preparations, and count down to Vietnam — where Trafalgar students will once again carry Canada’s voice onto the world stage.
World School International Forum 2025 — Where We Stand as One.
Over the years, World School forums have tackled some of the most urgent themes of our time: the future of food and water, rebuilding after disaster, consumption and sustainability, and imagining a connected world. In each of these discussions, Trafalgar students have carried Canada’s values of inclusivity, resilience, and hope — offering fresh ideas shaped by both tradition and innovation.
As we look ahead to October, we celebrate not only the three young women preparing to travel to Vietnam, but also the generations of Trafalgar students who came before them and the generations yet to come. For every girl who dreams of changing the world, their story is a reminder: leadership is not just about standing on a stage — it’s about building bridges, listening with an open heart, and daring to imagine a future where we all stand as one.
Follow our journey in the weeks ahead as we introduce the delegates, share their preparations, and count down to Vietnam — where Trafalgar students will once again carry Canada’s voice onto the world stage.
World School International Forum 2025 — Where We Stand as One.
Trafalgar’s Global Footprint within World School
(A legacy of learning, leadership, and connection)
World School Forum host countries
📌 Japan
📌 United States (Tennessee)
📌 Germany
📌 Australia
📌 Italy
📌 South Korea
📌 Russia
📌 Romania
Themes Through the Years
World School Forum host countries
📌 Japan
📌 United States (Tennessee)
📌 Germany
📌 Australia
📌 Italy
📌 South Korea
📌 Russia
📌 Romania
Themes Through the Years
- The Future of Food and Water
- Feeding the Planet – Energy for Life
- Consumption to Consumerism
- Rebuilding After Disaster
- A Connected World
- Beyond the Pandemic
- Environment, Clothing, Tradition & Innovation
- Housing, Culture, and Volunteerism
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