Upper School College Blog – Friday, December 10, 2021

On By Havergal Upper School

Dear Parents,

It’s a busy time of the year. This past week we were treated to an amazing concert from our Symphonic Band, our Grade 9 Band, and our Orchestra. Our winter sports teams are well underway with over 27 teams starting regular practices, and the Senior School play has started rehearsals. In addition to the Grade 12 PJ day and breakfast, students have decorated cookies, sent candy grams, participated in secret gift exchanges, and added notes to our Kindness Tree. To top it all off, all students have been learning the carols in anticipation of the Carol Service next week.

Finally, the past few weeks have brought us a true feeling of winter. While the first snowfall is always exciting it is even more amazing to see it through the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time on campus. Please enjoy this short video created by Jessica G, a new Grade 10 boarder who experienced her first Toronto snowfall last week and recorded it while walking on our beautiful 33-acre campus. 

The Upper School College Blog contains information and updates on the following: 

Latest News:

Sincerely,

JJ Patterson, Head of Middle School

Deirdre Timusk, Head of Senior School

Latest News

Carol Service

Carol Service is coming on Wednesday, December 15!  

  • Further information including the streaming link will be sent on Monday, December 13. Please note that both services will be streamed and recorded and the recordings will be shared with families after the event. 
  • Grade 7 -10 students will be having their Carol Service on Wednesday, December 15 at 2pm in the Brenda Robson Hall. Parents of the performers and readers are welcome to join us in-person. Those invited to attend in person have already received an invitation from Cissy Goodridge.
  • Grade 11 & 12 students and two family member guests are invited to join us in-person at 7 pm on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, in the Brenda Robson Hall. 
  • If you are attending the service in person:
    • Please aim to arrive at least 45 minutes before the service to allow time for entering the building. The main doors will be locked ten minutes before the service begins. If you arrive later than that, please use one of the other doors to enter the building. 
    • If you did not receive your COVID-19 vaccines in Ontario please double check this link to ensure you are considered fully vaccinated in Ontario. 
    • Please do your screening before you arrive and enter through your designated door. 
    • Details along with your screening link will be sent to you via email from Cissy Goodridge the morning of Wednesday, December 15. 

Travelling Over the Break

We’d like to remind families that if you are travelling over the holidays and your child is required to quarantine following your travel, they should contact their teachers via email and they will be able to access their classwork through Veracross. Teachers and Guidance Counsellors will be accessible and supportive but students will not be able to Zoom into class.

Grade 7 Parents: Reach Ahead Math Information Night, Thursday, January 13

Earlier this week, Grade 7 Parents received an invitation via email from JJ Patterson, Head of Middle School, inviting them to an information session via Zoom on Thursday, January 13 at 7 pm to explain the various math options that begin for our students in Grade 8. If you or your child are interested in Reach Ahead Math in Grade 8, this is an important session for you to attend. Please refer to the email for additional details and the Zoom link. We hope you will be able to join us but if not, the recording and slide deck will be shared with all Grade 7 Parents following the event.

Grade 8 – 11 Parents: Course Information Night, Wednesday, January 12

All parents with children in Grades 8-11 are invited to attend Zoom Webinar on Wednesday, January 12 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm to learn about the Academic Program for the 2021-2022 school year followed by grade-specific course selection information. Please save the date and stay tuned to additional details coming in the new year. 

Green & Gold Shop

Today was the last day to pick up any unclaimed orders. Any held items will be returned to the store stock and student accounts will be credited. If you are unsure if you have an outstanding order please email Margie Fleming at mfleming@havergal.on.ca.

Retirement of Cathy Atkinson

In January of 2022, after almost 32 years of outstanding service, Cathy Atkinson will be joining her husband Glenn in blissful retirement as she begins her next exciting chapter of life. Cathy started at Havergal College in 1989 as the Evening Receptionist and in 1991 moved to the position of Guidance Administrative Assistant where she has been a formidable presence, always knowing what to do, the ever calm voice at the helm of the guidance office both figuratively and literally. Cathy’s warm personality, institutional and guidance administrative knowledge is unmatched and her retirement, though wonderful for her, leaves us the poorer. Alongside her knowledge of her own role, Cathy has been the leading organizer behind Awards Day and our beautiful graduation ceremonies for many years. We want to thank Cathy for her incredible contributions to the thousands of families and students of Havergal College whose lives she has touched. We wish her every happiness in the future. 

Back in Business with Crescent

This past weekend 16 Grade 11 and 12 Havergal students competed in a business case competition at Crescent School. It was the first time in almost two years the two schools had officially met in person for an academic event. Students deliberated over a case for three hours and then presented via zoom to a panel of expert judges. The winners were:

  • Pool A: Team 3A (Luke Hilborn, Sophie Hodgson, Matthew Overvelde and Avery Southam)
  • Pool B: Team 2B (Taylor Johnson, Shay Kothari, Eamonn Lay and Katie Stock)
  • Pool C: Team 3C (Matthew Chen, Sarah Cooke, Carys Doyle and Cameron Oland)

It was great to see everyone out at this event and we hope to participate in more events like this in the future. Thank you to all the volunteer judges who helped make this day a success.  

Flamingo Feet

We’re proud to let you know that Grade 7 student, Shreya G., has written a children’s book called Flamingo Feet. 100% of the proceeds of this book go towards charity and during the month of December, all proceeds raised by the sales of her book will be donated to SickKids Foundation. Outside the month of December, the proceeds go towards an education charity that helps young girls to attend school in developing countries. If you are interested to learn more and/or purchase a copy for yourself, Flamingo Feet is available for purchase at Indigo.ca, Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, & Barnes and Noble.

Dates on the Horizon

Wednesday, Dec 15: Carol Service

Grades 7-10: 2 pm (grade 7-10 students and invitees only)

Grades 11-12:  7 pm (grade 11 & 12 students, parents, and invitees only)

Dec 16 – Jan 3 (inclusive): School Closed for Christmas Holidays

Thursday, Dec 16: Boarding School closes at noon

Monday, Jan 3: Boarding School opens at 4 pm

Tuesday, Jan 4: Classes Resume for Students (Day 3)

Wednesday, Jan 12: Grade 8-11: Course Selection Information Night – Virtual 

Thursday, Jan 13: Grade 7: Reach Ahead Math Information Night – Virtual

Photos from the Week

Music Night and the December 6 Lunchtime Tribute

Grade 12 PJ Breakfast and Kindness Tree

Middle School and Senior School Holiday Parties

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