Friday, February 7, 2025

On By Havergal Upper School

A Message from the Heads: Cissy Goodridge & Deirdre Timusk

Dear Parents and Students

Our school’s spirit has been on full display this week, beginning with an inspiring Black Cultural Prayers celebration. Students lit up the space with a colorful fashion show, filled the air with uplifting music, and shared rich traditions from their Caribbean and African heritage. We’re grateful to all the students who opened themselves to share these meaningful family traditions with our community.

The Grade 11 Leadership Retreat, helped students step into their roles as leaders by embracing their authentic selves while fostering belonging, wellbeing, and community. This experience laid the foundation for a strong and connected graduating class, setting the stage for a meaningful final year. Their day was highlighted by an inspiring talk from Monika Myers, a 16 year old model with Down Syndrome, whose empowering message left a lasting impression on our students.

Looking ahead, we’re about to enter one of our most hi-energy times of the year! Spirit Week and Hockey Day are beloved traditions that showcase the heart of our community. For our new families, we encourage you to preview last year’s game footage linked here to experience the magic that makes these events so special.

Thank you to all our families who participated in parent-teacher conferences this week. These conversations are invaluable in supporting your child’s journey, and we appreciate your partnership. From joining us at Prayers to supporting school events, your presence makes our community stronger, and we hope to see many familiar faces cheering in the stands at next week’s hockey game.

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

Date Change: Founders’ Day Tuesday, April 22

Please note that our Founders’ Day Service for the Havergal student community will take place at St. Paul’s on Tuesday, April 22 instead of Thursday, April 24 as originally planned.  Students will be expected to arrive at St. Paul’s that morning on their own and will be bused back to Havergal after the service. More details to come in the upcoming months.

Spirit Week is here!

Spirit Week is here, which means your child will be rummaging through their closet each morning with great enthusiasm. Here’s the outfit schedule so you know what they’ll be searching for (or borrowing from you!).

Monday, February 10

  •  Spirit week: Dress in an Ugly Clashing Outfit

Tuesday,  February 11

  • Spirit week: Dress in Green and Gold

Wednesday, February 12

  • Spirit Week: Dress as the assigned Generation (students see their email for more details)

Thursday, February 13

  • Spirit Week: Dress in Grade Colour (students see their email for more details)

Hockey Day Livestream Link for Tuesday, February 11

Tune in to watch Hockey Day 2025 live on Tuesday, February 11 at 1 pm. Here is the livestream link: https://app.staylive.io/rectec/hockeyday

This year we have secured Daniella Ponticelli who is one of the PWHL’s play by play commentators who will be joined by Darren Dupont who has called hockey, football and other sports across Canada. Together they have called many junior hockey games across Canada. Best of luck to the hockey team on this day and Go Gators!!

Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey: July 7 – 10

Havergal College in partnership with Leaders of the Day is offering our Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey excursion to Algonquin Park. This is available to students in Grades 8-12 (must be a minimum age of 14 or within 6 months of turning 14) who are currently registered or interested in registering for the Duke of Edinburgh Award program. This excursion will run from July 7-10 and will satisfy the Bronze Award Requirement. A video recording detailing the excursion and what it entails can be found HERE. The registration for this excursion is due by the end of day on Feb 14. Please email Brittney Dos Santos to receive the registration link and for more information.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

In Form Programming This Week

Our MS Spirit Reps have been hard at work, creating engaging grade cheers for our MS students. Spirit Week preparations are well underway and our Reps are charged with encouraging their grades to bring their middle school  spirit to each of the daily events. As the students said in our recent assembly: “you cannot be overdressed or overhyped.” Find your face-paint and clean out your closets for dress down days, #gethyped!

SENIOR SCHOOL

Mini UK University Fair: Thursday, February 27 during lunch

On Thursday, February 27 the Guidance team will be hosting a mini UK University Fair during lunch time from 12:15 – 1 pm in the BRH. This is a great opportunity to see what the universities have to  offer.

  • UK Universities attending: University of Reading, Nottingham, Leeds, Ulster, Aston, Bradford, Chichester, Birmingham, Oxford, Liverpool and Essex.

In Grade Programming Next Week

Next week is all-spirit-all-week! Each grade will be practicing their cheer at various times throughout the week. Monday will be our Spirit Week assembly and Thursday will be the competitive Cheer-Off between each Grade (and the teachers!). It’s going to be a fun and spirited week—expect to hear all about it at home!

HCPA

Upcoming Grade Socials

Please save the date for the following evening parent socials:

  • Grades 9 & 10: Wednesday, February 19 from 7 – 9 pm (JS Dining Hall)
  • Grades 7 & 8: Tuesday, February 25 from 7 – 9 pm (JS Dining Hall)

HCPA Marketplace Pop-Up Shop: Monday, February 10

One-Day Only Havergal Bracelet Sale!

  • Get your Havergal bracelets for just $15 – one-day only!
  • Plus, every purchase enters you for a chance to win a $50, $75, or $100 gift card to Shoppers Drug mart, Starbucks and Sephora!
    • When? Monday, Feb 10
    • Where? Outside B42 (US Staff Room)
    • Time? 12 – 3 pm

Don’t miss out—bracelets, prizes, and Havergal spirit, all in one place! See you there!

Gator Gala: Saturday, April 5

All Upper and Middle School students, along with an adult guest, are invited to experience a Kaleidoscope of Cultures on Saturday, April 5! Enjoy a night full of fun, featuring a DJ, Bubble Tea Station, Mocktails, a 360-degree photo booth, and much more!

  • Ticket sales are now open – PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!

Please donate to the US Bake Sale on Thursday, February 13

The Bake Sale is back! Please save the date on Thursday, February 13. All Upper School students will have an opportunity to attend our delicious annual bake sale during the day. US students are welcome to use cash or card/ApplePay to make purchases.

  • Please click here to sign up for donations.  We welcome all types of nut-free baked good donations.
  • We are also looking for parent volunteers. Please click here to sign up if you can help with setup or during the bake sale.

REMINDERS

Parent Education Evening: Tuesday, February 18 at 7 pm in EK Library

Lexi Koster, a Toronto-based Sexual Violence Prevention Educator, Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist & Child Life Specialist will be here to present to our Grade 11 & 12 parents where Lexi will cover the landscape of campus sexual violence and impart strategies to continue the conversation at home. To register please click HERE.

Upcoming University Visits: Thursday, February 13

Individual University Reps will be visiting Havergal College to speak to Grade 9 – 12 students during the lunch hour. This is a great opportunity to see what the universities offer.

StFX University

  • Date: Thursday, February 13
  • Time: 12:15 – 1 pm 
  • Location: B66

Grad Gown Measurements Continue Until February 21

Please remind your Grad to go to the Guidance Office to be measured for their Grad gown.

Grad Wear Final Orders Have Arrived

If your Grad is awaiting some final items please send them to Ms. Timusk’s office to pick up their order.

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Monday, Feb 10

  •  Spirit week: Dress in an ugly clashing outfit

Tuesday,  February 11

  • Spirit week: Dress in Green and Gold
  • Hockey Day: Special Schedule (Period 1 starts at 8:30 am)

Wednesday, February 12

  • Spirit Week: Dress as the assigned generation (students see their email for more details)

Thursday, February 13

  • Spirit Week: Dress in Grade Colour (students see their email for more details) 
  • Boarding School Closes 6 pm (reopens Monday, February 17 at 4 pm)

Friday, February 14

  • School closed

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