Thursday, February 13, 2025

On By Havergal Upper School

A Message from the Heads: Cissy Goodridge & Deirdre Timusk

Dear Parents & Students,

We’re writing from home, enjoying our winter wonderland! A snow day is always a welcome surprise—an unexpected pause to cozy up and take a well-deserved break.

While today’s snowfall may have postponed the final day of Spirit Week, there’s no need to worry—our much-anticipated Grade Cheer will now take place next Thursday!

This week, we also came together as a community to cheer on our Varsity Hockey Team at Hockey Day. The energy was electric, and the game was a true nail-biter, ending in a dramatic shootout with a 3-2 score.

A huge congratulations to our senior Band students for their outstanding performances at the Ontario Band Association Festival! Our Symphonic Band earned Gold, while Concert Winds brought home a SilverPlus award. They represented Havergal beautifully, and we can’t wait to hear them again at our Spring Music Night in April.

Stay warm and enjoy the snow!

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

The Bake Sale moved to Tuesday, February 18

US Bake Sale

The US Bake Sale has been rescheduled to next Tuesday, February 18 at the EK library! 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.

If you signed up for donations please drop your delicious baked items to EK library on Tuesday morning between 7.30-8.30am.If you had signed up to volunteer but no longer can please contact hcpa.committee@gmail.com.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

This Week in Form programming

  • The MS Canned Food and Pasta Drive kicks off on Tuesday Feb 18th. In support of our North York Harvest Food Bank, we’ve set a goal of 1000 cans. In order to achieve this, we are asking all MS students to bring in 4 cans of food and bagged or boxed pasta. The list of much needed foods can be found here: Soups, Pasta Sauce, Chilli, Stews and Pasta.
  • As we kick off the food drive, our students will be learning about food insecurity and debunking the myths of who accesses these vital services in our city.
  • During our win@social segment, this week the students will focus on Black History Month where they will learn about impactful students and leaders who are making a difference in the world around them.

SENIOR SCHOOL

In Grade Programming This Week

Our Grade 11 and 12 students will attend a session by Lexi Koster, a Toronto-based Sexual Violence Prevention Educator, Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist & Child Life Specialist. She will discuss topics like consent, bodily autonomy and bystander intervention. Lexi’s talk will encourage our students to talk openly about sexual violence and take action toward its prevention. Having formerly worked as Queen’s University’s Sexual Violence Prevention Educator, Lexi knows the difference it makes to have these important conversations before stepping foot on campus. As part of our commitment to student well-being, Grade 10s will discuss safe decision-making in social settings, including healthy relationships and responsible choices at parties.

OSSLT Results: Havergal Earns 100% Pass Rate

All students who wrote the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test in November 2024 passed! Individual student reports from the Education and Accountability Office (EQAO) have now been uploaded to the Veracross Parent Portal. To access your child’s report:

  • In the upper left, select My Children, then select Student Files under the child you wish you view.
  • In the Files section, select Download next to the file you wish to view

University Visit: Huron University College –  Wednesday, February 26 at lunch

We encourage students to come and learn more about Huron University College which is a university college affiliated with the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. Huron is the founding institution of the University of Western Ontario and students can have a small school experience while accessing the resources of the larger university.

HCPA

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!

If you would like to make a donation to the Gator Gala Silent Auction, please contact Jenn Ocampo-King at JenniferOcampo.King@tdsecurities.com or Michelle Yang at michelle3yang@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!

  • Help make the Gator Gala unforgettable! Here’s how you can contribute:

✨ Donate items (snacks, beauty products, gift cards, etc.)
💰 Monetary donations to buy essentials
🔗 Recommend suppliers for wholesale items

  • Local businesses can also gain exposure by supporting the event!
  • For more info or to donate, contact Christine Kwok at christinekwok@gmail.com. Let’s make it a night to remember!

Upcoming Grade Socials

Please save the date for the following evening parent socials:

  • Grades 9 & 10: Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 7  – 9 pm, JS Dining Hall
  • Grades 7 & 8: Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 7 – 9 pm, JS Dining Hall

REMINDERS

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

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

Mini UK University Fair: Thursday, February 27 during lunch

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

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Monday, February 17

  • Statutory Holiday – Family Day: School Closed
  • Boarding School Opens at 4 pm 

Tuesday, February 18

  • Upper School Bake Sale in EK,  9-4.30pm 
  • Grade 11/12 Parent Speaker: Sexual Violence Prevention, EK, 7 pm 

Wednesday, February 19

  • Grade 9/10 Parent Grade Social, Junior School Dining Hall, 7 – 9 pm 

Thursday, February 20

  • Dress Up in Grade Colours for Cheer Off Assembly

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