On Tuesday, January 27th, the Upper School observed International Holocaust Remembrance Day together in Prayers. We had the honour of having Dr. Carol Lipszyc share the story of her mother’s survival during the years of the Holocaust in Lublin, Poland. Dr. Lipszyc shared footage of her interviewing her mother, telling the story of her escape. She then shared some poetry she wrote based on her mother’s stories. Our Senior Vocal class gave a powerful performance of Ani Ma’amim, a song that has come to represent resistance in the Jewish culture. To learn more about Dr. Lipszyc and her work, visit the organization, Carrying Testimony from Generation to Generation.
Yesterday, our Grade 11 class stepped away from their daily routines to focus on the essential work of self-discovery and collective leadership. The day was intentionally designed to help each student find their unique voice, exploring the core values that define who they are and how they are meant to lead. Guest speaker Jules Porter provided a powerful spark for this journey, challenging the students to listen to their inner gut feelings and find the courage to live authentically in the world. This was complemented by Ms. Russell, our Director of Student Leadership, who encouraged the cohort to align those personal values with their passions to create a meaningful impact in the communities they care about. Through the guidance of our incredible Havergal facilitators, the Class of 2027 didn’t just grow as individuals—they bonded as a unified group. We left the retreat incredibly proud of their insight and energy, and we are eager to see the leadership and spirit they will continue to bring to the Havergal community.
We are looking forward to shaking off the cold weather with our Spirit Week activities in a few weeks. Be sure to check your cupboards for Green and Gold accessories and get ready for our beloved Hockey Day.
Go Gators!
Cissy and Krista
Next Week In The Upper School
Monday, Feb 2,
- Deadline for Online Re-Enrollment
- Deadline for Hockey Day Registration
Tuesday, Feb 3,
- Black Culture Prayers & Reception
Wednesday, Feb 4
- Global Experience Information Session, 6 – 7:30 pm (Virtual)
Thursday, Feb 5
- Exchange Prayers
- HCPA Grade 8 Parent Social
Upper School
Havergal College: A Night of Music at Koerner Hall, 7 pm, March 3, 2026
We are excited to announce that Senior Spring Music Night will take place at Koerner Hall on Tuesday, March 3rd, at 7 pm. Tickets are free and can be secured through the Royal Conservatory Box Office. Tickets will be available for pickup at the Koerner Hall box office before 6:50 pm on the night of the event.
Exchange Program Applications 2026-27
Grade 8 and Grade 10 Exchange Applications are opening soon!
Families with a student currently in grades 7 and 9 interested in applying to the program for the 2026-27 school year are invited to an information session at Havergal on Monday, February 9, from 6-7 pm in the Brenda Robson Hall. The information session is a required component of the application process, as it’s important that the applying student and at least 1 parent/guardian attend to understand the program they are applying for.
Interested students and their families are asked to RSVP here. If you have any questions, please contact Jenn Russell.
Middle School
Form Programming Next Week
Next week in Form programming, students will explore their personal values, their role within different communities, and how they can support others. They will revisit the Community Agreements each grade created in the Fall and reflect on how they are upholding these commitments. This work not only supports students in setting values-based goals but also deepens their understanding of how they contribute to and care for their community.
Our Grade 8 assemblies are back with Form 8E and 8F presenting on Kindness and how to spread joy and do nice things for people in your community.
Grade 7 Science of Learning and Wellbeing Course – January 2026: Parent Overview
Grade 7 students are approximately halfway through the Science of Learning and Wellbeing mini-course. Our work has been centered around the question: “How does the brain support our learning and social-emotional wellbeing?” and emphasizes that Middle School is about learning how to learn, building self-awareness, and establishing positive learning habits.
Students examined how the brain learns through building and strengthening neural networks, highlighting the importance of practice for skill building. We emphasized that effortful practice (flashcards/quizzes) and spaced repetition (shorter, frequent sessions) are far more effective than re-reading or “cramming.” Students also explored emotion regulation and how to manage the “fast” emotional reactions of the amygdala using the “logical” prefrontal cortex.
To support your daughter’s ongoing self-reflection in this course, we invite you to use these discussion questions for conversations at home.
- Ask your daughter what she has learned thus far in the course.
- What has been a highlight of the course so far? Do you have a “fun fact” you can share with us?
- What have you learned about how the brain makes neural connections? How does it apply to them as a learner?
- Based on what they have learned, do they think they have effective study strategies? Is there a strategy that they learned that they might try? What is it? What course would they use it for?
Senior School
Havergal’s Next: Data Scientist
Havergal’s Next Data Scientist is a two-day, hands-on immersive experience for Grades 10-12 at the MaRS Discovery District from April 7-8.
Students will work with a real organization to:
- Uncover an authentic data challenge using real datasets
- Learn how to create meaningful insights, visualizations, and compelling data stories using actual industry tools
- Explore topics such as Climate, Health, Cities, and Digital Safety, connected to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Building data literacy, analytical confidence, and transferable skills aligns with pathways in business, engineering, and computer science. Students will produce portfolio-ready work they can share beyond school. Designed for curious thinkers; no prior experience is required. Spaces are limited. Program fee applies. Please contact Allison Campbell-Rogers in HC-X if you have any questions. Students can apply through the link in the DSO announcements.
Grade Programming Next Week
Grade 9s will be introduced to The Challenge 9 (TC9) program, in which all students will participate after March Break.
Grade 10s will be divided into two groups. Half the students will be doing breath work with an outside expert, and the other half will be participating in Neurographic Art, led by our own Ms. Barrett from the Junior School.
Grade 11s will learn more about power, systems, and how they combine to positively or negatively shape the world around us with our Executive Director of Inclusive Excellence.
Grade 12s will be writing letters to themselves 10 years from now. These letters will be sealed and shared with the Class of 2026 at their 10-year reunion. While they write, our Advancement team will treat them to breakfast.
Boarding School
Boarding Monthly Newsletter
Please enjoy our latest issue of Boarding Life: Parent Edition.
HCPA
Pre-Loved Uniform & HCPA Marketplace
The Pre-Loved Uniform & HCPA Marketplace mid-year sale is on Wednesday, February 4, 2:30 – 5:00 pm in the Junior School Learning Hub hallway. Sizing is available from JK – Grade 12. We still need volunteers to assist on Wednesday, February 4th. Please consider lending a hand, and sign up here.
US Parent Socials
Save the Date for the following evening parent socials:
Grade 8 Parents: Thursday, February 5, 7 – 9 pm (EK Library)
Grade 12 Parents: Thursday, February 19, 7:30 – 10:00 pm (EK Library)
Reminders
Global Learning Experiences 26-27 Parent Information Session
Families are invited to explore the details of our GLE 26-27 by reviewing the 26-27 GLE Lookbook and visiting the school portal, where additional information about destinations and timelines is available.
To help families learn more, we invite you to a virtual Parent Information Session on Wednesday, February 4, at 6 pm. This session will provide an overview of the experiences, answer common questions, and outline next steps in the registration process.
Contact Fatima Kaba for more information.
Hockey Day Registration
On Tuesday, February 10, at approximately 12:45 pm, Havergal College will face the Bishop Strachan School (BSS) U20 D1A Hockey team in a battle for the Hewitt Cup.
The game will be played at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (Formerly Maple Leaf Gardens) located at 50 Carlton St, Toronto. Attendance is mandatory for students in Grades 4 to 8; students in Grades 9 to 12 are encouraged to attend. The parents of all attendees must complete the online registration and purchase tickets in advance.
Transportation:
- Students in Grades 7 & 8 have mandatory bus transportation to and from Mattamy AC.
- Students in Grades 9 – 12 may ride the buses back to Havergal or be dismissed directly from Mattamy AC after the game. Please note that if you choose to be dismissed from Mattamy during the registration process, there will be no return bus transportation for your child. Their choice must be indicated on the registration form.
- Please speak to your child before completing registration. We cannot make changes after registration is complete, as we order buses according to these requests.
Registration:
- Registration is now open and will close on Monday, February 2, at 8 pm.
- Student accounts will be charged $25 to attend the event, which includes bus transportation, a spirit item, and arena admission.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Di Filippo.
Gator Gala 2026
All Upper and Middle School students, along with an adult guest (parent/guardian), are invited to HAVERGAL & CO – an evening inspired by elegance, sparkle, and timeless charm. Step into a world of Tiffany Blue dreams as we dine, dance, and make memories at the 2026 Gator Gala!
Saturday, March 28, 2026
6:00 – 11:30 pm
Parkview Manor – 55 Barber Greene Rd., Unit #1
Tickets are $165 per person until February 20. Tickets purchased after are $175 until the March 2nd’s final deadline.
Silent Auction:
Interested in donating to the Gator Gala Silent Auction? Please contact Jenn Ocampo-King or email havergalgatorgala@gmail.com.
Calling all volunteers for day-of help! Sign up here.





