A rink of ice, two teams of girls and an age-old rivalry are the essentials of one of Bishop Strachan School's best traditions: hockey day. When the weather outside is frightful and students are slumping over their desks with the winter blues, ice hockey is the answer to all our problems. It is a true Canadian sport that can be found everywhere you go here.
For several years now, Bishop Strachan has been competing in an official game against its rival all-girls school, Havergal College. The ultimate challenge is to determine who will win the Hewitt Trophy and which school will get bragging rights for the rest of the year.
The gym doors burst open at 8.45am and girls start to assemble as the pep rally begins. Signs are floating in the air with messages of encouragement for our hockey team: 'We love #18!', 'Go BSS Go!'
After some quick announcements, the players pour through the doors bearing their striped hockey jerseys and bright smiles. These are the ice queens for the season, in constant pursuit of victory.
'The team loves the pep rally because we all get really hyped up about winning the game,' says one player.
Everyone is given the afternoon off class to rush off to the rink.