Thursday, November 7, 2024

On By Havergal Upper School

A Message from the Heads: Cissy Goodridge & Deirdre Timusk

Dear Parents,

Even a short week can be just as eventful as a full one! On Monday, our students welcomed Sailor 1st Class Robert Louthe to our Remembrance Day Prayers, offering a meaningful start to the week. Then, on Tuesday, the pumpkins from last week were put to good use at a “Smash the Stigma” event organized by our Wellbeing and Forum for Change Prefects, Hadley and Peyton, and their teams. Students took the opportunity to challenge ideas around mental health stigma—while smashing pumpkins!

As we move into the weekend, we wish you and your family a restful and refreshing break.

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

Holiday Angels Program

Havergal College families of Grade 7 to 12 students are invited to participate in our annual Holiday Angel Program for our Community Partnership New Circles. Havergal’s Upper School has committed to support 10 families this year, 1 for each House. To learn more about the program please see HERE.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Brittney Dos Santos.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

MS French Language & Culinary Trip to Quebec City

The languages department is offering an exciting culinary and language excursion in Quebec City for Middle Schoolers (Grades 7 – 8). Led by French-speaking guides and our Middle School French teachers, this trip encourages students to connect with the language and culture beyond the classroom, blending culinary arts, history, adventure, and immersive language learning.

  • WHO: Grades 7 – 8
  • WHERE: Quebec City
  • WHEN: May 16 – 20 (1 day of school missed)
  • HOW: Students can register by November 13 via this link. 
  • COST: Approx. $3,595 (cost lowers as sign-up numbers increase) 
  • CONTACT: Mme Hogan or Mme Kabakian 

Please find the e-brochure HERE with all trip details.

Peer Tutoring Offered

Peer Tutoring is an opportunity for anyone in Grades 7 – 9 to get paired with an older student here at Havergal for one-on-one tutoring sessions. Through Peer Tutoring, students can learn in a supportive environment, build connections, and thrive in the classroom.
For more information, please have your child reach out to guidance counsellor, Carrie Steele, for more information.

In Morning Programming This Week

This week’s Form time will be hosted by two Prefects sharing their experiences from Middle School in order to answer some common questions that the Grade 7s and 8s have asked. Topics to be covered are Dances and Socials – What to Expect and Havergal Traditions Explained.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Community Partnership Day Volunteering

We are excited to provide opportunities to deepen our engagement with our community partners. 

We are holding a “Community Partnership Day” on Friday, November 15 during Parent-Teacher Interviews. There are 15 spots left for our Great Lakeshore Clean Up happening from 9 am – 1 pm at Woodbine Beach – Ashbridges Bay. 

If your child is interested in volunteering and earning some Community Involvement Hours, please have them fill out this form. 

For more information, please email Brittney Dos Santos.

Grade 10 Students Write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test on Tuesday

This is a reminder that all Grade 10 students are writing the literacy test on Tuesday, November 12. Students writing with standard time must be in the Brenda Robson Hall no later than 8:30 am. Students writing with extra time must be in the Extra Time Room no later than 8 am. Students must bring: 

  • Havergal Student ID Card
  • Laptop, fully charged
  • Laptop charger

All other items, INCLUDING CELL PHONES and SMART WATCHES, must be stored in their locker. Students received preparation on all of these OSSLT details and more during Grade time on Tuesday, November 5.

Grade 12 Updates and Information from the Guidance Team from November 5

Grade 12 students had an informative workshop with the Guidance team about Universities, Application Deadlines, OUAC and Community Hours this past Tuesday during Morning Programming.

Please click here to learn more about what was presented during this session.

University Visit – University of King’s College

University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia will be visiting Havergal College on Wednesday, November 13 from 3 – 3:45 pm in room B16. This is a great opportunity to see what the university has to offer.

In Morning Programming This Week

This short week is packed with engaging activities for our students! Our Grade 9 reps will have time to lead activities with their class, while our Grade 10 students tackle the OSSLT. Grade 11 students will focus on teamwork to strengthen bonds that support their leadership journeys, and our Grade 12s will participate in one of their final Core Strengths sessions.

HCPA

Ivy Market

Ivy Market is coming on Thursday, November 21!  

  • Please click HERE to learn more and pre-order custom Havergal gifts from a curated list of vendors.
  • Pre-order Robyn’s cookie dough HERE.
  • Please click HERE to volunteer for Ivy Market.

HCPA Holiday Marketplace

The HCPA Holiday Marketplace is now online on our new shopify website!  

  • Click HERE to get your holiday shopping done early.
  • Password: hcpa2024

REMINDERS

Parent-Teacher Conferences – Portal Open Now until Wednesday, November 13

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 is open now 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.

Grade 11 University Tours on Tuesday, November 12 at 11:30 am – 5 pm

Students will be visiting one of four campuses for the Annual Grade 11 University Fall Tour: 

  • Wilfrid Laurier University 
  • University of Waterloo
  • University of Guelph
  • McMaster University 

During these tours, students will experience campus life and learn about different faculties, residences and student services. 

Additional Details:  

  • Students will be boarding the bus at 11:30 am.
  • Eat lunch prior to boarding the bus or pack a lunch.
  • Casual clothing appropriate for the weather
  • Comfortable walking shoes. 
  • Bring a water bottle.

Global Experiences 2024-2025 – Opportunities Still Open: Visit Beijing

There is still an opportunity to express your interest in Global Experiences for the two week Beijing Summer Camp, which takes place in late June 2025 just after exams. Please see the information video here. It is a language and cultural experience not to be missed! 

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Monday, November 11

  • No Classes (November Break: November 7 – 11)

Tuesday, November 12  

  • Classes Resume
  • Upper School Winter Athletic Tryouts (all week)
  • Grade 11 University Campus Tours, 11:30 am – 5 pm

Wednesday, November 13 

  • Dress Down Day
  • Certamen – Latin Competition at St. Clement’s School

Thursday, November 14   

  • HC-X Sneaker Workshop at DesignWith at the Eaton Center
  • Special Schedule, Period 1 at 8:30 am
  • School Closes, 1:40 pm
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3 – 8 pm

Friday, November 15   

  • Parent-Teacher Conferences, 8 – 4 pm
  • HC-X Sneaker Workshop at DesignWith at the Eaton Center

Leave a comment