Friday, May 26, 2023

On By Havergal Upper School

UPPER SCHOOL

New Investments in the Guidance Department

As we have returned to a fulsome in-person school program, Havergal has been reviewing our Upper School student support model to ensure we have the best possible structure in place for our students.

We are thrilled to share that we are making new investments in our Guidance Department in order to provide the best possible University counselling, academic planning and social emotional support for students.

We recognize that the transition from Grade 6 to 7 and the shift from Grade 8 to 9 can have a significant impact on our students as they navigate the Middle and Senior Schools. Following the pandemic, we have seen an increase in the need for  academic and social-emotional support  for students. This trend, in addition to the increased complexity in the university admission process, have guided our evolution of the guidance counselling model.

Key Changes to Note:

Leadership

Starting this fall, the Guidance department will be led by two co-directors of the department. Heather Johnstone,  as Director of Guidance, Academic & University Counselling, will focus on leading the academic and university guidance program. Kirsten Uhre, as Director of Guidance, Student Support & Wellbeing, will focus on leading the team’s social and emotional support services for students in Grades 7 to12.

Counsellors

In order to better support students, we are shifting to a model where students will have two different counsellors during their time in Upper School instead of three. Students will have one counsellor from Grades 7 to 9 and a second counsellor from Grades 10 to 12. As well, we have increased the number of counsellors to 7 faculty members, therefore increasing our ability to offer increasingly personalized support. 

  • Grades 7 to 9 counsellors will focus on transition years. As students move into Senior School in Grade 9 they will remain with their same counsellor from Middle School to ensure they are well supported during this key transition. 
  • Grades 10 to12 counsellors will focus on academic counselling and university planning. The university application process has become more complex and as a result students will now begin planning and connecting with their counsellors in Grade 10. Grade 11 students will have the opportunity to sign up for specialized sessions to learn more about the US and UK application process. We will continue to run a dedicated session during Advisory in Grade 12 to support students with the university application process.
  • Guidance Counsellor will continue to be aligned with Havergal’s Houses:

Grade 7- 9 Counsellors:

  • Farisa Santos -Frances Ridley, Marcelle DeFreitas, Agnes Hansen, Grade 9s in Marian Wood 
  • Carrie Steele – Kate Leonard, Ellen Knox, Mary Dennys, Grade 7s in Marian Wood 
  • Jordy Winograd – Margaret Taylor, Catherine Steele, Edith Nainby, Grade 8s in Marian Wood 

Grade 10-12 Counsellors:

  • Jordan Frost – Ellen Knox, Marcelle De Freitas, Mary Dennys
  • Heather Johnstone – Kate Leonard and Agnes Hansen 
  • Jennifer Mandala – Margaret Taylor, Marian Wood, Edith Nainby
  • Kirsten Uhre – Catherine Steele and Francis Ridley 

Learning Support

There are no changes to the Learning Support model. Students in Grades 7 and 8 will continue to be supported in their learning skills and needs by their Guidance Counsellor. Students in Grades 9 to12 will continue to work with the dedicated Learning Support specialist.

As the needs of students have evolved, it is important that our guidance support shifts alongside these changing demands. We are confident that this new model will provide more targeted support for students, and we are pleased to share the news about these investments in our students’ success.

If you have any questions about your daughter’s counsellor for next year, please feel free to reach out to her current guidance counsellor who can answer your questions. 

NASA Space Camp is Back!

Havergal is very excited to provide this awesome excursion opportunity again: 

When? Nov 5-11, 2023 (week before mid-term break)

Where? U.S. Space & Rocket Centre in Huntsville, Alabama

Who? Current Gr. 7-11 students can apply now, to attend in the fall

How? Interested students can apply with a video application to Ms. Loyola 

by midnight on Friday, June 2nd, 2023.

There is a Zoom information session happening at 6pm on Monday, May 29th, where more details about the camp and the application process will be provided. Please use the following link to join us. The meeting will be recorded and posted here on Tuesday, for those who are unable to attend. 

https://havergal.zoom.us/j/83864046441?pwd=dG42M2lRQzJWZ1hMME9BTlIyUzZGZz09

Meeting ID: 838 6404 6441

Passcode: 448178

If required, financial aid is available here. 

Recharge and Review Week

Next week students are invited to take part in a week-long series of stress reducing activities over the lunch hour. The activities include 2 visits from Sunshine Therapy Dogs, a lavender pouch making kit activity provided by Lavender Grace, a session to talk about stress and emotion regulation from the Social Work Team, and an opportunity to combine music and art during a Footloose Thursday music showcase in the North Quad. Click HERE for the full calendar of activities and locations.

The chapel will also be available daily for students to use for quiet or reflective time. Hot chocolate and tea will be available outside the chapel. The popular fruit infused water stations will also be set up in the Temerty all day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for students to enjoy. 

Getting Ready for Exams

As teachers and students get ready for exams, parents might want to review the student exam instructions on this document. 

**NEW** Student Files in the Veracross Parent Portal

During their time at Havergal, students will receive a number academic reports in addition to their Havergal report card, such as for the Grade 10 literacy test, and the Digital Wisdom and TC-9 courses. These reports will now be distributed to you in the Student Files section of your child’s profile in the Veracross Parent Portal. If you have any questions please contact the IT service desk.

OSSLT results from the 2021-22 school year are now available for those students who wrote. This year’s OSSLT results will be made available when we receive them in June. Additionally, TC-9 reports for this year’s Grade 9 students are now available.

How to Access Student Files

  1. Sign into the Veracross Parent Portal
  2. In the upper left, select My Children, then select Student Files under the child you wish you view
  3. In the Files section, select Download next to the file you wish to view

Band Student Reminders

Starting next week, instrument, accessories, music, and folder return will begin. Please make sure that any Havergal music equipment at home is returned for cleaning and maintenance over the summer. If you wish to keep your instrument over the summer, please speak to or email your child’s band teacher.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Wednesday Form Time

Next week our students will celebrate their final TA session of the year. During this time the MS students get to meet with students in grade 9 – 12. It is a wonderful opportunity for the older students to share their perspectives and words of wisdom with the MS students.

 The MS Assembly on Wednesday, May 31, has been organized by our Grade 8 Exec. It will be a fun assembly, highlighting the MS achievements from the year.

Middle School Musical Review

This year the MS Musical is Born to be Brave, written by our Grade 12 student Riley W. It will be a short 35 minute production on Friday June 2nd, at 4pm and 7pm. Parents are welcome to order tickets using the following link: Tickets Once ordered, tickets will be available on the day of the show outside of the theatre.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Wednesday Advising Time

This Wednesday Teacher Advising groups will be celebrating in their TA rooms.

Fine Art Senior Exhibition & Reception

Senior Art students will be hosting an evening of Fine Art at the Biowall and Quilted Gardens on Wednesday May 31, 2023 from 4:00 – 6:30 PM. This event is open to all Havergal student families, and friends.

Forum for Change

The Forum for Change is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for our 2023-2024 Global Learning Project: Morocco and Spain – March 8th – 18th. Please note the following: 

– We will be accepting applications from current Grade 9-11 students

– We will be partnering with Crescent School for the duration of this trip, including the pre-departure and post-transference meetings

The purpose and outcomes of this Global Learning Project:

  • To broaden understanding of different cultural history and development, social mores and structures
  • To enliven global competencies of curiosity, fluency and open-mindedness
  • To evaluate and examine our own perspectives and our personal values.
  • To learn from and share with the people of Morocco and Spain
  • Everyone has a different idea of what the Middle East and Spain culture and contentment looks like, this will be an opportunity to validate and expand our thinking: to appreciate Moroccan and Spanish cultural traditions and spirituality
  • To deepen and expand our worldview.
  • To be immersed in a society that will contrast the difference in pace and values between a life centered in Western beliefs

Please Note: an in-person information session is forthcoming, held in partnership with Crescent School. Stay tuned for the dates

Students must complete THIS FORM by June 5th. Successful applicants will be invited for a follow up interview. Participants will be selected before the end of the school year.All the information can be found by visiting THIS SITE from our Trip Provider George Hardy Tours. Please contact our Vice Principal, Experiential Education & Innovation, Garth Nichols with any questions.

REMINDERS

Fall Camps Registration is open – due June 5 – Class of 2024 & Class of 2027

Please find here all the links you will need to learn more and register your daughter. 

Registration is due on Monday, June 5 

Grade 8 Fall Camp Registration

Current grade 7 parents will be sent the AAR risk form on Friday June 2nd. Please complete the registration from no later than Wednesday, June 7. 

Round Square International Service Trip: December of 2023, Thailand

Please CLICK HERE for information. Applications close Thursday,  June 1st.

Please return your library books!

Students are asked to please return all library books by Friday, June 2nd. 

Celebrate Grade 8! ** Date change: Friday, June 9

On Friday, June 9th, we will be honouring our Grade 8 class with a ceremony and reception in the Brenda Robson Hall. We look forward to having you join us from 3 – 4:30 PM. 

Pre-loved Uniforms

Drop off gently used uniform items any time to our new pre-loved uniform bins. We will also do a large collection on June 14 at the Upper School. Drop off in the US laneway from 7:30 – 8 am OR in the Ellen Knox library from 8:30 am – 12 noon.

Used Textbook Collection

Mark your calendars to drop off used textbooks and general books on June 14! Drop off curbside from 7:30 – 8 am OR drop off in the Ellen Knox library from 8:30am – 12 noon. See Grade Rep email for further instructions. This is a great opportunity to do some spring cleaning!

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Mon May 29 Athletic Assembly

Recharge and Review Week  

Wed May 31

Fine Art Exhibition 4:00pm – 6:30pm at the BioWall

Thu June 1

Principal’s Prayers

HCPA Staff Appreciation Ivy Pub 

Fri June 2

Last day of classes for grade 10 – 12 students

“Born to be Brave”: MS Musical 4 pm and 7 pm

Library books due

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