School Life
Leadership & House System
At Trafalgar, school life is about more than academics — it’s about belonging, leadership, and learning by doing.
Traf girls are fiercely loyal to their Houses — a cherished tradition that began as a way to build unity across grades and has since become a cornerstone of our school community. The House System brings students together in spirited competitions, creative challenges, and community events, fostering friendships, confidence, and a strong sense of school spirit. Every student plays a role, and every contribution matters.
One of the most powerful examples of this is the annual House Plays. Much more than a performance, the House Plays are a hands-on leadership experience. Students take the lead as directors, designers, stage managers, and collaborators — setting visions, solving problems, adapting to challenges, and learning what it means to guide a team with creativity and resilience. Along the way, they receive mentorship from peers and faculty, pick up practical skills (like sewing a costume or painting a clean edge), and grow in ways that reach far beyond the stage.
At Trafalgar, every House event becomes an opportunity: to connect, to lead, to lift each other up — and to discover just how much they’re capable of. School life here isn’t something students watch from the sidelines; it’s something they help shape every day.
And what would the Houses be without their defining features? Established in Traf’s 50th year, each House chose its own colour, motto, and namesake — symbols that continue to reflect their unique spirit. Discover them below:
Ross House
The Namesake: Donald Ross, the visionary merchant whose 1867 bequest founded the school. At a time when women’s higher education was often overlooked, Ross was a "progressive Scot" who insisted that girls deserved to stretch their minds.
The Spirit: As the house of the Founder, Ross House carries the weight of our origin story.
Motto: Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re — "Pleasant in Disposition, Brave in Action."
Cumming House
The Namesake: Principal Janet Cumming. Originally named "Riddell," the house was renamed in 1940 to honour Miss Cumming upon her retirement. She led the school through the challenging years of the Great Depression and the start of WWII.
The Spirit: Cumming embodies resilience and the ability to evolve with the times.
Motto: Facta non Verba — "Deeds not Words."
Fairley House
The Namesake: Miss Grace Fairley, Trafalgar’s very first Principal (1887). She was the one who welcomed Effie Baker, our first student, and set the academic standard for what a "Traf Girl" could achieve.
The Spirit: Fairley represents the spark of the beginning—the courage to lead a brand-new institute.
Motto: Ministerium se Praevenit — "Service before Self."
Donald House
The Namesake: The Rev. George H. Donald, a beloved Board President. As the school community grew in the mid-20th century, Donald House was established in 1960 to ensure the "small family" feel of the House system remained intact as enrollment increased.
The Spirit: Donald represents growth, inclusion, and the enduring strength of the Trafalgar community.
Motto: Pertinacia et Amicitia — "Determination and Friendship."
Barclay House
The Namesake: The Rev. Dr. James Barclay, the first Chairman of the Board. He was a close ally of Donald Smith (Lord Strathcona). He fought the legal and logistical battles necessary to relocate the school from the "Trafalgar property" into the heart of Montreal.
The Spirit: Barclay represents the strategic leadership and "grit" required to turn a vision into a reality.
Motto: Tende Bene et Alta Pete — "Strive well and reach high."
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