Month: October 2024

Friday, October 25, 2024

On By Havergal Upper SchoolLeave a comment

A Message from the Heads: Cissy Goodridge & Deirdre Timusk

Dear Parents,

We’ve had a busy week here at school. Earlier this week, we observed Islamic Heritage Prayers, and we extend our thanks to everyone who participated and helped make it a reflective occasion for all. House Games brought together Middle and Senior School students, where we witnessed wonderful enthusiasm and teamwork. Our Middle School students and families also enjoyed an afternoon at the Gator Games, a chance to display some friendly competition run by our Sports Council. Adding to the excitement, Benchball will take place this afternoon and our students will face their opponents from Crescent in some high energy matchups!  

Looking ahead to next week, Diwali Prayers are scheduled for Monday, followed by a reception to celebrate this special festival of lights, and we look forward to marking this joyful event with our community. We are also preparing for Dr. Belle Liang & Mr. Tim Klein’s visit, which will provide valuable insights into finding one’s purpose for students, faculty and parents.

Finally, morning programming is a key part of the Havergal experience. If you have a moment please take a look at these videos. The first video features a Grade 12 student talking about her experience with the Core Strengths which is a program we run with our Grads. The second video is an update from our Head of Middle School giving an overview of our community agreements and the launch of leadership positions for Grade 7s and 8s.

Cissy Goodridge, Head of Middle School

Deirdre Timusk, Head of Senior School

Today’s edition of The Weekly contains information on the following: 

UPPER SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 12)

MIDDLE SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 8)

SENIOR SCHOOL (Gr. 9 – 12)

HCPA

REMINDERS

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

UPPER SCHOOL

Learning Skill Report Card Available: Tuesday, November 5

Your daughter’s Learning Skills Report Card is available through a link on your Parent Portal beginning Tuesday, November 5 at 4 pm. Click here for more information.

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test: Tuesday, November 12

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) requires students in Grade 10 to complete the computer-based Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), which measures whether students are meeting the minimum standard for literacy across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9. Successful completion of this test is one of the requirements to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. 

  • Havergal students will write the OSSLT in person, on campus (per EQAO rules) on the morning of Tuesday, November 12. 
  • During morning Grade time on Tuesday, November 5, these students will attend a session guiding them through downloading and testing the software required by EQAO to write the OSSLT. During this session, students will also review the format of the test and have the opportunity to begin a full-length practice. 
  • Attendance on both of these dates is critical for students to set themselves up for success in completing this graduation requirement.

Contact the Director of Academic Operations, Jennifer Goldberg, with questions.

Parent-Teacher Conferences – Portal Opens: Wednesday October 30 at 12 pm

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held virtually on Thursday, November 14 at 3 – 8 pm and Friday, November 15 at 8 am – 4 pm. 

  • The Pick-A-Time booking system will open on Wednesday, October 30 at noon and will close on Wednesday, November 13 at noon.
  • After Pick-A-Time closes, the only way to book or change appointments is by emailing teachers directly; only they will be able to add to or change their schedules.
  • Please ensure your Zoom account is up-to-date. See Zoom Instructions.

If you have questions or concerns about Parent-Teacher Conferences, please contact Jennifer Goldberg, Director of Academic Operations.

Winter Athletics Tryout Registration Opens: Wednesday, October 30

Please click HERE to preview the Winter Athletics catalogue which lists all winter teams. Registration for Winter Athletics tryouts will open on Wednesday, October 30 at 8 am and will remain open until midnight on Tuesday, November 5. 

Please note the following:

  • Students may attend tryouts/practices only if permission has been given during this registration period via Veracross. 
  • Students may register to try out for TWO teams only (this does not include Coach Mentor, Yoga, or Rugby Training) – please consult with your child/children to confirm the two teams that they would like to try out for before you complete the online registration.
  • Winter Tryout Schedule – The tryout schedule is linked here and can be found on Veracross. The season schedule will be finalized on Wednesday, November 20. When you click on the link below, make sure you are looking at the second tab – “WINTER 2024 – 2025.” 
  • There is no confirmation email or email reminder about when and where tryouts take place. Families must look at the schedules and students attend their specific tryout. 
  • There is no fee associated with the tryout process. Team fees are applied after rosters are finalized. 

If you are having trouble with the registration process or have additional questions, please email Carla Di Filippo, Director of Athletics.

Fostering Purpose in Our Kids

As part of our Parents as Partners Speaker Series, Havergal is delighted to welcome Dr. Belle Liang & Tim Klein on Tuesday, October 29, authors of How to Navigate Life.   Their research and talk will focus on helping our kids find purpose and its vital connection to their wellbeing (and ours). The talk will be from 7 pm – 8:30 pm in the Legacy Theatre and will have relevant takeaways for parents of students of all ages. Registration for the event can be found here. 

Our guest speakers will also be working with our students from Grades 7 – 12 during their day and running professional development with our faculty. This commitment to fostering purpose in students at Havergal and embedding its principles in our programming is a part of a year-long partnership with Liang and Klein and we welcome your partnership on this key next step in our commitment to wellbeing.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Information Meeting for the Round Square Regional Conference: UK

Please find the recording of the Information Session HERE.

Applications are open for our Round Square Regional Conference to Milton Abbey in May.

  • Milton Abbey School, United Kingdom
  • Monday, May 26, 2025 – Saturday, May 31, 2025
  • Suitable for ages 12 to 14
  • Cost: approximately $3500
  • Contact Mr. Adams or Ms. Kaba for more information 

You can learn more here, or speak with anyone in the Forum for Change. 

Applications are OPEN NOW.  Students must select the appropriate conference for 2024-2025.* Applications will close on Friday, November 1.

Get Excited for Halloween Door Decorating

On Wednesday, October 30, our MS Hallways will be transformed into a Haunted House. During Form next week, the MS students will have a door decorating contest. Students in each Form need to bring in materials to decorate their door on Wednesday, October 30. Prizes will be awarded for Most Sustainable, Scariest/Wackiest, Most Creative, Best in Show. 

SENIOR SCHOOL

Save The Date: Rowing Parent Information Session on November 4

Is your child interested in rowing at Havergal? Please join us on Monday, November 4th from 7-8 pm via Zoom for an information session led by head coach, Micheal Greig. During the session you will learn everything there is to know about rowing (coaching staff, practice commitments, regattas, Tennessee training camp, cost of the program, etc).

Round Square Regional Conference: Buenos Aires, Argentina

We are excited to announce that applications are open for our Round Square Regional Conference to Michael Ham Memorial College.

The recording of the information session is here.

You can learn more here, or speak with anyone in the Forum for Change.

Applications are OPEN NOW. Students must select the appropriate conference for 2024-2025.* Applications will close on Friday, November 1.

University Visits

Individual University Reps will be visiting Havergal College to speak to Grade 9 to 12 students after school from 3:30 – 4:15 pm. This is a great opportunity to see what the universities offer.

  • Toronto Metropolitan University: Monday, October 28 from 3:30 – 4:15 pm in Room B16
  • University of Bristol: Thursday, October 31 from 3:30 – 4:15 pm Room B16

In Morning Programming this Week

On Tuesday all Senior School students will be together to learn more about fostering their purpose from Dr. Belle Liang and Tim Klien, authors of How to Navigate Life.  They will be dismissed at 12:20 pm after attending Period 1 and 2 so that faculty can attend a professional development session with the speakers. 

During House on Wednesday, each TA group will be carving a pumpkin and entering it into the House competition. These works of art will be judged during the Halloween Assembly on Thursday!

HCPA

Ivy Market

The Ivy Market is just around the corner on Thursday, November 21 from 10 am – 5 pm, where a number of carefully curated vendors will showcase HC specific designs.  Parents can also pre-order cookie dough and enjoy a coffee corner to connect with other parents and alumni. The HCPA is excited for this event and hope to see you all there!  Please click here for more details.

REMINDERS

Fostering Purpose in Our Kids – Tuesday, October 29 at 7 – 8:30 pm

As part of our Parents as Partners Speaker Series, Havergal is delighted to welcome Dr. Belle Liang & Tim Klein on Tuesday, October 29, authors of How to Navigate Life.   Their research and talk will focus on helping our kids find purpose and its vital connection to their wellbeing (and ours). The talk will be from 7 – 8:30 pm in the Legacy Theatre and will have relevant takeaways for parents of students of all ages (JK-12). Registration for the event can be found here.

Half Day on Tuesday, October 29 – Early Dismissal at 12:20 pm

We are thrilled that our teachers will have the opportunity to engage in professional development with Dr. Belle Liang & Tim Klein on Tuesday, October 29, prior to their presentation with our families. Students will be dismissed at 12:20 pm.  See Special Schedule.

Dates on the Horizon

Please note the following dates for your planning purposes. Students will not have classes on these days. 

  • November Break: November 6 – 11
  • Parent Teacher Conferences: Friday, November 15 

School Photos Available for Ordering

We’re delighted to announce that your daughter’s school pictures are now available online for viewing and ordering. To access your photos, visit Echo Photography. When prompted for a password, enter your student’s unique Person ID.  Ordering is a breeze, and you can customize your prints or digitals with several options to suit your preferences. Be sure to check them out and share them with your family and friends.If you have any questions or special requests, please get in touch with Cameron Hubbs at cameron@echophotography.ca or by text at 905-3557.

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Monday, October 28

  • Diwali Prayers & Parent Reception at 8:40 am in the BRH

Tuesday, October 29   

  • Early Dismissal for Students at 12:20 pm
  • Parents as Partners Speaker Series: Dr. Belle Liang & Tim Klein at 7 pm in the Legacy Theatre

Wednesday, October 30  

  • Winter Athletic: Registration Opens at 8 am
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences: Pick-A-Time Opens at 12 pm 

Thursday, October 31    

  • Halloween Assembly: Costumes are encouraged.

Friday, November 1     

  • US Early Decision Application Deadline – End of Day

Friday, October 18, 2024

On By Havergal Upper SchoolLeave a comment

A Message from the Heads: Cissy Goodridge & Deirdre Timusk

Dear Parents,

The school is in full swing, with athletics and rehearsals well underway. As I write this, our music department is away on retreat, preparing for the upcoming festive season.

This past week, we were delighted to have you join us for High Holiday Prayers and the parent reception. Parent participation in school events is a wonderful way to connect with familiar faces and build new friendships within our community.

Looking ahead, there are several opportunities for parents to visit the school, and we hope you’ll join us whenever your schedule allows. In October, we will explore Islamic Heritage Month and Diwali through student presentations during Prayers. On Thursday, October 24, we’ll celebrate our students’ academic achievements at the awards ceremony, and on Tuesday, October 29, we invite you to attend the Parents as Partners Speaker Series, featuring Dr. Belle Liang and Tim Klein, who will share insights from their book How to Navigate Life.

Below you will see two dates of note. On Wednesday, October 30, the Parent Teacher Conferences booking system will open and this coming Thursday, October 24, we welcome our parents to our beloved Middle School Gator Games.

Whether you join us for Prayers, cheer from the sidelines at a game, or attend a concert, your presence means the world to our students. We look forward to seeing you soon and appreciate your continued support.

Cissy Goodridge, Head of Middle School

Deirdre Timusk, Head of Senior School

Today’s edition of The Weekly contains information on the following:

UPPER SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 12)

MIDDLE SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 8)

SENIOR SCHOOL (Gr. 9 – 12)

HCPA

REMINDERS

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

UPPER SCHOOL

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held virtually on Thursday, November 14 at 3 – 8 pm and Friday, November 15 at 8 am – 4 pm. 

  • The Pick-A-Time booking system will open on Wednesday, October 30 at noon and will close on Wednesday, November 13 at noon.
  • After Pick-A-Time closes, the only way to book appointments is by emailing teachers directly; only they will be able to add to their schedules.
  • Please ensure your Zoom account is up-to-date.  See Zoom Instructions.

If you have questions or concerns about Parent-Teacher Conferences, please contact Jennifer Goldberg, Director of Academic Operations.

Parent Speaker Series: Tuesday, October 29

As part of our Parents as Partners Speaker Series, on Tuesday, October 29, Havergal is delighted to welcome the authors of How to Navigate Life by Dr. Belle Liang & Tim Klein. Their research and talk will focus on helping our kids find purpose and its vital connection to their wellbeing, and ours. The talk will be from 7 – 8:30 pm in the Legacy Theatre and will have relevant takeaways for parents of students of all ages (Grades JK – 12). Registration for the event can be found here. 

Generative AI Update

Havergal’s Generative AI Framework is moving to Version 1.1. We are introducing FlintK12 to our Grade 7 – 12 students. This will be a 2-year pilot program designed to explore AI-powered learning in a secure environment. This initiative will provide students access to Generative AI tools that support their learning while ensuring data security and privacy.

What Makes FlintK12 Different?

FlintK12 operates entirely within our school’s network. No data generated by students or teachers is used to train the AI model, nor does any data go beyond the school’s secure environment. We are confident this approach prioritizes both safety and effectiveness in learning.

The platform offers two main functions:

  • Flint AI Chatbot: A chat-based GPT-4-mini agent to assist students in real-time learning tasks. This tool is designed to offer educational support tailored to the specific needs of each student.
  • Teacher-built Activities: Teachers can create customized activities aligning support with classroom instruction and enhancing individual learning experiences.

Havergal’s AI Learning Team, composed of educators across grade levels, will be working together to design, test, and refine the use of these tools. This collaborative effort helps ensure that the platform will evolve to meet the needs of our students. HC-X Leadership is also working closely with other schools, allowing us to build on the collective experience and ensure best practices.

Students will be oriented to the platform through a Prayers presentation and through Form and TA sessions. Faculty will be working with students in classes as well.If you have any questions or concerns about FlintK12, please don’t hesitate to contact Seonaid Davis or Garth Nichols.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Register for Middle School Gator Games

Registration: Middle School Gator Games 

Date: Thursday, October 24 at 5:30 – 7:30 pm 

* Registration will close on Tuesday, October 22 at 12 pm. 

This event is a great opportunity to play some low organizational games with your child and meet other families in the Middle School. After a brief warm-up and two fun games sessions there will be some finger foods and drinks to enjoy with all participants. The event is run by the Sports Prefects and Sports Council and promises to be an entertaining afternoon of friendly competition and laughter!

If you have any questions please email Carla Di Filippo.

Round Square Regional Conference: Milton Abbey, UK

We are excited to announce that applications are open for our Round Square Regional Conference to Hilton Abbey in May.

  • Milton Abbey School, United Kingdom
  • Monday, May 26, 2025 – Saturday, May 31, 2025
  • Suitable for ages 12 to 14
  • Cost: approximately $3500
  • Contact Mr. Adams or Ms. Kaba for more information 

You can learn more HERE, or speak with anyone in the Forum for Change. 

Applications are OPEN NOW.  Students must select the appropriate conference for 2024-2025.

* Applications will close on Friday, November 1.

We will have an information session on Tuesday, October 22 at 12:15 pm via Zoom.

  • Join Zoom Meeting HERE
  • Meeting ID: 846 6293 0505
  • Passcode: 397850

The meeting will be recorded and distributed in The Weekly.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Round Square Regional Conference: Buenos Aires, Argentina

We are excited to announce that applications are open for our Round Square Regional Conference to Michael Ham Memorial College

You can learn more HERE, or speak with anyone in the Forum for Change.

Applications are OPEN NOW. Students must select the appropriate conference for 2024-2025.

* Applications will close on Friday, November 1.

We will have an information session Tuesday, October 22 at 12:30 pm via Zoom.

  •  Join Zoom Meeting HERE
  • Meeting ID: 846 6293 0505
  • Passcode: 397850

 The meeting will be recorded and distributed in The Weekly.

University Visit: Monday, October 21

King’s College London will be visiting Havergal College on Monday, October 21 from 12:15 – 1 pm in Room B63.

In Grade Programming This Week

Students in grade 9-11 will be working in TA groups to learn more about themselves and their values. This is in preparation for our visit from Dr. Belle Liang and Mr. Tim Klein authors of How to Navigate Life. Our Grads have already done work on discovering and leaning into their values when working with others via the Core Strengths Program. They will continue to work through their Core Strengths this week.

HCPA

Ivy Market (Reminder)

Save the date for Ivy Market on Thursday, November 21.

Used Textbook Collection & Returns (Reminder)

Used Textbook Collection and Textbook Returns:  Monday, October 21 at 8 – 11:30 am in the Ellen Knox Library. More detailed instructions were sent out in the HCPA’s October News You Can Use.

REMINDERS

Half Day and Early Dismissal: Tuesday, October 29

We are thrilled that our teachers will have the opportunity to engage in professional development with Dr. Belle Liang & Tim Klein on Tuesday, October 29, prior to their presentation with our families. Students will be dismissed at 12:20 pm on this day. Blocks B and A will take place in the morning.  See Special Schedule.

Take Our Kids to Work Day

On Wednesday, November 6, it is Take Our Kids to Work Day for Grade 9 students.  Please use the Parent Portal if your child will not be at school that day.

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Monday, October 21

  • Islamic Heritage Prayers

Wednesday, October 23

  • Upper School Open House,  #1 Dress

Thursday, October 24

  • Awards Ceremony and Parents Reception: 8:40 am in the BRH
  • Middle School Gator Games: 5 pm in the Gym

Friday, October 25

  • MS RSGC Dance: 7 – 9pm, @RSGC

Friday, October 11, 2024

On By Havergal Upper SchoolLeave a comment

Thanksgiving Wishes

Dear Parents,

As we welcome Thanksgiving weekend, I want to thank you for your engagement during the first month of the year.  We know that sending your daughter to Havergal takes commitment on several fronts. Your support of the girls, our program, and our community makes providing an exceptional student experience possible. Whether attending games, performances and events like Celebration Saturday, sharing your constructive feedback, supporting our philanthropic initiatives or dedicating your time to the school, your contributions are deeply valued and positively impact our community.

As a learning organization, we endeavour to build empathy in our students for the challenges within our local and global community contexts. As we approach Thanksgiving weekend in the Upper School, we have taken time to learn, reflect and pray for the pain and suffering of others – those who are living in fear for their safety, subject to discrimination, hate and isolation, and those in our community who will not have enough to eat, even during this time where we celebrate the bountiful Harvest. This past week, we spent time in Upper School Prayers reflecting on how we can honour the various worries, wonders, joys and sorrows that each of us might carry into the school each day. We recognize people in our community continue to feel the impacts of global conflict and human suffering. It is imperative that we seek ways to support one another, recognizing that we all deserve to feel safe and to be treated with dignity. 

As we celebrate this Thanksgiving weekend and give thanks for our blessings, I ask that we hold those in our community who are impacted by conflict or hate, who are isolated or lonely, and those who are struggling here in our local community close in our hearts and minds. 

We wish you and your family a safe and joyful Thanksgiving and to those observing, a meaningful Yom Kippur.

Dr. Katrina Samson

Today’s edition of The Weekly contains information on the following:

UPPER SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 12)

MIDDLE SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 8)

SENIOR SCHOOL (Gr. 9 – 12)

HCPA

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

UPPER SCHOOL

Parent Speaker Series: The New Science of Finding Your Way

As part of our Parents as Partners Speaker Series, on Tuesday, October 29, Havergal is delighted to welcome the authors of How to Navigate Life: Dr. Belle Liang & Tim Klein. Their research and talk will focus on helping our kids find purpose and its vital connection to their wellbeing, and ours. The talk will be from 7 – 8:30 pm in the Legacy Theatre and will have relevant takeaways for parents of students of all ages (Grades JK – 12). Registration for the event can be found here.  

Our guest speakers will also be working with our students from Grades 7 – 12 during their day and running professional development with our faculty. This commitment to fostering purpose in students at Havergal and embedding its principles in our programming is a part of a year-long partnership with Liang and Klein and we welcome your partnership on this key next step in our commitment to wellbeing.

Half Day and Early Dismissal on Tuesday, October 29

We are thrilled that our teachers will have the opportunity to engage in professional development with Dr. Belle Liang & Tim Klein on Tuesday, October 29, prior to their presentation with our families. Students will be dismissed at 12:20 pm on this day. Blocks B and A will take place in the morning.

Parents Entering Lates and Absences on Veracross

Please ensure you are excusing any lates or absences for your daughter using the Parent Portal on Veracross (see the image on the right). Students may not excuse their own lates or absences. All unexcused absences or lates are followed up by the Head of School.

Thank you for your partnership!

MIDDLE SCHOOL

MS Gator Games: Registration Open Now

MS Gator Games are starting soon! 

Date: Thursday, October 24
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Each student is invited to bring one parent/guardian or significant adult with them to participate in the event. Parents may register their attendance by clicking on this link. Registrations will close on Thursday, October 22 at 12 pm.

Event Plan

  • 5:30 pm: Arrival through the Gator doors
  • 5:45 – 6:00 pm: Warm up in Gym A/B
  • 6:05 – 6:25 pm: Activity #1
  • 6:30 – 6:50 pm: Activity #2
  • 6:55 – 7:30 pm: Socializing with finger foods and  awards at the Biowall

Dress in comfortable clothing as you will be active. This year, the MS Gator Games will consist of the following options for activities:

  • Benchball – Gym A/B
  • Scavenger Hunt – Full School
  • Ultimate Rubber Chicken Frisbee – Lower Pitch Field
  • Disc Golf – Baskets on South Quad and around Ratcliffe Field
  • Tail Tag – Ratcliffe Field
  • Beach Ball Volleyball – Gym C

You are encouraged to dress in theme! There will be finger foods and drinks available after the games. There will be a slide show and awards given by the sports council. Some sample awards include: 

  • Best Dressed Alike/ Twins 
  • Most Competitive
  • Most Spirited
  • Dress as Your Favourite Athlete
  • “Coolest” Sports Jerseys
  • …. and More! 

We look forward to hosting you and having some fun while being active.

Any questions? Please email Carla Di Filippo, Director of Athletics.

COSSOT Dances

Branksome Hall Dance

Branksome Hall will be hosting their first dance on Friday, October 18. Selected students and their parents will be notified on Tuesday, October 15. Parents will be sent a registration link to confirm their child’s participation. 

RSGC Dance

On Friday, October 25, RSGC will be hosting their COSSOT dance. Interested students should register their interest by completing the Google form that was sent to them on Wednesday, October 9. It can also be found here. Selected students and their parents will be sent the registration form on Monday, October 21 to confirm their child’s participation.

As a reminder, students are chosen to attend the dances through a lottery system. We carefully review the participants to ensure every student has a fair opportunity to attend.

In Form This Week

Our highly anticipated Grade 8 assemblies return this week, with students from Forms 8A and 8B hosting the Middle School assembly under the theme Fall into Middle School. These assemblies give students the opportunity to plan, create, and execute an event, all while sharpening their public speaking and leadership skills. Whether they choose to take centre stage or work behind the scenes as executive producers, ensuring everyone has a role—big or small—each student plays a part. No matter how they participate, these assemblies are always a fun and valuable experience, filled with helpful tips for learning and growing.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Canadian University Fair

Date: Tuesday, October 15
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: Brenda Robson Hall 

There will be a meeting with various Canadian University representatives. For a list of the universities attending, please click here.

Music Retreat

We are looking forward to our annual Music Retreat at Campfire Circle from Wednesday, October 16 to Friday, October 18.  For everyone joining us, remember to bring bedding and weather appropriate clothing for the Fall temperature. We leave at noon on Wednesday and will be back at Havergal in mid-afternoon on Friday.

Take Our Kids to Work Day

On Wednesday, November 6, it is Take Our Kids to Work Day for Grade 9 students.  Please use the Parent Portal if your child will not be at school that day.

In Grade Programming This Week

Our Grade 9 students will be working on their time management skills and be introduced to different tools that they can use as their workload increases over the course of the upcoming years. Community building continues with our Grade 10 community. Our Grade 11 students will be led through stress management activities with their Grade 11 student representatives. Finally, our Grads will learn about the benefits of their lifelong connection to Havergal and will be invited to join our Old Girl/Alum portal called Havergal Connections. Through this portal, they’ll be able to seek advice directly from young alumni as they prepare their university applications and make important decisions about where to apply and attend. They’ll also explore how Havergal Connections serves as a key resource for staying connected to the alumni network throughout their lives.

HCPA

Ivy Market

Save the date for Ivy Market that is taking place on Tuesday, November 21. We all look forward to seeing you there!

Used Textbook Collection and Returns

Used Textbook Collection and Textbook Returns are on Monday, October 21 from 7:30 – 11:30 am in the Ellen Knox Library. More detailed instructions were sent out in the HCPA’s October issue of News You Can Use.

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Monday, October 14  

  • No Classes (Statutory Holiday – Thanksgiving Day)

Tuesday, October 15    

  • High Holiday Prayers and Reception at 8:40 am in the Brenda Robson Hall  
  • Canadian University Fair at 6:30 – 8:30 pm in the Brenda Robson Hall

Wednesday, October 16  

  • Music Retreat leaves at 12:30 pm

Thursday, October 17    

  • CAIS Soccer, Head of the Charles Regatta

Friday, October 18      

  • Music Retreat returns at 2 pm

Friday, October 4, 2024

On By Havergal Upper SchoolLeave a comment

A Message from the Heads: Cissy Goodridge & Deirdre Timusk

Dear Parents,

Thank you for your participation in Celebration Saturday and your support of our community partners! We’re excited to share a video that highlights the incredible work our students are doing alongside these partners: Community Partnerships at Celebration Saturday 2024.

This week, Havergal observed Truth and Reconciliation Week, starting with Orange Shirt Day on Monday, September 30. This important time encourages all Canadians to learn about the legacy of residential schools and their impact on Indigenous communities today. We were honored to collaborate with members of our Indigenous, First Nations, and Métis communities to deepen our understanding and commitment to meaningful reconciliation. We also celebrated Hispanic Heritage month in Prayers. Students celebrated the diversity of the Hispanic community, shared family traditions, highlighted significant contributions and raised awareness about the economic challenges faced by many communities in Latin America.

Each week our students amaze us with all of their accomplishments and this year, from time to time, we will highlight some of them in this publication. For example, last weekend we had five students compete at the Rotman School of Business. Congratulations to Angela, ShuYue, Megan, and Emily for making it to the top 5 at the Rotman School of Business Boardroom. Out of over 100 submissions, only 12 teams were selected to move forward, and our students impressed everyone in the final round with their presentation in front of a packed audience. Finally, for all those celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we wish you a Shana Tova and a meaningful Yom Kippur!

Cissy Goodridge, Head of Middle School

Deirdre Timusk, Head of Senior School

Today’s edition of The Weekly contains information on the following: 

UPPER SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 12)

MIDDLE SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 8)

SENIOR SCHOOL (Gr. 9 – 12)

HCPA

REMINDERS

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

UPPER SCHOOL

Message of Support

As the school year progresses and its initial excitement ebbs and flows, the demands of classwork, co-curriculars and the pressure students place on themselves can feel daunting.

We also want to acknowledge that some students in our community may be carrying burdens beyond school. Family challenges, health and wellness concerns, local and world events, conflicts, and personal losses can weigh heavily upon them.

As a compassionate community built on trusted relationships, we want our students and their families to know that the following resources are available for support whenever needed. Havergal is invested in the growth, care and development of your children and we want to partner with you in times of need. Below please find a list of resources and contacts available:

Upper School:

Fostering Purpose in Our Kids

As part of our Parents as Partners Speaker Series,  on Tuesday, October 29, Havergal is delighted to welcome the authors of How to Navigate Life : Dr. Belle Liang & Tim Klein. Their research and talk will focus on helping our kids find purpose and its vital connection to their wellbeing, and ours. The talk will be from 7 – 8:30 pm in the Legacy Theatre and will have relevant takeaways for parents of students of all ages (Grades JK – 12). Registration for the event can be found here. 

Our guest speakers will also be working with our students from Grades 7 – 12 during the day and running professional development with our faculty. This commitment to fostering purpose in students at Havergal and embedding its principles in our programming is a part of a year-long partnership with Liang and Klein. We welcome your partnership on this key next step in our commitment to wellbeing.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

MS GATOR GAMES

The Gator Games will take place on Thursday, October 24 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. This event is a great opportunity to play some low organizational games with your child and meet other families in the Middle School. After a brief warm-up and two fun games sessions, there will be some finger foods and drinks to enjoy with all participants. The event is organized by the Sports Prefects and Sports Council and promises to be an entertaining afternoon of friendly competition and laughter! The registration link will be in the next issue of The Weekly.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Sanctioned School Socials

Grade 9 and 10 parents may have heard of the “HC 9/10 Semi” at the Lux on Friday , October 18. This is not a sanctioned Havergal event with faculty supervision. For a list of supervised events for the Senior School (SS), please refer to this link. While we will do our best to keep you informed about unsanctioned events, we cannot guarantee awareness of all occurrences. If you’re unsure whether an event will have adult supervision from a recognized school, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for clarification. This list is a live document that may be updated over the course of the year as schools add events to their calendars.

Advanced Placement Program at Havergal

If you are interested in Havergal’s Advanced Placement program but were unable to attend the informational webinar last week, we invite you to view this recording. All students in Grades 11 and 12 have also been emailed this information along with directions on the next steps for those interested in Advanced Placement Exams. If you or your daughter have questions, please contact Jennifer Goldberg, Director of Academic Operations and HC’s Advanced Program Coordinator at jgoldberg@havergal.on.ca.

Duke, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Brown, and Dartmouth University Fair

On Monday, October 7, these universities will be having a fair in the Brenda Robson Hall from 7 – 8:30 pm. Limited spaces are available. Please register here.

University Visits

Individual University representatives will be visiting Havergal College to speak to the students during lunch and after school. This is a great opportunity to see what the universities offer.

University of Southern California (USC)
Date: Monday, October 7 
Time: 3:30 – 4:15 pm
Location: B16

Mini University Fair (St. Francis Xavier University, King’s University College, Bishop’s University, and Wake Forest University) 
Date: Tuesday, October 8
Time: 12:15 – 1:00 pm
Location: Ellen Knox Library

Global Learning Leading Diploma (GLLD)

The Forum for Change is now accepting applications for the GLLD program. Students in Grade 10 and 11 who see themselves as emerging global leaders can apply. The application deadline is Tuesday, October 15 at 5:00 pm. More information can be found here. Please contact Fatima Kaba at fkaba@havergal.on.ca if you have any further questions.

HCPA

Used Textbook Collections

Used Textbook Collections and Returns start on Monday, October 21 between 7:30 – 11:30 am in the Ellen Knox Library. More detailed instructions were sent out in the HCPA’s News You Can Use.

HCPA Coffee Mornings

Don’t forget to RSVP to this email for our last HCPA coffee morning, to be held on Wednesday, October 9  from 8 – 9:30 am in the Junior School Dining Hall. This is for the students in Grades 10 – 12. We hope you will be able to join us.

REMINDERS

Grade 7 Immunization Clinic on Friday, November 22

Consent forms are now due. The paper copies were sent home with your daughter. If you need to print a new form, please click here.

SS COSSOT Events – Action Required

Students who want to participate in any COSSOT social events this year are required to complete the registration form here. All parents are asked to complete the form, as this permits your child to participate in school dances, benchball, coffee houses, and other upcoming school events.

Tupperware, Everywhere!

Please pick up your Tupperware and other types of containers that were left behind from baking cookies for the Celebration Saturday event. There’s a table full of these items outside of B10. Please note: If there are still any left on the table by the end of Tuesday, October 8, they will be recycled.

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Monday, October 7       

  • Prayers 
  • University Fair in the Brenda Robson Hall at 7 pm

Wednesday, October 9      

  • Thanksgiving Prayers   

Friday, October 11        

  • No Classes