UPPER SCHOOL

Clothing Drive for New Circles

Our Middle School leaders are running a clothing drive with New Circles to help those in need as the weather turns colder. Students in the Upper School are encouraged to bring in new or gently used winter outerwear to the donation box in the Forum for Change (located in the Resource Centre)  or to their Form or TA rooms.

Honeybees: Season 1

We are officially wrapped for the Honeybee season, and so are the bees. They are wrapped in plastic in their hive to help insulate them over the winter. Thanks to all of you who actively supported, challenged, and raised key questions to make this season a success. 

Some Data from the Season:

1. The hive had a peak population of 50,000 bees at the height of summer

2. The colony produced a whopping 7.8kg of hyper-local honey

3.  Our Queen Bee was successfully crowned “Bee-yonce”

4. Want to learn more? Subscribe to the MyHive page

Winter Athletics Season has Begun

Tryouts for the winter athletics season are now over and the regular season will begin next week. The athletic team for your child will be on their Veracross page under “Teams”. Parents can view the schedule in two ways:

1. “My Household Calendar” on the parent portal. 
2. THIS Google schedule (tab name: “Winter 2023-2024”). 

*It is VERY important that your child is able to commit to the full season schedule: practices and games. If your child cannot commit to the season, please have them contact the relevant coach to inform them of any commitment issues.*

If your child did not make a winter sports team, but wishes to play on a team, please email me, Carla Di Filippo. There are some teams such as nordic skiing, squash & swimming that will accept additional athletes.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

In Advising This Week

Students will have the opportunity to discuss Dr. Damour’s presentation and participate in a reflective activity that will review the wellbeing topics that were discussed during the presentation. 

UCC Dance for Grade 7 Students

Grade 7 students who are interested in attending the UCC dance on Friday, December 15 are asked to complete the Google form that was sent to them today, Friday, November 24. The form will close on Friday, December 1 at 9:00 am. 

Middle School Play Tickets Go on Sale November 27!

Havergal MS Drama presents…

Rogues’ Gallery

By Rachel Bublitz, Tyler Dwiggins, Kathryn Funkhouser, Patrick Greene, Elissa C. Huang, Carrie McCrossen, Ian McWethy, Jason Pizzarello & Maria Pretzl

Thursday, December 7 at 4:00 pm

Friday, December 8 at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm

In the Legacy Theatre

Tickets: $20

To purchase tickets, please email playtickets@havergal.on.ca with:

1. Student name and student number

2. How many tickets and for which showtime

3. How you would like to pay? (Student account or cash at the door.)

SENIOR SCHOOL

Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey Info Session

On November 29th we will be hosting an information session from 6:00 – 7:00 pm over Zoom for our Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey. This journey consists of a canoe trip and camping through Algonquin park on June 23-26, 2024 and will satisfy the Bronze and Silver levels of the award. 

HERE is the zoom link (Passcode: 391137)

If you have any questions, please contact Brittney Dos Santos

TC-9: a Transdisciplinary Course for Grade 9 Students

Thank you to those parents that came to the TC-9 information session on Friday. Please see THIS VIDEO summary of the course goals, the purpose, the WHAT, WHY and WHEN. Some highlights are:

• WHY: To prepare young women to have the skills, dispositions and practice to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges outlined by the UN SDGs
• WHAT: Experiential, hands-on, action-oriented 8 days, that support and cover academic concepts and learning
• WHEN: March 26 – April 8

Queen’s University Visit

Queen’s University will be visiting Havergal College on Friday, December 1 to speak to Grade 11 and 12 students after school from 3:30 pm-4:15 pm in room B16. This is a great opportunity to see what the university has to offer.

In Advising this Week

Students will be in mixed grade TA groups and will have the opportunity to discuss Dr. Damour’s presentation from the previous day and participate in a reflective activity that will review the topics that were discussed during her presentation. 

HCPA

Ivy Market – Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who supported Ivy Market. We hope you enjoyed the shopping, treats and the chance to mingle and reconnect with others. A special thank you to all the parent volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event a success!

HCPA Marketplace

There is still time to buy a beautiful wreath before the holidays! View the catalogue here and place your order by December 1.

REMINDERS

Arts Events in December

We are looking forward to welcoming you to a series of remarkable events in December:

Dec 6

Senior School Music Night at 7pm in the Brenda Robson Hall

Dec 7

Rogue’s Gallery in the Legacy Theater at 4pm

Dec 8

Rogue’s Gallery in the Legacy Theater at 4pm and 7pm

Dec 12

Middle School Music Night at 4pm in the Brenda Robson Hall

Dec 13

US Carol Service at St Paul’s Church Bloor Street at 7pm

HCPA Coffee Morning – For Parents, By Parents

We are looking forward to seeing Grades 7, 8 and 9 parents on Wednesday, December 6 from 8:00 – 9:30 am in the Old Girls BioWall/Student Commons space at the Upper School. (RSVP – hcpa.parentevents@gmail.com)

Special Speaker – Lisa Damour – Tuesday, November 28

As part of our Parents as Partners Speaker Series psychologist and parenting expert Lisa Damour will be  at Havergal on Tuesday November 28th at 7pm. . There are limited tickets available – please click here to register.   If you are unable to come to hear this incredible speaker please take a moment to listen to her very popular podcast which addresses common parenting issues. She is scheduled to address students in a special session during the school day, in addition to her evening engagement. 

Applying for Financial Support/Bursary – New & Returning Students Entering Grades 7 – 12 Deadline: December 1, 2023

To be considered, please complete the Financial Assistance for Canadian Students (FACS) application form available on applefinancialservices.ca. Bursaries are granted on an annual basis; therefore an application must be submitted each year. Refer to Havergal’s guide on Affordability, available here on the Parent Portal to learn more about the Financial Support program.

Holiday Angels Reminder

We will be collecting gift cards for our New Circles families until December 5 in both Form and TA. Thank you in advance for your support. 

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Tuesday Nov 28       

Special Speaker: Lisa Damour presents to students in Prayers School ends, students are dismissed at 2:20 pm for employee PD with Lisa Damour Parent Speaker: Lisa Damour, 7 – 8:30pm

Wednesday Nov 29 

Virtual Duke of Edinburgh Information Session,  6 – 7pm

Friday  Dec 1           

Dec 1 Financial Support Application deadline

UPPER SCHOOL

December Show Dates

We are looking forward to welcoming you to a series of remarkable events this December:

Dec 6 Senior School Music Night 7pm in the BRH

Dec 7 Rogue’s Gallery The Middle School Play in the Legacy Theater at 4pm

Dec 8 Rogue’s Gallery in the Legacy Theater 4pm and 7pm

Dec 12 Middle School Music Night 4pm in the BRH

Dec 13 US Carol Service at St Paul’s Church Bloor Street 7pm

Students in the Senior Choir will be excused from class and attending Carol Service rehearsals on November 30, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, and December 7 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Thrive Week is coming!

Thrive Week at Havergal College is a week-long series of events that support building a culture of wellbeing. The Pillars of Wellbeing at Havergal that will be showcased throughout Thrive Week include physical, emotional, spiritual, and social wellbeing. 

Each day will feature activities for students to engage in that focus on these domains. 

A sample of some of the activities includes: students speaking to students, yoga, therapy dog visits, and musical performances. 

Thrive Week activities will also support the work that we will be doing as a community on November 28 with our esteemed guest, Dr. Lisa Damour. The HC Wellbeing Council, along with Wellbeing Prefect, Emerson S., have created a schedule of events that aim to help all members of the HC community think about what it means to thrive and to further explore ways to enhance their Wellbeing.

Lawrence Avenue Bus Route to Change

If your daughter uses the Lawrence Avenue Bus (124, 162, 52 or 952), please make sure she leaves a little extra time to get to school on Monday as the TTC is doing some route changes in order to install elevators in the Lawrence station. These begin on Sunday, November 19 and will continue until Fall 2024. Please see ttc.ca for more details. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL

In Advising Next Week

Middle School students will be participating in an activity called “The Wheel of Well-Being” that has been designed by Kids Help Phone and will be introduced by our Form teachers. This activity is aimed to help our students see the different parts of their life in a full circle. Students will be asked to complete the wheel and look to see what factors contribute their wellbeing.

Holiday Angels

Our House Reps have been working with their Forms to help support two families from Holiday Angels. The deadline for bringing in gift cards is December 4. We are encouraging our students to purchase their gift cards over the weekend and remember to bring them in to their Form teachers next week. Students can refer to the email their Form reps sent to them to identify the preferred cards for their family.

SENIOR SCHOOL

In Advising this Wednesday

During this advisory session, two senior students will bravely share their personal stories to either the Grade 9/10 classes or Grade 11/12 classes, shedding light on some challenges they have faced, illuminating the ways they coped, and what it means to thrive. By fostering open conversations about wellbeing, we aim to build understanding, break down stigmas, and inspire empathy within our community.

HCPA

Ivy Market Cocktail Party

The deadline to purchase tickets is TODAY! Click HERE to purchase.

REMINDERS

Gift Card Collection for Havergal Community Partner: New Circles

The Holiday Angels program is back. We are collecting gift cards in House every day until Tuesday, December 5. 

Lisa Damour – Tuesday, November 28

As part of our Parents as Partners Speaker Series, psychologist and parenting expert Lisa Damour will be at Havergal on Tuesday, November 28 at 7:00 pm. There are a limited number of tickets available – please click here to register.   If you are unable to come to hear this incredible speaker please take a moment to listen to her very popular podcast which addresses common parenting issues. 

Photo Retakes this Tuesday, November 22

If you feel your daughter’s school portrait needs to be retaken, please sign her up here. Our school photographer will be on site on Tuesday, November 22, in the afternoon. Please review with your daughter that her collar and tie should be done up and her hair should be the way she likes it before her appointment.

Applying for Financial Support/Bursary – New & Returning Students – Deadline is December 1, 2023

• To be considered, please complete the Financial Assistance for Canadian Students (FACS) application form available on applefinancialservices.ca.
• Bursaries are granted on an annual basis; therefore an application must be submitted each year.
• Refer to Havergal’s guide on Affordability, available here on the Parent Portal to learn more about the Financial Support program.

Ivy Market

Volunteers are still needed!

• Sign Up to Contribute Baked Goods
• Sign Up to Volunteer – Bake Sale
• Sign up to Volunteer – Ivy Market

Gingerbread House Lucky Draw Tickets

• Buy your tickets for this amazing 2’ x 3’ replica of HC HERE.

HCPA Marketplace

• Peruse our catalogue and place your order HERE.

Preview gifts that can be purchased from our vendors on November 21

• Vendor Gift Guide

HCPA Coffee Morning – Coffee by Parents, for Parents

Don’t forget to RSVP for the Grade 7, 8 and 9 Coffee Morning on Wednesday, December 6 in the BioWall/Student Commons space at the Upper School. (hcpa.parentevents@gmail.com)

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Tues Nov 21          

House Colour Dress Down Day 

 Ivy Market:  10-4:30 pm; evening event at 6:30-9:30pm

UPPER SCHOOL

School Portrait Retakes – Wednesday, November 22

Photography retakes will be available on November 22 for students who may have missed the initial photo day or would like a new picture taken. Students need to wear #1 dress and be camera-ready with their hair neat, or the way they like it; and their shirt collar and tie done up. 

You may click here should your child need their photograph retaken.

Holiday Angels Campaign for New Circles

Holiday Angels, in partnership with our community partner, New Circles, has started here at Havergal. Grade 7, Grade 8 and each House in Grades 9-12 have been assigned a family. Each family will appreciate gift cards to specific stores so they can purchase items they need around the holiday season. Each House has a different method for collection; please have your child speak to their House Captain or House Advisor for specific details on the family and how to contribute. Tax Receipt information is available here and must be submitted to your child’s House. Gift cards must be activated at the time of purchase and be accompanied by the receipt from the point of purchase. If you have any questions, please email Jessica Randall at jrandall@havergal.on.ca. We thank you for your support of our community!

Applying for Financial Support/Bursary – Deadline – December 1

To be considered for financial support, please complete the Financial Assistance for Canadian Students (FACS) application form available on applefinancialservices.ca.

Bursaries are granted on an annual basis; therefore an application must be submitted each year. Refer to Havergal’s guide on Affordability, available here on the Parent Portal to learn more about the Financial Support program. 

Winter Athletics Information

Tryouts

• Tryouts for winter athletics will start next week, Nov. 14 – 24. There are two methods of knowing the dates, times and locations of various tryouts:

1. Look at THIS SCHEDULE – be sure you are on the “Winter 2023-2024” tab. Look for your age and sport. 
2. Veracross Household Calendar – located in the parent portal; all of your specific tryouts will be listed on this calendar. 

• If trying out for more than one team, athletes are asked to inform their coaches of their 1st and 2nd choices of winter team. 

Season Schedule Commitments

• Please ensure that your child can commit to the FULL season including CISAA playoffs and finals. Students must be able to commit to all practices and games. The schedule for the entire season is posted. Any conflicts should be communicated with the relevant coaches before final team selections are made. 
• Inability to commit to games and practices may affect team selection. 

**Athletes should not commit to a team if they can’t actually commit to that team. Speak with individual coaches if there is potential for missing games/practices. Each team is different and has various rules about missing practices/games.**

Thrive Week is Coming!

Thrive Week at Havergal College is a week-long series of events that support building a culture of wellbeing. The Pillars of Wellbeing at Havergal that will be showcased throughout Thrive Week include physical, emotional, spiritual, and social wellbeing. 

Each day will feature activities for students to engage in that focus on these domains. 

A sample of some of the activities includes: students speaking to  students, yoga, therapy dog visits, and musical performances. 

Thrive Week activities will also support the work that we will be doing as a community on November 28 with our esteemed guest, Dr. Lisa Damour. The HC Wellbeing Council, along with Wellbeing Prefect, Emerson S., have created a schedule of events that aim to help all members of the HC community think about what it means to thrive and to further explore ways to enhance their Wellbeing.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle School Artwork for the Middle School Play!

As part of this year’s Middle School Play – Rogues’ Gallery – we want to showcase YOUR (Middle School student’s) artwork! We are accepting submissions now to be displayed in our Front-of-House Exhibit for the show!

• What: We are accepting submissions of any and all forms of artwork (paintings, drawings, printed digital art, installations, sculptures, etc.), as long as they are easy to transport and store. This can be artwork that your daughter created in class, or personal art that they created on their own time!
• Why: There will be artwork displayed in the hallway outside the Legacy Theatre as part of an art exhibit — on our performance dates (Dec. 7 & 8), audience members will have the opportunity to look at the artwork before entering the theatre.
• When: Artwork will be due by Monday, November 20 @ 4pm. 
• Where: Drop your piece off at the Legacy Theatre with Ms. Lipovetzky, Mr. Henderson, or Mr. Varey – when you drop off your work, make sure you leave a post it note indicating your name, your grade, and the title of piece along with the year it was created

Introducing #Winatsocial

#Winatsocial is a new program we are using as part of our Middle School Form Program, and the Digital Wisdom course.

Havergal has partnered with The Social Institute (TSI) to offer their #Winatsocial program that is designed to help students navigate their social world, including their use of social media and technology positively. 

#Winatsocial is innovative, designed to equip students with the skills to navigate their wellbeing, social media, and technology in positive, high-character ways. While #Winatsocial will primarily be used in our Grade 7 and 8 Form Program, students will also engage with the program during their Digital Wisdom course. While engaging in this program, students will explore topics such as: “breaking down when to use text and when to talk,” or  “building a positive reputation on social media.” In a world where digital engagement plays a central role in students’ lives, #Winatsocial provides a proactive approach to promote student wellbeing, and foster a positive online culture inside and outside of our community.

#Winatsocial offers a holistic approach to ensure students thrive in the digital age. It’s not just about teaching responsible online behaviour but also cultivating empathy, resilience, and critical thinking. We firmly believe that equipping students with these skills will prepare them for a successful future. Moreover, this program goes beyond the classroom and offers resources to support parents and families, as well. Resources and articles will be shared with families later this Fall, and a brief introduction to the program will be offered during the November Grade Rep meeting, which all parents are invited to attend.

 Partnering with The Social Institute and the #Winatsocial program is a step towards building a safer and more positive digital environment for our children.

SENIOR SCHOOL

OSSLT -Tuesday, November 14

This is a reminder that all Grade 10 students are writing the literacy test on Tuesday, November 14. Students writing with standard time must be in the Single Gym no later than 8:30am. Students writing with extra time must be in the Extra Time Room no later than 8am. Students must bring: 

• Havergal Student ID Card
• Laptop, fully charged
• Laptop charger
• Pens/pencils

All other items, INCLUDING CELL PHONES and SMART WATCHES, must be stored in their locker. Students will receive a reminder email with this message on Monday.

Advising Next Week

We’re back to school next week with a bang! Our Grade 10 students will be taking the OSSLT, and our Grade 9 class will talk about their academic habits in grade groups. Leadership workshops will be run by our Director of Student Leadership for our Grade 11 students and our Grade 12s have the option to attend the UBC Workshop, Ivey Workshop, or meet in a small group setting to ask questions about university applications for other locations. 

University Visit – Queen’s University

Queen’s University Reps will be visiting Havergal College Friday, December 1st from 3:30pm-4:15pm

HCPA

Ivy Market Gift Guide – New!

Be sure to take a look at the Ivy Market Gift Guide featuring the work of over 30 participating vendors.

REMINDERS

HCPA Ivy Market – Tuesday, November 21

Use the links below to purchase tickets:

• Cocktail Party Tickets
• Gingerbread House Lucky Draw Tickets

Use the links below to contribute baked goods, or to volunteer at the Bake Sale or Ivy Market:

• Sign Up to Contribute Baked Goods
• Sign Up to Volunteer – Bake Sale
• Sign up to Volunteer – Ivy Market

HCPA Marketplace

The HCPA Marketplace is now online—get your holiday shopping done early!

• View Marketplace Catalog 
• Place Your Order 

HCPA Coffee Morning – For Parents, By Parents

Join the HCPA for coffee and conversation in the beautiful Old Girls BioWall/Student Commons space at the Upper School from 8:00 – 9:30 am. 

(RSVP to hcpa.parentevents@gmail.com).

• Wednesday, December 6: Grades 7, 8 and 9 parents

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Monday, November 13 Boarding opens at 4:00 pm Sign-up for virtual Parent Teacher Interviews closes at 5:00 pm Tuesday, November 14 OSSLT 8:30 am; 8:00 am for those who receive extra time  Athletic Tryouts Begin  Thursday, November 16 Special Schedule: Parent Teacher Interviews: Period 1 begins at 8:30 am. Classes end at 1:50 pm.  Parent Teacher Interviews – 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm  Friday, November 17 No classes for students. Parent Teacher Interviews (virtual) – 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

UPPER SCHOOL

Parent Teacher Interview Booking is Open until November 13

Sign-up opened yesterday and will remain open until 5pm, Monday, November 13. Passcodes will no longer be required. Please ensure your zoom account is up-to-date. Instructions for updating are HERE. After that time, appointments will need to be made directly with the teachers, as they are the only ones who will have access to their schedules. Click HERE for the link to the PickATime system. Parent Teacher Interviews will take place on Thursday, November 16  from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Friday, November 17 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

Winter Athletics Registration is Open until November 8

Friendly reminder that the winter athletics registration is open! The link to register for tryouts is on the parent portal (or click HERE). You can see all practice and game times HERE (“Winter 2023-2024” tab). Please ensure your child is able to commit to the full season. Registration is limited to two sports teams (not including coach mentoring, yoga and rugby training, rowing (grade 9-12 only). 

**Registration closes on November 8th so be sure to sign up soon!**

If you have any questions about the winter athletic program, please email Director of Athletics, Carla Di Filippo (cdifilippo@havergal.on.ca).

Extended Absence Reminder

If your daughter will be away for three or more days, please email the appropriate Head of School. She will be sent an extended absence form to complete in consultation with her teachers. Knowing which students are away from school for longer periods of time helps us to support them upon their return. We thank you for your cooperation.

Reduce the Spread of Respiratory Viruses

Reduce Virus Spread

• Stay home if sick or have symptoms of being sick, even if they are mild.
• Use the TPH screening questionnaire or the provincial COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool before attending school or work if there are symptoms of illness.
• Clean hands often.
• Cover their cough or sneeze with a tissue or their elbow.

Wear a well-fitted, high-quality mask in crowded indoor settings with poor ventilation, especially if at higher risk of getting very sick.

Get the Updated COVID-19 & Flu Vaccine this Fall

• Both vaccines are important to prevent serious illness.
• The updated COVID-19 vaccine targets the XBB variant and will better protect from the variants spreading now and long-COVID.
• Everyone six months and older can get the updated COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine starting October 30^th, 2023 at:
  • Toronto Public Health fixed-site vaccination clinics. Book an appointment at TPHbookings.ca. Only one appointment is needed to get both vaccines.
  • Participating pharmacies or health care providers offices.

Visit toronto.ca/health to learn more about: Respiratory Viruses: Information for Parents & Caregivers

Green & Gold Shop Hours

The Green & Gold Shop will be closed on Wednesday, November 8, and Thursday, November 9.

SENIOR SCHOOL

University Visits

ndividual University Reps will be visiting Havergal College to speak to Grade 11 and 12 students during the lunch hour from 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm or after school from 3:30 pm-4:15 pm in room B16. This is a great opportunity to see what the universities offer.

Thursday, November 8 from 3:30 pm-4:15 pm

• Ivey Business School

Friday, December 1 from 3:30 pm-4:15 pm

• Queen’s University 

HCPA

Ivy Market

The Ivy Market is coming on Tuesday, November 21! Buy your tickets to the cocktail party HERE and tickets for the gingerbread house lucky draw HERE.
The Bake Sale is looking for volunteers. Click HERE to donate your time and HERE to donate baked goods. Thank you for supporting the Ivy Market!

HCPA Marketplace

The HCPA Marketplace is now online—get your holiday shopping done early! Click HERE to see the Marketplace Catalog and HERE to place your order.

REMINDERS

OSSLT, November 14

Grade 10 students at Havergal are writing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test on November 14. Students writing with standard time must be in the Single Gym no later than 8:30 am and students with extra time accommodation must be in the Extra Time Room no later than 8:00 am.

An Evening with Lisa Damour, Tuesday, November 28

As part of our Parents as Partners Speaker Series, Havergal is proud to have Dr. Lisa Damour as our first speaker on Tuesday November 28, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. in the Brenda Robson Hall.  

Her visit, including our evening with our parents, will be focused on understanding adolescent’s emotional development and strategies that foster connection, self-awareness and self-regulation.

We are looking forward to a great evening with our parents, prospective parents and any friends who may be interested in attending.  To register for the event, please click here.

Limited copies of Dr. Damour’s book will be available for sale at the event.  

We are grateful to the Southam family for their contributions to Thrive Week and to the Class of 2023 for their donations to our wellbeing program that allow us to have speakers and programs like this.

HCPA Coffee Morning – For Parents, By Parents

We look forward to seeing you for coffee and conversation in the beautiful Old Girls BioWall/Student Commons space at the Upper School from 8:00 to 9:30 am. (RSVP – hcpa.parentevents@gmail.com). 

• Wednesday, November 8: Grades 10 to 12 parents
• Wednesday, December 6: Grades 7, 8 and 9 parents

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Wed Nov 8

Remembrance Day Service 

Boarding School Closes 6pm

Thu Nov 9

Mid Term Break for students 

Fri Nov 10       

Mid Term Break for students

Mon Nov 13 

Boarding School Opens 4pm